Li Feiqing was slightly startled when she heard Ruan Ziya admit that she was the "Hundred-Faced Serpent." Ruan Ziya was very famous in the martial arts world. It was said that she was proficient in disguise and poison, one of the four elders of the Demonic Sect, and also the Holy Maiden of the Demonic Sect. She liked to impersonate various identities to harm people with poison. In addition, her mind was unpredictable and cunning. People in the martial arts world would turn pale at the mention of her name. She never expected that the real identity of the fake Lou Yan would be her.
Ruan Ziya swayed slightly, flew to Mu Linlang's side, bent down and stuffed something into her mouth. Li Feiqing exclaimed in surprise, "Hey! What are you doing!" She tried to rush forward to stop him, but Gu Qingyun pulled her back and whispered, "Don't worry, it should be the antidote."
Murong Wuhen raised an eyebrow and said coldly, "Does Saintess Ruan want to oppose me again?"
Ruan Ziya turned around and smiled, saying softly, "Likewise, Young Master Murong has ruined my plans several times, so how could Ziya not find a way to repay him?"
Murong Wuhen's gaze swept over her and Gu Qingyun a few times before he suddenly laughed and said, "Master Gu, with Saintess Ruan here, I'm afraid today's battle won't be as enjoyable as it could have been. I'll take my leave now. There's plenty of time for us to meet again another day." With that, he cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, and in a flash, he was already several feet away, disappearing silently into the night.
Gu Qingyun released Li Feiqing's wrist and said to Ruan Ziya, "I thank Miss Ruan for her help in advance. However, I have always regarded me as a mortal enemy. I wonder what your intention is in giving me the antidote this time?"
Ruan Ziya clapped her hands and laughed, "It's so refreshing to talk to a smart person like Master Gu. So I might as well be frank. I've already given Miss Mu half of the antidote for the Ghost Bee Sting. As for the remaining half, Master Gu will have to exchange it for something."
Li Feiqing hurriedly asked, "What is it?"
Ruan Ziya laughed and said, "Don't worry, I'm not Young Master Murong, so naturally I won't ask you to come down the mountain with me... Master Gu would definitely be reluctant to let you go either."
Li Feiqing blushed, and then Gu Qingyun said, "Does Miss Ruan want the Five Elements Poison Manual?"
Ruan Ziya smiled and said, "That's right. This poison manual is of no use to Master Gu, but it is a favorite of mine. I would be grateful if Master Gu would grant me this."
Gu Qingyun took out a book from her bosom and held it in her palm.
Ruan Ziya smiled slightly and then fed Mu Linlang half an antidote. After a while, Mu Linlang hummed softly and slowly woke up.
Li Feiqing was overjoyed. Gu Qingyun released a burst of energy from his palm, and the book flew out diagonally to the side. Ruan Ziya chuckled, leaped forward, caught the book in her hand, and casually flipped through it. Seeing that it was indeed the Five Elements Poison Manual that she had been longing to obtain, she nodded and smiled at Gu Qingyun, "Manor Lord Gu, thank you very much."
Gu Qingyun asked, "Miss Ruan, could you please tell me the whereabouts of the missing people from Zhanjiabao?"
Ruan Ziya blinked, smiled, and said, "Master Gu is so greedy. Exchanging the poison formula for the antidote is not enough. You also want to know the news about the people of Zhan Family Fortress? ... Master Gu, if you really want to find Master Zhan and the others, please come to our sect's headquarters for a chat. I will be waiting for you in the Purple Bamboo Forest at any time."
Gu Qingyun was stunned for a moment, and was about to speak when she saw Ruan Ziya chuckle and use her light-footed skill to float away into the distance.
Li Feiqing was busy performing a bloodletting procedure on Mu Linlang. Seeing that her complexion was gradually improving and she was gradually regaining consciousness, she felt a little relieved and asked Gu Qingyun, "Master Gu, where is the headquarters of the Demonic Sect located, and what is the Purple Bamboo Forest?"
Gu Qingyun shook her head and said, "The Demonic Sect's whereabouts have always been secretive. Although the major sects have launched numerous attacks, they have only targeted the branch altars in various places. No one knows where the main altar is."
Just then, a voice called out from afar, "Master Gu, Junior Sister, is that you?"
Li Feiqing looked in the direction of the sound and saw Shen Luo running hurriedly from a distance. She called out, "Senior brother, we're here."
Shen Luo arrived in a flash and said, "I searched the whole mountain for you but couldn't find you. So this is where you are." Looking down, he saw Mu Linlang sitting on the ground and was taken aback. He asked, "Why is Fourth Junior Sister here too?"
Li Feiqing was pondering how to answer when Shen Luo hurriedly said, "But it's perfect timing. You should hurry to Qingxin Garden. Master... I'm afraid he..."
Li Feiqing felt a chill in her heart and immediately ran towards Qingxin Garden. After a few steps, she felt her breath catch in her throat, stumbled twice, and almost fell. Gu Qingyun flew over and supported her arm. Li Feiqing immediately felt a powerful internal force flow from her arm to her feet, and she involuntarily ran forward with him.
The two entered Qingxin Garden and found that the disciples of Yingshan Sect were already guarding the room. The eldest disciple, Yi Feng, looked travel-worn, as if he had just arrived from the foot of the mountain. Upon seeing the two enter, he whispered to Mu Feiyu on the bed, "Master, Junior Sister has arrived."
Mu Feiyu opened his eyes and saw that Li Feiqing's face was pale and her whole body was trembling slightly. He smiled and said, "Silly child, don't be afraid. Your master's wishes have all been fulfilled. It's time to go and reunite with your master's wife. You should be happy for your master."
Li Feiqing cried, "No, Master, don't go! Qing'er doesn't want to be alone..."
Mu Feiyu looked at her with loving eyes for a long time before turning his gaze to Gu Qingyun. Gu Qingyun's expression was solemn, and he nodded slightly.
Mu Feiyu looked towards the door again and saw Shen Luo helping Mu Linlang walk in. Mu Linlang bit her lip and stared blankly at her father. Mu Feiyu sighed and said to her, "Linlang, your mother died because of your difficult childbirth. Your father has never shown you much care since you were little. I really owe you a lot."
Mu Linlang felt a pang of sadness and knelt down in front of the bed. Mu Feiyu asked, "Do you resent your father?" Mu Linlang slowly shook her head, tears finally streaming down her face.
Mu Feiyu whispered, "Yi Feng, I am now passing on the position of sect leader of Ying Shan to you. I hope you will carry forward the sect in the future." Yi Feng agreed with tears in his eyes. Mu Feiyu continued, "You and Lin Lang do not need to observe mourning. Pick a date next month to get married. ...Take good care of her for me."
Mu Linlang called out, "Father." She pressed her head against her father's chest, and heard Mu Feiyu whisper in her ear, "Father has finally fulfilled a wish for you." Mu Linlang's heart stirred, and she looked up to see Mu Feiyu wink at her, smile, and then close his eyes forever.
Li Feiqing was in a daze, not knowing how much time had passed in the room. She vaguely felt someone push open the door and walk to her side, but of course, none of this concerned her. Only one thought remained in her mind: Master, you're gone.
Someone sighed, then a pair of arms lifted her up and pulled her into a warm embrace. Li Feiqing pressed her face against that warmth, stared blankly for a while, then felt her eyelids grow heavy, and soon fell into a deep sleep.
When Li Feiqing woke up, it was already late at night. She sat up and heard a gentle voice beside her say, "Awake?" Li Feiqing was stunned for a moment and asked, "Master Gu?"
Gu Qingyun gave a soft "hmm" and walked to the table to light an oil lamp.
Seeing that his eyes were a little dark, Li Feiqing asked in a daze, "You...you've been sitting here the whole time?"
Gu Qingyun didn't answer, but said, "You haven't eaten for three days. I'll have the kitchen make you something to eat."
Li Feiqing quickly said, "No need, it's so late..."
Gu Qingyun smiled and said, "Li Ran and the others have already arrived. Zhang Datou is a very good cook. You can try his cooking."
Li Feiqing said sadly, "Really, it's not necessary. I... I can't eat."
Gu Qingyun's eyes darkened, and she walked back and sat down beside her. The two remained silent. After a while, Li Feiqing said in a low voice, "My master adopted me because I look like my deceased second senior sister, but his love for me over the years has been genuine. In my heart, I have long regarded him as my biological father."
Gu Qingyun said softly, "I know."
Li Feiqing gazed out the window at the endless night, tears streaming down her face. She said blankly, "But Master just left like that. Now I'm all alone in this world again."
Gu Qingyun sighed, reached out and pulled her into his arms, whispering, "Don't be afraid, you still have me."
Xiao Gu extra [edit]
Gu Qingyun stood quietly outside the window, silently watching the sliver of light shining through the window paper through the shadows of the trees.
It was late at night, but she was still awake. Was she grieving for her master's death, or feeling sorry for her senior brother marrying someone else?
Gu Qingyun frowned slightly, not wanting to see her sad. Recalling her bewildered and helpless appearance that day, curled up in a ball, always made him feel a little suffocated. Could it be that everything was really as his mother said?
"My dear son, you like that little girl, don't you?" His mother's mischievous eyes and sly smile were still vivid in his mind. How did he react back then? Gu Qingyun rubbed his forehead and lowered his eyes, but a faint smile remained on his face.
He was only thirteen years old at the time. His mother tricked and teased him every day. Gradually, he figured out some ways to deal with her. So he sat up straight and didn't say a word no matter how his mother teased him. He would only glance at the little girl when she wasn't paying attention.
He genuinely felt sorry for the little girl. Her thin, short body leaned against the table, her big round eyes staring intently at the bowl of shredded chicken noodles on the table, swallowing her saliva again and again. But the man sitting at the table, engrossed in chewing, ignored her completely.
He stole a glance at his mother, only to hear her chuckle and whisper in his ear, "How about we bring her home to be your wife?" He was instantly filled with shame and anger, his face turning red to his ears. Before he could speak, he heard a crisp slap. It turned out that the girl had finally pleaded something, but the man pointed at his forehead and cursed, "I told you to practice your skills and perform for me to earn money, but all you do is slack off all day. Now you want some food?" He raised his hand to hit her again.
He pursed his lips and reached for the bamboo chopsticks on the table, intending to throw them, but his mother stopped him. Her voice sounded tense as she whispered, "Don't do it yet, someone I know is here." Then the man cried out in pain, his arm falling limply to his side. A refined middle-aged man entered from the restaurant entrance, walked straight to the little girl, and picked her up.
The little girl's cheeks were red and swollen, and her eyes were filled with tears, but she bit her lip to hold back her sobs. She just stared blankly at the middle-aged man in front of her. The middle-aged man asked gently, "Little girl, what is your name?"
The little girl had timid eyes, but was very well-behaved, and answered in a clear voice, "My name is Little Li."
The middle-aged man smiled even more gently and said, "How about you become my disciple and come home with me?"
The little girl thought for a moment, then nodded solemnly and called out, "Master."
The middle-aged man affectionately patted her head and said with a smile, "We are very destined to meet. Your master's wife also has the surname Li. From now on, you will be called Li Feiqing."
The man interrupted, "She's my disciple, you can't take her away..." but he was startled into silence by the gleaming sword that suddenly appeared before him. The middle-aged man said with a grim face, "If I find out you bully the weak again, I will take your life!" With that, he picked up Li Feiqing and strode away.
His mother gently nudged him and said, "Son, do you see that? That's the Shadow Gathering Sword." His mind was still on the little girl, so he casually asked, "The Shadow Gathering Sword?"
The mother nodded and said, "Yes, that person was Mu Feiyu, the head of Shadow Mountain Sect. Since he has made a move, it's not appropriate for me to compete with him for a disciple." Her expression was rather unnatural as she pulled her bamboo hat down lower and lower, muttering to herself, "After all these years, he probably won't recognize me, right?"
He suddenly felt a little annoyed and said indifferently, "I'll go back and tell Father about this."
The mother spat and rolled her eyes, saying, "Do you think I'm afraid? Your father already knew." She stared at him for a while, then burst out laughing, "Could it be that my good son is afraid he won't be able to find a wife and is angry with his mother? Don't worry, when you grow up, you can go to Yingshan to ask for a wife yourself, it won't be too late."
His face flushed again, and he turned his head away angrily, ignoring his mother's rebuke. For some reason, the image of that little girl vaguely appeared in his mind.
Yingshan Li Feiqing.
When he saw her again, even though she was dressed as a man, he recognized her at a glance, as well as the Shadow Gathering Sword. She was no longer the frail and short woman she once was; she had grown into a beautiful young woman. She carefully bandaged his wounds and escorted him all the way to the inn, but before he could even thank her, she returned to Shadow Mountain with her senior brother.
Gu Qingyun lowered her head and stared at the poorly embroidered chrysanthemum handkerchief in her hand, her smile deepening.
Regardless of whether marriage is predestined or a matter of chance, he only needs to seize the present moment.
Gu Qingyun looked up and saw that the light in Li Feiqing's room had finally gone out, so she turned around and quietly left.
Branches of Wanlan
Following Mu Feiyu's last wishes, the disciples of Yingshan Sect chose a date to bury him and his wife together. After everything was arranged, Gu Qingyun bid farewell to Yi Feng, saying that the poisoning death of the Kongtong Sect group was quite strange and that they needed to leave the mountain immediately to investigate the matter.
As the group reached the mountainside, they heard footsteps behind them. Turning around, they saw Yi Feng carrying a small bundle, following them. He looked somewhat dazed and said, "Junior Sister, Fourth Junior Sister has something for me to give you."
Li Feiqing was stunned. Gu Qingyun said calmly, "You go ahead. We'll go ahead and wait for you at the foot of the mountain." After saying that, she led the people from Feihua Manor down the mountain.
Yi Feng coughed and handed over the bundle. Li Feiqing took it and opened it, finding several changes of her clothes inside, and among them a crystal-clear jade pendant—her master's everyday accessory. Li Feiqing picked up the pendant, and seeing it brought back memories; a pang of sadness gripped her heart, and she almost burst into tears. Yi Feng wanted to gently pat her head to comfort her, but then withdrew his hand, only saying, "From now on... take good care of yourself."
Li Feiqing silently put away the jade pendant, unfastened the Juying Sword, and said softly, "Senior Brother, Juying Sword, I'm returning it to you."
Yi Feng did not take the sword. After a long pause, he said in a low voice, "You can keep it."
Li Feiqing bowed her head and stepped forward, placing the Juying Sword into Yi Feng's hand, saying, "This sword is the sect's most precious treasure, and you should keep it safe." She turned her back, took a deep breath, and softly said, "Senior Brother, please take good care of yourself in the future." She dared not look back again and went straight down the mountain.
The people of Feihua Manor were already waiting at the foot of the mountain. Seeing the faint tear stains on Li Feiqing's face, even the talkative Zhang Datou muttered to himself, but due to the orders of the manor lord, no one dared to ask.
After leaving Ying Mountain, Gu Qingyun and Hua Liran discussed and decided to first visit the Kongtong Sect leader Fu Chong, and then try to find out the location of the Demonic Sect's headquarters.
It was nearing the summer solstice, and the weather was gradually warming up. One afternoon, the group passed through a village and found a teahouse by the roadside to rest. After taking a few sips of tea, they heard a commotion ahead. Curious, they peeked out and were both surprised and amused.
Two burly men with full beards walked ahead empty-handed, chests puffed out and bellies bulging. Two graceful and beautiful young women followed behind, each carrying a mountain of luggage, drenched in sweat. At the very back came a boy of about twelve or thirteen years old with a mature-looking face, dragging his feet dejectedly at the very end.
Zhang Datou, who had been holding back for several days, could not bear to witness such a strange sight. Moreover, seeing the two beautiful women, so delicate yet forced to do such strenuous work, he couldn't help but feel pity for them and shouted, "Hey! You two, something's not right!"
The two burly men just kept walking and ignored him completely.
Zhang Datou darted out of the teahouse, blocked their way, and roared, "I'm talking to you! Are you deaf? Why aren't you ignoring me?"
The burly man on the left rolled his eyes and spoke in a booming voice that made Zhang Datou's eardrums ring: "Why are you stopping us?"
Zhang Datou pointed at the two girls and said, "You two are strong and healthy, yet you make two women carry such heavy luggage. You are not worthy of being called men. Aren't you ashamed?"
The burly man on the right glared at Zhang Datou, and when he opened his mouth, his voice was even louder: "What's it to you!"
Zhang Datou took two steps back, took a deep breath, and unleashed his Lion's Roar technique, roaring, "Trying to outshout everyone—I'm not afraid of you—"
The two burly men paled at the sight, when suddenly a clear, childlike voice said listlessly, "What kind of weirdo is this? Let's get rid of him quickly and hurry on our way."
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw that it was the boy who was lagging behind. He was dressed very well, with his hands behind his back and a smug look on his face. He was giving orders in a very comical way, which made people laugh.
Li Feiqing, who had been in a depressed mood the whole way, couldn't help but smile when she saw this and said, "Young...Young Master, my friend saw that your maid was working hard and wanted to plead for her. He has no ill intentions."
The boy glanced at Li Feiqing, cleared his throat, and said in a serious tone, "Just call me Young Master, you can drop the 'Young Master' in front of me. Anyway, I'm a little thirsty, let's go to this teahouse and rest for a while."
The two burly men bowed their heads in agreement, hurriedly went into the teahouse, found seats, wiped them clean, and respectfully invited the boy to sit down. Two maids unloaded their luggage, then took out tea leaves and a round fan. One maid brewed tea and served it to the boy, while the other stood behind him with the fan, gently fanning him. Everyone was secretly amazed by his grand manners.
Seeing that there was no fight to be had, Zhang Datou walked back dejectedly. Li Feiqing pursed her lips and poured him a cup of tea. When she turned around, she saw that the boy was staring at her intently, so she smiled at him again and turned to pour tea for Gu Qingyun, Hua Liran and the others.
The boy suddenly beckoned to a burly man standing beside him, beckoning him to come closer, and whispered an instruction. The burly man nodded and walked over to the group from Feihua Manor, lowering his voice to say to Gu Qingyun, "Greetings, young master. My master would like to discuss something with you."