Gu Qingfeng patted Xiao Jinr's head, then looked up at the four figures in the pavilion—Genggu Wuming, Cang Yan, and the others—and said with a laugh, "Well, well! Looks like we have distinguished guests gracing us today. Huode, you old rascal, why didn't you introduce them?"
Beside him, Huode was momentarily stunned, completely baffled by what act Gu Qingfeng was putting on.
Instead, Xiao Jinr took Gu Qingfeng's hand and led him over, introducing them cheerfully. "Big Brother, you already know Elder Sister Qianqiu and Elder Sister Ruyi, so Jinr won't introduce them, hehe! This one is Elder Sister Nameless, and this one is Elder Sister Cang Yan."
Upon hearing this, Gu Qingfeng feigned sudden realization and an expression of shock. He quickly cupped his hands in salute and said, "So it's the renowned Lady Tianji, hailed as the Incarnation of Karma and the Messenger of Fate, and the legendary master of Langya, praised as a legend of the Great Wilderness! My apologies for the lack of respect earlier. What an honor to meet you both!"
Seated in the pavilion, Genggu Wuming's ordinary, plain face showed no expression from start to finish. Only in her tranquil, unrippled eyes did a faint, almost imperceptible trace of helplessness seem to flicker.
While she remained thus, Cang Yan, sitting on a chair, wore a faint smile on her flawless countenance. Gazing at Gu Qingfeng, she said softly, "Since when did the Nine Nethers Emperor, who rampaged through the Great Wilderness and shook the heavens and earth, become so polite and humble? This is truly rare..."
"Nine Nethers Emperor? Who? Me?" Gu Qingfeng walked over and sat down directly beside Cang Yan. "Elder Sister, you've mistaken me for someone else. I haven't been the Nine Nethers Emperor for a long time. Seems like it was taken from me back when the Ancient Era ended."
"Is that so?" Cang Yan replied with a light smile. "Did such a thing happen?"
"Of course. Would I lie to you?" Gu Qingfeng then turned to Genggu Wuming. "I recall Lady Tianji should be very clear about this matter."
Genggu Wuming stared at Gu Qingfeng and said in her gentle, faint voice, "Your Heavenly Mandate was not taken by me."
"Elder Sister Nameless, what do you mean by that? I never said you took it," Gu Qingfeng said, narrowing his eyes slightly, a wicked smile playing at the corner of his mouth. "Why are you taking it upon yourself? Really now."
The originally cheerful atmosphere turned heavy and awkward with Gu Qingfeng's arrival, and the conversation was effectively dead-ended by him.
Mo Ruyi and Nalan Qianqiu could clearly sense and see that although Gu Qingfeng appeared to be chatting and laughing on the surface, every word he spoke seemed barbed, either mocking or sarcastic.
And Huode knew all too well that Gu Qingfeng had always held a deep grudge against Genggu Wuming. Ever since Gu Qingfeng entered, Huode's heart felt like it was lodged in his throat, truly afraid that Gu Qingfeng would start a fight with Genggu Wuming at the slightest provocation—that would be a real mess.
What to do? Neither Huode nor Nalan Qianqiu knew what to do. Faced with Genggu Wuming and Gu Qingfeng, neither could interject, nor dared to.
"Huode, don't just stand there! With such distinguished guests visiting, hurry up and serve fine wine, good meat, and delicious dishes! If you neglect them, you'll have hell to pay."
"This..." Huode was at a loss upon hearing Gu Qingfeng's words.
"No need for trouble," Genggu Wuming said. "Today, I came both to see Jinr and... to have a chat with you."
"A chat? About what? Fate? Or Karma?" The smile on Gu Qingfeng's lips grew more pronounced, and his words became increasingly blunt. "If it's about Fate and Karma, then forget it. Of course, Lady Tianji, this isn't directed at you personally. It's just that I have a physical reaction to that stuff. Whenever I hear someone spouting nonsense about Fate and Karma to me, I can't help but want to hit them!"
Huode was terrified by Gu Qingfeng's words, forcing down the creeping sensation on his scalp as he stole a glance at Genggu Wuming. Fortunately, she showed no anger, at least not outwardly.
Indeed, Genggu Wuming displayed no trace of wrath. Her expression revealed neither joy nor sorrow, and her tone remained gentle and faint, as if she had transcended the Seven Emotions and Six Desires. "Rest assured, today we will discuss neither Karma nor Fate."
"Then what will we discuss?"
"Just... a chat."
"Just a chat?"
Genggu Wuming stared at Gu Qingfeng, simply staring. After a moment, she repeated, "Just a chat."
"Fine, a chat it is. It's not like I have anything better to do anyway." Gu Qingfeng urged again, "Huode, what's wrong with you, old rascal? Hurry up! Serve the fine wine and delicacies!"
Genggu Wuming spoke again, "No need for trouble."
"Elder Sister, do you look down on the fare of our Yunxia Sect? If you do, there's nothing we can do about it. Our Yunxia Sect is just a minor sect. We have no divine fruits for you to eat, nor divine water for you to drink. You'll have to make do with what we have. Besides..." Gu Qingfeng laughed, "even if you don't eat or drink, we mere mortals still need something to fill our stomachs and offer to our inner temples."
Every word Gu Qingfeng spoke was barbed. Not to mention Genggu Wuming, even Mo Ruyi, Nalan Qianqiu, and even Huode felt his words were rather grating. Huode felt that if he listened any longer, his soul might be scared right out of him.
"You're not wrong," Cang Yan said with a faint smile, looking at Genggu Wuming. "He truly holds a deep resentment toward you."
Genggu Wuming shook her head slightly, as if rather helpless. "He not only holds deep resentment toward me but also deep misunderstanding."
"I say, you two elder sisters, save that kind of talk for when you're alone. Why discuss it right in front of me?" Gu Qingfeng looked at Genggu Wuming and said very seriously, "Also, Elder Sister Nameless, let's be clear here. I hold neither resentment nor misunderstanding toward you. You can't wrong an honest man."
"Is that so?" Genggu Wuming said. "In that case, I have misunderstood you."
"Isn't that obvious?"
"Heh." Genggu Wuming smiled without speaking.
"An honest man, a mere mortal," Cang Yan chimed in with a laugh. "How interesting..."
"What's so interesting about it?"
"Whether you are honest or not, I cannot say. But I do know that being a mere mortal seems to have been your long-standing pursuit."
"Well, well!" Gu Qingfeng said. "Elder Sister Cang Yan, you know about that too? I thought only Elder Sister Nameless could divine such things. I didn't know you had that skill as well."
"I don't. It's just..." Cang Yan said, "through constant exposure. You mustn't forget, my Little Junior Sister has never stopped thinking about you. During the ten thousand years you were asleep, I heard her mention you often. Hearing it enough, I came to know."
"Your Little Junior Sister? Is that Elder Sister Su Hua?" Gu Qingfeng asked curiously. "Speaking of Elder Sister Su Hua, why didn't she come with you today?"
"What?" Cang Yan smiled. "Do you miss my Little Junior Sister?"
"To tell the truth, I do miss her a bit."
"Is that so? I thought you were just an honest, mere mortal. Turns out you're also a shameless, philandering man. Just a few days ago, you were hugging another woman in public, being all affectionate and flirtatious. Now you say you miss my Little Junior Sister. Is this what you call an honest, mere mortal? Emperor, please don't insult honest, mere mortals, alright?"