Chapter 171: The Ghost-Fearing Murong Jiu

Jiuxiu Manor, the flower hall within.

The Little Fairy extended her fist and struck Murong Jiu with a move from the Five Absolute Divine Art; Murong Jiu slightly curled his fingers and flicked once, causing her techniques to shift and change, yet he deflected and countered using only two fingers; as their exchange continued, the Little Fairy pressed her palm against Murong Jiu's fingers, borrowing his force to flip upward and leap onto the flower pavilion, where her long whip suddenly lashed through the air, extending into the Nine Appearances of the Dragon, Ghosts Fear It.

Murong Jiu's figure drifted and swayed, while the whip coiled midair, its tip as if endowed with eyes, forming large and small loops, straight circles and slanted spirals; Murong Jiu reached to grasp it, yet the Little Fairy's whip seemed like a fine silk thread—weightless, retreating, advancing, shrinking, dodging—as if alive.

Murong Jiu failed to land several strikes, watching the whip's erratic coils; the Little Fairy's hand appeared to exert no force at all—it did not look like martial skill, but like a ghost controlling an object.

A thought flashed through Murong Jiu's mind, sending a chill through her; she felt a cold breath rising from her back to the crown of her head, bent her knees, and lunged out of the flower pavilion.

The Little Fairy followed close behind, the whip as if guided by eyes, pursuing Murong Jiu's vital points.

"Hit."

Gu Qing, knowing Murong Jiu feared ghosts, darted forward, snatched Murong Jiu into his arms, and used his Spirit Link Finger to pinch the whip's lock; the whip's force snapped section by section, breaking the Little Fairy's entire sequence.

Murong Jiu clung tightly to Gu Qing, feeling safety return; she glanced sideways, watching Gu Qing halt the Little Fairy, then felt as if she had returned to the human world—her spirit relaxed, a light sweat still dampened her forehead, and her body trembled.

"If ghosts truly existed, since ancient times, billions of the dead would have seen them; if humans could see ghosts, then ghosts would be everywhere."

Gu Qing noticed Murong Jiu's fear and whispered words of comfort.

Murong Jiu turned her head and looked at the Little Fairy.

The Little Fairy saw Murong Jiu's timidity, bared her teeth fiercely, and said: "That's right—I'm already a ghost!"

Murong Jiu was stunned and uncertain.

Gu Qing, holding Murong Jiu's slender waist, recalled how this beauty had once been terrified into madness; he pinched hard on the firm curve of her lower back, snapping her back to awareness, and said: "To tell if ghosts exist is simple—ghosts are born of human spirit, but clothes have no spirit; so if ghosts truly existed, the Little Fairy should be naked."

With these words, Murong Jiu fully awakened; her demeanor gradually returned to its former cold aloofness.

"Jing-jie, take off your clothes before you scare me again."

Murong Jiu spoke with a hint of displeasure.

"Hmph!"

The Little Fairy wrinkled her nose, gripped the whip's lock tightly, and with a flick, the Nine Appearances of the Dragon, Ghosts Fear It coiled into several loops and hung from her waist.

"Your Fossil Divine Art has already broken through the fourth level and stabilized further; in terms of inner power, you've surpassed the Little Fairy."

Gu Qing, holding Murong Jiu, said: "But your techniques are still too angular, and you've only just begun studying the Five Absolute Divine Art—you know little of it; facing the Little Fairy's White Serpent Whip Art, not knowing how to respond is understandable—her whip technique has felled even seasoned martial artists."

The White Serpent Whip Art originates from the Nine Yin Manual; Zhou Zhiruo used it to shine brilliantly at the Lion-Slaying Assembly.

Murong Jiu nodded, still unwilling to yield: "If we fought longer, I'd surely defeat her."

Murong Jiu had reached the fourth level of the Fossil Divine Art; her martial skill had greatly advanced; now she realized her earlier defeat stemmed merely from excessive fear—if she focused fully, she still had a chance to defeat the Little Fairy.

Zhang Jing crossed her arms and smiled, utterly unconcerned.

After returning from Emei Mountain to Jiuxiu Manor, Gu Qing and Zhang Jing learned Yan Nan Tian and Zhang San Niang had already departed; Gu Qing did not leave immediately but stayed at Jiuxiu Manor, helping Zhang Jing and Murong Jiu analyze the Five Absolute Divine Art, aiding them in digesting its profound teachings.

Night was falling.

The two women paused their sparring; Gu Qing began his daily cultivation. After obtaining the Wedding Robe Divine Art, he once again shifted his practice, transforming his smooth, flowing inner energy into the obscure, heavy inner force of the Wedding Robe Divine Art, greatly increasing its power.

As this inner energy flowed through his body, Gu Qing broke into a sweat and walked toward the nearby bathhouse.

Zhang Jing lay hidden among the flowers, watching Gu Qing enter the bathhouse; soon, a green shadow glided lightly toward the same bathhouse. Zhang Jing rose to approach, but the rustling of the flowers made the green shadow turn; she instantly ducked back into concealment—only to find the green shadow already near.

Murong Jiu's pale green robe fluttered, her gaze cold and clear, silently fixed on Zhang Jing.

Zhang Jing had been embarrassed, but then thought: if anyone should feel ashamed, it should be Murong Jiu; she hardened her resolve and met Murong Jiu's gaze.

"Yan Daxia and Zhang San Niang departed the other day," Murong Jiu suddenly said.

Zhang Jing replied: "That's right."

"You've stayed at Jiuxiu Manor long enough."

Murong Jiu added.

Zhang Jing's face changed: "Are you kicking me out?"

Murong Jiu remained silent.

"Fine!"

Zhang Jing's face flushed red: "I'll pack tonight and leave tomorrow."

Murong Jiu turned away: "I need to consult Gu Qing about improvements to the fifth level of the Fossil Divine Art—don't follow me."

Secret martial arts always carry sectarian boundaries.

Zhang Jing nodded: "I won't follow you."

!

Murong Jiu glided toward Gu Qing's bedroom as if her feet never touched the ground.

"You're like a ghost yourself—and still fear ghosts."

The Little Fairy clenched her teeth, glanced around Jiuxiu Manor, realizing Murong Jiu's vigilance was now tight; she withdrew for now, resolved: since Murong Jiu wanted her gone, tonight she'd find out the truth of Gu Qing and Murong Jiu's relationship.

Near midnight, the Little Fairy used the Five Absolute Divine Art's lightness technique, landing like a leaf on the eaves of Gu Qing's bedroom; she lightly tapped the corner with one toe, flicked her fingertip, pierced the paper window, and saw mist swirling inside—a large tub where Gu Qing and Murong Jiu sat nestled together; the water still seemed scalding hot, reddening Murong Jiu's cheeks, making her body limp as if boneless.

"My Fossil Divine Art has broken through the fourth level—I no longer need the ice chamber. If you're leaving, take me with you."

Murong Jiu's cold tone vanished, filled with affection and dependence.

"Following me isn't safe."

Gu Qing's hand wandered freely as he said: "For a long time ahead, blood and wind will surround me."

Murong Jiu frowned: "Who told you to propose to the Yijhua Palace? And why did Yao Yue agree?"

This was the news Murong family received: after receiving Gu Qing's treasure, the Yijhua Palace was delighted; Lady Yao Yue sensed Gu Qing's affection and wished to invite him for a boat trip on Dongting Lake.

Gu Qing smiled, then suddenly slapped Murong Jiu and said: "Don't paw at it if you're not eating."

Murong Jiu bit her lip, slowly sinking into the water.

The Little Fairy, crouched at the windowsill, widened her eyes, straining to see what happened in the water—but the shimmering light and swirling mist obscured everything; the only thing that startled her was how extraordinary Murong Jiu's Fossil Divine Art truly was—several times, she thought Murong Jiu would drown, yet she surfaced for air long after, until Gu Qing relaxed his brow and Murong Jiu finally emerged.

"You've improved a great deal…"

Gu Qing praised.

"I've been pondering your 'Number One Bed Technique' lately."

Murong Jiu spoke with quiet pride.

On the eaves, the Little Fairy exhaled—startling Murong Jiu, who turned to look; the Little Fairy instantly shrank back, realizing she'd been exposed; she activated her lightness technique, darting swiftly and directly into Murong Jiu's bedroom.

No matter what Gu Qing and Murong Jiu were doing, if she could get the "Number One Bed Technique," she'd eventually understand it.

After all, Murong Jiu wanted her gone, and the Little Fairy had been exposed tonight—she now planned to steal the manual and flee.

(End of Chapter)