Chapter 4: The Body of Profound Yin

“There’s a heavy aura of yin outside the courtyard. Forgive my bluntness, but with such dense yin energy, there must be no small number of spirits wandering about, and it’s not a recent development.” Qin Xuan spoke.

It wasn’t just now—he’d sensed it from the moment he approached Qixia Manor. The entire estate was shrouded in yin energy; ordinary people might not feel a thing, but to Qin Xuan it was as obvious as a house on fire.

If not for the talismans set by some expert, those living inside the manor would never be so healthy; illnesses would be constant and unending.

“The disciple of a true master lives up to his reputation,” Dongfang Jingtang sighed.

“You arrived late today. Tomorrow, when you meet Qingwan, you’ll understand the situation. But that child—because you were late, she might still be angry with you.”

“It’s nothing,” Qin Xuan replied with a faint smile. “By the way, my master instructed me to follow your orders for the next three months. Where should I stay during this period?”

“Oh? Your master didn’t tell you? Qingwan starts university tomorrow—her eighteenth birthday is in three months. As long as she makes it past her eighteenth birthday, she’ll be safe. During this time, I’ll have to trouble you to stay near her school.”

“University?”

Dongfang Jingtang nodded. “That’s right. Jinling University. I’ve already handled your enrollment; you’ll attend classes with Qingwan. Since it’s some distance from Qixia Manor, separate accommodations have been arranged.”

“I’ll leave it in your hands,” Qin Xuan said solemnly.

He grew more serious. He’d thought protecting someone in the mundane world would be a simple task; now he realized it was anything but. What on earth was going on with this Dongfang Qingwan?

With spirits involved, it was no ordinary matter. No wonder Dongfang Jingtang had traveled so far to seek out his master…

He spent the night at Qixia Manor, carefully sensing the environment. The more the night deepened, the heavier the yin energy became. Though invisible to the naked eye, it was clear ever more spirits were gathering.

Yet, thanks to some powerful practitioner’s talismans enveloping the entire manor, not a single spirit could approach. At dawn, the yin energy slowly dissipated. When sunlight broke through, the manor seemed to come alive again, no longer so lifeless.

Qin Xuan had already deduced the general situation regarding the young lady of the Dongfang family. After rising, he went straight to the front hall, where Dongfang Jingtang awaited him.

“Xiao Qin, let’s go. Qingwan is waiting outside,” Dongfang Jingtang said with a smile.

Qin Xuan nodded and followed him out. Beneath the warm morning sun stood a beautiful girl, eyes closed, basking in the light. Her smooth black hair danced by her ears in the breeze; her long lashes fluttered now and then; her profile, delicate as porcelain, was gentle yet frail.

Clad in a blue dress, she stood gracefully, serene as water, otherworldly as a fairy untouched by the mortal realm.

“Qingwan, this is Qin Xuan,” Dongfang Jingtang called.

The girl opened her eyes, glanced at Qin Xuan, then quickly looked away. She was already displeased with him for arriving late the night before, and Dongfang Wenhao had even complained to her, saying this fellow was a charlatan, a fake priest leeching meals.

With that, her first impression of Qin Xuan was hardly favorable.

“She truly possesses the Mysterious Yin Constitution,” Qin Xuan thought, unconcerned by her coldness, smiling as he confirmed his guess.

Though lovely, her face was markedly pale. Coupled with the heavy yin energy around the manor, it wasn’t hard to see what afflicted her.

In fact, she gave him the impression of Lin Daiyu—a beauty so delicate she inspired a man’s deepest urge to protect.

“No wonder Dongfang Wenhao resents me. I’m here to protect his sister; naturally, he’s displeased.”

At that moment, Dongfang Jingtang’s eyes betrayed a trace of surprise. He hadn’t told Qin Xuan the specific details of his granddaughter’s condition, yet Qin Xuan saw through it instantly—clear evidence of genuine skill. This reassured him greatly.

The Mysterious Yin Constitution was an extremely rare innate trait. Qin Xuan had heard his master speak of it: each night, those with this constitution generate mysterious yin energy that is a powerful tonic for spirits, attracting them in droves.

Upon reaching eighteen, the yin energy condenses into a Mysterious Yin Pellet—an object nearly priceless to spirits, fought over at any cost. That was why Qin Xuan was to protect her until her eighteenth birthday.

“Let’s get in the car—it’s time for school. Xiao Qin, when it comes to accommodations, call this number—it’s been arranged by your master,” Dongfang Jingtang said, handing over a slip of paper.

Qin Xuan accepted it with a nod. Qingwan’s lodging at night was indeed a concern. Since his master had arranged it, precautions would surely be in place—at the very least, ordinary spirits would never get in.

As he passed by Dongfang Qingwan, a faint, fresh fragrance reached him.

“Let’s introduce ourselves. My name is Qin Xuan,” he said, extending his hand.

“Dongfang Qingwan.”

Her gentle reply was like a breeze, instantly brightening his mood. But after speaking, she headed for a black van ahead, leaving his outstretched hand hanging.

Dongfang Jingtang could only sigh helplessly. He knew his granddaughter didn’t think much of Qin Xuan, but as long as she was safe, that was all that mattered—he wasn’t matchmaking, after all.

Still, as things stood, Qin Xuan had left a decent impression.

“Big sister, you sit in the front,” Wenhao grinned mischievously, already sprawled across the rear seats of the van. Qingwan, resigned, could only sit in the front passenger seat.

The driver was a hired professional, leaving Qin Xuan no choice but to take the rear seat beside Wenhao.

“Hey, kid, don’t even think about sitting with my sister. I’ll be watching you,” Wenhao warned.

Qin Xuan chuckled. “Little brat.”

“What did you say?”

“I said, little brat.”

“Hmph, who do you think you are? Let’s go, Fu,” Wenhao urged, eager to get out of his grandfather’s sight and make trouble for Qin Xuan.

The driver answered, and the black van sped off.

With Qingwan in the front seat, the ride was unhurried. Soon enough, Wenhao pulled out his phone and started texting, thinking he was being discreet—though Qin Xuan saw everything.

The message read: “San, bring a few guys to the school gate. Watch out for the one in the robe with me—he’s got his eye on my sister. Do what you think is best—preferably, give him a beating.”

Qin Xuan found it rather amusing. Wenhao really went all out—even though he was supposed to be his sister’s bodyguard, the boy was plotting with outsiders to rough up her own protector.