"You can't beat me in terms of cultivation, and you lose in terms of scheming."
The man casually waved his hand and threw the sword back into the sheath, and the maid immediately retreated with the sword in her hand.
His internal organs were shattered by the explosion, but he did not feel the expected pain. He lay on his back on the ground, watching the man walk up to him and lower his face slightly.
There were a pair of extremely charming eyes on that face, looking down at him, with the same nonchalant gaze as always, and the cold, thin lips curved in a gentle yet mocking arc.
"In this life and the next, you will always be the loser, Gu Pinglin."
Failure
His eyes, which had been closed, suddenly opened. He gritted his teeth and struggled, but his vision was already a blurry blank.
I just can't let it go. I'm unwilling to do so!
"I didn't lose... In the next life... If I can..." No one could hear his weak voice, not even himself.
If there is an afterlife—
Gu Pinglin opened his eyes suddenly, but did not see the face that he remembered so clearly. The carriage under him was still shaking and bumping, making a harsh "creaking" sound. This carriage was very old and worn out. It was very uncomfortable to sit or lie on it. It was used by the servants of the Gu family.
The two little hands were clenched tightly, and the palms were sweaty.
That's right, I'm back. Gu Pinglin let out a long breath, trying his best to calm his frantic heartbeat, slowly spread his fingers, and raised his head calmly.
The two servants opposite noticed that he had woken up. They just glanced over here, then looked away and continued chatting and laughing.
Having seen too many of these faces in his previous life, Gu Pinglin was not angry. He felt lucky to be able to start over again. Since he wanted to pursue the great path, why should he bother with these ants on the road
How long will it take? I can’t wait…
Gu Pinglin slowly closed his eyes again.
About a cup of tea later, things started to get busy outside and the carriage soon stopped.
"We're here." The two servants hurriedly stood up and jumped out of the car one after another.
"Hey, where is Young Master Jiu?" asked the coachman.
"Are you still sleeping, young master?" The young servant sneered. Born to a maidservant, no one in the Gu family regarded him as a proper young master.
The older servant cursed in a low voice: "No matter what, his last name is Gu. Master cares about his reputation the most. If we let that boy lose face, you and I will be in trouble!"
The younger one smiled and said, "I'm not..."
Before he could finish his words, the curtain of the carriage was suddenly lifted. The three of them turned around at the same time and saw that the ten-year-old Little Nine Young Master had come out by himself.
The families of cultivators were the most particular about rules. In such occasions, Madam Gu had to maintain some dignity. Although she made the son of her maidservant squeeze into the servant carriage, she still gave him new clothes. It was just that the green clothes made his pale complexion look even worse. The small silver crown tied his hair up high, but there was nothing wrong with it.
Perhaps he looked like his mother, with an oval face that was too beautiful, and he didn't look like a boy at all.
When Master Gu Jiu got out of the carriage, he subconsciously put his hands behind his back, and stood straight with his thin body, almost making people forget his age. Even his slightly pursed lips seemed to reveal a bit of majesty. His big eyes looked straight at the tall red gate not far away, and his eyes were surprisingly bright.
This is really unlike the silent boy he usually is. The three people beside the car were all stunned, and their hearts couldn't help but feel cold.
Without waiting for the three people to react, Gu Pinglin jumped out of the car and walked forward.
The red gate, high walls, and wide stone steps fully demonstrate the atmosphere of a noble family. There is an endless stream of guests coming to congratulate, including not only people from the cultivation world, but also many distinguished guests from the mortal world. Two rows of servants stand outside the door. Their clothes look simple, but the materials are better than those of some guests. Every servant is well-behaved and has a perfect smile. No matter the guests are noble or humble, they are all respectful and never make mistakes in etiquette. If they are not from a long-standing noble family, they will never have such cultivation.
Gu Pinglin stared at the black plaque with gold characters and walked towards it step by step.
Duan family.
In my previous life, this was the starting point of the turning point in my destiny, but I didn't pay attention to that person at that time.
It turns out that everything was already destined.
Met you, my nemesis.
"Mom, Xiaojiu is here." The eldest son Gu Ping'an hurriedly reminded him when he saw him.
Madam Gu glanced at Gu Pinglin coldly and said to Master Gu, "Master, everyone is here, let's go in."
Gu Pinglin was squeezed in the servants' carriage, falling behind the team, so he naturally came later than others. Master Gu had long been impatient, turned around and cursed, "What are you dawdling for?" Then he turned around and smiled again, and walked forward to bow to the Duan family's steward.
"A son born by a maid is a son born by a maid, stupid!" The second young master Gu Pingsheng cursed in a low voice. He was born to a concubine and didn't think much of Gu Pinglin.
The male servant welcomed Mr. Gu, Gu Ping'an and other adult male guests into the main gate. Then a maid came up from the side door, bowed to Madam Gu and led the female guests to the back. Madam Gu held the hand of her youngest son Gu Pingzhen and led a group of underage illegitimate sons and maids into the backyard, where they sat down to have tea.
After the maid left, Madam Gu turned around and said calmly, "No one is allowed to make mistakes today. Remember this clearly!"
She was not targeting Gu Pinglin. The mothers of these illegitimate sons were all alive, and some were very favored, and they were thorns in Madam Gu's eyes. The illegitimate sons reacted differently to her warnings, some were afraid, and some did not take it seriously. In comparison, Gu Pinglin, who was quiet in the middle, was much more pleasing to the eye.
The Gu family was seated in a corner, and only then could we see the difference in how the Duan family treated different guests. Compared with the largest family in the cultivation world, the Gu family was not up to par at all. They called themselves a family, but in fact, they were just a small family. It was only by chance that their ancestors got a low-level cultivation technique, and the Gu family was able to gain a foothold in the cultivation world. In front of a real family, Master Gu was both inferior and yearning, so he did everything he could to get a post, and shamelessly came to make friends, and he would never allow his family to make mistakes in such occasions.
Madam Gu recognized the two ladies from the small aristocratic families. After admonishing her illegitimate son, she hurried over to chat with them, while the young masters were led into the garden to play.
The Duan family's garden was like a mountain, with bamboo forests, flower beds, small bridges, waterfalls, clear pools and pavilions, and the eaves faintly visible among the dense branches and leaves. There were already many guests playing there, and formations and barriers were set up in important places to prevent outsiders from accidentally trespassing. In order to prevent people from getting lost, servants were arranged to guard each section of the road.
It was just like what he remembered from his previous life. Gu Pinglin followed the crowd and looked around. He didn't see the person he wanted to see. He should be about the same age as himself now. He was probably accompanying the young masters of the noble families. Gu Pinglin was not in a hurry because there was something more important today. He had to meet another person first.
The children of the Gu family had never been on a big stage, so they all behaved reservedly and only dared to play in the corner. Gu Pinglin got familiar with the environment, took a cup of tea when he had a chance, and walked towards the path he remembered.
“Xiaojiu, where are you going? Don’t run around!” Gu Pingsheng saw it with his sharp eyes and shouted, and everyone looked over immediately.
Gu Pinglin was not in a panic. He said lightly, "I have to go to the bathroom," and ignored what the children said and walked away.
"Go back and wait for your madam's punishment!" Gu Pingsheng sneered.
The further along the road, the quieter it became. Later, there were many fallen leaves on the ground, indicating that no one had cleaned it for many days. Many years had passed, and Gu Pinglin's memory was a little fuzzy. He encountered forks in the road several times, but now he was no longer the child who walked around randomly based on luck. He only needed to stop for a moment and take a quick look at the footprints on the fallen leaves to determine the direction.
There is a pavilion at the end of the road. The stone table on the pavilion is a chessboard. Two old men are sitting beside the table playing chess. It is exactly the scene in my memory.
The old man holding the white piece wore a dark blue Taoist robe, his hair and beard were all white, and he had a kind face. At this moment, he was holding a white piece and didn't know where to put it, and he was very distressed.
Master.
Gu Pinglin's hands trembled, and he quickly clenched the teacup and lowered his head.
This old man was Gu Pinglin's master in his previous life, Yue Songting, the head of Lingxin Sect. Because of this chance encounter, Gu Pinglin was spotted by Yue Songting and was able to join Lingxin Sect and embark on the path of Taoism. To Gu Pinglin, Yue Songting was like a reborn parent and the most respected person in his life. When Yue Songting died, he passed the position of the head to Gu Pinglin, but unexpectedly Gu Pinglin angered that man, which led to a terrible revenge. Not only was his own Dao Meridian Dantian destroyed, but the underground spiritual eye of Lingxin Sect was also destroyed, and Lingxin Sect fell from power.
The Lingxin Sect, which embodied the life-long efforts of his master, was eventually destroyed by his own hands, which made Gu Pinglin feel guilty for the rest of his life. Seeing his master again at this moment, Gu Pinglin felt ashamed to face him. He was silent for a long time before calming down and walking over.
Yue Songting was so focused on playing chess that he never took his eyes off the chessboard. When he noticed someone coming, he casually said, "Bring me a cup of tea. Thank you."
Things developed exactly the same as in the previous life. Gu Pinglin bowed his head and answered in a low voice: "Yes."
Just as he was about to offer the tea, the old man holding the black pieces on the opposite side suddenly said, "We want some here, too."
Now, of course, Gu Pinglin knew the identity of this person. He was Ming Qingzi, a famous master in the world of cultivation. Although he looked only about fifty years old, he was actually much older than Yue Songting. His hair was gray, but his eyebrows were black and shiny. He wore a loose white Taoist robe, and he looked like an immortal.
However, there was no such thing as Ming and Qing dynasties asking for tea in the previous life.
Gu Pinglin was stunned for a moment, then calmly walked forward and placed the cup of tea next to Yue Songting. The Duan family's tea must be good, and Gu Pinglin had thought about it this time and specially chose his favorite Mao Ya. Yue Songting picked it up and took a sip, and he couldn't help but praise: "Good tea."
Perhaps it was too much to his taste, he couldn't help but turn his head to look, and was immediately surprised: "Hey, what a doll!"
Ming Qingzi raised his head when he heard this, and frowned when he saw Gu Pinglin: "This kid..."
"You have good aptitude," Yue Songting happily dropped the chess piece and pulled Gu Pinglin over. "Tell me quickly, where are you from and what's your name?"
Gu Pinglin didn't dare to meet his gaze. He lowered his eyes and answered in a respectful tone.
Yue Songting turned to Ming Qingzi: "How is it?"
Ming Qingzi did not answer, but just stared at Gu Pinglin's face with a look of surprise and suspicion.
Gu Pinglin was well prepared this time and waited calmly for those words.
Ming Qingzi retracted his gaze, pondered for a long time, and suddenly smiled and said, "There is only one cup of tea, and he gave it to you but not to me. It seems that we are destined to be together."
Yue Songting was overjoyed, and sighed: "You also know that I am afraid it will be difficult for me to break through in this lifetime. My life span is coming to an end, but the Lingxin Sect..."
"It is God's will, and the way of nature follows." Ming Qingzi looked at Gu Pinglin meaningfully again, and stood up and said, "I am about to travel far to the sea, and I came to see you this time. Now that the matter is settled, it is time to leave."
Upon hearing this, Yue Songting knew that he had no hope of breaking through. This might be the last time the two of them would see each other. Yue Songting had practiced Taoism since he was young and was very knowledgeable. He stood up and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your concern, fellow Taoist."
Ming Qingzi nodded: "Since we have this friendship, if you have a destiny in the next life, I will guide you."
It is a great favor that he will guide me in the next life and help me to embark on the path of Tao again. Yue Songting stood up solemnly and bowed deeply to express his gratitude.
Ming Qingzi helped him up with one hand, said "goodbye", and floated away.
Gu Pinglin here was in a daze.
It was not for any other reason, but because Ming Qingzi's evaluation of him in his previous life was "too paranoid, will certainly bring disaster, it is difficult to have a good end, and he will have a short life." Yue Songting felt sorry for his talent and finally accepted him as his disciple. Later events really proved Ming Qingzi's words. His paranoid personality made him make a big mistake. Not only did he explode and die, but the entire Lingxin Sect was dragged down by him.
Why is this world different
Yue Songting was still sighing, and when he turned around and saw him, he smiled and said, "Gu family boy, I am leaving too, so go back to where you came from."
Just like in his previous life, he never mentioned taking in any disciples.
Gu Pinglin came back to his senses, glanced at his master quickly, then quickly lowered his head and answered softly, "Yes."
That glance revealed too many emotions. Yue Songting was stunned and a little surprised, but he didn't ask anything. He just patted Gu Pinglin on the head kindly and left.
Not until the figure completely disappeared did Gu Pinglin raise his head and let out a long breath.
Yes, the past was like a mirror. Although he still had the obsession of winning or losing in this life, he would never use such drastic means again. He wanted to defeat that man fairly and even more so, he wanted to protect the Lingxin Sect, strengthen his Dao heart, and prove the Dao again.
Gu Pinglin suddenly realized that he was relieved. The matter here was over. When he returned to the place where he came from, the young masters of the Gu family were gone, and even the guests who had come to play before were much less. Looking at the time, just like in his previous life, the banquet outside had already started. Gu Pinglin was led there by the servants of the Duan family. When he returned, Master Gu felt ashamed and beat him up severely.
Now…
Gu Pinglin smiled. It was just a meal. It didn’t matter if he missed it. The Duan family’s snacks were everywhere, enough to fill his stomach.
A maid passed by with a tray and asked in surprise when she saw him, "Whose son are you? Why aren't you going to eat? Are you lost?"
Gu Pinglin didn't mind being treated like a child, and asked, "Is your Sixth Young Master eating out?"
"Sixth Young Master?" The maid saw that he was dressed in ordinary clothes, but his temperament was different from that of an ordinary child. She thought that he must be a young master from a prominent family. The maid immediately became more gentle and respectful. "Sixth Young Master has been accompanying the guests for a long time. He said he was tired. Now he is resting in the flower garden over there. Do you want me to take you over?"
Gu Pinglin politely declined and walked while asking. Soon they arrived at the flower garden.
The sun is shining, the wind is gentle, and the flowers are in full bloom.
There are fallen petals all over the ground under my feet, and there are still light petals flying around me in the wind, sticking to my clothes, and the fragrance floats in the air.
Amidst the riot of colour, he spotted the figure at a glance.
He was a young boy of about twelve or thirteen, a precocious genius who no longer liked to play with children of his age. He was sitting alone on an embroidered recliner by the railing, holding a book.
Outside the railings, peonies are in full bloom, reflecting the young man's plain clothes. His face is more charming than the flowers.
His handsome face was slightly tilted upwards. From this angle, his eyes were obviously not on the book, and no one knew what he was looking at.
Duan Qingming.
Gu Pinglin whispered these three words one by one, unconsciously with a grin.
It was him, Duan Qingming, the young Duan Qingming.
Even though it wasn't the tall figure in his memory, his fighting spirit had been aroused. It was this person who had forced him to self-destruct in his previous life, and who had told him in a mocking tone when he was dying - you will always be the loser.
But now I'm back, holding the battle agreement from your previous life. Do you dare to accept it
Gu Pinglin slowly raised his eyebrows, put his hands behind his back, and walked towards the man.
—Here I come, my nemesis.