Chapter 140: Brewing Tea and Discussing Heroes

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The drizzle turned into a steady downpour through the night, and by early morning it continued unabated, the water accumulating on the road before the house flowing like a shallow stream. A young boy, half-hidden beneath a banana leaf, inexplicably dashed through the rain in thin clothes.

From the window, Gu Yi shifted his gaze to the courtyard on the first floor, where two officials in uniform were scolding a young servant, chattering rapidly, their words indistinct.

Though Gu Yi’s hearing was sharp enough to catch the sound, the remote location and their swift speech made their conversation unintelligible to him.

He hadn’t meant to watch, but the servant suddenly gestured upward toward him. The two officials glanced at Gu Yi with unfriendly eyes.

Curious yet cautious, Gu Yi thought perhaps they were displeased over something they had overheard.

He returned his gaze to the deserted street.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the servant receive silver coins from the two officials, bowing and scraping all the way, even handing over two folding umbrellas.

Gu Yi watched the servant bite into the silver coins with delight, but when the boy inexplicably looked up at Gu Yi, his eyes evasive and avoiding contact, Gu Yi’s brow slightly furrowed.

Something felt off.

Standing by the window, Gu Yi rhythmically tapped his fingers, sensing trouble might be brewing—but hoped it wouldn’t concern them.

“Why open the window with such heavy rain?”

A voice behind him startled Gu Yi, who turned around, his contemplative expression replaced by a smile. “Just listening to the rain... Why aren’t you wearing your veil anymore?”

Shu Yu glanced shyly to the side. “You’ve already seen me, so no point in wearing it.”

It was hard to believe the gentle warmth she now showed was real; Gu Yi still wasn’t quite used to it. He deliberately diverted his gaze. “How long will this rain last in this season? Why does it seem to get heavier?”

“This rain will continue for several days—it’s the last shower before winter. The northern winter is dry; after this, probably only snow.”

No rush in the journey, Gu Yi thought. The Battle of Luyang still lay ahead, and it was more important now to strengthen themselves. It was time to let those two of the Combined Dao take effect. Watching the leaves in the courtyard twist under the rain’s force, he muttered, “Where did those two beasts go? Running about in this heavy rain?”

“I think letting them play is fine. You’re new to the Great Rain Palace; you probably don’t know how they go mad when pushed to their limits.”

Gu Yi was surprised. “They go mad? Then what?”

“Then the Palace Lord beats them.”

Well, that explained it.

Indeed, bratty children only behave after a beating.

Despite the heavy rain, the inn in this remote town was surprisingly busy. The officials came and went, busy with unknown affairs.

Shu Yu’s curiosity made her peek out. “What’s going on? Is the view outside better?”

Gu Yi frowned. “The atmosphere feels off, but I can’t pinpoint why.”

He couldn’t see it, but Shu Yu immediately sensed the problem—it reminded her of many past experiences.

The aura had shifted. Watching Shu Yu’s perfect profile, Gu Yi suddenly felt the return of the Shu Yu of the Great Rain Palace; the recent gentleness was but an illusion.

Her expression was sombre, tinged with anger.

Even Gu Yi, slow as he was, understood the gravity of the situation.

“Leave it to me.”

“We’ve been here only a day, and such trouble arises. If this were Luyang, then...”

Gu Yi interrupted, “I said leave it to me.”

He was generally good-natured; as long as others treated him kindly, he would respond generously. Minor offenses were easily forgotten.

Because he always held grudges—not to seek revenge on others, but to punish himself.

Still, even the Buddha has his temper.

Gu Yi sighed softly. “I’ll see what they’re up to.”

This window was his vantage point; Shu Yu wanted to look, yet he refused to let others see. “Come, let’s have tea. The rain’s heavy; no need to rush. We’ll brew a pot here and see what they can do to me.”

“All right! Let’s see what they can do!”

The rain troubled many, but those outside likely thought the downpour would mask the sounds of their movements.

But Gu Yi could hear every step in the water, every stride revealing the height and build of the person.

Footsteps multiplied amidst the rain, the sound of running growing more frequent.

Inside, Gu Yi was unfazed, telling Shu Yu a story. “I’m not actually from Xu State.”

“Really? Then where are you from?”

“Think of it as a country like Muo State. It had many good things but was weak, suffering much hardship. Many, like you, became wanderers after their country fell. I want to tell you something, Shu Yu.”

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“Go on.”

Gu Yi spoke deliberately, “Often, we’re bullied not because we hold precious things.”

“Then why?”

“Because we’re easy to bully.”

It was a harsh truth, and Shu Yu sighed softly. “...That’s why I’ve always wanted to reach the Combined Dao, even become a Sage.”

Gu Yi hesitated, unsure whether to tell her that their cultivation methods were flawed.

The current method turned the body into a vessel for spiritual energy—at best becoming a Sage.

But the two peaks preserved centuries-old techniques that aimed not to make the body a mere container, but to embed it within the world’s spiritual energy itself.

Perhaps only then could one truly be part of the human realm.

The human realm...

“Do you think there’s such a thing as the Human Realm?”

“There is.”

Gu Yi was unsure. “Is there?”

“In the Eastern Sea lies the Great and Little Deng Islands. There’s someone at the Human Realm there. The Palace Lord often says true immortals are overseas. After killing the current Emperor of Xu, the plan is to journey overseas to pay homage to immortals. On the continent, none have appeared for many years.”

If such power still existed overseas, perhaps everything there was right.

This was why Xiaoyi took his cultivation to make him start anew. The cultivation on the continent was unknown to him now.

Gu Yi’s heart yearned. “If there truly is a Human Realm, I want to see it.”

“Besides the Deng Islands, are there other strong people on this continent?”

Shu Yu said, “Among the elders, those at the Combined Dao are formidable. Among our age group, probably only you and me.”

“What about Zhang Weiyu?”

“He fell into your trap and angered the Palace Lord. Remember the first time you entered the Great Rain Palace and the sacred might? He hasn’t returned since; probably planning to flee.”

But he won’t escape.

Gu Yi sighed; maybe the madman Gu Bai Ci would really do something like this.

“I suppose I’m just talking casually. Also, he hasn’t seen you yet but is already doomed. By that measure, I’m quite lucky.”

He not only saw her but many times, yet survived.

Annoying, isn’t it?

Shu Yu suddenly posed an interesting question: “Who do you think will reach the Combined Dao first, you or me?”

Gu Yi shook his head. “I don’t think about speed. Cultivation is not about haste but understanding. Reaching the Dao is about grasping truth. Our cultivation seeks world truth—not just techniques or sword moves, which only bring power, not insight. Cultivation has no fixed path. A heart devoted to poetry makes a poetry immortal; a heart drunk with emotion makes a wine immortal. It’s ever-changing, without form.”

Shu Yu’s beautiful brows furrowed. “Is that what Xiaoyi told you?”

“Something like that. He also said people have arrived from the eastern sea. I think the world will soon change.”

But now, what changed was this inn.

As they sipped tea, groups of people ascended the inn’s stairs, swords and bows in hand, moving with measured steps to surround the second floor.

Below, in the courtyard, a burly man with a beard entered—tall, fierce-eyed, with a scowling mouth.

“Where are they?!”

“Reporting, Lord of the City: the two are in a private room upstairs, not daring to make a sound, worried about spoiling your plans.”

The lord kicked violently. “Cowards! Scared of a little thing like mice. Kill him! I don’t want such timid people in Sunset City!”

His voice was commanding and irresistible.

Despite the rain, Gu Yi and Shu Yu heard it clearly.

Shu Yu took a veil from her sleeve and put it on herself.

Gu Yi said, “Actually, you don’t have to.”

“I’m not afraid of them, just don’t want them to see me.”

Her words brought a small pride to Gu Yi.

Creak.

He pushed open the window. Across the way, an archer drew his bow, aiming at them.

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Thunk!

In the courtyard, the young servant was swiftly cut down, blood spattering the rain.

“Get down here!” the city lord shouted, waving his thick arms.

His accent was mild; Gu Yi understood. “Isn’t it better to live well?”

Shu Yu continued sipping tea gracefully; she must have truly left matters to Gu Yi.

At that moment, two agile youths landed beside the burly man, kneeling and reporting, “Lord, the formation is set!”

“Good.” The rough man grinned and rose slowly. “The Mo clan women have been renowned for years. Today, Sunset City welcomes one. Young man, you look inexperienced. If you value your life, leave now! Don’t interfere with my chance to see this famed Mo woman.”

Gu Yi was curious. “How did you know the girl I brought is from the Mo clan? Surely not just because she’s pretty?”

“What else? Foolish boy, call her out immediately!”

“You’re impressive, recognizing a new realm of beauty unlike anyone else, even here in this remote place,” Gu Yi teased Shu Yu with a smile.

Shu Yu, instead of scolding or hitting him like before, only grumbled, “Only you say such things and then claim we’re bad. It’s infuriating.”

Outside, the city lord heard the noise, his heart aflame. “Charge in! Kill this troublesome brat! Bring that Mo woman to me! Tonight, I dine with her!”

Bang, bang, bang!

People rushed in from several directions, though few were cultivators.

Gu Yi wiped his teacup, flicking two drops of tea outside. A roaring surge of spiritual energy erupted, forbidding anyone from approaching.

Bang!

Seeing Gu Yi move, the city lord shouted, “Activate the formation!”

Whirr, whirr, whirr.

Squares of spiritual talisman lines appeared on walls and ground, the great formation humming and glowing, seemingly sealing the two inside.

More than that,

Patterns started forming where Gu Yi and Shu Yu sat, a shimmering barrier rising between them and others.

Bang!

Gu Yi reached out and pressed down the barrier that sought to separate him and Shu Yu.

At the same moment, his body vanished from the spot with a swift whoosh—before the city lord could react, Gu Yi was already before him.

That smile—like a demon’s.

“Protect the city lord!”

Bang!

Gu Yi did not throw a punch; he merely released a pressure of spiritual energy that sent the city lord crashing to the ground, unable to rise.

“You... you are a Return to Simplicity...”

Bang!

Another sound echoed.

Gu Yi stepped on the man’s chest, his foot pressing down on the hearts of all present. “I know it’s hard to get beasts to show human qualities. Maybe saints can reform you, but I am no saint and lack patience. My method might be simple and brutal: kill you all.”

“City lord! Let go of the city lord!” The two agile youths shouted in panic. “Be careful! That Mo woman is trapped in the formation. If you kill the city lord, she’ll never escape!”

Clack, clack.

Two sets of footsteps splashed through the water.

As they shouted, Shu Yu appeared behind Gu Yi as if from nowhere.

The youths’ pupils trembled. “When...?”

Shu Yu calmly stepped to Gu Yi’s side, her back to many, her beautiful silhouette radiating overwhelming terror. “We’ll face more trouble like this.”

“I know. To stop them from spreading word, no one leaves here today.”

Buzz, buzz!

At her words, a mighty surge of spiritual energy erupted from Gu Yi, freezing everyone in place.

“City lord, it seems you really prefer death to living.”