A Record of Pleasure

Chapter 33

Pei Gumo was stunned, and Pei Jin was also stunned.

The green mountains are shrouded in mist, and the sky is clear and bright.

The western side of the Netherworld Valley becomes increasingly complex the further one ventures in, and without a guide, it's quite possible to get lost. Tan Huan silently followed behind Ba Li, still wondering where Luo Yi had gone.

"arrive."

Tan Huan paused, noticing a small, dilapidated thatched hut in the distance, the kind that would collapse in a gust of wind. "Can anyone live in this place?" Tan Huan looked at Bali suspiciously. "Is Yuan Gu inside?"

Bali nodded. "Go in by yourself. I'll wait for you outside."

Tan Huan, though wary, showed no outward sign of it, simply nodding slightly before entering the thatched hut. Inside, the house was bare, with only an old man sitting on an old stool, drinking wine with his head tilted back. Hearing voices, the old man remained unmoved, continuing to finish his wine, then laughed loudly, "Young man, long time no see!"

Tan Huan glanced at him and said indifferently, "Yuan Gu."

"Hehe, it's me." This number one swordsmith in the world had a bulbous nose and could smell alcohol when he spoke. "I remember your name, I've always remembered it, it's Wu Tanhuan, right?"

Tan Huan nodded. "I heard you wanted to see me?"

"good."

"Why?"

Yuan Gu smiled but remained silent, instead asking, "You're in Zhengyang Palace now, right? With Baili Liushang protecting you? Haha, your life is safe now, isn't it?" He had no intention of listening to Tan Huan's answer, only glancing at Tan Huan's expression, and then said, "Did you come to Youming Valley this time for this old man like me?"

Tan Huan didn't know how to answer him, so she simply hummed in response.

Yuan Gu laughed heartily, "Just as I thought, just as I thought."

"And why do you want to see me?" Tan Huan repeated the question from before.

Yuan Gu suddenly stopped smiling, his eyes filled with a gray helplessness. He slowly stood up, a bitter smile on his lips, and walked to Tan Huan. "Back then, I repaired the Lonely Dust Sword for you, do you remember?" Unexpectedly, he knelt down in front of Tan Huan, his head half-lowered, and said guiltily, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have switched the real Lonely Dust Sword with yours back then."

Tan Huan blinked but didn't say anything.

Yuan Gu still didn't dare to look up at her. "You don't have to forgive me, but this old man wants to apologize to you before I die. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." He didn't mean to ruin her life. He thought no one would care anymore after the fake Lonely Dust Sword was broken, but he didn't know that his decision had changed the life of the girl in front of him.

She was targeted by Baili Liushang because of the Lonely Dust Sword.

She was framed by the Tang Clan because of the Lonely Dust Sword.

Her descent into the so-called evil path was also due to the Lonely Dust Sword.

Yuan Gu didn't want to harm anyone, but the treasure of the Lonely Dust Sword couldn't be obtained by anyone; it was a treasure that would overturn the entire martial arts world and even the entire realm. Was it worth sacrificing one person's life for the peace of the entire martial arts world? Yuan Gu had already prepared to carry this guilt for the rest of his life, but unexpectedly, he still failed. The allure of the treasure was too great; this secret could not be kept.

"...You gave me the real Lonely Dust Sword? The one Pei Jin gave me before was a fake?" Tan Huan stared at him quietly. "You think you're the one who harmed me? That's why you knelt down and apologized?"

Yuan Gu's face flushed red as he nodded with difficulty.

After a long silence, Tan Huan suddenly felt an urge to ask Pei Jin, "Did you know the secret when you promised to give me the Lonely Dust Sword? Did you give me the Lonely Dust Sword because you liked me or to use me? Do you want my forgiveness?"

Yuan Gu looked up in surprise, "You're willing to forgive me?" Her family's destruction was indirectly caused by him, and he could forgive her for that?

"Promise me one thing, and I'll forgive you," Tan Huan said calmly.

"What's up?"

"Come back to Zhengyang Palace with me to see Master." Tan Huan said each word slowly and deliberately. "Are you willing? If you are, I will forgive you."

Yuan Gu's original name wasn't Yuan Gu. He didn't even know his real name; his father's surname wasn't Yuan, nor was his grandfather's. The Lonely Dust Sword was an ancient sword, passed down through generations in his family since the beginning of Yuan Gu's knowledge of history. Naturally, they would also protect the secrets within the sword. To prevent outsiders from discovering this, changing surnames and names was commonplace in his family, and to keep it a secret, each generation had only one heir.

He is the only one left now. Yuan Gu is exhausted; he has yet to marry and have an heir. A sword is an inanimate object, a person is a living being. Why should so many living beings sacrifice themselves for such an inanimate object? "Tan Huan, does saying this mean you no longer care about the past?"

Saying she didn't mind didn't seem right, so Tan Huan thought for a moment and said, "I do mind."

Yuan Gu laughed heartily. This girl's mouth was lying, but her eyes were very honest, a pair of clear black eyes without any resentment or flaws. "Why did you ask me to see Baili Liushang?"

"Master wants to see you."

Yuan Gu's smile faded, his gaze turning deep. "Does Baili Liushang want to know the secret of the Lonely Dust Sword?"

Tan Huan shook his head. "Master didn't say. He only gave the order to take you back."

"Heh, all of Baili Liushang's men are loyal enough. They do whatever he orders without even asking a reason." Yuan Gu muttered to himself, his tone sarcastic. "But then again, whether you know the reason or not, you have to do it. So asking or not asking makes no difference."

Ignoring the question, Tan Huan insisted on pursuing the previous one: "Would you like to come with me to Zhengyang Palace?"

Yuan Gu shook his head and smiled bitterly, "I'm perfectly fine here, why should I go?"

Tan Huan instinctively reached for his sword, but then realized his acupoints were sealed. He sighed helplessly and withdrew his movement. "Master has only sent me to invite you. If you don't go now, do you expect Master to come in person?"

Yuan Gu's expression froze. Indeed, the outcome of Baili Liushang taking action himself would have been far worse than it is now.

Tan Huan frowned slightly, looking at Yuan Gu with confusion. "Are you really that guilty to me? Do you really want my forgiveness?" She couldn't see it at all. "You don't even want the chance to atone for your sins?" She thought this time the problem could be resolved peacefully.

“My grandfather dedicated his entire life to the Lonely Dust Sword, my father dedicated his entire life to the Lonely Dust Sword, and I almost gave everything for the Lonely Dust Sword…” Conscience, happiness, family—he had lost it all. “And now, you want me to ruin everything for you?”

Tan Huan stared at him, then suddenly laughed, "That's strange. Since this secret causes you so much pain, why don't you choose to commit suicide? That way, no one will know, right?"

Yuan Gu's face turned pale, and veins bulged on his forehead. "Why did you struggle when you were desperate? Why didn't you just end it all?"

The thatched hut was completely silent; the air seemed to have frozen.

Tan Huan lowered her eyes, then slowly fixed them on his. "Yuan Gu, since Master has given the order, the outcome is either your death or your capture. If you want to resist, you'll have to find someone more powerful than Master." She paused, then slowly added, "Or rather, do you want to cause the destruction of Youming Valley?"

Seeing her expression and tone, Yuan Gu couldn't help but shrink back. He seemed to see the white-clad demon walking towards him with a faint, wicked smile. It was so similar; she really was Baili Liushang's disciple.

"Valley Master Ba, it's not good for you to eavesdrop outside." Pei Jin's voice suddenly came. Tan Huan hurriedly turned around and ran out of the thatched hut. She saw Ba Li standing a hundred meters away, the place where she had been brought there. There were trees all around, rustling in the wind. Pei Jin continued, "Valley Master Ba has amazing hearing. Could it be that you couldn't hear the conversation inside?"

Bali smiled faintly, "Young Master Pei, who are you standing up for?"

Pei Jin saw Tan Huan run out and smiled at her from afar, "Wu Tan Huan has been gone for too long. I was worried that Valley Master Ba would release her without permission, so I came to check. Now, may I take her back now?"

Bali glanced at Pei Jin and said, "Kid, if you want to make a name for yourself in the martial arts world, you should learn from your father. Even your father doesn't dare to talk to me like this, especially not on my turf!" She paused, "Of course, if you have the strength of Baili Liushang, that's a different story."

Pei Jin's smile remained unchanged. "I will remember your lesson, senior." He beckoned to Tan Huan and said, "Come here, let's go back."

Before she could explain things to Yuan Gu, Tan Huan didn't want to leave. Pei Jin noticed the slight hesitation in her expression. He stepped forward, skimming across the grass without leaving a trace, and leaned down in front of her, saying, "Once you get the secret out of Yuan Gu, Ba Li will kill you to silence you."

Her voice was very soft, but everyone already knew she had excellent hearing, yet she still spoke like that. Hmph, this kid doesn't seem like Pei Gu Mo's son at all. Ba Li glanced at Pei Jin indifferently, stared at the thatched hut for a while, then disappeared into the woods without saying a word.

Tan Huan hesitated, "The way in was complicated, and without Bali to lead the way..."

“It’s okay,” Pei Jin gently took her hand, “Just come with me.”

When Tan Huan returned to her residence with Pei Jin, Pei Gu Mo was still standing there waiting. Seeing them return, Pei Gu Mo took two steps forward and asked, "What did Yuan Gu want with her?"

Pei Jin opened his mouth, but he didn't hear anything. In fact, he didn't know what Yuan Gu and Tan Huan were saying.

Pei Gu Mo narrowed his eyes, his gaze slowly shifting to the expressionless Tan Huan.

Tan Huan glanced at him. "Aton for your sins," she replied quietly. "Yuan Gu feels he has wronged me, so he apologizes to me." She smiled sarcastically. "I'm sorry, there's nothing you want to hear, Alliance Leader Pei."

Pei Gu Mo's face darkened at her retort. He stopped speaking, turned, and left the room. Tan Huan silently found a seat and began secretly circulating her internal energy to break through her acupoints. After a long while, Pei Jin sighed softly, "Why do you speak to Father like that?"

Greedy pleasure lowered his eyes and remained silent.

Pei Jin walked up to her and said softly, "Tan Huan, do you really hate the Pei family now? Or do you hate everyone in the Pei family? Do you want to be the best in the world because you want revenge?"

Revenge? Every wrong has its perpetrator, every debt its debtor. She'll settle accounts with the Tang Clan once she's mastered her skills. Tan Huan's lips were pressed into a thin line. After a long, long time, she finally moved her lips slightly, "I don't dislike you."

Pei Jin smiled brightly, "I know, otherwise you wouldn't have been so distracted by me before, and I wouldn't have taken the opportunity to strike your pressure points."

Tan Huan's face darkened, and he turned his head away. Hadn't he always disliked talking about his ridiculously beautiful face? Now he was actually using seduction? And he himself had such a weak will! One day he'd get his revenge!

"I will clear your name and give you an identity that allows you to walk in the sunlight. I will exonerate you for all those who wronged you. So don't worry, you are still Wu Tanhuan, and one day you will be the same as before, nothing will change." Pei Jin gazed at her earnestly, making his promise. "Tanhuan, for your future, don't get too close to Baili Liushang, don't do anything outrageous for him, and don't let your infamy spread throughout the martial arts world. Just hide secretly in Zhengyang Palace, and I will come to get you soon."

Hearing this, Tan Huan finally looked up and asked, "What happens after you pick me up?"

Pei Jin smiled and reached out to stroke her face. "Do whatever you want, I'll be with you."

"What about Shu Yunyao?" Tan Huan asked casually.

“I will not marry her,” Pei Jin explained. This was merely a scheme to lure the enemy out; a trigger was needed to get close to the Tang Clan, and Shu Yunyao was just a pawn.

Tan Huan's expression was unusually serious. She thought about the matter carefully several times and came to the conclusion, "If I stay in Zhengyang Palace, I will be hunted down and antagonized by you. If I leave Zhengyang Palace... Master will not let me go. Pei Jin, I appreciate your kindness, but you don't need to do these things for me. If you really feel bad about it, it would be better to let me leave now."

Pei Jin's body stiffened as he stared at her in disbelief. "Rather than clearing your name, you'd rather leave?" His voice rose uncontrollably. "Tan Huan, as long as you stay by my side, I won't let you go through what happened before. I can protect you."

Tan Huan remained unfazed. "I appreciate the kindness." Someone as outstanding as Pei Jin shouldn't be entangled with her. One was Baili Liushang's disciple, the other Pei Gumo's son—they were worlds apart. She would only hold him back. Tan Huan asked herself honestly, did she still like Pei Jin? Unfortunately, she didn't even dare to think about that answer.

If, if one day, her martial arts become the best in the world, or his martial arts become the best in the world, and no one in the world can interfere with her, then she will give him a proper answer.

Pei Jin took a deep breath, turned her head away, and then remained silent.

The next morning, Yuan Gu wanted to see Tan Huan one more time. So Ba Li sent someone to deliver a message to Tan Huan. Tan Huan had worked hard all night, and her acupoints had loosened, allowing her to circulate a small portion of her internal energy. She stretched and, led by a servant, went to Yuan Gu's residence again.

“I thought about what you said all night last night.”

"And the conclusion?"

Yuan Gu, his eyes bloodshot, smiled wearily, “Baili Liushang isn’t that bad. Others have done the bad things he’s done, but others may not have done the good things he’s done. Even so, I still need your guarantee,” he paused, “Tan Huan, can you guarantee my safety? If you can, I will go with you to Zhengyang Palace.”

Tan Huan stared at him, "Have you made up your mind?"

"Haha, of course, the defenses are tight now, you'll have to find a way to get me out of here." Yuan Gu reeked of alcohol. "If you can't do that, it's all just empty talk."

Tan Huan immediately deflated. "I don't know how to leave either." She hadn't even broken through the pressure points on her body yet. "I don't know where my senior brother has gone. Maybe he had a way..."

"There is a way." The servant who had led Tan Huan earlier suddenly raised his head, revealing a familiar smile. He wiped his face, revealing himself to be Luo Yi, who had slipped away earlier. "I have a way to leave the Netherworld Valley, although I'm only 70% sure of success. Tan Huan, would you like to give it a try?"

Tan Huan was stunned, pointing in the air with his hand, "Senior brother, you..." What's going on with you?

Luo Yi immediately knew what she wanted to ask, and said calmly, "I was originally thinking about how to knock Yuan Gu unconscious and take him back, but I didn't expect you to get him to agree so easily." He patted Tan Huan on the shoulder, "Thank you for your hard work."

Tan Huan nodded. "Yuan Gu, I promise you, as long as you tell me the secret of the Lonely Dust Sword, Master will definitely let you go." She smiled and said, "Just like you said, Master isn't such a bad person."

Luo Yi stood coldly to the side, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

"Senior brother, what method are you talking about?" Tan Huan turned his head and asked, "What do you need me to do?"

Luo Yi looked her up and down a few times, then quickly released the pressure points on Tan Huan's body. She then smiled and said, "Start with Pei Jin. That man has special feelings for you. You can lure him into letting us leave."

"Temptation?" Tan Huan pondered the meaning of the word. "How does one entice?"

"Seduction." Luo Yi succinctly stated.

Tan Huan looked as if she had been struck by lightning, her expression disheveled. "I don't know how to seduce... I've never learned..." Does seduction mean taking off all your clothes? Or does it mean doing something in bed with someone?

Luo Yi looked at her strangely, "You want me to teach you?"

Tan Huan blushed slightly and said with shame, "I really don't know how..."

Luo Yi sighed in exasperation and waved helplessly, "Come closer, I'll tell you, and then you can just do as I say."

Tan Huan walked over step by step, listening clearly to Luo Yi's rustling sounds in her ears. Her face grew increasingly red. "Is this okay?"

Luo Yi smiled mysteriously, gazing into the distance, "Pei Jin likes you, so it's fine."