Chapter 30: Does the too ashamed to show his face, esteemed Sage have a four-year-old illegitimate child?…
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Shen Gurong desperately ran after him with his short legs, shouting until his throat was hoarse, but could only watch helplessly as Xi Guxing disappeared around a distant corner.
A gust of alternating cold and warm wind blew, leaving Shen Gurong bewildered as he looked around.
Where am I? How do I get back?
Unlike in Huitang City, where his older brother would always come to find him when he got lost, Shen Gurong stood in place for half a day, shivering from the unpredictable cold and heat of the wind, cursing under his breath as he tried to figure out the way.
This place should be where Baishang Mountain and Changying Mountain meet. The wind alternated between cold and warm, and Shen Gurong tightened his small coat around himself, unable to suppress a sneeze.
As Shen Gurong cursed Xi Guxing and picked up a few small stones, he adopted a cunning plan. At every fork in the road, he turned his back to it and threw a stone backward. He then followed the direction where the stone landed.
This method had never failed him before, so this time he decided to stick to it. Where the stone landed, he didn’t go.
Finally, he successfully got lost in unfamiliar mountains.
Shen Gurong: “…”
Shen Gurong sat on a rock, gasping for breath, unable to curse anymore.
After resting for a while, he looked down at his chubby hands. Despite his efforts, he couldn’t muster even a trace of spiritual energy from the meridians.
After trying for a while, Shen Gurong finally gave up.
The alternating cold and warm wind made Shen Gurong’s cheeks flush. In this place where he hadn’t seen a soul for half a day, even if he waited for hours, he probably wouldn’t encounter anyone. Shen Gurong had no choice but to continue picking up small stones, hoping to stumble upon something useful.
Half a day later, after tossing all the small stones in his hand and still not encountering anyone, Shen Gurong accidentally stumbled upon a waterfall.
Seeing the white silk-like waterfall, Shen Gurong thought, “This is bad.”
He had never seen such a large waterfall around Baishang Mountain and Changying Mountain. Just how lost was he?
Shen Gurong was on the verge of collapse. He stomped his feet in frustration for a while before reluctantly continuing to search for a way out.
Even though he was angry, he couldn’t afford to leave himself stranded here.
Shen Gurong followed the waterfall in a circle and eventually arrived at the edge of a quiet pool, where the path seemed to come to an end.
Next to the quiet pool stood a huge stone stele inscribed with elaborately carved characters, covered at its base with thick moss, indicating its age.
The sound of the waterfall cascading into the quiet pool masked all other noises. Shen Gurong couldn’t hear the sound that seemed like a beast’s heavy breathing. He stepped back while tilting his head up to read the characters on the stele.
“Yu… Feng, Fengyu…” Shen Guran stepped back a few paces, finally catching sight of the words on the stone monument.
“Fengyu Deep Pool.’”
Shen Gurong tilted his head, pondering these words for a moment, when suddenly, he recalled Xi Guxing’s words.
Could Shen Fengxue’s Fifth Senior Brother, Chao Jiuxiao, be in seclusion somewhere called “Fengyu Pool”?
After figuring this out, Shen Gurong shuddered all over. Just as he was about to take a step, he suddenly felt something under his foot, tripping him and causing him to stumble and fall.
Shen Gurong let out a “pfft” sound, lying face down on the ground with his eyes closed, sliding a few inches and almost hitting his head.
Struggling to get up, he glanced back and suddenly everything went black.
What tripped him seemed to be the tip of a giant beast’s tail.
Shen Gurong: “…”
Shen Gurong remembered his Fifth Senior Brother’s demonic form—a dragon—and shuddered again.
Heart pounding, unsure if he was just overwhelmed by fear, despite knowing there might be a huge dragon curled up nearby, Shen Gurong couldn’t suppress his curiosity about the unknown. Fearful yet unable to resist, he cautiously followed the tip of the tail.
The tail descended from behind the stele, leading to the enormous body hanging over the Fengyu Pool. Eventually, it stretched across the tranquil pool, with the dragon’s head resting on a moss-covered boulder, eyes closed in slumber.
Having slept for too long, moss had begun to grow faintly on its body, blending in with the boulder so well that it was hard to distinguish the dragon at a glance.
Shen Gurong, excited and fearful, exclaimed inwardly, “Ahhhhhh, a dragon! A real dragon exists!”
His teacher, who taught him calligraphy, often recited tales of strange phenomena in his spare time. Young Gurong would lie on his lap, tilting his head curiously, asking, “Are those mythical beasts real?”
The teacher would smile, fingers skimming over yellowed pages of a book, “They’re just legends.”
Shen Gurong’s legs felt weak, perhaps from fear or excitement.
The thunderous roar of the waterfall masked even the dragon’s sleeping breaths. Shen Gurong instinctively held his breath, afraid of waking the dragon.
Slowly backing away, careful not to disturb the dragon’s tail, Shen Gurong turned to leave, but suddenly froze when he saw Chao Jiuxiao, who had been asleep, open his eyes.
The dragon’s eyes were larger than Shen Gurong’s head. Its icy vertical pupils snapped to Shen Gurong, exuding dominance and ferocity.
Shen Gurong: “…”
Shen Gurong bolted.
It felt like a malevolent spirit was chasing him. Shen Gurong had never known his short legs could carry him so fast. He didn’t dare look back to see if Chao Jiuxiao was chasing him.
After what felt like an eternity of running, nearly out of breath, Shen Gurong nearly collided with someone.
He plopped down on the ground, eyes wide with fear and shock, staring at the person he had bumped into.
Fortunately, Chao Jiuxiao didn’t catch up. The person Shen Gurong ran into was Mu Zhe, just returning from the distant peak.
Mu Zhe’s paper-wrapped powdered sugar spilled onto the ground as he was bumped into, barely managing to step back without falling. He stared in astonishment at Shen Gurong, who had fallen, and after a moment’s pause, hurried over.
He was about to help Shen Gurong up when suddenly, his little master seemed startled and leaped towards him.
Shen Gurong, as if seeing a savior, rushed into Mu Zhe’s arms. He stood on tiptoes, clutching Mu Zhe’s neck tightly, refusing to let go, his breaths interspersed with sobs.
“Mu… Mu Mu… wuuu…”
Mu Zhe: “…”
Mu Zhe took a half step back from the impact, feeling Shen Gurong’s body trembling slightly. After a moment of hesitation, he gently embraced him, patting his back lightly and softly saying, “It’s okay now, don’t be afraid.”
Shen Gurong had embarrassed himself in front of Mu Zhe many times before, and now, thoroughly scared, he no longer cared about hiding anything.
He held onto Mu Zhe tightly, breathing heavily, his words muffled but still audible, “That… big… wuuu, I saw… saw it!”
Mu Zhe: “…”
Mu Zhe tried to use his spiritual power but couldn’t read Shen Gurong’s inner thoughts at all.
It seemed he was genuinely scared.
Shen Gurong clung to Mu Zhe’s neck, wanting to press himself completely against Mu Zhe. Mu Zhe found it hard to breathe and had to pat Shen Gurong’s back to calm him down.
Shen Gurong continued, “He… Senior Brother, he abandoned me…”
Mu Zhe tried to understand his master’s words, “You’re saying Sect Leader left you halfway?”
Shen Gurong: “Wuuu, couldn’t find… saw a dragon…”
Mu Zhe: “You couldn’t find the way, and you encountered a dragon halfway?”
Shen Gurong: “Dragon… ahhh!”
Mu Zhe: “A dragon?”
Shen Gurong nodded.
Mu Zhe finally understood. Seeing Shen Gurong clinging to him without letting go, his heart softened into a puddle. He tentatively lifted his hand and gently patted Shen Gurong’s head. Shen Gurong murmured softly and nuzzled into his neck.
Mu Zhe: “…”
With newfound courage, Mu Zhe continued to stroke Shen Gurong’s back gently, comforting him in a soft voice, “You must have stumbled into the Fengyu Pool. Fifth Martial Uncle is in seclusion there.”
Shen Gurong’s eyes were red, his tiptoes aching. He slowly loosened his grip around Mu Zhe’s neck and whispered, “Will he chase after me?”
Shen Gurong’s whole demeanor, even his breath, carried a sweet fragrance that even Mu Zhe couldn’t resist. His heart softened as if tickled lightly.
“He won’t chase after you.” Mu Zhe reached up to adjust Shen Gurong’s loose ice silk. Softly, he said, “Let’s go back to Fanjiang Residence together.”
Shen Gurong, still shaken, was comforted by Mu Zhe’s words several times before regaining his senses.
As he came to his senses, he noticed the embarrassing sight of himself clinging tightly to Mu Zhe, feeling immediately ashamed.
If there were a crack in the ground in front of him, he would have dived into it.
Shen Gurong’s ears turned red. Slowly, he released his hands from around Mu Zhe’s neck and stammered, “I… I…”
He struggled “I” for half a day, feeling too embarrassed to continue.
Mu Zhe suppressed his amusement and picked up the powdered sugar from the ground, forming a piece with a hint of milk, placing it in front of Shen Gurong.
Shen Gurong, feeling utterly embarrassed, caught a faint whiff of milk and looked up blankly at Mu Zhe.
Mu Zhe explained, “This was given to us by Senior Brother Li Suo. It’s very sweet.”
Shen Gurong paused for a moment, then took a hesitant step forward.
Because he had fallen many times, both of his little hands were covered in mud. He didn’t want to touch the sugar even when he wanted to eat it. He had no choice but to move forward and directly picked up the sugar powder from Mu Zhe’s fingertip with his mouth.
Mu Zhe: “……..”
Mu Zhe was utterly bewildered.
Shen Gurong, with a cheek puffed out from the candy, mumbled, “Mmm, sweet.”
Mu Zhe snapped back to reality, clearing his throat and lowering his head. “Let me take Master back.”
Shen Gurong, no longer concerned about embarrassment, nodded and was about to follow Mu Zhe. However, having run too far, his legs were sore and weak, stumbling after just a few steps.
Mu Zhe hurried to support him. “What’s wrong?”
Shen Gurong muttered, “Legs are weak.”
Mu Zhe hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward and said, “Master, pardon me.”
Shen Gurong was still puzzled about what Mu Zhe was apologizing for when he felt Mu Zhe’s arm wrapping around his slender waist and then an attempt to lift him up!
But… nothing happened.
Shen Gurong: “…”
Mu Zhe: “…”
An awkward silence surrounded them. Shen Gurong couldn’t help it and burst out laughing.
Mu Zhe’s ears turned slightly red as he awkwardly released his grip.
Shen Gurong’s eyes curved as his laughter dissipated even his previous embarrassment.
Extending his hand towards Mu Zhe, he said in a sweet voice, “Then, you lead the way.”
Mu Zhe was taken aback for a moment before hesitantly responding with a vague “Yes,” taking Shen Gurong’s soft hand and leading him forward.
Ever since Shen Gurong got lost as a child, his older brother always came to find him; as he grew older, his brother was too busy to be around, so the teacher came to find him, holding his hand and helping him find his way home—although he never remembered every time.
This was the third person to hold his hand and guide him home.
The two walked hand in hand for a while and finally returned to Fanjiang Residence.
Wen Liubing was already waiting at the door and hurried forward when he saw them return.
“Master.”
As he approached, Shen Gurong caught a strong smell emanating from him, as if he had just come into contact with blood.
Shen Gurong subtly stepped back half a step, his brow furrowing lightly.
Blood?
He’s gone to kill someone again?
Wen Liubing’s expression remained calm as he noticed Shen Gurong’s legs trembling slightly. He was about to bend down and pick him up when Mu Zhe stopped him.
Mu Zhe stood in front of Shen Gurong, frowning. “Senior Brother, the scent on you is too strong. Master doesn’t like it.”
Wen Liubing was taken aback, glancing down at his newly cleaned Lanting sword. He asked in confusion, “I only killed a crane. The scent shouldn’t be strong.”
Mu Zhe and Shen Gurong exchanged surprised glances.
Wen Liubing… killed the white crane at Fanjiang Residence?
Wen Liubing acted swiftly. He swiftly pursued and cleanly killed the white crane that had fled from Liren Peak with just a moment’s use of his Lanting sword.
For Wen Liubing, anyone posing a threat to his Master was to be killed without hesitation or needless talk.
Wen Liubing pushed Mu Zhe aside, carried Shen Gurong in his arms, and walked into Fanjiang Residence. As they walked, he explained, “The Yao clan harbors ill intentions towards Master. I always knew that crane couldn’t be left alive. This time, he dared to spread news of Master leaving the mountain among his own kind. Killing only him and not blaming the entire Yao clan is already showing great mercy.”
Shen Gurong: “…”
Shen Gurong now realized clearly that while his eldest disciple was straightforward and unrefined in front of him, as the Zhuxie Leader he could command countless people to lay down their lives for him in any city in the Three Realms.
Shen Gurong dryly replied, “Ah, understood.”
Wen Liubing placed him gently on a couch inside and knelt on one knee, looking up at him. “Master, do you blame me for my violence and killings?”
Shen Gurong tilted his head. “But didn’t you say he harbored ill intentions towards me?”
Wen Liubing paused, then nodded. “Exactly, the demonic cultivators of the Yao clan are all untrustworthy. As long as Master trusts Sanshui, that’s all that matters.”
Shen Gurong: “…”
For some reason, he suddenly felt something was off about that statement.
Wen Liubing, however, thought differently. He always said what was on his mind and solemnly swore to his Master, “Whatever happens, Sanshui will protect Master thoroughly.”
Shen Gurong couldn’t stand it anymore and interrupted him sharply, “Shut up.”
Wen Liubing finally fell silent.
Shen Gurong climbed onto the couch and rummaged through his discarded clothes from when he transformed into a phoenix, retrieving the jade pendant and fastening it around his waist. This way, he wouldn’t be left stranded without a way to find his path again, courtesy of Xi Guxing.
After securing it, he suddenly remembered something and asked, “Where’s Mu Zhe?”
Wen Liubing was skillfully preparing tea for him. “Who?”
Shen Gurong: “Your junior brother.”
Wen Liubing: “He went back to the side courtyard.”
Shen Gurong cleared his throat. Just now, he had clung to Mu Zhe, crying and shouting, but now that he was back at Fanjiang Residence, he ignored the person. It seemed a bit like burning bridges after crossing the river.
Following Shen Fengxue’s memory, Shen Gurong found a storage ring and casually tossed it to Wen Liubing, saying, “Take this to your junior brother.”
Wen Liubing never questioned his Master’s decisions and didn’t ask further questions. He stood up and left to deliver the item to Mu Zhe.
Shen Gurong jumped off the couch and searched through Shen Fengxue’s clothes, but couldn’t find anything suitable to wear.
Shen Fengxue’s clothes were usually in shades of blue and white, very plain. Although Shen Gurong liked this ethereal style of clothing, he knew his own temperament. Even if he put on a white robe, he couldn’t transform into an immortal. So, he was more interested in seeing others wear it.
His teacher, or even Lou Bugui, would suit this color very well.
Shen Gurong was halfway into the chest, rummaging through it haphazardly, when the door that Wen Liubing had closed suddenly opened.
Shen Gurong, with his head covered by a pile of outer garments, quickly climbed onto the edge of the chest to look out. His gaze met with Xi Guxing as he entered.
As soon as he saw him, Shen Gurong was infuriated. He snorted coldly and promptly retreated into the chest, refusing to acknowledge him.
Xi Guxing clicked his tongue and knocked on the chest with his hand. “Get up. Don’t suffocate yourself.”
His hand was strong as he knocked on the wooden boards of the chest, causing Shen Gurong inside to wince from the ear-piercing impact.
Shen Gurong, huffing and puffing, struggled to climb out of the chest. Xi Guxing, seeing his difficulty, stepped forward and grabbed him by the collar, hauling him up.
Shen Gurong flailed his hands and with a red face, cursed at him, “Sect Leader Xi!”
Xi Guxing tossed him onto the bed, sneering, “Do you want a beating?”
Shen Gurong didn’t want to engage with him.
Impatiently, Xi Guxing approached and raised his hand towards him, “I’m not sure what style you prefer, so I bought a variety. Take a look and pick what you like.”
Shen Gurong was puzzled about what Xi Guxing had bought when suddenly Xi Guxing twisted the storage ring on his wrist.
Instantly, a heap of clothes spilled out from the storage ring, burying Shen Gurong underneath and causing him to topple over.
Shen Gurong: “…”
Shen Gurong was buried under the pile of clothes, struggling to catch his breath.
Hundreds of children’s clothes filled the bed completely. Xi Guxing saw him floundering in the sea of clothes, reached out, and pulled him out disdainfully, saying, “You really are useless.”
Shen Gurong’s face turned red with anger. He was truly furious now, speaking sharply, “Xi Guxing!”
Xi Guxing chuckled instead of getting angry, ruffled his hair, and said, “You’re strangely entertaining now that you got into qi deviation. Not like your usual gloomy self, unmoved by anything.”
Shen Gurong’s anger immediately dissipated.
Oh right, he was still occupying someone else’s disciple’s body; he had no right to get angry.
But he was still irritated.
Xi Guxing enjoyed seeing him burning with anger. He casually picked up a bright red shirt from the mountain of clothes, held it up against Shen Gurong’s body, and said, “Hmm? Seems like it might fit you well. Why don’t you try it on?”
Shen Gurong: “…”
Xi Guxing clearly had malicious intentions. He knew very well that Shen Fengxue never wore such bold colors, yet he deliberately picked out flashy and eye-catching clothes, clearly just wanting to see how things would unfold.
Shen Gurong smirked coldly, snatching the clothes away and said, “I’ll change.”
This time it was Xi Guxing’s turn: “…….”
After a moment, Xi Guxing looked at Shen Gurong in the red clothes with a strange expression, and after hesitating for a while, he said, “It actually suits you.”
Shen Gurong thought to himself, obviously. I’ve been naturally beautiful since I was a child; no color looks bad on me.
Seeing that there was no more entertainment to be had, Xi Guxing reluctantly stored the clothes back into the storage ring and handed them to Shen Gurong to choose from at his leisure.
Shen Gurong was so annoyed that he kicked Xi Guxing.
Xi Guxing didn’t stoop to his level and started talking about serious matters, “In the next few days, don’t wander around. Let Sanshui stay in the side courtyard to protect you.”
While Shen Gurong was sneakily stepping on Xi Guxing’s foot, he asked in confusion, “Protect me? Are there other Yao cultivators at Liren Peak?”
“Not exactly,” Xi Guxing shook his head, “It’s because of the demon cultivator at the Burial Mound. The spiritual power of the Boundary Spirit Stele at Liren Peak is rapidly depleting, and it dissipates every few days. The defensive array is usually set up by Second Senior Sister, and it will be a few days before she returns.”
Shen Gurong seemed to understand vaguely, “Oh?”
Xi Guxing continued, “Over the years, who knows how many hidden threats they’ve planted at Liren Peak. The news of you leaving the mountain will quickly spread throughout the Three Realms. I believe it won’t be long before someone comes to Liren Peak. The allure of divine artifacts is too great; who knows if someone might break through the barrier to come and kill you. It’s better to be safe.”
Shen Gurong nodded, “Alright.”
His life was at stake.
Xi Guxing reminded him a few more times before finally turning to leave.
After such a tumultuous day, the sky outside had completely darkened.
Wen Liubing returned from outside carrying a four-year-old child with eyes covered in ice silk. The news of Sect Leader taking the child back to Fanjiang Residence quickly spread throughout Liren Peak on the same day.
“Senior Brother Sanshui brought back a four-year-old child who looks remarkably like the Sage from outside, and Sect Leader personally went to receive them!”
Just this sentence alone, passed through countless mouths, eventually took on a completely different meaning.
“Ha!” Xi Guxing almost spit out his tea, incredulously asking Li Suo, “The Sage has a four-year-old illegitimate child? Who said that?”
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