Chapter 68: The Matter Is Finally Clear

Gu Zhao pointed at himself, “The man who came to Xiuyue County half a month ago and killed Ren Tianhe, stealing the Golden Wind Divine King’s incense statue, is me.”

Zhuo Qingyan raised her elegant eyebrows, “Ah?”

“Before that, I had already killed four protectors of the Golden Wind Sect. Last time, I came to scout their strength, but something unexpected happened,” Gu Zhao shrugged. “I didn’t expect to draw the Golden Wind Divine King’s attention—and drag you into it.”

"No! No!" He Xiuniang hurriedly said, "The young master killed the first Golden Wind protector because he was protecting me, which drew the attention of the other three."

Bai Ke pursed her lips, “Taking the blame, huh? If you’re going to take the blame, then the first Golden Wind protector was actually lured there by me.”

Gu Zhao patted Bai Ke’s head, “I’ve been meaning to tell you something.”

Bai Ke closed her eyes contentedly, “What’s that?”

“The black-robed old ghost who accused you of stealing the incense statue? I have it,” Gu Zhao said, barely holding back a laugh.

Bai Ke: ╭(°A°`)╮

Zhuo Qingyan, listening beside them, was also a bit bewildered—until Gu Zhao explained everything, and the full story became clear.

A Golden Wind Maiden, for reasons unknown, appeared in Cuicun Village with the incense statue, intending to drain Gu Zhao’s life—but he killed her and took the statue.

The black-robed protector arrived in Xiuyue County just as Bai Ke was absorbing incense energy at the Golden Wind Hall there. Mistaking her for the thief, he chased her all the way to Cuicun Village, encountered He Xiuniang, and was promptly killed by Gu Zhao’s timely arrival.

After the black-robed protector died, the other three protectors tracked Bai Ke’s spiritual aura to Cuicun Village—and lost their lives too.

Having fully enraged the Golden Wind Sect, Gu Zhao came to Xiuyue County to gather intelligence, was accidentally brought into the branch hall by a local Divine General, clashed with Ren Tianhe—who had also come to investigate—and killed him, seizing another incense statue.

This is pure attrition warfare…

Though the Golden Wind Sect’s protectors are merely lowly servants of the Golden Wind Divine King, they still take time and effort to train—and they can’t afford to be lost one by one like this.

So the Golden Wind Divine King, finally out of patience, came in person. He found no trace of the incense statue—but he discovered Zhuo Qingyan’s existence.

Gu Zhao bowed slightly, “So strictly speaking, we truly have dragged you into this.”

He Xiuniang looked apologetically at Zhuo Qingyan.

Zhuo Qingyan shook her head, “No. You saved me.”

He Xiuniang stared at Zhuo Qingyan, utterly baffled.

“Even without you, the Golden Wind Divine King could have come to Xiuyue County at any time for any reason,” Zhuo Qingyan said coolly. “But without you, I would have died for certain.”

“Besides, I now know Yuan Wenrui’s whereabouts,” Zhuo Qingyan clenched her fist, teeth gritted. “If not for your help, I wouldn’t even be able to become a ghost and avenge my parents!”

“So we too have a great grudge against the Golden Wind Sect,” Gu Zhao said sincerely. “Miss Zhuo, don’t rush. If you suddenly vanished, Yuan Wenrui would become wary. With the Golden Wind Divine King stationed in Changping Prefecture, you can’t kill him.”

Zhuo Qingyan took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.

She was naturally cold and aloof. After death, she had spent decades secluded in her old mansion, never stepping beyond the inner gates. Only recently, after the sudden upheaval and the shock of Yuan Wenrui’s whereabouts, had she been consumed by the desire to kill him—or die with him.

But she was ultimately sharp-minded. After Gu Zhao’s reminder, she realized now was not the right time to storm Changping Prefecture. After all, as Prefect of Changping, Yuan Wenrui might have other cultivators protecting him besides the Golden Wind Divine King.

“Miss Zhuo, if you don’t mind the village’s simplicity, come back with us,” He Xiuniang stood beside Gu Zhao, looking at Zhuo Qingyan with hopeful eyes.

Zhuo Qingyan looked at the hopeful He Xiuniang, the sincere Gu Zhao, and the smiling Daoist Yan Song—and her heart warmed. She nodded. “Then I’ll be troubling you.”

“No trouble at all!” He Xiuniang hurriedly said. “These past few days, Grandpa led the villagers to build a new little courtyard—plenty of rooms!”

Gu Zhao told He Laozhang he wanted to build a Daoist temple on Cuiluo Mountain. He Laozhang was overjoyed and immediately agreed, becoming even more diligent in managing the lumber mill.

But temple construction takes time, so Gu Zhao gathered carpenters, stonemasons, and bricklayers from several nearby villages and built a fairly large courtyard in just a few days—for Yan Song Daoist and Gu Zhao to live in, and as practice for the future temple.

Though Gu Zhao hadn’t brought many things over, the village courtyard was already quite comfortable.

Wooden furniture was made by themselves; there were also palm-fiber mattresses, pure cotton bedding, ceramic tableware, purple clay tea sets, writing brushes, ink, paper, inkstone, clothing, hats, shoes, socks…

The items weren’t expensive or numerous, but enough to ensure basic living standards—and they also improved He Laozhang’s living conditions, bringing some benefit to the rest of the village.

Back in Cuicun Village, though the villagers were awestruck by Zhuo Qingyan’s beauty, seeing her return with Gu Zhao and Yan Song Daoist, they naturally treated her with deep respect.

And Zhuo Qingyan now learned of Gu Zhao and Yan Song Daoist’s origins.

Secluded · Emerged in Chaos · Retired in Peace · Righteous Hero · Upholding Heaven’s Way · Pure Daoist · Powerful Dao Arts · Daoist Sect!

Zhuo Qingyan: w(°o°)w

…

Zhuo Qingyan temporarily stayed at Gu Zhao’s home and began healing and cultivating.

Having absorbed the malevolent energy from Chu Da and Yu Fei, Gu Zhao and Yan Song Daoist needed time to assimilate it.

That night, after dinner, Gu Zhao saw Zhuo Qingyan sitting alone on the roof, gazing at the bright moon. Moonlight spilled over her cloud-patterned gauze dress, reflecting a silver glow.

Gu Zhao leapt onto the roof and sat beside her. “I have a question.”

“What question?” Zhuo Qingyan turned her head.

“Yuan Wenrui hid himself so well—even fooled your father. You barely interacted with him. How did you know he was morally corrupt?” Gu Zhao asked.

Zhuo Qingyan’s eyes darkened. She turned away silently. “It was the music.”

“Music?”

“Do you remember the jade flute Yu Fei pulled out?”

“I remember.”

“He took it from my father,” Zhuo Qingyan said softly. “On my father’s birthday, he came personally to pay respects. My father gifted him the jade flute he cherished—and asked him to play a duet with me.”

“In that piece, I heard his soul,” Zhuo Qingyan gazed at the moon. “He tried to hide it—but I still heard his ambition and his coldness.”

Gu Zhao blinked. “Your father didn’t hear it?”

Zhuo Qingyan, “…”

“Cough! Cough!” Gu Zhao cleared his throat. “Thank goodness I can’t play music.”

Zhuo Qingyan turned to look at Gu Zhao, a faint smile in her eyes. “Only those with extraordinary talent can reveal their true heart through music—or conceal it.”

Gu Zhao, “…”

“But some people’s nature doesn’t need music to reveal itself.”

“Yeah, thanks for the comfort.”