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, was me."

Zhu Qingyan raised her elegant eyebrows slightly, "Ah?"

"Before that, I had already killed four protectors of the Golden Wind Sect; last time I came to investigate 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!" Xiumang hurriedly said, "Young Master killed the first Golden Wind Sect protector because he was protecting me, which drew the attention of the other three."

Bai Ke snorted, "Taking the blame, huh? If you're going to take the blame, then the first Golden Wind Sect protector was actually lured here 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? It's actually in my possession," Gu Zhao said, barely holding back a laugh.

Bai Ke: ╭(°A°`)╮

Zhu Qingyan, listening beside them, was also a bit bewildered, but after Gu Zhao explained everything, she finally understood the full story.

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

The black-robed protector arrived in Xiuyue County just as Bai Ke was absorbing incense at the Golden Wind Hall there, mistaking her for the thief, chasing her all the way to Cuicun Village, where she met Xiumang—and was promptly killed by Gu Zhao's timely arrival.

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

Having fully enraged the Golden Wind Sect, Gu Zhao came to Xiuyue County to gather intelligence, was accidentally brought into the hall by a local divisional divine general, clashed with Ren Tianhe—who was also there to investigate—and killed him, seizing another incense statue in the process.

This is pure attrition warfare…

Although the Golden Wind Sect's protectors are merely lowly servants the Golden Wind Divine King uses for chores, they still take time and effort to cultivate—and he can't afford to lose them one by one.

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

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

Xiumang looked apologetically at Zhu Qingyan.

Zhu Qingyan shook her head, "No, you saved me."

Xiumang stared blankly at Zhu Qingyan.

"Even without you, the Golden Wind Divine King could have come to Xiuyue County at any time for other reasons," Zhu Qingyan said coolly. "But without you, I would have certainly died."

"Moreover, I now know where Yuan Wenrui is," Zhu Qingyan clenched her fist tightly, teeth gritted. "If not for your rescue, I wouldn't even be able to become a ghost and avenge my parents!"

"So we also have a great grudge against the Golden Wind Sect," Gu Zhao said sincerely. "Miss Zhu, don't rush. If you suddenly vanished, Yuan Wenrui would become alert—and with the Golden Wind Divine King stationed in Changping Prefecture, you can't kill him."

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

She had always been a cold and detached nature; after death, she had spent decades secluded in her old mansion, never stepping beyond the inner gates. Recently, sudden upheavals, coupled with the shock of Yuan Wenrui's whereabouts, had driven her to seek only his death—or to die alongside him.

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

"Miss Zhu, if you don't mind the village's simplicity, come back with us," Xiumang stood beside Gu Zhao, looking at Zhu Qingyan hopefully.

Zhu Qingyan looked at the hopeful Xiumang, the sincere Gu Zhao, and the smiling Daoist Yan Song—her heart warmed, and she nodded. "Then I'll be troubling you."

"No trouble at all!" Xiumang hurriedly said. "These past few days, Grandpa led the villagers to build another small 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 with the lumber mill's operations.

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

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

Wooden furniture was made by themselves; other items included palm-fiber mattresses, pure cotton bedding, ceramic tableware, purple clay teaware, writing brushes, ink, paper, and 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 benefits to the rest of the village.

Back in Cuicun Village, though the villagers were awed by Zhu Qingyan's beauty, seeing she returned with Gu Zhao and Daoist Yan Song, they naturally treated her with utmost respect.

And Zhu Qingyan now learned of Gu Zhao and Daoist Yan Song's origins.

Secluded · Emerged in chaotic times, retreated in peace · Righteous Hero · Upholding Heaven's Way · Pure Daoist · Powerful Dao Arts · Dao Sect!

Zhu Qingyan: w(°o°)w

…

Zhu Qingyan temporarily stayed in Gu Zhao's home and began healing and cultivating.

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

That night, after dinner, Gu Zhao saw Zhu 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 Zhu Qingyan. "I have a question."

"What question?" Zhu Qingyan turned her head.

"Yuan Wenrui hid himself so well—even deceived your father. You barely interacted with him back then. How did you sense his corrupt nature?" Gu Zhao asked.

Zhu Qingyan's eyes darkened, and she turned away silently. "It was the music."

"Music?"

"Do you remember the jade flute Yu Fei brought out?"

"I remember."

"He took it from my father," Zhu Qingyan said softly. "On the day of my father's birthday, he came personally to pay respects, and my father gifted him his beloved jade flute, asking him to play a duet with me."

"In that piece, I heard his soul," Zhu Qingyan gazed at the moon. "He tried to conceal it—but I still heard his ambition and his coldness."

Gu Zhao blinked. "Your father didn't hear it?"

Zhu Qingyan, "…"

"Cough! Cough!" Gu Zhao cleared his throat twice. "Thank goodness I can't play music."

Zhu Qingyan turned back to Gu Zhao, a faint smile glimmering in her eyes. "Only those with extraordinary talent can reveal their true heart through music—or hide it."

Gu Zhao, "…"

"But some people's nature doesn't need music to reveal itself."

"Yeah, thanks for the comfort."