Withdrawing his envy of the extravagant life in the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, Gu Zhong stared intently at Ling Yan's expression, seemingly trying to find some clues.
Lingyan looked back at her, raised an eyebrow, and smiled without saying a word.
"Sister Ayan...could she be the beauty hidden away by the Lord of Tianji Pavilion?"
Unexpectedly, after pondering for a long time, Gu Zhong suddenly uttered such a startling statement.
Lingyan's lips twitched involuntarily, and she was momentarily at a loss for words.
"Then I'll take that as my decision?"
Seeing her reaction, Gu Zhong teased, wondering if she really believed the answer or was just joking.
"Whatever Sister A-Chong thinks is fine..."
In the end, the master of Tianji Pavilion could only reply helplessly.
—Being one's own favorite concubine is quite an interesting thing.
The master of Tianji Pavilion is as mysterious as Tianji Pavilion itself, never revealing his true face. Everyone assumes he is a man, and the young women who are highly respected in Tianji Pavilion are seen by others as nothing more than the female relatives of the master, either his daughter or his wives and concubines.
It's common knowledge that the current head of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion is not yet twenty, so it's no wonder that Gu Zhong is imagining things in a more erotic way.
Ling Yan had no intention of explaining the misunderstanding. Tianji Pavilion had always belonged to the righteous path, not to mention that when she took over the position two years ago, she had already shown her talent at the martial arts conference and won the title of martial arts alliance leader.
Now she is pretending to be a weak woman who can't even kill a chicken, which has won Gu Zhong's trust to some extent; if she reveals her identity, it will only arouse Gu Zhong's suspicion, which is not the result Ling Yan wants.
With the assurance that Lingyan would not be discovered by a third party, Gu Zhong felt at ease and settled down in Tianji Pavilion.
During this time, he tested the waters several times. After gradually getting a feel for Lingyan's good temper, Gu Zhong became increasingly presumptuous, truly treating the place as his own territory and indulging in unrestrained enjoyment.
Lingyan never refused, and she was provided with a constant stream of delicacies, fine wines, silk robes, brocades, pearls, and jade artifacts.
This surprised the members of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion. It seemed that the usually simple and unassuming Pavilion Master had changed his personality.
Heaven knows what kind of impoverished life this cult leader lived in the past few years. After a while, his injuries had healed, but he still lingered, always thinking of indulging in a few more days of enjoyment.
"Sister A-Chong, you've been here for over a month now..."
Stepping into the increasingly grand and crowded inner room, which had become more spacious due to someone's arrival, Lingyan couldn't help but sigh again. Gu Zhong's blind and flamboyant aesthetic sense was truly unacceptable.
The sweltering heat has gradually dissipated, but the ice basin inside is still there. After half a day, half of the crystal-clear cubic ice crystals in the basin remain, filling the entire room with coolness.
"Little sister Ayan, are you trying to send me away already?"
Wearing a black gauze shirt, Gu Zhong leaned against the chaise longue, slightly raising his eyes, his eyes instantly filled with sorrow, as if he was grieving over something.
If it weren't for the fact that she was holding a plump, juicy lychee between her fingers, eagerly bringing it to her rosy lips, it would truly be a picture of beauty, like Xi Shi holding her heart, so lovely and endearing.
"Ahem... Sister A-Chong, is there something important that you need to stay in the pavilion?"
Turning her head away from her, Ling Yan coughed twice and, for the first time so formally, asked Gu Zhong the purpose of his visit.
If possible, she would love to stay in the pavilion for a long time, but plans can't keep up with changes.
Today she received an invitation: the Tianwu Sect's leader is passing the mantle to his prized disciple, inviting heroes from all over the world to witness the ceremony.
However, the young master of the Tianwu Sect who is waiting to be succeeded is currently a guest at the Tianji Pavilion and just arrived today.
As expected, she had to go on a long trip, and she didn't want to take Gu Zhong with her.
The reason lies with Ye Feng, the young master of the Tianwu Sect.
Ye Feng possesses exceptional talent and progresses rapidly in martial arts, making him a universally recognized genius of the righteous path.
He was adopted by the Tianwu Sect Master at a young age and treated as his own son. He was also engaged to the eldest daughter of the Tianwu Sect.
It's obvious to anyone with eyes that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Ye Feng will be the next Tianwu Sect Master.
Aside from this identity, he was Gu Zhong's destined scumbag on his original path. The two met when Gu Zhong was at his lowest point and in a sorry state. They concealed their identities from each other and developed some feelings for each other after going through several life-and-death situations together.
Until Gu Zhong's identity as a member of the Demonic Sect was revealed, Ye Feng outwardly claimed not to care about the difference between good and evil, but secretly he upheld the righteous path and flattered Gu Zhong, believing that he was bearing humiliation and hardship. He burned the trust that Gu Zhong had given him and betrayed Gu Zhong completely without any mercy.
In the end, Ye Feng earned the reputation of a savior hero, while Gu Zhong was left with only a withered skeleton, dying with resentment.
Therefore, Lingyan did not want the two of them to have any further contact, no matter what.
Moreover, she planned to nip this nascent threat in the bud along the way, as having one more person would inevitably introduce unnecessary complications.
"You finally asked."
Her delicate hand, which was reaching for lychees in the crystal plate, paused. She withdrew her hand, unusually serious, and pulled her open blouse over her chest as she sat up.
"Over the years, there have been at least eight hundred to a thousand people who have forced their way into the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, all of whom are trying to find out what they want to know."
Ling Yan turned her head to look directly at Gu Zhong and spoke clearly.
"However, the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion has a business of exchanging information. As long as you can afford it, the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion will tell you everything it knows. Those who break into the pavilion are either penniless or the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion simply cannot provide information but does not believe it. I wonder which type of person Sister A-Chong is?"
"To speak frankly and without reservation?"
Gu Zhong was stunned for a moment. It seemed that she had already spent a lot of money to ask for that information. As the leader of the Demonic Sect, even if she was poor, she should have the savings to buy information, but she was rejected by the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion.
"Speaking of which, the business of buying and selling information by Tianji Pavilion doesn't seem like something a righteous and prestigious sect should be doing."
Gu Zhong gave an awkward smile, concealing the disappointment in his eyes, and then changed the subject.
What does this mean?
Lingyan readily accepted this offer and stopped arguing. Gu Zhong should understand her meaning: if Tianji Pavilion didn't have the information she wanted, there was no need to linger here looking for an opportunity to inquire.
"Who knows what the person who bought this information intends to do with it? If it unfortunately leads to a tragedy, wouldn't that be the fault of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion?"
"If we can't control the use of the information, then we can only control the people who use it. If anything bad happens, the Heavenly Fiend Token isn't just for show. There's no other way; even the most prestigious sects need to make a living, right?"
"But the tragedy that has occurred cannot be undone, can it?"
For some reason, Gu Zhong suddenly seemed a little angry, his slender phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, and his voice was somewhat cold.
"...Indeed, but there will always be someone who needs it, won't there?"
After a moment's thought, Lingyan asked in a soft voice.
"I also hope that one day, the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion will no longer have any reason to exist."
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Author's Note:
I'm guilty! Ahhhhh! No, I can't let myself go back to writing! I have to update! I have to update! I have to update! (Muttering this to myself every day)
//Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 01:06:58 on June 8, 2021 and 21:12:36 on June 20, 2021!
Thank you to the little angel who watered the nutrient solution: ~1 bottle;
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
Chapter 51 The Leader of the Righteous Alliance and the Leader of the Demonic Cult (Part 4)
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"Thank you for clearing up my doubts, Sister Ayan."
Relaxing his unconsciously tense shoulders and back, Gu Zhong's face once again wore a relaxed smile.
"We've been quite bothered lately. The weather is nice today, perfect for a long trip."
Upon hearing this, Lingyan looked out the window at the blazing sun. There was no wind in the air, and a suffocating, damp atmosphere permeated the space.
It looks like there will be a downpour tonight.
Gu Zhongjing was lying through his teeth, but for night walkers, a rainy night was indeed the best cover.
"I wonder if I could have another bowl of abalone congee tonight?"
When such a beautiful woman asks for something with her plaintive and wistful eyes, it's hard for anyone to refuse.
"Of course, that's possible."
Ling Yan unconsciously agreed, only to realize later that she had stood up the young master of Tianwu Sect again, and the meeting would have to be postponed until tomorrow.
Beauty truly can bewitch people, and people are willing to be misled.
The next day, Lingyan pushed open the door of that room with practiced ease. The person was nowhere to be seen inside, only a magnificent room remained, a testament to their former existence.
“Seal this place off; no one may set foot inside.”
Lingyan turned and walked out, giving instructions to the maids guarding the courtyard.
"yes."
The maid answered respectfully, but her mind was already wandering with wild speculations.
The Pavilion Master inexplicably shut down his own Star Academy and went to live in the Star-Picking Tower. Was he trying to find some coolness?
Lately, the Pavilion Master's behavior has been getting stranger and stranger...
Donning a silver mask adorned with intricate patterns and a wide black robe that concealed her figure, Ling Yan reappeared before the world as the revered Master of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion.
As Ye Feng eagerly awaited his arrival, the "busy-working" Master of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion finally managed to meet him.
"Sect Master!"
The handsome young man, who had been sitting impatiently tapping the table on the side of the council chamber, jumped up, clasped his hands in a respectful gesture towards the black-robed man who was slowly approaching.
"I've kept the young sect leader waiting."
An eerie, androgynous voice emanated from behind the mask, sending chills down one's spine.
"I dare not accept such praise. It is Ye Feng who has disturbed the Pavilion Master's affairs."
Ye Feng remained humbly bowing.
Such a demeanor would likely make anyone else marvel at the young sect leader's exceptional talent and humble manners, leaving a lasting positive impression.
It must be said that Ye Feng's ability to navigate the treacherous and cutthroat world of martial arts with such ease is truly exceptional.
Ling Yan made a gesture of supporting him, and Ye Feng was lifted up by a force. He didn't show it on his face, but he was shocked inside.
Rumor has it that this Master of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion is not yet twenty years old, yet he has already achieved such cultivation, which is comparable to his own master.
Everyone says he is a genius of unparalleled talent, but compared to the person in front of them, all other geniuses are nothing but bullshit.
Ye Feng felt a mix of emotions, including longing and perhaps a touch of jealousy.