Chapter 355: I Am Willing to Lay Down My Life for the Flower Immortal!

February 25.

After Gu Qing finished speaking with Xu Jiaorong, he frowned and came here to find Bai Suzhen, saying: "In Hangzhou custom, the day before the wedding, the bride's family comes to lay the bed and hang the curtains, then a close relative lies on the bed to bless it—but after that, the door must be guarded, requiring one person from the bride's side and one from the groom's."

"But Xu Xian is the only heir of three generations; his relatives are few, and after his parents died, visits became even rarer. Li Gongfu's family still has people to handle the wedding procession…"

Bai Suzhen wore white gauze, her hair lightly pinned. Seeing Gu Qing's gloomy expression, she wore a faint, elusive smile. When he finished speaking, she nodded and said: "Don't worry—I'll guard Xu Xian's door. No outsider will get in."

Gu Qing nodded, his voice low: "You and Cen Brother are newlywed—you're being troubled on your special day."

Hearing this, Bai Suzhen's eyes sparkled with deeper amusement. As she headed to guard Xu Xian's door, she wondered: was this what the folk called… self-greening?

February 26.

At the appointed hour, Xu Xian led the wedding procession, carrying flower vases, candles, incense balls, makeup boxes, mirrors, and other items, to the Pei household to fetch the bride. He received the wine ceremony, scattered red flowers, escorted Miss Pei into the sedan, and with music and drums, arrived at the courtyard Gu Qing had prepared for him. There, they performed the rites and paid their respects.

Gu Qing and Squire Pei sat together, clinking cups, full of merriment. Now that Xu Xian was married, Gu Qing's path to embracing the snake's waist grew ever smoother.

"Master Gu, you must continue to guide this young couple."

Squire Pei beamed.

In truth, the Pei family's marriage to the Xu family existed solely because of Gu Qing.

"Rest assured."

Gu Qing said: "The spring imperial examination begins in early March. The cardamom incense is already spreading through Lin'an. You'll have endless silver from now on."

Squire Pei burst into hearty laughter: "It's all for the next generation."

As they drank and chatted, Xu Xian came to pay his respects, then invited Gu Qing, Li Gongfu, and Squire Pei to a separate room to discuss future kinship and mutual support. After speaking, he returned to the feast, drank a little more, and the banquet ended.

"Master."

Xu Xian found Gu Qing, his hands trembling with nerves: "Will I offend Miss Pei tonight?"

Gu Qing was mostly drunk. Hearing this, his scalp prickled: "Of course you'll offend her—you dared to tie her hair in broad daylight. At night, you'll surely hold hands!"

Xu Xian flushed with shame: "I'm just nervous."

Gu Qing patted Xu Xian's shoulder, about to say "Everyone feels this way the first time," but realized it clashed with his pure-hearted persona. He changed course: "Asking me won't help—I'm a virgin too. I have no experience to give."

Gu Qing's first time in this world was still intact!

Xu Xian took deep breaths, steadied his nerves, and walked toward the bridal chamber.

Gu Qing watched Xu Xian depart, following behind. At the door, he saw Bai Suzhen dressed in pale red, just stepping out of the chamber. When they met, she smiled softly, lips barely curved: "You came to eavesdrop?"

What kind of words are these?

Don't say it so lewdly!

Eavesdropping is a traditional custom!

"My disciple has no experience."

Gu Qing declared solemnly: "I'm here to guard him!"

Bai Suzhen chuckled lightly, a blush rising on her cheeks: "Master Gu, your sword shines with righteousness, your spirit vast as the clouds. When your disciple falters, you must step in."

Guarding the formation meant standing beside the general during battle—offering support or launching a surprise strike.

"No need to step in."

Gu Qing said: "I'll just give him courage."

The two stood outside the door. Xu Xian had few friends; besides them, only a maidservant waited outside. When they heard faint sounds from within, Gu Qing seemed flustered, Bai Suzhen slightly uneasy. The maidservant, lacking any cultivation, heard nothing.

"Let's go."

Gu Qing and Bai Suzhen exchanged glances, whispering.

Xu Xian had consummated his marriage. The stone in Gu Qing's heart finally settled.

Bai Suzhen nodded slightly, walking beside Gu Qing. As they stepped out of the courtyard, they saw Xiao Qing still dressed as a man, standing in the path. When their eyes met, she smiled brightly and approached.

"Cen Brother!"

As Xiao Qing drew near, Gu Qing suddenly spoke with solemn resolve: "From now on, we should cut all ties."

"What happened?"

Xiao Qing's smile remained. The misunderstanding had never been cleared, and she enjoyed watching Gu Qing squirm.

Gu Qing glanced at Xiao Qing, then at Bai Suzhen beside him: "Your wife is naturally exquisite, fairer than moon or flowers—a peerless beauty. Even brief contact has stirred unworthy thoughts in me. If we continue to associate, I fear I'll betray you."

Gu Qing spoke with open honesty, like a virtuous gentleman. Without looking at Xiao Qing or Bai Suzhen's expressions, he turned and walked away.

At that moment, both Bai Suzhen and Xiao Qing were stunned, locking eyes. Xiao Qing's expression grew anxious, her gaze darting repeatedly over Bai Suzhen.

"He's defiling his own reputation to sever ties with you."

Bai Suzhen explained casually. Xiao Qing nodded vigorously.

But when their eyes met again, doubt lingered—was Gu Qing's words true or false?

Tongren Hall.

Gu Qing entered the back courtyard, calm and composed. He calmly fed the snakes, then drew water, mixed green wood incense, xuan shen, and true sandalwood, boiled it, and stepped into the tub to bathe.

At this stage, Gu Qing observed the Daoist's first precepts: excessive drinking was forbidden, and the scent of alcohol offended the spirits. Thus, he bathed to remove alcohol and impurities, purifying his nine orifices, once again becoming a Daoist true man beloved by the immortals.

Lying on the bed, Gu Qing closed his eyes, ready to sleep—when a faint warmth stirred in his chest. As he reached out, the jade pendant gifted by the Flower Immortal had dissolved into swirling purple mist and faint green smoke. Within it, he felt a subtle thread of connection.

【The pendant turned to mist, ascending to heaven】

Gu Qing's mind stirred. He lowered his mental barriers. The purple mist enveloped him, instantly becoming a streak of violet light shooting toward the heavens.

Clouds wrapped around Gu Qing. Lin'an shrank beneath him; its brilliant lights became distant specks. He lowered his gaze and looked upward—and there, before him, loomed the celestial gate of myth. Yet he did not enter it. Instead, he drifted sideways. When he regained awareness, the peerlessly beautiful Flower Immortal stood before him.

"I pay my respects, Immortal."

Gu Qing bowed, smiling broadly.

Probably because Gu Qing loved legs, he always wanted to hug the Flower Immortal's.

"Gu Qing, you truly are a faithful devotee."

The Flower Immortal smiled slightly: "Even after drinking, you bathed promptly… otherwise, you'd have missed this crucial matter."

"I shall forever remember your teachings."

Gu Qing smiled. As he spoke, he noticed the Flower Immortal holding a scripture on alchemy.

"This is the Alchemy Scripture of the Purple Palace, the Great Emperor of the Eastern Splendor."

The Flower Immortal handed the scroll to Gu Qing: "The Great Lord of the East governs the celestial records of immortals. Practicing the Eastern Splendor lineage will greatly aid your future."

Gu Qing accepted it with both hands. The title read: "Secret Alchemy of the Eastern Mist." He reached to open it.

"Gu Qing."

As Gu Qing opened the scroll, the Flower Immortal suddenly said: "I traded a hundred-flower, hundred-fruit wine for this scripture. After obtaining it, I studied it carefully. It contains secrets of immortality and the Great Cave True Words—but it is not profoundly deep. I know of another scripture, a hundred times more profound than this one."

Gu Qing set down the alchemy scroll and looked at the Flower Immortal, at her peerless face, silently urging her to continue.

"Many years ago, I had a quarrel with Chang'e in the Jade Pond."

The Flower Immortal did not speak of the scripture first, but of old grievances: "In that dispute, I was not entirely right, nor was Chang'e. But the outcome? I was cast down to the mortal realm to endure one lifetime of trials. And Chang'e, during my descent, descended herself—to torment me."

Speaking of the past, the Flower Immortal still bore resentment. A faint, self-deprecating smile touched her lips: "Our feud ended when Chang'e said she forgave me."

This matter had festered in her heart.

"Since returning to heaven, I've watched Chang'e closely. Over a hundred years ago, I noticed something strange about her undergarment. When sunlight passed through it, faint characters appeared—writing the most profound cultivation truths. Even as an immortal, I gained much from them."

The Flower Immortal said: "Do you want this scripture?"

This thing was on Chang'e's underwear…

Gu Qing knew he couldn't possibly steal Chang'e's underwear. But at this moment, what mattered was attitude. So he stood tall, chest out: "I am willing to lay down my life for the Flower Immortal!"

The Flower Immortal was overjoyed. Gu Qing usually claimed he could never repay her kindness, yet now he truly stepped forward. She said: "Tonight, the celestial goddesses will gather at the Jade Pond to celebrate Yunhua Lady's birthday. To enter the Jade Pond, we must bathe in the Fragrant Cold Spring. I'll sneak you in. While we bathe, you'll memorize the scripture on Chang'e's undergarment."

The Flower Immortal's plan was simple.

Open the fridge, throw in the elephant, close the fridge.

She didn't care if the elephant lived or died.

"How do I get past unnoticed?"

Gu Qing asked.

He was still mortal. To steal underwear under the eyes of immortals? It was too much.

"Don't worry."

The Flower Immortal took out the jade pendant: "I've prepared everything." As she spoke, she shone the pendant at Gu Qing. It absorbed him, then she hung it from a chain, letting it dangle against her chest.

Gu Qing had many objections—but once the pendant was embedded, he stayed silent, merely holding his breath.

Queen Mother of the West was the foremost of all celestial goddesses.

Yunhua Lady was her daughter, Yaoji. Legend says Song Yu's "Ode to the Goddess of Wu Mountain" described this immortal's appearance.

In this White Snake world, there was no story of the god splitting the mountain to save his mother. Erlang Shen did not bear the surname Yang—he bore Li.

Guided by the Flower Immortal, Gu Qing passed through clouds, arriving at the Jade Pond—the realm of goddesses. The Flower Immortal greeted the other goddesses. Gu Qing heard familiar names: Magu, Zhinü, Wind Mother, Lightning Mother, He Xiangu—and others recorded in Daoist texts: E Lühua, Lady Wei—all of whom spoke with her warmly.

Gu Qing, hidden within the pendant nestled against the Flower Immortal's bosom, carried no scent of alcohol. Blending among the goddesses, he appeared ordinary—though he himself was entirely obscured by her robes, listening to the fluttering voices outside, unable to activate his own vision.

"The Fragrant Cold Spring is here."

A voice came from outside.

"Chang'e Immortal, the jade cassia embroidery on your robe is lovely."

Another goddess commented on the robe's pattern.

"Zhinü sister helped weave it."

Chang'e's voice was cold and clear, like a distant dream. Merely listening, Gu Qing felt a fragrant coolness fill his lungs, as if moonlight had been poured over him.

"Let's hurry in, or we'll miss the birthday celebration."

That voice belonged to Magu—a goddess of longevity, famed in folk tales for blessing birthdays. As soon as she spoke, the other goddesses hurried. From within the pendant, Gu Qing heard the Flower Immortal ask: "Are all present?"

"All are here."

A strange female immortal's voice came, one who had never spoken; Gu Qing could not see her face nor place her, but he felt the Lady of a Hundred Flowers' robes slip away, and his jade pendant, mixed among the garments, landed quietly on the Jade Pool's ground. Through the slight gaps left by the clothing, Gu Qing saw a series of jade-like feet.

If only that gaze could move upward…

"Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump…"

Gu Qing had deep cultivation, yet at this moment he was unusually tense—after all, in the Jade Pool, even the slightest misstep could plunge him into irreversible ruin.

The Lady of a Hundred Flowers' plan was crude, but such plans were always like this: the more people who knew, the higher the chance of leakage; the more cunningly devised, the more likely one would fall into unforeseen trouble.

…In truth, the celestial soldiers of Heaven were not much stronger than mortals.

Gu Qing held his breath, silently reassuring himself. When he sensed no one nearby, he quietly crawled out of the jade pendant, glanced left and right, then swiftly crept toward the jade cassock. By the sweet fragrance clinging to the garment, he confirmed it was Chang'e the Immortal's robe.

The robe lay neatly folded on the ground. Gu Qing carefully unfolded it; when he reached the belly-band, he felt its texture—both crisp and silken.

No time to savor its original essence, Gu Qing pulled out the Sun Golden Needle forged by the Lady of a Hundred Flowers. A faint solar glow emanated from it, and under its light, characters indeed appeared upon the belly-band.

"No before, no after; no round, no square; no loyalty, no virtue; no evil, no concealment; no coming, no going; no softness, no hardness; a hundred billion transformations, vast and boundless; the primordial unity—this is the Sun…"

Gu Qing recorded the scripture using his Good Deeds. The needle illuminated quickly, and Gu Qing memorized just as fast. He examined every inch of the belly-band, inside and out, and in moments recorded 103, 00 characters. When he retracted the needle, the scripture's name surfaced in his mind.

It was the "Nine Reversal Sun Scripture."

Through nine cycles of refining, it condenses the purest Sun Golden Core—not merely to attain immortality, but to become a progenitor.

Gu Qing had no time to savor it. He refolded Chang'e the Immortal's robe along its original creases, wrapped the belly-band inside exactly as before, then quietly turned and swiftly returned to the jade pendant.

About the time of a cup of tea passed before any movement stirred outside.

The bathing immortal maidens all returned. The Lady of a Hundred Flowers wore a plain expression, hanging the jade pendant on her person, while Chang'e the Immortal was arranging her robes—just as she reached for the belly-band, she lightly sniffed it, and her brows furrowed slightly.

(End of Chapter)