This round of drinking between Gu Qingfeng and his old Chixiao brothers lasted a full three days and three nights.
They drank to their hearts' content, drank until Blackwater, Black Buddha, and the others were completely unconscious.
Drinking, reminiscing about the old days, reflecting on life, cursing at the heavens—it was utterly satisfying.
A person's life ought to be lived this way.
If possible, Gu Qingfeng truly wished he could spend his days like this with his Chixiao brothers—bantering, laughing, cursing, and chatting freely.
Alas.
He still had many things to do, many people to see, and countless mysteries in his heart for which he needed answers.
After parting ways with Blackwater, Black Buddha, and the other Chixiao members, Gu Qingfeng went to see Old Monster Tang, as well as Tang Yunhao and his wife. It was partly to bid farewell, and partly to help awaken the Pure Yin body of Tang Yunqi's daughter, Tang Rou'er, as he had long promised Old Monster Tang. Before leaving, he specifically gave Old Monster Tang a message talisman, just in case.
He had originally considered telling Old Monster Tang about Tang Hengheng, but later thought better of it. Since Tang Hengheng had awakened the memories of her past life, and her identity was likely extraordinary, the name 'Tang Hengheng' was probably just a memory to her now. If that were the case, there was no need to let Old Monster Tang know.
No expectations meant no hopes; no hopes meant no disappointments.
Half a month later, Gu Qingfeng departed Yanluo Country aboard a carriage drawn by twin-headed lion-tigers.
This departure was to visit the world's number one great sect, the Shangqing Sect.
To pay respects to his mentor, Elder Zhenjue.
And to see Da Fuzi, to ask why he was waiting for him at Shangqing Sect.
They say the longer a person lives, the clearer they become. Gu Qingfeng was the exact opposite—the longer he lived, the more confused he grew. So confused he was beginning to question life itself, even to the point of not knowing where he came from or where he was going. He didn't know if his journey so far was arranged by fate, driven by karma, or something else entirely.
Gu Qingfeng had far, far too many unresolved doubts in his heart.
And he knew that under the vast heavens, only two people could answer these doubts for him: one was Old Fuzi, the other was Da Fuzi.
Sitting inside the carriage, Gu Qingfeng drank wine while pondering these matters. Suddenly, the carriage inexplicably came to a halt, followed by Fei Kui's voice from outside: "Young Master, Sister Hong is ahead."
"Sister Hong?"
Gu Qingfeng felt he had heard the name 'Sister Hong' somewhere before. "Which Sister Hong?"
"Chu Jiaohong of Linglong Manor."
"Is that so?"
Gu Qingfeng uttered a soft sound of surprise, lifted the curtain, and looked out. He saw a stunningly beautiful woman standing quietly in mid-air.
The woman possessed peerless features, her long hair coiled high atop her head. She wore a resplendent, vivid red gown, appearing dignified, elegant, and grand.
The name Chu Jiaohong was not unfamiliar to Gu Qingfeng. Back at Linglong Manor, he had heard that the manor's 'Sister Hong' was a formidable figure, one whom even the Yanluo Imperial Family and Yanluo Immortal Manor gave face to. Rumors said this Chu Jiaohong was once a prominent figure of the Ancient Era, though no one was clear on her exact identity.
Although Gu Qingfeng was native to this world, he had only cultivated here for a little over two hundred years. He wasn't very clear on this world's history and had never heard of a character named Chu Jiaohong before.
However.
One thing he could discern: the Chu Jiaohong standing in mid-air at this moment was merely an External Incarnation, not her True Body. Even so, the strength of this External Incarnation was nothing to scoff at—at the very least, erasing a Celestial Immortal would be no trouble for it.
"Fair lady, what can I do for you?" Gu Qingfeng asked with a playful smile.
In mid-air.
Chu Jiaohong stared at Gu Qingfeng, her hands clasped behind her back, her stunning face wearing an especially cold and haughty expression. "After hundreds of years apart, I see you are still just as frivolous."
"From your tone, it seems we've met before?"
Gu Qingfeng racked his memory but had no recollection of ever knowing a woman named Chu Jiaohong.
"We are not acquainted, but we did cross paths once."
"Oh? Where?"
"The Yanyue Ruins."
The Yanyue Ruins?
Gu Qingfeng had indeed stumbled into the Yanyue Ruins by accident during his time in Yanluo Country, but he had only entered briefly. His cultivation was not high at the time, and the environment inside was terrible, filled with various dangers. He hadn't lingered long and didn't recall meeting anyone there.
"Gu Tianlang, back in the Yanyue Ruins, you took advantage of my weakened, sealed state to insult me. This palace mistress said that one day, I would settle accounts with you!"
Yanyue Ruins?
Weakened seal?
Calling herself 'this palace mistress'?
Gu Qingfeng suddenly remembered. After he had barged into the Yanyue Ruins, he had once teased a sentient stone statue. That statue had referred to itself as 'this palace mistress' and had also said that after awakening, it would settle scores with him.
Could it be…
This Chu Jiaohong was that stone statue from the Yanyue Ruins back then?
Gu Qingfeng looked at Chu Jiaohong, finding it somewhat amusing and also quite surprising. "So you really did awaken."
"I've been looking for you all these years!"
"Looking for me to do what?" Gu Qingfeng chuckled dryly. "Don't tell me you're really planning to seek revenge? Little sister, that was ages ago. You're still holding onto it? To be honest, I didn't really do much to you back then—just a little hugging and embracing, that's all. Besides, it wasn't even your True Body, not even an External Incarnation, just a stone statue formed from a wisp of your remnant consciousness."
"You!"
A fierce light flashed in Chu Jiaohong's eyes. She wanted to strike, but seemed to deeply fear Gu Qingfeng's strength and ultimately refrained.
The truth was indeed so.
If she had encountered Gu Qingfeng in the past, Chu Jiaohong would definitely have attacked to avenge that past humiliation. But ever since witnessing Gu Qingfeng's mysteriously profound and overwhelming power at the foot of Panlong Mountain, she knew she was no match for him. At the very least, with this External Incarnation, she couldn't budge him an inch.
"What a shameless scoundrel. To think you are the Chixiao Monarch revered by all in this world."
Gu Qingfeng shrugged, neither affirming nor denying. He smiled and said, "Little sister, are you planning revenge, or what? If it's revenge, then come on. Let's have a little spar."
"I am not your match."
"Don't be so modest."
Gu Qingfeng said, "Being able to craft such an External Incarnation means your True Body is certainly extraordinary, probably even more formidable than I imagine. How about your True Body? Show yourself and let me have a proper look."
"My True Body is still sealed within the Yanyue Ruins."
"Since it's still sealed, then take your time enduring it. When you truly break the seal one day, come find me for revenge. I'll be waiting."
"The reason I came to find you today is precisely for this matter."
"What matter?"
"I hope you can lend me a hand in breaking the seal."
"I say, little sister, what are you thinking? Have me help you break the seal, release your True Body, and then have it come seek revenge on me? Do you think I'm crazy?"
"If you help me break the seal, I will tell you the secret of that dark period of history from the Ancient Era."
"You mean that dark history of the sun and moon falling during the early Ancient Era? Sorry, not interested."
"If you have no interest in that dark history, I wonder if you have any interest in the history of the Wudao Era."