Huang Rong from The Return of the Condor Heroes: Guo'er, calm down.

Yang Guo felt a surge of anger welling up inside him.

He stomped his feet hard on the grass twice.

"Call me 'Dad'? Dream on!"

Though he spoke tough, he felt a chill run down his spine. While the "Snake-like Leap" technique was practical and could save his life in a critical moment, the posture was simply too undignified.

If I take Sister Rong out in the future and we encounter bad people, I'll just lie down on the ground and start rolling around. Sister Rong will probably be too embarrassed to stick close to me then.

"No, I have to learn some proper light-body skills."

Yang Guo was pondering where to find a decent set of footwork when he suddenly heard a rustling sound coming from outside the woods.

I know who it is without even looking.

Yin Zhiping, sporting two large dark circles under his eyes, rushed out in a hurry.

He had clearly tidied himself up today; his Taoist robe was washed until it was almost white, his hair was combed meticulously, and even his stubble was clean-shaven.

But her face was sallow and looked even more haggard than a few days ago.

Lovesickness can be deadly.

As soon as Yin Zhiping saw Yang Guo, his eyes lit up. He rushed over in three steps and grabbed Yang Guo's sleeve.

"Guo'er!"

That shout was incredibly piercing and mournful.

Yang Guo got goosebumps all over his body and subtly pulled his sleeve back.

"Master, please be gentle. These sleeves aren't very sturdy to begin with. If you pull them any further, they'll become a vest."

Yin Zhiping didn't care about the sleeves; his mind was filled with the image of that figure in white.

"Where's the picture?"

Yin Zhiping stared intently at Yang Guo. "Is the map of the ancient tomb finished? Where is Miss Long's boudoir?"

Yang Guo rolled his eyes but didn't move.

"Master, do you take me for a god?" Yang Guo replied lazily. "That ancient tomb is pitch black. I've only been in there for a few days. I'm lucky if I can even find the outhouse."

Yin Zhiping froze.

He stared at Yang Guo for a while, his gaze becoming scrutinizing.

"Guo'er".

"Are you just going through the motions with your teacher?"

Yang Guo's heart skipped a beat. Had this old rascal changed his ways? Before, a few simple words from him would send him completely bewildered; why was he being so difficult today?

"How could that be?" Yang Guo sat up, patting the dirt off his clothes. "Disciple has been working hard all along, hasn't he? Look at all this mud on me, I got this from scouting the way in there."

Yin Zhiping didn't reply. He walked around Yang Guo twice with his hands behind his back.

Although Yin Zhiping was a fool when it came to love, he had managed to rise to the position of a top disciple of the third generation in the treacherous Quanzhen Sect, and had fought with Zhao Zhijing for so many years without being at a disadvantage. His brain was definitely sharp enough.

He was blinded by beauty before, but now that he's calmed down and thought about it, Yang Guo's behavior these past few days has indeed been a bit abnormal.

"Guo'er."

Yin Zhiping stopped, his tone becoming somewhat nonchalant, "During this morning's lesson, the sect leader specifically asked about you. He asked if you were getting used to staying in the forbidden area behind the mountain, and whether your martial arts had fallen behind."

Yang Guo's eyes narrowed.

Qiu Chuji?

This old Taoist priest, though pedantic, possessed extremely high martial arts skills and was very particular about rules. If he found out that he and Yin Zhiping were engaged in this kind of shady business here, or that he had been spending his days in the ancient tomb…

"The sect leader also said," Yin Zhiping continued, seemingly oblivious to Yang Guo's expression, "that if you are unhappy in the forbidden area, or encounter a bottleneck in your cultivation, we can certainly bring you back. After all, you are a descendant of an old friend, and the Quanzhen Sect cannot mistreat you."

Yang Guo clenched his fist tightly inside his sleeve.

What a fine Yin Zhiping.

I used to think you were just a lecherous glutton, but I never imagined you were a wolf in sheep's clothing.

The meaning behind those words is clear: If you don't do my job, I'll send you back to Chongyang Palace. Then you'll suffer under that scoundrel Zhao Zhijing.

The laziness on Yang Guo's face vanished instantly.

He stood up, bowed respectfully to Yin Zhiping, and smiled broadly.

"Master, what are you saying? The Sect Leader is so busy with affairs of state, yet he still thinks of his disciple. It is my blessing."

Yang Guo sighed, "Actually, it's not that I don't want to draw, it's just that... I'm willing but unable."

Yin Zhiping raised an eyebrow: "How so?"

"Master, you don't know this," Yang Guo began to complain bitterly, "This ancient tomb is full of traps and mechanisms. In many places, you can't go up to the sky or down to the ground. Take the main room where Sister Long lives, for example. There's a deep ravine right outside the door, and it's only connected by a few ropes."

"You know my lightness skill... I haven't mastered it at all. Every time I try to scout ahead, I almost fall and die. If I were to die, that wouldn't matter, but if it delays your important matters, Master, then I would be eternally ashamed!"

As Yang Guo spoke, he secretly observed Yin Zhiping's expression.

Yin Zhiping frowned. He knew Yang Guo's meager skills. If what he said about the ancient tomb was indeed true, it was a problem.

"So what do you plan to do?" Yin Zhiping asked.

Yang Guo rubbed his forehead a little embarrassed: "Master, could you... teach me a few light-body skills? They don't need to be too advanced, just the 'Golden Goose Skill' from our Quanzhen Sect will do. As long as I can fly over rooftops and walk on walls, then drawing the picture will be a piece of cake, right?"

Yang Guo was making plans in his mind.

While the "Snake-like Leaping" technique is practical, it's incredibly ugly and can only move close to the ground, leaving it helpless at higher altitudes. The Quanzhen Sect's "Golden Goose Skill," though slow to learn, is steady and allows for aerial movement, perfectly compensating for this weakness.

Previously, Yang Guo looked down on the Golden Goose Skill because he was arrogant and unskilled, but now he has no choice but to covet it.

If one were to master the Golden Goose Skill, combined with the internal energy of the Toad Skill, and further enhanced by the unpredictable movements of the Snake-like Leap and the Fox-like Turn...

At that point, let alone touching the hem of Xiaolongnu's skirt, even untying her belt... cough cough, that's a story for later.

Yin Zhiping did not immediately agree after hearing this.

He looked at Yang Guo, his eyes gleaming.

In the past, a master would be overjoyed if his apprentice wanted to learn kung fu. But these past few days, he had a nagging feeling of unease. Yang Guo was too cunning; if he really learned all the skills, would this little eagle still be willing to be controlled by him?

"Teach your apprentice, and you'll starve." This is a principle everyone in the martial arts world understands.

Moreover, this kid is now the only bridge connecting him and Miss Long. He must have his weakness firmly grasped.

Yin Zhiping looked troubled.

"The Golden Goose Skill..."

"This is one of the most treasured techniques of our Quanzhen Sect. Although it's not exactly a closely guarded secret, this skill requires gradual progression. Your internal strength is still shallow; if you force yourself to practice it, you might suffer a qi deviation."

fart.

Yang Guo cursed inwardly.

The Golden Goose Skill is just a basic lightness skill; even the sweeping disciples of the Quanzhen Sect know a couple of moves. How did it become a legendary skill? And what about qi deviation? I have ten years' worth of pure internal energy in my body right now, what am I afraid of from qi deviation!

But this thin veil cannot be broken.

"Master, I am not afraid of hardship, nor am I afraid of death." Yang Guo said with a righteous expression, "For your sake, I will risk my life to master this lightness skill!"

Yin Zhiping was somewhat speechless at his "respect for teachers" demeanor.

He coughed twice, then his eyes darted around.

"Guo'er, I am very pleased with your filial piety. However..." Yin Zhiping changed the subject, "There are several extremely obscure and difficult points in this Golden Goose Skill. I have been trying to comprehend it recently, but I always feel that I am not quite grasping the key points in some places."

Yang Guo sneered inwardly.

"So, what does Master mean?"

Yin Zhiping took a step forward, a familiar lewd smile on his face.

"I've heard that the Ancient Tomb Sect's lightness skill is unparalleled in the world. I was thinking that if I could discuss it with Miss Long... and verify what we've learned, perhaps we could resolve these doubts. At that time, I will naturally be able to pass on this complete Golden Goose Skill to you."

Yang Guo almost spat out a mouthful of blood.

This isn't about discussing martial arts; it's clearly about getting me to act as a pimp and arrange a secret rendezvous with Xiaolongnu!

"To verify what you've learned"? I think you just want to verify how to have a baby, right?

Yang Guo felt nauseous looking at Yin Zhiping's face.

The current situation is awkward.

On Xiaolongnu's side, she doesn't call him "Dad" and doesn't teach him qinggong (lightweight kung fu).

Yin Zhiping refused to meet with Xiaolongnu or teach her the Golden Goose Kung Fu.

Blocked at both ends.

Calling someone "Dad" is humiliating and disgraceful; it means losing face and compromising one's integrity.

Help Yin Zhiping arrange a date with Xiaolongnu...

That would be disgracing his master and bringing shame upon Yin Zhiping.

I'd rather be a true villain than a godson.

Yang Guo made a decision in his heart in an instant.