The quick-witted Gu Baiqing thought: for the sake of his disciple’s mental and emotional health, it was fine not to appear before him. But for the sake of his own life, he still had to keep up with the mission progress.
Besides, the plot was already completely off-track, how could he possibly rest easy? Even the original author, Half-Step Mad, was running himself ragged trying to keep up. How could he, his so-called ally, just sit at home doing nothing?
Fu Zhiyi narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at Gu Baiqing, with an expression that said, “I still don’t understand you,” which made Gu Baiqing feel guilty.
“Anyway, my spiritual energy is unstable, so it’s useless to stay. Just pretend I’m here,” Gu Baiqing argued.
Fu Zhiyi shot back, using a past incident to tease him, “I see your spiritual energy is pretty stable when it needs to be. I say no, so it’s no. Junior Brother, I know you worry about your disciple, but this isn’t a game. The Immortal-Demon War could break out anytime. Chu Fei has already gone to the border. My combat strength is limited, and Third Junior Sister only knows medicine. How can you leave without staying behind to guard? Think about it: if you disappear, the demon realm might think it’s an opportunity to strike again, maybe even kidnap people again. Besides, your disciple is acting with Li Xiuran and there’s a true dragon with them, what are you still worried about?”
Fu Zhiyi’s earnest words, pressing on duty and righteousness, left Gu Baiqing speechless, as if his leaving would be abandoning the bigger picture. Having no more arguments, Gu Baiqing could only return dejectedly.
When he got back to the courtyard, Mo Xuanli hadn’t returned yet, he had gone with Li Xiuran to discuss tomorrow’s departure.
Gu Baiqing discussed with the system, trying to get early information about the next tasks, but since the timing wasn’t right, no missions were triggered. He sighed, propping his head on his hand, when suddenly a figure flew in.
Such urgency was rare. Looking closely, it was the visibly angry Ji Chuling.
“Big Brother Gu!” Ji Chuling hurried up to Gu Baiqing, tears brimming at the corners of her eyes.
Gu Baiqing was surprised. “What’s wrong?”
Ji Chuling sat down angrily and asked anxiously, “You’re not going with Mo Xuanli, are you?”
Gu Baiqing didn’t understand what she was getting at but nodded, looking at her puzzled.
Ji Chuling, both angry and wronged, said, “Really? Ah, why aren’t you going too? Leaving just the two of them alone is too dangerous. I thought you would definitely go with Mo Xuanli.”
Gu Baiqing was confused. “What do you mean?”
“I… I want to go with Li Xiuran to find the God-Slaying Sword fragments. My grandfather agreed, but Li Xiuran refused, saying it’s his and Mo Xuanli’s mission, so bringing me is inconvenient. What’s inconvenient about that? I know Mo Xuanli, and I’m not weak. How could I be a burden? I argued with Li Xiuran, but he said Mo Xuanli is going alone too, so he has to set an example and not bring others. Others! He even called me ‘others’! But I clearly am—”
Here Ji Chuling couldn’t finish. She pounded the stone table angrily, almost cracking it.
Then, looking at Gu Baiqing with a hint of grievance, she said, “If you really won’t go, then go with me. If you just say the word, Li Xiuran won’t dare refuse.”
Gu Baiqing also found it strange why Li Xiuran didn’t want Ji Chuling along, especially since she’s the female lead and they were supposed to be together. Plus, the Hidden Gods Clan’s techniques were often quite useful.
Suddenly, Gu Baiqing thought maybe it was better if Ji Chuling didn’t go. After all, on the journey, Mo Xuanli might face unknown dangers. If he fell into demonic influence again during his advancement, others might not notice in time. But as a member of the Hidden Gods Clan, Ji Chuling would be dangerous; if she discovered Mo Xuanli was a hybrid, it would be trouble.
Gu Baiqing could only refuse, “I have to stay behind to guard. I won’t be traveling with them. Maybe Li Xiuran is worried about you. Aren’t you an important little goddess of your Hidden Gods Clan?”
Ji Chuling became even more discouraged. “I am worried about him! The demons have been watching him, wanting to kill him. The God-Slaying Sword’s intent is on him, and now there’s a fragment embedded in his sword. What a big target! Though my grandfather helps with disguises, it’s still very dangerous.”
Gu Baiqing thought to himself that as the protagonist, no danger was too great, there’d always be a way. Besides, Half-Step Mad was keeping watch. But he understood Ji Chuling’s worries and could only be a sympathetic older brother listening to her complaints.
Suddenly, Ji Chuling asked, “By the way, did you and your disciple have a fight?”
Gu Baiqing was taken aback. “No, who said that?”
“But… I saw Mo Xuanli seemed unhappy. They’ve finished discussing matters, and Jingzhan, Si Chun, and others are drinking together to say goodbye tomorrow,” Ji Chuling said. “Actually, many times lately, Jingzhan tried to gather everyone for a drinking party, but Mo Xuanli never joined, he always comes back to be with you. It’s weird that today, after finishing official business, he didn’t leave.”
Gu Baiqing felt awkward. “You said it yourself, they’re parting tomorrow, so of course they want to make the most of their time.”
Ji Chuling argued, “But he’s clearly drinking alone, brooding.”
Gu Baiqing was momentarily speechless and felt a little upset. It was Mo Xuanli himself who refused to go with him.
Not handling feelings and serious matters calmly only meant he wasn’t mature enough. How could normal master-disciple interaction be a problem? Even if the disciple desired him, it didn’t bother Gu Baiqing.
He internally grumbled but couldn’t help worrying about Mo Xuanli’s situation. So young, having suffered a strange, mistaken heartbreak, it must have hurt.
Afterward, Ji Chuling kept complaining about Li Xiuran, and Gu Baiqing half-heartedly replied. Ji Chuling talked nonstop, and Gu Baiqing wondered when he had become her male best friend.
Not long after, two drunken men stumbled into the courtyard.
They were Mo Xuanli and Li Xiuran, who had come to find them.
Ji Chuling frowned at Li Xiuran. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m here to stop you from bothering Senior any further,” Li Xiuran said helplessly, reaching out. “Come on, I’ll take you back.”
Ji Chuling immediately flew into a rage, jumping up. “You… Li Xiuran, you’re heartless! You don’t care about me at all!” She stormed out angrily. Li Xiuran could only awkwardly salute Gu Baiqing, then hurry after her.
Gu Baiqing shook his head helplessly, then heard Mo Xuanli ask, “She’s been here all along, pestering you?”
Gu Baiqing did not notice Mo Xuanli’s expression. He stood up, preparing to head back. “Yes, when you said you wouldn’t take her along, she wanted to follow Li Xiuran.”
“I didn’t object. It was Li Xiuran who wouldn’t allow it,” Mo Xuanli said.
Gu Baiqing thought that made sense and casually asked, “Have you said goodbye to all your friends?”
Mo Xuanli followed behind and gave a soft response. Probably because the distance had closed, Gu Baiqing could smell a trace of alcohol carried on the evening breeze.
“You have drunk too much. Go back and rest,” Gu Baiqing said.
But Mo Xuanli still stepped inside. As soon as he entered, he knelt before Gu Baiqing and performed a formal salute. “This disciple will leave early tomorrow morning. The hour will be too early to disturb Master, so I am taking my leave in advance. Does Master have anything to instruct me?”
Gu Baiqing’s heart skipped a beat. He took a deep breath, then turned to look at Mo Xuanli and told him to get up before speaking.
“You’ve always been meticulous and sensible. You know better than I do what preparations to make. I have nothing in particular to instruct. When you’re out there, just pay attention to safety. As long as the person is unharmed, even if some things fail, they can be made up for later. So don’t force things when trouble arises,” Gu Baiqing advised slowly.
“This disciple will heed your teachings,” Mo Xuanli replied with a bow. Every movement was impeccably proper. If Ji Chuling hadn’t said it, Gu Baiqing truly would never have imagined that not long ago, he had been drinking alone to drown his sorrows.
Gu Baiqing had nothing more to admonish him about, and instead began asking about their destination.
“Didn’t you previously point out a direction for Qian Yue? Are you planning to head east?” Gu Baiqing asked.
Mo Xuanli explained, “What Li Xiuran sensed is to the west, so we’ll go west first to look around. Qian Yue is already over in the east, so it won’t be delayed. We’ll be proceeding on two fronts.”
In the plot Gu Baiqing had seen, there was no explanation of where the remaining fragments were, so he couldn’t provide any useful information.
After hearing this, he simply nodded.
Mo Xuanli cast Gu Baiqing a look whose meaning was unclear, then asked, “What about Master? Will you stay here, or return to Zixiao Sect?”
Gu Baiqing thought for a moment and said, “Judging by what your Second Martial Uncle means, he should have me return to Zixiao Sect.”
Mo Xuanli said, “I will regularly send messages back to the sect to report that we are safe.”
Gu Baiqing nodded, and once again there was a stretch of silent stillness. In truth, Gu Baiqing wasn’t very good at these kinds of farewell scenes either. It was rather awkward.
“By the way, Ao Hang and Three Bean…”
Mo Xuanli was just about to say something when Gu Baiqing interrupted him. “Let them both go with you.”
“Master, I think it would be better to have them stay by your side,” Mo Xuanli objected.
But Gu Baiqing said, “There’s no use in them staying with me. After all, your mission is very dangerous. With Ao Hang there, the combat strength is completely different. If you don’t take them along, then I’ll have no choice but to follow you.”
At this point, Gu Baiqing looked at Mo Xuanli and said, “Do you want me to go with you, or do you want Ao Hang and Three Bean to go with you?”
When Gu Baiqing put it that way, Mo Xuanli was indeed left speechless. In the end, he could only lower his gaze gloomily and say slowly, “This disciple is worried…”
“At present, there probably isn’t any demon race member with a death wish who would dare provoke me directly, not to mention that I’ll be within Zixiao Sect. I’m safer than you,” Gu Baiqing said, and couldn’t be bothered to say more. “Alright, it’s settled then. Go back and rest.”
Mo Xuanli drew in a breath several times. In the end, he could only look deeply at Gu Baiqing. That look was gentle and lingering, full of reluctance to part, and it made Gu Baiqing’s heart panic. Then he turned and left.
After hearing the news, Three Bean ran over before going to sleep, red-eyed as he questioned Gu Baiqing about why he wouldn’t keep him.
Gu Baiqing was also helpless. Did he think this was something he could decide just by wanting to? Ao Hang would definitely value romance over friendship and directly ignore Mo Xuanli, so Three Bean had to be taken along.
Gu Baiqing comforted Three Bean for a while, and Three Bean finally agreed. Then that night, no matter what, he insisted on sleeping together with Gu Baiqing.
Seeing that Three Bean was on the verge of tears, Ao Hang couldn’t bear to drag him away, so he could only go off resentfully to find Mo Xuanli.
That night, Gu Baiqing gently stroked Three Bean’s fluffy body. Even after Three Bean was sleeping sprawled out on his back, Gu Baiqing still had no sleepiness at all. He hadn’t yet figured out what he should do next.
As he was thinking, there was suddenly the sound of a door opening in the pitch-black room.
Gu Baiqing raised his brows, thinking it was Ao Hang who had finally lost patience and come to find Three Bean.
Just as he was about to say something, he felt the newcomer lift the bed curtain, bringing with it a wave of alcoholic scent.
Gu Baiqing instantly understood that the person who had come was Mo Xuanli.
Gu Baiqing was already lying on his side, with his back to the outside. At this moment, he couldn’t see Mo Xuanli clearly, nor did he know what he intended to do.
But the next second, the bedding shifted, and someone slipped directly into the quilt, hugging him from behind.
Gu Baiqing was startled. Mo Xuanli had some nerve, daring to sneak in at night and crawl into his bed. It seemed he had really been too indulgent with him on ordinary days, letting him become increasingly lacking in propriety.
Gu Baiqing didn’t immediately strike out, nor did he pretend to be asleep to spare him some face. He directly said coldly, “Get down.”
Mo Xuanli didn’t seem surprised that he was still awake. Or rather, he knew he might wake Gu Baiqing, but he no longer cared. He was tormented by the pain of parting that had already plunged him into longing before it had even begun, leaving him unable to sleep all night. Under the push of drunkenness, he could no longer suppress the surging impulses in his heart, and so he came here.
Thus, the moment he heard Gu Baiqing speak, he did not retreat but instead advanced. What had originally been only a loose, tentative embrace tightened at once, as he held the man firmly, fiercely inhaling the cool plum fragrance from his body, as if wanting to lock that scent forever inside himself.
“Mo Xuanli! Do you know what you’re doing?” Gu Baiqing was suddenly pulled tightly into an embrace and immediately flew into a rage from embarrassment.
“Master, I’m leaving tomorrow. Once I go, I don’t know how long it will be. One year… two years… or even longer. This disciple only wants to properly say goodbye to Master,” Mo Xuanli’s voice was low and hoarse, thick with drunkenness, his words slurred. He had truly drunk quite a lot. The current Mo Xuanli still did not have the ability to remain sober after a thousand cups.
“This is how you say goodbye? Let go!” Gu Baiqing would not soften so easily. A normal hug in farewell during the day would have been one thing, but this was the dead of night, with only the two of them, lying in bed, heavy with alcohol. He himself was wearing only a thin inner robe, and Mo Xuanli… seemed to have come directly after getting out of his own bed as well, his clothes likewise consisting of only a single layer.
No matter how you thought about it, this was bizarre. Although he could understand that Mo Xuanli had yet to fully break free from his turbulent emotions, that didn’t mean he needed to make sacrifices for it.
“It’s just a farewell, and incidentally to replenish some spiritual energy for Master,” Mo Xuanli barely managed to find an excuse.
“Don’t force me to make a move. Get down!”
“Master, I’m drunk.” Mo Xuanli’s tone softened a little more.
Did he actually think that would make him relent? Gu Baiqing raised one hand, arcs of electricity flickering at his fingertips.
Yet the little drunk pup behind him looked utterly fearless, tightening his hold even more, almost completely molding himself to the curve of Gu Baiqing’s body from behind.
Especially that spot. Although there was nothing indecent happening, being pressed like this still produced a very obvious sensation.
Gu Baiqing’s expression darkened instantly. A small bolt of lightning delivered a brief lesson. Mo Xuanli let out a muffled groan, yet still refused to let go.
“Master, please, don’t drive this disciple away. Just this once, the last time. This disciple only wants to stay with you for a bit. I can’t bear to part with you… I really can’t bear it. But this disciple… has to leave, to go alone, Master…” As if suppressing pain, even his voice and breathing took on a broken quality, as though every breath carried a sob.
Gu Baiqing had already regretted striking him the moment he did. After all, he was still basically a child, drunk and muddled in the middle of the night, losing control for a moment. It would have been enough to talk it through properly. But now this little drunk pup was clinging to him so tightly that Gu Baiqing’s heart wavered between softening and not. Suddenly, a blur of fur appeared before his eyes. By the moonlight, Gu Baiqing saw that Three Bean had woken up, pitifully pressing both paws onto his hand, looking as if he were begging him not to chase Mo Xuanli away.
This… really was siding with the outsider.
In the end, under the combined efforts of this one person and one cat, the stern Master’s heart softened.
Gu Baiqing neither spoke nor moved, simply pretending he was sound asleep and knew nothing at all. Three Bean instantly perked up and bounced away, looking very much like he was making space for them.
![After Exile, I Married the Amnesiac General [Rebirth]](https://i1.wp.com/lazygirltranslations.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/20240810023906_300_420.jpg?resize=151,215 "After Exile, I Married the Amnesiac General [Rebirth]")
