Regarding Tang Hengxi, Gu Qingfeng did not feel he owed her anything. Even if he did, he had already repaid it by sweeping through the four great families and six major sects for the Yanluo royal family and resisting the Immortal Dynasty back in the day.
Moreover, he had never made any promises to Tang Hengxi back then, nor had he ever confessed his feelings to her.
However.
Upon learning that Tang Hengxi was still missing and her fate unknown, his heart felt quite unsettled. Especially after meeting Tang Laoguai, whether he had been brainwashed by the old fellow or not, he increasingly felt somewhat sorry for Tang Hengxi.
Although it was an indisputable fact that Tang Hengxi's current disappearance was because of him.
The key point was, in Gu Qingfeng's view, this had nothing to do with him at all. He hadn't asked Tang Hengxi to abandon everything to search for him; it was entirely her own decision. If he were to be blamed for this, he would be carrying an unjust burden.
Unjust?
Perhaps.
Gu Qingfeng himself didn't know.
He could only blame himself for being too young back then, for shouldn't have provoked Tang Hengxi. If he hadn't provoked her, there wouldn't be so many troubles today.
Regardless of whether he owed her or not, finding Tang Hengxi came first.
But now, with not a single clue, where could he even begin to search in this vast sea of people?
Suddenly recalling the person impersonating him in Yanluo Kingdom, Gu Qingfeng suspected it might be Tang Hengxi, but it was only a suspicion, and a rather flimsy one at that. Whether it was her or not remained completely unknown. The key issue was, he couldn't even catch a trace of that person.
This trip to Mobi Blue Peak was partly to revisit an old haunt, and partly to see if he could uncover any clues about Tang Hengxi's whereabouts.
After all, Mobi Blue Peak was Tang Hengxi's favorite place in the past. If she was still in this world, Gu Qingfeng believed she would definitely return to Mobi Blue Peak.
"Fei Kui, you mentioned earlier that Tang Hengxi once lived at Mobi Blue Peak for a period?
When was this?"
"During the Ancient Era."
Fei Kui, driving the double-headed lion-tiger carriage ahead, replied, "This humble one heard it said that after Her Majesty the Empress passed the throne to Emperor Yunqi, she once lived in seclusion at Mobi Blue Peak for a time. Some even saw Her Majesty there. It's also said that Her Majesty opened a cave abode on Mobi Blue Peak, but whether it's true or not, no one knows for sure."
"She opened a cave abode on Mobi Blue Peak?"
"That's the rumor. But to this day, no one has found it. The people of the Yanluo royal family have practically turned Mobi Blue Peak upside down and still found no trace of any cave abode."
The Yunchuan Grand Canyon was located within the Changfeng Domain of Yanluo Kingdom. The distance wasn't too far, but not exactly close either. Fei Kui drove the double-headed lion-tiger carriage at full speed, and after about two or three hours, they finally arrived at Yunchuan Grand Canyon.
However.
When Gu Qingfeng lifted the curtain and looked out, he couldn't help but be greatly surprised.
The Yunchuan Grand Canyon was still the same undulating grand canyon from back then.
The endless mountain peaks were still as rugged and towering as ever.
The only difference was.
Back then, this place was a desolate wilderness, devoid of human presence. But now, as far as the eye could see, there were mountain villas and pleasure gardens everywhere, teeming with crowds, bustling with activity. It resembled a prosperous capital city, with an endless stream of carriages and people, packed to the brim.
"Why are there so many people here?"
"Young Master, the Yunchuan Grand Canyon used to be uninhabited, but now it's one of the most prosperous places, the largest pleasure garden within Yanluo Kingdom."
"When did this place become a pleasure garden?"
"Around the time the Ancient Era began anew. Benefiting from the revival of the great nature, the Yunchuan Grand Canyon gave birth to over thirty spirit veins and more than ten rare Yuan Essences. The Black Buddha Lord acquired the Yunchuan Grand Canyon and developed it into a massive pleasure garden. After so many years of operation, the Yunchuan Pleasure Garden is not only well-known throughout Yanluo Kingdom but also quite famous across the entire Divine Land. Many people come here specifically to visit and enjoy themselves for a while."
"Wait, who did you say acquired the Yunchuan Grand Canyon?"
Perhaps sensing something off in Gu Qingfeng's expression, Fei Kui cautiously replied, "It was... the Black Buddha Lord."
"That scoundrel Dong Laohu?"
"Yes."
Gu Qingfeng looked at the mountain villas and gardens and the groups of visitors in Yunchuan Grand Canyon, cursing with a laugh, "That bastard Dong Laohu really knows how to pick a spot, damn him."
He paused, then quickly asked, "Is Mobi Blue Peak still there?
That bastard Dong Laohu wouldn't have ruined Mobi Blue Peak too, would he?"
Gu Qingfeng looked around. He remembered there weren't many peaks here in his memory, but now, looking over, it had damn well turned into a mountain range, with dozens of peaks.
"Young Master, please don't misunderstand. Mobi Blue Peak is still there. Not only is it there, but it's also preserved intact, exactly as it was back then. The Buddha Lord even specially arranged for people to take care of Mobi Blue Peak. The Buddha Lord said that since it was Her Majesty the Empress's Mobi Blue Peak, no one is allowed to damage a single flower or blade of grass on the peak. For this, the Buddha Lord personally set up a formation to envelop Mobi Blue Peak. Normally, no one is allowed to ascend the peak; it's only opened for visits on specific occasions."
"That kid still has some conscience. But no wonder that bastard Dong Laohu can't outplay Zhou Taihe in Yanluo Kingdom. Zhou Taihe schemes in the shadows, annexing branches, nurturing prodigies, and recruiting talent. And what does this damn guy do? Spends all day thinking of ways to make money. How could he possibly outplay someone like that!"
Gu Qingfeng mused that when he saw Dong Laohu, he'd have to give him a good lesson.
What kind of mess was this!
After Fei Kui secured the double-headed lion-tiger carriage, he accompanied Gu Qingfeng into Yunchuan Grand Canyon.
Walking through, it was truly a dazzling sight. Damn, Dong Laohu had really done a number on this place. The scenery was exceptionally beautiful, with mountains, rivers, small bridges over flowing water, pavilions and towers for gatherings, opera houses, chess clubs, storytellers, and singers—truly everything one could wish for.
And the people, damn, there were so many of them. Not just a few, but a huge crowd. Old and young, especially young people—there were so many of them. Beautiful women, handsome men.
"Are all these people here just to have fun?"
"Saying they're here for fun isn't entirely accurate. Some might be, but they're mostly outsiders. Many of the senior experts who come here are mostly looking for worthy opponents to test their chess skills against. Senior Tang is a regular here; he comes occasionally too."
"Old Man Tang comes here too?
With his chess skills, he still looks for people to play against?"
"Senior Tang rarely comes here to play chess. Most of the time, he's in the gambling houses."
Hearing this, Gu Qingfeng laughed and said, "I thought Old Freak Tang wouldn't come here to find chess opponents."
"Among these people, those truly here for fun probably don't even make up ten percent. Those here to test chess skills also don't make up ten percent. There are quite a few here to listen to music and drink, but that's only about twenty percent. The majority are young people. Those with Dao companions come to have fun with them; those without come hoping to make a connection here. And some are purely here to join the crowd and show off."