He returned to the room in a daze and flopped onto the couch. The jade seal in his palm was clearly ice-cold, yet it felt like it could burn his hand.
He stared at it for a long time, lost in thought.
This thing was a bit too hot to handle.
Hua Mei looked baffled. “You two didn’t exchange a single word just now. What riddle were you playing at?”
Gu Changhuai’s gaze was blank. “I don’t know…”
Out of nowhere, someone sent him a jade seal… His thoughts gathered, and he withdrew his gaze to look at Hua Mei. Changing the subject with a smile, he settled the score after the fact. “I almost forgot about you. Who exactly can that Doubling Ten Thousand Jin Curse trap?”
“That doesn’t make sense!” Hua Mei racked his brains. “That’s the Doubling Ten Thousand Jin Curse. Back when I was handling the female prime minister and got chased by Shi Ying, I escaped several times thanks to that curse.”
At the mention of this, Gu Changhuai glanced at Hua Mei, who was clutching his face in headache. In a casual tone, he said, “Shi Ying is formidable, sure, but with his abilities, it shouldn’t be enough to make you flee the Demon Realm at all costs.”
Shi Ying’s methods were cruel, but Hua Mei was no pushover either. Any demon from the Demon Realm who had been around for years was hardly a good sort, and those with a conscience were few and far between.
Seeing Hua Mei’s eyes dart away, Gu Changhuai didn’t press. He simply said, “Whatever the reason, if you’re in trouble, you must tell me.”
Even after leaving the Demon Realm, Hua Mei had plenty of places to go, and with his innate ability to shift between male and female forms, he could hide anywhere.
The fact that Hua Mei had come to the Xinnan Immortal Sect with him after hearing about his plan to assassinate the Qing Lian Immortal Lord was all thanks to their bond forged in shared hardship.
Tears welled up in the corners of Hua Mei’s eyes, and he whined, “Young Master Gu, you’re the best to this servant…” Then he reminded him, “But I still think the Qing Lian Immortal Lord is very dangerous. If we really can’t kill him, let’s just run.”
Recalling how Rong Ye had walked over the trap like it was flat ground, Gu Changhuai nodded in agreement. “He is dangerous. He didn’t even fall into the pit. As expected of the leader of the righteous path—impressive!”
The Doubling Ten Thousand Jin Curse had zero effect. If he hadn’t secretly sliced Rong Ye’s neck to draw blood without being noticed, Gu Changhuai would have suspected the man did it on purpose, just to make the pit-digger fall in himself.
Hua Mei choked. “That’s not what I meant.”
Gu Changhuai asked, “Then what did you mean?”
“It’s a feeling. He’s terrifying.” Hua Mei said seriously, “For real, if we can’t kill him, let’s flee back and seize the throne with Han Ya.”
Gu Changhuai raised an eyelid and smirked confidently. “But I think Rong Ye isn’t as formidable as the rumors from the Demon Realm make him out to be. I’m confident I can kill him.”
Hua Mei didn’t buy it. “Really?”
As he spoke, he recalled the chilling pressure Rong Ye exuded. Rubbing his chilled arms, he decided not to dwell on it and said to Gu Changhuai, “Then you should think about how to kill him.”
Gu Changhuai closed his eyes and sighed. “No rush. I just sent the report to the Demon Venerable. We can rest easy for a few days.”
No sooner had he spoken than Hua Mei’s face lit up with joy. “Perfect, then I’m off.”
As he stood, his appearance shifted, suddenly transforming into a delicate and charming girl with a graceful figure and cherry lips. But what came out was a low, masculine voice. “This servant is off to have a heart-to-heart with a handsome young man. Don’t miss me too much, Young Master.”
It grossed Gu Changhuai out, giving him goosebumps. He scoffed, “Scram!”
The Heaven Discussion Assembly proceeded steadily, but Gu Changhuai had no interest in listening to the lectures. He stayed at Waterside Residence like an ostrich, eating and drinking as he pleased, and fishing in the lake when bored.
These past few days, he discovered that the silver fish in the lake, raised on spiritual energy, were exceptionally delicious—naturally nurtured and infused with fire lotuses, they melted in the mouth.
They were hard to catch, hiding deep in the lake and rarely surfacing, but they loved obedient mushrooms.
Days passed in a blur. Gu Changhuai hauled his stool to the lake as usual and sat swaying.
He cast the line! Time to fish Rong Ye into poverty!
Han Ya, who had just returned with a message, drooled. “Catch a few more.”
Gu Changhuai didn’t look up. “Why’d it take you so long this time?”
Last time, delivering the message had taken only a day round trip, but this time Han Ya had vanished for five full days.
Han Ya perched on his shoulder. “The Demon Venerable had me notify the Shadow Clan as well.”
Gu Changhuai glanced sideways. “Elaborate.”
“Beg me!” Han Ya cawed mockingly. “Beg me, and I’ll tell you what the message was.”
Its smug attitude really deserved a smack.
Gu Changhuai raised his hand and swatted it off his shoulder. Keeping a straight face, he said, “Fine, don’t tell me.” He wasn’t that curious.
Whatever message the Demon Venerable wanted delivered was surely up to no good!
Han Ya grumbled and flapped back up, letting out a few more caws in its raspy, scraping voice. Watching it circle overhead, Gu Changhuai called out from afar, “Shut up! Keep cawing, and you’re barbecue tonight.”
It went silent instantly.
Just as Gu Changhuai pulled out the Tongtian Instrument to check the latest gossip from the Xinnan Immortal Sect, the sky suddenly darkened.
He looked up.
Clear skies for miles suddenly gathered dense clouds, twisting into a vortex of black clouds swirling overhead like an army besieging a city in mere breaths.
Rumbles echoed faintly from the clouds, thunder brewing!
The direction it pointed—
Gu Changhuai looked toward where the clouds converged.
Not far—the adjacent peak to Supreme Peak!
Han Ya, startled by the sudden change, shrank under Gu Changhuai’s hem, tucking its tail in completely. It cried out, “Protect the Ancient Demon Crow!”
Heavenly thunder showed no mercy; if it struck bystanders, they’d be crippled if not killed.
Gu Changhuai ignored Han Ya and swept his divine sense toward the neighboring peak to probe. He found a barrier already erected around it, and the disciples cleared out—they’d prepared in advance.
No problem then.
Gu Changhuai sat back down relaxedly and sent his divine sense into the Tongtian Instrument to check the situation.
The Tongtian Instrument exploded—
“Someone’s undergoing tribulation right at their doorstep! Everyone, stay away from Supreme Peak!”
At that moment, the long-brewing heavenly thunder finally crashed down with a boom, its flash illuminating the entire land, nearly blinding everyone.
A voice from Pill Peak cried out in alarm, “Such a massive thunderbolt! Who’s undergoing the tribulation? Does anyone know?”
No sooner had the words fallen than Pei Tianyi sneered coldly, “Wasn’t Jin Shuang from Supreme Peak in seclusion? Who else could it be? He just got lucky breaking through to Nascent Soul!”
The Book Pavilion chimed in, “I smell sour grapes.”
“Zhao Shuzhai!” Pei Tianyi barked furiously.
The thunderbolts descended one after another, grand and relentless, lasting about a quarter-hour before stopping. White smoke from the strikes shrouded the entire peak.
“…I counted just now—eight thunderbolts in total.” Gu Changhuai said in the Tongtian Instrument. “Is he charred?”
Hearing Gu Changhuai’s voice, Kong Huai appeared delighted. “Junior Brother Gu! I was just about to come find you. I picked some fruits on my last expedition—I’ll bring them over as snacks.”
Gu Changhuai replied cheerfully, “Sounds good.”
The wine in the Cultivation World wasn’t great; he’d been wondering where to find snacks.
Pei Tianyi muttered, “Why hasn’t Changhuai come to the Heaven Discussion Assembly these past few days?”
“I’m resting.” Gu Changhuai paused, then said, “No one cares about Jin Shuang?”
Where was the sect camaraderie!
Through the Tongtian Instrument, Zhao Shuzhai privately messaged Gu Changhuai to explain, “Pei Tianyi has a grudge against Jin Shuang. Not kicking him while he’s down is the best he’ll do.”
“What grudge?” Gu Changhuai asked curiously.
Zhao Shuzhai said, “Pei Minor Official is prodigiously talented and has always wanted to become the Immortal Venerable’s disciple. He thinks the reason he hasn’t been accepted is because there’s Jin Shuang on Supreme Peak with equal talent. Pei Tianyi believes that if he surpasses Jin Shuang, the Immortal Venerable will take him in naturally. So they compete fiercely—don’t get involved.”
Gu Changhuai realized. “I see.”
Couldn’t become a disciple, so he redirected his hatred to someone of equal talent—no self-inflicted drama!
In the Tongtian Instrument, Pei Tianyi said, “Why not a full nine-nine thunder tribulation to strike him dead!”
Then he softened his tone toward Gu Changhuai. “Eight thunderbolts with such fanfare—the sect leader and elders all went to check it out before it even started. My dad went right away.”
The last part came through gritted teeth.
“…I see.” That was real hatred.
Gu Changhuai glanced at the smoking peak next door, then indifferently looked away and recast his line.
The thunder had scared all the fish away.
But Gu Changhuai hadn’t expected to see Jin Shuang, fresh from eight thunderbolts, so soon. He wasn’t disheveled at all—carrying an air of scholarly refinement, spotless as he entered Waterside Residence.
Jin Shuang paused slightly upon seeing Gu Changhuai, then glanced at the bamboo fishing rod Gu Changhuai had casually whittled. A flicker of confusion crossed his eyes, but he still greeted politely, “Junior Brother Gu.”
He hesitated, then asked, “…Does the Immortal Venerable know you’re fishing here?”
“Of course.” Gu Changhuai’s tone was casual. He’d been fishing here for days, and Rong Ye had passed by multiple times. Yawning, he added, “Yesterday I made a pot and gave him two bowls.”
He actually regretted sharing those two bowls a bit.
Jin Shuang: “…”
Ten Thousand Year Silver Fish… in soup?! And the Immortal Venerable accepted?!
He wiped cold sweat from his brow and forced a smile. “Then I’ll go find the Immortal Venerable first. Keep fishing.”
“Want some? I’ll catch a couple more.” Gu Changhuai called out kindly, but Jin Shuang hurried off, his waving hand blurring in refusal.
…Weird.
Gu Changhuai muttered to himself and lifted the rod.
Whoa! Two fish on one hook!
He grinned widely.
…
Seeing no one around and the surroundings calm,
Han Ya slowly poked its head out from under Gu Changhuai’s hem.
It cleared its throat pretentiously, as if bestowing a favor. “For protecting this crow, I’ll tell you what the Demon Venerable’s message was.”
Gu Changhuai gave it a casual glance.
Whatever.
Han Ya flapped its wings, its crimson eyes gleaming as its tone shifted to a gloomy, chilling voice: “Opening the Heaven Discussion Assembly? Ridiculous!”
The tone was icy cold, sending a shiver through Gu Changhuai—as if the Demon Venerable himself were speaking. Han Ya had perfectly replicated the voice.
“Go fetch the Heaven-Breaking Bow and bring one more from the Shadow Clan. Then kill…” He heard the sound of dice rolling, and the Demon Venerable said, “Him it is. The young manor lord of Red Feather Manor—his blood splattered across the Xinnan Immortal Sect will be a sight to behold!”
Gu Changhuai’s mouth fell open. “…”
Up to no good, as expected!
Just as he wondered who from the Demon Clan they would send, a writhing sensation stirred in his abdomen. Pain radiated from that center point, spreading through his body in an instant. Gu Changhuai crushed the fishing rod in his grip, his face turning deathly pale.
His smile vanished, replaced by cold killing intent in his eyes as he suddenly looked into the distance.
Drumming echoed from the void there, calling him over.
Courting death!
Gu Changhuai’s expression turned blank, and in an instant, his figure vanished from the spot.
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