CH 10

To be honest, Xiao Yuan was not sure he would win if he really started fighting with Mu Yingyang. Mu Yingyang was born with an excellent physique, was good with his claw spike and took taking an enemy’s life his first priority; while what Xiao Yuan was taught by his Shizun, apart from the usual cultivation spells and self-protection techniques, were mostly spells for roasting fish and chicken. Did he want him to roast a chicken to make Mu Yingyang faint from the delicious taste?

But the words had already been spoken, and no matter if Xiao Yuan could beat him or not, he had to fight. Wuguan Fengyue exuded a golden light, creating a dense array of magic formations around Xiao Yuan’s body. The golden light turned into countless golden needles that hit Mu Yingyang like a torrential rain.

Mu Yingyang sidestepped quickly, dodging Xiao Yuan’s golden needles, and then a second wave came.

Mu Yingyang said hastily, “Xiao Yuan, don’t force me!”

His words fell on deaf ears, and Xiao Yuan’s offence became more aggressive. Mu Yingyang couldn’t bear it; Duya (venomous fang, Mu Yingyang’s weapon) came out of its sheath as he attacked Xiao Yuan.

Who would expect Xiao Yuan to stand motionless? Mu Yingyang knew that every move he had learned was fatal. With a single blow, Xiao Yuan would be seriously injured. At that moment, his heart tightened and he stopped his movement with all his might.

Then Xiao Yuan raised his folding fan and activated the formation that had already been deployed. Mu Yingyang, who received backlash, turned pale, and there was a smell of blood in his mouth.

Mu Yingyang’s eyes were red: “Why didn’t you avoid, are you looking for death?”

Xiao Yuan spread his hands, “Shidi is so fast, I couldn’t avoid it.”

“Pretend, you keep pretending! Didn’t you just rely on me to give up – because I won’t attack my fellow Shixiong!”

Xiao Yuan couldn’t answer the question: “Do you remember this formation?”

Of course Mu Yingyang remembered. When he was young, he was naughty and got into trouble. Shizun punished him by confining him. It was this formation that prevented him from taking a step outside the array. Now it was not difficult to break the formation with his cultivation base, it would only take a little time. But Xiao Yuan will use that meagre time to find the one surnamed Gu!

“Shidi, take a rest, when I come back, Shidi, I will bring you delicious food.”

“If you dare to go, I will break your leg!”

Xiao Yuan cupped his hands in a salute, “Goodbye.”

Mu Yingyang trembled with anger, staring at Xiao Yuan’s back. At this moment, he really wanted to break Xiao Yuan’s leg.

After finally getting rid of the clingy Shidi, Xiao Yuan came to Gu Louyin’s residence. Gu Louyin was not there. There was only one little disciple who was cleaning the courtyard. Xiao Yuan asked him, “Where has your young master gone?”

The little disciple looked at him curiously and said, “Miss Lu took Young Pavilion Master to practice swordsmanship.”

“Miss Lu? Lu Yueyao?”

The little disciple nodded, “Yes.”

Recalling Lu Yueyao’s various performances in front of Gu Louyin, Xiao Yuan smiled and said, “Does this Miss Lu like Young Pavilion Master?”

The little disciple looked young, but his mind was not at all lacking. “Not just Miss Lu, many girls in Yunjian Pavilion like our young master.”

Xiao Yuan thought that outside the Yunjian Pavilion there also should be many girls who liked that young master.

“It’s a pity that she is not suitable for the young master.”

A low-level disciple of Yunjian Pavilion actually discussed the young master’s life-long affairs with a foreign guest. Xiao Yuan thought it was very interesting and asked, “Why is she not suitable?”

The little disciple muttered, “She can only be regarded as comparatively good-looking, and the young master doesn’t like her either.”

“If the young master doesn’t like her, who does he like?” Xiao Yuan paused, “Lin Wulian?”

Xiao Yuan’s was just a casual guess. He didn’t know a lot of people from Yunjian Pavilion. Judging from the previous events, Gu Louyin should care about Lin Wulian, his Shixiong, but Xiao Yuan didn’t know if there was any relationship between the two of them other than that of fellow disciples.

The younger brother looked thoughtful, “The young master indeed treats Lin Shixiong better than others, but…”

At this moment, Xiao Yuan caught a strange aura and cursed secretly: “This is too fast! ”

After not seeing him for half a year, Mu Yingyang’s cultivation base really exceeded Xiao Yuan’s expectations. He broke his formation so quickly. It was all Xiao Du’s fault. Every time he wanted to practice in the past six months, Xiao Du tricked him into eating, drinking and having fun because he was afraid that he would be tired. He also said that since he had a gege to protect him in the future, he didn’t need to practice for the rest of his life.

Yes, this is what Xiao Du said, haha.

The little disciple also noticed something and looked at the door: “Is the young master back?”

“No.” Xiao Yuan said hurriedly, “Listen, someone will ask you something later and you will say that you have never seen me.” After speaking, he flashed to the door of the house and pushed in.

As soon as Xiao Yuan closed the door, Mu Yingyang rushed into the courtyard, grabbed the little disciple and asked, “Where is Xiao Yuan?!”

Listening to his tone, the little disciple would think that this Xiao Yuan was his Dao companion who ditched him. “I, I don’t know.”

Mu Yingyang said coldly: “He must have come looking for Gu Louyin.”

“But our young master is not here now.”

“He doesn’t know where Gu Louyin is, so he will definitely come here.”

“Master Xiao is really not here…”

“Get out of the way, I’ll find him myself.”

Mu Yingyang was about to break in, when a sword aura blocked his way.

When the little disciple saw Gu Louyin return, he felt relieved and said anxiously: “Young Pavilion Master, Master Mu…”

Gu Louyin said, “I know. Master Mu, as Luo Lan said, Xiao-xiong is not here.”

The little disciple called Luo Lan felt guilty, but he didn’t expect that he would have to accidentally deceive Gu Louyin.

Mu Yingyang said, “He didn’t come find you?”

“No.”

“Then he must be waiting for you here.”

Gu Louyin said, “If you want to find him, go find him. Don’t mess around.”

Mu Yinyang smiled coldly, “That’s what you said.”

Luo Lan was secretly nervous and wanted to give Gu Louyin a wink, but Gu Louyin didn’t look at him at all and walked straight into the house.

Not long ago, Qian Shishu sent someone with a message asking him to come with Xiao Yuan. He came back to change clothes.

As soon as he entered the room, he vaguely felt that something was wrong. After looking around, he focused on the closet.

Gu Louyin clenched Shuang Leng, walked silently to the closet and opened it abruptly.——

A beauty dressed in red was sitting in his closet. Because there was too little space, he had to hug his knees. Seeing that he had been discovered, the beauty looked up at him, with a hint of astonishment and bewilderment on his bright face.

Gu Louyin’s heart thumped slightly, “You…”

“It’s you. “Xiao Yuan breathed out a sigh of relief, “Is my Shidi gone?”

Gu Louyin recovered and looked away, “No.”

Xiao Yuan, who had already half-stepped out of the closet, suddenly paused, “Huh?! I’m done.” Xiao Yuan wanted to hide back in the closet, but suddenly felt his waist being held tightly. He subconsciously raised his head and looked at Gu Louyin.

Gu Louyin held his waist with one arm and put his other hand on the back of his head. In this way, Gu Louyin pushed him forward a few steps, and his back gently hit the screen.

At this moment, the door was kicked open.

The first thing that caught Mu Yingyang’s eyes was a screen with landscape paintings. There was a silhouette of a man on the screen, unmistakably belonging to Gu Louyin.

There was no sign of Xiao Yuan outside. Mu Yingyang was about to bypass the screen to look inside when Gu Louyin said, “I’m changing clothes.”

Mu Yingyang was not interested in watching a man change clothes. Through the screen, one could see the approximate outline of the objects inside. The only closet that could hide a person was open, and Xiao Yuan was not inside.

Mu Yingyang couldn’t imagine that at this moment, his Shixiong was being hugged by Gu Louyin and pressed behind the screen only one step away from him. The two of them were very close, and Gu Louyin was feeling his Shixiong’s warm breath on his neck; as soon as he lowered his head, he could see the long thick feather-like eyelashes and the red lips that were slightly open because of surprise and tension.

Mu Yingyang had already turned around and was about to leave, but he heard a sound behind the screen suddenly. He narrowed his eyes and cast an inquiring glance at the figure on the screen.

Behind Xiao Yuan, there was a screen, and in front of him was Gu Louyin’s chest. He was really lucky that he was slim and could be completely hidden by Gu Louyin’s shadow.

After waiting a while, before Mu Yingyang had walked out, Xiao Yuan quietly reached for Gu Louyin’s waist and gently untied his belt, then raised his eyes and smiled at him.

Gu Louyin’s eyes flashed and his adam’s apple rolled. He understood Xiao Yuan’s meaning. He took off his coat stiffly and put it on the screen.

Seeing this, Mu Yingyang withdrew his gaze, snorted coldly and walked away.

The two did not move immediately, separating only after confirming that Mu Yingyang would not come back. Xiao Yuan smiled and said, “Thank you, Gu-xiong.”

Gu Louyin said calmly, “What is it you’re doing?”

Xiao Yuan didn’t want to explain, so he said, “I just had a fight. My Shidi threatened to break my leg.”

Gu Louyin frowned, “Why.”

“Because I was going to find you.”

“…” Gu Louyin turned away and poured himself a cup of tea.

Xiao Yuan reminded him: “This tea is cold, right?”

Gu Lou hummed “en” and drank the tea.

Unexpectedly, Gu Louyin liked to drink cold tea in winter. Xiao Yuan said, “Gu-xiong, why haven’t you been looking for me recently.”

Gu Louyin said, “Busy.”

Xiao Yuan casually said, “Busy practicing swordsmanship with your Shimei?”

“No.” Gu Louyin paused and then said one more sentence: “She has learned a new set of sword techniques and asked me to take a look.”

“Oh.“ Xiao Yuan didn’t care about it, “Gu-xiong, there is something in your Yunjian Pavilion that I have always wanted to see.”

“What?”

Xiao Yuan didn’t beat around the bush anymore and said directly: “Qingyan.”

Gu Louyin was startled, “No.”

Xiao Yuan smiled dryly and said, “Didn’t you refuse too decisively? Why don’t you think about it again?”

“Qingyan is the treasure of our Pavilion. Only my father and a few elders in Yunjian Pavilion can see its true face.”

Xiao Yuan asked, “What about you?”

Gu Louyin said, “I have only seen it once when I got Shuang Leng.”

Xiao Yuan softened his voice: “But I am your savior, can’t you be more accommodating? I really want to see what that flame left by the ancient times looks like.”

“Being my savior is useless.”

“What can be useful then? Your… Dao companion?”

Gu Louyin: “…”

Xiao Yuan asked again, “If I want to see Qingyan, only if I marry you is it possible?”

Gu Louyin was quiet for a long time, then said, “I don’t want you to mention this matter again. You are just in time, follow me to see Shishu.”

The shishu Gu Louyin mentioned was called Qian Sang. He was said to be the right-hand man of Pavilion Master Gu. When Pavilion Master Gu was in retreat, he was the one who presided over Yunjian Pavilion on his behalf. Qian Sang was kind-looking, a little fat and at first glance seemed to be good-tempered.

When Qian Sang saw Xiao Yuan, a look of surprise flashed in his eyes. Xiao Yuan had long been accustomed to others looking at him like this, so he didn’t think much about it. Qian Sang first had a polite conversation with Xiao Yuan, thanked him for saving Gu Louyin in the northern territory and then talked about the bronze mirror.

“This mirror should have been among the burial possessions of a certain monk after the great collapse three hundred years ago, and its Yin energy is extremely heavy. Later it was dug up by tomb robbers. After several twists and turns, it reached the governor’s mansion in Luling, constantly absorbing resentment, until eventually it became a hostile weapon.”

Gu Louyin said, “According to Shishu’s opinion, what exactly are the ‘mirror people’ who came out of the bronze mirror?”

Qian Sang’s expression was solemn, “It is not quite true to say that they are simply the result of resentment.”

Xiao Yuan asked, “Elder Qian, what does that mean?”

“The bronze mirror will not only copy the appearance of the person reflected in it but also absorb one of his or her three spiritual souls and six physical souls, giving it possession of the soul to create the mirror person.”

Xiao Yuan was taken aback when he heard this. “No way, Elder Qian, Gu-xiong and I both saw our reflections. Are we people who have lost our souls now?”

Qian Sang gently said, “Master Xiao, don’t worry, you already destroyed your mirror copies in Luling. As soon as the mirror person dies, the souls return to their place.”

“So that’s it.” Xiao Yuan remembered Steward Wang and the other two and asked. “What happens if the body is already dead?”

Gu Louyin said, “The remnant souls stay on earth, and the dead cannot reincarnate.”

“This object was hidden in the home of an ordinary person and was extremely dangerous. Fortunately, Louyin brought it to Yunjian Pavilion. If it fell into the hands of a demonic sect or some other traitors, the consequences would be unimaginable.”

Xiao Yuan: “…” This could be related to a demonic sect anyway.

Gu Louyin asked, “How does Shishu plan to deal with this matter?”

Qian Sang thought for a while and said, “What do you think?”

Gu Louyin: “Destroy it.”

Qian Sang nodded, “Okay, I’ll discuss it with your father later.”

Xiao Yuan felt the flow of spiritual power on the nine-tone snail and immediately said, “If there is nothing else, I will retire first.”

“Master Xiao, wait a minute.” Qian Sang said cheerfully, “Master Xiao was so kind to Louyin, I don’t know what the surname Master Xiao’s parents are and where his family is. I want to prepare a gift to send to them.”

“I appreciate Elder Qian’s kindness but I’ve been an orphan as long as I can remember, with neither parents nor other family members.”

Gu Louyin looked sideways at Xiao Yuan, and Qian Sang also stopped smiling. “In that case, it was me who was rude.”

After leaving Gu Louyin and Qian Sang, Xiao Yuan found a secluded corner and took out the nine-tone snail. Xiao Du’s careless voice came: “What are you doing.”

Xiao Yuan said, “What can I be doing other than following the instructions of the Venerable Lord and seducing Gu Louyin.”

Xiao Du was silent for a long time, then chuckled and said, “Ah Yu deserves a reward for working so hard.”

Xiao Yuan also smiled, “Thank you, Lord.”

“But you have worked hard for so long, and there is still no good news. This venerable can’t wait too long.”

Xiao Yuan said, “Gu Louyin is like a fresh breeze and a bright moon, like a clear sky after the rain. It is normal for a man like this not to get close to others.”

“Really?” Xiao Du said slowly, “then what about Lin Wulian.”

Xiao Yuan was taken aback – when did Xiao Du start to be interested in Lin Wulian?

“Gu Louyin likes Lin Wulian?”

In a rare moment of telling the truth to Xiao Du, Xiao Yuan said: “I don’t know.”

“Even if he doesn’t like him, he must care enough to sacrifice his life to save him.” Xiao Du said with regret, “Could it be that this venerable has made a wrong judgement and the superb Ah Yu is not as good as a mediocre swordsman?”

Xiao Yuan didn’t care: “Maybe, after all, many people don’t think looks are most important. By the way, why did His Lordship look for me? Could it be that you just wanted to chat with me? With such an elegant and refined attitude, isn’t it better to go accompany the young lord?”

Xiao Du said, “This venerable is here to remind Ah Yu of one thing.”

“What’s the matter?”

“Tomorrow will be the 15th of the second month.”

Xiao Yuan: “!!!” He had been thinking about Qingyan all this time and he had forgotten this.

“Every month on the 15th, Ah Yu will be even more beautiful than usual. It’s a pity that we can’t see it this time.” Xiao Du sighed insincerely, “Tomorrow Ah Yu will belong to another man, I really can’t bear it.”