Chapter 278: Hou Xibai

The twelve scrolls of the Dao Heart Demon Seed Great Art were all laid out before Gu Qing.

Gu Qing casually flipped open the first scroll and saw Xiang Yutian's annotation: "Under no circumstances read my notes, for I do not wish you to follow in my footsteps and fall into an irrevocable abyss."

This single annotation alone deterred all Demon Sect disciples—including the future Devil Emperor Long Ying—from reading it, for the disciple, bound by his master's command not to study the Dao Heart Demon Seed Great Art, had merely intended to glance at the notes for amusement, only to unravel Xiang Yutian's mystery of life and death and successfully enter the threshold of the Dao Heart Demon Seed Great Art.

"Is this all of the Dao Heart Demon Seed Great Art?"

Shi Feixuan and Du Gu Feng arrived here; Shi Feixuan, gazing at the twelve-scroll catalog, asked curiously.

Gu Qing glanced at Shi Feixuan.

Having spent much time with Gu Qing, Shi Feixuan recognized his posture—she knew he was dodging again—and forcibly suppressed her embarrassment and irritation, slowly extending her hand once more toward his.

To Shi Feixuan's surprise, this time Gu Qing did not use the Wrong Soul Hand; this reassured her, yet somehow left her with a faint sense of loss.

"Electric current activates the Wrong Soul Hand!"

A tingling force surged up her arm; Shi Feixuan, caught off guard, was instantly pulled into Gu Qing's embrace. He lightly grasped her, and she, powerless to resist, finally covered her face with both hands and collapsed onto the desk.

Du Gu Feng watched curiously as Shi Feixuan's jade complexion flushed, tender and alluring—utterly unlike her usual composed, ethereal, otherworldly demeanor.

But now, with Gu Qing holding Shi Feixuan in his arms, Du Gu Feng saw this as precisely what You Chuhong and Du Gu Feng had instructed her to learn.

"Is this all of the Dao Heart Demon Seed Great Art?"

Du Gu Feng feigned curiosity and cautiously extended her hand toward Gu Qing.

"Slap!"

Shi Feixuan slapped Du Gu Feng's hand away, her face tinged with vexed embarrassment—she did not know why, but every time Du Gu Feng imitated her, she never considered whether Shi Feixuan herself felt humiliated.

After this minor incident, Shi Feixuan opened the scroll and studied its contents earnestly, comparing them with her own Cihang Sword Canon.

At this moment, Gu Qing carefully observed Shi Feixuan.

Wu Zetian once evaluated Shi Feixuan, saying that every movement, every word she spoke, perfectly aligned with the Cihang Sword Canon's essence—hence she, alone with her sword, could surpass an army and help Li Shimin establish the Tang Dynasty's golden age. Thus, when facing Shi Feixuan, Gu Qing treaded carefully with emotion; even though Shi Feixuan had become twelvefold more alluring after the Wrong Soul Hand, he restrained his impulses, refusing to become a sycophant or a clown.

After about half a day, Shi Feixuan finished reading every detail of the Dao Heart Demon Seed Great Art. Her gaze turned gently toward Gu Qing, and with a hint of wistfulness, she said: "Master Gu, I've met my match."

The Dao Heart Demon Seed Great Art and the Cihang Sword Canon mutually restrain and mutually attract; if the two were practiced together in dual cultivation, both would gain immense benefit.

Gu Qing stroked Shi Feixuan's silken hair, leaned close—within an inch of her—and asked: "If I master the Dao Heart Demon Seed Great Art, we will be entangled forever."

Shi Feixuan's skin suddenly flushed pink, revealing an extraordinary beauty—as if utterly shy—she sank limply against Gu Qing's chest and whispered softly: "What if I give you the He Shi Bi?"

Choosing the He Shi Bi's rightful owner was also Shi Feixuan's mission upon descending the mountain.

"Fine."

Gu Qing pinched Shi Feixuan's chin, studying her captivating expression, and smiled: "Truthfully, I've never liked Yang Guang."

Shi Feixuan pressed tightly against Gu Qing, about to speak, when her gaze accidentally fell upon Du Gu Feng beside them—staring intently at her, mimicking every frown, every smile, every movement.

"Miss Du, aren't you going to look?"

Shi Feixuan gestured for Du Gu Feng to examine the secret manual.

Du Gu Feng shook her head: "I can't practice it!" Shi Feixuan was momentarily stunned—she hadn't expected such an answer.

Gu Qing had already read the entire Dao Heart Demon Seed Great Art and memorized it using Good Deeds; now, he no longer pretended modesty—he lit a fire and burned all twelve scrolls.

Bashu.

Gu Qing, Shi Feixuan, and Du Gu Feng wandered aimlessly here; after eliminating You Niao Juan and securing all the manuals through Yin Hou Zhu Yuyan, the three simply strolled, waiting for the Yin Gui Sect's response.

"Have you heard? The lord of Zunzhuang Castle, Xie Hui, provoked Master Gu. Master Gu slashed him once—and turned him into a coward. Now, at the sound of thunder, he trembles uncontrollably."

"Gu Qing ordered him to return Song Yuhua. Xie Hui actually did. But it's said that after reaching Lingnan, Song Que treated Xie Hui with icy indifference."

"After Song Yuhua was sent back to Lingnan, she shut herself away. It's rumored that Tian Dao Song Que is preparing to send Gu Qing a letter, demanding he come to the Song Clan to explain himself."

"After all, Song Que treasures these two daughters and one son."

Shi Feixuan and the Du Clan heard this and glanced sidelong at Gu Qing.

"I'm not afraid!"

Gu Qing puffed out his chest: "If no one wants Song Yuhua, I will!"

!

This matter was Gu Qing's doing, so he must bear some responsibility for Song Yuhua's fate.

"Pah!"

Du Gu Feng boldly spat.

Gu Qing, amused by Du Gu Feng's brazen familiarity, smiled and was about to speak, when he suddenly felt an unusual gaze fixed upon him. He and Shi Feixuan turned to see a white-robed youth, one hand holding a folding fan, the other a brush, hesitating repeatedly as he stared at Shi Feixuan's posture, unable to begin.

Shi Feixuan's flawless beauty left the youth uncertain how to even begin drawing.

"Miss, I apologize."

The white-robed man boldly stepped forward, bowed to Shi Feixuan, and introduced himself as Hou Xibai.

"So you're the Amorous Prince."

Gu Qing had already suspected as much.

Shi Feixuan gave her name; Hou Xibai instantly recognized her as a celestial maiden of the Cihang Pure Chamber. Facing her, he showed even greater respect.

Shi Feixuan silently poured tea, took a small sip, signaling her desire for him to leave.

Hou Xibai stepped back, saw a servant approaching with tea, seized the teapot, and volunteered to refill Shi Feixuan's cup, hoping to chat further and deepen his understanding of the Pure Chamber's celestial maiden.

"I've heard the Pure Chamber's maidens are pure and flawless…"

As Hou Xibai retrieved the teapot, he complimented her—only to see this flawless, pure celestial maiden hand the very cup she had sipped from to Gu Qing.

Hou Xibai had just refilled that cup; now, as Shi Feixuan passed it to him, Gu Qing took the teacup and gently sipped where her lips had touched—the tea seemed especially sweet.

Holding the teapot, Hou Xibai froze completely. Watching Gu Qing and Shi Feixuan treat this as utterly ordinary, a piercing pain suddenly pierced his heart.

This, too, is a kind of participation.

(End of Chapter)