When they arrived at Fu Zhiyi’s courtyard, the first thing that came flying at them was, “What on earth are you two up to?!”
“Didn’t I already make it very clear just now?” Gu Baiqing said directly. “Second Senior Brother, I know what you want to say, so let’s be frank. I’m the same as Eldest Senior Sister, we both know Xuanli’s identity, and we’re both willing to help Xuanli. Xuanli and I have feelings for each other, so naturally we want to be together. Eldest Senior Sister has agreed to be our witness, and when the time comes, I’d also like to trouble you to help arrange Xuanli’s and my wedding banquet.”
Gu Baiqing spoke naturally, as if discussing ordinary household matters.
This time, Fu Zhiyi truly clutched his heart and collapsed into the chair, looking utterly worn out from worry.
In the end, after looking at the two of them and thinking it over again and again, he finally had no choice but to say helplessly, “I… I can’t manage you anymore anyway. But I’ll say the ugly words up front, I’ll still put the reputation of Zixiao Sect first. As long as Mo Xuanli doesn’t have any problems, everything can be discussed.”
Fu Zhiyi didn’t look at Gu Baiqing, but instead turned his gaze to Mo Xuanli.
Mo Xuanli immediately knelt down and swore, “Second Martial Uncle, I swear I will never fall into demonic ways. I will definitely stay properly by Master’s side, and I will also safeguard the reputation of Zixiao Sect.”
Fu Zhiyi could only wearily wave his hand. “Then… then so be it. But just like Jingcheng said, keep a low profile for me right now! I really can’t spare the energy to handle your gossip anymore.”
Seeing Fu Zhiyi’s face wrinkled with worry like a chrysanthemum, Gu Baiqing could only say, “Rest assured, rest assured.”
Fu Zhiyi trembled as he reached for his tea. Mo Xuanli immediately served him with quick eyes and hands. After Fu Zhiyi drank some tea to calm himself and was just about to speak, he was startled once again by Gu Baiqing.
Gu Baiqing brought up the matter of the traitor.
Fu Zhiyi exclaimed in shock, “A spy from the demon clan transformed from a mixed-blood infiltrated our sect?!”
This time, Fu Zhiyi’s complexion turned very ugly, this counted as his failure in management.
“You suspect it’s not the spies we already captured?” Fu Zhiyi asked.
“Are they still here?” Gu Baiqing asked in return.
Fu Zhiyi said, “They’re here, yes but how can we be sure? Could it be that Xuanli can…”
In fact, Mo Xuanli could currently only sense mixed-bloods. He had previously discussed with Gu Baiqing that it might be related to experience. Aside from the more obvious aura among mixed-bloods, those who had already turned into demon clan members would have much of their aura concealed by demonic qi. So if Mo Xuanli saw more of them, or if he himself completely fell into demonic ways, he might sense some differences. But whether it was the spies hidden within Zixiao Sect or the demon clan members from the forbidden land in the past, he had no particular sensation toward them.
However, there was a method.
“Although I can’t sense it, we can look for one thing.”
“What?”
“Origin bones. Take me to see those spies, just touch them and we’ll know.”
This was the simplest method. Fu Zhiyi nodded, indicating he could make arrangements.
Then, Fu Zhiyi finally raised the key issue and questioned, “So what exactly is going on with that incubus?”
“Regarding that, Second Senior Brother, we need to see the incubus first before we can talk about it. It concerns a friend of ours, so it’s not convenient to explain to outsiders. But we’re not connected to the incubus.”
Hearing that there was no connection, Fu Zhiyi felt slightly relieved. “Alright, when do you want to go see him?”
“Naturally, when there won’t be any outside interference.”
“I’ll arrange it. We’ll handle both matters together then. You two go rest first and wait for my message.”
Since Gu Baiqing and Mo Xuanli were here, they obediently listened to Fu Zhiyi’s instructions, so as not to anger him into any mishap.
After they went out, the ones who came to receive them were still Jingzhan and Xie Qingrong.
It should have been the young attendants who received them, but because they wanted to catch up with Mo Xuanli, they volunteered to come along.
At this moment, even with Gu Baiqing present, they spoke with Mo Xuanli much more naturally, and most of what they discussed was related to the various tasks of this plan.
How many spirit-gathering formations had been broken, what information the infiltrators into the demon clan had sent back, and what battle achievements had appeared on the border harassment battlefields.
Tasks were being carried out everywhere, with successes and failures alike. Overall, the cultivation world had seized the initiative and could be considered to be holding the advantage.
Everyone chatted as they walked, and at last arrived at a quiet courtyard.
Looking around, even Mo Xuanli was somewhat surprised. This courtyard could be said to completely match the style of Luofeng Pavilion: maple trees were planted in the yard, the buildings were mostly made of woven bamboo, and most importantly, although it was not remote, it was far from where people mainly congregated. As a result, the environment was extremely tranquil. At a glance, one could tell that a lot of thought had gone into preparing it.
Mo Xuanli immediately felt a bit sour in his heart and couldn’t help but look toward Gu Baiqing and say, “Master, did you often come stay here in the past?”
How would Gu Baiqing know? He hadn’t been here before, and the original body’s memories were not deep either. But he did hear a hint of Little Mo-dog’s jealousy, and was instantly speechless, had this guy forgotten again that Baili Jingcheng was already married?
Jingzhan, however, rushed to answer first. “This place was carefully arranged by my elder brother. It’s just that after it was finished, senior only came once, stayed for a day, and then left. That made my elder brother extremely depressed, after all, he very much wanted to stay up through the night with senior, talking by candlelight and sparring over dao-hearts, and it never came to pass. But this place hasn’t let anyone else stay since; it’s been kept for senior all along. Oh, right, my elder brother said he’ll come by later to talk with senior.”
Gu Baiqing gave a dry laugh. Said like that, wouldn’t Little Mo-dog be even more jealous?
Xie Qingrong at the side also sensed something. This time, he didn’t remind Jingzhan, and simply watched these two brothers act foolish.
Still, Little Mo-dog’s jealousy was jealousy, but it wasn’t that irrational. At most, his smile was a bit unnatural.
Gu Baiqing smiled and said, “Alright, I know. Xuanli, you accompany your friends and catch up. I’ll take Three Bean and the others inside to pick rooms.”
Mo Xuanli could only nod.
After Gu Baiqing left, Jingzhan immediately excitedly pulled Mo Xuanli to sit down in the courtyard and started chatting. “Brother, amazing, you’re truly amazing. You actually really pulled it off. I said it before, you two were already like that back in Linxun Town, how could it not succeed? I really do have eyes like a torch.”
Mo Xuanli joked around with them for a while, but since the subject was Gu Baiqing, no one dared to say too much. Before long, the two of them wanted to join forces to challenge Mo Xuanli at the Soul Transformation stage.
So the three of them started fighting in a small area in the air.
Although none of the three went all out, in the end Mo Xuanli still used the eighteen-nail form of God Nine Transformations to completely suppress the other two.
When those eighteen nails appeared, the intimidation was such that Jingzhan, who had seen it before in Taixu Hall, immediately raised his hands in surrender.
Xie Qingrong was also startled by this transformation and admired it immensely.
Suddenly, a woman’s startled cry came from the courtyard entrance.
As soon as he heard the voice, Jingzhan’s expression changed instantly, and he flew straight toward the courtyard gate.
He saw a woman with a protruding pregnant belly who seemed to have been frightened by the scene here. She lost her footing for a moment, leaned against the wall, and squatted down.
After seeing clearly, Xie Qingrong immediately grew tense as well. “Not good, it’s Jingzhan’s sister-in-law.”
Sister-in-law? Baili Jingcheng’s wife?
Mo Xuanli hurried over as well. “I understand medical dao, let me take a look.”
Just as he was about to reach out, the woman awkwardly waved her hand and said, “It’s fine, it’s fine. I was just startled and my legs went weak, I didn’t bump into anything at all. It’s just that my body is heavy now, so it’s not easy to stand up. Jingzhan helping me up will be enough.”
“Really? Sister-in-law, you’re about to give birth, you can’t be careless. Let my brother take a look.” Jingzhan said nervously.
The woman seemed to be amused. “There’s really no need. And you brat, have you forgotten that I’m also a medical cultivator? Honestly…”
Though it sounded like scolding, her tone was extremely gentle.
Jingzhan and Xie Qingrong helped her sit down in the courtyard. At this moment, Gu Baiqing also heard the commotion and walked out. As soon as he did, he saw a pregnant madam sitting in the courtyard.
The woman looked extremely beautiful, a smile at the corners of her lips, her demeanor gentle, a set of dark-colored robes fully displaying her softness.
Although Gu Baiqing had absolutely no recollection of such a person in his memories, seeing Jingzhan hovering so close by, along with the rumors he had heard, he instantly understood her identity.
“Young Madam Baili?” Baili Jingcheng’s wife, Pei Dai.
Gu Baiqing stepped forward and asked, “What happened?”
“Immortal Venerable Luofeng, you still remember me? My husband said you can’t remember people, I thought that if I met you, I’d have to introduce myself.” Pei Dai said with a gentle laugh, her expression very friendly.
Mo Xuanli quickly explained what had just happened.
Gu Baiqing immediately frowned. “We should still notify Jingcheng.”
Jingzhan said, “Someone’s already been sent.”
“I’m really sorry, it’s all my fault. I was momentarily curious about why there was suddenly some movement in the neighboring courtyard, so I came over to take a look. I didn’t expect that I’d end up being clumsy and causing trouble for everyone instead. But… Immortal Venerable Luofeng’s disciple really is as outstanding as the rumors say. Second Brother and Qingrong joining forces still weren’t a match, I was completely stunned watching.”
Seeing sister-in-law look toward him, Mo Xuanli immediately put on a shy, modest demeanor. He also felt that the sister-in-law before him was very pleasant, someone who inspired immediate goodwill.
“Sister-in-law, if you’re praising Xuanli then just praise Xuanli, don’t mention the two of us. It’s not like we didn’t try; it’s just that this guy is too abnormal.” Jingzhan hurriedly said. “Right, Qingrong?”
“I tried. As for whether you did, I’m not too sure.” Xie Qingrong absolutely loved tearing down his brother in front of people he was close to.
“Do you live next door?” Gu Baiqing asked.
“Yes.” Pei Dai said with a smile.
“It’s because after my sister-in-law became pregnant, her health hasn’t been very good. It’s quiet here, so she moved here to nurture the pregnancy.” Jingzhan said awkwardly. “It’s all my fault, I got excited just now and completely forgot.”
As they were speaking, Jingcheng arrived at nearly the fastest possible speed. As soon as he arrived, he rushed to Pei Dai’s side and anxiously asked how her condition was.
“Don’t worry, the child is fine.”
“I’m asking about you. Are you alright? Forget it, I won’t ask you. I’ll find someone else to examine you.”
“I am a medical cultivator.” Although Pei Dai argued, her gaze was gentle like water, filled to the brim with affection.
“But you often don’t tell the truth about your own body, so I dare not trust you.”
Within those words, one could feel the tenderness shown by a husband who deeply loved his wife. It also let Gu Baiqing see another side of Jingcheng, truly a loving family.
Jingzhan quickly apologized and explained the course of events. Xie Qingrong and Mo Xuanli naturally followed along in apologizing as well.
Mo Xuanli even proposed that he could take a look himself.
How could Pei Dai feel comfortable troubling an unfamiliar man to examine her physical condition? She hurriedly refused, and Jingcheng could only have a young attendant go invite a female elder from their sect who was a medical cultivator.
Naturally, Jingcheng did not blame the other two, since they hadn’t known. But as for Jingzhan, Jingcheng had to scold him a bit.
However, before Jingcheng could speak, Pei Dai spoke up. “It was my own carelessness, how can you blame Second Brother? Second Brother warmly receiving guests, where’s the fault in that? If you scold him, you’re being unreasonable.”
Don’t be fooled by how Pei Dai said this gently, almost like coquettishness, the power of it was anything but ordinary.
Originally, Jingcheng loved to manage his younger brother, and in a situation like this he definitely would have scolded him. But after Pei Dai said this, Jingcheng had to consider whether it was appropriate, and in the end could only say, “Be more careful next time.”
Jingzhan immediately put on a cheeky grin and coquettishly said to his sister-in-law, “As expected, sister-in-law dotes on me the most.”
Pei Dai smiled indulgently.
At this moment, Gu Baiqing proposed, “Jingcheng, since sister-in-law is nurturing her pregnancy here, Xuanli and I should move elsewhere. We didn’t need to stay many days anyway, this way, we won’t be going in and out here and disturbing sister-in-law’s rest.”
Pei Dai immediately widened her eyes, indicating that she was fine and that the guests didn’t need to move away.
Jingcheng, however, smiled as he spoke. “Actually, letting you stay here comes from a bit of selfish intent on my part.”
Both Gu Baiqing and Mo Xuanli were taken aback.
“After my wife became pregnant, her health has never been very good. No matter what spirit pills she eats, she can’t recuperate well. It’s rumored that dragon breath can stabilize a pregnancy, so if you stay here, bringing a true dragon along, the surrounding environment will be shrouded in dragon breath, which will benefit my wife.” Jingcheng explained.
After hearing this, Gu Baiqing’s first reaction was relief that Three Bean and Ao Heng had been left in the room.
Mo Xuanli coughed lightly and said, “While we’re here, we’ll have Ao Heng stay in this courtyard the whole time. But it would be best not to let him know about this matter.”
Jingzhan wanted to laugh, but felt it would be impolite, so he could only pat Mo Xuanli on the shoulder and say, “Many thanks, brother.”
After that, Jingcheng first escorted his wife back to rest. Seeing that it was getting late, Jingzhan and Xie Qingrong knew that there would surely still be matters for their sect to handle, so they left first, planning to come find Mo Xuanli again the next day.
Gu Baiqing led Mo Xuanli into the room. During the earlier fight, his hair crown had become somewhat disheveled, so Gu Baiqing had Mo Xuanli sit down while he helped tidy it. After entering the room, Mo Xuanli understood even more clearly Jingcheng’s attentiveness.
“Elder Brother Baili seems to know Master’s preferences very well.” Mo Xuanli couldn’t help but say as he looked at the furnishings around them.
Gu Baiqing knocked Mo Xuanli on the head. “Still feeling sour? That couple is so loving, the child is about to be born, what are you even thinking?”
Seeing his little thoughts exposed, Mo Xuanli immediately felt a bit awkward.
“I’m not feeling sour.”
“And this is what you call not?” Gu Baiqing ran his hand along Mo Xuanli’s jet-black long hair, leaned in close and pretended to sniff, saying, “I can already smell the sourness.”
Mo Xuanli’s ears reddened slightly as he said, “I’m just… just envious.”
“Envious of what?” Gu Baiqing didn’t quite understand.
“Envious that he was able to meet you so early, become friends with you, go on adventures with you; envious that you had so many years of time and memories together. Back then, I wasn’t there.”
“Huh? I get it, you hate that I’m old now.”
Mo Xuanli was immediately thrown into a panic by Gu Baiqing’s joking words. He hurriedly turned around and hugged Gu Baiqing from behind. “You clearly know that’s not what I mean.”
Gu Baiqing lowered his head to look at the coquettish Mo Xuanli, amused as he patted his head. “Then what is it?”
“I… I’m just jealous. I want the one who’s always by your side to be me. I want…”
Gu Baiqing wrapped his arms around Mo Xuanli, feeling a bit helpless. In the past it wasn’t him either, ever since he truly came to this world, the two of them had been together.
“Don’t think about it. From now into the future, you’ll always be by my side and completely have me. Isn’t that enough? Aren’t you being a bit too greedy?”
“I am greedy.” Little Mo-dog said unhappily. Not only did he want to possess every moment of his future, he was also greedily wanting to possess even his past.
Gu Baiqing’s past life didn’t have him in it, and he was very unwilling to accept that.
Gu Baiqing was truly amused by this little thing. Just as he was about to speak, there came a knock at the door, it was Jingcheng returning to speak with Gu Baiqing about something.
Gu Baiqing turned to go open the door, but was suddenly pulled into Mo Xuanli’s arms and fiercely kissed.
Gu Baiqing was stunned for a moment, then amused as he soothed Mo Xuanli until Little Mo-dog was satisfied and let him go. Gu Baiqing indulgently rubbed their noses together and said, “All better now? Don’t keep the guest waiting.”
Only then did Mo Xuanli respond hoarsely with an “Mm.”
Can’t wait until next week to see more? Want to show your support? Come to my Patreon where you can get the remaining chapters of After Becoming a High-Risk Master, I Flipped the Script right away ! Or go donate at Paypal or Ko-fi to show your appreciation! :)
