Chapter 37
Outside Wind and Rain Pool, Lou Bugui was overjoyed and wanted to rush inside, but was held back tightly by Xi Guxing gripping his wrist, unable to move an inch. He didn’t stop struggling at all, still exerting all his strength to try to enter the Wind and Rain Pool filled with poisonous fog.
Lou Bugui was rarely this excited: “Senior Brother! Senior Brother! ‘Soul Separation’ is effective! Senior Brother, Senior Brother!”
Xi Guxing had a splitting headache and angrily said: “Didn’t I forbid you from researching poison?!”
Lou Bugui’s excitement didn’t diminish at all, still flailing in Xi Guxing’s grip, stumbling as he tried to run forward: “I knew the Soul-Capturing Grass would be useful. Once Soul Separation is complete, I…”
Xi Guxing: “Lou Bugui!”
The next moment, a dragon’s roar echoed from the horizon, instantly reaching the two of them.
Zhao Jiuxiao quickly transformed into human form and landed gracefully with Shen Guorong.
Both of them had been contaminated by some of Lou Bugui’s “Soul Separation”, and their steps were unsteady when they first landed.
Zhao Jiuxiao raised his hand imposingly, his black robes billowing like wind around his body. He approached with the air of someone seeking revenge, his robes fluttering as he angrily said: “You little waste! Come here!”
Lou Bugui reacted half a beat slower, tilting his head as he looked at him.
Both of them were completely soaked, Shen Guorong’s ice silk had already fallen limply around his neck, his face was pale, his white hair hung down his back still dripping with water, his eyes unfocused and vacant, looking like he had lost his soul.
Zhao Jiuxiao’s demonic constitution was formidable – even though he had just been shaken enough to cough up blood and been hit full in the face by Soul Separation, he still acted like nothing had happened. He was furious, but his steps toward Lou Bugui weren’t quite straight, as if he might veer off to the side while walking.
Xi Guxing coughed dryly and somewhat guiltily released his grip.
Lou Bugui immediately rushed forward several steps, running right into Zhao Jiuxiao’s hands.
Zhao Jiuxiao mercilessly slapped him across the head, making him stumble sideways.
Lou Bugui’s excitement faded, and he looked at him somewhat confused, finally realizing: “Fifth Senior Brother.”
Fifth Senior Brother angrily said: “What demonic thing have you researched now?! If you have this much energy, why can’t you use it for proper purposes?! Huh?! Speak!”
Lou Bugui spoke: “Fifth Senior Brother, you’ve come out of seclusion.”
Zhao Jiuxiao raised his hand and slapped him again. Having been affected by Soul Separation, he didn’t have much strength, but Lou Bugui still swayed from the hit.
Xi Guxing finally couldn’t stand it anymore and stepped forward: “He’s already simple-minded, stop hitting his head all the time.”
Zhao Jiuxiao flew into a rage, spitting fire at him: “Did I make him stupid by hitting him?!”
Zhao Jiuxiao’s secluded pool where he had rested for many years was destroyed in one day, and being inexplicably contaminated by that wretched poison made his temper even more explosive.
He completely ignored Xi Guxing, raising his index finger to repeatedly poke Lou Bugui’s forehead, making him sway back and forth.
Zhao Jiuxiao poked while scolding: “If I don’t hit you, you won’t know how many legs a dragon has! What are you dodging for? Wind and Rain Pool was painstakingly built by Master using boundless water for me, and you, a little waste, destroyed it in one day. How do you plan to compensate me?! And how do you plan to beg Master’s forgiveness? Huh? Speak!”
Lou Bugui was poked senseless, staring at him in confusion.
Shen Guorong nearby had been directly hit by Soul Separation poison. He stood there dazed for a while, barely hearing Zhao Jiuxiao’s scolding, only feeling a fuzzy buzzing in his ears, as if shrouded in white fog.
Phoenix spiritual power, though formidable and rare, was extremely difficult to refine for personal use. This time, Shen Guorong had accidentally formed a contract with the phoenix, so the phoenix spiritual power in his meridians, previously useless, could now be easily absorbed into his core to improve his cultivation.
But Shen Guorong was too unlucky – just after recovering his cultivation, he was poisoned by Lou Bugui’s rare toxin.
Previously, Shen Guorong had secretly kept one of Lou Bugui’s Soul-Capturing Grass, but later, not knowing how to use it, he had casually thrown it away. Now with “Soul Separation” appearing, he finally knew the true use of Soul-Capturing Grass.
Soul Separation, as its name suggested, made one feel as if their soul was light and floating, as if it could fly away at any moment.
Su Xiyan hurried over from a distance. Seeing Shen Guorong had returned to human form, he smiled and approached: “Shiyi, how do you feel?”
Shen Guorong looked toward the voice, uncertainly saying: “Su Xiyan?”
Su Xiyan found it somewhat strange and was about to feel Shen Guorong’s forehead, but he stepped back half a step to avoid it.
“He and Jiuxiao were poisoned by Bugui’s newly developed ‘Soul Separation,’ but fortunately they didn’t absorb much – they’ll recover in a few days.” Xi Guxing quickly stepped forward to support the swaying Shen Guorong, saying to Su Xiyan, “Wind and Rain Pool is now full of poisonous fog. I’ve already set up a barrier. Senior Sister, you should research with Bugui how to dispel the poisonous fog.”
Su Xiyan blinked in surprise: “What Bugui gave Shiyi was truly a lethal poison?”
Xi Guxing’s face darkened: “I said the coffin was just a joke, but he seems to have really intended for Shiyi and Jiuxiao to perish together with that poison.”
Su Xiyan: “…”
Su Xiyan smiled helplessly: “Alright, I understand. You should take Shiyi back first.”
Shen Guorong had suffered so much in just a few days – finally recovering his true form only to be poisoned again. Even Xi Guxing felt some sympathy for him.
“Mm, alright.”
Xi Guxing took the dazed Shen Guorong back to Fanjiang Residence, while Zhao Jiuxiao continued scolding Lou Bugui.
Lou Bugui’s actions and speech were often many beats slower. Even when someone scolded him, it might take him a long while to react. But Zhao Jiuxiao’s scolding was so fierce that he actually made him crouch on the ground pitifully, fingers plucking at the small grass on the ground.
Su Xiyan said: “Jiuxiao, stop scolding. Bugui knows he was wrong.”
“He doesn’t know he was wrong at all.” Zhao Jiuxiao glared at him, then reluctantly withdrew his hand.
Lou Bugui’s forehead had been poked red by him, and now he was pitifully holding his head, saying nothing.
Zhao Jiuxiao gathered his wide robes and said irritably: “Wind and Rain Pool is uninhabitable now. Where am I supposed to coil up?”
Su Xiyan said: “Isn’t Lotus Lake bigger and more spacious? You can go there while the poisonous fog hasn’t dispersed, but be careful not to frighten passing disciples.”
Zhao Jiuxiao’s eyes widened in disbelief, and he exploded again: “Senior Sister! Lotus Lake is right next to Fanjiang Residence! Are you trying to disgust this dragon to death?!”
Su Xiyan was about to gently persuade him when Lou Bugui slightly raised his head and said quietly: “Fifth Senior Brother can stay at my place.”
Zhao Jiuxiao scoffed disdainfully, glancing at him: “If I stay at your place, you’ll go research the poisonous fog at Wind and Rain Pool, right?”
Lou Bugui’s eyes lit up, thinking he had agreed, and quickly nodded.
Zhao Jiuxiao started grabbing his collar and poking his forehead again.
Su Xiyan said: “How about it?”
Zhao Jiuxiao angrily said: “Fine, I’ll go! But tell Shen Shiyi to be careful – it’s best if he doesn’t leave his room for all twelve hours of the day, otherwise I’ll swallow him every time I see him!”
After saying this, he snorted coldly, flicked his robes, transformed into his massive demonic form on the spot, soared through the clouds, and flew to Lotus Lake, diving headfirst into it.
The water splashed up from Lotus Lake fell like heavy rain, drenching Xi Guxing and Shen Guorong, who hadn’t yet entered the house, like drowned rats.
Xi Guxing: “…”
Xi Guxing also had a hot temper. He pushed Shen Guorong aside, drew his Short Scenery Sword, and stormed off to Lotus Lake.
“Zhao Jiuxiao! Get out here!”
Zhao Jiuxiao had been hibernating for a whole winter and had just come out of seclusion to encounter such vexing matters. He was looking to stretch his muscles, and seeing Xi Guxing come over soaking wet to challenge him, he immediately became excited and emerged from Lotus Lake.
The dragon lowered his head toward Xi Guxing on the shore and roared: “Come on!”
Xi Guxing’s face was expressionless as he charged forward with his Short Scenery Sword.
The entire Li Ren Peak was disturbed by the commotion of their fight, and everyone came to Jiuchun Mountain to watch, but because the two fighters were causing Lotus Lake’s water to splash up and fall down, afraid of getting wet, they could only watch from afar.
Mu Zhe had finally finished copying “Harmony is Precious” four hundred and fifty times and was about to find his master when it suddenly started raining intermittently outside.
He looked at the clear sky in confusion and went out with an umbrella to see what was happening.
Yu Xinghe was scratching his head in frustration while copying “Harmony is Precious.” Seeing Mu Zhe run out through the window, he quickly called: “Little Senior Brother, are you finished copying?”
Mu Zhe paused, turned back to look at him, and nodded reservedly: “Finished.”
Yu Xinghe exclaimed “Ah!” and immediately grabbed his hair, extremely anxious: “I need to copy faster too!”
Mu Zhe ignored his consistent competitive spirit and went out with his umbrella.
The battle was still raging in Lotus Lake, with huge splashes occasionally falling on Fanjiang Residence – who knows if Zhao Jiuxiao was doing it on purpose.
Mu Zhe didn’t dare approach Lotus Lake. Seeing the wide-open gate of Fanjiang Residence’s main courtyard, he hesitantly glanced inside.
With just one look, he froze in place.
The main courtyard of Fanjiang Residence was full of mist-like evening primroses, now beaten down by the water in a pitiful state. Shen Guorong had returned to his original form and was sitting dazedly on the wooden steps of the corridor, ice silk draped over his front, his eyes vacant as he stared into space.
He was soaking wet, several strands of white hair plastered to his pale cheeks by the water, even his lips had an unhealthy pallor.
Another stream of water fell from the sky, hitting Shen Guorong directly on the head.
But he seemed not to see it, not even dodging, letting the water drench him from head to toe. His white robe formed from water droplets was already soaked, clinging tightly to his body, vaguely revealing his jade-like form.
Mu Zhe: “…”
Mu Zhe quickly ran over and held his umbrella over Shen Guorong’s head: “Master!”
Shen Guorong’s eyes were unfocused and couldn’t concentrate at all.
Mu Zhe shook his arm: “Master, Master?”
Shen Guorong was shaken for a long time before barely coming to his senses. He murmured: “Ah Zhe?”
Mu Zhe was startled.
Shen Guorong groped and raised his hand to embrace him, saying quietly: “Master will protect you.”
Mu Zhe trembled all over, looking at him in disbelief.
After saying these words, Shen Guorong began to drift off again.
Mu Zhe was stunned for a long time before realizing his master probably had some problem again. He could only put aside those chaotic emotions for now.
He held the umbrella while half-carrying, half-dragging Shen Guorong into the room, casually throwing the umbrella aside.
Shen Guorong stumbled and fell into the chair, knees drawn up, feet on the chair, maintaining a position of hugging his knees as he curled up in the narrow chair.
Mu Zhe didn’t have much strength, and this effort had him breathing heavily. Seeing Shen Guorong in such a disheveled state, he took a dry towel and gently wiped the water from Shen Guorong’s face.
Just as he finished wiping, he watched as two streams of tears slowly flowed from Shen Guorong’s glass-like eyes.
Mu Zhe was stunned again.
Shen Guorong cried quietly and beautifully, as exquisite as a meticulously crafted puppet from Linlang Pavilion that could sell for a fortune.
As if possessed, Mu Zhe raised his hand and gently wiped away the tears on Shen Guorong’s face.
“Master?”
Shen Guorong gently closed his eyes, not knowing if he had heard.
Shen Guorong’s vacant, drifting state lasted for two full days, until the third day when he finally sobered up.
And the first thing he did upon waking was to settle accounts with Lou Bugui.
Shen Guorong put on a red robe that Su Xiyan had given him, his expression dark as he left Fanjiang Residence, planning to kill his way to Baishang Mountain.
But after just two steps, he realized he couldn’t reach Baishang Mountain at all because he didn’t know the way.
Shen Guorong: “…”
Shen Guorong had to retreat, thinking that a gentleman’s revenge could wait ten years, he’d deal with it next time, he was still just a child after all.
Just as he returned to Fanjiang Residence, Wen Liubing came quickly carrying a stack of papers.
“Master.” He bowed and said, “The ‘Harmony is Precious’ you asked me to copy a few days ago, this disciple has finished copying it.”
Shen Guorong had almost forgotten about this matter. He gave him a cool look: “I remember this was from five days ago.”
Wen Liubing nodded.
Shen Guorong was just making casual conversation. He raised his hand indicating for him to pass over the copied work – this was his first time punishing someone with copying, so he planned to personally check it.
Wen Liubing respectfully presented it with both hands.
Shen Guorong took it and casually flipped through a few pages, then suddenly fell silent.
Dozens of pages were filled with “Harmony is Precious.” The top half had childish but very refined handwriting that Shen Guorong had seen before in Mu Zhe’s room.
The bottom half of the pages had “Harmony is Precious” written crookedly, probably because he was rushed toward the end – the characters were almost flying off the page. Those who didn’t know might think it said “demons and monsters.”
Shen Guorong gently pressed his fingertips on that stack of papers, took a deep breath, mentally chanting “Harmony is Precious, Harmony is Precious”, trying to stay calm as he asked: “Disciple, why are these characters in different handwriting?”
Wen Liubing said: “Master, this disciple needs to go practice sword work.”
Shen Guorong: “…”
Wen Liubing couldn’t even lie properly. Seeing the situation was bad, he turned to leave.
Shen Guorong said coldly: “Stop!”
Wen Liubing paused, then suddenly shouted sternly: “Stop!”
Mu Zhe and Yu Xinghe, who were walking together back from morning class nearby, were startled by the shout and looked over in confusion.
Shen Guorong crossed his arms and coldly watched how Wen Liubing would cover up his lie.
Wen Liubing said to the two disapprovingly: “Master is here, why don’t you come pay your respects when you see him? Did dogs eat your manners?”
Mu Zhe, Yu Xinghe: “…”
Weren’t you the one who said there was nothing else and not to bother Master?
Shen Guorong finally couldn’t hold back. His voice was ominous as he said each word distinctly: “Wen-San-Shui.”
Wen Sanshui felt a chill down his back.