Chapter 144 Keeping a Secret

She said she felt there was a little bit.

In truth, this was not the answer Gu Yi had hoped for, because that "little bit" was often what blocked people's paths for a lifetime.

From the moment one entered the Returning Origin realm, if there was no certain affirmation, it was essentially equivalent to nothing.

Many individuals in the Guarding Spirit realm also claimed to have a little bit, and the eighteenth pavilion master had felt a little bit when breaking through to the Sage of Clouds, but in the end, nothing came of it.

However, such matters could not be rushed.

Gu Yi withdrew from the room, leaving her time to comprehend it on her own.

He himself needed to ponder Huang Ren's explanation of the Heavenly Dao, so the two of them practiced quietly in their respective rooms.

Meditation and entering tranquility made them lose track of time.

Around midnight, amidst the patter of rain, Gu Yi heard the crisp sound of bells chiming. He opened his eyes in the pitch darkness, and though he could not see, he miraculously bypassed the obstructions in the room and reached the window. Slipping through the cracks came the chill of the rainy night and the fishy scent of mud.

The sound of the bells drifted from afar, growing closer and gradually filling his ears.

He saw a figure riding a horse. The horse was lazy, lowering its head and taking a single step every three breaths, meandering all the way toward the inner city.

There was movement behind Gu Yi. He whipped around to find Shuyu with her hair unbound. Perhaps because his mind was filled with the imagery of Japanese female ghosts, a long-haired woman in the dark of night under the moonlight genuinely startled him. "Oh, heavens! When did you get here?"

"Hush!" Shuyu glided over lightly, closed the window for him, and then crouched down, the two of them leaning against the wall.

The person on the street outside looked up at the inn window, did nothing, and said nothing.

Gu Yi heard the horse's hooves stop and then resume, while Shuyu let out a long sigh of relief.

"What's wrong? Is this person very strong?"

This was the first time he had ever seen Shuyu frightened to this extent.

Actually, Shuyu was not scared. She explained, "This is the Empress's will. All the strength of Xiaqiu City is out in the open, and the invading enemies are prepared for it. Only the two of us are unaccounted for in their calculations, aren't we?"

Gu Yi understood.

"A brilliant strategy. When the enemy doesn't know, they are bound to miscalculate. Therefore, the two of us must not expose ourselves right now."

"Yes. Moreover, the Empress considered that we do not know how many people the Two Peaks would dispatch, so keeping a hidden reserve is always a good thing. Judging by the news from last time when people from the Two Peaks appeared in Luyang, there are likely two of them coming to Xiaqiu this time."

Gu Yi was slightly surprised. "They've been to Luyang too?"

In the pitch of night, squatting there all the time was uncomfortable. Since the people outside had left, Shuyu pulled Gu Yi up. She lit a candle on the table, its dim glow reflecting her peerlessly beautiful face. The flame flickered high and low, casting patches of light and shadow across her cheeks.

"During the day, the Empress told me that the activities of the Two Peaks have become increasingly frequent recently. Some time ago, they went to investigate Luyang because Bian Xiaochuang disappeared in Luyang hundreds of years ago. Their trip there was probably to acquire some of his 'legacy.' That time, it was a combination of one Harmony-realm and one Returning-Origin-realm cultivator."

"If it's just a pair like that, then having Long-legged Cat and Yan Lang return would allow us to take them down in a moment." Gu Yi smiled. "We certainly should have hidden just now; such a massive variable must not be known to the people of the Two Peaks."

Shuyu looked somewhat worried. "I just don't know if the Two Peaks will send only two people this time, or if they might reinforce their numbers."

Gu Yi refused to accept this logic. "Luyang is the capital of the Xu State, and they dared to appear openly like that, which shows they had extreme self-confidence. Xiaqiu's strength is likely inferior to Luyang's. Furthermore, we are in the midst of a war between the two nations; one Harmony-realm cultivator is more than enough. They won't send extra people."

At that time, the only openly acknowledged immortal cultivator in the Harmony realm within Luyang City was the seventeenth pavilion master alone.

When Gu Yi first entered Luyang, hearing that a pavilion master was chosen every three years led him to assume there must be many of them, but he later learned that the Xu State had grown so weak that only that seventeenth master remained.

After his analysis, Shuyu felt it made some sense. If there were two in Luyang, there should be two in Xiaqiu.

Moreover, Xiaqiu was not the military center of the Li State.

Thinking this, Shuyu regained a bit of confidence.

However, when she raised her gaze, she found Gu Yi staring blankly at her. Caught in the act by her eyes, he quickly and awkwardly looked away.

She pressed her lips together and broke into a smile.

"The Empress told me... the imperial palace has stepped up its guards over the past few days, and she has hidden the paper of talent in a secure location."

"Where?"

Shuyu shook her head. "I didn't ask, nor would it be appropriate for me to. The Empress has long known that the Two Peaks would come looking for this item. When I saw her yesterday, she said the palace elders would strike first, so we don't need to be anxious for now. We just need to wait patiently. When the time comes, she will set off fireworks as a signal. I imagine this will be a case of luring the enemy into the trap."

Listening to this, Gu Yi didn't find any flaws, though he still had doubts. "Is the timing of your strike going to be signaled by her releasing the news?"

"That's what was said. Why?"

"Nothing, that works too. Since that's the case, we don't need to inform her that the person has entered the city."

Shuyu understood, but in the heat of the moment earlier, she hadn't seen clearly. "The sound of the bell brushed against my ears—was it one person or two just now?"

"It seemed like one person."

Then where was the other?

Perhaps they had already arrived, or perhaps they were still on the way. Such unknowns were the most worrying of all.

"I even told the Empress... that there were two of us coming." This was an ordinary statement, but Shuyu placed far too much emphasis on her articulation when she said it.

"Hmm?" Gu Yi didn't understand the meaning behind her words. "There are two of us. Did you happen to tell her that I came from the Xu State?"

"Not quite that."

Seeing her shake her head as if she still had half a sentence left unsaid, Gu Yi asked curiously, "So what did you tell her about me?"

"Nothing much." The girl stood up. "I'll head back to sleep then. Remember, don't open the window to look out."

"Alright." Gu Yi was left with a lingering sense of unfinished business.

Afterward, he sat cross-legged on the bed, wanting to resume his breathing exercises or cultivation, but no matter what, he could not quiet his mind. Strange images kept flashing through his head—some were of Shuyu's appearance, others of Shuyu's tone of voice.

A turbulent mind directly disrupted cultivation. With no other choice, he simply lay down to properly sleep.

He slept for a very long time.

He had some dreams. In them, he had cultivated to the mortal realm, forcing the nations of Xu and Li to cease hostilities. With just a single command, no one dared to speak another word. He dreamed of roaming freely through heaven and earth, unstoppable, and when he entered the Great Rain Palace once again, Gu Baici groveled like a loyal dog upon seeing him, devoid of her previous arrogance, holding her hands out and begging him to marry Shuyu immediately.

He also dreamed that Gu Baici wanted to take off her mask. Perhaps it was an illusion, but a fragrant breeze seemed to drift into his nose. He smiled, his hand brushing against something soft, boneless, smooth, and tender, after which he had no desire to let go. It felt like an embroidered perch—so fragrant and tender. Finally, he wanted to lean in for a kiss, but some unknown force kept trying to snatch the embroidered perch from his hand.

Gu Yi grew anxious. "Don't take it away, don't take it away..."

*Swish.*

Feeling a force shove him, Gu Yi abruptly woke up. Upon opening his eyes, he found Shuyu sitting by the bed, which startled him. Clutching his chest, he said, "My dear lady, why do you always arrive in my room without a sound? And please, stop leaving your hair unbound."

Indeed, it was Shuyu. At that moment, she wore a shy and delighted expression, persistently hiding her right hand behind her back, though Gu Yi had already seen it.

He lay back powerlessly. "Oh dear, I was dreaming of an embroidered perch. I wondered what was so fragrant and tender; it turned out to be your hand. I'm sorry, did I grip it too hard?"

"I... it's fine. How could you dream of an embroidered perch?"

Gu Yi said, "Not only did I dream of an embroidered perch, but I also dreamed of your Palace Mistress."

Shuyu arched her delicate brows. "You only dreamed of the Palace Mistress?"

"Of course not, I dreamed of you too. I dreamed that she was entrusting you to me."

The girl blushed with shyness. "How can you still not break the habit of talking nonsense? You can't just casually say things like that."

"It was just a dream." Dreams were wonderful, leaving Gu Yi feeling somewhat ached with loss. "I wonder how Xiaoniang is doing? She's the one who makes embroidered perch. Her health hasn't been good for a long time, so before I left Luyang, I taught her the method to dispel illness and told her to practice it herself."

"However, it's not a method one can easily master. I wonder how she's holding up."

Shuyu pondered for a moment, asking with a trace of worry, "Is it a young woman?"

"Perhaps she isn't anymore."

If the Ten-Bend Bishui Yang was successfully mastered, she indeed wouldn't be anymore.

Gu Yi added an explanation, "She is my family."

Hearing this explanation, Shuyu's worry seemed to grow even heavier. "So, there is someone else who is so good at cooking waiting for you at home?"

"Yes, her culinary skills are exceptional. I think you'll definitely like her."

Shuyu stood up and paced back and forth in the room, biting her lip with a worried look on her face. It was the first time she had heard that Gu Yi still had someone waiting at home in Luyang.

Actually, whether those dishes tasted good or whether she liked them didn't matter at all.

What mattered to her was whether that person would like *her*.

That was far more important.

"What kind of person is she? Will she not welcome me?" Shuyu walked faster and faster. "You know how I am—sometimes I have a bad temper, and I'm not always nice to you. If she finds out that I've beaten you twice..."

Yes, she had kicked Gu Yi in the cave and later slapped him across the face.

"She will like you," Gu Yi said aloud, very affirmatively. "Xiaoniang will definitely like you."

No... his expression changed. "Actually, it's better if she *doesn't* like you."

"Ah? Why is that?"

Well...

Gu Yi didn't explain for the moment.

It was a form of protection for Ye Xiaoniang. Once the matter of the side effects caused by the Bisyang Art was spoken aloud, Shuyu would certainly not act as if it didn't exist. If she were to show any sign of it, Ye Xiaoniang would likely be heartbroken for a very long time.

"Let's not talk about that." Gu Yi cheerfully introduced someone else to her. "Xiaoniang previously had a young girl look after my daily needs. Her name is Chongchong, she's fifteen years old, very cute, and extremely well-behaved. I'm sure she'll especially like you."

Making others like oneself and getting along harmoniously—

That was not difficult for Gu Yi, nor was it difficult for many people in the world.

But it was extremely difficult for Shuyu.

Ever since she entered the Great Rain Palace, she had never tried to get along harmoniously with anyone; there was simply no need to.

Therefore, hearing that Gu Yi still had people at home, she couldn't help but feel a sense of loss and insecurity.

...

Meanwhile, in Luyang.

The fact that Gu Yi was an immortal from Xiaoyuan Mountain had basically been confirmed and was circulating within a small circle.

The Third Princess came as a guest to Yuzhen Pavilion. Since she came in person, the matter was naturally of great importance.

Before she spoke, she dismissed everyone serving tea.

After learning the truth of the matter, Ye Xiaoniang and she held two opposing opinions.

To Ye Xiaoniang, since Gu Yi's identity was important, it should naturally be reported to Her Majesty the Emperor. Perhaps they should think of some ways to rescue Gu Yi.

Even if the hope was slim, or even microscopic, sitting idly and doing nothing at all was unacceptable.

The Third Princess understood human nature and anticipated that Ye Xiaoniang would have such a mindset.

That was why she had come.

"Xiaoniang..."

It was truly difficult to broach the subject.

After hesitating for a moment, the Third Princess gently and soothingly said, "Xiaoniang, you probably also know the recent atmosphere in Luyang City. His Majesty has resolved to defend Luyang; I know your heart is set on Gu Yi, but..."

Ye Xiaoniang's heart tightened. "After being captured, no one cares anymore? Has no one thought of rescuing him?"

"His Majesty doesn't know about this yet."

"What?"

Ye Xiaoniang had always felt that matters of identity were of paramount importance, assuming that the Third Princess would immediately report it to the Emperor upon learning of it, so the Emperor could take action.

"Listen to me." The Third Princess explained patiently. "After the Battle of Desheng Pass, Luyang has become extremely perilous. The most important task right now is to defend the capital—at least for the present. I know Gu Yi is still trapped in the Great Rain Palace and his identity is extraordinarily precious, but precisely because his identity is so precious, I cannot tell His Majesty."

"People... everyone is counting on the Immortal of Xiaoyuan Mountain!"

"His Majesty's health has always been poor, and now with the war going unfavorably, people from the palace came yesterday to say His Majesty could not sleep through the night, coughing incessantly and nearly vomiting blood."

Ye Xiaoniang was shocked. "Third Princess..."

In a place ruled by the Emperor, the sovereign's health was always a sensitive topic and rarely spoken of, especially when he was unwell. Yet the Third Princess had told her all of this.

"It doesn't matter. Xiaoniang won't go testifying that I said these things. In fact, I am quite ashamed; this trip... this trip is not to discuss with you how to rescue Gu Yi, but rather to persuade you to keep the matter of Gu Yi being the Immortal of Xiaoyuan Mountain a secret."

Because Luyang could not bear this blow, and neither could the Xu State.

People could accept that the successor of Xiaoyuan Mountain was trapped in the Great Rain Palace; that news might even boost the morale of the military and civilians, as it would make people believe the Xiaoyuan Mountain Immortal would surely step forth to punish those arrogant bastards of the Great Rain Palace.

However, they could under no circumstances accept that the Xiaoyuan Mountain Immortal had been captured by the Great Rain Palace.

That would be utter despair.

The Third Princess had already persuaded her seventh sister, which wasn't difficult since she always took the bigger picture into account, and reporting such a matter to His Majesty right now would likely worsen his illness.

The Third Princess could also control the mouths down below, but she had to personally persuade Ye Xiaoniang.

"For the sake of Great Xu, for Luyang, Xiaoniang, you must not leak this matter."

The logic was sound, but for Ye Xiaoniang, it was an immense torment.

For every day Gu Yi did not return, she would not have a single day of peace.