Chapter 175: I

"Please, Elder, save me…"

Jiang Biehe kowtowed and cried out.

He secretly plotted, provoking a large group of martial artists, but after Gu Qing exposed him, he suffered retaliation from the martial world; over the past decade, Jiang Biehe had diligently cultivated, making him somewhat notable in the Wu Lin, yet he could not withstand the pack of wolves.

Gu Qing's gaze turned to Jiang Yulang; compared to Jiang Biehe, the great beast, Jiang Yulang, the little beast, was slippery, lustful, cruel, and even more repulsive.

When they were in Ouyang Ting's underground palace, Gu Qing had already imprisoned him—clearly, during subsequent treasure-hunting, this brat Jiang Yulang had dug another tunnel and escaped… Jiang Yulang's secret hideout was extremely close to the treasure cave, and it was precisely within this tunnel that Xiao Yu had sensed the water flow shifting downward, leading him to dig into the palace.

"Xiaoyun Jushi, Wang Yizhao, Feng Tianyu… these people relentlessly pursue me, and even Jiang Feng's son, Jiang Xiaoyu, along with Tie Zhan's daughter, has repeatedly tried to kill me."

Jiang Biehe had indeed suffered terribly during this period.

Yao Yue's gaze turned to Gu Qing.

All of this began because of Gu Qing.

"Where have you been hiding recently?"

Gu Qing suddenly asked.

Jiang Biehe knew that Gu Qing before him was the true culprit behind his misery, but with Yao Yue present, he could only answer truthfully: "We've been hiding in a cave beneath the city."

"Keep hiding."

Gu Qing said: "We'll deal with you after we finish our business."

It was only because Yao Yue was here that Gu Qing had to maintain his persona; otherwise, he would have already sent these two and Long Xiaoyun father and son to meet their end with a single sword.

"But they're getting close to finding us."

Jiang Biehe knew that if Gu Qing said this, he had no intention of helping them, so he urgently pleaded: "When they find us, my son and I will be dead."

Gu Qing glanced at Yao Yue, then took full responsibility himself and said: "Keep hiding. I'll seal the entrance for you. After I finish what I must do with the Lady, I'll return to rescue you."

Jiang family father and son were both formidable martial artists; hiding for a day or two was nothing.

With Yao Yue behind him, Jiang Biehe had no other choice—he led Gu Qing and Yao Yue to a withered well in a secluded estate, where people of the time often dug underground pits to store money; one side of the well had a small hole, leading into a sizable chamber with ventilation shafts—thoroughly prepared.

Gu Qing provided the Jiangs with three days' worth of dried biscuits and clear water, then moved stones to seal and bury the entrance to the well's hidden chamber before leaping up to stand beside Yao Yue.

"Did helping them violate your principles?"

Yao Yue's voice held no emotion.

"For you, I can commit any evil."

Gu Qing said firmly.

What could Yao Yue say to a man so hopelessly devoted?

Loyalty! Devotion!

The two stood facing each other in silence for a moment, then Yao Yue suddenly asked: "Still going to Dongting Lake?"

Their marriage had been forced by Gu Qing, while Yao Yue had lured Gu Qing into meeting—now that both knew each other's true identities, whether or not they went to Dongting Lake no longer mattered.

"Yes, we must go."

Gu Qing said: "To row on Dongting Lake with the Lady, even death would be no regret."

Yao Yue nodded.

Huarong County was not far from Dongting Lake; Gu Qing and Lady Yao Yue each glided nearly ten zhang with a single leap. As dusk approached and a cool breeze blew, they flew side by side in silence, and with this skill, they arrived at the shores of Dongting Lake without realizing it.

Dongting Lake stretched endlessly in mist and waves, its waterline vast; martial artists eager to witness Gu Qing and Lady Yao Yue's spectacle could not possibly guard every spot, yet nearly every boat near the shore had martial artists nearby—pretending to fish, picnicking, drinking, eating meat, exchanging martial arts—thoroughly lively.

Gu Qing and Lady Yao Yue stood atop tree branches, watching the boundless mist of Dongting Lake and the martial artists gathered to watch.

"Foolish fools!"

Yao Yue's voice carried malice: "Who dares follow, I'll kill them."

As she spoke, Yao Yue prepared to descend and seize a boat directly.

"No need."

Gu Qing had already planned this—he gestured for Yao Yue to remain on the branch, then leapt away into the forest. Moments later, a circle of light suddenly appeared deep in the mountains, radiant and brilliant, visible for miles.

The martial artists below, seeing this, suspected a treasure was emerging; each activated their lightness skills and rushed toward the mountain, leaving the boat docks unguarded. Gu Qing flew back and joined Yao Yue at the ferry, paid silver, boarded the boat himself, and a small skiff quietly merged into the night of Dongting Lake.

"What was that radiant light?"

Yao Yue asked, startled.

"Pine resin powder."

Gu Qing said: "Wei Wuya's disciples are all extremely greedy. I used this pine resin powder to fake a divine glow—it would surely draw them away, ensuring we won't be disturbed on Dongting Lake."

Yao Yue glanced toward the distant mountains, where the glow had faded, yet many martial artists still rushed toward it; she imagined they would soon clash violently over the treasure, and recalled Gu Qing's words: "For you, I can commit any evil."

This righteous hero now truly seemed transformed into a cunning, ruthless schemer.

A bright moon hung in the sky, illuminating Dongting Lake's misty waves with radiant clarity.

Yao Yue stood gracefully at the bow, appearing like a flying immortal.

"How many know about Jiang Xiaoyu and Hua Wuke?"

!

Yao Yue's voice suddenly turned cold, indifferent.

She had brought Gu Qing to Dongting Lake to ensure he could not escape or send word, and to kill him here, where no one else was around.

"Only I know."

Gu Qing's voice was gentle.

"Oh…"

Yao Yue turned slowly.

"Lady Yao Yue."

Gu Qing said calmly: "I understand your intent. I know that after uncovering Jiang Xiaoyu's secret, you will kill me—and I am willing to die in your hands. I will not disrupt your plan."

Yao Yue's eyes were icy as she stared at Gu Qing, who rowed at the stern; the boat was less than two zhang long—a distance Yao Yue could cross with a single step.

"To row beneath the moon on Dongting Lake with Lady Yao Yue—I have lived a life without regret."

Gu Qing smiled: "I know chasing you is like a moth flying into fire—destined for nothing. But having reached this moment beside you on Dongting Lake, I am already deeply happy."

Gu Qing seemed fully prepared for death.

Such realization made Yao Yue pause.

"Lady Yao Yue."

Gu Qing looked at her and said: "Before I die, I have only one wish—that you remove your mask, so I may see your divine face once more."

Gu Qing had sunk to the lowest depths of humility.

Yao Yue gazed at Gu Qing, then softly sighed: "Gu Qing, I think I will never forget you." As she spoke, she gently removed the grotesque mask from her face.

It was indeed an unrivaled beauty—brilliant yet cold, ethereal yet soul-stirring.

Seeing such a face, Gu Qing's heart clenched sharply, and his expression gradually changed.

"Do you have anything else to say?"

Yao Yue's voice carried a hint of softness—if not, she would act.

"Yes…"

Gu Qing, voice trembling and strange, looked at Yao Yue and said: "Can you tell me… where is Lady Lianxing?"

Yao Yue's brow furrowed slightly.

"I may have mistaken you all along…"

Gu Qing whispered: "The immortal in the painting I sought… was Lianxing…"

I'm not dying!

(End of Chapter)