Chapter 290: How to Make Green Tea

Yuan Jing is the foundation of a person's life; replenishing Yuan Jing replenishes life itself. Shang Qingya, once on the verge of death with depleted essence, suddenly received an influx of Yuan Jing, feeling a force travel along her meridians, surging through her limbs and bones, dissolving blockages across her front and back. With each circuit of this force, her spirit revived a little more; the second circuit came faster, then faster still, filling her limbs and bones with growing strength until she let out a soft sigh and sat upright.

"Qingya!"

Lu Miaozǐ hurried to Shang Qingya's side, observing her flushed complexion and radiant skin, pressing her pulse and sensing vigorous blood and qi, as vibrant as a young person's. He knew Shang Qingya's body had fully recovered, and immediately turned to thank Gu Qing alongside her.

Gu Qing withdrew his good deeds, closing his eyes slightly.

Good deeds are universal—they can replenish depleted Yuan Jing—but saving Shang Qingya cost Gu Qing far more good deeds than he gained.

……Consider it a good deed.

Gu Qing opened his eyes and helped Lu Miaozǐ and Shang Qingya to their feet.

"Your life is mine now."

Gu Qing pointed at Lu Miaozǐ and said: "But the Devil's Qi is now corrupting your body, draining your lifespan. To restore yourself, you must have the Holy Emperor's Relic."

Doing such a thing once is enough. The Yuan Jing Lu Miaozǐ lacks will be drawn from the Holy Emperor's Relic to make up the deficit.

"Of course."

Lu Miaozǐ, overjoyed at Shang Qingya's revival, immediately pledged to Gu Qing: "The Holy Emperor's Relic is in Daxing. When we reach Daxing, I'll present it to you."

The Yang Gong Treasure Vault was entirely Lu Miaozǐ's doing.

"Good."

Gu Qing nodded. He had once considered seeking the Yang Gong Treasure Vault and the Holy Emperor's Relic while in Daxing, but deemed it pointless—too much effort for too little gain, so he ignored it.

Leaving the room, Shang Xiuxun rushed in. Seeing how Shang Qingya, once near death, now stood upright after Gu Qing's visit, she realized Gu Qing truly possessed divine abilities. When she met him again, she bowed deeply in reverence.

"Saving Lu Miaozǐ counts as defeating Zhu Yuyan."

Shan Wanjing's eyes gleamed as she looked up and asked.

"I defeat Zhu Yuyan every day."

Gu Qing said casually—he had earned plenty of good deeds from Zhu Yuyan recently.

"Not the same."

Shan Wanjing said: "When you defeat Zhu Yuyan, she's happy. But this time, when you defeat her, she won't be."

Zhu Yuyan wanted Lu Miaozǐ dead.

Lu Miaozǐ, standing to the side, heard Shan Wanjing's words and stared at her face, seeing Zhu Yuyan's shadow within it.

"She might not be happy."

Gu Qing pinched Shan Wanjing's cheek and whispered: "But I soothe her, and she's happy again."

Shan Wanjing's expression darkened.

Lu Miaozǐ studied Gu Qing, utterly unable to imagine he had any connection with Zhu Yuyan.

"Pack your things. Come with me to Daxing."

Gu Qing said to Lu Miaozǐ: This Lu Miaozǐ was a genius of the Tang world—Kou Zhong's military strategies, Xu Ziling's mechanical arts, and many of the Tang world's black technologies all originated from him. Such a talent, if not employed in court to serve the people, would be a waste.

Lu Miaozǐ and Shang Qingya exchanged glances and nodded together. Shang Qingya had regained her life; Lu Miaozǐ had regained his greatest regret. Both revered and admired Gu Qing, and since they had pledged their lives to him, they would not break their word.

"But can we leave Feima Pasture in Xiuxun's care?"

Lu Miaozǐ had to settle matters at Feima Pasture before leaving without worry.

Shang Xiuxun, hearing their concern, immediately said: "Rest easy—I'll take good care of Feima Pasture."

Shang Qingya looked troubled.

"I trust you."

Gu Qing said to Shang Xiuxun.

Originally, at this time, Shang Qingya had died, and Shang Xiuxun had held up Feima Pasture alone.

"Don't worry too much."

!

Gu Qing added: "Jingling is mostly obedient—you can hang my name as a shield."

Hearing this, Lu Miaozǐ relaxed. Gu Qing had crushed Korea and slain a Grand Master—his reputation was formidable. If Feima Pasture bore his name, no one would dare provoke it.

"Then if we're leaving, I'll prepare some food and wine."

Lu Miaozǐ said at once. A near-genius in all things, he excelled in cooking and winemaking. Knowing he'd be traveling with Gu Qing, he wanted to bring something to demonstrate his worth, to prove he was worth bringing along.

Gu Qing waited while Lu Miaozǐ finished packing and arranged matters at Feima Pasture. The group stayed overnight at the pasture, then boarded the Dongming Hao the next morning.

Shan Wanjing had not returned all night. Shang Ming tossed and turned, unable to sleep. When Gu Qing and the others returned, Shan Meixian came to greet them. Shang Ming lingered in the shadows, watching coldly. Upon hearing that the guest invited overnight was Lu Miaozǐ, the greatest craftsman under heaven, his face grew even darker.

Shan Meixian led Lu Miaozǐ and Shang Qingya into the cabin. Wan Wan, Shi Feixuan, and the other women approached them. Shang Ming was stunned: Gu Qing had returned with another woman—a girl in pure white robes, eyes alluring. Yet as she passed him, the girl named Bai Qing'er gave him not even a glance, her entire focus fixed on Gu Qing.

"Wanjing!"

Shang Ming blocked Shan Wanjing's path, gazing at his stunning fiancée, swallowing his bitterness: "I want to return to Dongming Sect."

Dongming Sect was isolated overseas; the Shang family held local power. Their alliance through marriage was essential. Shang Ming knew Shan Wanjing resented this arrangement, but both sides must uphold it.

Shan Wanjing looked at Shang Ming, then turned her gaze to Gu Qing at the bow. The family alliance bound her to Shang Ming—but when she begged Gu Qing to kill Bian BuFu, she had also pledged herself to him.

At that moment, Shang Ming stared at Shan Wanjing; Shan Wanjing stared at Gu Qing at the bow; Gu Qing, sensing the tension, felt a strange sensation.

In women's fiction, there's a trope: a weak fiancé, a domineering female CEO, and a green-tea third man. The domineering CEO and the green-tea third man torment the weak fiancé with elaborate cruelty—until the fiancé strikes back with "I don't love you anymore," triggering a fiery chase to win him back.

Gu Qing felt he was now the green-tea third man.

So what does a green-tea third man do in such a situation?

"Oh no, my head hurts."

Gu Qing stood at the bow, suddenly clutching his head, groaning in pain.

Shan Wanjing instantly leapt to his side, examining him with deep concern. Gu Qing collapsed into her arms, glancing sideways—Shang Ming's face darkened, his spirit crushed.

(End of Chapter)