Meng Qi felt as though struck by lightning, his soul flying out of his body, scorched externally and tender internally. He had mentally prepared himself for the next time he met Gu Yaonü when she might call him “the father of my child.” He thought he had already grasped the logic of a madwoman.
He never anticipated that Gu Xiaosang would actually bring a child with her. That crisp, solitary “Dad” hit Meng Qi like A-nan’s Precept-breaking Blade Technique or the Heaven-shaking Earth-striking Technique, rattling his soul, muddling his thoughts, and rendering him speechless. It was as if he had unknowingly been “violated” by Gu Yaonü.
Mad people’s thoughts are boundless…
Indeed, something beyond the comprehension and speculation of a normal person like me!
After regaining his senses, Meng Qi firmly confirmed there was no relationship between himself and Gu Yaonü beyond that of enemies. Annoyed and furious, he inwardly cursed, “Damn brat! Daring to mock me! You’ll learn respect once I make you taste defeat! You should know that Lord Ma has three eyes!”
While cursing gleefully, he suddenly felt relieved. Fortunately, this wasn’t the Xingyun Banquet. Otherwise, in front of numerous martial artists ranked among the top, under the watchful eyes of masters preventing accidental injuries, if Gu Xiaosang suddenly appeared with the little girl and had her call out “Dad,” then started sobbing about being abandoned, his reputation would be ruined.
Of course, it wouldn’t be ruined by the righteous sects’ misunderstandings or public scorn, since only one out of ten words from a demoness’s mouth could be trusted. Without blood-testing proof, no one would believe her, and his companions would certainly support him.
(Note: I’ve adjusted “妖女” to “demoness” as it’s a more natural translation for the concept of a female villain/seductress in this context. The rest of the translation remains faithful to the original meaning while ensuring natural English expression.)
However, this incident would become a laughingstock throughout the martial arts world, inevitably leading to gossip and ridicule, such as:
“Oh, so this is the Mad Blade Su Meng, the one the Great Luo Holy Maiden confronted with a child, insisting it wasn’t his own bloodline?”
“Master Su, I know it’s Gu Yaonü slandering you, but I still have one question: How old is your child? Haha.”
…
Spit, spit, spit! Why am I thinking about things that haven’t even happened! Meng Qi stopped his wild imagination. He both loathed Gu Xiaosang and felt he should keep his distance, lest this schizophrenic did something unexpected.
Thankfully, they hadn’t slept together; otherwise, his life would be in turmoil!
Spit, spit, spit! As if there was ever a chance of sleeping with her.
Meng Qi no longer felt like enjoying the river scenery. He paid the boatman and, under the latter’s puzzled gaze, leapt into the air, landed on the left street, and merged into the crowd shopping for New Year goods, viewing lanterns, and solving riddles.
With his extensive experiences and decent cultivation of mindset, after walking for a while, Meng Qi gradually calmed down, putting the matter aside and beginning to ponder the purpose of Gu Yaonü’s appearance in Yingcheng.
Certainly not because of my child!
She had been heading south for months, with no news from the Six Ministries. Now suddenly appearing in Yingcheng, it couldn’t be without purpose. Hmph, judging from all angles, Gu Yaonü didn’t seem like someone devoted to martial arts; she wouldn’t risk danger to challenge He Jiu for self-improvement…
Meng Qi felt he had some understanding of Gu Xiaosang. She was talented, eccentric, resourceful, and capable of focusing on martial arts, but her devotion was lacking. Thus, she wouldn’t be thrilled at the prospect of facing an equal opponent, nor would she be willing to temporarily put aside other matters and risk danger just for a match. On the contrary, if she really encountered such a person, Gu Xiaosang would likely choose to destroy them opportunistically.
However, could one truly understand a madwoman? Meng Qi fell into deep contemplation.
As he walked, he found himself turning into a rather bustling street, then heard a familiar voice: “Master Su.”
Following the sound, Meng Qi saw a man standing by the window on the third floor of the tavern to his right, holding a wine cup with a smiling face, as if meeting an old friend in a foreign land.
In his early twenties, dressed in a scholar’s robe, he had a square face, broad nose, and wide mouth. His features weren’t particularly outstanding, but he exuded a majestic aura, standing there like a mountain.
Meng Qi was both surprised and delighted, calling out loudly: “Brother Wang! Never thought I’d see you here too!”
No worries about the road ahead without a “kindred spirit”!
This person was none other than “Righteous Sword” Wang Zai, an illegitimate son of the Wang Clan from Zhou County.
“The Xingyun Banquet is a grand gathering of the martial world. Though uninvited, how could I not come? At least I could run into you, Master Su.” Wang Zai spoke loudly, drawing many sidelong glances.
Master Su?
Certain they could meet?
Could this be the “Crazy Blade” Su Meng?
Gazes from all directions converged on Meng Qi, brimming with scrutiny, envy, admiration, judgment, and defiance, compelling him to instinctively straighten his back as if standing under a glaring spotlight.
Look, look! How well-spoken Brother Wang is! Not the least bit boastful!
He slowly entered the tavern, ascending to the third floor, finding Wang Zai alone by the window drinking. He immediately smiled: “Brother Wang, drinking alone only deepens sorrow. Good wine should be shared with good friends!”
Wang Zai laughed: “Isn’t that exactly what I’m waiting for?”
Seeing Meng Qi hesitate slightly, he explained: “Originally, I had an appointment with someone, but they had last-minute business and couldn’t come. This is better; I can drink with Master Su.”
“Let’s see, we haven’t seen each other in over half a year.” Meng Qi sat down without hesitation, grabbed the wine pot, poured himself a cup, and topped up Wang Zai’s glass, not acting like a guest at all.
This casual familiarity instantly brought their relationship back to the days in Ye Capital, eliminating any sense of estrangement.
After raising their cups and taking a sip, Wang Zai patted the table, filled with emotion: “Only half a year has passed? I thought it had been one or two years unconsciously. Master Su, you’ve truly made rapid progress, rising from the nineteenth to the top six of the rankings, leaving people in awe.”
“Brother Wang, you’re not bad either, already ranked fifteenth.” Meng Qi suppressed his pride, engaging in mutual flattery.
“I used to think I was progressing quickly, but compared to you, Master Su, I feel inferior. The last time I saw the rankings, I couldn’t believe you had eliminated several top-ranked martial artists like Cold Palm Demon Shadow in one battle. Suddenly, you’ve reached such a height…” Wang Zai said sincerely.
Meng Qi “humbly” replied: “Brother Wang, you know my circumstances. I often have advantages when surrounded and attacked.”
After some casual conversation, Wang Zai brought up a matter: “Recently, I’ve been staying at the Mi family residence in Yingcheng, interacting frequently with local sects and aristocratic families. The younger generation, inspired by He Jiu’s Xingyun Banquet, noticed many martial artists coming to Yingcheng, but most couldn’t enter the estate. Therefore, they want to hold a martial arts banquet in advance for mutual sparring and joint celebration. I wonder if Master Su is interested in watching and offering some comments or guidance?”
This was like being a guest… Meng Qi knew Wang Zai wouldn’t lie, so he nodded lightly: “How could I refuse when invited by Brother Wang? Are there any other martial artists ranked among the top?”
“Besides you and me, there’s Brother Yan from the River of Blade Qi and Brother Chu from the Shifting Stars and Moon. The others are ranked below twentieth, serving as sparring partners…” Wang Zai explained in detail.
After discussing the matter for a while, the two turned to drinking and chatting about their recent experiences in the martial world and the Xingyun Banquet.
“Calculating the common folk who are determined to attend the banquet, but haven’t arrived yet. The Divine Sword Immortal Girl will probably arrive in a few days. The Gu Demoness and the Wolf King likely won’t dare to show themselves openly, so they might not come. The Joyful Monk and the No Disturbance Earth Immortal have long distances to travel, and there’s no news of their attendance. Buddha Heart Palm, the Green Lotus Gentleman, and Heartbroken at the Edge of the World are nearby, and whether they attend depends on a fleeting thought…” Wang Zai gave a rough introduction. Although Meng Qi was already aware from the intelligence of the Six Ministries, he still pretended to listen attentively.
The wine banquet lasted for an hour and a half, with the two conversing happily. Finally, Wang Zai sighed: “Travelling the martial world indeed involves many trials. Not only dangerous situations but also various bizarre people—greedy, stingy, disregarding the bigger picture, capricious, shameless—always making one furious, yet constrained by their status as righteous martial artists, making it hard to confront them, lest one be labeled narrow-minded and lacking in the demeanor of a master. Well, after all, we are cultivated people; we’ll just pretend to be afraid of them.”
“I’m not afraid.” Meng Qi smiled.
“What? Why? Master Su, do you have any secret?” Wang Zai earnestly asked.
Meng Qi answered solemnly: “Because I’m not cultivated. Because I’ve always been narrow-minded.”
Wang Zai’s expression froze, at a loss for words.
…
After finalizing the “guest” matter, Meng Qi bid farewell to Wang Zai and returned to the inn where he had rented a room.
Dressed in black, with a long sword at his waist, his figure was tall and straight, exuding masculinity and heroism. To the eyes of passing guests and those looking down from above, he appeared outstanding in temperament, clearly a master.
As he entered the inn, a window on the second floor creaked shut.
Meng Qi passed through the inn’s garden, arriving at a courtyard at the back. He took out his key and opened the courtyard gate.
Everything seemed normal, with no unusual sensations. However, just as he entered the side room, he suddenly felt a stirring in his heart, alertness surging. With a metallic ring, he drew Tian Zhi Shang and directed his gaze toward the large bed.
There lay a woman in a plain white dress, her demeanor ethereal, her brows and eyes like painted landscapes. Supporting her cheek with her hand, she smiled at him.
Her attire was complete, with no skin exposed except for her arms, neck, and face. Yet the plain white cloth clung to her body’s curves, like overlapping mountains, making one’s throat dry, embodying an otherworldly charm mixed with irresistible temptation.
“Husband, you’re finally back.” The girl’s eyes shimmered like a deep spring, capable of drowning one in their depths. It was none other than Gu Xiaosang, the enchantress.
While remaining vigilant, Meng Qi was about to open his mouth, exposing Gu Xiaosang’s hiding place to draw a crowd to attack her.
At that moment, Gu Xiaosang flicked her finger, and an object landed before Meng Qi with a crisp sound.
It was a blue lotus, lifelike and poetic, inscribed with several words: “Huanhua, Qi Zhengyan.”
“Senior Brother Qi?” Meng Qi’s gaze hardened. “What have you done to him?”
This was the identity mark of the Huanhua Sword Sect, belonging to Qi Zhengyan. Meng Qi scanned it with his spiritual sense, confirming its authenticity.
“I saved him.” Gu Xiaosang slowly rose, her black hair flowing like silk, exuding a lazy charm.
“What?” Meng Qi was stunned.
Gu Xiaosang smiled, not answering, but staring directly at Meng Qi: “Husband, isn’t our child adorable?”
“Who has a child with you!” Meng Qi was furious.
Gu Xiaosang stood up, smiling ambiguously: “The Six Dao can reverse time, turning cause into effect. In this version of my experiences, we explored the Celestial Palace ruins together, faced dangers, supported each other, fell in love, and had a child.”
Meng Qi was once again stunned. He had similar suspicions about the Six Dao’s Ruler, stammering: “No, it can’t be real, right?”
“Of course not.” Gu Xiaosang suddenly burst into laughter, outshining the moonlight and starlight. “I’m just kidding you.”
“You actually believed me? I know you have similar suspicions about the Six Dao because I do too, but you actually believed me when I was just joking. Honestly, you’re so silly…” She laughed sweetly.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage