As soon as the words fell, Gu Shenzhi was struck as if by lightning, his hairs standing on end, his heart leaping to his throat, his palms constantly rubbing against each other, fear and tension already crawling up his spine.
At this moment, he was like a startled bird, so frightened that even the sound of an empty bowstring could make him plummet straight down.
Everyone in the world knew that the Black Lotus Demoness had once been heartbroken, falling into the path of evil, founding the Moon Shadow Sect with the intent to kill all unfaithful men in the world.
If there was anyone she hated most, it would undoubtedly be the lover who abandoned her.
If his father truly had such a romantic past, how could he possibly have any chance of surviving?
But things had come to this point, and retreating was useless; he could only brace himself to respond.
Gu Shenzhi said, “Senior, please don’t jest. This junior cannot bear it, and besides, my father is not that kind of person.”
His words were earnest, his demeanor respectful, half-kneeling with his head bowed.
If he were any more polite, he might as well call her “Grandma.”
Yet Mu Zhonghua was utterly unmoved, continuing to speak as if to herself, “Back then, he also said he would accompany me to the ends of the earth, until the seas dried up and the rocks crumbled, his attitude far better than yours. But what was the result? The moment he saw that wretched woman, your mother, his three souls and six spirits were stolen away, not even bothering with perfunctory comfort.”
Mu Zhonghua leaned forward slightly, carefully lifting Gu Shenzhi’s bowed head, scrutinizing him closely.
Her eyes revealed unconcealed sorrow and bitterness, but even more so, resentment and unwillingness.
Her slender jade hand gently brushed over his face, occasionally pinching his creamy skin.
A chilling coldness spread from his face to his toes, and Gu Shenzhi was already preparing for a desperate fight.
“Fair and delicate, smooth as jade, even better than that wretched woman’s skin. I’m afraid even the disciples of my Moon Shadow Sect would be envious. And with those sword-like brows, a prominent nose, and heroic charm, you’re the spitting image of that old dog thief Gu Yun.”
Mu Zhonghua let out a soft sigh.
She hadn’t intended to say much, but the moment she saw Gu Shenzhi, years of buried thoughts and emotions surged forth, unstoppable.
Love is both fate and calamity.
Those who succeed, like Gu Yun, see their cultivation soar day by day; those who fail, like her, breed inner demons, lingering at the peak of the Divine Transformation stage for years, with the Void Refinement realm like a flower in the mirror or a moon in the water—within reach yet impossibly distant.
“This seat does not wish to kill you, but I fear you’ll go on to harm the world. Sweet words when in love, discarded like worn shoes when leaving, toying with the feelings of maidens—tell me, should you be killed or not?”
These heartfelt words made Gu Shenzhi’s heart pound with fear.
The feeling of his life being in another’s hands was indeed unbearable.
In just a few moments, Mu Zhonghua had shown killing intent toward him at least three times.
Her piercing gaze seemed to slice his flesh every second, and those jade-like hands could snap his throat at any moment.
That sensation of a blade at his back was more agonizing than death itself.
“Senior, rest assured, this junior would never do something as despicable as abandoning the old for the new or breaking off love coldly,” Gu Shenzhi replied cautiously.
“You really wouldn’t dare?”
“Absolutely, without a doubt!”
Gu Shenzhi was so anxious he was nearly ready to cut out his heart to prove his sincerity, his expression utterly distressed, secretly wondering how a cultivator like the Black Lotus Demoness, nearly a thousand years old, could be so unreasonable, like a young maiden.
“Very well, this seat will remember your words today. I only hope you can live up to them.”
Mu Zhonghua’s expression turned solemn, her hands retreating to rest on her knees, staring intently at his hidden eyes.
“Remove the silk ribbon. Let this mediocre person see the rare double-pupil eyes.”
Mu Zhonghua said casually, as if discussing something trivial.
At the same time, the Bamboo Exile Courtyard was enveloped in an invisible pressure, isolated from the outside world, impervious to wind and rain.
“I don’t know what Senior is talking about. There may be some rumors outside, but with your discerning eyes, you can surely distinguish truth from falsehood.”
“Gu Yun told me himself. Without the double-pupil eyes and a supreme spiritual root, how could you be worthy of Linghuang? This seat originally intended to repair your dantian, but it seems I underestimated the self-healing ability of a supreme spiritual root.”
Sweat dripped down his cheeks to the floor.
Gu Shenzhi coughed twice, his chest heaving violently.
The once grand and imposing image of his father in his heart was gradually veering in a strange direction.
What a way to sabotage your own son!
He had thought he held the advantage of secrecy, but it turned out his father had already revealed all his cards.
At this point, hiding further was meaningless; it was better to admit it openly and make a good impression.
As for the rest, he would leave it to fate.
After a moment’s hesitation, Gu Shenzhi reached up and untied the silk ribbon.
His dark purple double pupils shimmered faintly in the dim room, mysterious and enigmatic, exuding an otherworldly aura.
In an instant, the heavens and earth shifted, time and space froze, and an overwhelming pressure erupted, making it impossible to meet his gaze.
One could only bow and lower their eyes, submitting to this unparalleled pupil technique.
Even Mu Zhonghua, at the peak of Divine Transformation, couldn’t help but be shocked by this pressure, as if all her secrets had been laid bare.
“It’s just heterochromia from birth, not some once-in-a-millennium double-pupil eyes. My father’s words cannot be fully trusted,” Gu Shenzhi said calmly.
“Such a thing does not exist in the mortal world; only immortal fate is so rare. I originally wanted to reason with you, but it seems I overthought. You’re a clever one—just don’t be too clever.”
“This junior will remember.”
With a long sigh, Mu Zhonghua silently stood and walked behind a screen painted with a snowy plum blossom scene.
From an inconspicuous storage box in the corner, she took out a long sword and gazed at it for a long time.
Tears glistened in her starry eyes.
The old item was still before her, but with the passage of time, everything had changed, and nothing was the same.
“I am Gu Yun, the chief disciple of the Spirit Sword Sect. May I know your name, miss?”
“Zhonghua, I… I like you. Will you be my dao companion?”
“Even if it means death, I won’t let them harm a single hair on your head. We’ll live together, live well, no matter what others think.”
“Zhonghua, you and I are fated but not destined. Let’s not meet again; I fear my junior sister will misunderstand.”
The words of the past still echoed in her ears, but looking back, each one pierced her heart, causing unbearable pain.
Mu Zhonghua had buried those old memories deep within, yet she still couldn’t break free from the shackles of love, her eyes brimming with tears.
The sweeter the memories, the more painful they were now.
After wiping away her tears, Mu Zhonghua walked out from behind the screen, holding the sword, acting as if nothing had happened.
“This sword is called [Falling Plum], an earth-tier spiritual sword, about three feet long and slightly over an inch wide, forged from dark shadow iron by a master craftsman. It was the token of love your father gave me back then. Now, I return it to your Gu family—I don’t care for it.”
An earth-tier spiritual sword was something even the elders of the Spirit Sword Sect might not possess, a priceless treasure in Muyun Prefecture.
Back then, Gu Yun’s feelings for her were evident in this gesture.
Yet, when Gu Shenzhi took the sword, a trace of reluctance flickered in her heart, and she even thought of keeping [Falling Plum].
But in the end, she let go with lingering attachment.
“You may leave. Yuexi should be waiting for you at the courtyard gate.”
Mu Zhonghua turned away, her hands trembling as they rested on the table.
“This junior takes his leave. Please take care, Senior.”
Stepping over the threshold, Gu Shenzhi finally relaxed.
From the Black Lotus Demoness’s attitude, it seemed that rather than taking his life, the Moon Shadow Sect was more interested in recruiting him to serve them.
But he was no saint with a flawless heart or serene detachment—some things, he simply couldn’t let go.
Suddenly, a shout from the distance interrupted his thoughts.
“Hey, what did the Sect Master say to you?”
Yuexi approached him quickly, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, her demeanor fierce and visibly jealous.
Her black gauze dress was perfectly tailored, accentuating her graceful and alluring figure.
Her soft, full chest swayed slightly, her slender waist was exquisite, and her fair, long legs were a pleasing sight, lifting one’s spirits.
Gu Shenzhi waved his hand and sighed dryly, “She just helped repair my dantian and gave me an earth-tier spiritual sword as a greeting gift. Nothing worth mentioning.”