"There's an even more powerful force operating in the shadows? Why would the Immortal Dynasty do such a thing?"
"The Great Northwest is far more complicated than you imagine. Whether it's Canyang Mountain or the ancient Nine-Star Cave Dwelling, neither is easy to deal with. Naturally, the Immortal Dynasty wouldn't dare let its guard down."
Qian Shan had also heard of Canyang Mountain and the ancient Nine-Star Cave Dwelling, but that was the extent of her knowledge. Apart from knowing they had mysteriously sealed themselves off five hundred years ago, she knew nothing else.
"Are Canyang Mountain and the Nine-Star Cave Dwelling truly that powerful? Worthy of the Immortal Dynasty making such a huge fuss?"
"The existence of Canyang Mountain and the Nine-Star Cave Dwelling is no small matter. It's rumored they not only guard the lifeblood of the Great Northwest but also protect an ancient secret. As for what that lifeblood is, or what that secret entails, no one knows."
"I heard Canyang Mountain and the Nine-Star Cave Dwelling sealed themselves five hundred years ago to avoid an ancient calamity. Is that true?"
"Perhaps. Whether it's true or false, I'm not entirely sure either. It's just..." As Su Hua spoke, a flicker of doubt passed through her clear eyes. "Don't you think the timing of five hundred years is quite a coincidence?"
"What coincidence?"
Qian Shan thought carefully but couldn't figure out what was coincidental about the five-hundred-year timeframe.
"Monarch Chixiao was born in the Great Northwest five hundred years ago."
Qian Shan thought about it and realized it was indeed true. However, she shook her head and advised, "Miss, you must be overthinking this. Monarch Chixiao was born five hundred years ago, and Canyang Mountain and the Nine-Star Cave Dwelling sealed themselves around the same time. It's probably just a coincidence. Moreover, there's no necessary connection between Monarch Chixiao and those two forces. It should just be a coincidence."
"Perhaps I am overthinking it. I hope so. Otherwise..."
"Otherwise what?"
"If it's not a coincidence, then it means Monarch Chixiao's birth is related to Canyang Mountain and the Nine-Star Cave Dwelling. And since they guard the secret lifeblood of the Great Northwest, that would imply Monarch Chixiao's birth was anything but simple."
"Even if Monarch Chixiao's birth wasn't simple, what does that prove?"
Su Hua shook her head. She didn't know either, only that this feeling was very unsettling.
As the two chatted, dawn broke without them noticing.
As the sun first rose, Xiao Jinr hurriedly ran out, gazing anxiously in all directions at the sky.
"Jin'er, what are you looking for?"
Xiao Jinr seemed very excited, her eyes still sleepy. She said joyfully, "Big Brother is coming!"
Big Brother?
Su Hua's heart skipped a beat. "Gu Qingfeng?"
"Mhm! Mhm!" Xiao Jinr nodded emphatically and shouted towards the sky, "Big Brother!"
"Who! Who is it! Is it Gu Qingfeng? Has he come?"
Perhaps Xiao Jinr's shout was too loud, as Ouyang Ye rushed over from inside the house, her clothes still disheveled.
"Where! Where is Gu Qingfeng?" Ouyang Ye looked around nervously.
"Big Brother!" Xiao Jinr continued shouting loudly.
This puzzled Qian Shan greatly. She had extended her divine sense to probe but hadn't detected Gu Qingfeng's presence. She asked, "Miss, can you sense Gu Qingfeng?"
Su Hua shook her head. She couldn't either.
"Then why is Xiao Jinr..."
"Jin'er possesses a natural, miraculous perception. As long as she wishes, she can sense any existence..."
"This..." Just as Qian Shan was feeling shocked and doubtful, a figure appeared silently and without warning at Xiao Zhe Manor.
A robe white as snow.
Three thousand strands of black hair laughing in the wind.
Leisurely, carefree, and unrestrained.
Lazy, listless, embracing the setting sun.
Who else could it be but Gu Qingfeng.
When Su Hua saw Gu Qingfeng, her usually calm-as-still-water heart instantly became complicated. Her eyes fixed intently on him.
Even though she already knew and had confirmed that Gu Qingfeng was still alive, the moment she truly saw him, her heart couldn't help but tremble.
Three years ago, she had personally witnessed Gu Qingfeng turn to dust beneath the Taixuan Stele.
Three years later today, she was personally witnessing Gu Qingfeng alive and well before her eyes. How could Su Hua, who had always abided by the laws of heaven and earth and upheld their order, not be shocked? How could she not tremble?
This feeling was like the heavens and earth suddenly turning upside down, the bright moon appearing during the day, the sun appearing at night—utterly unbelievable and difficult to accept.
It truly was that kind of feeling.
With just one glance, Su Hua was already certain that the man in white before her was indeed Gu Qingfeng.
That leisurely, carefree, lazy, and casual aura of his was far too distinct. That feeling of lacking youthful vigor, of being listless and gloomy like the twilight of a setting sun, was far too unique. So unique that Su Hua remembered it vividly and could not forget.
He really was still alive...
It was truly incredible.
Su Hua took a deep breath, calming the chaotic thoughts in her heart.
"Big Brother, Jin'er missed you so much! I even dreamed of you just now... I never thought I'd see Big Brother again so soon!"
Xiao Jinr threw herself into Gu Qingfeng's arms. Gu Qingfeng happily picked her up, though he felt a bit awkward.
Xiao Jinr was now sixteen, a graceful and beautiful young woman, quite well-developed. Add to that the fact the little girl had just woken up and was only wearing thin sleepwear, holding her made Gu Qingfeng somewhat embarrassed.
"Well, well! I was wondering who it was. So it's Sister Su who's come!"
After setting Xiao Jinr down, Gu Qingfeng narrowed his eyes, looking Su Hua up and down with amusement. "Haven't seen you in years, missed you quite a bit. Hope you've been well?"
For some reason, being scrutinized so brazenly by Gu Qingfeng made Su Hua feel extremely uncomfortable. It felt as if she were standing there naked, her entire body seen through completely. Not only that, but even her Violet Palace, her Primordial Spirit, her Creation, even her soul seemed laid bare before him, as if no secret of hers could hide from those eyes.
As for why she felt this way, Su Hua didn't know.
She only knew she had felt this way the first time she met Gu Qingfeng three years ago.
Three years later today, the feeling was even stronger.
This was the first time Su Hua had ever felt this way. It made her restless, her heart somewhat flustered. She subconsciously took a step back, staring at Gu Qingfeng. She wanted to say something, but facing a mysterious, bizarre person who had turned to dust and then come back to life, Su Hua truly didn't know what to say.
"What's this? Only a few years apart, you're not going to pretend you don't recognize me, are you?"
"How could I dare," Su Hua replied. "The existence of Young Lord Chiyan left a very deep impression on me. How could I forget?"
"Hahaha! Is that so?"
Gu Qingfeng laughed heartily, then glanced at Ouyang Ye with a smile. "Sister Ouyang, you're a grown woman now. How can you have no regard for your image? At least tidy up a bit and put your clothes on properly."
"You... I..." Ouyang Ye's lovely face instantly flushed crimson. She dared to be impudent with Old Jiu, but she didn't dare be impudent with Gu Qingfeng. Because she had thought Old Jiu was a fake, while the real Gu Qingfeng was the man she had always admired and loved.