Chapter 20

"Is that all?" Ji Yan asked in disbelief. Although his cultivation had been crippled, his keen eye for detail remained.

Gu Changqing replied with effortless nonchalance, "It is merely planting; what could be difficult about that?"

"Is that so?" Ji Yan glanced at him. Unfamiliar with the concept of humble-bragging, he looked at the sky and said, "Let's go."

It was already late; traveling to the North City after dark was unsafe.

"Agreed."

They departed from Xiwu Mountain. As they traveled, they conversed. Ji Yan tossed him a jade slip. "This is the information I gathered. Take a look and see if it's of any use."

Gu Changqing channeled his spiritual sense into the slip and smiled. "Thank you for your trouble."

The jade slip contained information about spirit-planters. Recruiting them required careful consideration; Xiwu Mountain was not as secure as the North City. As a mere Qi-refining cultivator, he could not suppress them on his own. If a spirit-planter harbored malicious intent and colluded with enemies to strike from within, it would undoubtedly be a disaster for Xiwu Mountain.

With this thought, Gu Changqing suddenly felt that it was perhaps for the best that the previous spirit-planters had left. They had been wary of his master, but had they stayed, the lack of a powerful master to keep them in check, combined with the greed that might fester over time, could have led to unpredictable consequences.

Ji Yan’s lips curved slightly. "I am glad it is of use to you." He had originally wanted to help recruit people, but felt it inappropriate to overstep his bounds. After some reflection, he decided that the affairs of Xiwu Mountain should be handled by its master.

"How is your body feeling?" Gu Changqing asked with concern as he noticed Ji Yan’s slightly labored breathing.

"It is fine, I..."

"Boom!"

A sound of combat erupted in the distance.

"Yang Qi, you won't escape today!"

"Yu Zhao’an, how dare you betray me! Are you not afraid of the Yang family’s retaliation?"

"Who would ever know I killed you?"

"I'll fight you to the death!" Yang Qi roared, feigning a desperate stand before throwing a talisman and turning to flee.

"Boom!"

Yu Zhao’an’s expression shifted. He dodged the talisman’s blast and gave chase swiftly. "Let’s see where you can run."

"Help..."

"Boom, boom, boom!"

Yu Zhao’an’s attacks grew more ferocious, fearing that Yang Qi’s cries for help might attract others. Gu Changqing cursed his luck. He was worried that Ji Yan might meddle, having heard that he once possessed a fiery temperament and an overwhelming sense of justice.

The next moment:

"Shh!"

Ji Yan pulled him into the tree canopy, slapped two third-grade stealth talismans onto them, and looked down at the chase unfolding not far away.

Yang Qi fled in a wretched state, his clothes stained with blood. Having exhausted his talismans and seeing no hope of escape, he panted and looked back. "Yu Zhao’an, let's talk this over. I will hand over the items to you; I swear I will not pursue this matter afterward!"

"Whoosh!"

A cold glint pierced through his chest.

Yu Zhao’an retrieved his magical tool, wiped away the blood, and said coldly, "Once you are dead, the items are mine anyway."

After stowing away Yang Qi’s storage bag, Yu Zhao’an cast a fireball to destroy the evidence, then barked, "Who’s there? Get out here!"

Gu Changqing’s heart tightened. He wasn't particularly afraid—although Yu Zhao’an was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, Gu was confident he could put up a fight. Even if he couldn't kill the man, surviving would not be an issue. His only concern was whether Ji Yan’s frail body could withstand the shockwaves of a battle.

"Was I just being suspicious?" Yu Zhao’an frowned, then left.

Gu Changqing thought, *Cultivators are indeed cunning.*

A moment later, Yu Zhao’an returned. Finding nothing, he scanned the surroundings again, his expression easing. "Was I truly overthinking it?"

This time, he left for real.

Gu Changqing exhaled, reaffirming his opinion of a cultivator's treachery. However... he glanced at Ji Yan. He himself was a man who cherished his life and hiding in a tree was natural, but why did Ji Yan also...

They jumped down from the canopy.

"You..."

"You..."

The two exchanged a look, both wearing fake smiles. Gu Changqing said with feigned sincerity, "Thank you for the stealth talismans."

Ji Yan’s eyes softened, his smile warm. "No need for thanks; I was merely looking out for my own safety as well."

"How did you know Yu Zhao’an would return?" Gu Changqing asked, brimming with curiosity.

Ji Yan smiled leisurely. "Didn't you know as well?"

Gu Changqing remained silent. He stopped the pointless conversation and said, "Let's go."

"Right."

They continued on their way, neither paying any mind to the dead Yang Qi. Gu Changqing vaguely recalled hearing gossip that the man had been a regular at Linglong Pavilion and had once even fought over a girl named Qinglan. It was unexpected that he had now been reduced to ash. It looked like a case of murder for treasure, but it was none of his business. Yang Qi’s death was a matter for the Yang family to worry about.

North Spirit City.

At night, the city looked like two extremes from afar: the East City was brightly lit, while the North City was shrouded in darkness. The South and West Cities were somewhere in between—neither as lively as the East nor as desolate as the North.

Gu Changqing sighed to himself. Even in places with strict laws, there were dark corners. The North City was essentially a slum—a shantytown. Yet, owning a residence there remained an unreachable dream for many rogue cultivators. Spiritual veins were what they fought for, and the North City, however barren, was at least under the protection of the Law Enforcement Hall. Having a safe home was the foundation of hope for the future.

Golden Osmanthus Market.

When they arrived, the shops were preparing to close. The attendant was a spirited young man at the fourth level of Qi Refining.

"Uncle," he said, greeting Ji Yan crisply. As for who Gu Changqing was, he didn't recognize him—truly, he didn't. He hesitated. "Are you... Uncle Thirteen?"

Gu Changqing nodded. Recalling the information Ji Yan had provided, he smiled. "You must be Brother Hua’s child."

"You remember my father?"

Gu Changqing’s mouth twitched. Though he had left home young, his memory wasn't so poor that he would forget his own kin.

"Haha!"

A hearty laugh erupted from inside the shop, and an elderly man walked out, appraising Gu Changqing with satisfaction. "Good, seventh level of Qi Refining, stable cultivation. You have a promising future for Foundation Establishment."

"Third Granduncle." Gu Changqing bowed and smiled. "I apologize for the delay in greeting you; please, do not take offense."

"Enough with the formalities." Third Granduncle glared at him and signaled for the young man to close the shop. "Come, let's talk inside. Ji Yan is one of us as well, come along."

The shop was quite large, divided into front and back courtyards. The front was the storefront, while the back served as living quarters and a warehouse.

"Third Granduncle."

"Third Grandfather."

Two young people and a middle-aged man at the ninth level of Qi Refining emerged from the back rooms.

"Fourth Brother," Gu Changqing greeted with a smile, turning his gaze toward the young man and woman.

"This is Xingdao, this is Xinglan, and that is my wayward grandson, Xingye, who is here to gain some experience," Third Granduncle said with a smile.

The three bowed respectfully. "Uncle Thirteen."

Gu Changqing nodded and produced the gifts he had prepared. "I don't have anything extravagant, but please, take these small trinkets."

"This..." The three looked toward Third Granduncle, wondering if it was appropriate to accept more gifts after having already received some from Ji Yan.

Third Granduncle stroked his beard and smiled. "If he gives them to you, just take them."

"Thank you, Uncle Thirteen."

After the pleasantries, Third Granduncle brought out a congratulatory gift of his own. "This is the family’s gift for your marriage. Now that you are wed, live your life well. Ji Yan has a good personality and a gentle temper; you are a lucky man. Regardless of the circumstances of your marriage, the deed is done. You must support one another, understand?"

Gu Changqing’s mouth twitched. "Don't worry, we are doing just fine."

Ji Yan glared at him—what did he mean by "doing just fine"? That was nonsense. However, seeing the elder’s earnest gaze, his cheeks felt inexplicably warm.

Third Granduncle laughed heartily. "Good, good! A fine couple. I only hope for your future prosperity. Little Ji, if Changqing ever acts out, just come to the Gu family and find me; I will stand up for you."

Ji Yan was left speechless.

Gu Changqing chuckled inwardly; the man was actually quite easy to deal with—he just couldn't handle people being kind to him.

After some lighthearted conversation, Ji Yan found an excuse to slip away.

Third Granduncle’s expression turned serious. "Changqing, remember what I told you. Although Ji Yan is at odds with the Ji family, he is still a Golden Core descendant. With him by your side, the Gu family will command more respect. This marriage was your choice, and it is a good thing for our family. You have formed a life-bond, and your fates are intertwined. You must protect him, do you hear me? Do not let the backlash lead to resentment."

"You must treat him well," Third Granduncle added once more.

Gu Changqing felt a jolt. "Has something happened to the family?"

Third Granduncle shook his head and sighed deeply. "No."

Gu Changqing’s expression darkened. He persisted, "I need to know the truth."

He was able to live comfortably in the sect precisely because the Gu family had his back. If anything happened to them, while he wouldn't necessarily be crushed, he would face no shortage of trouble.

Third Granduncle pondered for a moment and waved his hand. "You lot, leave."

"Yes!" Xingdao and Xinglan bowed and retreated.

"Grandfather..." Xingye’s eyes darted around, looking as if he wanted to linger.

"Hmph!" Third Granduncle snorted, and Gu Changling grabbed him by the collar and tossed him out.

"Fourth Uncle! Fourth Uncle, I was wrong!" The wails of Gu Xingye drifted from outside.

"Thud!" A heavy object hit the ground.

"Fourth Uncle, you’re too heartless!"

"Pfft!" Gu Changqing couldn't help but laugh.

After tossing his nephew out, Gu Changling returned to the room and cast a sound-insulation array to prevent any news from leaking.

Third Granduncle’s expression grew heavy. "Do you know that the Old Ancestor has less than ten years of life remaining?"

"How can that be?" Gu Changqing gasped. "Didn't he have fifty years left?"

Third Granduncle said painfully, "The Old Ancestor was injured long ago, which damaged his foundation. Now, his old wounds have flared up, and there is no hope for him to reach the Nascent Soul realm. If something were to happen to him..."

Gu Changqing understood. If the Old Ancestor were to pass away and the Gu family had no successor, they would truly be finished. A Golden Core master was the fundamental pillar of a family’s stability.

"My purpose here is threefold: first, to find life-extending herbs; second, to purchase a Golden Core Pill; and third, regardless of whether these succeed, the Old Ancestor is prepared to make one final gamble."

"Granduncle, you mean..."

Third Granduncle nodded. "Exactly what you think. The Lingxu Sect has dominated the Cang Continent for far too long."