Chapter 51: Gu Yi Would Never Harm Others

In an instant, Gu Yi radiated a dazzling brilliance, illuminating the entire cavern. The water beneath had been pitch-black, but the sudden burst of light was blinding. Hexian, nestled in his arms, was shielded from the glare, but the person who had spoken didn’t react at all.

He sat at the center of a round platform within an iron cell, his limbs shackled by chains, his back turned to them, hair tangled and wild, clothes in tatters.

“Blind?” Gu Yi voiced his confusion.

Hexian turned her head as well, but all she saw was his back. “How can you tell he’s blind?”

Gu Yi replied, “When people are in darkness, their retinal cells accumulate rhodopsin. Upon exposure to bright light, it rapidly breaks down, resulting in a dazzling sensation. Look how dark it is here, yet he’s completely unaffected by my light. If he isn’t blind, what else could he be?”

Hexian was bewildered. Her thoughts resembled those of Uncle Chen when he first heard about the conservation of angular momentum.

Gu Yi observed the surroundings. This wasn’t a dead-end; stairs led forward, suggesting a passage to elsewhere.

There were plain vegetables fallen beside the iron cell, indicating someone still visited.

“How far does your light reach?” The voice, rough and aged, spoke again.

“At the moment, it lights up this entire cavern.”

“And at its furthest?”

“When the heart is bright, distance is insignificant.”

“Heh heh heh... What a silver-tongued youth. How did you end up here?”

Gu Yi asked, “And who are you? Why are you here?”

“I am here because my heart is at peace. There’s no other reason.”

“Why is your heart at peace?”

“I once admired the carefree poet immortal, and dreamt of the wine immortal lost to the world. My heart has entered the immortal path, and peace comes naturally.”

The verse sounded familiar.

Gu Yi’s eyes flickered as he began to recite, “The Great Xu dynasty stands for three hundred years, and Xu’s immortals fill the realm.”

Clatter.

The sound of chains rattling confirmed to Gu Yi that his answer was correct.

“Even those at the meditative stage can pursue that secret now, can’t they?”

Gu Yi’s brow furrowed. Besides the pursuit of immortality, were others also seeking to unveil the world’s mysteries, searching for that secret?

“You don’t seem to have reached the meditative stage, but you look like you’ve failed as well.”

“What would success mean, anyway?”

“Then, sir, enjoy your failure.”

Pretentious fool.

Gu Yi wasn’t here to chat with enigmatic strangers. He grasped Hexian’s hand. “This place is strange. I won’t let go of you, and you mustn’t let go of me. Let’s leave.”

Clatter.

Chains rattled again.

“Boy, I hold what you seek.”

Gu Yi scoffed, “Sounds valuable. But if you have something good, and I haven’t searched or forced you, why reveal it yourself?”

“Hahaha.” The wild figure suddenly laughed, “Smart, smart, I like clever lads. But are you truly not curious about me, never thought to gain something from me?”

“At first I was a bit interested, but after Fan Ling pulled his ‘white cut chicken’ stunt, my curiosity about the Luyang Institute dropped. Actually, you don’t know my identity—if you did, you’d be wondering what you could get from me.”

“Bah! Smart as you are, arrogance does not suit you!”

“I see you’re eager to speak. Say whatever else you have.”

“Beware of Yin Tianchang.”

“Who is Yin Tianchang?”

Hexian tugged his arm. “You mustn’t casually call the master by name.”

Fourth princess?

Gu Yi’s gossipy side stirred. “Hey, you’re not that faithless lover who had a tryst with the fourth princess, are you?”

“Yin Tianchang will never give his heart to anyone. How could I betray her?”

“Well, thanks for the warning. Let’s go, Hexian.” Gu Yi insisted on leaving.

Now the elder was truly anxious.

Even Hexian couldn’t bear it, whispering, “...We’ve seen him, shouldn’t we help?”

The man in the cell nodded; only the young girl had a kind heart.

Gu Yi turned sideways, glanced at the man, then at Hexian.

“Can we rescue him on our way back?”

“Mm... That’s fine too!”

What?

The man inside the cell broke down instantly. “Hey! Such a clever boy says that, and this girl believes it?!”

Gu Yi laughed, “Why sow discord? Are you implying I’m dishonest? Hexian, tell me, have I ever lied to you?”

She genuinely pondered. “...You have.”

About the leaf not dissolving in water, for instance.

Gu Yi: “...”

You really are honest.

“Hahaha, hahaha, you’re killing me.”

Fine, laugh all you want. I’m leaving for real.

Hearing the footsteps fade, the man in the cell screamed a few times, but Gu Yi ignored him. I hold grudges! Serves you right for laughing!

“Gu Yi, wait. When we encounter elders like this, we should treat them kindly. He might know something and help us.”

Been waiting for you to say that.

In truth, Gu Yi wasn’t after any treasure. As long as these people weren’t coveting his own treasures, all was well.

But Hexian was right; perhaps the man did know about the situation inside.

So, he’d already devised a plan. “Hexian, this is called playing good cop, bad cop. He’s not fond of me, but I bet he likes you. Go ask him if there’s any danger ahead.”

“But we just decided not to save him. Would he tell me?”

“He will. Trust me.” Gu Yi grinned slyly.

For two reasons:

First, the man wants them to rescue him. If Hexian and Gu Yi had been humble from the start, he’d toy with them, saying what he pleased, withholding what he didn’t. Few elders hide away just to help you; for example, he’d mentioned ‘that secret’ without revealing anything.

But since Gu Yi showed no intention of rescue, when Hexian asks, the man must divulge more. In this place, visitors are rare; no one would waste such an opportunity.

Second, Hexian is a good person. Good people make others feel secure.

“Good people, good people,” Gu Yi mused, suddenly doubting himself. “How did I end up exploiting her kindness? What a scoundrel I am.”

He leaned against the wall, waiting. After a few minutes, Hexian trotted back.

“Did you find out?”

“Mm! The elder was so nice, and I learned his name is Nanbowan. He told me the way forward and I promised you’d rescue him now. Gu Yi, let’s save him.”

Gu Yi coughed, speaking seriously, “Actually, not rescuing him now is for his own good.”

Hexian: (￣.￣)???

“Why?”

“Think about it. Isn’t this mission a near-certain death?”

Hexian nodded.

Gu Yi continued, “If we save him now, there are still people on the Huanxian Bridge outside, and the Luyang Institute is hunting suspects. He’d just be caught again in his current state, so we’d have to take him with us. Isn’t that right?”

Hexian blinked and nodded again.

“But since we’re facing almost certain death, if the master gets angry and kills me, killing one or two makes no difference. If he stays inside, he might survive, but if we bring him along, who knows? So freeing him now isn’t saving him—it’s harming him! I, Gu Yi, will never do harm; will you?”

“No!” Hexian shook her head firmly.

“Really? Think it over—do you want to save him or not?”

Hexian clenched her fists, furrowed her brow, and declared loudly, “I won’t save him!”

Gu Yi clapped his hands. “Let’s go, let’s go. Now, tell me, what did he say to you?”

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“He told me that voting for recommendations and sending hearts to the characters makes you a good child.”