Great Zhou Martial Immortal

Chapter 74 Only Beauty and Trust (5.4k)

Lu Chenyuan was taken aback upon hearing this.

This is definitely more than just staying overnight.

For Li Lingyue to take the initiative to say those words, it undoubtedly took a great deal of courage.

A beautiful woman is the one you trust most, and the one you are hardest to betray.

A gentle smile appeared in Lu Chenyuan's eyes. He gently lifted her chin with his long, slender fingers, gazing into her shimmering eyes: "Your Highness, is this... an attempt to retain this humble servant?"

Li Lingyue's ears burned from his gaze, and she turned her face away in embarrassment and annoyance: "Stay or leave, it's up to you..." Before she could finish speaking, she was suddenly lifted up by the waist, startling her into a soft gasp, and she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Your Highness has given the order; how could this humble servant dare to disobey?"

Lu Chenyuan carried her to the bed, his arms steady. "But..." he paused deliberately, then smiled, "I'm afraid you won't be able to attend to your official duties these next few days."

Li Lingyue was even more embarrassed and angry upon hearing this, and lightly punched his shoulder with her fist: "Who wants you... put me down!" But the arms around his neck did not move an inch.

Lu Chenyuan chuckled softly, then leaned down and gently placed her on the couch. In the candlelight, her flushed cheeks were more radiant than the finest rouge, and her slightly trembling eyelashes cast a shadow beneath her eyes.

He couldn't help but reach out and stroke her hair, his voice softening unconsciously: "Your Highness..."

Li Lingyue looked up at him, and the moment their eyes met, they both froze. The sound of a night watchman's drum drifted from afar; it was already past midnight. Lu Chenyuan's Adam's apple bobbed slightly as he slowly leaned forward…

"etc!"

Li Lingyue suddenly reached out and pressed against his chest, her eyes flickering, "Um... I suddenly remembered that there are some important things I haven't taken care of yet..."

Lu Chenyuan raised an eyebrow, looking at her with a half-smile: "Your Highness, are you... having a change of heart?"

"Who, who's backed out!"

Li Lingyue retorted stubbornly, but dared not look him in the eye, "I mean... we can discuss it together..."

What's there to discuss!
Lu Chenyuan's eyes were full of mischief. He magically produced a piece of paper from his robes, which was densely covered with the names of protective gear related to the Luoshui Festival, the magical artifacts of the other twenty-four people, and the direction of the Kite Guards' investigation. "I've already thought it all out. I originally wanted to use it myself to save time, but now it's perfect... The most likely activity of those twenty-four people is the Luoshui Festival. Only such a major event is worth risking their lives for. There are still seven days until the festival, which is enough..."

With that, he casually tossed the paper aside, and it pierced the door crack with the precision of a knife, cutting into a pillar outside the hall.

Li Lingyue's eyes widened, and she was about to lash out when he flipped her over and pinned her to the bed.

Lu Chenyuan whispered in her ear, "Now... Your Highness has no excuse..."

The curtains hung low, and the candlelight flickered gently in the celadon lamp.

Lu Chenyuan's fingertips brushed against the silk sash around Li Lingyue's waist, the apricot-yellow ribbon fluttering lightly in his palm like an autumn butterfly. Li Lingyue's breath hitched slightly, and she subconsciously gripped the brocade quilt embroidered with golden chrysanthemums beneath her.

"Don't be afraid."

He whispered softly, his lips lightly touching her trembling eyelids.

As her fingertips moved, the apricot-colored silk robe slipped off her shoulders like the sunset, revealing the moon-white undergarment beneath.

Li Lingyue's ear tips flushed slightly, and she suddenly felt a warmth on her neck—his nose was lightly brushing against her bare collarbone, and his breath was particularly noticeable in the cool air, the warmth penetrating her skin and reaching her heart.

She frantically tried to pull her hand away, but her fingers were interlocked and pressed against the pillow.

"Your Highness..."

Lu Chenyuan's voice was warmer than usual, carrying the unique mellowness of an autumn night, "Look at me."

The leaves of the sycamore trees rustled outside the window, and occasionally a crow would cry.

Looking into the tenderness in his eyes, Li Lingyue suddenly forgot her reserve. When his hand touched her waist, she let out a soft moan and unconsciously snuggled into his warm embrace, like a cat seeking warmth.

"The Abyss..."

She called out softly, unconsciously, the last syllable turning into a murmur. The wind chimes under the eaves tinkled, startling a few fallen maple leaves in the courtyard.

……

Inside the Lingni Palace.

The goddess sat obediently on the Sumeru throne, with the giant cat Jinni lying beside her.

With nothing else to do, she picked up a book from the bookshelf and started reading again, this time "The Great Learning".

"Those in ancient times who wished to manifest their virtue to the world first ordered well their own states; those who wished to order well their states first regulated their families; those who wished to regulate their families first cultivated their personal lives; those who wished to cultivate their personal lives first rectified their hearts; those who wished to rectify their hearts first made their intentions sincere; those who wished to make their intentions sincere first extended their knowledge..."

As I read, I looked up and glanced outside the hall.

It was pitch black outside the hall, and a cold wind was howling, so she couldn't help but shrank back.

The golden lion beside her noticed that she seemed a little cold, so it wrapped its huge body around her and warmed her slightly.

The goddess smiled at the golden lion and reached out to stroke its head.

Just then, Zen Master Yunhe returned from buying wine. He glanced around the hall and saw the Goddess sitting alone. He strode closer and said kindly, "Has Chenyuan not returned yet?"

"Ah."

Before leaving, Lu Chenyuan had already introduced the identity of Zen Master Yunhe, and the Empress showed great respect.

"Ha ha……"

Zen Master Yunhe glanced at the sky and smiled. Usually, by this time, he would have slunk back with his blankets, but he hadn't returned yet, and probably wouldn't be back tonight either. He took out two wine cups, poured a cup of grape syrup for the goddess, and handed it to her: "Try this; it'll keep you warm. Are you reading the *Great Learning*? Is there anything you don't understand?"

The goddess accepted the book with both hands, took a small bite; it was a bit spicy. Then she picked up the book: "Mencius is a liar, I don't like him, but it seems some of the Confucian sayings are true..."

Zen Master Yunhe asked in surprise, "How could he deceive people?"

The goddess then explained the doubts she had about reading the book.

Zen Master Yunhe laughed heartily, stroked his beard, and replied: "The various schools of thought established their doctrines, just as a hundred craftsmen contended. Mozi wrote three chapters of 'Against Confucianism,' criticizing the Confucians for 'embellishing rites and music to corrupt people'; Zhuangzi laughed at the Confucians for 'being clear about rites and righteousness but ignorant of understanding people's hearts'; Mencius retorted that Yang Zhu 'would not pluck a single hair to benefit the world,' calling him a beast. The more the truth is debated, the clearer it becomes, and each school complements the others, which is why we have the Hundred Schools of Thought that have been passed down to us today. It is not worth mentioning."

The goddess was puzzled: "Why are they arguing?"

Zen Master Yunhe picked up the wine cup and looked at the wine inside: "Look at this cup of wine. Farmers say it can fertilize the fields, doctors say it can be used as medicine, and drinkers say it can make them forget their worries. All of these are ways to seek liberation for all beings. There is only one cup of wine, but people take different paths, so naturally they will compete with each other."

"relief?"

The goddess's expression grew increasingly bewildered.

Zen Master Yunhe said: "Confucianism seeks liberation through rites and music, Mohism seeks liberation through universal love, and Taoism seeks liberation through nature. It is like blind men touching an elephant, each holding onto one side."

The goddess asked, "So... what they touched was real?"

"Half truth, half lie."

The Zen master smiled and said, "It's like you say the soup is hot, and I say it's warm, but in reality, only you know whether it's hot or cold."

The gears in Shenhou's brain suddenly started spinning faster, and his chest pounded.

She looked down at her hands, crafted from rare and precious materials: "Then... how can I know?"

Zen Master Yunhe gazed at her, marveling at Gu Yunsheng's miraculous creation—to be able to forge such a spiritual object! But the more lifelike it was, the more she would fall into the predicament of being neither human nor object when she truly understood the principles of the world.

This is both a great fortune and a great tragedy.

The Zen master said kindly, “In this respect, Confucianism is better. Taoism is about forgetting emotions, and Mohism is about universal love. It is better to follow the Doctrine of the Mean in Confucianism. After all, a person still needs to have some aspirations in life. If you only focus on Zen meditation and cultivating the Tao, you will have lived in vain. You have read the Great Learning and you should know about the saying of cultivating oneself and regulating one's family.”

The goddess nodded.

The Zen master's voice was gentle, like a spring breeze and soothing rain: "To live, one must not only have a physical body, but also a place to entrust one's heart. Having a physical body is easy; food and shelter are enough. Entrusting one's heart is difficult; one needs something to rely on and something to aspire to."

The goddess felt the beating in her chest: "My heart, is there something to entrust to it?"

The Zen master slowly said, "For ordinary people, a family and a few people are their refuge; for those with lofty ideals, seeking knowledge, asking questions, and diligently cultivating themselves are also their refuge. If one can make a living and find solace in others, one will naturally want to use what one has learned to fulfill one's aspirations—this is the way to cultivate oneself, manage one's family, govern the country, and bring peace to the world."

He looked at the goddess, his gaze deep and warm: "When you understand what you want and what you want to become... then you will no longer be just a puppet, but a real 'person'."

The goddess suddenly realized what was happening and remained silent.

Zen Master Yunhe sighed softly, then rose and left.

The goddess sat there until dawn, but instead of Lu Chenyuan, she was greeted by Yuan Qingshuang.

The goddess rose and looked at her, her gaze questioning.

Yuan Qingshuang was a little embarrassed and didn't know what to say for a moment. She put down the food box in her hand and stammered, "I...I don't know Miss Lingxi's preferences. Please see if this breakfast suits your taste..."

The goddess didn't even glance at the breakfast, but looked behind her and asked, "Where's my brother?"

"Uh……"

Yuan Qingshuang blushed and said, "He...he has important business to attend to and can't come back for the time being...sigh!"

Before she finished speaking, the Goddess had already gracefully left the palace. With a light touch of her toes, she leaped to the top of the Spirit Lion Palace, opened her [Returning to the Treasury Eyes], and looked down over the Princess's residence. She quickly found the treasures of the [Hanging Cloud Mace] and [Taihua Clear Frost] in the Princess's bedroom, as well as the two [Shape-Shifting Jade] that Lu Chenyuan had just acquired.

There was no unusual activity around, and the two ritual implements were as usual, without any damage or loss of owner.

The goddess breathed a sigh of relief; her brother was alright.

But why doesn't he come out?
Yuan Qingshuang followed and leaped to the top floor. Seeing that she didn't pounce on her directly, she breathed a sigh of relief. She had just passed by the bedchamber and the embarrassing sounds inside had never stopped. She could only say that she was truly worthy of being at the peak of the fifth realm and worthy of the "Gold-Swallowing Treasure Book". The princess was still a virgin, and yet... even the maids dared not approach her!

Even though she had followed her master in practicing the "Ice Heart Tribulation" since childhood, and was pure of heart and desire, she still couldn't quite withstand it.

If the goddess is confused and goes over to hear the sound, then rushes in...

so far so good.

Yuan Qingshuang took out a piece of paper, which was the one that Lu Chenyuan had left outside last night: "The defense of the Luoshui Altar and the Suiming Pavilion have been arranged. The [Shadow-Shifting Jade] is a rare treasure in the world that can move within a small area. There should not be another one like it. But just in case, Lord Lu, please keep a close eye on the vicinity of the Kite Terrace to prevent the appearance of such treasures again."

The goddess looked at the handwriting and confirmed it was indeed her brother's. This arrangement was also in line with her brother's cautious nature.

She nodded.

Yuan Qingshuang breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "And those twenty-four people, and their magical artifacts—Yuantai is on high alert. If they appear near the Luo River, please inform us as well." The Empress pointed south: "Is that river the Luo River?"

Yuan Qingshuang followed her finger and looked over: "That's right."

The goddess bent down and sat down: "Then I'll stay here and watch."

Looking at her pure and innocent eyes, Yuan Qingshuang felt uncomfortable leaving a young girl there alone, so she simply sat down and smiled, "I'll keep you company. I can't be of much help, but I don't want you to be busy all by yourself. The princess's residence isn't so desperate that it can't function without me."

The goddess tilted her head and looked at her: "Sister is a good person."

Yuan Qingshuang chuckled: "To be honest, I really couldn't tell you were a mechanical puppet. The Hidden Immortal's skills are truly divine!"

The goddess thought for a moment, then suddenly asked, "What is it that you cherish in your heart, sister?"

Yuan Qingshuang was stunned for a moment before she realized what she was asking. After thinking for a moment, she replied, "I lost both my parents when I was young and was sold into the palace to learn etiquette and writing. Fortunately, I was talented enough to follow my master and the princess and get to where I am today. All of this has long become a habit. Perhaps, seeing the princess safe and happy is what I long for."

"Peace and happiness..."

The goddess glanced in the direction of the princess's bedchamber and murmured to herself, "I think I understand..."

……

Wu Youji entered the princess's residence.

After a few days apart, he was walking with the stride of a dragon and the gait of a tiger, full of self-satisfaction.

With the assistance of Qu Baichuan in suppressing the evil spirits, and nourished by the rare and precious materials prepared by Wu Chengsi, he finally merged with the mother Gu of the Twin Gu and mastered the Nanzhao Kingdom's unique skill, the "Mother-Child Heaven-Seizing Gu Scripture," which allowed him to control the other nine child Gu of the Twin Gu.

When he felt the continuous flow of internal energy transmitted back by the Gu, he seemed to see the hope of rising again.

In just one night, he broke through from the second realm to the third realm!

And it continues to increase.

"This is what cultivation should be like."

Wu Youji felt an indescribable sense of joy.

Now, when he sees others meticulously training their bodies and sitting in meditation, striving for even the smallest bit of spiritual power, he feels sorry for them!
This was the power that came with authority, and it also gave him a glimmer of hope!
He firmly believed that if he continued like this and his understanding of the world improved, the princess would eventually look at him with new respect.

Wu Youji stepped into the mansion and was about to return to his own courtyard when he suddenly realized something was wrong.

The servants he encountered along the way all gave him strange looks.

The groom, Zhao Laoqian, kept wiping the saddle, but his eyes kept glancing at him out of the corner of his eye; the two maids who were sweeping hid behind the pillars and whispered to each other, and immediately fell silent when he passed by; even Zhang Cheng, the most respectful servant, twitched his lips when he bowed.

He was familiar with this situation—the night Lu Chenyuan entered the princess's bedchamber a while ago, the entire household had the same look in their eyes.

The sympathy was tinged with sarcasm, as if they were looking at a dog whose bone had been stolen.

It's just more obvious today.

It seems they not only stole the bones, but also the doghouse...

Wu Youji lived in the "Ya Mo Xuan" villa in the outer courtyard of the princess's mansion.

The arrangement is the same as that for other imperial sons-in-law.

The outer courtyard is usually located in a relatively outer area of ​​the princess's residence, while the detached house is a small, independent suite within the outer courtyard.

This place is quiet and secluded, and is a certain distance from the inner courtyard, which can ensure that the prince consort has his own private space without disturbing the princess's life in the inner courtyard.

Villas typically have independent courtyards, studies, bedrooms, and other facilities to meet the daily living and social needs of the imperial son-in-law. As a court official, the imperial son-in-law needed to handle some external affairs, and the villas also facilitated his reception of guests and interaction with the outside world.

This is especially true in Taiping Prefecture.

Princesses in the Tang Dynasty already held considerable power, and in Taiping Prefecture, the princess was the sole ruler. The fact that the prince consort lived in the outer courtyard also reduced the overlap in living space with the princess, thus avoiding unnecessary conflicts.

Wu Youji walked back to Ya Mo Xuan. The closer he got to the inner courtyard, the stranger the expressions of those people became.

Several people kept glancing back, as if something unsuitable for them to witness was happening in the inner courtyard.

Suddenly, a brilliant idea flashed into my mind.

As soon as Wu Youji thought of something, his face immediately darkened, his eyes became bloodshot, and he gritted his teeth as he strode towards the inner courtyard!
"Consort."

A ghostly figure appeared out of nowhere, blocking the way with an arm: "The princess has decreed that no one is allowed to enter the inner courtyard today."

The one speaking was Lin Hanyi.

Wu Youji had to swallow the word "get lost" that was about to come out of his mouth.

If it were anyone else, the princess could have let him curse, and given the surname Wu, she wouldn't have been able to make a big fuss. But Lin Hanyi was different. She was not only an old servant who had protected the princess, but also a trusted maid of Emperor Wu. Their decades-long relationship as master and servant was extraordinary. If he really cursed her, the princess wouldn't even need to lift a finger; her aunt would have to teach him a lesson!

Wu Youji suppressed his anger and turned to leave.

Suddenly, a faint sound came from somewhere, filled with an indescribable feeling.

He seemed to be enjoying it, but it was intermittent and a bit cloying...

Wu Youji's eyes widened, and he suddenly turned around!

He wasn't a novice; as someone with experience, the moment he heard that voice, he immediately conjured up some indescribable scenarios in his mind.

Lin Hanyi: "..."

Lin Hanyi sighed, feeling helpless and embarrassed, but her face remained calm. She had seen even more awkward situations in the harem.

Wu Youji's expression immediately changed, turning to jealousy, anger, sadness, and pain...

As long as you haven't encountered it, you can deceive yourself and pretend it didn't happen.

But it's happening right before our eyes; self-deception isn't enough anymore...

The woman he loved so much, the woman he had always longed for but could never have, the woman he had always considered his possession, his nominal wife, was now right before his eyes doing this unspeakable thing with another man.

Wu Youji's face instantly turned ferocious and terrifying.

His facial muscles twitched unnaturally, his left eye twitched slightly due to excessive bloodshot eyes, while his right eye remained eerily calm as still water. His teeth were clenched and grinding, and his jawline was taut like a fully drawn bowstring.

Lin Hanyi handled the situation carefully. They were only a fake couple, so there wasn't much to say.

The princess wouldn't stop him from seeking pleasure with other women, and he shouldn't interfere in the princess's private affairs.

But this world cannot be explained by reason alone.

Especially since this person's surname is Wu, his surname is the greatest principle in the world today!

Just then, a long, soft moan came from the inner courtyard.

"..."

Lin Hanyi's eyes twitched; she even felt a little sorry for him. Wu Youji's expression froze, and he turned and left!

He kicked open the vermilion gate of Ya Mo Xuan, making the copper bells on the eaves ring wildly. His eyes were bloodshot, and he grabbed the celadon brush washer from the table and smashed it on the ground.

"boom!"

Broken porcelain splattered everywhere, ink splashed all over the wall, and he was panting heavily when he suddenly grabbed a paperweight and smashed it three times against his temple—a folk method used in the army to control anger, but today the pain only made the soft moan in his ear clearer.

"Bitch!"

He roared and drew his sword. A flash of cold light, and the entire rosewood desk split in two. The blade continued its momentum, carving three feet of sparks across the stone slab. Suddenly, his hand went numb—the sword flew out of his grasp and embedded itself deeply in a beam.

"Ugh!"

Wu Youji knelt down and suddenly clutched his chest. Under his skin, he felt something alive wriggling, which was the twin Gu mother Gu activating.

His eyes rolled back, he made a strange "clucking" sound in his throat, and saliva dripped down his chin.

"waste."

When I looked up again, the voice was completely different.

Wu Youji slowly wiped the saliva from the corner of his mouth, then ran his finger along the blade and drew a strange talisman on his palm with his blood.

“Lu Chenyuan…”

He stood up with a light laugh, then suddenly slapped himself across the face with a sharp "smack," startling the birds roosting outside the window.

His left cheek swelled up immediately, but his right eye shone with an alarming brightness.

Footsteps suddenly came from outside the courtyard. The servant who was delivering tea had just poked his head out when a hand as strong as an iron clamp grabbed his throat.

"The prince consort..."

"Shh-"

Wu Youji pressed his blood-stained index finger to the servant's lips, his voice as gentle as if coaxing a child, "Did you hear the princess's voice?"

The servant's crotch was instantly soaked.

The next second, his head was slammed into the bluestone floor, the sound of his skull cracking mixed with an eerie humming: "...The moon will rise, the sun will set..."

As he released his grip, Wu Youji pulled a small knife for peeling fruit from the corpse's waist.

He licked the blade and suddenly slashed open his left arm—where the flesh rolled back, countless Gu worms were swimming in the blood vessels.

"Good boy."

He muttered to himself while looking at his wound, his blood-stained fingers drawing a crooked "kill" character on the wall. "We'll play with Young Master Lu... slowly."

　This chapter was quite difficult to write; it's 5,400 words long.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)