AWB Chapter 51 Peaceful days are always short-lived
Chapter 51 Peaceful days are always short-lived
Perhaps thanks to Gu Yan and the other two's efforts to lighten the mood, the meal was generally quite pleasant, especially after they learned that Gu Yan and the others wouldn't be responsible for paying the bill, at which point they ate with even more gusto. If Shen Mujin and Gu Yan hadn't forcibly stopped them, Su Huaiqi would have already moved closer to Yu Zechuan, ready to start playing drinking games with him.
Shen Mujin: Wake up, don't forget that your freedom is still in someone else's hands.
Su Huaiqi: Wrong. Appeasing the enemy is the most effective way to lull them into a false sense of security.
Although Yu Zechuan never gave a clear answer, there was good news: Su Huaiqi no longer had to hide or be forced to go back with Yu Zechuan.
Su Huaiqi: "Can I have my jade pendant back?"
Yu Zechuan: "No."
After returning to the inn, the three of them squeezed onto one bed, finally having time to share information with each other.
"Qiqi, you said Huabao and Yueya are both in that girls' college?" Gu Yan started the conversation.
"Yeah, after the three of us met, we thought the two of you were here too, so we searched everywhere. We were practically asking each of you if you knew Xia Yuhe from Daming Lake."
"Then tell me, do Yueya and Huabao know that you were switched?" Shen Mujin asked.
"It's really hard to say. Su Yuwei isn't stupid, and she probably won't show herself easily at a time like this. But Yueya and Huabao will definitely be suspicious when they find out I'm suddenly not coming out of the house. As for whether they can find out before Su Yuwei goes into the building, it depends on how perceptive Yueya and Huabao are. Sigh, I wonder how they are doing."
"It's alright, don't worry. We know their location now. And as you said, the girls' college is like a school. It's definitely safer inside than outside." Shen Mujin turned around and patted Su Huaiqi's head to comfort her.
“Yes, yes, we’re almost at Zhongjing now. Once we get there, we can find a way to sneak into the girls’ college and rescue Yueya and Huabao,” Gu Yan chimed in.
"The key difficulty lies in how to get them both out of the women's college," Su Huaiqi sighed.
The class system under feudalism was too difficult.
"You don't know, there isn't even a dog hole in the entire girls' dormitory. I was thinking of trying to climb the wall, but before I could even climb, the patrolling auntie caught me for lingering by the wall for too long and made me copy things in the Reflection Hall." Su Huaiqi felt a headache coming on just thinking about the torment she endured during that time.
I'm afraid even a fly wouldn't be able to get out of the girls' quarters.
"We can just wait. Didn't they say they'd be released once they turned eighteen? We can just rent a courtyard near the girls' college and wait two or three years. We'll be out sooner or later."
Shen Mujin almost burst out laughing after hearing this. "Ayan, you're describing it as if the two of them went inside." After saying that, she herself felt that it really did seem like they had gone inside.
In the following days, Yu Zechuan did not mention his engagement with Su Huaiqi again, but he did not leave. Instead, he lived under the same roof as Gu Yan and the others.
Oh no, it should be said that thanks to Young Master Yu, the group moved from the inn to a small courtyard under the name of Wutong Manor.
Su Huaiqi: "Can you give my jade pendant back now?"
Yu Zechuan: "It still doesn't work."
Whenever they strolled in the courtyard after meals, Gu Yan would always tearfully advise Su Huaiqi:
"Qiqi, if you meet someone who has a house, money, and good looks, marry him."
Su Huaiqi: Impossible, absolutely impossible.
However, Qiqi was carefree and didn't take Yu Zechuan's frequent visits to eat and chat with them seriously at all.
Moreover, ever since she found out that Yu Zechuan was the expert brother who almost captured her back then, she has been constantly trying to spar with him.
It was one thing to spar with Yu Zechuan, but Jiang Si and Xuan Yi also ended up being chased and challenged by Su Huaiqi. The result was obvious: Su Huaiqi lost every single time. But Su Huaiqi became even more determined after each setback; if Shen Mujin hadn't stopped her, she almost would have immediately asked these people to be her disciples.
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Shen Mujin sat on a recliner under the magnolia tree, looking at Su Huaiqi who was practicing horse stance with Shengsheng not far away, and called out, "Qiqi, Shengsheng, it's almost time, come and rest for a bit."
Just then, Gu Yan came over from the side carrying a tray of snacks and sweet drinks and placed it on the stone table.
"Come and try my newly developed honey red bean paste milk!"
Upon hearing that there was food, the two men who were in a horse stance stopped and immediately ran over laughing.
Su Huaiqi picked up a bowl and took a big, hearty bite. The slightly cool and sweet taste made her exclaim, "Ayan, this is so delicious!"
"Yes, yes, second sister, this is the most, most, most delicious thing Sheng Sheng has ever eaten."
Gu Yan patted Sheng Sheng's little head and wiped the sweat from his forehead. "It seems like you said the same thing when we ate red bean dumplings last time."
The group sat under the tree chatting, but their attention was soon drawn to the guards who were pruning the trees and talking to each other.
Gossip, huh! I definitely want to listen carefully.
After Gu Yan tricked Bai Hongsheng away, he called the two guards over and served them snacks and tea, leaving the two guards at a loss and looking bewildered.
Fortunately, Shen Mujin explained for Gu Yan: "Don't be afraid, gentlemen. We just overheard your conversation and were very interested in what you were saying, so we would like to ask you to tell us as well."
The two guards suddenly realized what had happened and quickly told them what they had heard.
If we're talking about the fastest-spreading news in the martial arts world, it's definitely related to the Seven Star Stone.
And so, Yuheng Stone, which had disappeared for some time, has reappeared.
"According to rumors circulating in the martial arts world, the Jade Balance Stone appeared on a guest who visited Kunlun Ruins. This guest came from Wuzhou, which was recently associated with the Jade Balance Stone. There are even rumors that this person is the Jade Balance Stone's incarnation in the mortal world, and that by engaging in yin-yang union with him..." The guard paused, his eyes flickering, and continued vaguely, "...by engaging in yin-yang union with him, one can obtain the Jade Balance Stone's immortal power, which not only grants immortality but also eternal youth."
The guard recounted everything he had heard, and then happily took the snacks Gu Yan had given him back to continue his work.
Upon hearing the news, the three of them were instantly devastated.
"Ugh, it's only been a short while since things calmed down! How come this rumor about the Seven Star Stone has resurfaced?" Gu Yan had suffered greatly from this "Seven Star Stone" rumor, and now just hearing those four words gives him a headache.
Although Su Huaiqi had not experienced the rumors about the Seven Star Stones, she could only pat her on the shoulder, remembering what Gu Yan had told her before.
"But why does the name Kunlun Ruins sound familiar? Did you mention it, Ayan?"
“I also feel something’s not right. Think about it carefully, doesn’t the person in this rumor look like Brother Bai?” Shen Mujin frowned slightly and voiced her thoughts.
Gu Yan also became increasingly convinced that the "guest" was his own elder brother, Bai Heming.
Visiting Kunlun Ruins, it was confirmed that Brother Da and Brother Li had indeed returned to Kunlun Ruins.
He came from Wuzhou. My elder brother is from the Bai family, and the Bai family is located in Wuzhou.
Although she and Bai Heming are not directly related by blood, Bai Heming has been the one who has helped her the most in the months since she transmigrated, and she has long regarded Bai Heming as her own older brother.
"However, don't you think this rumor is too targeted?" Su Huaiqi pondered, stroking his chin.
"Is it possible that this is deliberately targeting Brother Bai? What is the status of the Seven Star Stone in the martial arts world? Putting Brother Bai and the Seven Star Stone together would probably put Brother Bai on the opposite side of the entire martial arts world."
As Shen Mujin analyzed the situation, Gu Yan became increasingly worried. Thinking that Bai Heming might be in trouble, Gu Yan wished he could sprout wings and fly to his side.
Seeing Gu Yan's anxious expression, Shen Mujin quickly comforted him, "Don't worry, Brother Bai is no ordinary person, and besides, Brother Li is with him. Let's find out some information first. You know that rumors are sometimes unreliable."
Gu Yan nodded, forcing himself to believe that it was all fake, all a misunderstanding.
The three hurriedly returned to the main hall to ask others, only to discover that Jiang Si, who knew Kunlun Ruins best, had received a secret letter a few days earlier and returned to his sect.
Xuan Yi, the leader of Weiyang Palace who is capable of sending people to gather information, has also been away on a mission for four or five days.
Currently, only Gu Yan and his two companions remain in the courtyard, along with the elusive Young Master Yu.
"How about I go ask Yu Zechuan for you?" Su Huaiqi suggested, seeing Gu Yan's worried expression.
"Let's forget it. We're not very familiar with the young master, so let's not trouble him." Gu Yan shook her head. Although she always joked about Qi Qi getting married, of the three men, Yu Zechuan was the most mysterious and terrifying. So far, he hadn't agreed to Qi Qi's marriage. What if the price of begging him was too high, and they couldn't afford it?
"Since things have come to this, we might as well go and see. It's better than guessing here. We can find a security escort agency to take us there; that way, it'll be safer on the road." Shen Mujin had known Bai Heming for a while, and she didn't want anything bad to happen to this gentle and kind eldest brother of the Bai family.
"Alright, I'll go ask the guards about the situation of the escort agency here. Mumu, you can make a simple plan for our trip."
As Qi Qi walked out, she turned back to Shen Mujin and gave her some instructions. But before she knew it, she bumped into Yu Zechuan, who was about to enter, at the door.
Su Huaiqi quickly stood up straight, took a step back, and smiled apologetically, "Sorry, sorry, I didn't see it."
"Itinerary? Where are you going?" Yu Zechuan narrowed his eyes, his gaze filled with inquiry, yet also tinged with a hint of coldness.
"To Kunlun Ruins." Su Huaiqi stated his destination directly, his eyes full of frankness.
Not only was Yu Zechuan somewhat surprised, but even Gu Yan and the other person behind Su Huaiqi were also astonished. They hadn't expected Su Huaiqi to reveal his destination so directly without reservation.
"What are you going to Kunlun Ruins for?" Yu Zechuan also thought of the recent rumors. Could it be that these girls were also going there because of those rumors?
I didn't expect these girls to have such big ambitions.
Su Huaiqi turned to look at Gu Yan. Before Gu Yan could stop her, Su Huaiqi blurted out all the rumors they had heard and about Bai Heming.
After listening, Yu Zechuan nodded slightly, glanced at Gu Yan and Shen Mujin who looked nervous, and then turned his gaze to Su Huaiqi.
"You've told me everything just like that? Aren't you afraid I'll get there first and arrest this Bai Heming you're talking about?"
Su Huaiqi calmly shook his head and asked in return, "Then can you?"
"Why not? It's related to the Seven Star Stones, something countless people would kill for."
"I believe you. Even though you sent people to arrest me before, forcing me to run around in circles, those burly men didn't kill me. And given the methods of Wutong Manor, you probably already know what I just said. The guards in the courtyard are all from your Wutong Manor, and they've all received rigorous training. How could they be chatting idly while working? I'm afraid you did it on purpose, wanting to use them to tell us something." Su Huaiqi still stood casually with his hands on his hips, but his words were surprisingly impressive.
Gu Yan stood beside Shen Mujin and muttered softly, "Qiqi has risen to prominence."
Shen Mujin: "No, she's just mentally sharp."
“Your analysis is good. I did ask you to leak the information, but how do you know I wasn’t trying to use you?” Yu Zechuan stared at him coldly, his deep black eyes unfathomable.
"This is the first time I've seen someone constantly trying to portray themselves as the bad guy." Su Huaiqi shrugged helplessly. "If you really had a problem, how could Xuan Yi and Young Hero Jiang leave without worrying about us? Xuan Yi is so clingy to Mu Mu, he's afraid of dropping her if he holds her in his hands, afraid of her melting if he keeps her in his mouth. Just from this point of view, you are very trustworthy."
"I didn't expect you to analyze it so thoroughly." Yu Zechuan nodded, the slight shock in his eyes hurting Su Huaiqi's pride.
"Please, I've said before that I'm not stupid, I just don't like to think." Su Huaiqi rolled her eyes inwardly.
Yu Zechuan: "Xuan Yi and Jiang Si did tell me about your situation before they left, but this time the rumors are a bit strange, so I can't say anything. I can only leave it to you to make your own decision."
"It was definitely a poor choice. We almost had to find our own way to Kunlun Ruins." Su Huaiqi curled her lips in slight disdain. "We even gave those two guards pastries and sweet water. What a rip-off!"
As Yu Zechuan listened to Su Huaiqi's rambling, the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up slightly, and a hint of warmth appeared in his cold gaze.
"Since the ladies have decided to go to Kunlun Ruins, let's pack up and set off tomorrow."
Finally, with the help of Yu Zechuan, the four of them set off together towards Kunlun Ruins. To prevent motion sickness from affecting their journey, Gu Yan specifically asked Yu Zechuan for an extra horse, and Su Huaiqi, upon hearing this, also shamelessly asked for one.
Su Huaiqi: Yay, I've finally achieved the freedom to ride a horse!