"I woke up." Qin Xiansheng's embrace tightened. "I'm sorry for worrying you."

Gu Qin noticed his body was a bit warm and was about to say something when Qin Xiansheng suddenly bent down, lifting her and carrying her to the bed. Gu Qin laughed softly and wrapped her arms around his neck. Now, her eyes were higher than his.

Gu Qin lowered her head, looking at his handsome face. "Qin Xiansheng, stop fooling around. I need to cook. You haven't eaten for days. Are you still strong enough?"

"Strength?" Qin Xiansheng chuckled. "Hmm, do you want to see for yourself?" He carried Gu Qin into the room and placed her on the bed, pressing his body against hers.

Gu Qin was stunned. "Qin Xiansheng, what are you doing?"

"Qin Qin." Qin Xiansheng's eyes darkened. "I like you very much. I want to be intimate with you." His face drew closer, his amber eyes deeply gazing into hers, his reflection the only thing in his eyes. His lips, pale from the recent injuries, were almost touching hers.

Gu Qin wasn't particularly flustered, but she found Qin Xiansheng's sudden change strange. Before, his eyes were always full of her, but he always restrained himself. Now, he seemed overly passionate, with something else changing that she couldn't pinpoint.

Just before their lips touched, Gu Qin pushed him away. "Qin Xiansheng, stop fooling around."

"Not fooling around," he said, holding her hands above her head with one hand. His lips kissed her forehead, then moved to her nose. "Qin Qin, I don't want to wait two years. I want to kiss you."

Gu Qin covered her mouth with her palm, and his lips moved to her hand, burning her skin. She muffled her voice. "Qin Xiansheng!"

Qin Xiansheng slowly raised his head, his eyes still hazy with desire. Hearing her call his name, he gradually regained clarity. His lips pursed, and he spoke sternly. "I told you before, I'm the ninth in my family. You can call me Qin Nine or Qin Xiansheng."

Gu Qin stared at him, confused and somewhat unsettled by their intimate moment. Her eyelids trembled, and her lashes fluttered.

Qin Xiansheng sighed, feeling a softening of his heart. He kissed her eyes gently, then stood up and moved away from her. Standing there in just a towel, he looked at Gu Qin. Gu Qin let out a sigh of relief and sat up. "Qin Xiansheng, quickly get dressed. I need to finish cooking. We can eat soon."

Qin Xiansheng watched her for a long time before finally nodding reluctantly and opening the wardrobe, picking out some clothes.

Gu Qin went back to the kitchen to start cooking, still puzzled by Qin Xiansheng's sudden change.

Half an hour later, Gu Qin finished cooking and brought the dishes to the dining table. Qin Xiansheng was sitting casually on the living room sofa, his legs crossed. Gu Qin glanced at him, noticing how relaxed he looked, unlike his usual upright posture.

Seeing Gu Qin's dishes ready, Qin Xiansheng got up and helped carry the dishes to the table.

Gu Qin cooked two meat dishes and two vegetable dishes, along with the soup Cheng Yinxiang had brought in the morning. Gu Qin had eaten enough rice, leaving the rest for Qin Xiansheng.

After eating, Qin Xiansheng took the dishes to the kitchen to wash them. When he returned to the living room, Gu Qin said, "Qin Xiansheng, I'll head back now. If you need anything, just send me a text."

Qin Xiansheng nodded. Without saying more, he sat on the sofa, leaning back comfortably. He pulled Gu Qin into his embrace and kissed her forehead. "Why don't I drop you off later? It's still early."

Gu Qin, for some reason, felt the urge to avoid Qin Xiansheng. "No, I'll go back now."

Qin Xiansheng made a sound of agreement, then lifted her effortlessly, placing her across his lap. He looked directly into her eyes. "Qin Qin, are you avoiding me? Don't you like me anymore?"

Gu Qin knew she liked him. At first, her feelings weren't intense, but after spending time together, she grew to like him more. She didn't have time to be coy. She wrapped her arms around his neck. "Qin Xiansheng, I like you. If I didn't, I wouldn't agree to be with you. But I'm not used to this side of you yet."

Qin Xiansheng stiffened. "What's different about me? Am I not still the same person? My appearance hasn't changed, and I still like you. I just don't want to suppress my feelings. Since I like you, I want to be closer to you."

He didn't understand why his personality had changed. He had always acted according to his whims, never suppressing his desires. This was the first time he had feelings for someone. Compared to before, he was less restrained and more passionate.

In his era, girls married at thirteen or fourteen, so he didn't see anything wrong with being intimate with someone he liked.

Gu Qin looked at him. "No matter what, I'll still like you. Not just because of your appearance or personality. As long as it's you, I'll like you. But I'm not used to this new side of you."

Qin Xiansheng frowned, seeing her earnest expression. He eventually gave in and kissed her forehead, reluctantly saying, "Alright, for now, I'll listen to you. If you want to go back, I'll drive you back."

Qin Xiansheng took the car keys and held Gu Qin's hand, leading her downstairs and driving her home.

When he returned alone to the empty house, he leaned back on the sofa, his hand covering his eyes. After a long while, he sat up straight and walked around the house, returning to his room to take out the small jade gourd.

Looking at the jade gourd in his hand, Qin Xiansheng chuckled and stepped out to the living room, sitting down. He examined the gourd for a moment before opening it. The Yin Beast White Tiger inside was still bound by the demon rope, but it looked more spirited than before, struggling and growling at Qin Xiansheng.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Qin Xiansheng chuckled and made a gesture, causing the White Tiger to tremble in pain. Sitting up straight, he said calmly, "I'm not as lenient as before. If I had dealt with you earlier, I would have destroyed you. But since you're here, I'll spare your life. If you behave, you might achieve great cultivation. But if you resist, I won't mind dealing with you. What will you choose?"

The White Tiger roared defiantly. Qin Xiansheng snorted. "Stubborn! Let's see how you fare."

Qin Xiansheng smiled. "So what if you're fierce? You're just a sick cat now. Don't worry, I don't have much interest in you. I kept you for Gu Qin. If you protect her well, I'll help you achieve true form and great enlightenment. Besides, you should know by now that the old man who sent you to me wanted you to become a Yin Beast. I was just unlucky, chosen to be your carrier. None of us had it easy, but now we're all better off. Why not be happy?"

The White Tiger continued to roar defiantly. Qin Xiansheng rubbed his temples. "Roar all you want. What if outsiders hear you?"

Qin Xiansheng sighed. "I was too indecisive before. If I had killed you, why won't you submit now?"

Qin Xiansheng was getting frustrated with the still roaring White Tiger. That year, he was young and good-natured, believing he had found a good master. He never imagined his master was a villain, using him as a host for the Yin Beast.

He was lucky. During the initial possession, he suffered greatly, but he found a divine treasure that helped him survive. His personality changed, becoming distrustful and cold to everyone, acting only on his desires.

As he grew older, his cultivation increased. He injured the old man during his breakthrough attempt, and the old man fled. Qin Xiansheng wandered alone, building a sect. He did whatever he pleased, regardless of right or wrong. He became famous, known as the Ninth Lord, feared by all.

Eventually, he grew tired of that life and fell into a deep sleep. The gentle, cultured version of himself returned, but he was still the same person, cold and calculating. He helped many people, but he also had a softer heart, helping others.

He thought he would live a peaceful life as that gentle person forever. But when he expelled the White Tiger recently, his other personality emerged.

Two personalities, one person. He knew they were the same person but didn't fully accept the other's personality. It was too restrained, living a life of suppression. And it didn't even help Mu Lao.

Mu Lao's family had once shown him kindness when he was destitute and injured. Later, he helped them with feng shui, making them powerful. When Mu Lao joined the military, he helped him through dangerous times.

That other personality agreed to help, helping Mu Lao become a renowned general. Mu Lao had been injured many times, and the other personality healed him. Recently, when Mu Lao was gravely injured, that personality risked his life to save him and even took on a leadership role in a mysterious institution for the sake of the country.

Qin Xiansheng found that other personality foolish, always doing thankless tasks.

Thinking about these memories, Qin Xiansheng sighed. The other personality had lived quietly for years, capable of making significant changes in the world. But now, waking up, he had no interest in those matters. His interest lay in Gu Qin.

Two personalities, one person. Their preferences were naturally the same. Since the other personality was smitten with Gu Qin, he didn't need to say anything. But his nature was different. If he liked someone, he wouldn't wait two years. However...

Qin Xiansheng stood up and kicked the White Tiger, feeling influenced by the girl. If it were before, he wouldn't have softened at the sight of someone he liked. But honestly, he hadn't met anyone who captured his heart in decades.

Lost in thought, the White Tiger growled softly, snapping Qin Xiansheng back to reality. He looked down at the White Tiger, frowning as he considered what to do with it.

"Why not just give you a mark? If you show any resistance, you'll self-destruct?" Qin Xiansheng muttered to himself. He thought for a moment, then knelt down, patting the White Tiger's head and chanting a spell..."

The White Tiger struggled fiercely, baring its fangs and roaring at Qin Xiansheng, already a Yin Beast with its own...

The tiger was naturally unwilling to let this person mark him, saying it's a mark, it means unilateral control over it. If I had known earlier, I would have submitted.

The White Tiger also felt somewhat frustrated. Originally, it hated Qin Xiansheng immensely, but over these years, it had opened its divine intelligence and realized that the blame for what happened back then did not lie with him; it was just unwilling to bow its head.

The White Tiger closed its mouth, lowered its body, and lay on the ground with all four limbs touching the ground.

"Hmm?" Qin Xiansheng continued talking to himself, "Are you willing to submit now? But it's too late." He continued his hand movements.

This incantation was quite long, and the spell was also lengthy, taking him nearly ten minutes. Finally, he formed a seal and slapped the White Tiger's forehead with one palm. The White Tiger roared in a voice full of reluctance.

There was no way to change anything now. The mark had already been made. If it harbored any other thoughts, it would certainly be consumed by its own yin-spiritual qi.

Qin Xiansheng’s injuries had just healed, and at this moment, after completing these actions, his face looked somewhat unwell again. He didn't care about the White Tiger anymore and left it tied up with the demon-restraint rope, returning to his room to sleep.

Only the White Tiger remained, roaring in dissatisfaction in the living room.

Gu Qin went back home after eating dinner, sat in the living room and chatted with Cheng Yinxiang and the others for a while. In the past few days, Cheng Yinxiang's cosmetics counter in the mall had started renovation and was almost complete. All the necessary documents from the health bureau had been issued, and once the renovation was done, they could start putting cosmetics on the shelves.

Cheng Yinxiang asked about Qin Xiansheng's condition. Gu Qin replied, "Mom, don't worry, Brother Qin has woken up." But there was something odd about him; naturally, she didn't dare say the latter part out loud.

"It's good he woke up," Cheng Yinxiang sighed with relief. "I stewed a pot of soup tonight. Should I bring it to him tomorrow morning?"

Gu Qin nodded. "Alright."

While sleeping that night, Gu Qin thought about Brother Qin. She felt he was strange but couldn't put her finger on it. However, his aura and presence were undoubtedly still Brother Qin's.

The next morning, Gu Qin didn’t go to Mount Tai to practice. After having breakfast at home, she directly brought the soup to Brother Qin’s house.

She had the key to his house and entered directly. In the center of the living room was the White Tiger, still bound by the demon-restraint rope, lying on the ground. Hearing the door open, the White Tiger lifted its head and then lay down dejectedly again. Gu Qin raised an eyebrow. Why had it been released? It seemed to be tamed? How did it happen?

Looking around, she saw no one else in the room. Was he still resting? Gu Qin placed the food box on the table in the living room and went to check the bedroom. The bedroom door opened easily, revealing a large figure lying on the bed, unclothed. His strong back, lean waist, narrow hips, and powerful legs.

Gu Qin quickly glanced away, her face turning red, and hurriedly stepped back, closing the door. She coughed, but there was no sound inside. Gu Qin called out from the door, "Brother Qin, why haven't you gotten up yet?"

Inside, there seemed to be some movement. Qin Xiansheng groaned and turned over. Gradually, his voice became clearer, "Qin Qin, you're here?"

Gu Qin nodded. "Brother Qin, get up. I brought you soup. Eat something light in the morning and have soup for lunch and dinner. I need to go to school first."

"No, wait for me. I have something to tell you," Qin Xiansheng quickly got up and dressed, picking clothes from the wardrobe. Leaving the room, Gu Qin found him sitting on the sofa in the living room, looking at the White Tiger.

The White Tiger heard the noise and knew Qin Xiansheng had come out, so it lowered its head dejectedly.

Gu Qin pointed at the White Tiger. "Brother Qin, what's wrong with it? It seems much calmer now."

Qin Xiansheng sat next to Gu Qin on the sofa. "I put a mark on it, so it's naturally more obedient. By the way, take the White Tiger with you."

"Me?" Gu Qin looked at him. "Brother Qin, this is your yin beast. What do I need it for? Although its cultivation has decreased, it will still be very powerful when it recovers."

"No." Qin Xiansheng leaned lazily against the sofa. "I don't like it. If it follows me, I might kill it."

Gu Qin sighed. "Brother Qin, speak properly. It can understand you. Besides, this White Tiger is yours. I won't take it."

"I want it to hear that," Qin Xiansheng gently stroked her smooth hair. "Let it know that if you don't take it, it only has one path—death."

The White Tiger lifted its head, its blue eyes fixed intently on Qin Xiansheng. Gu Qin felt that the White Tiger must hate Qin Xiansheng deeply.

Gu Qin did not want the White Tiger, but Qin Xiansheng insisted. Seeing Gu Qin didn't want it, he actually raised his hand to strike it. She quickly grabbed Qin Xiansheng's hand. "Brother Qin! Wait, how about this: I'll keep it for now and see later?"

Qin Xiansheng nodded and kissed her cheek. "Then take it today. I'll send you to school first."

"No, Brother Qin, you haven't eaten yet. Go eat first, I can walk to school. It's still early."

Without hesitation, Qin Xiansheng took Gu Qin's hand. "I'll send you. We'll eat on the way. As we pass the White Tiger, he untied the demon-restraint rope. Seeing the White Tiger didn't move, Qin Xiansheng kicked it. "Get up, follow Qin Qin to school. Your responsibility is to protect my wife from now on."

Gu Qin felt somewhat helpless, thinking that Brother Qin had truly changed his personality.

The White Tiger glared at Qin Xiansheng but eventually got up and followed them.

The White Tiger had been raised for many years and was quite large, even larger than a typical adult white tiger. Standing on all fours, it reached Gu Qin's chest, looking quite intimidating. Gu Qin felt relieved that it was a yin beast, which most people couldn't see, otherwise it would be troublesome.

Actually, a yin beast was merely a form of negative energy, so it was invisible and intangible to outsiders. Even if someone bumped into it, they wouldn't feel anything unless the yin beast chose to reveal itself by letting some of its negative energy enter the person's mind, causing them to hallucinate and see it.

Qin Xiansheng sent Gu Qin to school. He originally planned to drop her off at the school gate, but Gu Qin was worried about being seen by classmates, as rumors could spread. There were too many people who spoke without thinking these days.