Chapter 56: Aunt, We Cannot Make Jokes About Ethics (Begging for Monthly Passes!)

That night.

After the sumptuous banquet.

Meng Zhangqing was pulled by Gu Hongyu into her room.

Although Aunt is an elder, she is still a woman.

The arrangement of her room was quite elegant.

A faint, subtle fragrance also filled the air, refreshing to the heart and mind, just like the one on her person.

"Aunt, is there something you need?"

Meng Zhangqing rubbed his face.

It was rare to return once, so toasts from some clan elders and clan members were unavoidable.

However, with his cultivation base, getting drunk was impossible.

Yet after traveling for a long time, he truly wanted to return to his room to rest.

But just as he was leaving, Aunt called him over, and he came here.

"Take off your clothes."

Gu Hongyu spoke.

"Ah?"

Meng Zhangqing was instantly stunned. "Aunt, we cannot make jokes about ethics."

"You brat!"

Gu Hongyu rolled her beautiful eyes, then lightly tapped Meng Zhangqing's head with her right hand. "What are you thinking of?"

"If I say take them off, take them off."

"Alright."

Meng Zhangqing could only comply.

He could ignore others' words, even disregard them, but Aunt was a different matter.

As the clothes were removed.

Meng Zhangqing's perfect upper body was revealed.

Although there were no explosive muscles, the contours were distinct, full yet possessing an artistic beauty.

Even Gu Hongyu was stunned.

However, concealed by a bamboo hat, Meng Zhangqing could not see her expression.

The daze lasted only a moment; Gu Hongyu quickly came to her senses.

She coughed lightly, then said, "Stand still."

As the words fell.

Gu Hongyu was seen forming hand seals with both hands.

The speed was extremely fast.

Finally, she slapped it onto Meng Zhangqing's chest.

In an instant, a lotus pattern appeared beneath the skin of his chest.

The lotus was white and pure, seemingly untouched by dust.

Seeing this, Gu Hongyu let out a huge sigh of relief, withdrew her hand, and removed her bamboo hat.

It was difficult to describe how beautiful this face was.

Her skin was like congealed fat, so delicate it could be broken by a breath.

Her eyes were even like autumn water, with flowing light, captivating the soul.

Meng Zhangqing had once guessed why Gu Hongyu always wore a bamboo hat; he originally thought it was because her face was too outstanding, to prevent others from coveting it, but later felt it was not so.

It seemed there was another hidden reason.

"Aunt, what is this?"

Meng Zhangqing was somewhat confused.

"It is a method to detect demonic arts."

Gu Hongyu said casually. "I am still clear on your aptitude; under normal circumstances, in two years, it is absolutely impossible to reach the Open Orifices realm."

"Fortunately, you did not take a shortcut to cultivate demonic arts or evil techniques."

"Aunt, you trust me too little."

Meng Zhangqing was somewhat helpless and amused.

No wonder he was asked to take off his clothes as soon as he entered; apparently, she thought he had cultivated demonic arts.

"You have been away from home for two years, and I am not by your side; who knows."

Gu Hongyu relaxed, wrinkled her beautiful nose, and crossed her arms over her chest.

She was actually not much older than Meng Zhangqing.

Now she was only thirty.

Perhaps it was natural beauty.

Or perhaps it was proper maintenance.

On her, there were no traces of time, only the charm of maturity.

"Then what if I really did cultivate demonic arts?"

Meng Zhangqing looked at her, his tone somewhat strange.

Gu Hongyu raised her eyebrows slightly and locked eyes with Meng Zhangqing.

For a long time, she said nothing.

Finally, she shrugged.

"What else can you do?"

"I raised you with all my effort—do you think I'm supposed to become a righteous guardian and kill you myself?"

"Of course, we just go along with it."

Upon hearing this,

Meng Zhangqing's lips curled into a smile.

No wonder she was the most important person to him.

She would always stand by his side, right or wrong.

"Don't worry, Auntie, I have a clear path ahead—I have no need to walk the demonic path."

Meng Zhangqing said softly, "My cultivation base has advanced so quickly mainly due to a stroke of fortune."

"Mm."

Gu Hongyu nodded. "Though your talent is ordinary, in martial cultivation, talent isn't absolute—fortune is also a key factor."

"Looks like you've got some fortune on your side."

"Why didn't it show up before?"

"Maybe the timing just hadn't come yet."

Meng Zhangqing smiled faintly.

At the same time, he activated his Insight Eye.

Earlier, surrounded by clan members, he hadn't had time to examine his aunt's profile.

Now, finally, he had time.