Chapter 4

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Fang Yaowen couldn’t keep it to himself and quickly told him the answer.
“Master Ji isn’t satisfied with you. He favors Chen Yifeng more, but unfortunately Ji Yan won’t agree. He said if he’s going to marry, he wants to marry an honest man.”
Gu Changqing: “……”
Who did the honest man offend?
This was like a pot falling from the sky.
Any normal person would choose Chen Yifeng, right?
Second Senior Brother might be a simp, but he looks good and has a decent reputation—definitely a dream lover.
Fang Yaowen smiled with a glint in his eyes: “Surprised?”
Gu Changqing rolled his eyes.
Surprised my foot.
However, since the marriage was already decided, marrying someone willing made him feel much more at ease.
He hesitated: “Has it been settled?”
Fang Yaowen sneered: “The Sect Leader is here.”
Gu Changqing suddenly understood. No wonder Master Ji hadn’t continued to make a fuss; the Sect Leader was suppressing him. Looks like the little master’s plans to take advantage of their master were dashed.
So, his marriage was set.
Gu Changqing didn’t have much objection.
Since resistance was futile, he chose to accept it. After all, it wasn’t a loss for him. The Qingmu Longevity Technique could fully offset the harm from the contract’s backlash.
Fang Yaowen hypocritically congratulated him: “Junior Brother, now that you’re settling down, don’t forget to invite us to your wedding banquet.”
Gu Changqing smiled: “Definitely, definitely.”
Fang Yaowen’s eyes widened: “You’re not going to resist?”
Gu Changqing was puzzled: “Resist what?”
“Aren’t you the one who hates trouble the most? The Ji family’s problems are endless. If you marry Ji Yan, you’ll have nonstop trouble.”
Gu Changqing shook his head. Not marrying Ji Yan would be the real trouble.
After all, a county magistrate isn’t as good as the one currently in charge.
He wouldn’t forget who his backing was.
Offending the master would mean no good days ahead.
As for the Ji family’s troubles, the Fire Suppression Peak couldn’t interfere with Xiaoquan Peak anyway. Given the relationship between the two peaks, the master would help bear the burden.
It wasn’t that the master liked him that much, but the hatred between the two peaks had long existed.
The master was fed up with Fire Suppression Peak and secretly wished they’d stir up trouble so he could retaliate.
Therefore, weighing the pros and cons, Gu Changqing found it better to lie flat. Marrying a man was no big deal.
He smiled: “I think living off someone else isn’t so bad.”
Fang Yaowen was speechless.
“You…”
His expression kept shifting. So much for having a good relationship with Gu Changqing. Since they met, this guy kept lowering his expectations and now had reached a new low.
“You win.”
Fang Yaowen gritted his teeth.
Where’s your dignity?
And to call that an honest man?
Ji Yan must be blind.
Fang Yaowen stormed off angrily.
Gu Changqing raised an eyebrow, smiling faintly. Fang Yaowen still wasn’t quite ready to see his joke.

…
His relationship with Fang Yaowen was neither too good nor too bad.
Three years ago at the Mission Hall, during a sect task, Fang Yaowen suddenly couldn’t find anyone and asked him to go down the mountain to break a formation.
Gu Changqing refused.
Breaking a formation was one thing, going down the mountain was a definite no.
He kept a respectful distance from things like secret realms and ruins. The world was full of dangers; who knew if these so-called secret realms or ruins were traps?
So, Gu Changqing decisively declined.
It was a minor matter at first.
However, the spoiled prodigy took offense and refused to do the mission or go to the ruins, stubbornly pestering him.
He just happened to meet a hard shell.
Since joining the sect, Gu Changqing had taken every step firmly, never taking risks or making mistakes.
There was nothing to pick on.
Fang Yaowen was frustrated.
The more flaws he couldn’t find, the harder he pressed.

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Only when news came from the foot of the mountain that the expedition team to the ruins had been wiped out did he break out in a cold sweat.
After reflecting, he decided the path of survival was not bad.
But if survival meant ending up like Gu Changqing, he despised it greatly. He always wanted to find trouble and watch the show but never succeeded.
Because Gu Changqing was thick-skinned and firmly believed that as long as he himself wasn’t embarrassed, the embarrassment belonged to others.
When masters sparred, smiles hid knives.
After many encounters, the two gradually became friends.
They got along well.
But still couldn’t stand each other and wanted to see the other fail.
Mainly, Fang Yaowen wanted to see him fail.
Gu Changqing felt he was magnanimous and never quarreled with Fang Yaowen, it was just Fang Yaowen who got upset himself.
Today, he got so angry he stormed off again.

…
The next day.
The morning sun rose.
Gu Changqing absorbed the early morning purple energy, cleansing his spirit repeatedly, solidifying his magic power, and purifying his body.
This was the ancient cultivator’s method.
Inhaling moonlight and morning sun could strengthen one’s foundation.
The more he cultivated, the more he understood the power of the Qingmu Longevity Technique.
Nowadays, some cultivators trained the three arts of spirit, energy, and body, but progression was extremely difficult. Many failed to cross that threshold in a lifetime.
It showed how precious the Qingmu Longevity Technique was.
After absorbing the last trace of purple energy,
Gu Changqing slowly ended his session, sensing his magic power. He nodded with satisfaction, one step closer to the ninth level of Qi Refining.
He rose and left the training room.
Just as Gu Changqing prepared to practice talisman drawing—
“Whoosh!”
A spiritual light flew over.
Gu Changqing twitched at the corner of his mouth. His formation needed strengthening; the heavy seals couldn’t fully block the power of a Golden Core cultivator.
“Come quickly to Lingxu Peak.”
Lingxu Peak was the sect’s main peak and where the Sect Leader resided.
Gu Changqing exhaled deeply, feeling a sense of finality.
Thanks to Fang Yaowen’s prior notice, he knew why the Sect Leader summoned him, but…
Gu Changqing sighed, touching the communication jade slip at his waist.
Forget it.
He wouldn’t argue with the Sect Leader or the master.
It was normal that the Sect Leader didn’t know his communication method—no, it was very abnormal. The Sect Leader was one thing, but his master didn’t even know how his disciple communicated. His status as a direct disciple was somewhat pitiful.
But he understood it was a consequence of his own doing.
Arriving at Lingxu Peak.
“Are you a disciple of Xiaoquan Peak?”
Someone was already waiting at the foot of the mountain.
“Greetings, Senior Brother.” Gu Changqing cupped his hands in salute.
“Greetings, Junior Brother.” The young man returned the gesture.
Gu Changqing recognized him as the Sect Leader’s direct disciple and the eldest senior brother of Lingxu Peak, one of the candidates for the next Sect Leader position.
Gu Changqing favored him.
He was the only candidate who had married a Dao partner.
“Junior Brother, come with me.”
Nan Gongyu smiled gently and led the way, explaining the situation as they walked.
Today was not only about discussing the marriage.
It was also a matchmaking meeting.
His marriage to Ji Yan was already settled, so they needed to meet in advance.
Additionally, they had to pay respects to Master Ji.
As for the Fire Suppression Peak, whether they went or not didn’t matter. Ji Yan’s biological father was better left unseen.
They soon arrived at the main peak’s side hall.
Gu Changqing bowed with lowered eyes.
“Hmph!” Master Ji snorted coldly. The pressure from the Golden Core cultivator was like a violent storm, pressing down instantly.
Gu Changqing hesitated inside—should he resist or not?
“Ji Wuchou, you’ve passed.”
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Yu Jinghua’s voice broke the silence. Gu Changqing felt his body lighten as the heavy pressure receded like a tide.
Yu Jinghua glanced at him: “The eighteenth day of next month is an auspicious date. Prepare yourself.”
“Yes.”
Gu Changqing respectfully acknowledged the order.
He knew he had no room to argue; this was just a formality to endure.
A tool, after all.
He understood.
Yu Jinghua nodded. Though he wasn’t satisfied with this disciple, Gu Changqing’s obedience was useful.
On reflection, it wasn’t such a loss.
After all, he was his direct disciple, and the bride price and dowry would stay at Xiaoquan Peak. The benefits wouldn’t flow outside. Overall, Xiaoquan Peak still gained.
Feeling relieved, Yu Jinghua pointed to Ji Yan sitting at the end and said lightly: “You should get acquainted.”
Gu Changqing turned his head, a flash of surprise in his eyes.
Ji Yan wore a faint smile, warm and gentle. There was no sign of his spirit root being ruined.
Two years ago, he was like a blazing sun—dazzling and radiant.
Two years later, he was still breathtakingly beautiful but had toned down his brilliance, becoming more low-key.
Spirit root destruction did not mean he couldn’t cultivate, but compared to someone with five spirit roots, his body couldn’t store much spiritual energy.
He was currently at about the third level of Qi Refining.
Gu Changqing nodded and smiled. Such a person deserved respect.
He only couldn’t understand why Master Ji would be willing to let him marry out.
“Hahaha, a perfect match, a match made in heaven. Wonderful, wonderful.” The Sect Leader stroked his beard and laughed heartily.
Gu Changqing: “……”
He had no idea where the Sect Leader saw this match made in heaven. Didn’t he see Master Ji was about to have a fit?
“Not bad, not bad.”
Yu Jinghua nodded approvingly and clapped his hands: “Indeed a match made in heaven.”
Seeing Master Ji angry made him happy. He looked kindly at Gu Changqing: “Take Ji Yan for a walk. He is now part of Xiaoquan Peak. Since fate has bound you as Dao partners, you must support each other, understand?”
“Yes.”
Gu Changqing replied respectfully, glancing at Ji Yan.
“Hmph.” Master Ji’s face was ashen, eyes glaring fiercely at Gu Changqing, growing more displeased.
But when his gaze landed on his grandson, he became dejected again, sighed deeply, and forced a kindly smile: “Go ahead, get to know each other well.”
Ji Yan smiled gently and excused himself with respect.
“A Yan.”
Master Ji hesitated, seeming to cherish his grandson deeply. The emotion in his eyes was genuine, but the words he uttered undermined his affection.
“If you’re unhappy, we can choose someone else.”
Gu Changqing raised an eyebrow. He thought Master Ji would say not to marry, but instead just offered to change the choice.
“Grandfather, no need.”
Ji Yan shook his head gently, politely declining Master Ji’s offer.
His smile remained, but Gu Changqing clearly sensed a distance behind it.
Leaving the side hall,
Gu Changqing looked around and helplessly glanced at Ji Yan: “Where to?”
He didn’t want to stay on the main peak being stared at.
The gazes around were blatantly obvious, and he could even hear whispers.
“Is he the lucky one?”
“Lucky? They’re signing a Dao partner contract.”
“Such a pity for Ji Yan.”
“But that guy looks good, just a bit weak in cultivation. I heard his name is Gu Changqing, from the Gu family in Yun City. He and Ji Yan look quite compatible.”
“I know that Gu Changqing—what a coward.”
“Sigh, Brother Ji is really handsome. Why does he have to marry? If he were to take a wife, I’d rather marry him myself.”
“Dream on. The Chen family wants to marry him off too, but Master Ji won’t allow it.”
“Who knows what Master Ji is thinking?”
“I heard it’s because…”
“Shh, quiet.”
Noticing Ji Yan’s indifferent gaze, the whispering disciples quickly dispersed.