With too many complicated matters piling up together, Jiang Zhaoxue had no chance to catch her breath. The moment her head touched the bed, she fell into a deep, muddled sleep.
When she woke from this sleep, it was already Zilu’s gentle voice calling from outside: “Master’s Wife? Are you awake, Master’s Wife?”
Hearing “Master’s Wife,” Jiang Zhaoxue instinctively thought it was Pei Zichen.
She responded vaguely, then heard Zilu say softly: “The spirit vessel will reach the Pavilion in a quarter hour.”
Spirit vessel?
Pavilion?
Hearing these words, Jiang Zhaoxue woke with a start. She sat up abruptly and heard Zilu’s voice become especially clear, respectfully saying: “Martial Grand-Uncle and this disciple are already waiting in the main hall. Does Master’s Wife require this disciple’s service for washing up?”
“No need!”
Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue immediately dismissed Zilu: “You attend to your business. Stay away from me.”
Receiving this reply, Zilu also seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and respectfully withdrew.
After Zilu left, Jiang Zhaoxue quickly rolled up the bed curtain. Scanning with a glance, she discovered Pei Zichen had indeed already left.
Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help feeling somewhat annoyed with herself. She raised her hand to pat her head, cursing quietly: “Pig brain, even forgot what you came to do.”
With so many matters piling up, she had let him run off without discussing things clearly with Pei Zichen.
Rushing back so hastily completely disrupted her opportunity. She hadn’t even thought clearly about what she should do—it was like boarding a pirate ship.
“Alright, stop overthinking.” A’Nan comforted her. “Pei Zichen’s wings are hardened now. With him pressing so closely step by step, who could think about other things? Even I, an outsider bird, am dizzy and disoriented, much less you as the person involved. The urgent matter now is to think carefully about how to get Pei Zichen out once we return to Lingjian Immortal Pavilion.”
Jiang Zhaoxue listened, lightly tapping the table without speaking.
She contemplated the current situation. Now returning to Lingjian Immortal Pavilion, though the Book of Fate had already spared Pei Zichen, it still wouldn’t be easy for her and Pei Zichen to smoothly leave Lingjian Immortal Pavilion.
First, he was Shen Yuqing’s disciple. Now he was no longer young, and there was a distinction between man and woman with her. When she had originally fled Lingjian Immortal Pavilion with him, she could still use some reasons to smooth things over. But if she directly brought Pei Zichen back, for the outside world, there would certainly be no shortage of gossip. Shen Yuqing’s face was Lingjian Immortal Pavilion’s face. Gujun wouldn’t tolerate Shen Yuqing suffering such humiliation.
Second, she also wasn’t certain of Shen Yuqing’s current condition. When leaving the Suguang Mirror, Pei Zichen had used Jiuyou Realm’s power. Shen Yuqing very likely had already detected it. Plus when Pei Zichen took the Suguang Mirror back then, Jiuyou Realm had indeed sent many demon cultivators to assist. This matter Pei Zichen couldn’t explain clearly. Even if he explained clearly, Lingjian Immortal Pavilion might not spare Pei Zichen who cultivated Jiuyou Realm techniques.
Third, if Song Qingyin had died because of her back then, Gujun probably had long harbored resentment toward her, only not showing it outwardly. Now Wen Xiao’an was also killed by her, Shen Yuqing abandoned by her—three personal disciples all lost at her hands. She wasn’t certain of Gujun’s attitude. Even if Gujun spared Pei Zichen, he might not spare her.
“But this matter isn’t a dead end either.”
A’Nan knew her considerations and analyzed: “After all, in the cultivation world, strength is the hard truth. Back when Song Qingyin died because of you, Penglai had money. Didn’t Lingjian Immortal Pavilion still swallow their anger, not leaking a single word to you all these years? Now it’s the same. Shen Yuqing might act on emotion, but that old man Gujun assesses situations very well. Whether Wen Xiao’an or Shen Yuqing’s face, these things don’t shake Lingjian Immortal Pavilion’s foundation. But what Shen Yuqing promised you—that’s what truly shakes the foundation.”
Jiang Zhaoxue listened as the contract between her and Shen Yuqing surfaced in her mind.
Shen Yuqing had promised her that as long as he chose Mu Jinyue three times, he would dissolve their dao companion contract, simultaneously transfer Pei Zichen’s soul lamp to her, return everything Penglai had sent to Lingjian Immortal Pavilion as is, additionally gift her two spirit veins, open the Sword Mountain, and allow Penglai disciples to enter and freely select a hundred famous swords.
The first two Gujun might not care about, but the latter three—once truly fulfilled, would be things that shook Lingjian Immortal Pavilion’s foundation.
Although Gujun was Lingjian Immortal Pavilion’s undisputed ancestor, Shen Yuqing was the true sect master. If Gujun wanted to break the contract he had accepted, not only would Shen Yuqing suffer heavenly punishment, but in the future no one would dare trust any promises made by Lingjian Immortal Pavilion.
Was it Lingjian Immortal Pavilion’s credibility and their perfect sect master cultivated with countless heavenly materials and earthly treasures, or these resources that could support Lingjian Immortal Pavilion’s prosperity for a thousand years—Gujun had to make a choice.
“He won’t let me take these away so easily.”
Jiang Zhaoxue said softly: “If forced to choose, he might kill me.”
“This gets to the core bargaining chip of the negotiation,” A’Nan tilted its head. “Can he kill you?”
If Gujun could kill her, this negotiation wouldn’t exist.
But could Gujun?
Gujun’s strength was equivalent to her father’s. As long as she could escape back to Penglai, Gujun couldn’t kill her.
So the core issue was whether she could escape back to Penglai?
Right now Jiang Zhaoyue, this Great Ascension stage talisman cultivator was present. Pei Zichen was present. She, an Eighth Realm Fate Master…
Couldn’t be killed.
Jiang Zhaoxue immediately understood.
Pei Zichen’s character was steady. If he displayed three parts, he must hold ten parts. Although he appeared to be only Divine Transformation stage, he cultivated both immortal and demonic paths. His overall strength simply couldn’t be predicted. Based on the attitude Pei Zichen displayed last night, Gujun couldn’t even kill Pei Zichen on the spot.
As long as there was room for her to open an array, and with Jiang Zhaoyue’s assistance, no matter what, she could safely return to Penglai.
If Gujun couldn’t kill her and Pei Zichen, she had the chips to negotiate with Gujun.
If Gujun wasn’t willing to negotiate, she would steal Pei Zichen’s soul lamp and forcibly leave with him.
Thinking of this desperate method, Jiang Zhaoxue finally felt at ease.
The sound of immortal cranes crying came from outside. Jiang Zhaoxue raised her eyes to look and saw the spirit vessel had already docked.
Jiang Zhaoxue said no more. After simply washing up and dressing properly, she left the room.
Walking to the deck, Jiang Zhaoxue discovered that this time the spirit vessel hadn’t docked at the front mountain, but had directly landed at the foot of the back mountain.
The back mountain was where Gujun resided. Seeing this, Jiang Zhaoxue immediately understood Guan Xiushu’s intention. He wanted to take advantage of Jiang Zhaoyue’s absence to first bring her and Pei Zichen under Gujun’s nose.
But Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t care. After all, Jiang Zhaoyue was a talisman cultivator. What he could give was already in her sleeve. Whether he came personally wasn’t important. The core was still Pei Zichen.
Thinking of Pei Zichen, Jiang Zhaoxue instinctively searched for him in the crowd and saw Pei Zichen with shackles on his hands and feet, currently descending from the spirit vessel.
Compared to last night, he looked extraordinarily miserable.
Face deathly pale, spiritual essence weak, body bearing bloodstains—clearly an injured appearance.
Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help but freeze, her heart growing uneasy. Just as she was about to turn back to ask Guan Xiushu, she felt Pei Zichen glance toward her.
Though not saying a word, Jiang Zhaoxue immediately understood.
Scanning the surroundings, she saw disciples whispering to each other, clearly showing indignation in their eyes.
After all, Pei Zichen had originally been wrongly accused. Yesterday it was also Pei Zichen who saved people. Now after one night, yesterday’s imposing senior brother had become like this. In ordinary disciples’ hearts, there was naturally some indignation.
Understanding Pei Zichen’s thoughts, Jiang Zhaoxue was still worried. She secretly sensed his condition through the Life Attendant Contract. After confirming Pei Zichen was indeed unharmed, she finally completely relaxed.
Guan Xiushu at her side had been studying her for quite a while. Seeing her search for Pei Zichen without the slightest restraint, Guan Xiushu’s expression grew colder, certain speculations in his heart growing increasingly firm.
After the disciples disembarked, he walked forward and actually called Jiang Zhaoxue by name and surname: “Jiang Zhaoxue, let’s go.”
Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue raised her eyes and glanced at him coldly.
A’Nan cursed darkly: “This old undying thing!”
Though Jiang Zhaoxue felt A’Nan was somewhat excessive, she still felt her anger dissipate somewhat.
She followed Guan Xiushu, walking together with him toward the back mountain.
Pei Zichen was guarded by Zilu and one of Guan Xiushu’s personal disciples, following behind Guan Xiushu and Jiang Zhaoxue as they ascended the mountain together.
After walking for a long while, the group arrived at the mountain peak. From afar they heard the sound of flowing water. Guan Xiushu led everyone from the garden path into a courtyard to see Gujun sitting at a chess table playing against himself.
Guan Xiushu walked forward and respectfully bowed: “Ancestor.”
“You’ve come.”
Gujun’s voice was extraordinarily gentle, as if nothing had happened.
He was habitually amiable, never showing joy or anger outwardly. Jiang Zhaoxue wouldn’t take this as his goodwill either. She properly followed forward and led everyone in greeting: “Greetings to the Ancestor.”
“Everyone else may leave.” Gujun waved his hand. “Just keep Little Xue and Zichen.”
Receiving this instruction, everyone withdrew.
For a time, only Jiang Zhaoxue, Pei Zichen, and Gujun remained in the courtyard.
Gujun said nothing. Jiang Zhaoxue stood still. Pei Zichen knelt on the ground, also silent.
In the courtyard was only the sound of placing chess pieces. After a long while, Gujun finally said softly: “Little Xue was gone quite a long time this trip.”
With that, Gujun turned to look at the kneeling Pei Zichen, his expression cooling somewhat: “In the blink of an eye, Zichen has grown up.”
“Yes.”
Jiang Zhaoxue stated truthfully: “Using the Suguang Mirror to go back, the time flow is different. One day in the True Immortal Realm is one year for us in the past.”
“Then Zichen…” Gujun seemed to calculate. “Thirty-four years old?”
“This disciple accidentally entered an illusion realm and stayed inside for four years, emerging after eight years. Afterward, I also used a time-seeking mirror to directly leap over five years of space-time. If calculating by bone age, this disciple should be twenty-five years old.”
“Twenty-five…” Gujun thought about it and laughed. “Just the right age for marriage. Back when your master married your master’s wife, he was only a year younger than you.”
As Gujun spoke, as if recalling something pleasant, he joked: “I still remember when Little Xue married, she specially sent a letter to Lingjian Immortal Pavilion saying she absolutely must invite all of the immortal path, that she would provide extra spirit stones. She wanted everyone to know about her marriage to Zeyuan. She, the Penglai Female Lord, couldn’t endure a furtive marriage.”
Hearing this, Pei Zichen’s fingers beneath his sleeves couldn’t help trembling.
Jiang Zhaoxue raised her eyes toward Gujun, smiling: “Matters from youthful ignorance—the Ancestor still brings them out to mock me.”
“When young, that’s when it’s genuine—unforgettable for a lifetime.”
“Ancestor,” Jiang Zhaoxue confirmed that Gujun had come to defend Shen Yuqing. Her expression also cooled. “Where is Shen Yuqing?”
Gujun continued playing chess, expression cold: “He was gravely injured. After returning, he fell unconscious. He’s still sleeping now.”
“Then the Ancestor should have seen on the Marriage Stone that my Unity Contract with him is gone, correct?”
Jiang Zhaoxue continued inquiring.
Gujun responded affirmatively, tone much colder: “I saw it.”
“Then there’s one more thing I need the Ancestor to see.”
As Jiang Zhaoxue spoke, she raised her hand in a slash. A contract in golden characters appeared in the air.
The contract bore Jiang Zhaoxue and Shen Yuqing’s auras. The moment this aura appeared, Gujun paused.
He raised his eyes to look at the golden contract. After reading not even three lines, his expression cooled.
“Shen Yuqing made a wager with me. He lost. Now that he’s unconscious,” Jiang Zhaoxue raised a smile, “I’ll have to trouble you, Ancestor, as his master, to hand over these things on his behalf.”