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

Yang Guo's heart skipped a beat.

Nine-Turn Life-Extending Pill.

Those were sacred medicines refined by Wang Chongyang before his death; there were only three in total. To save him from a qi deviation, Yin Zhiping stole one and gave it to him. If this were discovered, Yin Zhiping would be severely punished, if not killed.

"They've traced it back to you?" Yang Guo asked tentatively.

"not yet."

Yin Zhiping wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. "This morning, Uncle-Master Qiu went to the alchemy room to check and found that one pill was missing. Now the entire Chongyang Palace is sealed off, and they say they're going to investigate thoroughly. That scoundrel Zhao Zhijing, who's always been at odds with me, volunteered this time to lead a search party, looking through every room."

"Then what are you afraid of?" Yang Guo feigned composure. "You're the sect leader's disciple, and you didn't steal the medicine in front of anyone. As long as you deny it to the death, who can say you did it?"

"You don't understand."

Yin Zhiping's face was contorted with distress, his voice trembling. "There are records of everyone entering and leaving the alchemy room. That day... only the sect leader and I went in. If they really investigate thoroughly, I'll have no way to defend myself!"

Yang Guo fell silent.

This is indeed a dead end.

Those old Taoist priests of the Quanzhen Sect usually appear dignified and otherworldly, but when it comes to using their family discipline, they are all incredibly ruthless.

"Then what do you mean, Master?" Yang Guo asked, looking at Yin Zhiping.

Yin Zhiping took a deep breath, a look of madness flashing in his eyes.

"Guo'er, I've thought it over."

He stared at Yang Guo and said, word by word, "I'm leaving the Quanzhen Sect."

"Huh?" Yang Guo picked at his ear, thinking he had misheard.

"I said, I quit!"

A sinister smile appeared on Yin Zhiping's face. "Rather than waiting for them to find out, cripple my martial arts, and expel me from the sect, I'd rather rebel myself! Let whoever wants to be this old Taoist priest take the job!"

Yang Guo's eyes widened.

This plot isn't going in the right direction.

According to the original script, shouldn't he have been the one to betray the Quanzhen Sect later because he couldn't stand the awfulness? How come his cheap master stole the job first?

"Master, please calm down." Yang Guo swallowed hard. "Treason is a serious crime. If you run away, where in this vast world will you find refuge? The Quanzhen Sect will definitely hunt you down to the ends of the earth."

"I have somewhere to go."

Yin Zhiping turned around, his gaze fixed intently on the tightly closed stone door, his eyes filled with fascination. "Ancient tomb."

Yang Guo followed his gaze and felt a chill run down his spine.

"You...you want to hide in an ancient tomb?"

"Is that not allowed?"

Yin Zhiping said confidently, "The ancient tomb is a forbidden area of ​​the Quanzhen Sect. If Miss Long is willing to take me in, even if my master comes in person, he wouldn't dare to trespass on the ancient tomb! At that time, Miss Long and I can spend our days together, living happily ever after. Wouldn't that be a hundred times better than being a lousy Taoist priest in that cold and desolate Taoist temple?"

Yang Guo's mouth was open, and he couldn't close it for a long time.

That old rascal, he's got some pretty good ideas.

Not only does he want to be a traitor, but he also wants to be a live-in son-in-law?

Yang Guo gave a thumbs up, "Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! I've never admired anyone in my life, but I admire your willingness to risk your life for love! Is this the legendary... 'anger for a beauty'?"

Yin Zhiping was flattered by the praise, and a blush crept onto his face: "I was forced into it, forced into it..."

"However..." Yang Guo changed the subject, his face showing difficulty, "This matter...shouldn't we discuss it more carefully? If you want to hide in the ancient tomb, you'll need the fairy sister's approval first."

That's why we need you!

Yin Zhiping grabbed Yang Guo's sleeve, this time holding it even tighter. "Guo'er, you're my good disciple. You've been inside for so long, you must have a way. You have to help me arrange to meet Miss Long. As long as I see her, with my unwavering devotion, I'm sure I can move her!"

"Moved my ass," Yang Guo cursed inwardly.

With your appearance and that stench, forget about being moved; it would be a miracle if Sister Long didn't beat you to death today.

"Master, this really won't do."

Yang Guo refused without hesitation, "Sister Long is currently at a crucial stage in her training and won't see anyone. Besides, if you really betray the sect and go in, what will I do? Will I also betray the sect? The two of us, master and disciple, crammed into the same tomb, this..."

"Yang Guo!"

Yin Zhiping's expression suddenly changed.

He released his grip, his face taking on a sinister expression.

"Don't forget, whose stomach did that Nine-Turn Life-Extending Pill end up in?"

Yang Guo narrowed his eyes: "What does Master mean by this?"

"It's boring."

Yin Zhiping flicked the dust off his sleeve and said slowly, "If I get caught, I might just betray you. Then I'll say you begged me to steal the medicine, and that you swallowed it yourself. You're a disciple of the Quanzhen Sect, and you're always sneaking into the Ancient Tomb..."

Yin Zhiping sneered, "Do you think the sect leader would trust me, the disciple he's watched grow up, or you, a little rascal?"

Looking at the Taoist priest who had become somewhat unfamiliar, Yang Guo felt a surge of admiration.

This guy's brain suddenly works perfectly when it comes to women.

This is indeed Yang Guo's Achilles' heel.

His current martial arts skills might be enough to deal with an ordinary disciple, but against someone of the Seven Masters of Quanzhen's level, he'd be easy prey. If the Quanzhen Sect were to conclude that he had taken elixirs, he'd have no choice but to hide in the ancient tomb and never come out.

But how can that be allowed?

Sister Rong'er is still waiting for me in Xiangyang!

A smile returned to Yang Guo's face.

"Master, what are you saying? We have a deep bond between us, how could you possibly do something so righteous as to betray your own family?"

Yang Guo stepped forward and straightened Yin Zhiping's messy collar. "I was just worried about you, Master. Now that you've made up your mind, I'll do anything to help you tie this red thread."

"Good, you truly are my good disciple. In that case, I'll be waiting for Miss Long at the usual spot tomorrow. Don't disappoint your master!"

After saying this, Yin Zhiping turned and left without waiting for Yang Guo's reply.

……

Yang Guo returned to the Ancient Tomb with a dark expression. He was seething with anger.

That Yin Zhiping is such a spineless coward. He usually seems like a gentleman, but he turns into a scoundrel when trouble comes his way.

He actually used the Nine-Turn Life-Extending Pill to threaten me.

But in the end, I'm the one who benefits from this, so I might actually have to help him out.

But how can we get Little Dragon Girl to go out with us?

Go directly to Xiaolongnu and say, "My master is going to betray the sect and wants to hide in the Ancient Tomb to become your man. Do you want to see him?"

Yang Guo himself felt that if he said these words, he would be pinned to the wall by Xiaolongnu's sword the next second.

We must come up with a foolproof plan.

A way to get Xiaolongnu to go see Yin Zhiping without making her feel like she's being a pimp.

Yang Guo pondered for a long time, but felt that there was no solution to this problem.

As the ancients said, "Sincerity is the ultimate weapon!" Perhaps the only option left is to be sincere.

Before long, Yang Guo obtained paper and pen. He hadn't learned any martial arts on Peach Blossom Island, but he could imitate handwriting with ease.

Yang Guo decides to help Yin Zhiping write a love letter to Xiaolongnu.

He had already thought about the contents of the letter.

It can't be too direct; it has to be tactful.

It can't be too explicit; it has to be affectionate.

The writing should capture Yin Zhiping's pain of unrequited love and his resolute decision to leave for distant lands.

He thought for a moment, then the tip of his pen began to move across the paper.

"To Miss Long:"

I hope to receive your letter.

I've missed you terribly for days. Yet, gossip is a fearsome thing, and I'm bound by worldly entanglements, so though we're so close, we feel worlds apart, unable to meet.

Zhiping knew that he was of lowly status and insignificant skill, and that he should not harbor any delusions or disturb the fairy's quiet cultivation.

The word "love" has no origin, yet it goes on and on.

Since that day in the flower grove, the girl's beautiful image has lingered in my heart day and night, impossible to shake off.

The girl's kick broke Zhiping's bones, but it left an indelible mark on his heart.

Recently, a sudden upheaval has occurred within the church, and there are fears that a major disaster may be imminent.

Zhiping is disheartened and will soon flee from the mortal world, leaving Quanzhen Sect, where he may never return.

The world is vast, and I don't know where I can call home.

Before leaving, I have only one wish.

Tomorrow at noon, in the flower grove behind the mountain, will I be able to see the girl again?

This parting may be our final farewell.

If you would grant my request, I would be extremely fortunate.

If you are rejected, it is your destiny.

May the young lady be safe and well from now on, free from all worries.

Yin Zhiping respectfully bows.

After finishing writing, Yang Guo held up the letter and blew on the ink.

He read it himself and almost threw up.

That's too cheesy.

What "thinking about it like crazy" and "the indestructible mark"? If Sister Rong'er saw this, she would laugh at me to death.

However, this saccharine tone is quite fitting for Yin Zhiping's character as a lovelorn Taoist priest.

Next, the letter was to be delivered to Xiaolongnu; whether she accepted it or not was entirely up to her.

If Xiaolongnu insists on not seeing him, and Yin Zhiping is exposed, he will have no choice but to hide in the ancient tomb.

As for the cheap master, he can only pray for good luck.