Roi céleste

Chapitre 18

Offstage, Li Yiyao struck up a conversation with Lu Wen twice. The first time, Li asked Lu for a sparring match under the pretext of a friendly exchange. The blockhead Lu defeated Li in two moves, and upon returning, Li roared angrily at the sky in front of me. Later, for some unknown reason, Li firmly believed that Lu and she were both walnut spirits in their past lives, bound together by fate. The second time, Li went with walnuts and returned happily.

So, the martial arts tournament ended quickly, and I prepared to return to Luowu Mountain with the rest of the Thousand Years Sect.

The day before I was to leave, Old Man Yu called me into his room.

Old Yu closed the doors and windows, leaned close to me with a particularly lewd smile, and whispered, "Gu Yi, I received a big business deal about you today."

Looking at the smiling face of the Thousand Years Sect Leader so close to me, I subconsciously took a step back and swallowed.

"We, the esteemed Thousand-Year Sect, are not short of that little bit of money."

"Ten thousand taels."

"..."

"gold."

"Then what are we waiting for, Master? Taking someone's money and obeying their orders is the highest code of conduct in the martial world. Your disciple will set off now!"

"Split it 50/50."

“Master… I only realized now that I was seriously injured in the Qishan martial arts competition. I’ll probably need to go back to Luowu Mountain to recuperate properly, cough cough cough…”

"Six-four split."

"Master, my head is suddenly very dizzy. Master, how come you suddenly became two, no, three..."

Yu Buzhou's forehead was as hard as a mountain. He slammed his fist on the table and roared, "At most, you get 70% and I get 30%. Otherwise, I'll cancel this deal. Do you think we, the esteemed Thousand-Year Sect, have to rely on taking orders to make a living?!"

I crossed my legs and said nonchalantly, "Then let's just cancel it. It's only ten thousand taels of gold anyway. After splitting it, we can only hire a few more experts, take in a few more talented disciples, build a few more houses, and repair one or two more training grounds. It's just a small amount of money. We don't need it."

"You really are my good disciple..." Yu Buzhou said through gritted teeth, "You get eight and I get two, or else you can just wait to be locked up on the mountain!"

"How could that be? Master knows me best. My dear disciple is indifferent to fame and fortune, and puts the sect first in everything. For the long-term development of the sect, I am willing to sacrifice myself. Tell me, Master, even if it means going through fire and water, I won't even flinch!"

Yu Buzhou suddenly extended two fingers, seemingly intending to pull out my tongue. As I dodged, the old man twisted his arm, scratched his beard with those two fingers, and said kindly, "Actually, it's not that difficult. To be honest, when I heard it, I thought it was a freebie, but..."

"After Tian Shu Palace destroyed the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun, the various gangs in the Taihang Mountains formed an alliance and decided to jointly attack Tian Shu Palace. Tian Shu Palace felt that it was no match for them and wanted to invite Qing Guyi, a master of the Thousand-Year Sect, to take charge of Tian Shu Palace and help it defend against the enemy for a period of one year, with a reward of 10,000 taels of gold."

Qingjiu, could you possibly come up with an even worse excuse...?

"Master... Do you think we, the esteemed Thousand-Year Sect, must rely on taking orders to make a living?!"

"Taking someone's money is the highest code of honor in the martial world! Disciple, let's set off now!"

...

Just as my scalp was cracking, Yu Buzhou's voice came from behind me: "Hey, Guyi, although there shouldn't be any problems, you should still be careful. Qingjiu, that kid... is pretty good."

In a situation like this, shouldn't we be saying something like "not simple" or "not easy to deal with"? Why is it "very good"... even though it is very good...

I nodded and said, "That's right. At first glance, it seems like we got a good deal, but the fact that I used the Sword Technique against the Emperor in public shows that I am your future successor, Master. So, although he only invited me on the surface, he was actually signaling to the entire Thousand Years Sect. The new Tian Shu Palace does need a powerful ally. Yin Xuan can't afford to invite him, and it would be unwise to anger Yin Xuan because of the declining Qing Hong Manor. Even if we indirectly invite Yin Liu Chuan, his strength is about the same as Qing Jiu's. Qing Jiu wouldn't want someone who can't be controlled by his side."

Yu Buzhou nodded approvingly and said, "Therefore, you, as the next leader of the fourth sect in the martial arts world, have become the best choice."

I asked curiously, "And Master, do you mean you agree? Aren't we supposed to stay out of the affairs of the martial world? And won't this anger Youlong Heavenly Palace and Qinghong Manor?"

"Gu Yi, you must understand that the mutual checks and balances among the major forces are the foundation of stability in the martial arts world. We usually don't concern ourselves with the affairs of the martial arts world, but when the three heroes of the martial arts world are not evenly matched, our Thousand Years Sect actually plays a mediating role. As for the Youlong Heavenly Palace and Qinghong Manor, humph, since they have no chance of joining forces, what do we have to be afraid of? Maintaining the current stability of the martial arts world is the most important thing."

This whole thing about safeguarding peace and maintaining balance is actually just about protecting one's own interests, and it's really incredibly uninspiring...

"Wait, what about my return to the mountain for trials and accepting challenges?"

Yu Buzhou waved his hand dismissively, "They're just acting on impulse. Once they calm down, everyone knows they can't beat you at all. If Xu Wanxuan and his daughter cause trouble again, I'll take the blame for you."

I was a little reluctant to leave: "Sigh, I finally made it back to you guys, but I can't even go back to Luowu Mountain, and I have to leave again." Suddenly I waved my hand, "But I will take leave to go back and see you."

Old Yu couldn't help but laugh and said, "We'll see each other again in a year, but you mustn't tell that girl Li Yiyao, or you definitely won't be able to leave."

Li Yiyao will probably buy me with 20,000 taels of gold, or he'll buy 20 catties of walnuts to knock me unconscious and drag me away...

Just as the word "walnut" flashed through my mind and I couldn't help but tremble, Yu Buzhou's expectant voice reached my ears: "I'm telling you, Gu Yi, even though you haven't been by my side this year, you can't relax. You must work hard to learn the fifth move of the Sword Technique of the Monarch, do you hear me?"

I smiled broadly, my face glowing: "Master, I remember you only learned all seven forms when you were forty, and you created the eighth form when you were fifty, right?"

Yu Buzhou smiled broadly: "Disciple, your master knows you best. You have amazing talent, excellent physique, and you practice martial arts diligently from morning till night. How could the mere Duijun Sword Technique possibly be difficult for you?"

Isn't that what I said after I successfully learned the first move of the Sword Technique? Master, you can't always live in the past...

She couldn't help but glance at her master again. Two years had passed, and he hadn't aged a bit. Thinking back, she'd spent ten days to half a month with Li Yiyao, which had somewhat eased her longing. Sigh.

"...Then I'm leaving. Take care, Master."

Yu Buzhou blinked twice before whispering, "Go ahead."

The two of us, master and student, gazed at each other with deep affection and reluctance, painting a beautiful picture of our profound bond. Then I rolled up the painting and left...

As soon as they stepped out of the inn, they found a carriage parked on the side of the street, with a baby-faced boy sitting on the horse, looking impatient.

They're so enthusiastic, even standing guard at the door, like they're afraid I'll run away...

Bai Ya looked around boredly, and when he saw me, he yelled, "Why are you so slow, woman? We've been waiting for you for ages!"

"We've been apart for a long time, so let's be more polite," I muttered as I walked towards the carriage.

A lazy voice suddenly came from behind: "Young lady, I was just about to look for you when you came out. We husband and wife are truly of one mind."

I turned around, my lips twitching, and saw Yin Liuchuan walking towards me with a smile.

I was just about to yell "Your second aunt!" when Yin Liuchuan spoke first, "You shouldn't go back to Luowu Mountain either. Husband and wife should follow each other and come back to Youlongtian Palace with me."

So I'm that popular...

I, with exceptional morality, chose the side that paid the money without hesitation, and said, "Our Thousand Years Sect has accepted the order from the Heavenly Pivot Palace, so I will be going to the Heavenly Pivot Palace for a year."

Yin Liuchuan raised an eyebrow and said lazily, "How much? I'll pay double." His voice was incredibly arrogant, giving him the air of a young master who would spend a fortune.

"One hundred thousand taels," I said without changing my expression.

"..."

"gold."

Suppressed low laughter came from the carriage next to them.

I've decided that if Yin Liuchuan has lost his mind and is really planning to offer a million taels of gold, I'll go with him immediately.

Yin Liuchuan also heard the voice, looked over, and said, "Protector Baiya... it seems that Tian Shu Palace really is looking to do business with you."

"Protector Baiya, you really offered 100,000 taels of gold."

"That's right, it'll be a real pain for our Tian Shu Palace for quite a while," Bai Ya said seriously. As a dignified protector, lying was naturally no problem for him.

"I see... That's such a pity. I really wouldn't be willing to pay 200,000 taels of gold just for the ninth concubine."

I suddenly extended two fingers, seemingly intending to pull out Yin Liuchuan's tongue. Just as Yin Liuchuan raised an eyebrow as if to dodge, I twisted my arm, scratched my head with those two fingers, and smiled, "...That's such a pity."

Yin Liuchuan looked at me with amusement, the golden dragon in the corner of his eye gleaming, and said again, "But there's one thing you have to do."

Your second aunt really does treat you like a husband!

Ignoring my displeasure, the other person continued gently, "Your grandparents are here and specifically asked to see you, their new wife. Why don't you come and meet them with me?"

My grandparents would be about my age by now if they were reincarnated. How can I, a mere mortal, possibly reunite with them?

"Young Master Yin, those are your grandparents. What do they have to do with me? I don't even know their names."

Yin Liuchuan ignored the first half of the sentence and smiled, "They have been living in seclusion for many years. You probably haven't heard of them. I wonder why they have come out of seclusion now. Master Cen, Danqiu Sheng, have you heard of them?"

Master Cen, Master Danqiu...

I cracked on the ground.

The carriage door was suddenly pushed open.

Twenty-four cups of yellow wine

Huangku Wine – A fine product of the world, Huangku Wine, a leisurely man of the world, Bai Shilang. Let us not waste the beautiful scenery with wine in our cups, chasing the bright moon, drunk and leaning against the wall.

...

And so, in the end, it was me, Qingjiu, and Yin Liuchuan who appeared together before Master Cen and Danqiu Sheng.

Then we all marveled at the wonder of fate. After a warm exchange of pleasantries, Grandma Danqiu, clearly influenced by Yin Liuchuan, regarded me as her future granddaughter-in-law. Upon hearing that I was going to Tianshu Palace, she squinted at Qingjiu, who was smiling gently and harmlessly, and immediately refused. She even threatened me with the favor of curing Qingjiu's leg. Under Qingjiu's clever words, she finally decided to let me go by comparing myself with Master Cen.

As an innocent, tough woman who had lost her personal freedom, I watched sullenly as Qingjiu, still smiling gently and harmlessly, went out with Master Cen. An hour later, Qingjiu returned with the same smile.

Danqiu was dumbfounded.

It must be that the old man has been in seclusion for too long, and his martial arts skills have deteriorated considerably. Moreover, the old man is getting old, and his physical strength and adaptability have declined... I clenched my fist, thinking that Dan Qiusheng, who had a gloomy face, and Cen Fuzi, who had a frustrated face, must have the same idea as me.

"It's just that I, a junior, have been bullying the old gentleman for many years without resorting to force, which is why I was able to win by sheer luck," Qingjiu said with a faint smile.

When Qingjiu said these words, the three of us looked even more unpleasant...

Of course, I'm just frustrated because I don't know when I'll be able to defeat Qing Jiu. For that ten thousand taels of gold, I would definitely be willing to go with Qing Jiu, not to mention that I, Qing Guyi, am willing to sacrifice for the peace and stability of the martial arts world!

Yin Liuchuan looked at Qingjiu with shining eyes; an outsider might have thought he was gay.

He didn't mention again that he wanted to force me, his ninth concubine, to stay. It seems he had been holding back for a long time before he rushed up to fight Qingjiu. So, people like Yin Liuchuan, who seem warm on the surface, are actually cold-hearted. His enthusiasm for people is never genuine; it's just something he finds amusing and wants to exploit for more.

After this little incident, I finally had to leave with Qingjiu. Before leaving, Danqiu Sheng still remembered to tell me not to forget to abide by the virtues of womanhood. I responded with a forced smile. Yin Liuchuan told Master Cen that he would come back to see me. I really wanted to say to Master Cen, you're fine on your own.

Tian Shu Palace is located in the Wuling Mountains, so we headed south, traveled overland for a while, and then took a boat down the Mian River to Hanyang before heading into the Wuling Mountains.

As soon as we got into the carriage, Baiya switched Qianlou out and asked me with great interest about my relationship with Yin Liuchuan. Huamei also came over.

Since I no longer needed to hide my identity, I simply told the whole truth in great detail.

After listening, the two sighed, both lamenting, "Poor Yin Liuchuan was tricked by me when he was young and ignorant." Especially when they heard the part about me tackling little Yin Liuchuan to the ground in the grass, Baiya involuntarily took a step back and pressed down on his clothes. I gave him a disdainful look, and Baiya said angrily, "You woman, how can you look at me with such lewd eyes?" When I reached out my claws to grab him in my anger, he screamed like a woman who had been molested and ran away.

Hua Mei gave me a thumbs-up with admiration and said, "Gu Yi is truly a heroine among women!"

Qing Jiu coughed lightly and discreetly twice, and I could clearly see that his eyes were curved.

So, that's how I naturally and effortlessly turned into a sleazy old woman...

After boarding the ship, they stayed on board for more than ten days, and everyone was somewhat disheartened. Finally, they arrived at a large city—Xiangyang.

The Palace Master decreed that everyone disembark and rest for a few days. The group happily rushed into Xiangyang City and slept soundly in an inn for the night.

The next day, I felt something was off when I went out, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Hua Mei whispered in my ear, "...Why does it feel like there are a lot more couples on the street?"

Upon closer inspection, I confirmed that this was indeed the case.