Chapter 187 Qin Kuyi's Story
"Are you serious?" Liu Xunyi looked at Qin Ku, a look of half-belief and half-doubt appearing on his face.

"Qin Gang, the ancestor of the Hexi Qin family, is my great-grandfather. The previous head of the Qin family is my biological grandfather. And the current head, Qin Ming... is my uncle." Qin Ku recounted the relationship between himself and the Hexi Qin family. His expression was solemn and his words were certain, but there was a hint of bitterness and self-mockery in his tone.

"Uncle?" Liu Xunyi looked at Qin Ku in surprise and asked in disbelief, "In other words... your father is the eldest brother of Palace Master Qin?"

"Yes." Qin Ku said frankly, "And he is my biological brother!"

"This……"

Qin Ku's words shocked Liu Xunyi. He had never heard of this before. Liu Xunyi had always believed that the Qin family's direct lineage was a single lineage, from father to son, from son to grandson, with orderly succession and clear distinction between the old and the young. But he never expected that Qin Ming actually had an older brother with the same father and mother.

This incident was undoubtedly the most shocking anecdote Liu Xunyi had learned since he entered the martial arts world.

"According to convention, from the country to the people, the succession of any family should be based on the elders, with the elders being the first and the younger being the last." Liu Xunyi murmured, then raised his eyebrows and asked curiously, "Could it be that your father is not good at martial arts, so your grandfather chose your uncle to take charge of the Hexi Qin family instead of the elders?"

"Of course not." Qin Ku shook his head and said, "The Qin family is full of heroes, and my father is a rare talent, the best in the world, so how could he not be good at martial arts? In terms of martial arts, my father is far better than Qin Ming, that bastard!"

Seeing Qin Ku calling Qin Ming by his real name and calling him a "dog thief", Liu Xunyi knew without thinking that there must be a little-known blood feud between Qin Ku and Qin Ming. Even in the Hexi Qin Clan, there must be a past that Qin Ku was extremely ashamed of, otherwise, with Qin Ku's current martial arts and methods, how could he be unknown in the Hexi Qin Clan?
Liu Xunyi was kindhearted by nature, and would never deliberately expose Qin Ku's scars out of curiosity. He just stood aside silently, watching Qin Ku with a complicated look on his face, looking thoughtful and bitter.

"In the past, my grandfather thought highly of my father. He taught him martial arts and cultivated his character. He planned to entrust the Hexi Qin family to my father after he passed away." Qin Ku recalled, "Unfortunately, the good times didn't last long. Twelve years ago, my grandfather became obsessed with martial arts and fell ill. The Qin family was leaderless and in chaos. Qin Ming took the opportunity to form cliques and secretly cultivate his own followers. On the one hand, he pretended to please my grandfather, and on the other hand, he repeatedly designed to frame my father by relying on my father's trust in him. As a result, my grandfather, who was on his sickbed, mistakenly believed that my father was plotting to usurp power and wanted to commit treasonous acts of betraying his teacher and ancestors. So in a rage, he dismissed my father from the position of young master in public and expelled our family from the Qin family, never to recognize him again."

Having said this, Qin Ku, who was always carefree and smiling, actually had tears in his eyes and his eye sockets were slightly red.

"After Grandpa kicked us out of the Qin family, I don't know what tricks Qin Ming played. A few days later, Grandpa appointed him as the new young master and let him take charge of the Qin family in advance." Qin Ku shed tears quietly, clenched his fists tightly, and was filled with grief and anger. Although these things happened more than ten years ago, they are still vivid in his memory.

"Then...what happened next?" Liu Xunyi asked in a low voice.

"Later? Humph! Later, my grandfather passed away, and Qin Ming legitimately inherited the position of the head of the family. He followed Qin Tianjiu's advice and decided to kill our family!" Qin Ku said gritting his teeth, "Qin Ming first set up a Hongmen Banquet to kill my father on the pretext of 'brothers reunited and reconciled', and then broke into my house and forced my mother to death. If there hadn't been a loyal old servant who reminded me to flee early, I'm afraid I would have died under Qin Ming's knife. My father was too kind. He believed until his death that blood is thicker than water. No matter how bad his own brother was, he would never have the intention to kill him, so... In fact, with my father's martial arts, even if Qin Ming and Qin Tianjiu joined forces, they might not be my father's opponent! It's a pity... My father didn't even have the chance to regret..."

"This……"

"After that, in order to wipe out the roots, Qin Ming sent people everywhere to hunt me down." Qin Ku sneered, "But I was lucky. Not only did I not die in their hands, but I also went through hardships and gained enlightenment. It only took me a few short years to master the Qin family swordsmanship. When Qin Ku's name appeared in the martial arts world again, he was no longer the little beggar who hid from place to place, but the hemp-clothed swordsman "Ghost Seer" on the Dragon and Elephant List. Now it is not easy for Qin Ming to kill me again."

"Several years" and "going through hardships", although Qin Ku only said a few short words, how much bitterness and suffering are contained in them, and who can truly understand?

At this moment, when Liu Xunyi looked at Qin Ku's honest and solid face again, a trace of pity surged in his heart.

Liu Xunyi is not a soft-hearted woman, but after hearing about Qin Ku's experience, he felt a sense of sadness and sighing, "We are both people who have fallen into the same fate, so why do we have to know each other when we meet?" Although he has not experienced the revenge of his father's murder, he has also begged and wandered everywhere, so he can understand some bitterness and helplessness.

"This knife is called 'Changkong'. It used to be my father's knife." Qin Ku raised the long knife in his hand and smiled bitterly. "I have been wandering outside for so many years. Even my clothes have been stripped off, but I have never given up this knife. Even if I risk my life, I can't let anyone take it away from me. This is the only wish my parents left me. Whoever dares to take my knife, I will kill him! Hehe..."

"What a nice sword!" Liu Xunyi looked him up and down, and exclaimed with admiration, "What a good swordsman!"

Qin Ku wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes with self-mockery, and his usual silly smile returned to his face. He said jokingly: "I have exposed my past. Can you let me go?"

Hearing this, Liu Xunyi burst out laughing, then bowed and said with a smile: "After recognizing Brother Qin, I never thought of making things difficult for you again. You can leave at any time!" After that, Liu Xunyi made a gesture of invitation to Qin Ku.

At this time, Qin Ku did not move, and asked back: "Aren't you curious? I only met you once, why should I tell you all my secrets?"

Liu Xunyi stared at Qin Ku meaningfully, and after a long pause, he slowly said, "Because you want me to help you get the 'Xuan Shui Xia Volume'."

"You... guessed it?" Qin Ku looked embarrassed when Liu Xunyi revealed his thoughts.

Qin Ku has been hanging around in the underworld for many years and has developed a "mixed personality". Everything is about "money" and "benefits". Apart from that, Qin Ku can regard everything else as nothing. For example, his miserable life experience may be seen as "scars in the heart and unspeakable secrets" by others, but in Qin Ku's eyes, these are just a means to gain sympathy and are worthless.

Qin Ku, who has experienced the vicissitudes of life, has long hidden his true "joy, anger, sorrow and happiness" in his heart, so no matter what happens, he will not be easily moved. This is the fundamental reason why he looks cynical and unruly.

Facing Liu Xunyi who knew everything, Qin Ku smiled awkwardly and said hesitantly, "Since you guessed my intention, why did you..." "It's because I know that I don't want to ask more." Before Qin Ku could finish his words, Liu Xunyi said, "Because of this matter, I can't help you. 'Xuan Shui Xia Juan' is the lifeblood of Mr. Pan Ba, and no one can take it away from him by force."

Qin Ku was stunned for a moment, then nodded slowly, as if he understood, and said with a smile, "You are clear about gratitude and resentment, and you speak quickly. I like it!" He then added, "But I will definitely get the 'Xuan Shui Volume 2'. Only by combining the red fire and the mysterious water into one and practicing the true 'Gui Hai Dao Fa', can I seek revenge on Qin Ming and Qin Tianjiu."

"The hatred for killing my father is irreconcilable." Liu Xunyi nodded and said, "Since you are a son, you should do this!"

Qin Ku took a deep look at Liu Xunyi, then strode away. But before he had taken a few steps, he suddenly stopped. Qin Ku slowly turned around, stared at Liu Xunyi with a suspicious look, and asked, "I remember when we were at the Tianlong Inn, Old Man Pan said that you... seemed to be his grandson-in-law? Is that true?"

Liu Xunyi did not answer but asked, "Brother Qin, what do you mean?"

Qin Ku looked at Liu Xunyi carefully and said with a simple smile: "It seems to be true. Your martial arts are so good. If what I expected is correct, the Pan family will definitely send you to fight tomorrow. Isn't that right?"

"Yes!"

"Who will the Qin family send?" Qin Ku asked with great interest, "Will Qin Ming take action?"

"Qin Ming didn't take action, so he sent Qin Er, Qin San and Qin Tianjiu to fight." Liu Xunyi said bluntly, and asked with a smile, "Brother Qin, what exactly do you mean? Why are you asking these questions? Why do I feel more confused the more I listen?"

"Haha..." Qin Ku suddenly laughed out loud, and said, "Qin Er and Qin San are just two reckless men, they are no match for you. But Qin Tianjiu is different. The 'Cripple Swordsman' is well-known in the martial arts world and is definitely not a good guy. In this first fight, I'm afraid you may not be his match."

Liu Xunyi was shocked and asked, "Brother Qin, what do you mean..."

"I'll help you!" Qin Ku said straightforwardly, "Qin Tianjiu and I both practiced the 'Red Fire Sword Technique'. Therefore, I know all of his moves, methods, and even his flaws and openings. I can help you deal with him."

Liu Xunyi thought for a moment, smiled bitterly and shook his head, saying: "Brother Qin, I really can't help you steal the "Xuan Shui Xia Volume" from Mr. Pan Ba. The purpose of this battle is to help the Pan family keep this volume. If I help you steal the secret book, what's the point of defeating Qin Tianjiu? So..."

“Hey!” Qin Ku waved his hands before Liu Xunyi finished speaking, “Brother Liu, you misunderstood. I’m not making a deal with you. I just want to use your hand to teach Qin Tianjiu, the bastard who helped the tyrant, a lesson!”

Liu Xunyi hesitated for a moment and said, "Really?"

"Every word is true!" Qin Ku raised his hands to the sky and said solemnly, "Although I can't kill them, I don't want to see them succeed in everything. Besides, the 'Xuan Shui Xia Juan' is left in the Pan family, so I still have a chance. If it is taken by Qin Ming, I'm afraid I will never have the chance to take revenge in this lifetime. Hehe..."

"As long as you don't force me to steal the 'Xuan Shui Volume 2', I can dampen their spirit for you, as a way of repaying you for saving my life at the Tianlong Inn." Liu Xunyi answered generously, and then suddenly seemed to remember something, and hurriedly changed the subject, pondering, "But the 'Red Fire Sword Technique' is your unique skill after all. If you tell me all the moves, methods, flaws, and secrets, will it be..."

"No problem, no problem!" Qin Ku waved his hand nonchalantly and said with a smile, "We first joined forces at the Tianlong Inn, and met again in Shaolin tonight. This is fate. If it is fate, it doesn't matter if I tell you! What's more, your goal is to catch him off guard. This style of attack can only be used once, and he will be prepared next time. The 'Red Fire Sword Technique' has a thousand variations, and what I told you is just Qin Tianjiu's usual method."

After that, Qin Ku rolled his eyes and said with a half-smile, "I just told you all the secrets of my life. In addition to gaining your sympathy and asking you to help me steal the 'Xuan Shui Xia Juan', there is actually another reason."

"Appreciate further details!"

Hearing this, Qin Ku suddenly hesitated. He stared at Liu Xunyi with a strange look, and a hint of shyness suddenly appeared on his face, which was extremely inconsistent with his burly image.

Seeing this, Liu Xunyi was immediately shocked and quickly interrupted, "That... Brother Qin, I'm not the kind of person you think I am. I definitely don't have a preference for Long Yang..."

"What did you say?" Qin Ku laughed dumbly and cursed, "You Liu Xunyi are not that kind of person, am I Qin Ku that kind of person? What I mean is... For many years, I have been wandering around, stealing and cheating everywhere, and I have never made a real friend. The people who appear around me are either those I want to kill or those who want to kill me. I don't know why? Yesterday, I felt like I had known you for a long time, maybe because... You are the first person in my life who is willing to treat me to a drink without any purpose. Therefore... Therefore, I Qin Ku wants to make friends with you Liu Xunyi."

Although Qin Ku was forcing himself to smile and act nonchalant, Liu Xunyi could hear an indescribable loneliness and sadness between his words.

After a moment of silence, Liu Xunyi suddenly changed his expression, and immediately said righteously: "If you don't abandon me, I, Liu Xunyi, am willing to be your first friend, Qin Ku! From today on, I will not refuse no matter how hard it is, even if it means death!"

……

(End of this chapter)