Gu Qingfeng did not refute Su Hua's evaluation, merely laughing it off.
After they had finished touring the scenery within the cave dwelling, perhaps sensing Gu Qingfeng's intention to leave, Su Hua seemed visibly disappointed. "Are you planning to leave?"
"What else?" Gu Qingfeng chuckled. "Since you're not interested in having a romantic tryst with a scoundrel like me here, what's the point of me staying?"
"I was just joking earlier, why are you so petty?"
"Can't help it. I've been a narrow-minded person since I was little."
"Can I ask where you're going?"
"Planning to make a trip to Shangqing Sect."
"What are you going to Shangqing Sect for? To see your old flame?"
"That's right, to see an old flame. Got a problem with that?"
"I don't have a problem, but aren't you afraid that the lady of the sect will settle old scores with you when she sees you?"
Gu Qingfeng asked, "Is Ye Tianlan still at Shangqing Sect?"
"She's been there all along, you know."
Gu Qingfeng truly hadn't expected Ye Tianlan to still be at Shangqing Sect until now.
"I thought you really intended to see Ye Tianlan. It seems that's not the case now. Hmm, let me guess. Your purpose for going to Shangqing Sect this time, first, should be to see Xiao Jinr. Of course, seeing Xiao Jinr is probably just incidental. Your real goal should be to see that mentor of yours from back in your Shangqing Sect days, right?"
"You sure know a lot."
"I told you, I understand you like the back of my hand. Although you're heartless and faithless towards women, you care deeply about friends, brothers, and family. Moreover, Elder Zhenjue of Shangqing Sect once saved your life, and back then he took you as his disciple despite pressure from all sides, imparting everything he knew and teaching you meticulously. In your heart, you must regard him as your true mentor."
Gu Qingfeng glanced at Su Hua in surprise, not expecting her to understand him so well.
"Since you're also going to Shangqing Sect, that works out perfectly. We're heading the same way, let's go together."
"What are you going to Shangqing Sect for?"
"It's been a long time since I've seen Xiao Jinr. I'm going to visit her, is that not allowed? Besides, if you're with me, it'll save a lot of trouble."
"What trouble could I possibly have?"
"Are you really unaware or just pretending? The events in Yanluo have already spread throughout the world. News of your return is now buzzing everywhere. Many people from the Immortal Dynasty are looking for you."
"Didn't you say you'd handle it for me?"
"I can persuade those old-timers in the Immortal Dynasty, but I can't persuade those ignorant, arrogant youngsters. They are young and impetuous, relying on their own Fortune, looking down on everyone, and naturally they won't look up to you either. Your reputation is so great; they all want to defeat you to make a name for themselves."
Ever since parting with Gu Qingfeng in Yanluo last time, Su Hua's first task was to return to the Immortal Dynasty to persuade them not to provoke Gu Qingfeng. As she said, some of the old-timers within the Immortal Dynasty would heed her advice to some extent. Other Immortal powerhouses, while not heeding her advice, would also refrain from acting rashly due to Gu Qingfeng's strength.
What truly gave her a headache were the Celestial Heir Noblemen of the Immortal Dynasty. Aside from a very few exceptions, almost none of them took her advice seriously. They were all arrogant and reckless, each more presumptuous than the last.
Regarding this, Su Hua couldn't be bothered to persuade them further.
She understood clearly that unless those Celestial Heir Noblemen truly ran into a wall, they would never understand the meaning of death.
And she understood even more clearly that if those Celestial Heir Noblemen really came looking for trouble with Gu Qingfeng, they probably wouldn't even get the chance to learn what death meant.
This was also one of the reasons she wanted to follow Gu Qingfeng.
She was not a saint.
Nor did she care about the life or death of those Celestial Heir Noblemen.
She just didn't want the enmity between Gu Qingfeng and the Immortal Dynasty's Immortal Dao to deepen further.
Perhaps this wouldn't resolve the fundamental conflict.
But given the current situation, this was all that could be done for now.
Moreover, she had already used her external incarnation to go to the Nine Heavens Immortal Dao, and even the Western Heaven Buddhist Dao, to mediate the conflict between Gu Qingfeng and the Three Thousand Great Daos. Although she knew the hope was slim, Su Hua still wanted to give it a try.
"I'm just making a trip to Shangqing Sect. What are the odds I'd be recognized so coincidentally?"
"I say, Great Lord Gu, when you were in Yanluo, tens of thousands of people saw you. And Shangqing Sect is the number one sect in the world. Is it strange if a few disciples recognize you? Don't talk about changing your appearance either; it's useless. Now the whole world knows you have no cultivation, no Fortune, but your physical body possesses immense strength. I think anyone with a bit of experience could guess your identity, even if they had to speculate."
"Unless you can achieve immortality on the spot and manifest a body of Fortune. Can you do that?"
Gu Qingfeng shook his head. He could make others achieve immortality instantly and could bestow Fortune upon others, but for his own physical body, he was truly powerless.
"So you see, it's right for us to go to Shangqing Sect together. As long as I'm with you, even if you are recognized, I can help you ward off all trouble. At the very least, I can guarantee that no one will provoke you. And also..." Seeing Gu Qingfeng hesitate, Su Hua continued, "You'll definitely visit your mentor when you go to Shangqing Sect, right? How will you visit? I don't think you'll barge in with great fanfare, and sneaking in isn't your style either. As long as you go with me, I can guarantee you'll be able to see Elder Zhenjue without being disturbed by anyone."
Gu Qingfeng rubbed his chin, pondering thoughtfully. "Listening to you, it seems to make a lot of sense."
"Of course. And there's the most important point: my cave dwelling is very, very far from Shangqing Sect. You've been away from this world for over three hundred years. The Divine Land has undergone earth-shattering changes. Can you find Shangqing Sect on your own?"
"I say, Miss Su, if you want to go with me, just say so directly. Do you need to find so many reasons? And saying I can't find Shangqing Sect? I can cover a hundred and eight thousand li in a single step; it wouldn't take me long to traverse the entire world. Forget the Shangqing Sect of three hundred years ago, I could even find the ruins of a great sect from thirty thousand years ago for you."
"If you're so capable, why don't you find Wudao Mountain for me?"
Su Hua's words truly stumped Gu Qingfeng. Watching his deflated expression, Su Hua giggled, feeling inexplicably happy inside.
Actually, the reason she had always wanted to go to Shangqing Sect with Gu Qingfeng might truly be to prevent the conflict between him and the Immortal Dynasty from escalating, but more than that, she didn't know why herself. She just didn't want to part with Gu Qingfeng so quickly. Perhaps she wanted to take this opportunity to understand more about this strange karma that was Gu Qingfeng.