Jiangshan Fengwuzhi

Chapter 137 Classmates (I)

If someone else were caught by his lover while interacting closely with other women, it would inevitably be very embarrassing.

Gu Jingnian was unusually calm.

Holding Yin Shu's arm, he looked at Pei Nian. When he saw the classmate dressed as a man beside Pei Nian, he nodded politely.

Zhang Xiaofang was filled with admiration when she saw him. She tried to connect him with the Ah Chou from that time. The only similarity was the pair of calm eyes, but Ah Chou's calmness was dull, while now he seemed composed after changing his appearance.

"Miss Pei is back from school?"

Yin Shu held onto Gu Jingnian's arm and refused to let go, saying, "I saw that there was no one to take care of the housework, so I brought the cook with me. It's just in time for dinner."

Pei Nian's mind was not on Gu Jingnian, and he was too lazy to do housework, but after being bullied many times, he still fought back.

"Thank you, Princess. Although your 'Uncle Gu' has been neglecting his studies recently, at least he can eat well."

His tone was calm and there was no jealousy, but he brought up seniority to criticize Yin Shu.

Seeing that the atmosphere was not good, Gu Jingnian naturally pulled his hand away and said, "I will go to the school tomorrow."

Although the incident was caused by him, he was too lazy to get involved. He used the excuse of changing clothes to get away and find some quiet time.

Yin Shu was about to retort when she suddenly noticed Zhao'er standing next to Pei Nian and her eyes fixed on him.

"It's you?"

After a brief identification, Yin Shu confirmed the other party, snorted coldly, and said sarcastically: "Okay, now you are trying to go against me in a different way."

"How do you mean you are against me?" Zhao'er said with a smile, "I just learned that Pei Nian and you are also friends. It is a pleasure to meet friends."

"Okay, let's get together then."

When dinner was served in the evening, Gu Jingnian thought about the noise made by those young women setting up a stage to perform, and he really didn't want to go.

He would rather eat with Gao Changgan, at least it would be quiet.

In addition, Gao Changgan, Qin'er and Zhang Xiaofang had their own meals cooked by Huo Bo, whose cooking skills were surprisingly good.

In the past, when he was in the Gu family, Gu Jingnian only hated Huo Bo, but he didn't know that the terrible old servant had such a side. It can only be said that after Gu Jizu died, he finally began to enjoy some of the benefits of being a son of a famous family.

"If you don't go, Miss Pei and the princess will fight."

A maid came to report this, so Gu Jingnian had to go to the hall, but he saw them sitting well.

He thought it would be a noisy and boring dinner, but unexpectedly, they were discussing a topic that interested him quite a bit.

"The Yong Kingdom naturally also has alchemy skills. In the past, Master Xuandao once traveled to the Yong Kingdom, taught in Yuguan, and accepted several closed-door disciples. At that time, Master Xuandao helped King Pengyang refine a ray bat, which made King Pengyang grow wings. He then became famous and was treated as a guest of honor by the dignitaries."

The person who was speaking was Pei Nian's classmate.

Gu Jingnian had seen her several times before, but they had never spoken to each other, and he had never even asked Pei Nian her name.

At this time, he did not even say hello, but asked directly: "What kind of refining method did you use? The blood exchange method?"

This question was straightforward. He was not shy about expressing his interest in alchemy, and he also wanted to test how much the other party knew.

It is meaningful to discuss with people who truly understand. He has no time to chat about superficial things with those who have only a superficial understanding.

“No.” Zhao’er shook his head and said, “Prince Pengyang is your Majesty’s cousin, and he is of noble status. He will not easily try a dangerous method like blood exchange.”

Gu Jingnian nodded, acknowledging her erudition.

But Pei Nian and Yin Shu could no longer understand their conversation.

"What is blood transfusion?" Yin Shu asked.

Zhaoer glanced at her and did not answer. Instead, he said thoughtfully, "I suspect that Master Xuandao used the grafting method on King Pengyang."

Gu Jingnian had never heard of this kind of alchemy, and he became interested as soon as he heard it, and said, "I'd like to hear more about it."

"It has been more than 40 years since this happened, and the truth is unknown. I guessed it based on some rumors heard from my elders and bits and pieces of information I saw in ancient books." Zhao'er said, "It is said that when King Pengyang spread his wings, they were exactly the same as the original wings of the manta ray. Moreover, it took only a few days from King Pengyang's acquaintance with Master Xuandao to his refining of the manta ray to fly. Judging from the time, it is most likely that the grafting method was used."

Yin Shu asked, "Cut off the wings of the manta ray and put them on King Pengyang? Is this possible?"

"The grafting method is not just cutting off the wings, but removing all the other useless parts of the ray bat, leaving only the wings and the part of the body that keeps it alive, and then parasitizing it in the host body."

"What do you mean?"

"It means that the wings are alive."

Gu Jingnian asked, "It's equivalent to connecting the mount to the body?"

Zhao'er said, "That's probably what it means."

Gu Jingnian then thought that if Gu Jizu knew about this grafting method, he might be willing to try it... But not necessarily, because what Gu Jizu wanted was not just two legs, but to regain his virility.

Regardless, he couldn't understand the desire to stuff a living creature inside his body just to become stronger.

"and after?"

"After King Pengyang learned to fly, he made many military achievements in the two years and became very famous. Unfortunately, the good times did not last long. His manta ray wings gradually rotted, and his entire back began to fester. He was in so much pain that he was sick for a while and then set himself on fire and burned himself to death. It is said that someone saw him separated from the wings in the fire, and the wings flew out with a ball of flesh and blood. People thought it was too scary and threw it back into the fire."

Pei Nian and Yin Shu put down their chopsticks after listening.

Gu Jingnian asked, "Where is Master Xuandao? King Pengyang never asked him for help."

"At that time, Master Xuandao had already left Yong State and went to Yue State. It is said that although he had many disciples in Yong State, he said, 'Although Yong State has many extraordinary people, the great Dao is not flourishing.' I think he thought that the Emperor of Yong was not interested in alchemy."

This was not the first time Gu Jingnian had heard someone say this. If it was true, it should be related to Yin's talent. Yin himself was also an extraordinary person, and this might be why he was not allowed to refine extraordinary people. "After King Pengyang died, the people regarded alchemy as a poisonous scorpion. In addition, after the fall of Yue, the court took it as a lesson and vigorously suppressed it. As a result, there was almost no alchemy in Yong."

Gu Jingnian still held some doubts and said, "Rui Ting also said so."

"Then I don't know." Zhao'er said, "Mr. Gu should be careful, in case your fire wings are separated from your body one day."

This sentence does not express whether the fire wings will separate, but that she actually knows that Gu Jingnian has fire wings, and also knows that he was not born with them.

"you know me well?"

"I have heard of your heroic deeds. You soared over Ruijing, killed the prime minister, and burned the palace. How magnificent!"

As he spoke, Zhao'er poured himself a glass of wine, held it up with both hands to toast Gu Jingnian, and then drank it all in one gulp.

Maybe it was because her stomach was too small. After drinking, she burped and her face, which had been sallowed by something, turned red.

She looks very quiet and drinks happily.

Gu Jingnian was confused, not sure whether she was well-informed and knowledgeable, or if she had already found out all the information about him and was coming for him.

She knew everything about him, but he didn't even know her identity, so it was inevitable that he became curious.

"I haven't asked for your name yet, young lady?"

Zhao'er didn't answer, but smiled and said, "Many times before, Pei Nian and I went home together, but you ignored us. Today, you wanted to get information from me, so you remembered to ask me my name. What's this name?"

She paused for a moment before continuing her teasing.

"If you don't burn incense on weekdays, you will cram at the last minute."

Gu Jingnian had no choice but to pour himself a glass of wine and said, "In that case, I was indeed rude. I apologize to the young lady."

This was considered very sincere to him. At least he had never shown this attitude to Yin Yucheng and his daughter.

On the side, Yin Shu looked a little anxious and glared at Zhao'er with dissatisfaction.

Zhao'er was calm and composed. When he saw Gu Jingnian finish his glass of wine, he shook his head and said, "No."

"What's wrong?"

"You just called me 'girl', that's not right."

"Although you are dressed as a man, you are indeed a girl...right?"

Zhao'er said, "I entered school before you, what should you call me?"

"Sister?"

"Not bad." Zhao'er nodded and said, "Drink it."

Gu Jingnian drank another cup and said, "I haven't asked for your name, Sister?"

"Which hall do you study in?"

"Zhixingtang."

Zhaoer smiled and said, "Let's talk about it when you get to Mingde Hall."

No woman has ever been so shameless to Gu Jingnian.

He was a little surprised and was thinking about how to find out her background, but Zhao'er put down his chopsticks.

"Okay, it's getting late, I should leave. Pei Nian, see you in school tomorrow."

"I'll take you there." Pei Nian stood up and said.

"No need." Zhao'er deliberately glanced at Yin Shu and said meaningfully, "You have guests."

Yin Shu understood what she said, but still refused to leave and gave her a arrogant look in response.

Pei Nian actually knew that it was impossible for Gu Jingnian to be seduced by Yin Shu, so there was nothing to worry about, and he still stood up to send Zhaoer away.

After they left the hall, Zhao'er asked, "You gave up your official position for him, left home and betrayed your country, got caught up in the love affair, and competed with a boring woman like Yin Shu. Do you think it's worth it?"

In the past, they only talked about academic experiences, but when she suddenly asked a question that directly touched her heart, Pei Nian didn't know how to respond for a moment.

Given her personality, if all this were true, she would certainly feel it wasn't worth it.

"Whether it's worth it or not, I don't regret it."

"Pei Nian, although we have known each other for a short time, I believe I understand you. You are not someone who can be content with just being a wife and raising children. With your talent and ambition, you should not be trapped in the house and compete for favors... Today, I see a man who has been romantic and cold for many years, flirting with women without deep affection. There will be women around him who want to compete with you. It's not worth it."

Pei Nian tried to figure out what Zhao'er meant by this, and also tried to figure out her identity, and said slowly: "I came to Yong State for him, can I still leave him?"

"Not to mention leaving him, but you must not lose yourself." Zhao'er said, "The court allowed you to enter school in preparation for appointing you as an official. Yong State has never had a woman serve as an official before, so I admire you very much."

"I admire you too." Pei Nian said, "You are the first woman I have ever met who is of similar age but has a stronger aura than me."

"You must have guessed my identity. To be frank, I want to recommend you to work for my father and brother."

Pei Nian had some guesses, but he didn't expect her to be so frank, and he paused slightly.

Before he could speak, Zhao'er raised his hand and said, "Don't worry, think about it first. When you have thought it through and are willing to work with us, then tell me."

(End of this chapter)