Chapter 410: To Take Zi Xuan

Although Manzhou was considered barbaric, it was under central rule, half Han and half Miao, with complex circumstances; local officials wishing to share in the people’s joy and understand the Miao often met resistance, and this hostility led many Han people to wear Miao clothing and do business here.

Gu Qing returned once again to the Nüwa Temple.

“Did you take him?”

The Puppet Old Woman leaned on her cane and asked, scowling at Gu Qing.

Stealing a descendant of Nüwa—how audacious!

“I took her.”

Gu Qing answered with a smile.

Upon hearing this, the Puppet Old Woman turned to Zi Xuan, observing her listless expression and silence; she guessed Gu Qing’s claim was likely true. Her eyes sharpened as she scrutinized Gu Qing from head to toe. Having served the Nüwa clan for thousands of years as their “Holy Dame,” she understood most destinies. Now, as she fixed her gaze on Gu Qing, she saw countless firebirds swirling wildly, blinding light nearly burning out her eyes.

Gu Qing extended a finger, and a glow appeared before the Puppet Old Woman’s eyes, restoring her vision.

“What do you make of my face?”

Gu Qing asked with a smile.

“Dragon’s bearing, phoenix’s grace—countenance of heaven and sun!”

The Puppet Old Woman turned her gaze away.

Gu Qing pondered this—every word was true—and immediately beamed with delight.

Zi Xuan, disgusted by Gu Qing’s self-satisfied expression, hugged Lin Qing’er and walked toward the back courtyard.

Gu Qing did not follow. Instead, he strolled leisurely through Manzhou City. Though called a city, its buildings were haphazardly arranged with no overall planning. Though the Miao here were xenophobic, they said nothing upon seeing Gu Qing’s bearing and appearance.

“Do you want a green bamboo cane?”

An eight- or nine-year-old boy held out a bamboo cane and urged, “This green cane is light and sturdy—perfect for climbing. The nearby Mount Ling has beautiful scenery, though the path is rough. If you plan to climb, I can guide you.”

Mount Ling was the subject of many legends in Manzhou. One man swore he had gone there, lived for a time in the Qin Dynasty, then woke as if from a dream.

Gu Qing gently stroked the boy’s head and said, “You’re Xia Si, right?”

The boy nodded eagerly.

“I’ll buy this cane.”

Gu Qing took the cane and said, “I hate irresponsible parents!”

“Who are you insulting?”

Zi Xuan appeared suddenly and said, “Xieping and I both love children.”

Xieping was Xu Zhangqing’s past life.

Gu Qing ignored Zi Xuan, paid money to hire Xia Si as a guide, and wandered Manzhou City seeking food and drink. He constantly tipped Xia Si, bought him meals, and soon made the boy feel embarrassed.

“My mother says money must be earned honorably. If you give me more, I can’t accept it.”

Xia Si said.

“Your mother taught you well.”

Zi Xuan had been a mother for sixty years but remained a novice; hearing Xia Si’s words, she praised him highly.

Hearing the topic turn to his mother, Xia Si beamed and began telling Gu Qing and Zi Xuan about her.

Xia Si’s mother was Jiang Xue; his father, Xia Menghan. When Jiang Xue was pregnant, Xia Menghan left on a trading journey to Mount Ling and never returned. Afterward, Jiang Xue fell ill from longing, went blind, yet still raised Xia Si well. Moved by his mother’s hardship, the boy learned to make bamboo canes at a young age and became a guide to help her.

“Poor child.”

Zi Xuan sighed softly and walked with Gu Qing to deliver Xia Si home. “He truly is pitiful.”

Gu Qing said, “His father has started another family.”

Another family?

Upon hearing this, Zi Xuan filled with spiritual power and scoured Manzhou, but found no trace of Xia Menghan.

“The Immortal Cave on Mount Ling leads to an ancient town—a paradise beyond the world, a realm of returning souls. Those who enter there return to the past. Xia Menghan is there.”

Gu Qing said briefly.

Returning soul immortal dream?

Zi Xuan knew this immortal technique well—Li Xiaoyao’s ability to return to the past in Immortal Sword and Hero I came from this very art. As a descendant of Nüwa, she understood it perfectly.

“I’ll go bring him back!”

Zi Xuan looked toward Xia Si’s home.

Gu Qing shook his head. “Xia Menghan won’t return.”

Zi Xuan’s eyes held a flicker of surprise.

“Xia Menghan has started another family there.”

Gu Qing said simply: “He couldn’t bear his wife’s nagging, her constant commands. In the ancient town, there’s a girl who obeys him utterly.”

This tale echoed Mei Fanggu and Min Rou from The Knight Errant: Shi Qing abandoned the superior Mei Fanggu for the utterly compliant Min Rou.

Zi Xuan stared at Gu Qing, astonished. “Have you been to the ancient town?”

Gu Qing shook his head. “I haven’t been. But I know.”

This sounded strange, yet after a moment’s silence, Zi Xuan said, “So you took Qing’er because I… am irresponsible…” Her expression grew complex as she asked, “Do you know the guardian of Wu Gou Spring?”

In this Immortal Sword world, beyond the Five Elemental Pearls, there were the Nine Springs of Shennong—interconnected, and Wu Gou Spring could reveal the future, at a cost.

In Immortal Sword and Hero VI, Ming Xiu lost her eyesight after peering into the future.

Gu Qing smiled at Zi Xuan, saying nothing.

Seeing this, Zi Xuan understood. She sighed deeply. “Will I never have a good ending with him?”

“Why else would I ruin your pills?”

Gu Qing countered.

Immortal Sword III has five endings. Most end with Zi Xuan sacrificing herself to help Xu Zhangqing become immortal and repair the Demon Suppression Tower. Only one ending—Zi Xuan’s—has Chong Lou descending at the critical moment, using his raw power to repair the tower and spare Zi Xuan’s life.

Afterward, Xu Zhangqing and Zi Xuan remain mortal and immortal, Jing Tian and Zi Xuan live side by side, supporting each other, while Chong Lou begins cultivation among mortals.

In any case, Zi Xuan and Xu Zhangqing have no future.

“I understand.”

Zi Xuan exhaled slowly. Her feelings toward Gu Qing—once a tangled mix of love and hatred—now leaned mostly toward gratitude. As a descendant of Nüwa, she knew the hidden currents of fate and understood the terrible cost of defying it.

To her, Gu Qing had paid a great price to come to her side, rescue her fate, and save the fate of the Nüwa clan.

The debt could never be repaid.

Gu Qing smiled inwardly—this was the moment he began to take Zi Xuan’s heart and liver.

(End of Chapter)