Xiao Chenmu's life had not been smooth sailing, but it had always been arduous yet triumphant. Yet, this "bronze statue" carved from past glories and firm beliefs seemed to have been struck by a monstrous wave. The dense, fine cracks appeared to foretell his imminent, shattering fate.
As he gazed upon the blood that seemed to endlessly spread across the floor of the dimly lit, chilling room, reaching his feet. The viscous, nauseating, pungent, and suffocating smell permeated the entire space. In the pitch darkness, only a faint, weak yellow light illuminated a narrow area, where a demon was imprisoned…
Not long ago, this demon was alive, vibrant, capable of speech and laughter. But now, she stared with vacant, clouded purple eyes, as if looking at him, or perhaps staring at her murderer with eyes that could not rest in death. Her bones had all been shattered, unable to support her heavy body, leaving her slumped like mud…
Upon witnessing this scene, Xiao Chenmu trembled with pain.
He remembered what she had asked him.
She had said, "Brother Xiao, am I going to die soon?"
He had promised her he wouldn't let her die.
She had told him to forget her, to forget the brief time they had spent together. She had spoken casually and simply, as if her own existence held no significant weight.
Her expression before death was calm. The gaze frozen in her final moments held no hatred, no resentment, no anger. So… was she willing to die?
Why?
Why else could it be!
Every word she had spoken, every sentence, he remembered them all so vividly.
"I am merely a demon. Do not let me ruin you. The last thing I wish to see is you getting hurt because of me. If you hurt, I will hurt more than you… You cultivators of humanity have a saying, don't you? 'Love, where it starts, is unknown; yet it deepens.' "
He leaned a hand against the wall, his palm scraping a bloody gash as if in self-torture. His upper body arched like a drawn bow, unable to bear the weight. He did not cry out, did not weep. Only his blood-red eyes revealed the turmoil within.
"A Xue… A Xue…"
He uttered the name with intense longing, his eyes growing redder with each call. "You said, 'Love, where it starts, is unknown; yet it deepens.' I didn't understand before, but now I do…"
—
Gu Junshi's consciousness had long since detached from the demon puppet. The storyline for the male supporting character was largely back on track, so she didn't need to pay much attention to it. Therefore, she was unaware of what had transpired in the dark room.
Naturally, she was also unaware that her provocation and scheming had ignited Sheng Chou's vengeful rage. He not only killed but also desecrated the corpse, resulting in a scene of unimaginable brutality. This had a far more stimulating and maddening impact on Xiao Chenmu than the original plot where Mu Nanxue was killed for her treasures.
Consequently, he lost the calm and collected demeanor expected of a top disciple of the Void Sect. He not only broke the demon girl's shackles but also attempted to abscond with her corpse. Ultimately, he was reprimanded by Tai Xuan, struck down, and severely injured, and then punished by confinement.
Although Gu Junshi had withdrawn her consciousness from both the overpowered male lead and the male supporting character, Xiao Chenmu, she remained confident that the "plot" she had orchestrated would not easily go awry.
However, people can't always be too sure of themselves, because no one knows when life might present an unexpected and astonishing event. This was true even for Gu Junshi, who, despite having been reborn multiple times and living for nearly a thousand years, was meticulous in her planning and unfazed by anything.
At this moment, she was seated on a soft, comfortable round cushion. The room was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood. Dappled sunlight streamed through the intricately carved latticed windows, illuminating the beautiful scenery outside where all seasons converged: clear skies, white clouds, pear blossoms falling like snow, and a gentle breeze rustling them.
In this quiet, serene room, on this pleasant afternoon, she found no inclination for leisurely contemplation.
"…Absurd."
These two words were enough to convey her complex and incredulous state of mind.
After listening to Cheng Hong's solemn and bewildered diagnosis of her "condition," even Gu Junshi, who remained unruffled in the face of Mount Tai collapsing, now furrowed her brows as if encountering something utterly perplexing and distressing, looking skeptical and incredulous.
She was making it clear that it wasn't her doing, feigning innocence. It was quite a task for Cheng Hong, a dignified monk whose six senses were all pure and tranquil, to bite back his frustration and prepare to dive into the abyss to save this demon, only to be dealt a severe blow.
He now wore a pale, spiritless, and dejected expression, as if questioning his very existence.
Although he was reluctant to believe it, he knew he was not mistaken. He had confirmed it many times. He would not lie to her, nor could he deceive himself.
—
Just a quarter of an hour ago, Gu Junshi had set aside her other affairs and, dressed lightly with her whisk, arrived as promised at the East Cliff of Misty City.
This time, with a specific intention, she did not adhere to the usual courtesies of a guest. Instead, she transformed into a thin, veil-like black mist, which drifted over the blossoming pear trees, quietly coalescing into human form within the room, bathed in the warm, gentle breeze.
On the other side, woven by the misty black fog, Cheng Hong was chanting sutras behind a green screen. Clad in a pure white robe, his mind was as clear as a polished mirror. The prayer beads he was turning paused, and he opened his serene eyes, filled with boundless Buddhist wisdom.
"Donor Gu."
After Gu Junshi materialized, she met his gaze across a screen. She casually took a seat behind a tea table.
"To avoid unnecessary trouble, I will not trouble Master to open the door to greet me. Gu has entered uninvited, and I hope you will forgive me."
Her words were polite, and she offered a plausible excuse. However, the true reason was that Gu Junshi no longer wished to conceal herself and decided to be forthright with him.
Cheng Hong did not place much importance on worldly etiquette. As a recluse, he accepted everyone equally and was thus capable of accepting both refined and crude manners.
"It matters not. Since Donor Gu has come for a consultation, she is my patient. There is no need for excessive formality," he said calmly.
He was surprisingly "lenient" towards her, a leniency that almost contradicted his usual conduct, as Gu Junshi had observed long ago.
If she had abided by the rules and laws before, that would be one thing. But now… her origins were mysterious and unfathomable. Possessing extraordinary cultivation with a mortal body, she acted erratically and whimsically, moving freely within the Void Sect. Yet, he still turned a blind eye, treating her as usual.
However, this very "usualness" revealed a sense of unease and incongruity about him.
But rather than investigating what changes had occurred in him that led to his behavior diverging from his usual principles in this lifetime, she was more concerned about her own issue, which could no longer be delayed. If his examination yielded no results this time, she wouldn't need to come again.
"If that is the case, then I shall trouble Master."
Cheng Hong stood up. He could see her figure through the mica screen, but he did not reveal himself. Instead, he carefully instructed, "You may feel some discomfort shortly. If you trust that I, your humble monk, will not harm you, then comply with the guidance and do not harbor suspicion or resistance."
Among all things, Gu Junshi did not doubt Cheng Hong's character. A practitioner of Buddhism would certainly not resort to backstabbing.
She nodded. "One should not doubt those they trust. Master Cheng Hong, rest assured, I will cooperate with you throughout."
Cheng Hong paused, unsure of how to respond to her words, which conveyed such "openness and integrity."
At this moment, more than a dozen golden tendrils, resembling tentacles, floated out from behind the screen. They were about the thickness of a finger, wider at the head and slender at the body, appearing soft and flexible. They then slowly approached Gu Junshi's body, as if waiting, probing, and seeking her consent.
Gu Junshi's eyes flickered for a moment, then she steadied herself and opened her hand, welcoming them with an indifferent gesture.
She casually glanced up. Although they didn't appear to be dangerous, visually, they were quite unsettling.
As expected, the hesitant golden tendrils, upon receiving her response, "shyly" extended into Gu Junshi's body. They were not physical and did not cause any external injuries.
But as they entered her body, Gu Junshi truly felt some discomfort. The sensation was akin to being touched by something soft and cold, or like a sudden electric shock, a feeling of being intrusively invaded.
Meanwhile, Cheng Hong's face, sculpted like white jade with a Buddhist serenity, radiated a warm, jade-like luster as he channeled his spiritual power. His nose was high, his lips perfectly formed. At this moment, they were slightly pursed, presenting an image of serene focus. Only at the base of his fair ears, where no one could see, a blush of crimson appeared.
Previously, he had found that ordinary diagnostic methods could not identify the problem within Gu Junshi's body. Therefore, this time, he intended to use his innate power to sense and thoroughly investigate her body.
This was equivalent to transforming his thoughts and spiritual consciousness into these golden tendrils, sensing every subtle change in her body. These golden tendrils might transform into "water," flowing throughout her body, or become "wind," caressing every fiber of her muscles. Such detailed and deep exploration within a person was not merely wondrous…
For him, it was a torment of unfamiliarity, an intense test of endurance, and an awkward discomfort.
The only solace was that perhaps, among all these sensations, disgust and rejection were absent.
He had never used such a method to diagnose others before, but remembering the instructions of another "him," he had, after all…
"Master, I feel a slight itchiness in my body…" Gu Junshi remembered her promise to "cooperate" and, based on her limited experience with seeing doctors, believed she should honestly report her physical changes to the physician.
Cheng Hong, who was meticulously examining with his eyes closed, calmly replied, "Endure it."
Alright, one must listen to the doctor.
However, the strange "itchiness," as if a feather were caressing the muscles beneath her sensitive skin, seemed to have moved from her back to her chest…
"Now it's not just itchy, there's also a cool sensation in my chest…"
"You do not need to inform me of your sensations…" Cheng Hong interrupted her, his patience wearing thin.
Gu Junshi had initially thought that diagnosing a patient involved "observation, listening, questioning, and palpation." If he didn't ask, and she didn't speak, what if he overlooked something?
But in reality, Cheng Hong was connected to her senses. He could perceive her feelings, so there was no need for her to elaborate.
As for his own sensations… he could only experience them himself.
The golden tendrils moved from her head, neck, shoulders, back, and chest… finally sliding down. When they reached her abdomen, Cheng Hong seemed to sense something unusual and suddenly intensified his perception, with more than ten golden tendrils surging into her abdomen…
Slowly, the tendrils began to twist into a tangle. The feedback received by Cheng Hong caused him to snap his eyes open, his face changing dramatically.
He had considered many possibilities for the problems that had previously appeared in her body. For instance, it could be an issue with her cultivation technique, or perhaps her废灵根 (waste spirit root) had mutated, causing bodily depletion. Or maybe she had inadvertently consumed something strange, leading to bodily changes…
In short, he had considered every peculiar and uncommon cause for illness, but he had never considered the most improbable, yet most bizarre, possibility.
The golden tendrils, which had been extending and moving freely, suddenly retracted from her body as if greatly startled, with a "swoosh!"
Gu Junshi asked in confusion, "Is it done?"
After a long pause, Cheng Hong said, "Allow this humble monk… to check again."
Gu Junshi had no objection to this.
Thus, the golden tendrils re-entered her abdomen. This time, nearly all of his perception was focused internally, his attention absolute.
Then, the golden tendrils, as if scalded by fire, withered and tightly contracted into a ball before being withdrawn.
"What exactly is wrong?" Gu Junshi's expression turned serious.
Cheng Hong said, "Let me check again."
This process repeated several times, until the golden tendrils finally seemed to run out of energy and dissipated into the air.
The result was already evident.
At this moment, Gu Junshi could clearly sense that Cheng Hong might have discovered the result but was unwilling to confirm it. She was also becoming impatient but ultimately did not impulsively drag him out to force an explanation.
"Just tell me your diagnosis."
After a long while, Cheng Hong walked out. His expression was grim, and his eyes still held the shock of a shattered worldview.
"Why that expression? Is my condition very serious?"
Cheng Hong fixed his gaze on her for a while, then shook his head.
"I don't like people being coy. Speak directly."
At this, Cheng Hong parted his lips and, in an extremely difficult tone, said, "Congratulations…"
At this, Gu Junshi was almost amused to the point of anger. Her dark eyes narrowed slightly. "You congratulate someone who has come to see a doctor?"
Cheng Hong gripped a prayer bead, shook his head, and said in a low voice, "It is not an illness, but rather, you are with child."
"With child?"
What child?
For a woman who, in her previous life, only wanted to build her career and had no interest in romance, and in this life, only wanted to kill her husband to ascend to immortality, the phrase "with child" was like an alien language. She didn't understand why, after a simple medical consultation, the topic had shifted to her being with child.
From where did this "joy" originate?
Was it the joy of a great illness?