“You’re So Bossy, You Won’t Find a Wife Later.”
At that moment, the little red bird that had hurried over to watch the commotion tilted its head to stare at Gu Shi and let out an abrupt chirp.
Apart from Gu Shi, no one present had ever heard the name Feng Yingbai. Chen Ci asked once more, “I wonder what business brings you to our Wuxiang Sect in the dead of night, esteemed guest?”
The little red bird fluttered its wings and flew right up to Gu Shi, raising a foot as if to kick him. Gu Shi caught it, stroking its fluffy little head with practiced familiarity and a tone of affectionate intimacy. “Heh, you’re here too.”
Though restrained, the little red bird refused to let up and tried to peck him again. However, Gu Shi lowered his head and gently kissed its little head. “It hasn’t even been that long since we last met, and you missed me this much?”
The little red bird froze completely, opening its bead-like round eyes to stare at him unblinkingly, its flapping wings coming to an absolute halt.
Chen Ci had never seen the little red bird behave so docilely in anyone else’s hands, so he immediately inquired, “Esteemed guest, you know it?”
Gu Shi replied, “Mhm, it’s my pet.”
Chen Ci was slightly startled. They had previously guessed that this person might hail from the West Continent Secret Realm, but he hadn’t expected it to actually be true. If this person could be recruited for their own use, the Wuxiang Sect would undoubtedly rise to new heights. Maintaining a calm expression, he signaled the people around him, then descended from mid-air to the ground. However, due to the uncertainties of the situation, he didn’t dare approach rashly, instead stopping to stand firmly at a distance of three meters from Gu Shi.
“May I ask if the esteemed guest comes from the West Continent Secret Realm?”
Gu Shi chuckled softly. “You certainly have a sharp eye.”
Chen Ci circled back to his previous question, “I wonder what business brings the esteemed guest here in the dead of night?”
Gu Shi answered, “Some days ago, when I was undergoing my tribulation in the West Continent, someone barged into my tribulation domain and suffered severe injuries, thereby forming a cause-and-effect bond with me. My coming here this time is precisely to resolve this karma.”
Chen Ci had never heard of this kind of karma, but he went along with it anyway. “And how does one resolve this karma?”
Gu Shi said, “He was severely injured because of me. As long as his body recovers completely, the karma will be settled.”
Chen Ci stated, “Yunsheng is heavily injured and will need some time to recover. Why doesn’t the esteemed guest temporarily stay within our sect?”
Naturally, Gu Shi wouldn’t refuse. “Staying right here will do.”
Chen Ci hurriedly urged, “This place is remote; the esteemed guest should move to the main peak to rest.”
Gu Shi smiled and countered, “Can any remote place compare to the remoteness of the West Continent Secret Realm?”
The little red bird let out another chirp, sounding somewhat displeased, though no one paid it any mind.
Seeing that he was insistent, Chen Ci didn’t press the matter further. “Then I must wrong the esteemed guest with such accommodations.”
Gu Shi nodded, and Chen Ci said, “If the esteemed guest needs anything, feel free to give word. The night is deep, so I won’t disturb you any longer.”
Gu Shi nodded again, and only then did Chen Ci depart. However, Gu Shi could sense that the two Nascent Soul powerhouses hadn’t left; he was effectively under house arrest. Still, he had managed to buy some time. At the very least, tonight was safe, and he could discuss with Shen Yunsheng how they should make their escape.
Gu Shi turned and walked back inside the room, where Shen Yunsheng was seated by the table. Gu Shi walked over and sat down opposite him. The little red bird flew right between the two of them, looking at this one and then looking at that one.
With surveillance outside, Gu Shi didn’t dare speak aloud and could only transmit his voice via spiritual awareness: There are two Nascent Soul powerhouses outside.
Shen Yunsheng replied simply, Mhm.
Gu Shi continued, It looks like they want to win me over. Tomorrow, I’ll ask Chen Ci for the antidote to the parasite.
Shen Yunsheng didn’t appreciate his gesture at all. There’s no need. Just figure out a way to escape by yourself; don’t worry about me.
Gu Shi argued, If I don’t rescue you and bring you out, wouldn’t this trip have been completely in vain?
Shen Yunsheng stared at him expressionlessly. Just by looking at his expression, Gu Shi knew what he wanted to say. He pouted internally, Since I’m already here, you have to leave with me this time. If you stay here, we’ll fall into their traps again sooner or later.
Shen Yunsheng: Just make sure you don’t fall into traps.
Gu Shi was already tired of debating this topic. Whether you agree or not, you have to leave with me this time. Stop being so stubborn.
In a rare display of opening up, Shen Yunsheng voiced his true thoughts: With me in tow, neither of us will be able to escape. They aren’t fools.
Gu Shi retorted, Do you take me for a fool, then?
Shen Yunsheng fell silent. Seeing the two of them staring at each other in total silence, the little red bird beat its wings furiously against the table in protest. Reaching out, Gu Shi stroked its little head. “Did anyone bully you while I was gone?”
The little red bird proudly turned its head away, ignoring him entirely.
Gu Shi smiled. “It’s been so long, and you’re still the same old you. Oh wait, no, you’ve gotten fatter. Let me check where you put on the weight.” As he spoke, Gu Shi scooped up the little red bird. Its round belly, previously concealed by its wings, was now completely exposed. Gu Shi poked it with a finger, and it felt firm and solid. “Well, well, looks like it’s all solid flesh. You’re not just bloated at all.”
The little red bird immediately extended its claws to kick at him. Gu Shi flicked its head lightly with his finger. “Such disrespect. Call me master.”
The little red bird looked so startled that its bead-like eyes almost popped out of their sockets, and it flapped its wings to swat at him, only for its wings to be far too short to reach.
Chuckling, Gu Shi ruffled its head. “It’s been so long, and I still haven’t given you a name. The feathers under your armpits are so red, why don’t I call you Chiyu? How does that sound?”
Glares of disbelief filled the little red bird’s bead-like eyes, which only served to amuse Gu Shi even more. “Seems like you really like it.”
Watching his frivolous demeanor, Shen Yunsheng remarked mentally, We’re hanging by a thread, and you’re still in the mood to tease a bird.
Gu Shi replied, I’m an otherworldly big shot right now. Does looking gloomy suit my status?
Shen Yunsheng put it bluntly, Anyway, I can’t think of any way for both of us to escape.
Gu Shi answered, If you can’t think of one, keep thinking. With my acting skills, bluffing them for eight or ten years won’t be a problem at all.
Shen Yunsheng fell silent, casting a look at Gu Shi that clearly wanted him dead.
Choosing to completely ignore the look, Gu Shi yawned. “I’m tired, time for sleep.” With that, he got up, scooped up the little red bird, and headed for the bed. Once Gu Shi lay down, the little red bird finally found an angle to retaliate, scrambling onto his face to kick and slap away. Reaching out, Gu Shi caught it. “I know you missed me, but it’s time to sleep now. Stop acting up.”
The little red bird kicked him one more time before wedging itself past his collar, curling up against his chest and stretching its beak out to peck his chin.
The force was light, carrying a slight tickle, and Gu Shi let it be.
There was only a single bed in the room. Looking at the sleeping Gu Shi, Shen Yunsheng massaged his brow in resignation, his normally unflappable face brimming with melancholy.
Meanwhile, back in the council hall, Chen Ci returned and looked at Yan Huayu. “Senior Brother, what do you think?”
Yan Huayu instructed, “Do everything you can to keep him here.”
Chen Ci shared the same thought, but the immediate problem was Shen Yunsheng. The two of them shared a deep bond; if they joined forces and achieved great cultivation heights in the future, overturning the Wuxiang Sect wasn’t entirely out of the question.
Yan Huayu wasn’t worried about that. “Shen Yunsheng has only just reached Foundation Establishment, and he’s been slacking off in his cultivation lately. It will take a very long time for him to amount to anything. If we can truly claim the West Continent Secret Realm for our own use, my Wuxiang Sect is bound to produce wave after wave of talents in the future.”
With those words to reassure him, Chen Ci felt entirely at ease. Naturally, they wouldn’t sever current benefits just for some distant, hypothetical future threat. With the West Continent Secret Realm present, the Wuxiang Sect would eventually be filled with Golden Core cultivators everywhere, Nascent Soul experts too numerous to count on one hand, and an even greater hope of breaking through to higher cultivation realms. Then, they would never have to worry about anyone threatening the sect again.
“Senior Brother speaks wisely. Shen Yunsheng no longer matters; Feng Yingbai is the top priority.”
Yan Huayu declared, “As long as Feng Yingbai is willing to stay, we can agree to any condition. We can even gift Shen Yunsheng to him as a token of goodwill.”
Chen Ci nodded. “I know what to do.”
Back at the bamboo cabin on the back peak, the little red bird, which had just been about to fall asleep, suddenly started sneezing. Half-asleep, Gu Shi heard the sound and found it quite novel. “Turns out birds can sneeze too.”
The little red bird rolled its eyes at him, gave him another slap with its wing, and finally drifted off to sleep.
Early the next morning, before dawn had broken, Gu Shi was already awake. Ever since he began cultivating, he had formed the habit of sleeping for only two hours a day. The little red bird was still fast asleep, so Gu Shi gently lifted it and placed it back on the bed before getting up himself.
Shen Yunsheng was still sitting by the table, his complexion remaining very pale. Gu Shi gave him a casual chin-lift as a greeting, but Shen Yunsheng merely glanced at him and ignored him entirely.
The two Nascent Soul powerhouses were still lingering outside. With a bright smile, Gu Shi walked to the doorway and called out in a clear voice, “Two fellow Daoists, you’ve worked hard guarding us all night. Why not step forward and share a cup of tea?”
No sound came in response for a long moment. Just as Gu Shi was preparing to sit cross-legged and cultivate, the spiritual energy in the air suddenly fluctuated, and two middle-aged men materialized before him.
Since they had shown themselves, Gu Shi naturally invited the two of them inside. Retrieving spiritual tea from his storage space, he instructed Shen Yunsheng, “Go brew some tea.”
Giving him a heavy look, Shen Yunsheng took the spiritual tea and walked out, running right into Chen Ci at the doorway. Chen Ci asked, “Where are you heading?”
Shen Yunsheng rattled the spiritual tea in his hand. “Senior Feng asked me to brew some tea.”
Chen Ci immediately intercepted, “I’ll do it. You’re injured, so get some proper rest.”
Without a word, Shen Yunsheng handed the spiritual tea over to Chen Ci, who then summoned a disciple and passed the task along.
The room wasn’t very large, and accommodating four men made it feel rather cramped. Shen Yunsheng showed tactical sense by not entering the room, instead choosing to sit cross-legged and cultivate in the open space right outside the door.
Inside, Gu Shi began chatting idly with the two men, learning that the late-stage Nascent Soul expert was named Ta Xinghe, while the mid-stage Nascent Soul expert was called Xue Yunzi.
Gu Shi made casual conversation: “Ever since I emerged from the secret realm, I realized how thin the spiritual energy outside truly is. For the two of you to reach such a realm in this kind of environment is truly admirable.”
Xue Yunzi replied, “Cultivation has never been easy; talent and opportunity are both indispensable. Daoist Feng possesses great fortune, attaining Nascent Soul cultivation at such a young age, and we can only look up to you with dust in our eyes.”
Gu Shi humbly deflected, “I merely lucked out.”
At that moment, Chen Ci walked in carrying the brewed tea, smiling as he poured cups for the three of them before looking curiously at Gu Shi. “Senior Feng, why do you always wear a mask?”
Gu Shi had already prepared an answer for this question the previous night, and he smoothly answered, “It’s a family rule of mine. Whoever sees my face first will be my future dao companion.”
The little red bird sleeping on the bed suddenly raised its head, its gaze landing with pinpoint accuracy on Gu Shi’s face. Yet Gu Shi remained completely oblivious, solely focused on dealing with the people in front of him.
Understanding dawned on Chen Ci. If he could arrange a dao companion for Gu Shi from within the sect, he wouldn’t have to worry about him leaving. He immediately chimed in, “The path of cultivation is dull and lonely; only with a dao companion by one’s side is it truly fulfilled. Our sect is full of exceptional talents. I wonder what kind of person Senior Feng prefers? I would be so bold as to help screen a few options for you.”
Gu Shi smiled. “Gentle and demure will do.”
The little red bird let out an abrupt chirp, prompting Gu Shi to finally notice it and offer a smile. “Awoke?”
Once the tea was finished, Ta Xinghe and Xue Yunzi excused themselves under the pretext of having matters to attend to. Chen Ci, busy with the task of finding a dao companion for Gu Shi, didn’t linger either. “I won’t disturb Senior Feng any further.”
Gu Shi stopped him. “Wait.”
Chen Ci looked back. “Does Senior Feng have any instructions?”
Gu Shi finally brought up the main agenda: “When I was treating Shen Yunsheng’s injuries last night, I discovered a parasite inside his body. Do you know the method to cure it?”
Chen Ci replied, “I do, but brewing the antidote will take a few days.”
Knowing full well that the other was just stalling for time, Gu Shi didn’t expose the lie. “No matter.”
Chen Ci smiled. “Since Senior Feng has no other concerns, this junior will take his leave.”
Gu Shi nodded, and Chen Ci departed.
As soon as they left, the little red bird flew right up to Gu Shi, its bead-like eyes fixing a direct stare on him as if it had something to say. Reaching out, Gu Shi stroked its fluffy head. “What is it?”
The little red bird fluttered closer to Gu Shi, poking its beak against the metal mask covering his lips, producing a crisp clanging sound. Assuming it was simply hungry, Gu Shi asked, “Hungry?”
Come to think of it, Gu Shi hadn’t spent many days raising a small red bird and wasn’t entirely clear on what it liked to eat, so he retrieved a plate of pastries from his storage bag. Having anticipated not knowing when he might see Feng Yingbai again, he had packed his storage bag full of pastries for easy access at any time.
Upon seeing the pastries, the little red bird stopped pecking the mask, flew over to the table, and began eating. Crumbs dusted its beak, prompting Gu Shi to pull out a handkerchief to wipe it clean. The little red bird looked up at him and let out a soft chirp.
Gu Shi rubbed its little head. “Eat up. There’s more when you’re done.”
After hesitating for a good while, the little red bird picked up a piece of pastry from the plate, raised its head to look at Gu Shi, who simply smiled and said, “I’m not eating, you eat.”
The little red bird flew right up to his face and kicked his mask with its claw. Amused by its antics, Gu Shi chuckled, “Even if you don’t want to eat, why are you being so bossy?”
The little red bird kicked harder. Left with no choice, Gu Shi reached out and pinched the pastry in its beak. “Alright, alright, I’ll eat it.”
Proudly lifting its head, the little red bird let out a loud chirp before settling back down on the table to continue eating.
Looking at the piece of pastry in his hand, Gu Shi lifted his mask and popped it into his mouth. It was sweet and delicious, though somewhat softened from being pecked by the bird’s beak. He felt as though he had lost his mind, as he was actually eating something a bird had already nibbled on.
Gu Shi poked the little red bird on the head. “Chiyu, if you’re this bossy, you won’t find a wife later.”
The little red bird raised its head and pecked straight at Gu Shi’s fingertip, using its full strength so that a sharp sting shot through his finger. He repeated his assessment, “Bossy.”
Furious, the little red bird abandoned its pastry entirely, flapped its wings, and flew away.
Watching its plump little back, Gu Shi called out, “You’ve quite the temper, haven’t you?”
The little red bird sped up its flight while chirping furiously, making Gu Shi think that if it could speak, it would undoubtedly be swearing up a storm.
He chased after the little red bird to the doorway, though he didn’t actually pursue it, simply standing in place and watching it fly far away. A moment later, Shen Yunsheng’s voice echoed in his mind: You still have the mood to walk a bird? Find an opportunity and get out of here immediately.
Sensing the two terrifying pressure auras lingering in the surroundings, Gu Shi kept silent and replied casually, If I don’t tease the bird, how else am I supposed to project my otherworldly big-shot persona?
The wind swept through the bamboo forest, causing clusters of bamboo leaves to sway and ripple like a green ocean. Gu Shi flew up into mid-air and lay down amidst the sea of bamboo, the blinding sunlight forcing him to close his eyes. Inevitably, his thoughts drifted to Feng Yingbai. If the real Feng Yingbai were here right now, what would he do?
He certainly wouldn’t wait around; with a casual wave of his hand, he’d probably obliterate the Wuxiang Sect.
Then again, maybe not. Chen Ci was so skilled at winning people over, and Feng Yingbai was so naive, so he might just get sweet-talked and recruited by Chen Ci in a few words.
As his thoughts wandered, an image of Chen Ci standing behind Feng Yingbai looking arrogant and triumphant flashed across Gu Shi’s mind. He hurriedly opened his eyes and shook his head, because it was too disgusting, and even the mere thought of it was sickening.
This was the first time Gu Shi had seriously pondered over Feng Yingbai. Though immensely powerful, his allegiances were fickle. Having been imprisoned for so long, while simple-minded, he wasn’t necessarily benevolent, or rather, the probability of him being benevolent was extremely low. He did things entirely based on his mood, meaning that whoever made him feel entertained was the one he would help.
How could he make him constantly feel entertained?
Gu Shi couldn’t figure it out. After all, he wasn’t a particularly perceptive or humorous person, and before meeting Feng Yingbai, he had been just the most ordinary of ordinary people. Perhaps the only thing he had going for him was a somewhat decent face.
While Gu Shi failed to come up with a good plan, Chen Ci didn’t waste any time, showing up early the next morning carrying two large chests of portraits.
“Senior Feng, these are all the proud talents of our sect. Take a look.”
Accompanying him was the little red bird. It fluttered a circle around the room, but instead of landing on Gu Shi’s shoulder as usual, it perched itself on a ceiling beam.
Sticking to the plan, Gu Shi picked and chose. The little red bird dropped down from the beam and landed on Gu Shi’s shoulder. Every time a portrait scroll was unrolled, it would grab a strand of Gu Shi’s hair and yank on it. Though it hurt, Gu Shi couldn’t complain, and finally pointed randomly at a maiden clad in blue robes. “I think she’s quite nice.”
The little red bird viciously pecked the side of Gu Shi’s neck, then flew off in a huff.
Chen Ci’s eyes lit up. He had merely been trying his luck, not expecting there to be genuine hope of success.
“Then I’ll immediately arrange for Senior Feng to meet her.”
Gu Shi smiled. “There’s no particular rush.”
Being exceptionally tactful, Chen Ci handed over the antidote for the parasite. “This parasite-clearing pill was just brewed. Swallowing it will force the toxic parasite out of Shen Yunsheng’s body.”
Even though Gu Shi had anticipated it, actually holding it in his hands still brought a surge of excitement, though he kept his expression entirely neutral. “Mhm, you’ve put thought into this.”
Chen Ci always had a pleasant way with words. “Senior Feng’s matters are the Wuxiang Sect’s matters.”
Hurrying off in a rush, Chen Ci departed. Gu Shi immediately brought the antidote pill to Shen Yunsheng. Within the time it took to burn a stick of incense after swallowing it, a black parasite the size of a thumb crawled right out of Shen Yunsheng’s mouth.
With Shen Yunsheng’s parasite cleared, there was no longer any reason for them to stay. Communicating through spiritual awareness, Gu Shi told Shen Yunsheng, You should have a way to get out, right?
Shen Yunsheng countered, And what about you?
Gu Shi had already mapped out a backup route. I’ll tell Chen Ci that we’re heading to the West Continent to establish a dao companion contract. He’s bound to agree. The moment we’re out of the Wuxiang Sect, I have a ten-tenths certainty of escaping.
After pondering it for a moment, Shen Yunsheng said, When you set off for the West Continent, the entire Wuxiang Sect is bound to send you off in a grand procession. I’ll take advantage of the chaos to slip away, and I’ll also have a ten-tenths certainty.
For now, this seemed like the safest approach, and the plan was finalized.
However, man proposes and heaven disposes.
That very evening, Chen Ci returned with a menacing aura, entirely lacking his previous courtesy. Standing ten meters away from the bamboo cabin with Ta Xinghe and Xue Yunzi behind him, he released his pressure to the absolute maximum, causing Shen Yunsheng’s complexion to turn instantly pale.
A bad premonition welled up in Gu Shi’s heart, yet he maintained his composure as he stood in the doorway. “What is the meaning of this?”
Without a word, Chen Ci flicked a painting scroll into the air. As it unrolled, it vividly depicted the scene of Gu Shi undergoing his tribulation, and although it was slightly blurry, Gu Shi’s face was unmistakably clear.
Gu Shi had known all along that the Wuxiang Sect was searching for the person who underwent the tribulation. He had thought they had given up, but he hadn’t accounted for a slip in his meticulous planning; someone had genuinely laid eyes on him.
Chen Ci spoke, his voice carrying an unspeakable, bone-chilling frost: “I spent my whole life hunting eagles, only to be pecked in the eyes by a little sparrow like you.”
Since things had reached this point, his only option was to fight for a breakthrough. Gu Shi shouted a warning to Shen Yunsheng, “Go!”
“Where do you think you’re going?”
A biting, fierce gale suddenly swept forward. Gu Shi met it with all his might, and the mask on his face instantly cracked, revealing his true appearance.