Covering the eyes with a silk scarf was not due to blindness, but to conceal a pair of rare double-pupil eyes that appear once in ten thousand years.
An innocent man is not guilty, but possessing a treasure makes him so.
If word of this were to spread, it would surely attract the attention of various forces vying for it.
At that time, not only would his own life be in danger, but even the Mysterious Sword Sect would likely perish alongside him.
Since he was old enough to understand, Gu Shenzhi had been playing the role of a blind man.
Apart from his parents, even Fairy Bai Qi knew nothing of it.
Though the silk cloth covered his eyes, it did not prevent him from perceiving the world through his double pupils, seeing the essence of all things.
Moreover, with the enhancement of his double pupils, even with a shattered dantian, he could still cultivate.
Thanks to his supreme wood spirit root constitution, which was highly attuned to the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, he had no need to rely on his dantian to absorb or store energy.
The shattered dantian instead allowed spiritual energy to flow directly into his limbs and bones, making his cultivation speed over a hundred times faster.
The next morning, with snow and wind filling the mountains, Gu Shenzhi gently pushed open the old wooden window.
A kingdom of snow and frost greeted his eyes, and the biting cold wind fully awakened him.
Tying the silk scarf over his eyes, he quickly stepped out of the room.
How could he waste such precious time?
The more cultivation he gained, the higher his chances of winning against that enchantress.
Scanning his surroundings, he noticed Tao Yao lying obediently on a bamboo bed, her fragrant shoulders slightly exposed, her skin smooth and porcelain-white, exuding a mix of purity and allure.
She was still deep in a dream, her cheeks flushed, her cherry lips slightly parted, occasionally letting out soft, pleasing murmurs.
It was probably not a proper dream.
Gu Shenzhi was about to leave when he suddenly heard the girl coquettishly say, “Young Master, this servant fears pain. Please be gentle.”
In an instant, he turned to look and saw that Tao Yao was still asleep.
Under his double pupils, no disguise could fool him.
The protagonist of his maid’s spring dream was none other than himself.
Dreams are idealized realities, so it seemed Tao Yao had harbored improper thoughts about him for quite some time, enough to dream of him.
At such a young age, her mind was filled with such unhealthy things.
It seemed he, as her master, had a responsibility to discipline her properly.
Afraid of pain, was she?
Well then, this young master would show her some “gentle care.”
Gu Shenzhi walked to Tao Yao’s side, raised his hand, and gave her forehead a heavy flick.
A limited-edition roasted chestnut, no thanks needed.
“Ouch!”
The girl woke with a start, rubbing her forehead while savoring the lingering scenes from her dream.
In it, she was nestled in the young master’s arms, passionately kissing him, her gauze dress lightly pulled, clouds and rain on Mount Wu…
As soon as she opened her eyes, Gu Shenzhi appeared in her line of sight, sitting by the bed, right next to her delicate, dainty feet.
“Young Master, what are you doing here?” she asked.
Gu Shenzhi turned his head toward her voice, feigning innocence.
“Oh, it’s Xiao Tian. Just now, a rat scurried out of my room, and I followed the sound to chase it down. It led me here.”
“In the dead of winter, where would a rat come from?”
Tao Yao stretched her soft limbs, giving a slight yawn.
If only the young master could be like he was in her dream.
She was only wearing a thin bellyband, with one shoulder strap casually slipping down.
Her skin was smooth as congealed fat, white as fresh snow, her chest half-exposed, tempting one to explore further and tear away all pretenses.
The atmosphere grew awkward.
Gu Shenzhi, “blind” as he was, had no reason to leave, while Tao Yao had no defenses against him.
Even if the young sect master suddenly turned into a beast in human clothing, she would only comply willingly.
After putting on a light pink dress, Tao Yao extended her long, alluring legs, slowly slipping on white socks, slender yet rounded.
Even Gu Shenzhi, usually calm as still water, couldn’t help but feel a ripple in his heart at the sight of such a beauty.
Especially since Tao Yao dressed so slowly, as if deliberately flaunting her curvaceous figure before him.
“Young Master, are you really going to marry that enchantress from the Moon Shadow Sect?”
Tao Yao leaned against Gu Shenzhi’s shoulder, her dark hair emitting a captivating fragrance, as she asked softly.
“Besides marrying her, I have no other choice. Who knows, maybe seeing me as a cripple, she’ll take pity and spare my life,” Gu Shenzhi said indifferently.
“Last night, this servant successfully built her foundation. I can protect you, Young Master. Why don’t we run away together?”
Hearing that Tao Yao had successfully built her foundation, a faint, almost imperceptible smile flashed across Gu Shenzhi’s lips.
Now, even if he died, she would at least have some ability to protect herself.
“The Spiritual Sword Sect’s territory spans thousands of miles. Where could we escape to? Besides, when we joined the sect, both you and I dripped blood on the disciple jade tablets. Even if we fled beyond Muyun Province, the enforcers from the Discipline Hall, with their Core Formation strength, would track us down.”
The marriage alliance was the result of negotiations between the two major powers, the Spiritual Sword Sect and the Moon Shadow Sect.
How could it be changed just because the parties involved were unwilling?
Sacrificing one person to save billions of lives was an act of righteous justice.
Gu Shenzhi felt the same, so he would go through with the marriage.
As for where he would be after the wedding night, that was another matter entirely.
“If you die, Young Master, this servant will not live alone,” Tao Yao said resolutely, her starry eyes brimming with tears, her delicate hands tightly clutching the tassels at her waist.
“Xiao Tian, do you trust me?”
“As long as it’s your word, Young Master, this servant believes it.”
“Good. Then no matter what happens later, just nod and smile. Don’t say anything reckless.”
It was rare for the Cliff of Reflection to have visitors today.
With his double pupils, capable of perceiving all things within a hundred miles, nothing escaped his eyes.
This was merely the tip of the iceberg of his double pupils’ power.
Due to his low cultivation, Gu Shenzhi had yet to fully master his eyes’ potential.
If he could grow smoothly, given time, all of Muyun Province would bow at his feet.
With a creak, the door was slowly pushed open.
The visitor wore a flowing dress, her face beautiful and her figure graceful.
Though not as stunning as Tao Yao, she was still an undeniable beauty.
Her jade-like feet lightly stepped on the worn wooden floor, picking up some dust.
She frowned slightly, casting a disdainful glance at the two disciples behind her.
Before she could speak, the disciples hurriedly stepped forward, carefully wiping her feet clean, terrified of angering her.
Supported by Tao Yao, Gu Shenzhi shakily emerged from the room, his expression numb, as if he had long succumbed to despair.
“Gu Shenzhi, I’ve discussed with Bai Qi, and we’ve decided to send you to the Moon Shadow Sect to marry the Red Lotus Enchantress. Though her title as the number one beauty of Muyun Province is somewhat exaggerated, she’s still quite attractive. You don’t mind, do you?” the woman asked with a light laugh, her phoenix-like eyes exuding a terrifying pressure that nearly suffocated the young sect master.
It seemed that if he dared say “no,” his neck would be snapped without mercy.
“Since Elder Qin Yuye has already discussed with my master, how could this disciple refuse? Besides, marrying the Red Lotus Saintess is my fortune. I must thank you for your care,” Gu Shenzhi replied.
“Good that you understand. Don’t go crying to Bai Qi, confessing your sins. She’s too soft-hearted. If it were me, after what happened back then, I’d have torn you to pieces,” Qin Yuye said, crossing her arms, her ample bosom gently swaying, utterly captivating yet intimidating with her haughty demeanor.
Struggling out of Tao Yao’s embrace, Gu Shenzhi bowed respectfully.
“This disciple deserves death. Going to the Moon Shadow Sect is my way of repaying the sect with my life, and repaying… my master.”
The enchantress of the Moon Shadow Sect had such a notorious reputation and cruel methods that people paled at the mention of her.
Moreover, the Red Lotus Saintess was the chief disciple of the Black Lotus Demon.
Any man daring to marry her was either tired of living or eager to reincarnate.
Almost the entire Spiritual Sword Sect assumed Gu Shenzhi would be drained of his essence by the enchantress.
Some even started betting pools, wagering how many days—or hours—he’d last in her bed.