CG - Chapter 34
Chapter 34
Lao Wu looked at the few people watching from the doorway and said, "This concerns sect secrets. I must ask you all to leave." With a wave of his hand, he shut the door and set up a barrier. Only then did he ask Wu Gu, "Do you remember when I told you that you were this sect's variable?"
Wu Gu nodded. She had just dreamed about it a few days ago.
He continued, "Your fate falls into Empty Death. Your past life connections are thin, and your future is hard to predict. But in the very year your Daoist arts first took shape, a Purple Omen appeared for our sect. That's why I deduced that you are the Xuanqing Sect's variable."
Wu Gu looked completely lost. Lao Wu said angrily, "I told you to study hard, study hard, and look at the state of your studies! It means that you face a great calamity while the Xuanqing Sect receives an auspicious omen. There must be a connection between the two. I could never figure out where that connection lay, but now it seems to be with my disciple's wife."
Though he scolded her, inwardly Lao Wu was glad Wu Gu was poor at divination. Empty Death was an inauspicious sign, and turning bad luck into good was no easy feat. His failed attempt to forcibly change Wu Gu's fate had leaked heaven's secrets, and he was punished by the Heavenly Dao with a shortened lifespan. So, he turned the situation to his advantage, drawing Wu Gu's calamity onto himself and resolving it with his own early death. He then performed a grand deception, linking the Xuanqing Sect's Purple Omen to Wu Gu's destiny, making the sect and Wu Gu share in both fortune and misfortune.
Wu Gu felt a little relieved. "Master," she asked, "what grudge does Ji Yu hold against our Xuanqing Sect?"
Lao Wu floated up, cross-legged, posturing as if he had a long story to tell. Wu Gu found a chair and sat down. Lao Wu floated back down to be at eye level with her and said, "When the Xuanqing Sect was at the height of its fame, its sect heads all served as the state's Imperial Preceptor. A thousand years ago, Ji Yu was the monarch of the kingdom where the Xuanqing Sect was located. Ji Yu dreamed of immortality and eternal wealth. After the sect head's attempts to persuade him failed, he began to pay less attention to state affairs, eventually retreating to the mountains and growing more distant from Ji Yu. Who would have thought that with the sect head absent from the court, someone from our own sect, greedy for power, would bewitch Ji Yu and offer him our sect's forbidden arts."
"In his quest for eternal life, Ji Yu began to wage constant war, using the resentful souls of fallen soldiers to cultivate demonic arts. Years of war left the populace destitute, and the world was filled with countless resentful souls. It was several years before the sect head learned of this. By the time he descended the mountain, Ji Yu's demonic arts had already become formidable. The sect head used our sect's Xuanqing Sword to slay Ji Yu in the grand hall of the imperial palace. After Ji Yu's death, out of respect for his status as a monarch, the sect head spared his soul, hoping he could be reborn as a human. But who could have known that the Underworld was short-staffed, and with too many resentful souls in the mortal realm, they were careless for a moment and let Ji Yu escape while reaping souls."
"With our sect's forbidden arts, Ji Yu used his ghostly form to enter the demonic path. This is what's known as cultivating a physical body from a soul. Perhaps the arts of the Xuanqing Sect were too powerful and had long ago incurred the dissatisfaction of the Heavenly Dao, which is why Ji Yu was left behind to destroy the foundation of my Xuanqing Sect."
"Several hundred years passed before Ji Yu cultivated a physical body and escaped the cycle of reincarnation. His heaven-defying actions caused such a great disturbance that they triggered a warning from the Heavenly Dao. The Xuanqing Sect descended the mountain to eliminate the demon. As you know, once a sect declines, it's hard to produce powerful masters. The Ji Yu of that time was even more formidable than when he had a human body. That battle nearly wiped out all of Xuanqing's fighting strength. In the end, they could only barely manage to seal him."
"Ultimately, Ji Yu's demonic arts originated from Xuanqing. His entry into the demonic path as a ghost was the result of the sect head at the time failing to annihilate him. And in the later battle, Xuanqing, lacking its former strength, only managed to seal him. The root of the problem is that this scourge was left behind by Xuanqing. Therefore, the Xuanqing Sect has the mission of destroying Ji Yu. I just never expected that you would encounter him before I had a chance to tell you, and even manage to escape with your life."
Wu Gu said, "So, you're saying that whether I had met Wei Jinzhi or not, I would still have the responsibility to destroy Ji Yu, right?"
Lao Wu nodded. "Yes. This has been the admonition of every generation of the Xuanqing Sect."
Wu Gu smiled. "Let's see how Sister Wei can tell me to stay out of her business now. We're like grasshoppers on the same rope—we'll live or die together."
Lao Wu sneered. "A typical case of 'getting a wife and forgetting your mother.' It's not like you ever listened to me much before."
Wu Gu felt embarrassed and changed the subject. "Alright, Master, the history lesson is over. I have a question. Why is Ji Yu so obsessed with the Ten-Life Benevolent Soul, and why does the Heavenly Dao only issue warnings instead of annihilating him?"
"All things have a lifespan, and Ji Yu's reconstructed body is no exception. It's true that a benevolent soul can help avoid heavenly punishment, but a Ten-Life Benevolent Soul is a source of immeasurable merit. Its greatest effect is actually to extend one's life essence. Your wife's soul can help him smoothly pass through the Five Decays. As for the Heavenly Dao, you know how it is. It has always been rigid. As long as one doesn't go too far, it turns a blind eye. Ji Yu has also figured out the rules of the Heavenly Dao. He devours a benevolent soul every so often, and the Heavenly Dao becomes like a blind man, unable to see him."
Wu Gu nodded. With Lao Wu around, she felt a sense of confidence. She asked, "Master, do you have a way to deal with Ji Yu? Otherwise, why would you hide in the Soul-Summoning Bell?"
Lao Wu looked at her and sighed. "It's not that I have a way. The founder of the Xuanqing Sect foresaw this calamity long ago and left behind a formation. But this formation requires the activator to enter it with their soul. And you are the one who must activate the formation."
Hearing this, Wu Gu's heart sank. But thinking of it as her sect's mission, she felt it was her bounden duty. She said, "As long as Sister Wei is safe, it's fine."
Lao Wu gave her a sidelong glance. "Scared now, aren't you? Don't want to die anymore, huh? Hurts to think you can't live happily ever after with your wife, doesn't it? I knew this would happen. That's why I, your master, have already thought of a solution for you."
Wu Gu's eyes immediately lit up. He smiled, keeping her in suspense. "Come, let me first educate you on the Xuanqing Sect's Heaven and Earth Return to Origin Spirit-Slaying Formation, hereafter referred to as the Spirit-Slaying Formation."
"If Xuanqing were in its prime, this formation could probably be sustained by the soul power of just a few people. The Spirit-Slaying Formation is an exclusive formation of the Xuanqing Sect. Its unique feature is that whether you are human, ghost, demon, or monster, if Xuanqing wants you destroyed, this formation can annihilate you no matter how powerful you are or where you hide, even at the ends of the earth. It is precisely because the formation's power is so domineering that it made the Heavenly Dao wary. Therefore, to activate it, the Xuanqing Sect must pay a corresponding price."
"After Ji Yu was sealed, every generation of Xuanqing disciples had to offer their souls to the formation upon their passing. That is to say, Xuanqing disciples cannot reincarnate. Only when enough soul power has been accumulated can the formation unleash its power." Hearing this, Wu Gu blinked, then narrowed her eyes at Lao Wu. Lao Wu smacked her on the head. "What's with that look? You think I was scared and unwilling to sacrifice myself to the formation? The one speaking to you now is my primary soul. The rest have long been in the formation."
Wu Gu was shocked. "What do you mean?"
"I mean that I left my primary soul behind for you to use to activate the formation. At first, I was afraid your cultivation was insufficient and your spiritual power was lacking, and that you wouldn't be able to use my primary soul to activate the formation. I didn't expect that after you met your wife, your cultivation would soar and your spiritual power would surge. That's what allowed me to tell you the truth ahead of schedule. Otherwise, did you think I'd be willing to come out just because you shook the bell?"
"Master." Wu Gu was a little sad. "Doesn't sacrificing to the formation mean your soul will be scattered and destroyed?"
Lao Wu nodded. "Don't be sad. The calamity originated with Xuanqing, so sacrificing to the formation is the price. When I brought you back all those years ago, I didn't originally plan to take you as my disciple. I only wanted to teach you some basics to strengthen your body. Who knew you were so talented, achieving proficiency by the age of six."
That year, when Lao Wu saw the Purple Omen appear, his heart ached terribly. If it weren't for the fact that the soul activating the formation had to be a Xuanqing disciple, he wouldn't have taken the risk of using a method to separate his soul. Separating one's soul is no easy task; the slightest mistake could lead to its complete annihilation. Fortunately, for Wu Gu's sake, he endured it all.
Lao Wu looked at Wu Gu, his gaze loving and kind. "The bond between us, master and disciple, is deep. Since I am destined to pass on and sacrifice myself to the formation, it's better that I, your master, bear this burden alone. If I can destroy Ji Yu, it will count as accumulating great merit for you."
Wu Gu's tears fell to the ground like beans, pattering. "Did you do it on purpose? I remember Granny said you weren't fated to die an early death. Master, are you still hiding something from me? If you don't tell me, I'll go ask Granny."
Lao Wu said lightly, "Don't listen to her nonsense. She may have lived a long time, but her arts are lacking. I calculated the time of my passing, so I guided my primary soul into the Soul-Summoning Bell ahead of time to wait for the right moment to help you activate the formation and destroy Ji Yu. Alright, stop crying. When my Little Mushroom cries, your master's heart is about to break."
Wu Gu glared at him through her tears. "Don't call me Little Mushroom. It sounds awful."
Lao Wu was displeased. "When you were little, you have no idea how much you loved it when I called you Little Mushroom. The moment I called, you'd run over for a hug. But when you got to middle school, you learned to be rebellious like the kids outside. You insisted it sounded awful and forbade me from saying it. The older you get, the more infuriating you are."
The change of subject eased Wu Gu's sadness. She widened her eyes at Lao Wu and argued, "It does sound awful. Am I supposed to let people call me 'Little Mushroom' when I'm thirty or forty?"
"What's wrong with that? No matter how old you are, you'll always be a child in my heart."
"Cheesy."
Lao Wu laughed, then his expression turned serious again. "Have you thought about what to do about your wife?" Wu Gu didn't understand. He continued, "Never mind Ji Yu; any ghost or monster with a bit of power covets a Ten-Life Benevolent Soul. Your wife is like Tang Sanzang's flesh—what monster wouldn't want to take a bite? There's no guarantee a situation like the one on New Year's Eve won't happen again."
"Don't you jinx her."
Lao Wu ignored her. "Have you ever heard of Soul Cloth?"
Wu Gu shook her head. "Never heard of it."
"Then go look it up yourself. It's all in the books I left for you." After speaking, he turned and returned to the Soul-Summoning Bell.
Wu Gu was stunned. She quickly grabbed the bell and shook it frantically. "Explain it clearly to me! Seriously, that's your disciple's wife you're talking about! How can you be like this?" Knowing Lao Wu wouldn't come out again, she gave it two more hard shakes, unwilling to give up. With a huff, she placed the Soul-Summoning Bell back on the altar.
The crisis was still present, but Wu Gu was in a good mood. She opened the door and went outside. The others were all waiting for her in the courtyard. Pang Diao zipped to the doorway, didn't see Lao Wu, and flew back to her shoulder. Wu Gu walked over and briefly explained Lao Wu's situation to Granny She and Hou Jingxing. Then she turned and her gaze met Wei Jinzhi's earnest eyes. She tried her best to remain cold, then turned back to Hou Jingxing. "I need to look something up. Don't call me for lunch." With that, she dove back into the room.
Wei Jinzhi subconsciously wanted to follow, but her feet only moved a little before she stopped herself. She figured that Lao Wu had just told Wu Gu a lot, so she should give Wu Gu some time to process it. Once she had, they could focus on resolving the conflict between them. So, she waited until noon, then used the excuse of bringing her lunch to knock on Wu Gu's door.
Wu Gu guessed immediately that it was Wei Jinzhi knocking. This was also her first time fighting with her girlfriend, and she was afraid she wouldn't handle the balance right and would go too far. So, she didn't give her the cold shoulder and refuse to let her in.
Wei Jinzhi saw the stack of books in front of her and helped clear a space on the desk to put down the food. "What are you reading?" she asked, seemingly casually.
"Soul Cloth," Wu Gu replied.
Wei Jinzhi didn't understand these things, nor did she really want to. She was simply looking for a way to start a conversation and gauge Wu Gu's reaction. Although Wu Gu's voice was lukewarm, she hadn't avoided the question, which made Wei Jinzhi feel more confident. She leaned against the desk and reached out to touch Wu Gu's ear as she looked down, leaning closer to ask, "Still angry?"
Wu Gu didn't pull away, but she didn't look up either. "No," she answered.
"If you're not, why won't you look at me? Let's not be angry anymore, okay?" Wei Jinzhi straightened up and took Wu Gu's hand. "Let me hold you," she said. "Hm?"
Every time Wu Gu heard that rising intonation at the end of Wei Jinzhi's words, she found the tone alluring, and her face would flush. She stood up in a huff and burrowed into Wei Jinzhi's arms, protesting, "You're infuriating."
"I just don't want anything to happen to you."
Wu Gu looked up, resting her chin just below Wei Jinzhi's shoulder and tilting her head up slightly to look at her. Wei Jinzhi turned her head to meet her gaze. "You can't be like this every time," Wu Gu said. "You only allow yourself to sacrifice for me, but you won't let me die for you. That's not fair. I don't think that's fair." She leaned in and took the initiative to kiss Wei Jinzhi's cheek, gently and carefully. "I'm willing to do these things for you because I like you. If one day I don't like you anymore, then you won't have to worry about me dying for you."
Wei Jinzhi didn't speak, but the arms holding her tightened, pulling her closer. A smile appeared in Wu Gu's eyes. "Sister Wei," she said, "you want me to like you, but you won't let me do the things that come with liking you. Isn't that a contradiction?"
Wei Jinzhi said, "Yes, I am that contradictory. I want you to be mine forever, but I don't want to drag you down."
Wu Gu rested her head on Wei Jinzhi's shoulder, her fingers idly fiddling with the zipper pull on Wei Jinzhi's clothes. "I'm not contradictory at all," she said. "I just want to be with you, in life and in death."
Wei Jinzhi sighed, as if compromising. "We'll definitely be alright. Let's not be angry anymore, okay?"
"I'm not angry, I'm just sad. Sad that you're always thinking of my well-being while I keep worrying you. But I just don't want to be separated from you at all. More than anyone, I want you to live a good life with me."
"I know," Wei Jinzhi said. "Otherwise, you wouldn't be in here flipping through books without even eating. You haven't worried me. You've saved me time and time again. I'm endlessly grateful."
Wu Gu said coquettishly, "Then hold me tight, and I'll forgive you."
"Aren't I holding you now?" Wei Jinzhi chuckled lightly and lifted her face, teasing her as she leaned close to her ear. "Hm? Is a hug all you want?"
Exposed, Wu Gu grew flustered and angry, pretending she was going to bite her. "You're awful! You're infuriating!"
No matter how angry Wu Gu was, she was no match for Wei Jinzhi's kisses, especially when Wei Jinzhi kissed her so tenderly and lovingly. She closed her eyes, lost in the moment, hugging her Sister Wei with all her heart. Wei Jinzhi's lips left Wu Gu's, then pecked her cheek, her ear, and the tip of her nose, before pulling back a little to look into Wu Gu's eyes.
With her eyes still closed, Wu Gu knew Wei Jinzhi was watching her. She opened them. Her eyes looked as if they were brimming with water, hazy and veiled in mist. They were more like a disguised trap, just waiting for Wei Jinzhi to get lost and fall willingly inside.
Wei Jinzhi let out a soft sigh, then smiled. "Fate really spent a dozen years slapping me in the face, just to give me a sweet prize like you in the end."
Wu Gu smiled back, sweet and delectable. "Then you'd better cherish me. Aren't I great? Catching ghosts, capturing demons, feng shui, divination—I'm an expert in everything." She pointed to the box of magical artifacts Lao Wu had left. "And all these antiques. Finding me was a real bargain for you."
Wei Jinzhi nodded in perfect agreement. "It was my fault for making you angry before. Now, be good and eat your food first."
Thinking Wei Jinzhi was about to leave, Wu Gu blurted out, "Where are you going now?"
"I'm not going anywhere. I'll stay right here and keep you company, okay?"
Wu Gu smiled sweetly and kissed Wei Jinzhi's lips, her words spoken against them. "Okay."
Author's Notes
One day, Lao Wu brought home a newly human-formed Hou Jingxing.
A very young Wu Gu, who was in the courtyard at the time, saw her master from afar, leading a well-behaved, fair-skinned boy. An expression of "I knew it" instantly appeared on her face. She said, acting all grown-up, "Master, you've finally brought your illegitimate son home."
That's more like it, she thought. How could her master, in the prime of his life, endure the loneliness?
That evening, Hou Jingxing brought a peach to Wu Gu, who was being punished by holding a basin of water in the courtyard. He asked her, "Sister, why is Master Wu punishing you?"
Wu Gu gave a sheepish laugh. "You'll understand when you're older."
Lao Wu strode out of the house with a discipline ruler and roared, "If you spout any more nonsense, I'll break your legs!"
Wu Gu shrank her neck and secretly rolled her eyes while looking down.
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