In this world, all people have their flaws, big and small—or one could call them vices. This is true for humans, and demons, ghosts, and monsters are no exception.
Gu Qingfeng was human, and a very vulgar one at that—at least, that's how he always saw himself. Naturally, he was not exempt from having a few flaws and vices.
Not many.
Just three, in fact.
Drinking, basking in the sun, and flirting with girls.
Gu Qingfeng liked to drink, and had since he was a child. Later, when he fought and killed his way across the world, suffering minor injuries every three days and serious wounds every five, having his cultivation crippled and starting over, rising and falling nine times, teetering on the brink of death countless times—what kept him going wasn't an indomitable will, but strong liquor!
By now, drinking had long become a habit; a single day without it left him feeling utterly uncomfortable.
As for basking in the sun, that was purely out of laziness.
As for the vice of flirting with girls, Gu Qingfeng himself didn't know when he'd picked it up. Perhaps it was just out of sheer boredom, flirting to pass the time and find a bit of amusement. Or perhaps there was a trace of a certain bloodline in his bones, making him inherently... that way.
Whether it was boredom or something else, Gu Qingfeng couldn't be bothered to think too deeply about it, because he simply liked living this way.
Basking in the sun, sipping fine wine, flirting with girls—what a carefree and comfortable life!
Living in the mundane world, if one isn't a bit vulgar, can it even be called the mundane world?
The state of mind he cultivated was one of Great Freedom, so of course he did whatever felt most free, never concerning himself with anything else. Even knowing that Su Hua and he were connected by so-called past-life karma, he still flirted with her without hesitation. Conversely, if Su Hua weren't tied to him by past-life karma, Gu Qingfeng wouldn't even bother flirting with her.
Since deciding to give up seeking out karma and let things take their natural course, Gu Qingfeng had completely stopped thinking about so-called karma. He'd focus on living this life freely first.
It was night.
In the Great Northwest Frontier, within the Star-Moon Great Domain, at Little Fold Manor's Fold Green Garden.
Gu Qingfeng lay reclined on a silk hammock, one leg crossed over the other, lazily fanning himself with a white jade fan while drinking peach blossom wine.
In the garden, a charmingly beautiful young woman and a coldly elegant young woman stood side by side nearby. They were none other than Ouyang Ye and Han Dong.
From the moment the two stepped into the garden, Gu Qingfeng had already known. Otherwise, he wouldn't have hurriedly left Su Hua's side.
"Couldn't you have given a heads-up before coming in? Don't you know you've disturbed this lord's pleasant dream?"
Gu Qingfeng squinted his eyes, looking lazily at the two. He took a swig directly from the wine jug and chuckled, "I was just bantering and flirting with an immortal maiden, and was about to enter a cave abode for some dual cultivation or something... and then you two just waltz in..."
"Our intrusion is indeed abrupt, and we sincerely apologize," Han Dong said with a slight bow, offering her apologies. "We hope Young Lord will forgive us."
She seemed very uncomfortable.
Indeed.
Han Dong's nature was aloof and cold. Having grown up this way, she had never begged anyone for anything and rarely apologized. But this time, to ask Gu Qingfeng for help, she had no choice but to do so. No matter how unnatural it felt or how much she disliked it, she had to proceed.
Compared to her, Ouyang Ye seemed much more at ease. Not only was she natural, she didn't seem the least bit uncomfortable and showed no intention of apologizing. Instead, she rolled her eyes at Gu Qingfeng, pursed her lips and said, "Bantering and flirting with an immortal maiden... entering the bridal chamber... keep dreaming, you."
"It was a dream to begin with. Since it's a pleasant dream, of course I'd find an immortal maiden to tease. Otherwise, how is a grown man like me supposed to pass the long night? What do you think, big sister?"
Gu Qingfeng shifted his position, looking at Ouyang Ye with a grin. "How about... you come keep me company?"
Given Ouyang Ye's temperament, if this guy hadn't given her the Cloud-Color Sword for free, and if she didn't need his help now, the little lass would have long since charged over and given this fellow who dared tease her a sound thrashing.
For the sake of those storage bags, for the sake of that Cloud-Color Sword, and to help her Han Dong sister through this difficult time, Ouyang Ye decided to endure it. Not only endure, the little lass even put on a smiling face and said, "Fine, I'll keep you company then."
"Oh?" Gu Qingfeng raised an eyebrow, looking at Ouyang Ye with interest.
"Han Dong sister and I were afraid you'd be bored all alone, so we specially came today to drink with you."
"Is that really true?" Gu Qingfeng looked somewhat skeptically at Han Dong.
"Although Yeye once saved Young Lord's life, you have already gifted hundreds of storage bags, which is more than enough to repay her kindness. Moreover, Young Lord later gave her a heavy gift like the Cloud-Color Sword. We truly feel undeserving."
Han Dong offered a smile and, with a wave of her hand, a cold light flashed. Immediately, a round table appeared in the garden, laden with all sorts of delicacies. "I have been busy outside these past days and was unable to personally express my gratitude. Taking advantage of this opportunity today, Yeye and I wish to properly thank Young Lord. We hope Young Lord will not refuse."
"Is that so?" Gu Qingfeng didn't stand on ceremony either, directly taking a seat on a chair and laughing, "Alright then, let's do it. I'm idle anyway."
Han Dong might never have asked anyone for a favor before, but that didn't mean she didn't know how. Even though speaking these polite words made her feel hypocritical, she understood even more clearly that when asking for help, pleasantries were unavoidable.
"I heard Young Lord enjoys fine wine."
With a thought, Han Dong took out a jar of fine wine from her storage bag, offering a faint smile. "I specially brought a few jars."
As she spoke, Han Dong opened a jar and poured a cup for Gu Qingfeng. "Young Lord, please."
Gu Qingfeng took the cup, tilted his head back and drained it in one go. The taste was somewhat light, but passable. Perhaps not as delicious as peach blossom wine, but it would do.
"Young Lord, Yeye and I offer you a toast..." Han Dong and Ouyang Ye also poured themselves a few cups and took turns toasting Gu Qingfeng.
Han Dong's toasts were to express gratitude on Ouyang Ye's behalf, while Ouyang Ye seemed intent on getting Gu Qingfeng drunk, downing cup after cup with him. When clinking cups, she didn't forget to spout all sorts of sweet talk and flattery—how Young Lord was handsome and imposing, how Gu Qingfeng was a heaven-sent talent, and so on. She laid it on so thick she practically lifted Gu Qingfeng up to the heavens. Her skill at buttering someone up was truly unmatched.
First it was 'Young Lord this, Young Lord that,' then she directly started calling him 'big brother.' Not only that, she even wanted to formally acknowledge him as her sworn brother on the spot.
Gu Qingfeng accepted it all without refusal. Whether it was Han Dong's toasts or Ouyang Ye's clinking cups, he took everything they offered.
Having cultivated for five hundred years, having been to the heavens and descended into the earth, he could absolutely be called an old hand. From the moment Ouyang Ye and Han Dong stepped in, he knew these two girls had something to ask of him—and it was definitely no small matter. Otherwise, the hot-tempered little lass's mouth wouldn't be so sweet, and the aloof Han Dong wouldn't be toasting him cup after cup like this.
Gu Qingfeng neither pointed it out nor exposed them. He wasn't in a hurry. He just kept drinking, enjoying Han Dong's toasts on one hand and appreciating Ouyang Ye's flattery skills on the other.