The Ling Sword [Falling Plum] sliced through the sky, weaving between the layered peaks like a swimming serpent. Gu Shenzhi stood with his hands behind his back, the ink-black robe billowing in the wind behind him.
Ahead, a crisp breeze swept through the valley, mingling with a lingering melody of the zither. The faint, ethereal notes drifted to his ears, carrying a subtle strangeness.
Gradually, Gu Shenzhi sensed the hidden profundity within. The one playing the zither was channeling spiritual power into the music; beneath the seemingly ordinary melody, a secret message was concealed.
He focused and discerned four characters: “Come see me, quickly!”
Gu Shenzhi opened his double pupils, intending to scan the surrounding hundred miles, but he soon spotted the musician in the long corridor at the foot of a nearby mountain.
A graceful, alluring figure, ink-black hair cascading to her waist and hips. The robust ink-bamboo robe could not hide the witch’s striking curves. The one playing the zither was none other than the Yueying Sect Master—Mu Zhonghua.
Sheathing his sword and entering the corridor, Gu Shenzhi bowed respectfully and asked, “May I ask, Sect Leader, for what reason have you summoned your disciple at this time?”
Mu Zhonghua finished her tune and, feigning mystery, said, “I have one good news and one bad news here. Which would you like to hear first?”
“Then let’s hear the good news first,” Gu Shenzhi replied.
“You handled the matter in Wu’an City well—clean and efficient. Though you made quite a stir, even splitting the City Lord’s Manor in half, fortunately, all witnesses within several miles were slain by the lingering resentment of the Evil Artifact. Not a single one survived, so your actions remain undiscovered.”
Gu Shenzhi was about to mention being tracked by Bai Qi, but seeing the Black Lotus Witch in such a good mood, he thought she might reward him with a treasure or artifact, so he swallowed his words.
“Merit should be rewarded, faults should be punished. I was going to give you another Earth-grade Spiritual Treasure, but you’ll probably be more interested in this.”
With that, Mu Zhonghua took out a Purple Gold Brocade Pouch from her sleeve and handed it over. Gu Shenzhi accepted it with both hands, somewhat puzzled.
But considering he was still useful to the Yueying Sect, she probably wouldn’t harm him.
“Inside is a clue regarding the Sword One Remnant Art, Qiankun Chapter. I’ve already sent someone to investigate; it’s highly credible.”
For a moment, Gu Shenzhi was overwhelmed by happiness. To him, this pouch was worth far more than a Heaven-grade Spiritual Treasure. Yet after a fleeting joy, caution quickly surfaced as he asked himself,
Then, what’s the price?
Seeing he didn’t quite trust her, Mu Zhonghua wasn’t offended. She spoke indifferently, “If you think I’d harm you, you can always bring the Honglian Saintess along.”
“How would I dare doubt the Sect Leader? If I have offended, I beg your pardon.”
Hearing this, Mu Zhonghua curled her cherry lips in a teasing smile and asked, “When you and she are together, do you still address each other as master and disciple?”
At first, Gu Shenzhi didn’t understand, but then his face flushed red. He really didn’t want to discuss his passionate encounters with Bai Qi.
If he’d truly been a victim, perhaps it wouldn’t matter. But when a man can’t hold back, he simply can’t hold back. Especially with Bai Qi’s beauty and figure—what man wouldn’t enjoy the process?
“T-this… your disciple would rather not say.”
“They say Bai Qi Fairy, the most elegant and proud in Mu Yunzhou, actually consorts with her own disciple. What an enormous joke!”
The Black Lotus Witch covered her mouth, laughing softly, then asked curiously, “So, was the Wushan Pass tight or loose? Was the water in flood or drought?”
Even as she uttered such indecent, lascivious words, Mu Zhonghua’s expression remained serious, her tone only a touch more gentle.
From afar, anyone unaware would think they were discussing the mysteries of cultivation.
Gu Shenzhi couldn’t respond at all, nor did he dare. As someone raised on the righteous path, he was still conservative about such matters outside the bedchamber, and his strong sense of shame kept his mouth tightly shut.
“If you don’t want to answer, forget it. I’m not forcing you,” Mu Zhonghua said casually. “Don’t forget, I still have bad news for you.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Gu Shenzhi tucked the Purple Gold Brocade Pouch into his robe and cupped his hands, “Please enlighten me, Sect Leader.”
“The Mo Clan has always been powerful in Mu Yunzhou. Their businesses and auction houses are spread across three continents. Their wealth and influence are unmatched. Such a powerful family is exactly the kind our sect wishes to draw in. But the current Mo Clan Head lacks foresight, refuses to side with our upper sect, and instead prefers to submit to the Lingjian Sect.”
Here, Mu Zhonghua deliberately paused and cast Gu Shenzhi a meaningful glance, as if expecting him to grasp her intent.
“Sect Leader, are you suggesting the Mo Clan needs a new, more perceptive Clan Head?” Gu Shenzhi replied.
It’s extremely difficult to change a person’s will in a short time; comparatively, replacing them is much quicker and easier.
If the problem can’t be solved by changing the person, just get rid of the person—that’s pretty much the demonic path’s way.
“At first, that was exactly my thought. But now there’s an even better opportunity. According to rumors, the Mo Clan Third Young Lady is soon to be engaged, and there will be a martial contest for her hand. Perhaps through marriage, we can turn the Mo Clan to our side…”
Beneath the silk scarf, her double pupils stared at the Black Lotus Witch opposite. Her tone, the trembling of her body, even her breathing—all proved she wasn’t joking.
Gu Shenzhi immediately wanted to refuse. To actually become the Mo Clan’s live-in son-in-law, even if only temporarily or in name, with Su Linghuang’s temper, she’d definitely tear him limb from limb.
This was clearly pushing him into a pit of fire!
But he’d just received a tremendous favor from Mu Zhonghua. It’s hard to refuse when you’ve eaten someone’s food and taken their gifts.
Thinking back, it seemed the other party never had good intentions from the start!
Suddenly, Gu Shenzhi seemed to realize something and tentatively asked, “I don’t happen to know this Mo Clan Third Young Lady, do I?”
“That’s right,” Mu Zhonghua replied with a smile.
“She’s currently cultivating here at our Yueying Sect?”
Mu Zhonghua nodded again, affirming his guess.
“She’s my junior sister?!”
“No wonder you’re Gu Yun’s son. When it comes to women, your nose is always so sharp.” Mu Zhonghua smiled faintly.
The image of a stubborn young girl in a blue dress, hair in twin ponytails, immediately surfaced in Gu Shenzhi’s mind. He hurriedly waved his hands, righteously refusing the Sect Leader’s request.
“I, Gu Shenzhi, am a man of honor. I’ve never stooped to such underhanded tricks to steal the affections of young girls. Besides, I already have a wife as beautiful as a celestial maiden. How could I betray her?”
In truth, he didn’t even know under what circumstances he could say such shameless lies. Rather than finding a reason, it seemed more like he was tallying up his own crimes.
Mu Zhonghua only responded, “Speak human words.”
“Simply put, I’m afraid the moment I return to Qihuang Courtyard, the Honglian Saintess will chop me to pieces.”
“I see,” Mu Zhonghua feigned a troubled look, her dark brows hanging with worry, then continued, “Why don’t you open the pouch and have a look first, then decide?”
Gu Shenzhi untied the pouch, and inside was a slip of paper with a location written on it—Mo Family Auction Main Branch, Heaven Vault Treasury.
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