Chapter 340: Xiao Xu, Do You Want a Wife?

"Yun Yilan, your Fensheng Valley has been exposed for colluding with the Beast God—come with us!"

"Daoxuan Zhenren, Puhong Shangren... Gu Qing, did you go this far for the Xuanhuo Mirror?"

"What Xuanhuo Mirror? This is ill-gotten gain from your Fensheng Valley!"

"More than a decade of planning—the Kui Ox, the Huang Bird, the Zhu Long guarding the Barbarian Holy Temple, and finally the Taotie... the Asura power within this Fulong Ding..."

"All gone now."

"Gu Qing!!!"

"Ghost King, this Fulong Ding still belongs in the Illusory Moon Ancient Cave... hmm, you suit it too!"

"What about me?"

"Bi Yao, behave yourself—I'll come teach you a lesson when I get the chance!"

"Qinglong, what does this mean?"

"As you see, it's our Sacred Sect's rectification notice. Gu Qing gave us six months to bring our sect into compliance with the regulations."

"And if not?"

"If not, will Gu Qing bring the Qingyun Sect to wipe us out?"

"Our Sacred Sect has endured for a thousand years, brimming with talent—why fear one Gu Qing? We can always lie low again... Qinglong, what are you implying?"

"I have served the Dragon three times—all I've done was for the Sacred Sect!"

"Gu Master, no, let me rest..."

"Can or cannot—that's it. Xueqi, what do you mean by 'rest'?"

"You... are too good..."

"Alright, alright, the best days are still ahead!"

"Beyond the hills lie more hills, beyond the towers more towers—when will the songs and dances by West Lake ever cease?"

"The warm wind intoxicates the travelers, making them take Hangzhou for Bianzhou."

Hangzhou, West Lake.

Gu Qing stood by the West Lake, watching the weeping willows and shimmering waves, filled with boundless emotion. The last time he was in the Southern Song, it was at the start of the Divine Crane era—but then, he had helped bury the Southern Song. Now, he experienced the early glory of its founding.

It was now the Shaoxing era. Yue Fei was dead; compromise with the Jin was settled. On this West Lake, songs and dances swirled, noise and clamor rose in waves.

"Damn!"

Gu Qing cursed under his breath.

He had crossed over from the Zhuxian world some time ago and settled in Lin'an. But as he came to understand this world more deeply, all he could do was curse—expressing his disgust at the state of things.

In the Zhuxian world, he had gathered the Five Heavenly Books, used good deeds to return from death to life, and seized the position of Qingyun Sect's leader amid Xiao Yicai's despair. He founded the Three Pure Ones Education Corps, thoroughly reformed the Fensheng Valley and the Demon Sect, and spread Qingyun's influence far and wide—its reputation surpassed even Qingye's golden age. Yet here, in this world, he had to be a humble man.

Because the immortality so hard-won in the Zhuxian world was real here.

Not only real—but abundant.

"Gu Master, Gu Master..."

A handsome scholar rushed over and hurriedly said: "Master Pei has lost consciousness—he's about to pass!"

Gu Qing nodded and followed the scholar swiftly. They walked through alleys beside the West Lake, where stone pavements led past wealthy households. Under the scholar's guidance, Gu Qing entered the courtyard and saw chaos—people wailing. He rushed forward, pulled the fat Master Pei from the crowd, pried open his eyelids, and saw no corneal reflex, sluggish pupillary response, loss of consciousness, and rapid breathing. He laid him flat on his back and began CPR.

After Master Pei resumed spontaneous breathing, Gu Qing inserted needles into his Renzhong, Xuanzhong, and Neiguan points. When Master Pei began to stir slightly, Gu Qing dissolved a Zhibao Pill in water and fed it to him. His condition gradually stabilized.

"Doctor Gu, thank you..."

Madame Pei, in her forties, dressed in luxurious silks, clutched Gu Qing's arm, weeping uncontrollably: "I just wanted him to take a concubine—he flew into a rage with me! We can afford another pair of chopsticks!"

Hm?

Gu Qing looked at Madame Pei. Her figure was full and soft, her skin delicate—clearly a noblewoman who had never done manual labor. Now, tearful, she carried an air of pitiable charm.

"You offered him a concubine, and he argued with you?"

Gu Qing asked curiously.

Madame Pei sobbed: "I bore him only one daughter—I can't conceive again. He treats me well, so I wanted to give him a child..."

Showing off affection, huh.

Such tactics no longer affected Gu Qing—but the handsome scholar beside him, hearing this, gazed with deep envy.

He longed for such a bond.

"When he recovers, come to me for a check-up. If you truly wish for a child, you still can—but gender isn't guaranteed."

Gu Qing studied the two.

To Madame Pei, she might be an advanced-age mother—but as a cultivator, Gu Qing's medical skill was supreme. With medicinal nourishment, he could ensure a safe, unharmed childbirth.

Madame Pei thanked him repeatedly, gesturing to a girl nearby. The lovely young maiden stepped forward, holding a tray piled high with gleaming silver.

"Doctor Gu, we know you value virtue over wealth—but your great kindness leaves us without words to repay you. Please accept these silver coins—they'll help you in your good deeds..."

The girl spoke with a clear, crisp voice, her face delicate, eyes like polished lacquer—a rare beauty. But Gu Qing, having seen countless peerless beauties in his travels, had raised his threshold too high. He felt nothing for this girl. He nodded, and the handsome scholar beside him stepped forward to take the tray.

The scholar, seeing the lovely Miss Pei, immediately looked away, too shy to utter a single word.

"Xu Xian, we're leaving."

Gu Qing ordered.

The handsome scholar hastily gathered the silver, turned to Madame Pei and Miss Pei, wanting to take leave—but his tongue tied up, his face flushed crimson. He followed Gu Qing out of the courtyard.

This shyness made Madame Pei and Miss Pei smile.

"Hehe."

After leaving the courtyard, Gu Qing chuckled, glancing at Xu Xian: "You spend all day reciting poems about beauties—so why, when you meet a real one, can't you even speak?"

Xu Xian stammered, silent. He had always dreamed of finding a celestial beauty, one who truly understood him, to marry. But whenever he met a woman, he lacked the courage to speak up.

Gu Qing glanced at his disciple.

Xu Xian's family had long been merchants, dealing in herbs. From childhood, he absorbed countless medical texts. After his parents died, he resolved to master medicine. In Gu Qing's view, Xu Xian had solid foundations. After opening a pharmacy and interacting with him, Gu Qing demonstrated his superior medical skill—and Xu Xian became his apprentice.

Now, looking at this future hero of the Grass Snake, Gu Qing asked: "Xiao Xu, do you want a wife?"

(End of Chapter)