The air was filled with incense, but the room didn't have any scent at all.
Duan Qingming poured two cups of tea himself: "Please."
The relationship between the two of them had completely changed. For the first time, facing this person without hostility, Gu Pinglin still felt a little embarrassed. He did not sit down, but looked at the small incense burner next to him: "It's a long night."
"It's a long night." Duan Qingming handed him the incense burner.
The real long night, the dangerous soul-devouring poison, countless cultivators are terrified by the mere mention of it, let alone touching it. Gu Pinglin, however, didn't care at all. He took it and looked at it carefully, then handed it back to him: "If you knew about the existence of this poison, the Duan family would never let you go."
"Simple," Duan Qingming took the incense burner and flicked it with his left hand. The smoke in the burner immediately extinguished. "I'll just say that I love you deeply and will never change. It's even more impossible for me to be a Duan family member."
Gu Pinglin endured it for a while, and finally waved his hand to let it go: "Forget it, since it is the trouble I caused, I will not bother with you. This is related to the reputation of Lingxin Sect. This kind of misunderstanding cannot happen again. You should take care of yourself."
"That's wrong," Duan Qingming put down the incense burner and wiped his hands with a white silk handkerchief, "You have a companion who is better than a woman, aren't you satisfied?"
"Yin alone cannot produce life, Yang alone cannot grow, only the harmony of Yin and Yang can lead to the right path."
"Righteousness, whose right way is it? The way follows nature, the way changes constantly, nothing is impossible."
Nothing is Impossible.
――This move... How could this happen
--There is no unchanging way, no unchanging sword, and nothing is impossible.
Suddenly hearing long-lost and familiar words, Gu Pinglin couldn't help but shake his head.
This person's ideas have always been shocking and he is very good at sophistry. He actually argued with him. In his eyes, what is the moral reputation? Gu Pinglin even had no doubt that if this person was really interested in homosexuality, he would definitely not mind trying it out for himself.
God must have been confused for a moment, which is why he gave birth to such a monster.
Gu Pinglin stopped the topic and said, "Chang Ye is indeed a rare sword poison in the world. Do you want to use it?"
Duan Qingming said: "A sword is a sword, and poison is poison. There is no need for swordsmanship that requires external aids."
The person in front of him looked more and more like the person in his memory. Gu Pinglin said "Oh" and asked deliberately: "So, the formation into the sword is no longer necessary?"
Duan Qingming said: "Given the limitations of talent, it is even more rare to be good at using external forces to improve strength."
Gu Pinglin twitched his lips: "Duan Qingming, you are still so hypocritical."
"I get angry when I tell the truth, and I get even more angry when I tell a lie," Duan Qingming said with a smile, "You are really hard to please."
Gu Pinglin lifted his cape slightly and sat down on the chair opposite him: "If your words are sincere, I will not be angry."
"Of course I am sincere," Duan Qingming said, "That sword formation is very good."
The Shadow Breaking and Heaven Opening Formation has become famous all over the world, and its origin has become a great mystery in the cultivation world. Gu Pinglin was not modest in the face of praise: "Of course it is good."
"Break the shadow and open the sky." Duan Qingming paused and said slowly, "Break the shadow, what shadow are you breaking?"
Gu Pinglin asked back: "What do you think?"
"I think," Duan Qingming chuckled and lowered his voice, "you really think of me all the time."
Gu Pinglin was about to drink his tea when he heard such ambiguous words. He immediately choked on the tea. Knowing that he did it on purpose, Gu Pinglin remained calm and slowly swallowed the tea. He said calmly, "Of course, people like you always want to harm your fellow disciples."
"Really?" Duan Qingming looked at him with interest, then suddenly leaned over and stretched out his hand to him: "Wait, this tea..."
"Hmm?" Gu Pinglin frowned and looked at the teacup, "What's wrong?"
A clean, slender hand reached across the table, with a faint smell of medicine, as if to take the teacup, but suddenly turned halfway, and the nimble fingers hooked his earlobe very lightly and skillfully.
Gu Pinglin's hands trembled and the tea in the cup almost spilled out.
Duan Qingming laughed.
Gu Pinglin placed the teacup heavily on the table, his eyes blazing with anger and a hint of embarrassment: "Duan Qingming you!"
"Aren't we discussing the Dao? Why are you so angry?" Duan Qingming had already withdrawn his hand before the cold sword reached him. He smiled and said, "So a man can also make you react like this."
This man is well versed in medicine, and as a man, he naturally knows the male body very well. Gu Pinglin managed to stay calm with great difficulty: "It's just instinct, what can it prove?"
"Follow your instincts, that is the way."
"Wrong logic," Gu Pinglin sneered, "This only proves that you are more annoying than before."
"You mean in your previous life?"
Gu Pinglin didn't answer, just hummed and walked away.
Behind him, Duan Qingming suddenly said, "I have already answered your question. Now, I also have a question for you."
Gu Pinglin paused: "What's the problem?"
"You asked me what I would do if you were not here," he paused, "What I want to ask is, what would you do if I was not here one day?"
"Huh?" Gu Pinglin turned around suddenly.
The man was still sitting on the chair, looking at him from the side. The red shadow at the corners of his eyes had faded and the evil spirit had disappeared. He looked like a handsome and gentle young man from a noble family.
Gu Pinglin laughed and put his hands behind his back: "Of course I would love to."
"Ah," Duan Qingming sighed, not really surprised, "Gu Xiaojiu, you are so heartless and ungrateful. It makes me so sad."
Seeing this, Gu Pinglin pursed his lips and was about to speak when a figure suddenly appeared outside the door. He stopped and turned to look.
Cheng Yi stood at the door, staring at Duan Qingming with his big eyes: "Found it, it's you!"
"Oh?" Duan Qingming pretended to be surprised, "Do we know this little brother with green hair?"
"I don't know him," Cheng Yi shook his head, "I want to follow you."
Duan Qingming seemed to be interested and stood up slightly: "Why are you following me?"
Cheng Yi said: "You have the aura of a sword, very powerful, that person is you."
Gu Pinglin was also surprised. Duan Qingming had come to the rescue that day under the cover of Yan Sen's Soul Sword Style, and none of the many great cultivators present had noticed it. It was unexpected that he could actually recognize it.
Duan Qingming smiled and said, "Then you must have made a mistake. I don't know how to use a sword."
"That's right, you are so gentle and clean, but it looks like you can't even hold a sword." Cheng Yi looked at him doubtfully for a moment, but still said firmly, "I want to follow you."
"You can follow me," Duan Qingming paused, "but why should I agree to it? What good will it bring me if you follow me?"
Perhaps no one had ever asked this question before. Cheng Yi was stunned for a moment and replied, "I can hunt wild animals."
"You are quite capable," Duan Qingming waved his hand with a smile, "Well, come closer and listen."
Cheng Yi walked over happily, lowered his head and listened for a while, then nodded: "Okay, I'll go."
"Well, go ahead."
Seeing this, Gu Pinglin didn't know what to say.
Cheng Yi, who had said he wanted to follow me before, ran away with Duan Qingming after only a few days. He was clearly chasing the sword, not the person. No wonder he hadn't been recruited after such a long time. No one dared to recruit such a retainer. Duan Qingming had noticed him a long time ago, but he came to him.
As the head of the sect in his previous life and the successor of the sect in this life, Gu Pinglin has a heart for talent and can't help but frown: "This person is extremely talented. It's rare that he is willing to follow you. You should cherish him."
"Future Sect Leader Gu, what are you worried about?" Duan Qingming said, "You love talents, and I love them too."
Duan Qingming's way of loving talents? Gu Pinglin stopped the topic: "It's getting late. Brother Nan is going to host a banquet. You should also prepare it."
"Don't you plan to move back?" Duan Qingming asked.
Gu Pinglin said with a smile: "Since we are friendly brothers, is there any need for me to come back to monitor you?" After saying that, he left.
During the sea bone pit incident, Penglai Island was not damaged at all because of Gu Pinglin's advice. Nanzhu was very grateful and specially held a banquet to entertain everyone. However, when the guards went to invite Yao Feng, they found that Yao Feng had already left, leaving a letter on the table, repeatedly apologizing to Nanzhu.
Nanzhu was not angry, she just sighed: "I originally wanted to invite Brother Yao to stay in Penglai for a few days."
"You can come and go as you please. How can that be possible!" Bu Shuihan was very bothered. He and Yao Feng were the first people to know each other. They lived in the same room these days and often practiced swordsmanship. Although they had different personalities, they were good friends. Now Yao Feng left without saying goodbye, and he felt uncomfortable no matter how he thought about it.
Gu Pinglin said, "Brother Yao is always considerate. I think he must have something important to say for being rude this time."
Nanzhu's expression became serious when she heard this: "That makes sense. Could he be in some trouble?"
"You should tell us if you have any trouble. We are friends, so we shouldn't be so formal." Bu Shuihan hummed.
Jiang Ruoxu said: "Maybe he is afraid of getting us into trouble."
Lady Ming gently reminded, "The Yao family outside the mountain does not interfere in the affairs of the outside world. If it weren't for Master Yao, more people would have died in the sea bone pit. Those sects and families would not have been able to express their gratitude in time. Logically speaking, he should not have any trouble."
As everyone was guessing, the guards outside came to report: "Jun Ling... Young Master Jun is here."
Nanzhu was overjoyed to see Jun Muzhi coming back. Just as she was about to go out to greet him, Jun Muzhi walked in at a brisk pace, smiling and bowing, "Young Master."
Nanzhu held his arm and said unhappily: "We said we should call each other brothers, did you do this on purpose?"
"I made a mistake, don't blame me, big brother," Jun Muzhi quickly admitted his mistake and turned to Gu Pinglin, "Penglai was lucky enough to escape this disaster, all thanks to Master Gu."
Gu Pinglin said: "You're welcome."
Nanzhu asked, "Didn't you say you couldn't come?"
Jun Muzhi explained: "I begged Brother Zhou to bring me back."
"Where is Zhou Daxiu?" Nanzhu was surprised and hurriedly ordered the guards, "Hurry and bring him in."
"No need, he won't come in," Jun Muzhi stopped him, "Time is running out, and I don't know when we'll get together next time."
The atmosphere suddenly became heavy.
Jun Muzhi also realized it and said with a smile: "There is a long time to come, there will always be opportunities. I came back this time because I remembered something to give to my eldest brother."
Nanzhu understood and told Lady Ming: "Thank you for accompanying me."
There is a meaning behind accompanying the guests on behalf of the island owner. Ming Gongnu lowered her head and smiled, agreeing.
Nanzhu bowed and said "excuse me", then left the table with Jun Muzhi. The two of them walked into the inner room one after another. Nanzhu stretched out her hand and drew on the wall, and the four wall panels fell down, with many isolation arrays engraved on them.
"No one is eavesdropping," Nanzhu turned back, her expression serious, "Go ahead."
Jun Muzhi said bluntly: "Brother, are you going to marry Lord Ming's daughter?"
Nanzhu was silent for a moment: "Is it inappropriate?" After Jun Muzhi left Penglai Island, Duke Pingcang had no successor, and his power was bound to be shaken. In order to compete with Duke Liuyu Guo Feng, the only way was to win over Duke Shunshi.
Jun Muzhi smiled and said, "Don't worry, brother. I have already thought of a plan for you."
"oh?"
"Marry into the Ji clan."
"Ji?" Nanzhu was stunned. "Which one?"
Jun Muzhi tapped his folding fan and said, "You and I have both seen her. She is the Seventh Lady of the Ji family. This woman is steady and intelligent. She has the power of the Ji family behind her. She is a good match for my eldest brother."
Nanzhu shook her head: "That's true, but her heart is not with me."
"Qi's marriage is not going to work out," Jun Muzhi leaned close to him and whispered, "I just got the news that Qi Shisan has no interest in her and has run away from the marriage. The head of the Qi family is furious and is sending people to arrest him."
Nanzhu was surprised, then laughed again after thinking about it: "No wonder, Brother Yao also left a letter and left, could it be..."
"Brother Yao and he are like brothers," Jun Muzhi nodded and said seriously, "Brother, think about it carefully. Ji's family is a big family. Qi Shisan refused the marriage. Ji's family lost face in the cultivation world. Ji Qi Niang must be ashamed and angry. If you don't mind and go to propose marriage, Ji's family will save face. Ji Qi Niang will also be grateful and may transfer her feelings to you. Qi and Ji are both big families. Marriage is just icing on the cake for Qi and does not bring much benefit. It is different for Penglai Island. If the head of Ji's family is not stupid, he should know that Penglai Island is the best marriage partner."
Nanzhu thought for a moment and said, "Shunshigong's side..."
"So this matter must be raised by grandfather. I have already written a letter, big brother, just give it to grandfather." Jun Muzhi took out a letter from his sleeve and handed it to him, then unfolded the fishbone fan, and in a blink of an eye he turned back into a spiritual envoy who was planning and strategizing. He slowly paced a few steps and sneered, "Don't worry, Shun Shigong is not decisive enough and likes to take advantage. He is the one who least wants Penglai Island to be in chaos. Big brother, don't worry about him joining forces with Guo Feng."
"That's good," Nanzhu sighed, "but if Ji Qiniang follows me, it will be unfair to her."
"Brother, what you said is wrong," Jun Muzhi stopped and said seriously, "You are in a position where you cannot decide your marriage. Ji Qiniang, as a daughter of a noble family, should understand this principle. She disregarded the interests of her family and married Qi Shisan out of willfulness. Now she has brought shame upon herself. For the sake of face, the Ji family will marry her off as soon as possible. The identity of the wife of the Penglai Island Lord is not an injustice to her. If you feel bad, just don't treat her badly in the future."
Nanzhu nodded, somewhat self-deprecatingly: "I understand. You have told me since I was a child that we must protect the Penglai foundation and that those who accomplish great things cannot indulge in sentimental relationships. I remember it clearly."
Jun Muzhi was slightly shocked and slowly closed the fishbone fan: "Brother, you..."
Nanzhu smiled instead and waved her hand: "It's fine for me, but are you used to being in Tiancan Sect?"
Jun Muzhi smiled bitterly when he heard this: "I thought I had found a way and that leaving Penglai would bring me liberation. Now I know that I thought too simply. If it weren't for Brother Zhou, I wouldn't have survived more than three days after entering Tiancan Sect."
Seeing Nanzhu's face change, he hurriedly said, "Don't worry, I have a way to deal with it."
Knowing that he was resourceful, Nanzhu held his shoulders and said in a deep voice, "Anyway, write to me more often."
The two of them sat facing each other in silence for a long time.
Jun Muzhi lowered his head and said, "I should go back now. Brother Zhou is waiting outside."
Nanzhu said, "I'll take you there."
The partition was put away, and the two had just returned to the hall. Before they had time to talk to everyone, someone from the Qi family came to visit. Nanzhu knew their purpose and told them frankly. After confirming that Qi Wan'er was not in the palace, everyone from the Qi family said a few polite words and left.