Internally, Qiu Yunru gasped. He felt like a woman in a Spanish melodrama falling over with a glass of wine.
Here was the classic, well-loved plot twist culture of Spring Blossoms, Autumn Fruits!
Though Spring Blossoms, Autumn Fruits had rocketed to fame primarily due to its unique AI interface that allowed for infinite content, another aspect of the game that was well-loved (and also despised) by the community was its addiction to plot twists. Every few quests, a plot twist would be implemented. These twists could be anything from shocking and well-woven, to dramatic 180's that made absolutely no sense. It was the latter that infuriated people. How could it make sense to be, say, on a quest to fight a succubus, only to find that that succubus is a demon sheep disguised as a succubus because it always wanted to be beautiful?! What kind of storytelling was that?
However, this plot twist didn't seem to fall into the What-Is-This-Shit category. If Li Chenyuan's abusive uncle did have something to do with the increase in monsters...it might have to do with his hatred of his nephew.
Qiu Yunru internally rubbed his chin. Was this a revenge plot?
Li Chenyuan went on: "My uncle has always harbored a hatred towards me as the inheritor of the Li fortune. It was not until a year ago when he fell ill that I was freed from his constant anger. Though he has been bedridden, however..." Li Chenyuan's face tightened with distaste. "I believe he is still plotting a manner to undermine me, whether in terms of reputation or by taking my life."
Qiu Yunru's eyes bulged. There was a potential assassination plot?!
Suddenly, a yellow quest marker popped up.
MEDIUM QUEST: Protect the Young Lord! Please protect Li Chenyuan from his uncle's scheming and figure out the mystery!
Qiu Yunru accepted immediately, though not before scolding the game menu a little. Wasn't this a little late to give a quest marker? He'd already known all the details days before! Whatever! At this point, his expectations of a well-working and considerate game menu were buried at the core of the earth!
He said politely: "Is Lord Li in current danger, at this moment? If so, we will stay with Lord Li until this situation had been resolved, as it is our duty to protect Lord Li in this scenario."
Li Chenyuan stared at him for a moment, expressionless. It was a little too long of a stare.
Qiu Yunru was beginning to get uncomfortable!
He resisted the urge to wipe his mouth. Did he have some food there? Impossible! He always made sure to keep up a graceful and respectable image in this game!
"It would be preferable if one of you stayed with me until the situation has been resolved," Li Chenyuan said shortly. Qiu Yunru jumped at the tone of his voice. So sharp! "Indeed, I suspect that my uncle hopes one of the demonic creatures roaming about will do me in."
Fang Hai nodded. "Then my junior will keep you company at all times."
Qiu Yunru's face whitened a little, and he coughed into his fist.
He understood why Fang Hai had offered him up. Being the Head Disciple of the Jade Clouds Sect and the leader of this mission, Fang Hai surely would have to run around asking many people questions and getting to know the ins and outs of the situation. This would naturally leave Qiu Yunru to stay by Li Chenyuan's side. They couldn't have this young lord fearing for his life while they were nearby, and they surely couldn't have him come to harm. The Jade Clouds Sect would lose a mountain of face!
But still...Qiu Yunru couldn't help but feel like a dog being tied to a pole next to an even bigger dog. And the bigger dog had teeth like knives and was staring at him unrelentingly.
It wasn't that he felt Li Chenyuan meant him any harm--just that it was too awkward a social situation!
Of course, in the end he put on a smile and nodded respectfully. "Of course. This humble one will make sure that no harm comes to Lord Li."
After that, they split up. Fang Hai went to go and ask the local population just outside the mansion about the demonic happenings, as well as to check the mansion perimeter for any signs of demonic energy. Meanwhile, Li Chenyuan suggested that Qiu Yunru come with him to check for demonic energy in the courtyards.
Feeling fairly sure that Li Chenyuan didn't remember him at all, and not wanting to be awkward, Qiu Yunru cleared his throat as they walked.
"Lord Li has only been the master of the Li household for a year, and yet is already so refined. This one finds it admirable."
It was never a bad idea to butter up the rich, right?
Li Chenyuan's face twitched. He was walking ahead of Qiu Yunru with his hands behind his back, so naturally Qiu Yunru couldn't see his face.
"Indeed."
Qiu Yunru felt an arrow of ice pierce his heart. What a short answer!
After a little while, Li Chenyuan started asking him questions:
"Young master Qiu, have you been training at the Jade Clouds Sect for long?"
"Only a year? And yet already qualified to help the common folk. How interesting."
"How are your talents in martial art and cultivation? Surely they must be extraordinary to warrant such a quick ascent to Foundation Establishment."
"I've heard the Jade Clouds Sect has many hot and cold springs. Does young master Qiu spend any time there?"
"I've heard the Jade Clouds Sect dining halls are famous for their cuisine. Is it truly that enjoyable?"
Qiu Yunru answered them all with peak respect and humility. He couldn't help but feel that some of these questions were a little biting, probing him for getting to this level so quickly and questioning his competence, but he wasn't the type to bite back.
He also couldn't help but feel that this kid knew a lot about the Jade Clouds Sect. Details about the dining halls, springs, and training methods...
"Is Lord Li interested in cultivation? Lord Li is very knowledgeable about my sect."
Qiu Yunru meant this to show that he was impressed. Someone as respectable and refined as this kid was also informed about cultivation sects. However, his comment didn't have the desired effect.
In fact, it had quite the opposite! Li Chenyuan stiffened and went pale. He took a fan out of his sleeve and snapped it open, then snapped it closed.
Qiu Yunru couldn't help but feel an ominous premonition. The opening and closing of that fan was like the rising and falling of a butcher's blade!
However, a moment later, Li Chenyuan seemed to recover himself. He stowed the fan away and continued walking, not sparing Qiu Yunru one glance.
"Indeed, this lord is interested in cultivation. After all, I am the heir to the Eight Purple Winds Sect's legacy."
Qiu Yunru's face drained of blood. He wanted to reach up and tear out a chunk of his own hair.
Of course this kid didn't like being asked questions about cultivation! His father, that Li Guiren...Whether this kid knew what kind of person he was or not, he had been murdered! There surely couldn't be any kind of good memories associated with cultivation for him.
Qiu Yunru cleared his throat, about to change the topic.
At that moment, he caught a wisp of demonic energy out of the corner of his eye.
He stopped abruptly, hand shooting out to grab Li Chenyuan's sleeve. Li Chenyuan looked enraged for a moment, his face red with offense, but when he saw Qiu Yunru's serious expression, he went still.
"There is demonic spiritual energy down the hall," Qiu Yunru explained. "Please don't stray too far."