Confinement and Cryptic Clues

“That Chang Hui is truly a villain! If not for my earlier suspicions, born from my grave illness, which led me to set up a formation in this room, then this time, I would surely have…” With these words, “Pei Nishang” collapsed to the ground, sobbing piteously.

He Suosi was actually a little worried. It was already strange enough that Yuan Zhigong hadn’t noticed that “Pei Nishang” was different from before.

If one could explain that by saying Yuan Zhigong was heartless and paid little attention to his harem, then today’s display—”Pei Nishang” setting up a profound and extraordinary formation in her room—was far too suspicious.

Though He Suosi was prostrate on the ground, weeping, his actual expression was a grimace. He wondered how he would answer if Yuan Zhigong questioned him, and if he didn’t, how he would discern the Monarch’s true thoughts.

Yuan Zhigong sighed. He naturally knew there was a backstory to the scene he had just witnessed. While he had initially felt a flicker of displeasure, seeing He Suosi in such a state now left him utterly exasperated.

Yet, a faint irritation still lingered in his heart regarding He Suosi’s intimacy with others. His tone hardened slightly as he spoke. “From what I saw at the end, it didn’t look like you were being forced.”

He Suosi pondered the tone, thinking it sounded less like discovery and more like jealousy. He couldn’t help but muse, ‘It seems even Yuan Zhigong is quite blind when it comes to true love.’

Since he hadn’t been discovered, the matter was easily handled. He Suosi immediately half-rose, his eyes brimming with tears as he gazed at Yuan Zhigong.

He sobbed softly, “How could the Immortal Monarch know the full story? Her cultivation is far superior to mine, yet she usually pretends to be weak to exploit others. It was my momentary lapse in judgment that led to that scene.”

“I thought the Immortal Monarch would surely believe me, but I never imagined…” He trailed off, tears streaming down his face, feigning an inability to speak.

Yuan Zhigong finally couldn’t help but chuckle. As a smile spread across his face, he squatted down and pulled He Suosi into his embrace, obscuring his own expression. Just imagining the look He Suosi would wear if he ever discovered that Yuan Zhigong had known his true identity all along was endlessly amusing.

He stroked He Suosi’s hair, his smile rippling gently like a spring breeze across a lake, from the corners of his eyes to his entire face, making his features even more vibrant and beautiful.

However, his voice was grave as he said, “Since that is the case, I cannot entirely blame you. But I must still punish you.”

He Suosi’s brow twitched, initially because Yuan Zhigong had suddenly embraced him in such an awkward position. He was sitting on the ground while Yuan Zhigong was squatting, so when he was pulled into the embrace, he was uncomfortably close to Yuan Zhigong’s legs.

If someone were to open the door now, they might well assume something untoward was happening. But even as he indulged in these inappropriate fantasies, Yuan Zhigong’s next words made his brow twitch again.

He mumbled, “What does the Immortal Monarch intend to punish me with?”

Yuan Zhigong mused that He Suosi had always been fond of beauties. Having spent these past days surrounded by them, he was likely in his element. The previous ambush by Pei Nishang was already suspicious, and now he had allowed someone into his room.

Though he was in a different body, he had always attracted female cultivators. It was entirely possible he had taken a liking to one of them. What was done before could not be undone, but now was the time to mend the fold before the flock was lost.

So he declared, “I shall punish you with confinement—for three months.”

He Suosi’s heart immediately blossomed with joy. He had long grown weary of the women in Yuan Zhigong’s inner residence. Those he once knew had become strangers, and those he thought were normal had become eccentric. Interacting with them was truly a test of his future inclinations.

To be confined quietly in his room for three months meant he would surely crack the Guangyu Immortal Sect’s grand formation. By then, the sky would be vast and the seas wide, free for him to roam.

Thus, he gave a reluctant “Mm,” his lips, hidden in the shadows, curving into an uncontrollable smile.

Yuan Zhigong did not see He Suosi’s smile. He still felt a touch of concern. “Do you need to notify any of your close friends?” He wanted to know if the current He Suosi had already become entangled with anyone.

He Suosi was baffled. He thought for a moment and couldn’t recall having any “close” concubines. It wasn’t that he disliked interacting with others, but the real Pei Nishang’s social standing had not been good to begin with. In the end, he shook his head.

Yuan Zhigong immediately relaxed and smiled, then, with the intention of teasing him, scooped him up again.

He Suosi let out a surprised “Ah!” His hands instinctively wrapped around Yuan Zhigong’s neck.

Then, belatedly, he realized he had been given a ‘princess carry’ again. He still remembered his first princess carry had been by Pei Nishang; thinking of that truly brought a bitter tear to his eye.

Yuan Zhigong held He Suosi and found that he indeed showed no genuine surprise or shyness—most of it was feigned. While he felt satisfied, he also couldn’t help but feel a little regret.

‘If only this were He Suosi’s original body,’ he thought. There were already some clues regarding the body, and if negotiations went smoothly, he could surely retrieve it.

With that thought, Yuan Zhigong placed He Suosi on the bed and straightened up.

“After this, I will be away from the sect for a period of time.”

He Suosi wanted to scratch his face. He felt he had no reason to be awkward now, so he should consider how best to utilize the time Yuan Zhigong would be away.

Yuan Zhigong said, “Actually, there’s something I’ve wanted to tell you for a while now. It will likely spread throughout the outside world soon: Qianqiu Daojun has gone missing.”

He Suosi’s fingers trembled. Fortunately, his hand was hidden beneath the blanket, preventing anyone from noticing his shock. Still, he was momentarily at a loss for words, tilting his head as he questioned, “Qianqiu Daojun?”

Yuan Zhigong looked at him, confirming, “He Suosi.”

He Suosi’s lips curved into a light smile. “How did he go missing? Wasn’t it said that he was going to compete with the Immortal Monarch at the Cloud Terrace Assembly?”

Yuan Zhigong carefully chose his words. “Though I don’t know the inside story, I will investigate.”

He Suosi was startled. He naturally felt that Yuan Zhigong seeking his original body would not be for a good reason. He said, “What does this have to do with the Immortal Monarch? He’s merely an outsider. Why should we concern ourselves with whether he’s missing or not?”

Yuan Zhigong had been ecstatic when he first learned that Pei Nishang was He Suosi, but later, he couldn’t help but regret that He Suosi wasn’t in his original body. The evasiveness was likely due to the current situation; if He Suosi were in his own body, his reaction would be entirely different.

He reached out to touch He Suosi’s head but ultimately withdrew his hand. “It’s just an investigation. I don’t know what the outcome will be.”

Though He Suosi didn’t want Yuan Zhigong to find his original body, he was indeed very eager to learn about its current situation. He subtly probed with a few questions, but Yuan Zhigong seemed to know no more details. He Suosi could only suppress his urgency and casually steered the conversation away.

However, he couldn’t help but wonder: Why would Yuan Zhigong speak to him about He Suosi?

‘Indeed… it seems he has discovered something.’

By this point, He Suosi’s mind was racing. He casually humored Yuan Zhigong for a few more sentences, and as soon as the other man left, he rolled up his sleeves in his soul space, intent on settling the score with Luo Guanjing.

Through the voice that had turned distinctly male at the end, He Suosi instantly remembered who Chang Hui was.

‘So, it was that brat! Just wait until I find him to settle accounts.’ That person was indeed Luo Guanjing’s disciple, and not only a disciple, but also his nephew. He was not a woman at all, nor did he look like Chang Hui. He was Luo Guanjing’s sister’s son, named Ji Chang.

He still remembered the last time he saw Ji Chang, the boy was small, as beautiful as a figure from a painting. Backed by Venerable Luo, he was exceedingly arrogant, a true tyrant of the Northwest cultivation world. Because he had provoked He Suosi, He Suosi had taught him a few lessons. Later, it was only when Luo Guanjing interceded that he let the boy off.

He never expected that after several centuries, the boy would become a cross-dresser. (He wasn’t, really. Just disguised.)

Luo Guanjing watched He Suosi with a smile. “Oh? On what grounds will you teach him a lesson? Will you tell him it’s because he bullied you when you were Pei Nishang?”

He Suosi let out a “Heh heh” laugh. “Little Jing, I once called you Senior, but now we’re equals. Do you think I can’t find an excuse to teach your nephew a lesson?”

Luo Guanjing seemed shocked by He Suosi’s shamelessness. “Are you going to fabricate a baseless charge?”

He Suosi pouted. He had only said it offhand. Since the other party didn’t know who he was now, how could he possibly expose himself by confronting him? But outwardly, he told Luo Guanjing, “Given his past behavior, do you think I can’t find a reason to teach him a lesson?”

Listening to He Suosi, Luo Guanjing surprisingly didn’t defend his nephew. Instead, he gave He Suosi a peculiar look and said, “You should indeed find it quite easy to find a reason to teach him a lesson.”

He Suosi felt there was some deeper meaning in those words. He eyed Luo Guanjing suspiciously, but seeing him calmly brewing tea, he asked no further questions. He simply snorted twice, a cold laugh that indicated he wouldn’t let the matter rest.

With everything settled, He Suosi was confined, meaning he couldn’t leave his room or see anyone. So, he contentedly stayed indoors every day.

Aside from the first three days, during which he reluctantly handled the piled-up documents in the study under Lan Jun’s tearful gaze and distributed the household tasks for the next few months, he enthusiastically dedicated himself to his research. He hoped to make progress within these three months—ideally, to resolve his predicament and leave immediately.