Parting Ways

“What is it you wish to know?”

The hall’s lighting was dim, and the woman sat gracefully in the central grand armchair, her hand lightly propping up her cheek.

“What is the purpose of the Hundred Hunt Gate’s entry into Sanchuan this time? At the very least, I wish to know their ostensible aim,” Gu Bei stated, clasping his hands and lowering his head, his voice deep.

“Their ostensible aim… it’s quite simple: they’ve come to expand,” she said, her vermillion lips, vivid as if painted with fresh blood, parting and closing with a careless air.

Perhaps due to her cultivation method, the Nascent Soul demonic woman before him possessed bright, almost ink-black, blood-red eyes that flickered in the dim light, resembling two ghostly flames.

However, Gu Bei, with his head lowered, naturally could not see them.

Of course, he had no desire to.

Truth be told, he had no wish to get involved in any of this, much less to become entangled with Ning Wanzhuang and Yu Qiuqiao again.

These two female cultivators, of his martial aunt and grand-aunt’s generation, were far more troublesome than his own master.

One was a madwoman who cared for nothing but amusement.

The other was a schemer whose actions always served a purpose.

Moreover, his initial favorability rating had already plummeted from ‘indifferent’ to ‘disgusted’, thanks to Mu Qingsi’s ‘assistance’.

A mere trickle of benefits from these exalted figures was enough to sustain the vermin below for a long time; yet, their malice was also a weight that an ant’s life could not bear.

Ning Wanzhuang was still acceptable; she at least adhered to some martial ethics, and even if she treated him as a pawn, she wouldn’t go so far as to wish him dead.

Yu Qiuqiao, however, was different; the only reason she hadn’t made a move yet was simply because she was savoring the pleasure of toying with her prey.

Gu Bei himself held little value for her in terms of torment or amusement; it was only because he was Mu Qingsi’s sole direct disciple that she afforded him some patience.

Yu Qiuqiao’s patience, however, was finite.

Gu Bei understood this clearly, but the paradoxical truth was that if he failed to satisfy Yu Qiuqiao, the demonic woman would have an excuse to act.

If, however, he were to satisfy Yu Qiuqiao and pique her interest…

‘Being deemed ‘interesting‘ by a madwoman was hardly a good thing.’

“You are very interesting,” Yu Qiuqiao suddenly remarked.

“I am honored by the Immortal Maiden’s (TL Note: A respectful address for a female immortal or cultivator) favor,” Gu Bei replied.

His expression remained impassive, but inwardly, he was already cursing.

“When was the last time Young Master Gu and this humble one met?” Yu Qiuqiao slowly rose, letting her crossed, fair legs fall, her voice gentle, tinged with a hint of nostalgia.

“To answer the Immortal Maiden, it was a month ago (TL Note: ‘Xun Yue’ refers to a period of ten days, but colloquially can mean ‘a short while’ or ‘a month’).”

“Ah, yes, it was indeed just last month,” Yu Qiuqiao mused, a radiant smile gracing her lips as she walked towards Gu Bei. “Getting older certainly makes one prone to forgetting things…”

She circled him slowly, never straying more than a foot  from his person.

The distance between them remained neither far nor near, yet the suffocating sensation in Gu Bei’s chest grew increasingly intense.

“I’ve always been curious,” she began, “with a temperament such as yours… if that woman Mu Qingsi hadn’t been involved, how would you have reacted to the humiliation you suffered during our last encounter?”

“Without my master, I would not be where I am today,” Gu Bei answered with some difficulty. “Had my master not rescued me from the kidnappers back then, I would already be a mound of yellow earth.”

“Is that so…?” Yu Qiuqiao stopped behind Gu Bei, observing him with keen interest. “Are you truly afraid of me?”

“Reverence is akin to fear.”

“Reverence?” Yu Qiuqiao savored the word, then let out a soft chuckle that quickly escalated into a fit of laughter, her body shaking as she clutched her stomach. “Hehehehehehe…”

Gu Bei remained silent.

“Your fear is genuine, as for reverence… perhaps a little, but certainly not much,” Yu Qiuqiao said, the amusement still lingering in her voice. “You are truly very interesting.”

“…” Gu Bei was at a loss for words.

Just as he had always claimed, he was not eloquent, nor was he smooth-tongued or silver-tongued; in moments like these, he simply had no idea what to say.

“This humble one (TL Note: A self-deprecating way for a woman to refer to herself) has yet to find Young Master Gu’s weakness,” she purred, “I hope Young Master Gu continues to strive!”

Gu Bei’s silence did not displease Yu Qiuqiao.

After all, Yu Qiuqiao understood that this silent, pitiful soul, who hadn’t even reached the Foundation Establishment (TL Note: A stage in cultivation) realm, would do anything she asked, provided it didn’t concern his sect.

Without a hint of complaint or a flicker of hesitation.

This was precisely why Gu Bei had still managed to earn Yu Qiuqiao’s leniency last time.

Yu Qiuqiao had exhausted every means to humiliate him, yet he had complied with each one.

Especially the expression on his face as he complied—that mix of humiliation and terror…

It was truly vivid and expressive.

Had Gu Bei not complied so decisively, so readily embracing the wisdom of adapting to circumstances , Yu Qiuqiao might have believed that his true feelings were precisely as they appeared.

What ultimately made it interesting to Yu Qiuqiao was that he seemed to genuinely feel it; in that very moment, Young Master Gu truly experienced humiliation and terror.

“Actually, if you were to show me your true self, I would like you even more.”

Yu Qiuqiao delivered her verdict.

“What does the Immortal Maiden mean?”

“What do I mean?” Yu Qiuqiao suddenly materialized behind him like a ghost, whispering into Gu Bei’s ear, “Why do you refuse to lift your head? Are you afraid I might glimpse something in your eyes?”

“This humble one’s mind is not resolute,” he replied, “I fear that upon witnessing your immortal countenance, I might reveal an unsightly expression that would displease the Immortal Maiden.”

“You always have an excuse…” Yu Qiuqiao suddenly floated before Gu Bei again, yet she only presented him with her graceful, alluring back. “Since Young Master Gu wishes to play this cat-and-mouse game with this humble one, then… I, Qiuqiao, shall play along with Young Master Gu. Only… do not let Qiuqiao catch you.”

“…The Immortal Maiden jested.”

“Do you have any more questions? If not, then begone.” Yu Qiuqiao, still facing away, waved her hand dismissively at Gu Bei with a hint of languor.

Her slender waist, small enough to be encircled by a single hand, and the full, rounded curves enveloped by her long dress, would have been fully visible to Gu Bei with just a slight lift of his head.

But Gu Bei did not.

He remained with his head bowed, though upon hearing her words, he pondered for a moment. “There is indeed one more matter.”

“Speak.”

“May I ask, what exactly did the Immortal Maiden mean by ‘rivers of blood’?”

“Either you turn the entire Sanchuan (TL Note: The name of a place) upside down, causing everyone to lose face, or you make Ning Wanzhuang unable to get out of bed. In any case, you must stir up something.”

“And what does that have to do with Immortal Maiden Ning?”

“It has nothing to do with her, I simply wish to see it happen. Your cultivation is low, your appearance unremarkable; you possess neither outstanding skills nor anything noteworthy to offer, and your background is even less mentionable. For someone like you, if you were to defile Ning Wanzhuang, I imagine everyone in the world would feel as uncomfortable as if they had eaten excrement.”

As Yu Qiuqiao spoke, she grew visibly excited and agitated, her delicate body trembling slightly.

“Both of us are giving you tasks. Ning Wanzhuang gave you a jade token (TL Note: A jade token often serves as a symbol of status, authority, or a means of communication/access). I don’t have much standing in your Immortal Alliance, so I won’t give you a jade token. However, I can give you something else—catch this.” Yu Qiuqiao said, retrieving a small porcelain bottle and placing it in Gu Bei’s hand.

“This is the medicinal powder I once mentioned. If used correctly, it’s not impossible for you to truly have Ning Wanzhuang.”

“Many thanks for the Immortal Maiden’s gift of medicine.” Gu Bei did not answer her question, simply accepting the porcelain bottle and placing it into his robes.

“There should be nothing else, right? If not, then begone.”

“Then this humble one shall take his leave.”

Yu Qiuqiao offered no reply to his words.

However, as Gu Bei, still bowing with clasped hands and head lowered, backed away towards the door, Yu Qiuqiao suddenly spoke.

“Young Master Gu, this medicine—it won’t end up being used on me, Qiuqiao, will it?”

These words caused Gu Bei to nearly trip over his own feet and fall flat on the ground. “Absolutely not!”

“Ha,” the demonic woman chuckled, a smile both wild and playful gracing her face. “If you find an opportunity to lay hands on me, then by all means, do so. If you succeed in having me, I shall consider your mission accomplished.”

Gu Bei’s eyelid twitched, yet for a fleeting moment, an uncontrollable heat surged within him.

‘Madwoman!’

“The Immortal Maiden jested.”

Gu Bei cursed inwardly, ‘This woman didn’t finish her sentence!’

If he were truly to harbor designs on her, success would likely lead to death, while failure would certainly be worse than death.

Amidst her alluring laughter, twisted with madness, Gu Bei departed.

****

After exiting the Hundred Hunt Gate (TL Note: The name of a place or organization), Gu Bei shed the demeanor he had maintained before Yu Qiuqiao.

Yun Qingyi, who had been waiting outside the gate, came forward to meet him.

“Were there any surprises?”

“None,” Gu Bei replied, shaking his head.

“You… truly alright?”

“Truly, I am fine.”

“Yet I observed that you seemed very afraid of that demonic woman just now. Why now…”

“If Immortal Maiden Yu enjoys seeing me in that state, then I shall display it for her. In any case, I am genuinely afraid of her.”

Yun Qingyi seemed not to understand.

“What do you mean?”

However, Gu Bei merely shook his head, offering no explanation. “After this, you should return first. I will handle the subsequent matters alone.”

“What is the meaning of these words?” The Immortal Maiden, whose countenance was already somewhat aloof and stern, now showed an even colder expression.

“It means, Immortal Maiden Yun, you are merely a guest elder (TL Note: A guest elder or ‘keqing’ is an honored advisor or consultant, often a powerful cultivator, hired by a sect for their expertise and protection) of the Minor Sword Sect. How much are you paid per month to risk your life?” Gu Bei joked.

However, Yun Qingyi was not one for jokes. “Gu Buqi (TL Note: An alternate name or nickname for Gu Bei), what do you mean!?”

“If the guest elder were to return to the sect now and inform my master, perhaps I would still have a chance to live. That is what I mean,” Gu Bei rephrased, choosing a more tactful explanation.

How could Yun Qingyi not see that Gu Bei simply wanted her to leave first?

“Cultivation is not easy, Immortal Maiden Yun,” Gu Bei said softly. “Your Golden Core (TL Note: A stage in cultivation) cultivation is already above that of many cultivators; why risk yourself?” He then sighed faintly, continuing with a touch of resignation, “Moreover, your Golden Core cultivation staying here does not offer much help to me. It would be better to let me act alone and unburdened.”

“Does Chief Gu mean that I am dragging you down?”

“Not at all. It’s simply that our approaches to matters differ. If we were to force ourselves to work together, it would instead…”

Gu Bei left his sentence unfinished.

But the unspoken meaning was self-evident.

Yun Qingyi frowned, staring at Gu Bei, before finally closing her eyes and gently turning away.

After taking two steps, she glanced back slightly, stating blandly, “If you truly do not return, then the Minor Sword Sect will no longer have a Guest Elder Yun.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Upon receiving Gu Bei’s reply, Yun Qingyi summoned her Dharma boat (TL Note: A magical vessel used for travel) and departed swiftly, leaving a trail of dust in her wake.