"Heavenly Pride."
The elder supervising the juniors of the Flowing Bright Sect signaled for the younger generation to refrain from interrupting.
Yan Tianjiao snorted coldly, averting her gaze, and fell silent.
However, Ru Lan was unafraid of being reprimanded by the supervising elder of the Peerless Realm. She asked, "Uncle Yan, the demonic energy on City Lord Yu's person wasn't acquired in a single day, was it?"
The supervising elder of the Peerless Realm retracted the "Evil-Illuminating Mirror" and nodded, "That's correct."
Upon hearing this, Yu Shicheng also harbored suspicions. He looked distressed and replied, "Yes..."
At this moment, the City Lord of Flower City couldn't stand his hesitant demeanor and answered for him directly, "It's the eldest daughter of the Mu family, Mu Junshi. She frequently traveled between the three cities before, intending to inquire about the immortal artifacts of the three cities. City Lord Yu intended to probe her purpose and engage with her, which is why he might have picked up some of her aura."
This statement somewhat excused Yu Shicheng. He omitted the complex internal affairs and the marital connection between Rong City and the Mu family, vaguely explaining the process.
"The Mu family? The Mu family from the Ghost City of Shuofang?"
"The name Mu Junshi... sounds strangely familiar."
Upon hearing this, Danya narrowed her eyes slightly, a frown on her brow.
Gu Junshi, Mu Junshi, what a coincidence?
Not only he thought so, but anyone who knew Gu Yi's true name found the name Mu Junshi oddly peculiar.
Abbess Huiming recalled the eldest daughter of the Mu family and lamented, "That Mu Junshi is indeed a perceptive and discerning person. It's a pity her intentions are not pure. This old nun had intended to guide her onto the righteous path..."
"If that's the case, then the eldest daughter of the Mu family is either a demon or has close ties with demons."
"The Ghost City of Fengdu harbors ill intentions and is colluding with demons. Are they planning to release the sealed demons?"
"It's not impossible. In any case, we cannot nurture evil any longer. We, the supervising elders, will report this to the Immortal Alliance and choose a day to attack the Ghost City of Fengdu!"
---
While the Immortal Alliance was busily organizing the assault on the Ghost City of Fengdu, on the other side, Gu Junshi brought the bound Liu Jiang Fusheng back to Fengdu.
During her captivity, Liu Jiang Fusheng had not displayed any aggressive behavior, only gazing at her with his pair of clear, indifferent eyes.
Upon reaching the Jingdu Forest, Gu Junshi led him inside.
Seeing the tangled thorn bushes spread apart, the Human Emperor knew Gu Junshi had returned. He hurried over. His previously smiling eyes completely vanished when he saw Liu Jiang Fusheng, instantly darkening.
He stood before them, guarding his territory like a wall, but his tone carried a smile. "Isn't this your ex-husband? Why did you bring him back?"
Gu Junshi stared at him quietly for a moment, then shifted her foot slightly to block his knife-hidden gaze towards Liu Jiang Fusheng, stating concisely, "There are old matters to discuss."
The Human Emperor curved his lips, a glint of mischief in his eyes. His voice suddenly turned gentle, "Is that so? To discuss matters, you still need to tie him up? What kind of incredibly important words are these?"
This was a difficult question to answer.
Gu Junshi changed the subject, "Did you get the immortal artifact from Flower City?"
As she spoke, the expressionless Liu Jiang Fusheng looked at her.
His gaze seemed to carry endless unspoken words.
"Of course. You said that if I retrieved the immortal artifact for you, you would reward me with one thing, right?"
"Mm."
"Then marry me immediately."
"I seem to have also said that the weight of these matters combined is not enough."
Their gazes met, creating an indescribable feeling. Neither yielded, yet they were so intimately connected, understanding each other's meaning without needing to voice it.
"Not enough?" The Human Emperor glanced at Liu Jiang Fusheng, his demeanor lazy and his eyes deep. A faint smile escaped his throat, but it was laced with extreme coldness. "Alright, I understand."
He gave up surprisingly quickly this time. He turned aside and walked past them, "Then you two have a good chat. I have something to attend to outside."
---
After seeing off the Human Emperor, Gu Junshi entered the tree cave and released Li Sheng and Xiao Sijun beneath the lush greenery and flowering trees.
Li Sheng, upon seeing the picturesque and poetic bamboo dwelling, looked around with admiration for a long time.
Xiao Sijun had already experienced this alternate dimension and was not surprised. He ran directly towards Gu Junshi.
"Mother."
Midway, he inadvertently saw Liu Jiang Fusheng standing behind Gu Junshi.
He was still bound by chains transformed from Wu Xiang, his hands and feet tied.
"Father?!"
He became a little flustered, looking at Gu Junshi. "Mother, did you really abduct Father?"
Gu Junshi casually replied, "Mm, lock him up for seven days."
As she spoke, she picked a flat spot and, following suit, placed a beautiful and exquisite cage, locking Liu Jiang Fusheng inside.
During this time, Gu Sijun was caught in a dilemma, unsure whether to help his mother "get revenge" or to plead for his father.
"What do you want to do to me?" Even though he was locked in the cage, Liu Jiang Fusheng remained calm, his eyes as clear and cold as the moon.
Gu Junshi stood outside the cage, looking at the man with a familiar face but an unfamiliar expression. Her eyes, tinged with black at the corners, lacked any reflection, revealing a terrifying coldness that mirrored her inner feelings.
"If you are willing to tell me the truth about what happened back then, whether Sijun and Lebao are related to me, I will let you go. How about it?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Jiang Fusheng's expression turned stubborn and cold, his lips pressed together in silence.
Seeing his determined and unyielding demeanor, Gu Junshi was about to step forward.
At this moment, Li Sheng walked over from the side and naturally and intimately took her hand.
Gu Junshi's first reaction was to pull away, but then she heard Li Sheng pleading with her, "Jun Jun, don't argue with Brother Liu Jiang. He's not deliberately not speaking; he must have his reasons."
The appellation "Jun Jun" and "Brother" struck Gu Junshi like thunder, and her expression froze.
It was only when she saw Li Sheng's sparkling eyes and the wink he gave her that she slowly caught on and followed his lead, "...What reasons?"
Seeing that she finally understood how to respond, Li Sheng tried his best to make excuses for him, "For example, he was actually forced by someone, or..."
At this moment, Liu Jiang Fusheng's aura suddenly turned dangerous. He stared at Li Sheng and said, "What happens between her and me has nothing to do with you."
Before Gu Junshi could even respond, Li Sheng quickly pleaded with her again, "Jun Jun, don't be angry. Brother wasn't scolding me; he's just in a bad mood now, so his voice is a bit loud. Please don't blame him because of me, or Li Sheng will feel sorry for Brother."
Gu Junshi's lips twitched slightly. She tried hard not to show a look of exasperation. After holding back for a long time, she finally said, "You... are truly kind."
At her words, Li Sheng's eyes, like black gemstones, shone even brighter, and his face blushed slightly.
She suddenly felt that his manipulative behavior might not be acting but his genuine thoughts.
At this moment, Gu Junshi also seemed to have figured out her current role. She took Li Sheng's hand in return, observing out of the corner of her eye. She saw Liu Jiang Fusheng's fingers curl slightly and dig into his palms, his gaze fixed icily on their clasped hands.
"When did you become so..." As she began to speak, Liu Jiang Fusheng's sharp, piercing gaze turned towards her, and the word "vicious" that had escaped Gu Junshi's throat got stuck.
The wording didn't need to be too harsh, so she substituted it with another word: "Unreasonable. Li Sheng is wholeheartedly speaking for you, yet you are ungrateful. You've truly disappointed me. Since you refuse to speak, then you can stay here and reflect."