We evil gods must hide.

Chapter 61 Oh no, this chapter really portrays him as a scumbag.

The little black cat continued to complain.

This aloof imperial mentor, so flustered and uneasy in front of him, like a young girl experiencing her first love, was all because of a false cognitive shackle he had planted.

The evil god should have been indifferent, and should have used her feelings to achieve his own goals, but seeing the pure longing and joy in her eyes, he couldn't bear it.

I mustn't make a foolish mistake.

Lin Qi warned himself that if he got involved in any sexual activity, he wouldn't be able to withstand a sword strike once the other person regained consciousness.

"It's okay."

He sat across from her and said softly, "I know, after so many years apart, it's inevitable that we'll feel a little awkward."

"Where have you been all these years?"

Catherine looked up, her icy blue eyes filled with grievance and longing. "I asked people to look for you many times, but they all said that you never existed. I thought... I thought you were gone."

Lynch's fingertips tightened slightly.

"After you left, I was ambushed while investigating a case involving an abyss cult." His voice was low, with a hint of weariness. "I was badly injured and spent a long time recuperating at my family's home. Later, I recovered a little with the help of divine magic. With nothing else to do and to support myself, I became a monster investigator."

"So that's how it is."

Catherine's eyes instantly reddened. She reached out to touch his face, but stopped mid-air, her voice choked with sobs, "I'm sorry, all these years, I really..."

"It's not your fault."

Lin Qi gently shook his head, and looking at her reddened eyes, he felt a pang of heartache. He subconsciously raised his hand and wiped away the tears that had slid down her cheeks. "It's all in the past. I'm already content to see you again."

"Scumbag!"

The little black cat's tone became more serious, startling Lin Qi awake, and he immediately tried to withdraw his hand.

But the moment Lynch's fingertips, carrying a slightly cool temperature, touched Catherine's skin, her body trembled violently. She could no longer hold back and threw herself into his arms, hugging his waist tightly.

She buried her face in his chest, and the longing she had suppressed for many years finally burst forth at this moment.

"I miss you so much, Horton."

Her voice was muffled, trembling with tears, "I really miss you. I thought I would never see you again in this lifetime."

Lynch's body stiffened.

The body in his arms was soft and warm, carrying the delicate fragrance of a mature woman.

He could clearly feel her heartbeat, her suppressed grievances and longing. His hand hovered in mid-air, hesitating for a long time, before finally gently landing on her back and patting her softly.

"I know."

Lin Qi said softly, "I miss you too."

Damn it, isn't using the ability to forget evil gods a bit too much here?

A character like Catherine, crying her heart out over a false past, watching her place all her trust and longing in him, thankfully she wasn't his enemy.

Hearing Catherine's sobs, Lynch could only offer quiet words of comfort.

Only after Catherine calmed down did she shyly pull away from Lynch's embrace, wiping away her tears, her cheeks flushed like ripe apples. She lowered her head, avoiding Lynch's eyes, and whispered, "I'm sorry, I lost my composure."

"It's alright." Lin Qi smiled, a hint of tenderness in his eyes that he himself didn't even realize. "Just cry it out."

Catherine looked up at his handsome smile, and her heart pounded even faster.

She took a deep breath, mustered her courage, and grasped his hand: "Horton, don't leave me this time, okay? After this mission is over, come back with me, and we'll never be apart again."

Lynch froze.

But seeing the expectant light in her eyes, he couldn't bring himself to refuse.

He could only nod vaguely and say softly, "Okay, we'll talk about it after this mission is over."

Catherine didn't detect the perfunctory tone in his words, taking it as a yes. A bright smile immediately appeared on her face, a smile like the first melting of snow, like spring flowers blooming, instantly illuminating the entire simple tent, making Lin Qi slightly lose his composure.

Just then, a deep, steady male voice rang out from outside the tent.

"Catherine, are you there?"

Lin Qi and his companion woke up instantly and averted their gazes.

Lynch became secretly wary, while Catherine gently squeezed his hand and whispered, "He is the person in charge of our Imperial Academy's trip, the magic instructor Karen, a second-tier fire mage."

After a moment's hesitation, Catherine continued.

"He's a nice person, but he has... you know... feelings for me. Please don't misunderstand. I've been single all these years."

Lynch nodded.

As long as she's not a married woman, I feel half as guilty.

The tent flap was lifted by a hand with distinct knuckles.

Karen stood at the doorway, clutching half of a map of the fortress covered in runes in her hand, her deep purple magic robe spotless.

He had been on guard outside, but when he returned after the battle, he found that the students were acting strangely. After inquiring a little, he felt a chill in his heart.

He used the time to finalize the entry into the castle with Catherine as an excuse to inquire, his face still carrying his usual calm and gentle demeanor. However, when his gaze swept over Catherine's reddened eyes and the lingering blush, he froze instantly.

A tiny spark flickered unconsciously at his fingertip, only to be extinguished abruptly.

In terms of memory, Catherine never revealed any other emotions.

"Mentor Karen."

Catherine sat up straight, her cheeks flushing even more, but she still subconsciously leaned closer to Lynch, as if to declare something.

Karen's Adam's apple bobbed, and her fingers gripping the map slowly tightened, her knuckles turning white.

He had known Catherine for seven years, from when she was a naive student to now a capable swordsman instructor, and he had never seen her like this before. It wasn't the sharpness when she wielded her sword, nor the aloofness she displayed when facing her students; it was a softness tinged with girlish charm, a tenderness he had never experienced before.

It felt like something had stabbed my heart, a sharp, throbbing pain.

He forced himself to look away and focus his gaze on Lin Qi.

His gaze shifted from initial shock to sharp scrutiny as he looked the suddenly appearing stranger up and down—wearing a black robe, with delicate features and an ordinary aura, he appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary adventurer.

She is indeed more attractive than me.

Would Catherine be interested in someone like that?

"Who is this?"

His voice remained steady, but it was a bit colder than usual, with a subtle tension.

"This is Horton, my... old friend."

Catherine's voice softened, and she gently tugged at Lynch's sleeve. "We've known each other for many years."

"Old friend?"

Karen repeated it, a somewhat strange smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

Such a young "old friend"?

He's not like old Morgan, a quack who's easily fooled.

He looked at Lynch, extended his hand, and said in a polite but distant tone, "Karen, fire magic instructor at the Imperial Academy."

Lin Qi stood up and grasped his hand. A scorching heat emanated from his fingertips, the unique aura of a second-tier fire mage.

"Houghton Lane, monster investigator of the Duchy of Vanster."

Karen tightened her grip slightly, her eyes filled with even deeper suspicion.

Monster Investigator?

In the Duchy of Fanster, this profession is quite unpopular. Would a member of the Ryan family be a monster investigator?

"Scumbag, here comes the battleground."

The little black cat gloated in its mind, "Now you're all set. An ice-cold swordsman and a fire mage, you'll be burned to ashes."

When Karen was about to say something more, Catherine interrupted her.

"My friend was in danger earlier, let him rest first."

"Let's talk about the academy's affairs outside."

Karen, who had so much to say, was then taken away by Catherine.

"It's not appropriate for him, a man, to stay in your tent..."

"This is my private matter, and it's none of your business."

The coldness of her words and the stark contrast left Karen speechless.

puff~

The little black cat suddenly appeared from the void, its crescent moon above its head twinkling as if mocking Lin Qi.

"What are you doing here? I told you to take good care of Ella."

"Don't worry, that little girl is perfectly safe."

The little black cat wagged its tail.

"As for you, I suggest you think of a way to get out of here."

"This beautiful female swordsman, if you scumbag do anything scumbag, she and her colleagues won't let you off easily."

"Okay, okay."

Lynch waved his hand wearily.

...

into the night.

Lin Qi kept a low profile, avoiding contact with people from the Imperial Academy as much as possible to minimize his presence and reduce unnecessary risks.

Then, Catherine brought in the food.

While watching Lin Qi eat, she gently told him about her experiences after they parted ways, how she became an academy instructor, how she reached the second level, how she rejected those annoying suitors, and her troubles in wanting to advance her cultivation further. She completely treated Lin Qi as a lover.

As for acting, Lord Evil God used all his skills to make the Imperial Academy's Flower, Nu, very happy.

Until late at night.

"You must be exhausted today. Why don't you wash up and rest here?"

Catherine unconsciously smoothed her long golden hair and pointed to the shower room deep inside the magic tent. Lynch pretended to be embarrassed, "This isn't a good idea. I can just go out and find somewhere else. I've been a monster investigator for years, and I'm used to it."

"Just go when I tell you to!"

Catherine's blue eyes widened, and the aura of a second-tier expert immediately emanated from her.

"Okay, okay."

Lin Qi said weakly.

Before long, he was humming contentedly in the steamy shower.

Only by getting close to these wealthy and powerful organizations can one live a good life.

Or, why don't you go find a school to attend yourself?

As Lin Qi washed and pondered, he didn't notice that the shower door had been opened.

Then a soft, warm body pressed against him, and a pair of hands wrapped around his waist. Catherine's gentle voice rang in his ears: "Why are you so thin?"

...

One night passed.

The evil god struggled to open his eyes.

The air was filled with the fragrance of a woman. The golden-haired female swordsman was completely naked, clinging to her like a female leopard, her breathing steady and a smile on her lips, clearly having had a very pleasant night.

This is bad.

He's really become a scumbag!

The evil god was in a state of utter confusion.