Upon hearing this, everyone present exchanged bewildered glances, realizing that the great battle atop Kunlun four years ago had such a hidden story. Presumably, after the death of Young Master Mozhu, Gu Qingyun, unwilling to bear the title of "God of War" in vain, simply went into hiding in the martial world, only to reappear after Hua Wuying's death, taking over the position of Master of Feihua Manor.
Song Qi sighed, "Young Master Mozhu was indeed a remarkable man of our time, and it is especially regrettable that he died."
Gu Qingyun suddenly said, "This junior has another question to ask. Does the senior know the location of the Boundless Island?"
Beauty's Schemes
Song Qi looked surprised and shook her head, saying, "Young Master Gu, what makes you say that? At that time, Young Master Mozhu had not yet set sail, so how could this old woman know the location of Wuyai Island?"
Gu Qingyun gave her a deep look and said calmly with a smile, "This junior was just asking casually."
That night, everyone rested at Long Yin Residence. Around midnight, Gu Qingyun heard a soft sound outside the door. He immediately got up, lit an oil lamp, went forward to open the door, and smiled, "Senior Song, please come in."
Song Qi entered the room and saw that he was dressed neatly, which showed that he had expected her visit at night. She smiled and said, "Young Master Gu is very insightful. I admire him. But I just can't figure out how you saw through my lies during the day?"
Gu Qingyun smiled and said, "Gentleman Mozhu acts freely and unrestrainedly. If he had known that there was a place like Wuyai Island in the world, he would have gone there immediately without stopping, instead of going to Longyin Divine Mountain first to compete with Senior Han in martial arts. Therefore, I guess that Senior Han must have told him about Wuyai Island."
Song Qi sighed, “That’s right. My late husband traveled all over the world in his early years. Wuyai Island was indeed discovered by chance during his sea voyage. That night, during our conversation, he saw that Young Master Mozhu had lofty ambitions and unparalleled martial arts skills. He was truly a man of integrity. So he told him about Wuyai Island and drew a map for him. Later, Young Master Mozhu founded the Demonic Sect, which was regarded as a public enemy by the righteous sects of the martial arts world. My late husband’s disciples were all over the martial arts world, and he really did not want this matter to be leaked and cause more trouble. Young Master Mozhu must have also understood my late husband’s intentions. Since returning, he has had no contact with us again.”
Gu Qingyun said, "The Demonic Sect is now indiscriminately killing innocent people and acting recklessly, which has contradicted the original intention of Young Master Mozhu in founding the sect. I am here to find the Demonic Sect's headquarters. I wonder if Senior Song could tell me the location of Wuya Island?"
Song Qi smiled and said, "I know I am ignorant and cannot distinguish right from wrong, but since your father, Gu Ling, is so highly regarded by my late husband, I will do my best to fulfill any request you may have." As she spoke, she took out a scroll from her bosom and handed it to Gu Qingyun, adding, "This nautical chart was drawn by my late husband himself, and it marks the location of Wuya Island in detail. I only hope that you will keep today's events a secret from me." With that, she smiled and took her leave.
The next morning, the group from Feihua Manor bid farewell to Song Qi and descended the mountain. Song Qi, accompanied by Long Yin's entourage, saw them off at the foot of the mountain when suddenly someone called out, "Wait a minute!"
Han Fei, accompanied by Rou Xi and Ya Xi, came rushing down the mountain. Song Qi frowned and said, "Didn't you say you didn't want to see guests off? Why did you come all this way?"
Han Fei smiled and said, "Mother, I suddenly remembered that there's something important I haven't done yet." He glanced at Li Feiqing with a smile, then turned to Gu Qingyun and said, "Young Master Gu, I lost Rouxi and Yaxi to you in the sword duel that day. I, Han Fei, always keep my word, so I'm bringing them here to give to you. Rouxi and Yaxi, from now on, you will stay by Young Master Gu's side and serve him well, understand?"
Gu Qingyun was about to find a way to decline when Song Qi laughed and said, "My son is always willful. Rouxi and Yaxi have suffered a lot of grievances by his side these past few years. Why don't you quickly thank Master Gu for taking them in?" Rouxi and Yaxi agreed in unison, bowed their heads and stepped forward to greet Gu Qingyun.
Han Fei, with a smug look on his face, quickly walked to Li Feiqing's side, winked at her, and whispered, "If your fiancé ever leaves you, remember to come back to me."
Li Feiqing glared at him fiercely, feeling neither angry nor amused by the boy's strange behavior.
Song Qi reached out and took Han Fei's hand, then nodded to Gu Qingyun and said, "Young Master Gu, we shall part ways here, and meet again if fate allows." With that, he led Long Yin's followers back to the mountain.
Seeing Rouxi and Yaxi standing demurely to one side, their gentle and delicate appearance evoking pity, everyone from Feihua Manor couldn't help but look at Gu Qingyun. Zhang Datou swallowed hard, peeked over to Gu Qingyun's side, and whispered, "Manor Lord, what should we do with these two young ladies?"
Gu Qingyun didn't even glance at him, coldly saying, "You're the one who brought this person here, so you can decide how to deal with him." With that, she turned and ordered everyone to set off without looking back.
Zhang Datou stood there, stunned, cold sweat pouring down his face. Bu Mingyi chuckled, and Zhou Yi patted him on the shoulder, whispering, "Take care." Then he walked past him and followed Gu Qingyun.
Inside the inn.
Looking at Rouxi and Yaxi, who both looked completely innocent, Li Feiqing felt a headache coming on.
She had a moment of weakness and couldn't resist Zhang Datou's pleading, so she agreed to let him temporarily take in the two women on his way to Kongtong. Who knew...
That night, Li Feiqing slept in the same room as Rou Xi and Ya Xi.
After entering the room, Rouxi stretched and sighed, "That feels good. I don't have to play chess with the young master until late at night anymore. I'm going to get a good night's sleep tonight."
Ya Xi made a face, rubbed her cheeks, and laughed, "Also, there's no need to pretend to be a wooden doll in front of the young master anymore, Sister Rou Xi, my face is so sore from standing so stiffly."
The two exchanged a smile, then looked at Li Feiqing, who was staring blankly at them, and burst into laughter.
Li Feiqing hesitated and said, "You..."
Rouxi smiled and said, "Miss Li, you've seen the young master's temperament. If we don't act silly and pitiful, won't we really have to marry him in the future?"
Ya Xi then laughed and said, "If I were to marry a great demon like the young master, I'd rather be dead."
Li Feiqing seemed to understand something, and pointed at the two of them suspiciously, "That day you deliberately dressed me up like that, could it be..."
Rouxi was a little embarrassed and smiled with her head down: "If the young master really takes a liking to you, he will naturally not think about marrying the two of us. Cough cough, that... the young master treats you differently, so you will not suffer if you marry him."
Ya Xi blinked and said, "I just didn't expect that not only did the young master fail to marry you, but he also gave us to Young Master Gu in the end. Miss Li, you don't mind, do you?"
Li Feiqing felt a drop of sweat trickle down her back. She closed her mouth tightly, silently turned around, and went back to bed to sleep.
Startled by Ya Xi's sudden scream, Li Feiqing turned around and saw her standing in front of the bed, complaining with a bitter face, "The bed in this inn is so hard, how can anyone sleep on it?"
Rouxi glanced at Li Feiqing and sighed, "I can endure any hardship, but I can't stand being hungry. I need to eat a midnight snack before I can fall asleep."
Li Feiqing casually said, "Just tell the waiter to make you some midnight snacks."
Ya Xi said, "Give me a mattress too."
Rouxi bit her lip and said, "We just started following Young Master Gu and we're already going out asking for this and that. If others see us, they'll think we're not following the rules."
The two looked up at the same time, their eyes burning with anticipation as they gazed at Li Feiqing. Li Feiqing felt a chill run down her spine from their stares and clenched her fist, saying, "I'll go!"
Li Feiqing was running around, first instructing the kitchen to prepare a late-night snack, then asking for a mattress to carry on her shoulder. Just as she was about to return to her room, she suddenly saw someone walking towards her. Looking up, she saw Hua Liran frowning and staring at her, asking, "Miss Li, what are you doing?"
Li Feiqing pointed to her shoulder and said, "Get Ya Xi a mattress."
Hua Liran glanced at the blanket on her shoulder and suddenly asked, "Han Fei gave those two women to the manor lord, aren't you angry?"
Li Feiqing coughed and said, "Why would I be angry?"
Hua Liran looked at her for a long time, then slowly shook her head and said, "Shen Luo sent a letter saying that he was ordered by the sect leader to assist in investigating the poisoning and attack of the Kongtong disciples. He will be coming to join us soon."
Li Feiqing was delighted, but then puzzled and asked, "Strange, why didn't Third Senior Brother send the letter directly to me, but instead wrote it to you?"
Hua Liran was taken aback, then said coldly, "How would I know?" After saying that, she ignored Li Feiqing and turned to walk away.
Li Feiqing, feeling rebuffed, carried the mattress back to her room and saw Rouxi and Yaxi sitting face to face at the table, whispering something to each other.
Upon seeing her enter, the two greeted her with smiles, asking her to place the mattress beside the bed before quickly pulling her to sit down at the table.
Ya Xi leaned over and asked mysteriously, "Miss Li, how old is Young Master Gu this year? How old are his parents? He's so handsome, does he have many female confidantes?"
Li Feiqing was stunned for a moment, not knowing how to answer.
Rouxi also asked, "What kind of dishes and snacks does Young Master Gu usually like to eat? What kind of incense does he like? What kind of books does he like to read?"
Li Feiqing opened her mouth, still in a daze.
Ya Xi then asked, "Do you have any bad habits, such as gambling? Visiting brothels? Disliking bathing?"
Li Feiqing's lips twitched, and she said weakly, "I...I don't know."
Rouxi looked disappointed and sighed, "Aren't you his fiancée? How come you don't know anything about this?"
Ya Xi clicked her tongue and said, "That won't do. How will you be someone's wife in the future?"
So, the next morning, before dawn, Rouxi and Yaxi woke Li Feiqing up, quickly washed and dressed her, and then pushed her to the door of Gu Qingyun's room. Yaxi gently knocked on the door, then covered her mouth and pulled Rouxi away.
When Gu Qingyun opened the door and saw Li Feiqing, she was slightly taken aback and asked, "You were looking for me?"
Li Feiqing stammered, "Um, you haven't had breakfast yet, have you? How about... we eat together?"
Gu Qingyun was taken aback again, then smiled and said, "Okay."
The two ordered two bowls of porridge and some snacks, and sat at the table eating in silence.
Remembering Rouxi and Yaxi's words of advice, Li Feiqing cleared her throat and asked, "Um, how old are you this year?"
Gu Qingyun glanced at her and said, "Twenty-two. And you?"
Li Feiqing answered casually, "Sixteen."
Gu Qingyun said calmly, "Six years apart, just right."
Li Feiqing shuddered, then thought for a moment and continued to ask, "What color clothes do you like?"
Gu Qingyun glanced at her, then looked down at her own clothes. Li Feiqing said awkwardly, "Uh... it's black."
Gu Qingyun smiled and said, "I think light yellow is also nice."
Li Feiqing looked down at her pale yellow dress, her face slightly flushed, and gritted her teeth as she insisted, "So what kind of food do you like? Do you like spicy food?"
After a long exchange of questions and answers, seeing that breakfast was almost finished, Li Feiqing was satisfied and felt that she could finally go back and report. She hurriedly asked her final question: "Master Gu, you look so... cough cough, look like this, do you have many female confidantes? You must love visiting brothels, right?"
Gu Qingyun smiled faintly and said slowly, "I've never been to a brothel. I seem to remember that Miss Li went there? Was it fun?"
Li Feiqing suddenly coughed repeatedly, her face turning bright red. She leaned on the table and said, "I...I'm done eating. See you later, Master Gu." With that, she hurriedly got up and ran away without looking back.
Gu Qingyun watched her leave with a smile in her eyes, then suddenly said in a low voice, "Come out."
After a few light giggles, Rouxi and Yaxi peeked out from outside the door, one rubbing her stomach and the other covering her mouth, and walked forward together to greet Gu Qingyun.
Rouxi smiled and said, "Young Master Gu seems to be in a good mood this morning."
Gu Qingyun smiled and said, "Should I thank you both? But I wonder what your intentions are in teasing us like this?"
Rouxi rolled her eyes and said, "To be honest, Young Master Gu probably already knows that the young master's intention in giving us to you is not good."
Ya Xi smiled and said, "Before the young master left, he instructed the two of us to find a way to cause trouble between you and Miss Li, and preferably make it so that you two can't get married in the end."
Gu Qingyun gave a soft "Oh," and said with a smile, "Then why do you two insist on doing the opposite?"
Rouxi blinked and said, "Young Master is precocious and loves to come up with strange and wonderful things to tease us. Although my sister Yaxi and I have been taken in by Madam and have a place to stay, we have also suffered a lot of bullying from him."
Ya Xi gently touched her chest and said, "Even now, when I think back to the days when I was by the young master's side, I still have nightmares."
Rouxi smiled and said, "So we've decided that we definitely can't let the young master have his way this time."
Ya Xi laughed and said, "He wants to break you two up so he can marry Miss Li himself. Hehe, we'll make sure to bring you together and give him no chance."
Rouxi glanced at Yaxi and said leisurely, "Imagine how angry the young master will be..." The two of them turned their heads and thought for a moment, then suddenly covered their mouths and chuckled at each other.
Gu Qingyun looked at them and couldn't help but smile, asking, "How can I possibly repay your great kindness?"
Ya Xi smiled and said, "Young Master Gu is outstanding in appearance, skilled in martial arts, and comes from a good family. He is the perfect choice for my sister and me to choose a husband."
Rouxi chimed in, "However, I'm afraid Young Master Gu wouldn't be interested in anyone else besides Miss Li."
Ya Xi nodded and said, "Miss Li is straightforward, kind, and treats people well. We wouldn't dare to compete with her for a husband."
Rouxi smiled and said, "Therefore, we hope that after Young Master Gu arrives at Kongtong, he will grant us our freedom. My sister and I are eager to travel around and find a suitable man to accompany us in our old age."
Sunrise at sea
The night was dark and the earth was silent.
On this desolate night, faint sounds of a zither drifted across the vast wilderness.
The music was initially mournful and tender, then gradually turned high-pitched, and finally carried a hint of solemnity.