Transforming into a stunningly beautiful fox spirit, leaving a scar on the heart of a prodigy.

As dusk settled, the wind on the wasteland grew increasingly fierce.

The black horse galloped tirelessly, its hooves crushing the dry grass and raising a cloud of dust.

Gu Xiang held Su Qing in his arms, one hand holding the reins and the other pressing down on the trembling gray figure in front of the saddle.

Tu Ling was jolted so hard he was dizzy, his beady green eyes rolled back, and he whimpered and begged for mercy.

"My...my lord, slow down, slow down, I'm about to vomit my gall bladder."

Gu Xiang ignored him, but Su Qing stretched out a finger and poked Tu Ling's bald head.

"Spit it out and then swallow it back," Su Qing said with a smile. "If you dare to dirty Gu Xiang's robe, I'll plant you back in the ground and raise you like a radish."

Tu Ling was startled and swallowed the sour water that was about to come out of her throat.

It realized that this red-clad female ghost was even more difficult to deal with than that malevolent man.

Although the man was fierce, he was at least reasonable; this female ghost, on the other hand, tormented people entirely based on her mood.

"Which way?" Gu Xiang asked coldly.

Tu Ling sniffed, its sunken nostrils twitching as if trying to discern the scents in the wind.

"Left...no, right..." the earth spirit stammered, "The wind is a bit erratic, the smell has dissipated."

Gu Xiang frowned slightly, pulled on the reins, and the black horse slowed down.

"Smell carefully," Gu Xiang said. "If you smell it wrong, I'll cut off your nose and use it as a snack with your drinks."

Tu Ling shuddered, its two paws gripping the horse's mane tightly, and it pressed its face against the wind, sniffing intently.

"There's... there's a strange smell," Tu Ling said. "It's like... like the smell of dead fish and rotten shrimp that's been baking in the sun for three days, mixed with... the smell of very expensive spices."

"Very expensive spices?" Su Qing raised an eyebrow. "How expensive?"

"It's...it's the kind that only wealthy families can afford, the kind that emits blue smoke when burned." Tu Ling gestured to indicate the name. "There was once a fat man dressed in gold and silver who passed by here, and he smelled just like this. I tried to steal some food from him, but I almost got beaten to death by his guards."

A glint of light flashed in Gu Xiang's eyes.

That's the smell of ambergris.

This is a tribute incense used exclusively by the royal family of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and Li Qingge always carries this kind of sachet with her.

"The smell of dead fish is demonic energy, the smell of spices is pure song," Gu Xiang asserted. "The direction."

The earth spirit stretched out its claws and pointed to a rocky forest in the southwest.

"Over there," Tu Ling said, "the smell is coming from over there, and it's getting stronger and stronger, it's giving me a headache."

Gu Xiang said no more, spurred his horse, and the black horse turned around and galloped off to the southwest.

Su Qing leaned against Gu Xiang's chest, looking at the increasingly desolate scenery ahead, her fingers gently twirling Gu Xiang's loose hair.

"Gu Xiang".

"Um?"

"Being a prime minister isn't easy for you," Su Qing said softly. "Even the spirits and monsters in these desolate wildernesses are afraid of you."

Gu Xiang looked down at her, his gaze softening.

"It's good that you're afraid of me," Gu Xiang said. "You're afraid of me, that's why you don't dare to touch you."

Su Qing felt a warmth in her heart, but she snorted, "Who needs your protection? I was a nine-tailed celestial fox back then, I scared them to death."

"Yes, yes, yes," Gu Xiang said, going along with her words. "My wife is the most formidable; she can kill with just a look."

Tu Ling, huddled on the saddle, listened to the conversation between the two, inwardly rolling his eyes.

What time is it? They're still flirting here.

That's the direction of Ghost Cry Valley ahead, a place where people really die.

The sky had completely darkened, the moon was obscured by dark clouds, and only a few sparse stars hung in the sky.

Gu Xiang stopped in a sheltered mountain hollow.

"Let's rest for a moment." Gu Xiang dismounted and carried Su Qing down.

Although Su Qing is now in spirit form, thanks to the Soul-Gathering Flower, she feels heavy and real when held in one's arms.

Gu Xiang placed her on a flat stone, took off his outer robe and spread it out so that she could sit more comfortably.

As soon as the earth spirit landed, it immediately tried to burrow into the soil.

Gu Xiang reacted quickly, grabbing the green fur on its head and pulling it back.

Where are you going?

"This humble servant...this humble servant will go scout ahead!" Tu Ling's eyes darted around, "and while I'm at it, I'll find some food to offer to you two lords."

"Stay here." Gu Xiang tossed it at his feet. "Don't try anything funny."

Tu Ling looked miserable, curled up in a ball, and dared not move.

Gu Xiang took out a piece of yellow paper from his pocket, bit his fingertip, and quickly drew a talisman on it.

A surge of righteous energy flowed from his fingertips, and the runes shimmered with golden light.

He then took out a paper crane that was only the size of a palm and stuffed the talisman into its belly.

"go."

Gu Xiang gave a low shout and tapped the paper crane's head with his fingertip.

The paper crane flapped its wings and miraculously came to life. It circled Guxiang twice before transforming into a streak of light and flying towards the capital.

"What is this?" Su Qing asked curiously.

"It's a communication crane," Gu Xiang explained. "I'll send the situation and location back to the capital so Li Yu can prepare in advance. If... if something happens to us, at least someone will come to collect our bodies."

Su Qing reached out and patted him on the lips.

"Pah, pah, pah!" Su Qing glared at him. "Children say whatever comes to mind. What do you mean by 'collecting corpses'? That's so unlucky."

Gu Xiang grabbed her hand and kissed it.

"Okay, that's bad luck," Gu Xiang laughed. "Then let Li Yu prepare some food and wine so we can celebrate when we get back."

Tu Ling watched from the side, unable to resist swallowing hard.

It wasn't the food that made me crave alcohol; it was the couple's overly affectionate behavior that made me feel a bit nauseous.

"Um..." The earth spirit weakly raised its paw, "Master, I smell something. There's a pool of water not far ahead, and it seems like there's something in the water."

Gu Xiang's eyes turned cold: "What is it?"

"I don't know." Tu Ling shrank his neck. "But the smell... it's very fragrant, like a medicinal herb."

Su Qing's eyes lit up.

"A elixir?" Su Qing looked at Gu Xiang. "Shall we go take a look? Maybe it can help you recover."

Gu Xiang looked at her helplessly: "I'm not afraid."

"You know whether you're weak or not." Su Qing rolled her eyes at him. "You've wasted too much energy these past few years, and some of your hair has turned gray. You need to take care of it."

Gu Xiang couldn't persuade her otherwise, so she picked up Tu Ling, took Su Qing's hand, and walked in the direction Tu Ling pointed.

After passing through a thicket of thorns, we indeed saw a small pond ahead.

The pool was small, only about ten feet in diameter, and the water was crystal clear, reflecting the starlight in the sky.

In the center of the pond, there grows a lush green lotus seedpod with a few lotus seeds on it, emitting a faint fragrance.

"Azure Lotus." Gu Xiang recognized the thing. "Although it's not a rare treasure, it can still clear the mind and brighten the eyes, nourishing the soul."

He looked at Su Qing: "It will be useful to you."

Su Qing is now in spirit form, and needs this kind of nourishing substance for her soul the most.

Without hesitation, Gu Xiang lightly touched the ground with his toes, his figure soaring like a roc spreading its wings, skimming across the water, and reaching out to pluck the lotus seedpod.

The moment his fingers touched the lotus seedpod, a dark shadow suddenly darted out from the water.

It was a huge snake, as thick as a water bucket, with its gaping maw, lunging at Gu Xiang.

"Watch out!" Su Qing exclaimed.

Gu Xiang remained expressionless, his long sword gleaming as he was suspended in mid-air.

The sword light flashed like water, slicing through the night sky.

"puff."

With a soft sound, the giant snake's head was severed, and its blood stained the pool red.

Gu Xiang used the water's surface to lightly touch the ground and floated back to the shore without getting a drop of water on him.

He handed the lotus seedpod to Su Qing, casually twirled his sword, and sheathed it.

"It's just a small snake," Gu Xiang said casually.

Tu Ling was dumbfounded.

That was a demon beast that guarded the spiritual medicine. Although it wasn't too strong, it was still a tyrant in the water. Yet this man managed to cut it down with a single sword strike.

What kind of monster is this man?

Su Qing took the lotus pod, peeled out a lotus seed, and put it in her mouth.

A cool sensation slid down his throat, and his previously somewhat ethereal soul seemed to solidify a bit more.

"It's sweet." Su Qing smiled, peeled a fruit, and held it to Gu Xiang's lips. "You should try some too."

Gu Xiang opened his mouth and took it in, his fingertips touching her slightly cool fingers, and his heart fluttered.

"Sweet." Gu Xiang looked at her, his words carrying a hidden meaning.

Tu Ling covered his eyes.

I can't bear to look, I really can't bear to look.

It felt like a dog on the street, kicked hard and then stuffed with dog food.

"Let's go." Gu Xiang took Su Qing's hand. "Let's continue on our way."

The dark horse has set off again, heading deeper into darkness.

The smell of dead fish carried on the wind grew stronger, and the nauseating demonic aura intensified.

But Gu Xiang's mind remained calm.

Because he had someone in his arms and a sword in his hand.

"Bodhisattva's Charm: Night Walk in the Wilderness"

A fierce wind blows across the desolate plains, raising dust as horses' hooves shatter the frosty water.

Ask the spirits for directions, and listen to their exotic fragrance in the breeze.

Send a letter to the imperial palace, and express your heart's hopes.

Sword energy pierces the vast sky, a woman in red accompanies Gu Lang.