Chapter 75: The Killer

Evening.

The Seventh Princess found Gu Yi on the rooftop. He seemed to be watching a certain soldier, occasionally glancing up at the starry sky.

"Is there something you need from me, Seventh Princess?"

"Call me Yu’er. We can’t use the title of 'princess' here."

Gu Yi smiled and shifted over, making space beside him, but she didn’t seem inclined to sit. "Fine, you can keep standing."

Because the Seventh Princess remembered—this man once said he liked her, or something along those lines.

She didn’t dare. She would rather stand.

"Today, I need to thank you."

"For what?"

"Thank you for considering things from Xu Country’s perspective. If my father truly wishes to postpone the war, then your decision was the right one."

He was someone with ties to the Two Peaks.

But the Seventh Princess could genuinely sense that he was acting for the greater good of Xu Country.

As a princess, she ought to thank those who sacrificed for Xu Country.

"…When I came in today, I noticed among the ranks of soldiers, there was a very young child."

"Was there?"

"Maybe you didn’t notice…"

"Xu Country hasn’t reached that point yet. Children aren’t allowed in the barracks now. I’ll ask about it tomorrow."

Gu Yi felt the cool northern evening breeze.

"Even foxes care for their daughters, let alone humans. I’m not doing this for Xu Country—I’m doing it for all ordinary people."

The Seventh Princess was a little moved, and somewhat ashamed. "To be honest, I came here tonight because of the Two Peaks."

Gu Yi didn’t answer at once; a seriousness he’d never shown before settled on him.

In the past, Xiao Yiyi hadn’t said much about the Two Peaks, and he couldn’t remember much either. Yet in the dream scroll, Gu Yi had, for the first time, seen the profound hatred the people of the Two Peaks bore for Xu Country.

If Xiao Yiyi sought revenge on Xu Country… then he would have to stop her.

Life eating fish at Yuzhen Pavilion was quite pleasant.

To overthrow a nation for something long lost—that was madness, an obsession.

Even if Bian Xiaochuang were resurrected and placed on the throne, what guarantee was there things would be any better?

Gu Yi patted his side and stood up. "Let’s leave this topic. Do you have any plans? If not, I’ll share mine."

The Seventh Princess knew how clever Gu Yi was; it had been obvious in the matter of General He Jiang.

"Go ahead," she said.

"You four stay here at Desheng Pass. I’ll go to Guqing River alone."

"No, that would be too dangerous."

Gu Yi couldn’t help but remind her, "My dear princess, Guqing River is still within Xu Country. What danger could there be?"

"But we can’t just sit here and watch you take such a risk. If anything happens, we wouldn’t be able to help you."

"Stay put. Let the people of Fenggu Pass see that you’re all here—that’s helping me. If you all disappear, they’ll disregard any border, cross straight over, and come snatch up corpses."

If he went now, he might still learn something useful.

He also preferred to go alone. This matter might involve Xiao Yiyi, and with too many people, it would be harder for him to do what he needed.

Besides, this trip was mainly for reconnaissance, so he had to keep a low profile. Yet in the eyes of ordinary folk, the Seventh Princess and Shu Le looked like goddesses—how could that be discreet?

"Yu’er, you won’t agree because you’re worried for my safety, aren’t you?" Gu Yi edged a little closer.

Yin Tianyu stepped back two paces and turned her head. "Shu Le won’t agree to let you take such a risk either."

"That’s why, tomorrow morning, you need to use your princess status to stop her. Do you remember our time in the dream scroll?"

The Seventh Princess suddenly blushed. "You—what are you planning?"

"Nothing. Just reminding you that I’m actually stronger than I seem. Don’t let Shu Le come find me—I can handle it."

Yes, Gu Yi was planning to set out tonight.

Though he hadn’t fought in the wars here, he was sure people from Fenggu Pass were about. Traveling by night was safest.

The princess’s expression changed. "What kind of plan is that?"

"Let’s call it the 'Stop Shu Le Plan.' Do you believe I stayed here on purpose, waiting for you? I knew you’d come looking for me."

His smile brimmed with confidence, and a hint of cunning.

"…Gu Yi, are you really willing to risk so much for Xu Country?"

That figure leapt into the moonlit night. In the forest before Desheng Pass, he skimmed the treetops, drifting forward. Only those who mastered the Divine Realm could fly outright, but after entering the Heart Establishment, a cultivator could channel spiritual energy with greater ease, leaping through the woods as he did now.

This time, Gu Yi moved at full speed.

Someone who could easily kill a cultivator at the Unity stage—besides Xiao Yiyi, he could think of no one else.

Guqing River wound its way forward, a long dragon vanishing into the forest beneath the night sky. As long as he followed the river, he wouldn’t lose his way.

Yet he hadn’t gone far before he sensed an unusual ripple of spiritual energy behind him. Narrowing his eyes, he darted into the dense woods.

Soon another figure hovered overhead.

The newcomer called out respectfully, "Changsheng begs pardon for the intrusion. Greetings, Talented One of the Immortal Transmission."

Changsheng.

Gu Yi remembered—the man he’d encountered before entering Luyang.

In a flash, Gu Yi exploded with spiritual energy, moving so fast he instantly appeared behind Changsheng.

That flute, four fingers…

Though the moonlight didn’t reveal everything, it was enough—he was certain who it was.

"So it’s you?"

Gu Yi had been descending slowly in midair, but with a thought, the spiritual energy in the woods surged up, supporting him where he stood.

Changsheng, seeing this strange sight, hurriedly bowed his head. "After you left Luyang, I’ve been following you, but with the elders of the Luyang Institute present, I couldn’t show myself."

"Just tell me why you’re following me."

Changsheng didn’t dare dawdle. "I happened to learn something about Heyi."

"You think I sent someone to kill Heyi?"

"Not so."

It seemed Changsheng did know something.

Whether or not he could be trusted, Gu Yi decided to listen.

After confirming Gu Yi’s intention, Changsheng invited, "There’s a small boat on the river. Shall we travel by water?"

"Fine. But don’t call me ‘Talented One of the Immortal Transmission.’"

Guqing River was broad, its current gentle enough. The two stood side by side on the little boat.

"Sir, do you know Hu Xian?"

"Is that his real name?" Gu Yi shook his head. "No, I don’t know him. Why?"

"Hu Xian is the one who killed Heyi."

"And how do you know that?"

Changsheng sat down as if preparing for a long talk.

"I discovered, while investigating Xie Yiyi, that he had some connection to the Two Peaks. The Two Peaks are unknown to most, but I have some knowledge of their activities."

"What do you know?" Gu Yi’s voice was soft and cool.

Changsheng jumped, startled. "I may have offended you when we first met, but thankfully nothing disastrous came of it. I have no ill intentions, truly."

Gu Yi sat down as well.

"Then tell me, what does Changsheng want?"

Changsheng smiled awkwardly, clearly harboring some request.

"Not willing to tell me?"

"Of course not." Changsheng bowed, then slowly spoke. "I wish to enter Xiaoyuan Mountain."

Gu Yi waved his hand dismissively. "That’s not up to me. Tell me about Hu Xian first."

Changsheng hesitated, then ultimately did not dare to push further.

"Hu Xian is one of the four current Peak Masters of the Two Peaks. He killed Heyi because Heyi was born in the Highland Tree Sea, yet now refuses to obey the Two Peaks."

What?!

Gu Yi’s expression froze.

From the cultivation he’d learned, he too hailed from the Highland Tree Sea.

And he too had no wish to join that organization, to engage in the clandestine, seditious work of overthrowing a nation!