Chapter 60
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Chapter 60
“Return to Rainbow Ridge with me,” Hu Fengyu said calmly. “The deep valley is home to countless fox dens; it’s a far safer place to avoid calamity.”
“Gong Wu, if you become my Taoist partner, my spiritual energy will form a bond with your spirit pact. In times of peril, you could draw upon it with a mere thought.”
His life had been beyond saving. She had died many times, her body broken and torn, stepping into the trap and curse as if destroying herself, striving against all odds to achieve what seemed impossible.
Tu Xuixin frowned, stepping in front of Gong Wu. “This is too reckless.”
“Even if you feel indebted to her, remember that Moonfire Valley is filled with mentors and friends who have been by her side since childhood.”
“If we truly care for Little Wu, we cannot simply hand her over to outsiders like this.” He had made up his mind, turning to the Master Ancestor. “Marriage should not be tied to such matters; Moonfire Valley has never adhered to such practices.”
Hu Fengyu did not look at them, his gaze fixed solely on Gong Wu. “What do you think?”
Gong Wu shook her head. “I’ve already faced many deadly tribulations.”
Amidst the argument, Hao Chengzi slowly rose and retrieved his familiar turtle shell from his sleeve. Three throws, six lines; the omen revealed a sign of death and destruction.
As the divination unfolded, everyone’s eyes were fixed on the process, hoping that the Old Celestial Ancestor was merely trying to frighten them. But when the result appeared, Tu Xuixin’s face turned pale, disbelief washing over him.
“I won’t conceal the truth any longer,” Hao Chengzi sighed. “In about ten days, numerous Immortal Sects will converge to eradicate the Wuxuan Sect, severing its roots.”
Over the past months, the deeper the investigations into the Wuxuan Sect, the more horrifying the revelations became. From the human realm to the Demon Realm, countless believers sustained it with their essence and blood, drawing power from all corners of the world to nurture that single egg.
No one could predict what kind of world-destroying monster they intended to hatch, or the catastrophe it would unleash. With matters reaching this point, there was no choice but to act.
Cheng Ji, who had been pondering this matter, wore a troubled expression. “Does the Master Ancestor believe that, during the siege, Little Wu might encounter a fatal threat and lose her life entirely?”
“Moonfire Valley may not be a safe haven,” the Master Ancestor murmured. “Senior Hu’s visit is also an effort to preserve her chance of survival. Binding the spirit pact through marriage demonstrates his sincere intentions.”
“In my view, even if they do not marry, seeking refuge in Rainbow Ridge would be a wiser choice.”
When everyone heard the Old Celestial Ancestor refer to “Senior Hu,” they suddenly grasped the profound experience of the thousand-year fox immortal and fell silent, with nothing more to say.
Only Ji Yang spoke up. “Master Ancestor, for this siege, I volunteer to go in place of my master.”
Tu Xuixin immediately understood and frowned, saying, “Tingxiao and I will accompany Little Wu to Rainbow Ridge.”
The fox dens were numerous and intricately designed; even enemies seeking to kill would likely find it difficult to enter the main den.
He felt uneasy leaving Gong Wu with this outsider, and it would be more reassuring to be there alongside her.
Gong Wu stood there for a moment, her gaze still fixed on the two turtle shells.
Can one truly evade destiny, good fortune, and misfortune?
Seeing that the matter had been settled, Hu Fengyu nodded in agreement and half-jokingly added, “Aren’t you considering the matter of fate?”
Ji Yang replied lightly, “With so many betrothal gifts, may we take a look inside the boxes?”
“Of course.”
Servants hurriedly brought in three or four large boxes, which Ji Yang opened personally.
The ebony boxes were quite heavy, adorned with gold paint, sealed with red paper, and the contents inside sounded like valuable treasures.
When Gong Wu’s older brother arrived to inspect the goods, the young official, pretending to be a boy, hurriedly began to announce.
“This is the one hundred seventy-second box of the nine hundred ninety-nine.”
“It contains thirty-six Dragon Pearls, sixty-three pieces of Phoenix Jade, eight Gold Cups on the sides, and eighteen Gold Ingots at the bottom.”
“This is the one hundred seventy-third box of the nine hundred ninety-nine.”
“It contains dried treasures like Sea Abalone, Green Shells, fish bladder, and Shark Fins, totaling eighty-eight pieces.”
“Padding it are four square pieces of Nanguan Huacai Silk…”
As the official listed everything in a methodical manner, Ji Yang bent down to pick up a hairpin from inside one of the boxes.
Gong Wu did not step closer but silently stood behind her master, suddenly recalling that night at the Yuan Xian Immortal Assembly when the three of them wove dreamlike illusions together.
She had lent him half of her spiritual energy and witnessed countless fleeting dreams scattered like illusions.
Their spiritual awareness had once merged like rivers meeting the sea, intertwined like frost and snow.
Brother, have you ever dreamt of me marrying and leaving home?
The young girl smiled slightly, knowing she could not understand the person before her.
“The betrothal gifts chosen for Rainbow Ridge focus on utmost luxury. Did the official handle everything?”
The little official was caught off guard by the question, his fox tail nearly perking up in nervousness. “Y-yes, Lord Celestial Ancestor personally checked everything; any flaw would have been removed, and it’s all heartfelt!”
Hu Fengyu smiled in satisfaction and nodded again.
Ji Yang held onto the decorative jade hairpin, smiling for a long while.
“I’m afraid it doesn’t quite match.”
“Little Wu has long hair; such a short hairpin… it won’t hold.”
“This shows you haven’t thought much about her.”
Before he finished speaking, Qin Cuohua suddenly realized something and quickly glanced at her master.
The fox Celestial Ancestor smiled, remaining silent.
Qin Cuohua glanced at Ji Yang, then at Gong Wu, and finally turned her head to look at her master.
She seemed to understand, but wait, did she truly grasp it?
Hu Fengyu took a slow sip of his tea and spoke calmly, “Is it a matter of incompatibility, or are you simply unwilling to form an external alliance?”
“The Emotionless Path from Guigu is indeed attentive to such matters; they are truly meticulous.”
Hua Tingxiao felt it was a pity and whispered, “Subei, you may never settle down in this lifetime, but your Junior Sister will eventually have to leave home—don’t you think she’s quite suitable?”
Tu Xuixin pulled his friend aside and discreetly stepped on his foot, saying, “Don’t interrupt!”
“Ouch! I know, I know!”
Ji Yang placed the jade hairpin back into the box and signaled the official to take all the items away.
He would rather double the gifts than let any small detail be overlooked.
“That is all I have to say.”
Hu Fengyu had come to express gratitude, and seeing that Gong Wu had no intention of forming a bond, he did not press the matter.
He and Tu Xuixin set a date to temporarily avoid Rainbow Ridge and formally thanked Gong Wu once more in front of everyone, leaving behind numerous gifts as they bid farewell.
“From now on, everyone at Rainbow Ridge will respectfully address Miss Gong as ‘Esteemed Master,’ in recognition of her profound kindness.”
“We will meet again on August 20th.”
By the time this group had departed for the north, the sun was already high in the sky.
Gong Wu finally allowed herself a big yawn, stretching lazily as she caught sight of the long procession of gifts being moved. Her smile froze.
“Master Ji Qing… the Seventh and Eighth Libraries are truly packed to the brim; even the underground secret passage is nearly overflowing…” A little disciple from another palace hurried over, clutching a ledger and wearing a troubled expression: “They delivered the gift list, but according to protocol… don’t we have to open each box and inspect its contents?”
Tu Xuixin smiled and ruffled the disciple’s head, “Indeed, we do.”
The little disciple groaned, “Master!! Please assign someone else to this task!! I’m dreaming of abacus beads now!!”
Yan Fangji, who had been busy all night without sleep, felt something was amiss.
“Did we forget something? No, the guests have already left; it seems everything is in order.” He was so drowsy that he gulped down two cups of hot tea, his thoughts a jumbled mess. “Did we forget to ask for the name cards from Rainbow Ridge before they left?”
“Little Wu, did we miss anything?”
Gong Wu was bringing over breakfast and paused to think before replying honestly, “Father, there are still two monks.”
Yan Fangji froze for a moment, hesitating as he said, “Did the people from Great Wuxiang Temple also arrive in the middle of the night?”
“Yes.”
“Ji Kai! Ji Kai! Quickly, go and ask if those two masters have been settled; did they leave?”
Senior Sister Du Ren happened to return at that moment and chimed in, “Those two are already resting; should we wake them now?”
“Yes, no, wait! Let them sleep a bit longer.” Yan Fangji added a splash of vinegar to Gong Wu’s wonton bowl and said, “Hurry and eat; have a good meal so you can rest properly. We’ll meet those two monks again tonight.”
Du Ren watched and chuckled, breaking off a piece of flower bread to nibble on. “Do we really need to meet them? How did we even get involved with monks?”
Gong Wu asked softly, “Senior Sister, do I look like someone who attracts romantic troubles?”
“Not at all,” Du Ren replied with a smile. “Little Wu is as pure and clear as the southern willow trees; those butterflies and bees fluttering around are simply lost.”
Outside Liu Jia Palace, Tu Xuixin handed the newly acquired sword manual to Ji Yang, already utterly exhausted.
“I need to sleep for an entire day… you take care of things for now.”
"Alright, thank you, Master."
"Subei," Tu Xuixin said, covering a yawn, "perhaps you should skip the day of the encirclement."
"Stay at Moonfire Valley; Master Ancestor won’t hold it against you."
"The Wuxuan Sect is unpredictable; after all this time investigating, they still don’t know what that strange egg is hatching. It could lead to chaos."
"I must go," Ji Yang stated calmly. "I understand Master’s concern for my safety, but if I don’t eradicate the root of the problem, I fear I’ll regret it."
Tu Xuixin hesitated, dreading the thought of the silver egg exploding and his cherished disciple being caught in the mayhem.
"Your Master isn’t particularly skilled," he admitted, pulling a small bottle from his sleeve and handing it to Ji Yang. "This is a Qiongjin bottle for alchemy; it’s resilient and only opens with the owner’s blood. If something dire happens, at least your Golden Core will be safe—though I hope you never need to use it."
Ji Yang accepted it obediently and thanked him.
Tu Xuixin rubbed his eyes, ready to retire for the night, but after a few steps, he turned back and tugged at Ji Yang’s sleeve.
"Disciple."
"Yes?"
"Do you truly like Little Wu?"
Ji Yang was momentarily stunned, and before he could respond, the mark of the Path of Emotionless throbbed in his heart.
He chuckled, "Master, please don’t tease me."
Tu Xuixin sighed again, looking somewhat troubled. "When it comes to my fellow masters and brothers, their standards are so high that even a thousand-year-old fox spirit couldn’t win their approval. I worry that Little Wu might end up an old maid…"
Ji Yang glanced up at him. "Would you want her to marry that fox?"
"Of course not! She’d suffer out there and wouldn’t even be able to return to her family!"
Ji Yang laughed and chose not to continue the conversation.
That evening, Yan Fangji hosted a banquet for the guests, specifically requesting the kitchen to prepare an entirely vegetarian feast.
It was only then that Gong Wu got a clear look at the young monk brought by the monk.
"We’ve met a few times," Du Ren greeted. "Qing Zhen, have your injuries healed?"
"Thank you for your previous care," Qing Zhen said, leading his nephew in a bow. "I apologize for the intrusion."
The young monk behind him, appearing to be about fourteen or fifteen, was named Kong Zhi.
As soon as he finished greeting, the young monk spotted Gong Wu, his eyes immediately lighting up with joy, his cheeks flushing red.
Tu Xuixin, half-asleep from his nap, quietly nibbled on a sugar triangle.
"I recall seeing this young monk at the Yuan Xian Immortal Assembly. He’s quite handsome."
He leaned in closer, eagerly asking Ji Yang, "Has Little Wu spoken with him privately? Since he’s of the Kong generation, he must be a seasoned monk with two or three hundred years of experience, right?"
Ji Yang rolled up his sleeves and poured tea for his Master. "I just ended a marriage proposal at noon. Ending another one tonight wouldn’t be a problem."
"Are you already dissatisfied?" Tu Xuixin nearly burned himself with the syrupy candy. "Though he’s a young monk, he seems quite proper."
"Not satisfied," the young man replied lightly. "It’s best to send him away as soon as possible."
