Comprehending Myriad Techniques as Woodcutter

Xie Yuan was completely caught off guard to find Situ Qin waiting for him at the door. "Uh," he stammered instinctively.

"It’s nothing. I’m just out for a walk, wandering around."

"I see. And were you planning on taking this stroll inside my residence, or over at Peng Wei’s house?"

Situ Qin tilted her head, feigning confusion.

Xie Yuan’s face flushed the moment he heard her words.

’How... how does she know all this?’

’It must have been Commander Hu who reported to her. He really doesn’t miss a single detail.’

Given Situ Qin’s cleverness, she had only to recall Xie Yuan’s attentiveness toward Peng Wei during the day to guess his intentions.

Xie Yuan fell silent for a moment before stubbornly insisting:

"The moonlight is captivating and the evening breeze is gentle, so I just came out for a stroll."

"Fine. Since Master Xie is in such an elegant mood to appreciate the moon, I’ll walk with you."

Situ Qin replied offhandedly.

Her expression seemed to say, ’Are you taking me for a fool?’

Xie Yuan could only sigh.

"Miss Qin, I have my reasons for this. I wouldn’t be taking such a risk otherwise."

"I know. You’re a cautious man, Master Xie. You must have a good reason. I wasn’t asking about that."

Situ Qin knew it was likely related to his Escort Agency. Her large eyes darted mischievously as she said:

"It’s just... for something this fun, you have to take me with you. You can’t go alone."

Xie Yuan stared at her, wide-eyed.

"Miss Qin, this isn’t a game! We’re not playing house here..."

"Enough of that. When it comes to strength, you’re far weaker than I am. How dare you lecture me about taking risks when you’re about to do so yourself?"

Hearing this, Situ Qin grew instantly displeased. She crossed her arms, her face stern.

"Uh..." Xie Yuan said, trying to be tactful.

"I have a Secret Technique. I’m quite confident I can pull it off."

"Oh? So you have secrets of your own."

An interested look instantly appeared on Situ Qin’s face. She clapped her hands, but instead of pressing for details, she just said:

"All the more reason to take me with you, then."

Xie Yuan sighed in exasperation.

"Miss Qin, you are a lady of noble birth. If anything were to happen to you, I could never bear the responsibility."

’Even though we’re inside Yunzhou Prefecture, wasn’t she just attacked by assassins on the main road not too long ago?’

"Alright, alright, if I’m not afraid, what are you afraid of? I thought you were a decisive man, Master Xie. Why are you being so long-winded? Let me ask you, without me to lead the way, do you even know which way the gate to the Inspector General’s residence faces? Are you just planning to scale random walls?"

"I can ask around..."

"Who are you going to ask in the middle of the night? The patrolling constables? Oh, I’m sure they’d be happy to help. They certainly know the layout."

Situ Qin crossed her arms and scoffed.

"And even if you find the right place, can you ask about the layout inside? Do you know where the main building is? The study? The side chambers or the rear courtyard?"

Having said her piece, she added with a hint of smugness:

"But I’ve been a guest there, so I know the layout. Bringing me along is all pros and no cons for you."

Xie Yuan listened, his resolve wavering. She did have a point.

’But taking a noble lady to scale the walls of a high official... the consequences of that could range from minor to catastrophic.’

Seeing his expression, Situ Qin huffed softly.

"Besides, what will you do if you run into trouble by yourself? The Inspector General’s residence may not be a dragon’s den, but it’s still not a place a mere Escort Master like you can handle alone. Stop being so indecisive. If you take me, then what happened earlier today... I’ll let it slide! Otherwise, I’ll be twice as displeased with you!"

Xie Yuan was taken aback.

’So she’s actually worried about me?’

Hearing her final threat, he finally relented.

"Very well. I am at your command, Miss Qin."

Situ Qin’s face immediately lit up in a smile, and she clapped her hands together.

"Excellent! Let’s go right now!"

She stepped forward and pulled on Xie Yuan’s arm. Only then did he notice she had already changed into a set of black, practical garments, much like an infiltrator’s suit.

The stealthy-looking suit had a certain charm on Situ Qin, but Xie Yuan could only look on in exasperation.

"Miss Qin, a moment ago, even I wasn’t sure if I was going. You’ve already changed your clothes?"

"I knew you’d go."

Situ Qin said with absolute certainty.

Xie Yuan had no idea where she got this confidence from; it was as if she knew him better than he knew himself.

The two of them walked to the back gate of the residence, where Situ Qin said:

"Peng Wei’s house isn’t in this alley, but it’s not far. If we hurry, we can get there in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea."

Xie Yuan nodded and silently began to circulate the Celestial Concealment Skill. A gradual change came over him.

Suddenly, Situ Qin let out a soft "Huh?" and whipped her head around, her face a mask of astonishment.

She reached out a small hand and waved it in front of Xie Yuan’s face, then tugged on his lapel, asking in amazement:

"Is this your Secret Technique? I can barely sense you! It’s incredible! Hmm, did that expert who taught you Inner Power teach you this as well?"

Xie Yuan nodded and said in a low voice,

"Let me see if I can use it on you, too."

Xie Yuan gazed at Situ Qin, silently channeling the Celestial Concealment Skill, trying to extend its aura-shrouding effect to cover her as well.

A long moment passed in silence. Nothing happened.

Situ Qin blinked a few times, a smile spreading across her face.

"Master Xie, you can look at me any time you want. You don’t need to make up excuses."

Xie Yuan was instantly embarrassed.

’My proficiency with the Celestial Concealment Skill is still too low. In theory, I should be able to use it on someone next to me...’

The moonlight was a silvery-white blanket, like salt scattered upon the earth.

Situ Qin’s lovely face was bathed in its radiance, making it seem as if she herself were glowing.

Xie Yuan stared, momentarily lost in a daze. Then, he suddenly reached out and took Situ Qin’s small hand in his. It was as warm and smooth as jade.

Situ Qin froze. Given her level of training, her reflexes should have been instantaneous, yet she didn’t move at all, as if her brain had simply shut down.

Feeling the warmth of his hand, she suddenly trembled, and a blush crept up her lovely face.

"Y-y-you, what are you doing...?"

Before she could finish her sentence, she felt a strange change come over her, as if she had become isolated from the world around her.

Xie Yuan cleared his throat.

"That should do it."