Chapter 54: Chapter 52: Brother Yuanqing, You Can’t, at Least You Shouldn’t
As he watched Guo Mingsheng’s receding back, Du Youqian thought to himself:
’It’s not like I’m intentionally setting you up.’
’I’m just genuinely not sure if this trip will be dangerous.’
’I just figured, this is Zhongxuan Sect territory, after all.’
’If some big fish really did sneak in, the Sect would never just sit back and do nothing.’
’So even if there are some ghouls and goblins causing trouble, they must be small fry that the Sect can’t be bothered to deal with, leaving them for us Garrison cultivators to handle.’
’A minor character like that would probably give the Zhongxuan Sect some face and wouldn’t actually attack you.’
’Besides, a lot of people recognize you now and know you’re a disciple of the Zhongxuan Sect.’
’Sending you in is the perfect way to flush out the snake from the grass, letting me observe from the shadows and see who’s really behind this.’
’And in the worst-case scenario, this is a Mortal City. Even if there is danger, it shouldn’t be too great.’
’You’re tough and thick-skinned, Nephew Fatty. Even if you run into a little trouble, you should be able to power through it... right?’
After quietly retreating some distance, Du Youqian found a suitable spot near Yu Yue Lake and began to set up an Array.
Although he was fairly certain the Little Fatty wouldn’t run into any danger.
But what if?
What if those people found the Little Fatty’s face detestable, his words arrogant, and his behavior eccentric? What if they decided he was bad luck for stepping through the door with his right foot first and just had to teach him a lesson?
So, it was better to make some preparations.
A Tier Two Array could even handle a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.
However, the materials required were so expensive that even a True Disciple like Du Youqian found the cost difficult to bear.
So, he only set up a Tier One Middle Grade "Quicksand Array."
The main purpose of this Array was to trap people. It was relatively simple to deploy, and the lakeshore happened to be a suitable location for it. Thus, after the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Du Youqian had finished the Array Formation.
After a while, the sun began to set in the west, casting a brilliant red afterglow across the lake’s surface.
A gentle breeze rippled the water, making it glitter like a lake full of shimmering, crushed red-gold foil. The beauty was breathtaking.
Du Youqian’s mood was light as he admired the beautiful scenery. He seemed to enter a profound state, on the verge of an epiphany.
"AHH! Stop chasing me! I’m an Inner Disciple of the Zhongxuan Sect! If anything happens to me, the Sect won’t let you get away with it!" A series of shouts and screams shattered the peace and beauty of the place.
Du Youqian looked over in surprise, his gaze meeting the equally astonished eyes of the Little Fatty.
"Brother Yuanqing, what are you doing here too? No time to talk, let’s run!"
Du Youqian glanced behind him, frowning slightly. He didn’t activate the Array. "You go first."
"I can’t!" the Little Fatty said anxiously. "That Demoness is powerful! Brother Yuanqing, you might not be her match either. We have to escape now!"
The Demoness’s cold voice drifted over. "No one is running. A True Inheritor, are you? This humble one would like to weigh you today and see just how capable a Zhongxuan Sect True Inheritor really is!"
Before her voice had faded, she landed in front of Du Youqian.
She wore a thick black veil, a black shirt, and a black skirt, her entire body wrapped up tightly, save for a pair of snow-white, smooth, jade-like bare feet.
She clearly wasn’t making any seductive gestures, and her clothes were incredibly conservative, yet one look at her was enough to make one’s blood boil and lose control of their emotions.
"You again? Are we really doing this?" Du Youqian sighed and took out his Magical Artifact. He coughed and said to the Little Fatty, "This is a Blessed Land of our Zhongxuan Sect. I refuse to believe anyone would dare kill a True Inheritor of the Sect here. Nephew Guo, you go first. I’ll force her back and then come find you. Oh, and don’t send a message to the Sect. Trust me, it’ll be fine."
The Little Fatty was utterly bewildered. He looked at Du Youqian, then at the Demoness, who was as cold as frost yet as radiant as a peach blossom, with a hidden flirtatious glimmer in her eyes. He seemed to understand nothing, yet at the same time, seemed to understand everything.
He nodded vigorously. "Okay, Brother Yuanqing! I’ll go back and wait for you. I won’t send a message to the Sect for now. But if I don’t hear from you by midnight, I’m messaging the Sect immediately!"
"Are you sure you want me to come find you in the middle of the night?" Du Youqian said with a half-smile.
The Demoness also looked at him coldly. "...In this humble one’s opinion, perhaps it’s better to kill him first. With no one to disturb us, this humble one can then properly experience the skills of a Zhongxuan Sect True Inheritor."
"Hurry up and go," Du Youqian urged.
The Little Fatty was finally certain he hadn’t misunderstood.
He was on the verge of tears. "I get it now. But, Brother Yuanqing, you can’t—or at least, you shouldn’t have hidden it from me! I’ve always been completely loyal to you! Even if you’re going to betray... no, I mean, leave the darkness for the light and join the Heavenly Emotions and Oceanic Resentments Sect, you have to take me with you!"
Dark lines formed on Du Youqian’s forehead. ’What in the world do you think you understand?’
The Demoness finally lost her patience. With a flick of her water-like sleeve, a gentle wave of Magical Power sent the Little Fatty flying several dozen zhang away, completely unharmed.
Just as he landed steadily, a sudden surge of Hidden Strength flipped him head over heels.
"You did that on purpose, Demoness! You definitely did that on purpose!" The Little Fatty stomped his feet in anger.
The Demoness made a show of raising her sleeve again. The Little Fatty yelped in fright, turned, and bolted away like a puff of smoke.
As he ran, he didn’t forget to send a voice transmission: "Brother Yuanqing, if you’re going to the Heavenly Emotions and Oceanic Resentments Sect, remember to negotiate better terms! Don’t sell yourself short! You’re a True Inheritor, you’re worth a fortune! Remember to come find me tomorrow! If you don’t show up by then, it must mean the Demoness has done something to you, and I’ll send a message back to the Sect!"
Once the Little Fatty had run far away, Du Youqian turned his gaze back to the Demoness, looking at her with some resignation. "Are you all right?"
The Demoness’s tone was icy. "This humble one was perfectly fine. But then I saw that little bastard, and then I saw you, you bastard, and now I’m not fine at all."
Du Youqian pointed at his own nose. "I’m a bastard now?"
The Demoness averted her gaze and pouted. "Ten years without a single word, not even one letter. If that’s not a bastard, what is?"
"Ahem." Du Youqian was at a loss for words.
"In these ten years, did you miss me?"
Du Youqian was about to speak when the Demoness held up a hand. "Forget it. Pretend I didn’t ask. I’d rather not die of anger from your answer."
Du Youqian changed the subject. "How did my nephew get on your bad side?"
"Hmph. He has about thirty percent of your slyness, and the sight of it is infuriating."
"What did he actually do?" Du Youqian pressed, exasperated. "Let me apologize on his behalf."
The Demoness’s vermilion lips parted, and she began her story in a soft, elegant voice.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Back then, when the Little Fatty, Guo Mingsheng, walked through the arched gateway, he passed a small pond where colorful carp swished their tails amidst a field of lotus leaves, and then he saw a stone stele.
On it were carved a few words in a script both sloppy and bold, with playful, lively strokes: "Drunken Flower Shade."
"So this place is called Drunken Flower Shade. A fine name, indeed," Guo Mingsheng muttered to himself, just as a charming laugh sounded from nearby.
"My dear sir, so handsome and dashing! Why didn’t you come to play sooner? You could have let my girls here witness your magnificent presence earlier." A ripe, voluptuous beauty sashayed over, her attire not particularly revealing.
It just seemed her family was poor and had to skimp on fabric, as her dress didn’t quite fit—it was far too tight.
With every step, her bosom heaved and her hips swayed like waves, causing Guo Mingsheng’s eyes to glaze over.
