When they arrived in the Wasteland, Su Huaizhu and Gu Ruohai left for the Devil City together. Su Yang, Gu Feidi and Chi Tong continued to head south towards the Central Plains.
Upon arriving at the rear border between the Central Plains and the Wasteland, Chi Tong returned to join the Central Plains Imperial army while Su Yang and Gu Feidi managed to acquire another horse and rode on together side by side.
The unrest within the martial arts circles had yet to cease at this time. Su Yang and Gu Feidi veiled their faces and wrapped up their scabbards in cloth to conceal their identities.
En route, Gu Feidi caught wind of rumours in the Jianghu. He found out that Pu Lingyun and Fan Xi had returned to Tengyun Pavilion and that Xu Yunzhan had also safely arrived back at Qianfeng Villa. He’d also learned that Wujiangmen hadn’t yet recovered from the incident where Eluo Ghost Tent’s regime had been abruptly overrun. At the moment, there were no considerable movements from them.
“Are we going directly to Lesser Jade House next?” Su Yang asked.
“We need to make a stop at Lanyang City first.” Gu Feidi said, “Tengyun Pavilion’s management still requires my assistance before my father’s return…… I’m sorry. I promised you that after dealing with the matter at Eluo Ghost Tent, I would accompany you to Lesser Jade House. Now I’ve broken that promise.”
Su Yang wasn’t angry about this. He was aware that with Gu Feidi’s status, he had to bear the associated responsibilities.
This person was willing to disregard popular views and blood ties, pledged his love to him and had agreed to stay together with him in Lesser Jade House in the future……it was already exceedingly hard to come by within the context of the current era.
So he merely teased him with a line: “You’ll become fat if you break your promise. Be careful your light footwork won’t be able to bear you up next time.”
Gu Feidi knew that Su Yang didn’t mind upon hearing him speak like this and smiled: “With a companion like this, what more can I ask for?”
Su Yang exaggeratedly scrunched up his neck and grimaced, “Ai, it’s exceedingly sour ……”
Throughout the journey back to Lanyang City, Gu Feidi didn’t head straight back to Tengyun Pavilion. Instead, he stayed at the inn managed by Tengyun Pavilion. After a perfunctory freshening up, he ordered someone to contact the Pavilion steward.
Presently in the Jianghu, the rumour that he’d been expelled from Tengyun Pavilion still hadn’t yet faded away. Taking into consideration Tengyun Pavilion’s standpoint, he still couldn’t return with great fanfare at the moment.
Before long, Pu Lingyun and Fan Xi arrived in disguise. Walking together with them was Xu Yunzhan, who was supposed to be in Qianfeng Villa.
It wasn’t until they’d asked, that they realised apparently Pu Lingyun was the one who’d been dealing with the trivial matters within Tengyun Pavilion recently. The newbie was so occupied and under pressure that today, she had no choice but to seek out Xu Yunzhan as an outside help to assist in handling some matters that weren’t too related to Tengyun Pavilion’s main core.
The inn manager quickly served tea and refreshments. The few of them took turns to swap their experiences during this period.
“So, does Shifu have to help fix up the Devil Sect first before he returns?”
Pu Lingyun was suffering from a headache. She clutched her forehead: “Da shixiong is a martial fool and isn’t concerned with the Pavilion’s matters. Er shixiong is fixated on military strategies. He concealed his identity and sat for the imperial military examination on the sly; insisting on becoming a general. The rest of the shixiongs are in other counties managing the Pavilion’s branches and are unable to step away at the moment…… It’s presently inconvenient for you to reveal yourself. If Shifu doesn’t come back, am I supposed to handle all the Pavilion’s internal affairs?”
Gu Feidi put down the tea cup he was holding: “The elders in charge of administration in the Pavilion have a lot of confidence in you. It’s not a bad idea for you to attend to the general matters on behalf of Pavilion Master.”
Pu Lingyun rolled his eyes and spoke discontentedly: “You’ve also assisted Shifu handle a lot of matters before. You should know how trivial and messy those things are. I’m really stressed out having to attend to so many things……Oh, that’s right. Wujiangmen has been secretly doing some petty actions recently. I’m guessing since Eluo Ghost Tent has crumbled, they’re looking for a way out.”
Gu Feidi hesitated for a moment, then said: “There are always those from Wujiangmen paying attention. If you discover any spies in Lanyang City, there’s no need to take action on them temporarily. It’ll be enough to just intercept the information they’re transmitting. As for the rest……just wait for my father to deal with them upon his return.”
Pu Lingyun nodded: “So be it then.”
After discussing Tengyun Pavilion matters in detail, Gu Feidi smiled at Xu Yunzhan: “We’ve troubled Wei Qi xiong.”
Xu Yunzhan smiled bitterly, “What trouble was there. That day, all of you didn’t allow me to take part in the Devil City battle. I thought I could settle for the next best thing and enter the Icefield together with Lingyun and Fan Xi. Unexpectedly, I received a letter from my family saying that Yingniang wasn’t doing well, so I hurried back……All of you risked life and limb, yet I was accompanying my wife at home. I’m ashamed just talking about it.”
“Has sister-in-law stabilised now?” Gu Feidi asked again.
“She’s stabilised.” Xu Yunzhan said helplessly, “Yingniang’s also a martial artist. She was merely worrying too much about about my safety in her condition. She was fine as soon as I’d returned.”
“Then you should accompany her more. “Gu Feidi laughed, “I’m still waiting to attend my nephew’s full moon banquet*.”
(*TN : it’s customary to celebrate the first month after the birth of a child, hence the name ‘full-moon’. Historically, when infant mortality was high, it was done to signify the infant had survived the first month of their life, and therefore meant that they were more likely to reach adulthood. This period also ended the one month confinement of the mother. This custom still persists today with slight variations. There’s a slew of traditions involved such as the cutting of the child’s hair, the gifting of red packets, etc…)
The joy on Xu Yunzhan’s face couldn’t be restrained and was filled with the happiness of becoming a father.
“My child should be born around midsummer next year. I’ll send you all an invitation then.” He said, then suddenly remembering something, “Su Yang’s crown ceremony is somewhat earlier than the full moon banquet.”
He looked at Su Yang and asked: “Do you plan to have the crown ceremony in Lesser Jade House or back in the Wasteland?”
The smile on Gu Feidi’s face instantly froze and then gradually faded.
Su Yang cast his gaze down at the tea cup in his hand. After that, he looked up at Xu Yunzhan and answered with a smile: “In Lesser Jade House.”
Both of them didn’t really hold back their expressions before their close friends. Xu Yunzhan and Pu Lingyun immediately noticed their unusualness. Fan Xi also frowned.
“What?” Xu Yunzhan asked, “Is there an issue with……the crown ceremony?”
Su Yang blinked and smiled: “What issue can there be with the crown ceremony? No issue! But all of you don’t have to go to Lesser Jade House specially, just……your blessings are good enough. Truly.”
Gu Feidi said nothing, but his eyes fell upon Su Yang’s face. He couldn’t control his gaze from unintentionally revealing an expression of anxiousness.
Su Yang stretched out his hand to hook Gu Feidi’s finger, swinging it and giving him a reassuring smile.
Seeing that both Pu Lingyun and Fan Xi had suspicious looks, Su Yang smiled and sighed: “There was a fortune teller who predicted that I wouldn’t live past twenty, end of story. Whether it’s true or not, I’ve no idea……Before this, I had some health issues and Feidi was unduly worried, that’s all…… Ng, it’s not a big deal.”
This statement didn’t sound valid, so it was better if it wasn’t clarified.
But he’d already said as much and it was clear that he was unwilling to let others know the actual reason. So they didn’t ask anymore.
Gu Feidi finally altered his mood and said, “If you don’t mind, you’re all welcome to attend his crown ceremony.”
The rest of them courteously responded, but still noticeably had doubts about the ceremony.
After chatting for a while about the current situation in the martial arts circles, Pu Lingyun received a report from the steward and had no choice but to return to Tengyun Pavilion temporarily to handle matters. Fan Xi also left with her.
Xu Yunzhan also got up to take his leave. When Gu Feidi saw him off at the room door, Xu Yunzhan turned back and said in a low voice: “If you need to, tell me. No matter what the difficulties are, I’ll do my utmost to help you.”
Gu Feidi smiled and didn’t say anything except a word of thanks.
Once he’d seen everyone out, Gu Feidi turned and leaned against the door. He looked at Su Yang who was putting away the tea set.
As he watched Su Yang pour out the remaining tea from the cups and place the inverted cups back one by one on the tea tray, he noiselessly approached and pulled Su Yang into his arms from behind.
Su Yang’s body temperature was still much colder than an average person’s. Gu Feidi’s cheek was pressed against his ear. He closed eyes a little, sighed and tightened his arms slightly.
“What is it?” Su Yang asked with a smile, “Haven’t all the issues been resolved? You’ve acquired the White Firework Gu and the dual cultivation technique is settled. Aren’t things in the midst of developing in a better direction?”
Gu Feidi didn’t answer.
Su Yang tilted his head, found Gu Feidi’s lips and gave them a light peck.
“Don’t worry, nothing will happen.” He said, “Shizun wouldn’t send you to your death. Without my blood suppressing it on the side, it’ll be easy for the White Firework Gu to stir up trouble. Since Shizun said that it was your lucky chance, then it affirms that I won’t die. I’ll always be by your side, right?”
After some time, Gu Feidi whispered in Su Yang’s ear: “I know, but I can’t help worrying. Only when your crown ceremony is safely concluded. Or else, I’ll still be fearful……”
Su Yang turned around and smiled. He held Gu Feidi’s cheeks and gave him another kiss on the lips.
“Instead of worrying about this and that, and wasting time, how about we……” He licked his lips, lowered his voice and intentionally added a touch of huskiness, “……go do something pleasurable?”
The expression in Gu Feidi ‘s eyes instantly became much deeper.
Su Yang wrapped his arms around his neck and said, “It’s been a long time……since the previous time. No one will ambush us here, no snowstorms, no ghost owls to disturb us……Afterwards, we can ask for a tub of hot water and enjoy bath together, massage each other’s backs, then lie down on the soft bed——”
Before he could finish, his waist was abruptly held back forcefully onto the tea table and his lips were captured by Gu Feidi’s.
Su Yang muffled a laugh as he reached out to support himself on the table in an attempt to balance himself. Unfortunately, he knocked into the tea tray that had just been tidied up.
The tea tray fell to the ground with a bang. The tea cups and teapot shattered into pieces.
Within a few breaths, a manager immediately knocked on the door outside: “Distinguished guests, are you hurt? This servant will come in and clean it up for you!”
Su Yang: ……
Gu Feidi: ……
Gu Feidi straightened out his clothing and was just about to let him in, but Su Yang covered his mouth.
Su Yang smiled and clung onto his body while raising his voice in the direction of the door: “No need, no need. We were just horsing around——just send up a large tub of hot water in an hour!”
There was no reply from outside the door for a long while.
Gu Feidi frowned and let out a ‘tsk’, “What are you randomly shouting for! Asking for water in broad daylight……”
Su Yang leaned on Gu Feidi’s shoulders. He didn’t know why, but he couldn’t stop laughing.
Gu Feidi was tickled by his laughter and couldn’t help laughing along: “You aaa……”
As he spoke, he narrowed his eyes, lowered his voice, leaned close to Su Yang’s ear, “You’re sure……that an hour is enough?”
At once, Su Yang sensed that he was in a pickle: “Why, why is it not enough!”
Gu Feidi snorted, lifted him up, cradling him in his arms. He tossed him onto the bed and locked down his struggling arms with his elbows as he smiled: “……If we do it several times, it certainly won’t be enough.”
In the end, he added: “There are many guests here. You can’t be too loud.”
Su Yang: …….
“Gu…… you cad! You’ve changed! You’re no longer that pure, innocent youth!”
“You demon spawn, give me back my original cutie—”
“Wu, ak……you……”
“……shhh, not so loud, be good.”
When they arrived in the Wasteland, Su Huaizhu and Gu Ruohai left for the Devil City together. Su Yang, Gu Feidi and Chi Tong continued to head south towards the Central Plains.
Upon arriving at the rear border between the Central Plains and the Wasteland, Chi Tong returned to join the Central Plains Imperial army while Su Yang and Gu Feidi managed to acquire another horse and rode on together side by side.
The unrest within the martial arts circles had yet to cease at this time. Su Yang and Gu Feidi veiled their faces and wrapped up their scabbards in cloth to conceal their identities.
En route, Gu Feidi caught wind of rumours in the Jianghu. He found out that Pu Lingyun and Fan Xi had returned to Tengyun Pavilion and that Xu Yunzhan had also safely arrived back at Qianfeng Villa. He’d also learned that Wujiangmen hadn’t yet recovered from the incident where Eluo Ghost Tent’s regime had been abruptly overrun. At the moment, there were no considerable movements from them.
“Are we going directly to Lesser Jade House next?” Su Yang asked.
“We need to make a stop at Lanyang City first.” Gu Feidi said, “Tengyun Pavilion’s management still requires my assistance before my father’s return…… I’m sorry. I promised you that after dealing with the matter at Eluo Ghost Tent, I would accompany you to Lesser Jade House. Now I’ve broken that promise.”
Su Yang wasn’t angry about this. He was aware that with Gu Feidi’s status, he had to bear the associated responsibilities.
This person was willing to disregard popular views and blood ties, pledged his love to him and had agreed to stay together with him in Lesser Jade House in the future……it was already exceedingly hard to come by within the context of the current era.
So he merely teased him with a line: “You’ll become fat if you break your promise. Be careful your light footwork won’t be able to bear you up next time.”
Gu Feidi knew that Su Yang didn’t mind upon hearing him speak like this and smiled: “With a companion like this, what more can I ask for?”
Su Yang exaggeratedly scrunched up his neck and grimaced, “Ai, it’s exceedingly sour ……”
Throughout the journey back to Lanyang City, Gu Feidi didn’t head straight back to Tengyun Pavilion. Instead, he stayed at the inn managed by Tengyun Pavilion. After a perfunctory freshening up, he ordered someone to contact the Pavilion steward.
Presently in the Jianghu, the rumour that he’d been expelled from Tengyun Pavilion still hadn’t yet faded away. Taking into consideration Tengyun Pavilion’s standpoint, he still couldn’t return with great fanfare at the moment.
Before long, Pu Lingyun and Fan Xi arrived in disguise. Walking together with them was Xu Yunzhan, who was supposed to be in Qianfeng Villa.
It wasn’t until they’d asked, that they realised apparently Pu Lingyun was the one who’d been dealing with the trivial matters within Tengyun Pavilion recently. The newbie was so occupied and under pressure that today, she had no choice but to seek out Xu Yunzhan as an outside help to assist in handling some matters that weren’t too related to Tengyun Pavilion’s main core.
The inn manager quickly served tea and refreshments. The few of them took turns to swap their experiences during this period.
“So, does Shifu have to help fix up the Devil Sect first before he returns?”
Pu Lingyun was suffering from a headache. She clutched her forehead: “Da shixiong is a martial fool and isn’t concerned with the Pavilion’s matters. Er shixiong is fixated on military strategies. He concealed his identity and sat for the imperial military examination on the sly; insisting on becoming a general. The rest of the shixiongs are in other counties managing the Pavilion’s branches and are unable to step away at the moment…… It’s presently inconvenient for you to reveal yourself. If Shifu doesn’t come back, am I supposed to handle all the Pavilion’s internal affairs?”
Gu Feidi put down the tea cup he was holding: “The elders in charge of administration in the Pavilion have a lot of confidence in you. It’s not a bad idea for you to attend to the general matters on behalf of Pavilion Master.”
Pu Lingyun rolled his eyes and spoke discontentedly: “You’ve also assisted Shifu handle a lot of matters before. You should know how trivial and messy those things are. I’m really stressed out having to attend to so many things……Oh, that’s right. Wujiangmen has been secretly doing some petty actions recently. I’m guessing since Eluo Ghost Tent has crumbled, they’re looking for a way out.”
Gu Feidi hesitated for a moment, then said: “There are always those from Wujiangmen paying attention. If you discover any spies in Lanyang City, there’s no need to take action on them temporarily. It’ll be enough to just intercept the information they’re transmitting. As for the rest……just wait for my father to deal with them upon his return.”
Pu Lingyun nodded: “So be it then.”
After discussing Tengyun Pavilion matters in detail, Gu Feidi smiled at Xu Yunzhan: “We’ve troubled Wei Qi xiong.”
Xu Yunzhan smiled bitterly, “What trouble was there. That day, all of you didn’t allow me to take part in the Devil City battle. I thought I could settle for the next best thing and enter the Icefield together with Lingyun and Fan Xi. Unexpectedly, I received a letter from my family saying that Yingniang wasn’t doing well, so I hurried back……All of you risked life and limb, yet I was accompanying my wife at home. I’m ashamed just talking about it.”
“Has sister-in-law stabilised now?” Gu Feidi asked again.
“She’s stabilised.” Xu Yunzhan said helplessly, “Yingniang’s also a martial artist. She was merely worrying too much about about my safety in her condition. She was fine as soon as I’d returned.”
“Then you should accompany her more. “Gu Feidi laughed, “I’m still waiting to attend my nephew’s full moon banquet*.”
(*TN : it’s customary to celebrate the first month after the birth of a child, hence the name ‘full-moon’. Historically, when infant mortality was high, it was done to signify the infant had survived the first month of their life, and therefore meant that they were more likely to reach adulthood. This period also ended the one month confinement of the mother. This custom still persists today with slight variations. There’s a slew of traditions involved such as the cutting of the child’s hair, the gifting of red packets, etc…)
The joy on Xu Yunzhan’s face couldn’t be restrained and was filled with the happiness of becoming a father.
“My child should be born around midsummer next year. I’ll send you all an invitation then.” He said, then suddenly remembering something, “Su Yang’s crown ceremony is somewhat earlier than the full moon banquet.”
He looked at Su Yang and asked: “Do you plan to have the crown ceremony in Lesser Jade House or back in the Wasteland?”
The smile on Gu Feidi’s face instantly froze and then gradually faded.
Su Yang cast his gaze down at the tea cup in his hand. After that, he looked up at Xu Yunzhan and answered with a smile: “In Lesser Jade House.”
Both of them didn’t really hold back their expressions before their close friends. Xu Yunzhan and Pu Lingyun immediately noticed their unusualness. Fan Xi also frowned.
“What?” Xu Yunzhan asked, “Is there an issue with……the crown ceremony?”
Su Yang blinked and smiled: “What issue can there be with the crown ceremony? No issue! But all of you don’t have to go to Lesser Jade House specially, just……your blessings are good enough. Truly.”
Gu Feidi said nothing, but his eyes fell upon Su Yang’s face. He couldn’t control his gaze from unintentionally revealing an expression of anxiousness.
Su Yang stretched out his hand to hook Gu Feidi’s finger, swinging it and giving him a reassuring smile.
Seeing that both Pu Lingyun and Fan Xi had suspicious looks, Su Yang smiled and sighed: “There was a fortune teller who predicted that I wouldn’t live past twenty, end of story. Whether it’s true or not, I’ve no idea……Before this, I had some health issues and Feidi was unduly worried, that’s all…… Ng, it’s not a big deal.”
This statement didn’t sound valid, so it was better if it wasn’t clarified.
But he’d already said as much and it was clear that he was unwilling to let others know the actual reason. So they didn’t ask anymore.
Gu Feidi finally altered his mood and said, “If you don’t mind, you’re all welcome to attend his crown ceremony.”
The rest of them courteously responded, but still noticeably had doubts about the ceremony.
After chatting for a while about the current situation in the martial arts circles, Pu Lingyun received a report from the steward and had no choice but to return to Tengyun Pavilion temporarily to handle matters. Fan Xi also left with her.
Xu Yunzhan also got up to take his leave. When Gu Feidi saw him off at the room door, Xu Yunzhan turned back and said in a low voice: “If you need to, tell me. No matter what the difficulties are, I’ll do my utmost to help you.”
Gu Feidi smiled and didn’t say anything except a word of thanks.
Once he’d seen everyone out, Gu Feidi turned and leaned against the door. He looked at Su Yang who was putting away the tea set.
As he watched Su Yang pour out the remaining tea from the cups and place the inverted cups back one by one on the tea tray, he noiselessly approached and pulled Su Yang into his arms from behind.
Su Yang’s body temperature was still much colder than an average person’s. Gu Feidi’s cheek was pressed against his ear. He closed eyes a little, sighed and tightened his arms slightly.
“What is it?” Su Yang asked with a smile, “Haven’t all the issues been resolved? You’ve acquired the White Firework Gu and the dual cultivation technique is settled. Aren’t things in the midst of developing in a better direction?”
Gu Feidi didn’t answer.
Su Yang tilted his head, found Gu Feidi’s lips and gave them a light peck.
“Don’t worry, nothing will happen.” He said, “Shizun wouldn’t send you to your death. Without my blood suppressing it on the side, it’ll be easy for the White Firework Gu to stir up trouble. Since Shizun said that it was your lucky chance, then it affirms that I won’t die. I’ll always be by your side, right?”
After some time, Gu Feidi whispered in Su Yang’s ear: “I know, but I can’t help worrying. Only when your crown ceremony is safely concluded. Or else, I’ll still be fearful……”
Su Yang turned around and smiled. He held Gu Feidi’s cheeks and gave him another kiss on the lips.
“Instead of worrying about this and that, and wasting time, how about we……” He licked his lips, lowered his voice and intentionally added a touch of huskiness, “……go do something pleasurable?”
The expression in Gu Feidi ‘s eyes instantly became much deeper.
Su Yang wrapped his arms around his neck and said, “It’s been a long time……since the previous time. No one will ambush us here, no snowstorms, no ghost owls to disturb us……Afterwards, we can ask for a tub of hot water and enjoy bath together, massage each other’s backs, then lie down on the soft bed——”
Before he could finish, his waist was abruptly held back forcefully onto the tea table and his lips were captured by Gu Feidi’s.
Su Yang muffled a laugh as he reached out to support himself on the table in an attempt to balance himself. Unfortunately, he knocked into the tea tray that had just been tidied up.
The tea tray fell to the ground with a bang. The tea cups and teapot shattered into pieces.
Within a few breaths, a manager immediately knocked on the door outside: “Distinguished guests, are you hurt? This servant will come in and clean it up for you!”
Su Yang: ……
Gu Feidi: ……
Gu Feidi straightened out his clothing and was just about to let him in, but Su Yang covered his mouth.
Su Yang smiled and clung onto his body while raising his voice in the direction of the door: “No need, no need. We were just horsing around——just send up a large tub of hot water in an hour!”
There was no reply from outside the door for a long while.
Gu Feidi frowned and let out a ‘tsk’, “What are you randomly shouting for! Asking for water in broad daylight……”
Su Yang leaned on Gu Feidi’s shoulders. He didn’t know why, but he couldn’t stop laughing.
Gu Feidi was tickled by his laughter and couldn’t help laughing along: “You aaa……”
As he spoke, he narrowed his eyes, lowered his voice, leaned close to Su Yang’s ear, “You’re sure……that an hour is enough?”
At once, Su Yang sensed that he was in a pickle: “Why, why is it not enough!”
Gu Feidi snorted, lifted him up, cradling him in his arms. He tossed him onto the bed and locked down his struggling arms with his elbows as he smiled: “……If we do it several times, it certainly won’t be enough.”
In the end, he added: “There are many guests here. You can’t be too loud.”
Su Yang: …….
“Gu…… you cad! You’ve changed! You’re no longer that pure, innocent youth!”
“You demon spawn, give me back my original cutie—”
“Wu, ak……you……”
“……shhh, not so loud, be good.”
