It was said that Xuan Yao, who had been the most severely affected and fainted, woke up at Pill Peak with an extremely unsightly expression.
The next day, he had over a dozen protective spiritual artifacts hanging on him, precise down to each finger.
Upon hearing the news, Red Feather Manor hurriedly sent people overnight to guard him, lest any mishaps occur.
As for the anomaly at Stone Long Platform the previous day, the Tongtian Instrument had already exploded like boiling water. Those who usually talked a lot and those who didn’t all gathered together.
Book Pavilion: “At the time of the incident, I was right behind the Young Manor Lord. I had just heard a bit of noise when the Young Manor Lord suddenly fainted.”
“Pluck out useless eyes,” Pei Tianyi cursed at him.
Book Pavilion mocked: “Pei Minor Official was sitting right next to him and didn’t see clearly either. Don’t tell me you’re taking it out on me here after losing to Jin Shuang—that’s hilarious!”
A Pill Peak disciple spoke up. “Last night, Master carefully examined him. Young Manor Lord Xuan has no internal injuries; he was just too close and got knocked out by the air currents.”
This was an inner sect disciple, so his master was naturally Pill Peak’s Continuation Pill Elder.
An Enforcement Hall disciple chimed in: “Demons from the Demon Clan infiltrated the immortal sect. After the incident, we patrolled the surroundings and found a few drops of blood stained with demonic energy on the leaves at the cliff top.”
“We’ve tracked the Demon Clan’s whereabouts. The Enforcement Elder and the rest of us are chasing them down!” Another Enforcement Hall disciple transmitted a message live.
His voice was bumpy and fluctuating. “This demon runs so fast! We can just see a black shadow before it vanishes in a blink. And its methods are insidious, specializing in sneak attacks—my senior brother almost got castrated!”
Gu Changhuai: “…”
He had always known Xue Lao Er was cunning, but he hadn’t expected him to be so despicable.
To actually try to neuter someone…
“…”
“…”
Silence fell for a moment.
“Such filthy tactics… utterly disgraceful!” Book Pavilion spat before asking, “Pei Minor Official, didn’t you go with the Enforcement Elder to surround and suppress the demon?”
Pei Tianyi hemmed and hawed, his words lacking confidence. Finally, he snapped in embarrassment: “None of your business!”
“Pei Minor Official got beaten for picking fights with Jin Shuang,” Gu Changhuai helpfully explained. “He should still be lying down recovering right now.”
He knew this because after the Stone Long Platform incident yesterday, he hadn’t returned to Waterside Residence immediately. Instead, he had quietly gone to Pill Peak to check on Xuan Yao’s condition.
The infiltration of demons into Xinnan Immortal Sect had caused a huge uproar. While everyone was distracted, he had sneaked off to investigate and confirmed that Xuan Yao was fine before leaving.
On his way past Enforcement Hall, he had heard Pei Tianyi’s wails echoing through the mountains, along with the sound of a whip cracking through the air. With a casual glance, he saw the Enforcement Elder chasing Pei Tianyi and beating him while cursing him for disregarding fellow disciples and stirring up trouble…
It was a textbook case of righteous disownment of one’s kin!
Pei Tianyi: “…”
In the Tongtian Instrument, someone chuckled first, like a drop of water hitting a hot oil pan. Laughter erupted one after another.
Moments later, Gu Changhuai received a private transmission from Pei Tianyi. The young man, shedding his earlier grumpiness, sniffled aggrievedly: “Even you won’t help me—you’re laughing at me with them! It hurts so much, it hurts so much!”
Gu Changhuai sighed. “You couldn’t hide it anyway. With such a big fuss, covering it up would only make it worse. Once it’s out in the open, everyone knows and it stops being a joke.”
He comforted with a smile: “The day before yesterday, I caught two silver fish at Waterside Residence and haven’t stewed them yet. I’ll stew them later and send one over to nourish you. No need to stay mad.”
The young man’s temper came and went quickly. His voice lightened: “It’s a deal then. You have to come.”
The Tongtian Instrument was still buzzing about the demon matter. Once Gu Changhuai confirmed Xue Lao Er hadn’t been caught, he put it away.
With Xue Lao Er busy evading the pursuit, he had no time to tattle to the Demon Venerable for now. But shaking off the Enforcement Elder would likely take a while.
So, Gu Changhuai would file the complaint first!
He whistled to summon Han Ya and handed it a letter he had written overnight, saying solemnly: “Fly fast. The sooner it arrives, the better.”
The entire page was packed with words. The gist was—
Xue Lao Er disobeyed orders, greedily tried to claim credit by shooting early, causing the mission to fail and nearly exposing him.
The bump on his forehead from the stone became “nearly pierced through by sword intent, almost losing his life.”
He added that Xue Lao Er had abandoned a fellow demon comrade and fled faster than a rabbit.
…
When necessary, embellishing was part of survival.
After sending the letter, Gu Changhuai headed back to Waterside Residence.
Overnight, the spot where he had been hit hadn’t subsided. Instead, it had swollen even more than right after the impact and still faintly ached.
As he skimmed over the lake toward his room, a voice came from behind: “Stop.” The tone was cold and flat, without a trace of inflection.
Gu Changhuai: “!”
He felt the guilt of a child caught sneaking back home late.
His feet halted, but he didn’t turn.
“Turn around,” Rong Ye commanded, his voice brooking no refusal.
Gu Changhuai kept his head low and turned slowly. “Immortal Lord.”
He looked up into a pair of deep, inscrutable amber eyes fixed on his forehead. They held no emotion, yet exuded an inexplicable pressure.
…Was it that scary? He hadn’t checked a mirror yet and didn’t know how swollen it was.
Gu Changhuai subconsciously touched the bump on his forehead. He hissed in pain at the contact and saw Rong Ye still staring.
“…” After a moment of silence, Gu Changhuai calmly explained: “Oh… this. I bumped into a tree. It just happened to swell up. Should go down in a couple days.”
It wasn’t deliberate concealment. After being hit by that mystery stone yesterday, his vision had been blurry and he couldn’t shake it off, so he hadn’t paid attention descending the mountain and rammed into a tree hard.
The secondary injury was much worse than the first.
After a long while, Rong Ye’s gaze darkened as he stared at the wound. He only said: “…Follow me.”
Gu Changhuai hesitated, glancing at Rong Ye’s expression, but the impassive, profound face revealed no intentions.
“…”
With the huge commotion at Stone Long Platform yesterday and his absence from Waterside Residence last night…
Did Rong Ye suspect him?
Gu Changhuai took a deep breath and steadied himself.
Whatever.
A quick death or a slow one… worst case, fight!
With a lazy smile, he tucked his hands in his sleeves and followed Rong Ye slowly.
…
Once inside, Gu Changhuai casually found a seat and sat leisurely, not caring what Rong Ye intended. After a day and night of busyness, he was exhausted and didn’t want to move for now.
He’d rest a bit.
Gu Changhuai yawned and closed his eyes, awaiting judgment.
After a quiet wait,
A gentle breeze brought a faint frosty mist scent. The approaching presence alerted him, and he snapped his eyes open.
In the next instant, coolness met his reddened forehead, easing the pain from the swelling—it was Rong Ye’s hand.
Gu Changhuai blankly let the palm gently rub his swollen spot, carrying a faint medicinal fragrance.
The spiritual power from the hand that usually wielded a sword, which should have been hostile and murderous, had turned into a spring breeze. As the medicine dispersed, it slowly merged in and took effect on the injury.
…It felt so comfortably proper.
Gu Changhuai, who had wanted to flee, gradually relaxed. No rejection rose in his heart. His long lashes lowered slightly, his gaze landing on Rong Ye’s tall, upright figure close before him.
Beneath the dark blue outer robe, the waist sash was a disguised spiritual treasure soft sword.
Two ink-black pearls hung at the front, with gold thread decorations on the outer side extending into the robe, obscuring most of the waistline.
As Rong Ye continued applying the medicine, his movements caused the robe’s hem to sway lightly, lifting a corner.
The waistline hid beneath, faintly visible.
Gu Changhuai couldn’t help glancing inside, vaguely outlining in his mind the lean, powerful shape beneath the sash.
Just like Rong Ye’s sword-like austerity.
His figure was exceedingly handsome too.
…No!
Why was he staring at Rong Ye’s waist?!
Gu Changhuai snapped back and quickly withdrew his gaze.
The pain on his forehead had already faded under the gentle rubbing. Rong Ye’s spiritual power fused with the medicine, healing his injury swiftly.
He touched the spot—it no longer hurt, just cool and comfortable.
…Something was off.
Very off!
Shouldn’t Rong Ye be questioning where he was last night or drawing his sword on him?
Why had it turned into Rong Ye personally applying medicine?!
Gu Changhuai wanted to shout.
He, a mere attendant of Xinnan Immortal Sect, what virtue or ability did he have to receive the Cultivation World’s top figure tending his wound!
Now the medicine was applied, Rong Ye withdrew his hand. With a dust-removal incantation, it was instantly pristine. He said indifferently: “Watch your step next time. Don’t bump into trees again.”
“…Okay.” As Gu Changhuai responded, he couldn’t help studying Rong Ye’s expression for clues.
Rong Ye glanced sideways. “Anything else?”
Gu Changhuai: “…No, just wanted to thank Immortal Lord.”
With that, the corners of his mouth curved up silently.
Rong Ye truly hadn’t suspected a thing!
Not bad for me.
The Demon Clan’s top assassin!
In high spirits, Gu Changhuai decided to stew a few more silver fish.
As his gaze swept over Gu Changhuai’s clear, handsome retreating figure, Rong Ye lowered his eyes to his palm, where a subtle tactile memory lingered from the contact.
And that purplish-red mark on the pale forehead— it would look better elsewhere.
After a long moment,
He withdrew his hand, his gaze suddenly darkening.
He sent one stewed silver fish to Pei Tianyi. Upon entering, he saw not only the bedridden Pei Tianyi but also Zhao Shuzhai sitting nearby, scribbling away.
Seeing Gu Changhuai, Pei Tianyi’s eyes lit up. “Junior Brother Gu, you’re here!”
“Yeah, freshly stewed silver fish, still hot.” He casually set the bowl aside and smiled. “Zhao Shuzhai’s here—let him feed you.”
Pei Tianyi looked disgusted. “Who wants him feeding me!”
At that, Zhao Shuzhai paused his writing and looked at Pei Tianyi. His fair, handsome face wore a skin-deep smile. “Who came to plead for you while you were getting beaten? Who applied medicine while you lay on the couch? Who set aside grudges to keep you company? Don’t be ungrateful!”
Pei Tianyi rolled his eyes.
“…What smell is that?” Zhao Shuzhai’s nose twitched. His gaze fell on the soup Gu Changhuai brought. The moment he lifted the lid, a rich, elegant aroma filled the room, whetting appetites.
Gu Changhuai drawled: “Caught from the lake at Waterside Residence. Delicious. If not for his injury, I wouldn’t bear to give it away.”
He sighed and shook his head at Pei Tianyi. Poor kid—so grown up yet beaten by his dad into staying bedridden. He needed nourishing.
Zhao Shuzhai’s expression turned odd for a moment. “Immortal Venerable approved?”
Gu Changhuai was puzzled. “Why does everyone ask that? Just fishing and stewing soup—not a big deal.”
Pausing, he remembered he still had to report to the Demon Venerable in a couple days. He asked: “How’s the thing I asked you to write?”
“Here.” Zhao Shuzhai handed over two stacks of letters.
Pei Tianyi piped up from the side: “What deal are you two making?”
Gu Changhuai brushed it off: “Nothing. Drink your soup.”
“You feed me.” Pei Tianyi propped himself up toward Gu Changhuai. “This young master won’t let a bookworm feed him.”
In your dreams.
Gu Changhuai pretended not to hear, hummed a tune, and turned to leave. Pei Tianyi yelled after him: “Gu Changhuai!! Come back! No need to feed me, okay? Come back! Hey!”
“Stop shouting. He’s gone.” Zhao Shuzhai picked up the silver fish soup and stirred it. He muttered softly: “Ten Thousand Year Silver Fish…”
His eyes gleamed with inspiration as a money-making scheme took shape.
The next day.
Tongtian Instrument.
Book Pavilion: “Extra! Extra! Book Pavilion’s new release this month: latest installment of Cold and Aloof Immortal Venerable’s Exclusive Pampering of His Delicate Little Husband. He’s the aloof immortal lord; he’s the lowly attendant. Stay tuned—”
“Also, Xinnan Tidbits* update: Pei Minor Official injured late at night, Gu Attendant rushes with silver fish, Immortal Venerable seemingly unaware. Love triangle escalates—who broke whose heart!”
Pill Peak: “Qi Gathering Pills at three-fold discount, courtesy price from Young Manor Lord Xuan. Limited to two hundred bottles, first come first served! Plus, Young Manor Lord specially names Supreme Peak’s Gu Changhuai—Pill Peak open to you for free, future Young Manor Lord Consort.”
“??” Gu Changhuai: “Is he sick? I’ll give you spirit stones—force a brain-healing potion down him.”
After a long pause, Pill Peak: “Young Manor Lord says even if Immortal Venerable returns the betrothal gift, you’re still Red Feather Manor’s future Young Manor Lord Consort. Your aura is on the Betrothal Pearl—you can’t escape to the ends of the earth.”
“…”
That damn sham pearl!
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