Chapter 68: The Immortal Pavilion Master (Part Two)

Gu Yi raised his head, looking at Shu Le whose expression was cold and stern, utterly perplexed.

“Even if I tricked you, there’s no need to lose your temper like this, is there? I have to hurry and see Hexian now—I really don’t have time for you.”

With a swish, Shu Le’s figure flickered. Only a few strands of pink spiritual energy remained where she’d stood, and in the next instant, she landed right in front of Gu Yi.

“I can let the past go, but you must promise me one thing. If you fulfill it, Hexian will surely be saved.”

Gu Yi was not the sort to be easily taken in. He asked, “How would you know?”

“I just do. Besides, even if you rush to Luyang Court now, can you really save Hexian? She was imprisoned by the Daoist Master. The Daoist Master is a good person, yes, but Hexian snuck you into the Method Pavilion. He still has to consider the Pavilion Master’s reputation—how could he just disregard that for your sake?”

“But you needn’t worry,” she added, seeing his lingering concern. “The Daoist Master won’t do anything terrible to Hexian.”

What do you know, girl? Being locked up is the worst form of punishment.

Still, Hexian’s punishment brought him back to his senses. If he barged in now, Hexian would only get in more trouble because of him. Worse yet, if he angered the Daoist Master, Hexian would be caught in the middle and suffer for it. No, he couldn’t act rashly.

“Hey. So, what’s your way of saving her?”

Shu Le’s hand tightened around the hilt of her sword inside her sleeve. “Become the Tower Master.”

“Tower Master?” Gu Yi was confused, though his mind moved quickly. “I don’t think you’re particularly powerful, but everyone says Shu Le is about to be made Tower Master—it’s only a matter of time, already decided. Why are you coming to me?”

Ma Yuan piped up from the side, reminding him, “Master, someone suggested…”

The bald fellow sneaked a glance at Shu Le, a bit fearful, for all her beauty, her strength was already above the Hand Seal Adept Fan Ling.

“…There’s talk in the capital of bestowing the title of Tower Master upon the Transcendent Talent.”

Transcendent Talent?

Wait—

Gu Yi was stunned.

Isn’t that me?

This was truly unexpected.

“That’s madness! The emperor would never agree to it, and I don’t want to be any Tower Master, either!”

“Gu Xiaoyao!” Shu Le called his name with irritation. “In the past, I forgave your lack of respect for Luyang Court, seeing as you’re new here. But the title of Tower Master is no trivial thing. Each Tower Master is a hero of Xu—can you not treat it with such disdain?”

It wasn’t a matter of disdain.

Gu Yi couldn’t believe the emperor of Xu would ever agree to this. He’d been summoned to Xu to boast about his skills—the emperor only wanted his identity, not certainty about his origins on Little Garden Mountain.

Even if it was true, wouldn’t that make the two of them rivals? Why was Shu Le seeking him out, then?

“Madam Shu, aren’t you supposed to defeat me in a duel? Why would you come asking for my help?”

“Becoming Tower Master is no easy task,” Shu Le said calmly. “Besides talent, one must pass a series of trials. During your eight days of breakthrough, there have been two main rumors sweeping Luyang City—one is about you, the Transcendent Talent, and the other concerns the death of He Yu, the Rain Palace traitor from Liguo.”

“He Yu was a master at the Fivefold Path, nearly invincible in this world. Even if the Rain Palace Master pursued him, it’s unlikely he’d be killed so quietly. Yet three days ago, He Yu died suddenly by the Ancient Qing River…”

The more Gu Yi heard, the less he cared, already heading back to his room to change his clothes, but Shu Le followed him relentlessly.

“He Yu’s death is neither good nor bad for Xu. He was a traitor, and his sudden passing must hold hidden truths. Perhaps it was the work of a Little Garden Mountain immortal?”

“What are you saying?” Gu Yi turned to her.

“Just a guess, but uncovering the truth is my task. I’ve already petitioned His Majesty—this is my trial to become Tower Master.”

This girl was perhaps overly confident.

“Even if you’ve reached the Purified Realm, if the killer could slay a Fivefold Path master, do you think you’d survive the encounter?”

Shu Le stepped in front of him, gazing into his eyes. “Every Tower Master is prepared to face death. Besides, I feel it’s my duty—because the manner of his death was very similar to the wounds I sustained here with you!”

Gu Yi was taken aback, suddenly serious. “What do you mean?”

“Cold as ice in the dark hours, hot as fire in daylight—when He Yu died, half his body was icy cold, the other half fiery red.”

At these words, Gu Yi’s first thought was that Little Yiyi had killed someone.

“I happen to know you seem familiar with Little Lady’s illness, and you know its origin. So, I want your help. As for the Tower Master’s title... while I do wish to earn it, I want to do so honorably. If I’m truly inferior to you, I won’t covet it. If you’re inferior to me, I certainly won’t let you have it.”

“As long as one of us becomes Tower Master, we can petition the Daoist Master to release Hexian. That’s more reliable than you charging into the Talisman Hall, isn’t it?”

Gu Yi studied her expression; she didn’t seem to be lying.

Most people in Luyang Court, he could trust their character, and he trusted his own cleverness—this girl couldn’t trick him.

The key was whether the Bihui Tenfold Sun would appear. Compared to that, the matter of the Tower Master was secondary.

“You should go back for now, Madam Shu.”

Shu Le wanted to persuade him more, but Gu Yi spun around, nearly whipping his hair in her face. “I’ll give you my answer soon—don’t worry.”

That shut her up entirely.

Gu Yi closed the door, asked Ma Yuan to fetch hot water, and had a good bath. He called for Chong Chong to tidy up his hair and got dressed properly, reasoning that he’d deal with other matters after making himself presentable.

Eight days without a bath meant eight days without washing his hair—unbearable.

But after taking the time to clean up, he finally looked human again. “Chong Chong, how do I look?”

“Young master, you look wonderful!” The little girl always spoke the truth. “And how about me?”

“You look wonderful too.” Gu Yi pinched her cheek, then turned to leave. “I’m going to check on Little Lady’s health.”

Master Ma grumbled inwardly: Scoundrel—going to inspect a lady’s body and still has the nerve to scold me.

“Master, I’ll go with you.”

Gu Yi asked, “What have you been busy with lately? How’s your talisman writing coming along?”

“I’ve made some progress. Lately, I’ve been hanging around the Treasured Pavilion. For some reason, I keep feeling like someone is watching it.”

Gu Yi put his hands on his hips. “Are you stupid, child? The Treasured Pavilion has embroidered perch. There must be hundreds of gluttons like you staring at it every day. Gazing at food when you can’t have it—what’s the harm in just looking?”

“That’s not what I mean, Master.” Ma Yuan walked beside him. “I’m worried about your safety. Ever since you were named Transcendent Talent, many have been watching. As your disciple, I can’t ignore it. I truly feel like someone is watching the Treasured Pavilion.”

Gu Yi stopped in his tracks.

“You’re always exaggerating.”

“Not this time! I’m at least a cultivator of the Resolute Mind. People even call me Lord Ma! I swear, I’m not lying.”

Unable to resist, Gu Yi rubbed the bald head.

“All right, I get it. In that case, keep an eye out, just in case.”

“Master, you should stay vigilant too.”

“I know.”

…

Little Lady was wrapped in thick bedding, sitting on the soft couch, with only a thin sheet of white paper on the table before her.

Gu Yi probed her with his needle, checking the spiritual energy of the Biyang Technique. He shook his head helplessly; it was just as it had been before he’d coughed up blood to heal her.

She was recovering too quickly, but she couldn’t keep being put through this. Her body had already been worn down terribly over the past two years.

Even as she was being treated, Ye Little Lady couldn’t stop worrying. “Did Madam Shu come to see you? Was it about the Tower Master?”

“Yes.”

“Brother, although Madam Shu is a fine person, if you have the chance, I hope you become Tower Master.”

Gu Yi smiled. “Why?”

“Aren’t you searching for someone? The Tower Master holds high status in Xu. When the time comes, finding anyone won’t be difficult for you.”

“I don’t want to talk about that.” He sat down, conjuring a thin manual in his palm. “Little Lady, your body’s been damaged in many ways. We can’t delay any longer.”