Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Things Are Finally Sorted Out

Gu Zhao pointed to himself. "I’m the one who came to Xiuyue County half a month ago, killed Ren Tianhe, and stole the Golden Wind Divine King’s Incense and Candle Divine Statue."

Zhuo Qingyan’s elegant brows rose slightly. "Ah?"

"Before that, I’d already killed four Guardians of the Golden Wind Divine Sect. I came here last time to probe the Sect’s strength, but something unexpected happened." Gu Zhao spread his hands. "I never thought I’d attract the Golden Wind Divine King’s attention and end up getting you involved."

"No! That’s not it!" the Silk Embroideress said hurriedly. "The Young Master killed the first Guardian from the Golden Wind Sect to protect me, which is what drew the other three."

Bai Ke pouted. "Taking all the blame, are we? If we’re assigning blame, then I was the one who led that first Guardian from the Golden Wind Sect over here."

Gu Zhao patted Bai Ke’s head. "There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you."

Bai Ke’s eyes narrowed in comfort. "What is it?"

"That Incense and Candle Divine Statue the old ghost in black falsely accused you of stealing... it’s actually with me," Gu Zhao said, holding back a laugh.

Bai Ke’s jaw dropped.

Zhuo Qingyan, who had been listening on the side, was also a bit baffled. It was only after Gu Zhao’s explanation that she finally understood the whole story.

For some unknown reason, a Golden Wind Divine Maiden had appeared in Cui Mountain Village with an Incense and Candle Divine Statue. She tried to drain Gu Zhao’s life force but was killed by him in return, and he took the statue.

A Guardian in black came to Xiuyue County and happened upon Bai Ke absorbing Incense in the Golden Wind Hall. Mistaking her for the one who stole the Incense and Candle Divine Statue, he chased her all the way to Cui Mountain Village, where he ran into the Silk Embroideress. Then, Gu Zhao arrived just in time and finished him off.

With the black-clad Guardian dead, three other Guardians followed Bai Ke’s aura to Cui Mountain Village, only to lose their lives there as well.

Having thoroughly offended the Golden Wind Divine Sect, Gu Zhao came to Xiuyue County to gather information. He was unintentionally brought into the hall by a Divine General of the Sub-temple and ended up clashing with Ren Tianhe, who was also there to investigate. Gu Zhao killed him and, in the process, snatched another Incense and Candle Divine Statue.

This was basically a piecemeal strategy...

Although the Golden Wind Sect’s Guardians were just lackeys the Golden Wind Divine King used for odd jobs, they still took time to train. He couldn’t afford to lose them one by one like this.

So, the Golden Wind Divine King, having completely lost his patience, made a trip himself. He didn’t find the whereabouts of the Incense and Candle Divine Statue, but he did discover Zhuo Qingyan’s existence.

Gu Zhao cupped his fists. "So, strictly speaking, we really are the ones who got you involved."

The Silk Embroideress looked at Zhuo Qingyan apologetically.

Zhuo Qingyan shook her head. "No, you saved me."

The Silk Embroideress looked at Zhuo Qingyan, completely baffled.

"Even without you, the Golden Wind Divine King could have come to Xiuyue County at any time for some other reason," Zhuo Qingyan said faintly. "But without you, I would have certainly died."

"Besides, thanks to this, I also learned Yuan Wenrui’s whereabouts." Zhuo Qingyan clenched her elegant fists, gritting her teeth. "If you all hadn’t saved me, I wouldn’t have been able to avenge my parents even as a ghost!"

"So, we also have a great enmity with the Golden Wind Sect," Gu Zhao said sincerely. "Miss Zhuo, there’s no need to rush. After all, if you suddenly disappear, Yuan Wenrui will definitely become vigilant. With the Golden Wind Divine King in Changping Prefecture, you won’t be able to kill him."

Zhuo Qingyan took a deep breath, trying to calm her turbulent emotions.

Her personality was naturally cool and aloof. After her death, she had spent decades in her old family home, never stepping outside. The recent sudden turn of events, coupled with the stimulating news about Yuan Wenrui, made her want nothing more than to kill him or die trying.

But she was ultimately sharp-witted. After Gu Zhao’s reminder, she knew that now was not a good time to charge directly into Changping Prefecture. After all, as the Changping Prefectural Magistrate, Yuan Wenrui might have other Cultivators protecting him besides the Golden Wind Divine King.

"Sister Zhuo, if you don’t mind the simple life in the mountain village, please come back with us," the Silk Embroideress said, standing by Gu Zhao’s side and looking at Zhuo Qingyan expectantly.

Zhuo Qingyan looked at the expectant Silk Embroideress, the sincere Gu Zhao, and the smiling Taoist Yan Song. A warmth spread through her heart, and she nodded. "Then I’ll be troubling you."

"No trouble, no trouble at all!" the Silk Embroideress said quickly. "Just a few days ago, Grandpa had some people build a new courtyard in the village. There are plenty of rooms!"

Gu Zhao had told Elder He that he wanted to build a Taoist Temple on Cuiluo Mountain. Elder He was overjoyed and readily agreed, becoming even more dedicated to managing the lumber mill.

But building the Taoist Temple would take time, so he gathered carpenters, stonemasons, and plasterers from the surrounding villages and, in just a few days, built a new, respectably sized courtyard. It would serve as a residence for Taoist Yan Song and Gu Zhao, and also as a practice run for building the temple.

Although Gu Zhao hadn’t brought many things over, the small village courtyard was already quite comfortable.

They took care of the wooden furniture themselves. Other items included coir mattresses, pure cotton bedding, ceramic tableware, zisha clay teaware, the Four Treasures of the Study, clothes, hats, shoes, and socks...

The items weren’t expensive or numerous, but they were enough to ensure a basic standard of living. In the process, they also improved Elder He’s living conditions and brought some benefits to the other villagers as well.

Back in Cui Mountain Village, although the villagers were stunned by Zhuo Qingyan’s beauty, they saw she had returned with Gu Zhao and Taoist Yan Song, so they naturally treated her with great respect.

And Zhuo Qingyan, in turn, learned of Gu Zhao’s and Taoist Yan Song’s origins.

The Taoist Sect! Reclusive, emerging in times of chaos and retreating in times of peace, practicing righteousness and heroism to deliver heaven’s justice, a sect of pure Mages with powerful Daoist Skills!

Zhuo Qingyan’s eyes went wide with astonishment.

...

Zhuo Qingyan temporarily moved into Gu Zhao’s home and began to heal and focus on her Cultivation.

Having absorbed the Evil Qi from Zhu Da and Consort Yu, Gu Zhao and Taoist Yan Song also needed some time to process it.

That night, after dinner, Gu Zhao saw Zhuo Qingyan sitting alone on the roof, gazing at the bright moon. The moonlight spilled onto her cloud-patterned silk dress, reflecting a silvery glow.

Gu Zhao leaped onto the roof as well and sat down beside Zhuo Qingyan. "I have a question."

"What is it?" Zhuo Qingyan turned to look at him. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"Yuan Wenrui has always hidden his true nature well, even deceiving your esteemed father. You didn’t interact with him much back then, so how did you see that his intentions weren’t pure?" Gu Zhao asked.

Zhuo Qingyan’s gaze darkened. She silently turned her head back. "It was the music."

"The music?"

"Do you remember that Jade Flute that Consort Yu took out?"

"I do."

"He wheedled that out of my father," Zhuo Qingyan said faintly. "That day was my father’s birthday celebration. He came personally to offer his congratulations, so my father gave him his treasured Jade Flute and asked him to play a duet with me."

"In that piece, I heard his true heart," Zhuo Qingyan said, gazing at the moon. "He tried his best to hide it, but I could still hear his ambition and cold indifference."

Gu Zhao blinked. "Your father didn’t hear it?"

Zhuo Qingyan, "..."

"AHEM!" Gu Zhao cleared his throat. "Good thing I’m not musically inclined."

Zhuo Qingyan looked back at Gu Zhao, a hint of a smile in her eyes. "Without extraordinary talent, it’s difficult to reveal one’s heart through music, and even more difficult to hide it."

Gu Zhao, "..."

"But some people’s character doesn’t need music to be revealed."

"Ah, yes. Thank you so much for the comforting words."