Chapter 136: Call Me Daddy

The carriage departing from Luyang raced all the way, brushing past the scenery on both sides as it headed south.

At this time, the Qi State was stirring up trouble on the northern frontier, causing a surge of people across the Xu State. With more people and supplies heading north, a rare counter-flow of travelers appeared on the southern side of Luyang City.

Because Mount Xiaoyuan lay in the south.

After Gu Yi was left behind at the Great Rain Palace, Madam Ye fell into a state of utter anxiety. The Third Princess had offered her a brilliant idea: since trouble had befallen the descendant of the Mount Xiaoyuan immortal, the natural course of action was to seek help from the immortal of Mount Xiaoyuan himself.

The journey all the way to Quanmen County was uneventful. However, while resting there, Madam Ye happened to run into the Divine Forest Imperial Guards who were enforcing the blockade around Mount Xiaoyuan.

The imperial guards marched in formation, steadily exiting the county town and heading toward Luyang.

The common folk did not cheer with jubilation; most watched in silent observance. Madam Ye and Yue'er were just like them. At first, they chattered and discussed the matter amongst themselves, but later they learned that Desheng Pass had fallen...

Ordinary people knew nothing of military tactics, nor did they understand what the fall of Desheng Pass meant for Luyang. But they knew one thing clearly: the war was going badly, and troops were being transferred from elsewhere. The simple reason was that these men were being sent to the front lines of the battlefield.

The Xu State had stood for three hundred years.

The concept of dynastic orthodoxy was deeply rooted in people's hearts, and their identification with the Yin clan as the imperial family was strong.

This was an extraordinary moment.

"Ma Yuan just departed from Luyang, and only a few days later news came of the fall of Desheng Pass. I wonder how he is doing," Madam Ye said as she stood on the second floor, watching the Divine Forest Imperial Guards for a moment before turning back inside.

For convenience, both she and little Yue'er were dressed in men's attire, with all their hair bound up into a long braid, giving them a rather capable and heroic air.

Over the past month, thanks to practicing the Clear Water Ten-Bend Yang technique, Madam Ye's physical condition had greatly improved. The spiritual energy that once tormented her had now become her asset.

This was because the spiritual energy of the Clear Sun technique was out of the ordinary. If an ordinary person were to practice it, they would have to endure a severe trial, but her body had coexisted with this spiritual energy for a long time, and many parts of her had gradually grown accustomed to it.

When little Yue'er saw the army, her mood was filled with more worry, as she was merely an ordinary commoner. "Lord Ma will probably be fine. Judging by the timing, he likely hasn't even reached Desheng Pass yet."

Madam Ye could only hope so. "Even so, if this is the case, he won't be able to investigate matters concerning Gu Yi."

Mentioning this brought a sigh. What on earth were they to do?

"After resting for a bit, we should hurry on to Mount Xiaoyuan."

"Mhm."

However, the inn's waiter stepped in to interject, saying, "My young masters, Mount Xiaoyuan has been sealed off. You cannot go there."

When the imperial guards retreated, they did not fully withdraw.

The Emperor of Xu still did not want people to know that the Xu State lacked a Mount Xiaoyuan immortal.

For Madam Ye, this presented a more direct obstacle. Traveling merely consumed time, but the mountain could not be scaled under any circumstances.

Madam Ye pulled out a silver ingot. "Waiter, the two of us have an urgent matter requiring us to ascend the mountain and seek an audience with the immortal. Do you know how one might manage to see the Mount Xiaoyuan immortal?"

Upon seeing the silver, the waiter's eyes naturally lit up.

Yet, he did not dare to accept this silver.

"Honored guests, if there were even a shred of a way, I would gladly take your silver. But everyone knows the Mount Xiaoyuan immortal never receives visitors. Now with the imperial guards stationed there, even fewer people dare to go. The foot traffic in our Quanmen County has slowly dwindled away."

Madam Ye frowned, feeling that things were becoming tricky.

Little Yue'er consoled her, "Madam is naturally different from others. You are Gu Yi's elder sister, and Gu Yi is the descendant of Mount Xiaoyuan. If we make a formal request for an audience, we should be granted one."

"Mhm..."

Upon hearing this, the waiter grew somewhat attentive. The elder sister... of the Mount Xiaoyuan descendant?

Yet she clearly appeared to be a young gentleman.

What strange pair.

After retreating, the waiter in the green cap hurried to the inner courtyard to report this oddity.

Outside the door, bowing slightly, he said, "Lord Zhihua, two people have arrived outside."

"What is it?"

"They claim to be the elder sister of the Mount Xiaoyuan descendant and have an urgent matter requiring them to ascend the mountain."

Screech.

Zhihua opened the door. "The descendant of Mount Xiaoyuan? Is there any tangible proof?"

Since Gu Yi had left Mount Xiaoyuan, one could not simply assume he was an impostor.

"Could the immortal have returned?"

With his eyes still on that silver, the waiter rolled his eyeballs. "Lord Zhihua, why don't you sit here for a moment while I go and ask clearly?"

"Very well. Be quick about it."

The waiter galloped back to the front courtyard, primarily driven by the desire to earn that silver.

As for whether they could actually ascend the mountain, he would secure the silver first and worry about that later.

Madam Ye was dressed in scholar's attire, with a fair, handsome, and gentle appearance, which caused a slight tremor in Zhihua's already yearning heart.

Truly quite dashing.

"Lady, I have come from Luyang with an urgent matter to seek an audience with the immortal. I kindly ask for your assistance, and I will certainly offer a generous reward."

Without addressing other matters, Zhihua asked first, "I heard from the waiter that Mount Xiaoyuan has a descendant, one whom the immortal accepted in Luyang? Your younger brother?"

Madam Ye wore a puzzled look and asked, "The immortal went to Luyang? Shouldn't the Mount Xiaoyuan immortal be on Mount Xiaoyuan?"

"That was in the past; the immortal left the mountain long ago. Therefore, you won't find the immortal here. However, I happen to be interested in this descendant you speak of. If possible, I'd like to ask for your help in taking me to find the immortal."

Things were getting a bit tangled.

Madam Ye had no time to dwell on it in detail. Upon hearing that the immortal could not be found here, she felt a great surge of panic, only to immediately wonder why she should trust a complete stranger.

She cupped her hands and asked, "May I ask who you are, Lady? Do you know the Mount Xiaoyuan immortal?"

Zhihua nodded. "Of course I know him. Whatever cultivation I possess today is thanks to the immortal. At that time, the immortal also traveled from Quanmen County to Luyang."

With no proof other than spoken words, Madam Ye did not dare to trust her blindly. Even little Yue'er tugged at her sleeve from behind; they did not know who this person was.

What was this nonsense about the Mount Xiaoyuan immortal leaving the mountain? Then how was His Majesty's imperial decree to be explained?

Madam Ye kept her guard up, but remained very polite. "Thank you for the explanation, Lady. We shall take our leave."

"Hey, you don't believe me?" Zhihua countered, "The immortal has a bald companion named Ma Yuan. Do you know of him?"

She had intended to mention matters close to Gu Yi as proof.

Yet, the two words "Ma Yuan" struck Madam Ye and little Yue'er's ears like a thunderclap.

"You know Ma Yuan, Lady?"

Zhihua smiled. "That is why you should believe me. Right in this very courtyard, Ma Yuan vaulted over the courtyard wall, and the immortal saved me. Afterward, Ma Yuan became the immortal's disciple."

What?

Both Madam Ye and little Yue'er saw the shock and disbelief in each other's eyes.

"Ma Yuan took the immortal as his master, which means... his master is the Mount Xiaoyuan immortal?!"

It was this revelation that truly frightened them.

Zhihua nodded. "Indeed."

"How could that be... Gu Yi is the Mount Xiaoyuan immortal?"

Hearing that name, Zhihua became even more certain and ceased to doubt. "The immortal's given name is indeed Gu Yi. Judging by your expressions, you know Ma Yuan, yet you didn't know the Mount Xiaoyuan immortal is Gu Yi?"

Who could have ever imagined such a thing!

How could he possess such an identity?

...

Great Rain Palace, the Pavilion and Peach Blossom Forest.

Gu Baiji asked who the inexplicably appearing little girl was. Not only did she ask, but she also noticed that this creature possessed extraordinary means, effortlessly healing Gu Yi's injuries with a casual wave of her hand.

A rather magical trick indeed.

However, asking "Who are you?" was not entirely precise—at least not precise where Little Yiyi was concerned.

Because she was not a human, but merely a collection of spiritual energy, having somehow acquired human characteristics as if she had "attained sentience."

Nor should one be fooled by her present appearance as a young girl; she could actually switch her form at will.

It was entirely up to her mood.

Yet most of the time, she maintained the form of a little girl. This... had nothing to do with Gu Yi's tastes. Yes, it was simply Little Yiyi's own preference; Gu Yi had always been thoroughly upright!

"Who I am is not really important. What matters is who Gu Yi is," Little Yiyi bounded into the air, and Gu Yi cooperated tacitly by catching her in the crook of his arm. "You, the palace mistress of the Jasmine Clan, either think too highly of your own abilities or consider the Jasmine Clan noble, and thus look down on others. Do you even know who the Gu Yi you look down upon is?"

People failed to grasp the meaning behind her words.

Gu Baiji snorted. "The Palace Mistress of the Great Rain Palace is not someone easily bluffed. Instead of playing the mystic, you would do better to speak the truth. However, if you're going to spout nonsense like 'entering the Saint realm in three years to illuminate half the heavens,' spare us. I am well aware of how many Saints exist in this world."

"Oh? Tell me, how many are there?"

"There are only three on the continent. Two of them are in the Great Rain Palace, and the third is presumably that so-called Mount Xiaoyuan immortal. Perhaps there is a fourth, and that is this Gu Yi you speak of?"

Her words carried a hint of mockery.

Little Yiyi extended her short, slender arm and used her index finger to lift Gu Yi's chin. "Look closely, you foolish woman. Standing right before your eyes is the Mount Xiaoyuan immortal."

Gu Baiji and the Eighteen Pavilion Masters were all startled, before the palace mistress burst into laughter.

Gu Yi could not be bothered to waste time here. "Find a way to get me out of here. Why are you babbling nonsense with her?"

"Hmph! Your temper is simply too good, boy, but mine isn't! The sight of her laughing like that irritates me to no end!"

Little Yiyi's gaze flickered slightly, falling upon Shuyu standing in the rear. "You captured my person, so I shall capture yours. Only then will we be even."

Her plump index finger twitched, and an aura as vast as mountains and seas burst forth. Little Yiyi possessed no shortage of treasures; even the simple golden rope she used was something a Return-to-Simplicity cultivator could hardly struggle out of.

Seeing her make a move, Gu Baiji could no longer hold back. Planting her feet firmly, she channeled the strength of a Saint through both arms.

Yet Little Yiyi did not engage her in direct combat. Replete with treasures, she dispatched a bronze tripod that intercepted Gu Baiji. The bronze tripod seemed to possess a will of its own, continuously lunging at her.

The crashing sounds of *bang, bang, bang* were far from soft.

Though Gu Baiji could handle it, parrying with left palm and right fist to keep the bronze tripod at bay, the spiritual pressure emitted by the tripod left her completely immobilized.

"Let me go!" Shuyu found herself unable to move her hands or feet, bound by the rope and floating beside Little Yiyi.

"Blame your palace mistress for capturing our Gu Yi and putting on airs, as if the Great Rain Palace could lord over the entire world. You, come along with me as well."

"Capture a woman of the Jasmine Clan, and the Jasmine Clan shall be irreconcilable foes with you!"

Gu Baiji remained suppressed beneath the giant bronze tripod, furious yet utterly helpless.

The Eighteen Pavilion Masters could no longer stand idly by either. "Gu Yi,"

Toward him, Gu Yi still held great respect. Aside from his formidable strength, the Eighteen Pavilion Masters was also a very kind senior.

"Senior Eighteen."

"Are you truly the Mount Xiaoyuan immortal, as this person claims?"

Gu Yi nodded. "It is me."

"Then you belong to the Two Peaks."

"Not quite. My Yiyi is not very obedient; once we get out, I will naturally discipline her to prevent her from acting recklessly."

"And Shuyu..."

Gu Yi likely felt that his own temper was indeed too soft. "Yiyi is right. Only this can be called being even."

"Do you have a way out?"

Gu Yi replied, "She should have a way. Does Senior Eighteen wish to leave? I know the Emperor of Xu holds some grudge against you, but there are many people in the Xu State waiting for you to return."

Feeling the presence of Gu Baiji behind him,

Twenty years was a very long time. Staying had long since become a habit, and regaining freedom was not an attractive prospect; often, it was a terrifying change.

The Eighteen Pavilion Masters shook his head. "With you, the Mount Xiaoyuan immortal, in the Xu State, there is less need for me. Be on your way."

Such were his thoughts.

However, Long-Legged Cat and Yan Lang felt otherwise. Since Gu Baiji was currently unable to strike, this was a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The two beasts nimbly slipped out from a corner. "Gu Yi! Gu Yi! We are willing to leave!"

"You dare!" Gu Baiji warned.

Her warning could not be said to have had no effect; both Long-Legged Cat and Yan Lang looked at the palace mistress with a trace of fear. However, the words were already spoken and difficult to retract, so they confirmed it once more, "Gu Yi, take the two of us out with you! Yan Lang and I will listen to you in everything!"

Gu Yi found the pair rather amusing, and asked Little Yiyi, "With so many people, can we get out?"

"It has nothing to do with numbers."

Little Yiyi channeled her spiritual energy, and instantly a path leading to the outside forest materialized. "The Landscape Scroll of the Great Rain Palace used to be my treasure, after all."

Before leaving, Gu Yi set Little Yiyi down and walked over to Gu Baiji. At this moment, she was still unable to shake off the giant bronze tripod suspended in the air.

"Palace Mistress Gu, it is my regret to inform you that I am indeed the Mount Xiaoyuan immortal. However, while I can easily walk out of your Landscape Scroll, you could never break through my Mountain-Sea Great Array. In the future, it is best not to oppress others with sheer force; what will you do if you encounter someone even stronger than yourself?"

Gu Yi smiled lightly. "As for your appearance... perhaps it is very pretty, but I have no wish to see it. Because no matter how fine that face beneath the mask may be, it cannot conceal your overbearing nature. Farewell."

Naturally, Gu Baiji grew even more furious upon hearing this, and warned, "Gu Yi! Before long, I shall personally visit Luyang! If you dare harm Shuyu in the slightest, I will wash Luyang City in blood!"

"Let's go," Little Yiyi grew impatient listening to this woman's chatter. "They have long since forgotten what true Jasmine women are like. If you truly wish to take a Jasmine wife, I will go find one for you."

A beam of light shone down from the sky.

Gu Yi was still eager to leave. He walked up to the Eighteen Pavilion Masters and bowed deeply with cupped hands in a very formal salute. "Senior, is there anything you would like me to accomplish for you?"

The Eighteen Pavilion Masters returned the courtesy. "When I was in Luyang, although the late crown prince treated me poorly, I befriended the current eldest princess. Back then she was only eight years old, yet already a sensible little girl. Because she listened to my words, she held a great yearning for the Greater and Lesser Deng Islands. Later, I heard she ventured forth to explore in defiance of opposition, and has had no news of her since."

"Throughout my life, Eighteen, I have disliked bringing disaster upon others, yet it has always been unavoidable. If there is any news of the eldest princess, perhaps you could have someone bring word into the palace so I may know."

Gu Yi immediately agreed. "I will certainly make earnest inquiries!"

With that, he stepped into the beam of light and vanished in the blink of an eye. One by one, their figures disappeared until everything returned to tranquility.

The giant bronze tripod remained in its place. If Little Yiyi wished to retrieve it, she could do so at any time, but withdrawing it now would likely prompt Gu Baiji to pursue them, which would only be troublesome.

The Eighteen Pavilion Masters closed his eyes before turning around. "Palace Mistress, everyone has left. Calm your anger."

"Why didn't you follow them out?"

"The one beside Jasmine Gu Yi spoke truly; the Jasmine Clan is indeed not entirely of this sort."

It remained unclear what sort he was referring to.

"And the reason the Palace Mistress became the mistress today is largely due to my sins."

Gu Baiji looked as though the strength had been drained from her body, muttering under her breath, "The mistress today? Do you also wish to call me overbearing and cruel?"

The Eighteen Pavilion Masters said none of these things. He merely stated very calmly, "Since the Palace Mistress did not command me to leave, I shall not leave of my own accord."

...

Outside the palace.

The moment Long-Legged Cat and Yan Lang stepped outside, they acted like a pair of unleashed hounds, flying wildly across the sky and earth.

"Gu Yi, I heard the embroidered perch in Luyang is exceptionally delicious. Will you take us to eat it?"

"I will."

"That's wonderful!"

Gu Yi was also in high spirits, feeling the outside sunshine and mountain forests after a long absence!

Little Yiyi stood beside him to keep him company, maintaining an adorable height difference. "I saved you this time. Calling me 'Daddy' wouldn't be too much to ask, would it?"

"Get lost. I still have a score to settle with you. What was the meaning of you running off without a word?"

Little Yiyi: "Call me Daddy first, and I'll tell you."

Gu Yi lunged forward with a kick. "Is it time for a beating?"

Little Yiyi blocked it effortlessly, her tiny palm pressing against Gu Yi's face and pinning him down without the slightest effort, rendering him immobile.

"Hehehe." The damned creature's eyes curved into crescents, her mouth splitting into a grin, exhibiting cheapness to the absolute extreme. She leaned in closer and triumphantly declared, "You are only at Return-to-Simplicity now~ Aside from calling me Daddy, you have no other choice! Hahahaha!"

Gu Yi: "..."

"I... damn you, you wait, let me go!"

Yet Little Yiyi refused to let go. Her palm was indeed tiny, but the force behind it left Gu Yi utterly unable to move. With an upward lift, Gu Yi was forced to hang in mid-air; with a downward press, Gu Yi was forced to flatten against the ground.

When she said to spin in circles, Gu Yi's body began to revolve in the air until he grew completely dizzy.

Jiang: "Hahaha, I can finally bully you like this too, hahaha!"

"Scoundrel! Stop this instant!!! Do you want to die?"

Little Yiyi began her playful, cheap teasing. "Then call me Daddy."

"That is absolutely out of the question!" Naturally, Gu Yi would rather die than submit.

"Haha, watching you get angry feels so great!" After making Gu Yi dizzy with spinning, Little Yiyi tossed him onto the ground. "Let's talk about how you used to bully and toy with me back then! You fed me the spiciest chili powder, scared me with mechanical snakes, and worst of all, you gathered bird droppings and told me it was today's food! You even tricked me into eating it! Well, look at you now—you're only at Return-to-Simplicity, so from now on, I call the shots~ I'm going to pay you back for every single thing."

Gu Yi's eyelid twitched. Did that include... the bird droppings?

"...Daddy."