Gu Junshi frowned and turned her head to see a sword, entirely white and translucent like glazed glass.
Its brilliant light, like shattered flower petals and residual snow, revealed its edge for a moment before the chill vanished. Yet, its arrogant and imposing aura remained, the tip pointed directly at Dan Ya, as if poised to sever his head in the next second.
A chill ran down Dan Ya's spine. He peered closely, "An immortal sword?"
Gu Junshi recognized it too.
This was the very immortal sword bonded with her little husband. Currently, her little husband's cultivation was still shallow. After bonding with an immortal artifact, to avoid harming its master, its spiritual power was weakened and its strength greatly restricted, reducing it to a spiritual artifact. Otherwise, the sword that had just shot towards them, even without touching anyone, the surging sword energy contained within its body could have injured innocents.
But the question was, how did it get here?
After forcing Dan Ya back ten feet, it angrily drew a three-inch deep沟壑 between Gu Junshi and him, a clear boundary with a strong warning, forbidding the two from getting too close.
Dan Ya recognized the immortal sword but did not see Liu Jiang Fusheng appear. He suddenly understood. Liu Jiang Fusheng, fearing he would not be able to emerge from his seclusion, had summoned his immortal sword to personally protect Gu Junshi.
How laughable.
Dan Ya thought with malicious intent, did he think this would be enough to guard against him?
He had heard of thieves who steal for a thousand days, but where was the thief who was guarded against for a thousand days?
However, with the immortal sword vigilantly watching nearby, he feared he couldn't get close to her. Dan Ya leisurely brushed the dust off his robes, flicked his eyelids, and smiled with a refined air, "Gu Yi, don't forget about the soul-locking curse. Also, don't believe Fang Rui's words too much. While you are not a wicked person, you are also not an innocent maiden from a boudoir. If you were to leave the Dayan Sect... Oh, right, even if you wanted to leave now, you probably can't."
A smile played on his lips as he glanced meaningfully at the shimmering, fluctuating immortal sword.
Gu Junshi also looked at the immortal sword. It circled her with flutters and then lay straight in mid-air, pointing its tip towards the Dayan Sect. Seeing her not move, it nudged her with its hilt, urging her to return quickly.
The master missed his wife dearly. When he knew she was about to leave him, he had been furious. Therefore, she couldn't be allowed to run away, nor could any other man approach her.
The wife belonged to the master, and it had to protect her well until the master emerged from seclusion!
The corner of Gu Junshi's eye twitched almost imperceptibly.
This... was truly unexpected.
It seemed that even in seclusion, her little husband was aware of her whereabouts, and had sent an immortal sword to stop her when he knew she intended to leave.
If that was the case, there was no harm in staying. With the immortal sword as a bridge, at least she wasn't completely cut off from her little husband in seclusion, and fostering their relationship had always been her priority.
Although she was staying, one matter still needed to be resolved.
Her gaze shifted and met Dan Ya's. She bowed, "Gu Yi has something to ask Martial Brother Dan Ya."
This address was not formal. Because she was not a disciple of the Dayan Sect, she addressed him based on her relationship with her little husband as a couple.
Dan Ya didn't mind her address. He just found Gu Yi to be quite interesting. The moment she heard she couldn't leave, her attitude became humble. He had seen the true natures of many women, but he had never encountered a farmer's wife who was so self-possessed and noble.
She appeared proud and aloof, like clear water cupped in one's hand but impossible to grasp. Yet, in an instant, she could become courteous and approachable.
But Dan Ya didn't intend to play hard to get. "Please speak, Gu Yi."
Perhaps people were inherently cheap. Having grown accustomed to her indifference and coldness, he felt flattered when she showed a little warmth.
Gu Junshi asked, "Since I am neither a handyman nor a disciple of the Dayan Sect, how should I make a living if I return to the Dayan Sect?"
Upon hearing this, Dan Ya saw an opportunity to show his favor. He said, "Nine Swallows Mountain is in need of a boy attendant. Would you like to try? If Gu Yi is willing, you need not worry about your future livelihood. Ya can take care of you."
Gu Junshi conveniently ignored the latter part of his rambling. She only cared about: "What is the position of a boy attendant? Can they take sect missions?"
"A boy attendant would primarily be responsible for tasks such as tending to medicinal herbs and watering spirit grains. Of course, compared to the outer disciples in the lower peaks, boy attendants can undertake more sect missions during their free time, and they don't have to pay a commission to the outer disciples," he explained to her in detail.
Hearing this, it seemed quite good. Although her little husband was currently on the rise, she still had no intention of abandoning her initial plan – to lavish him with wealth.
He had been in seclusion for three years; she had been earning money for three years.
That was enough.
Dan Ya, completely unaware that he was unknowingly paving the way for someone else, was currently delighted. He felt that by keeping her at Nine Swallows Mountain, he would have the advantage of proximity.
By the time Liu Jiang Fusheng emerged from his three-year seclusion, it would be too late. He would surely be wearing the cuckold's hat that Dan Ya had presented him.
"I will trouble Martial Brother Dan Ya with this matter. There is also one more thing, regarding that Senior Sister Fang Rui..."
Dan Ya already knew about this. He had seen Gu Yi being deceived by Fang Rui and making arrangements to leave her husband without even verifying, taking the high-priced spirit stones. He had guessed that her feelings for Martial Brother Liu Jiang Fusheng might not be as deep as his love for her.
He felt there was an opportunity, which led to his later idea of poaching.
Clearly, this "corner" seemed a little crooked at the moment, but it was unexpectedly rooted very firmly. It still needed to be approached gradually.
"She means no good. She secretly recorded your conversations, likely to show to Martial Brother Fusheng. That's why the immortal sword arrived so coincidentally."
Seeing the two talking harmoniously without leaving, the immortal sword became displeased. Although it was not a bloodthirsty sword, its temper was not good. The dim light on its body suddenly erupted with a blinding intensity, and a gust of wind swept up sand and fallen leaves. It "swallowed" Gu Junshi and transformed into a streak of starlight, a white light flashing across the sky.
The leisurely white clouds were pierced, and it vanished into the distant, layered mountain peaks.
The daytime sun was not strong or scorching. It filtered through the thin clouds, illuminating the mountains and waters. Amidst the distant trees and water, Gu Junshi was brought to Wumei Mountain by the immortal sword. Within the sheer mountain walls, tens of feet high, were cave dwellings dug inwards, each with its own prohibition, preventing easy access.
She was accurately thrown by the immortal sword before one of these cave dwellings. Looking up, she saw a plaque hanging above the entrance – Fusheng.
It was likely that this place was the cave dwelling where Liu Jiang Fusheng was sent into strict seclusion by Jiuwei.
Beside the cave dwelling, ancient trees intertwined with the stone walls, their canopies extending outwards, providing a patch of green shade. The wind rustled the leaves, and the light, filtered through layers of foliage, streamed down on her, transforming into gentle, swaying halos.
The immortal sword stood beside her, flashing intermittently, as if trying to convey something, and then nudged her.
Gu Junshi looked at the two stone doors sealed by the time-forbidden formation and called out, "Husband."
Liu Jiang Fusheng, who had been sitting cross-legged on the stone bed and cultivating with his eyes closed, suddenly stiffened. He abruptly opened his eyes and in an instant, moved to the door.
He couldn't control the lump in his throat and uttered hoarsely, "Yi..."
However, the sounds from outside could be transmitted into the door, but the sounds from within the cave dwelling could not be transmitted out.
Gu Junshi truly couldn't hear his response. She asked, "Husband, do you have anything to say to me?"
After the immortal sword bonded with Liu Jiang Fusheng, they could communicate mentally. It had suddenly brought her here, and it was likely not without Liu Jiang Fusheng's intention.
Liu Jiang Fusheng's hand touched the cold stone surface. Imagining Gu Yi standing outside the door, he indeed had many questions for her, but there was only one sentence he most wanted to say.
The immortal sword outside trembled, then quickly flew to the stone wall, drawing horizontal lines, folds, curves, and hooks... After a flash of sword light, it etched two large characters as if lamenting –
Wait for me.
Gu Junshi gazed at it quietly for a moment, then smiled.
"Okay."
Dan Ya, soaring in the sky above the cliff, finally saw her smile.
His sudden thought had come true.
But at this moment, there was no smile on his face.
Ugly.
It would have been better not to smile.
Hadn't she easily given up on him for twenty high-grade spirit stones?
Now, why did she smile because of something he said?