The Dragon

Amidst Snow, Aromatic Sleeves Flutter by the Rail

Everyone returned to the Xuan Miao Sect and, after bidding each other farewell, went their separate ways.

Upon arriving in her room, Gu Fuyou carelessly dropped her bundle, bathed, changed her clothes, and without even giving a second thought to Ah Fu, she promptly went to bed, and fell asleep.

After resting for half a day, she went to see Ji Zhaoling the next day.

She came to apologize to Ji Zhaoling for summoning Zhong Michu into Xian Luo.

But she wasn’t afraid. Since her childhood, her spoiled and unruly behavior had often resulted in many punishments from Gu Wanpeng.

This not only emboldened her, but her skin had also thickened.

Ji Zhaoling met her in the sect leader’s study. Emerging from behind the rows of bookshelves, he wasn’t wearing the official sect leader attire but donned a simple, pale blue robe, holding a book, with a warm and friendly smile on his face.

It was the first time Gu Fuyou had seen him. If she had to describe her impression of him in one word, it would be “graceful.”

It’s hard to discern the true age of someone at the Hallow Void stage, but this man clearly possessed methods to retain his youthful appearance. With his handsome features and dark hair, he looked more like Zhong Michu’s elder brother than someone from her mother’s generation.

“Gu Fuyou,” Ji Zhaoling’s voice was rich and deep, slowly pronouncing her name as if adding a certain charm to it, “I’ve wanted to meet you, but I haven’t had the time, causing such a long delay.”

His deep, ink-like eyes seemed to be covered in a hazy mist. When Gu Fuyou met his gaze, she felt a sense of calm.

Gu Fuyou spoke of the Xian Luo incident. He listened attentively and at the end, smiled, informing her that Zhong Michu had already reported it to him upon returning to Xuan Miao Sect.

Ji Zhaoling did not punish either of them. Zhong Michu was not at fault for helping a fellow disciple, and Gu Fuyou did no wrong by summoning her spirit beast in a moment of crisis.

He not only refrained from reprimanding her but also comforted her, especially about her descent into the inner layers of Xian Luo.

As Gu Fuyou was about to leave, Ji Zhaoling called out to her, “Gu Fuyou.”

Gu Fuyou turned around at the door and asked, “Is there something else, Sect Leader?”

Ji Zhaoling spoke gently, “Get along well with Michu.”

After taking her leave from Ji Zhaoling, Gu Fuyou returned to her room.

Although she was spared from punishment, she felt a deep sense of loss.

Ji Zhaoling was an exceptionally gentle person; it was evident to anyone who met him.

From their brief conversation, Gu Fuyou felt the depth of his affection for Zhong Michu.

Zhong Michu’s mother was Elder Yunran, but who her father was remained unclear. While Gu Fuyou had no evidence, in her heart, she regarded Ji Zhaoling as Zhong Michu’s father.

Having such a caring and tender-hearted master and father, Gu Fuyou envied Zhong Michu deeply.

It’s worth mentioning that Gu Fuyou and others left Xian Luo early. When they came out, the opening time of Xian Luo hadn’t passed halfway, and most of the disciples who went to Xian Luo for training hadn’t come out yet.

There were no formal classes at Xuan Miao Sect, and disciples were left to their own.

Taking advantage of this free time, Si Miao was busy refining pills and planting spiritual plants, finding suitable spots for the spiritual flowers and herbs Gu Fuyou had brought.

This routine continued for over a month.

Si Miao had kept Gu Fuyou so busy assisting her that she didn’t find time to visit Gushen Peak, making it over a month since she last saw Zhong Michu.

Finally, after taking care of everything and crafting various pills, the two planned to sell them at Yinxue Pavilion, as was their custom.

They decided to use the occasion at Yinxue Pavilion for a celebration and also to extend an invitation to Liu Guizhen, thanking him for his assistance in Xian Luo.

Yinxue Pavilion is a bustling entertainment venue, renowned across the five continents for its constant lively atmosphere, performances, and beautiful women.

Yinxue Pavilion, a place teeming with women, had a high demand for beauty-enhancing and body-strengthening pills.

Si Miao and Gu Fuyou often brought their refined pills here to sell, earning some spirit stones and saving up some private funds.

Located in the conveniently accessible Wantong City, Yinxue Pavilion benefits greatly from the city’s extensive network of teleportation formations.

One-way teleportation formations can generally only go one way and are unstable, with a high chance of ending up in the wrong location.

The two-way teleportation formations require setups at both departure and destination points. If undamaged, allow stable travel back and forth.

Wantong City serves as a major transit hub, with many cities having two-way teleportation connections with it.

Many travelers, finding sword flight too slow and lacking teleportation formations between their points of interest, first teleport to Wantong City, then proceed to their desired location from there.

Wantong City is home to numerous teleportation formations, with nearly a thousand two-way formations, thereby living up to its name that suggests extensive connectivity

Consequently, Wantong City sees a large influx of visitors. It’s filled with taverns, tea houses, theaters, arenas, trading places for spiritual plants and beasts, dueling arenas, and countless other entertainment and trading venues. It’s bustling and unparalleled in its liveliness.

A teleportation formation at the foot of the Xuan Miao Sect connects directly to Wantong City, ensuring incredibly convenient travel.

Gu Fuyou and Si Miao went early in the morning and were pleased to find that the people at Yinxue Pavilion had reserved a good spot for them.

Their private room on the third floor was spacious and clean, overlooking the lively main hall. There was also an outdoor balcony, from where they could take in the bustling street view.

The woman leading them smiled and said, “The head of Yinxue Pavillion had received your message a while ago, and knowing you had left Xian Luo, assumed you would come here to celebrate. So, she kept this room vacant just for you.”

Here, the term used for the head of the establishment is ‘Zhai Zhang’ – a refined title.

In other pleasure districts, patrons usually refer to the matronly figures as ‘Mama’ and the younger, beautiful ones as ‘Sister’.

Yinxue Pavilion differs, primarily trading in arts and poetry, and only resorting to more sensual business as a last resort.

Hence, patrons here don’t frivolously engage with the women and, valuing sophistication, they respectfully refer to the manager as Zhai Zhang.

Si Miao went to deliver the spiritual pills. Meanwhile, Gu Fuyou leaned against the balcony railing, watching the play in the hall below. Soon, an irritated Si Miao joined her, her face flushed with a mix of annoyance and embarrassment.

“What happened?”

Si Miao replied, “Zhu Zhai Zhang halved the price for our spiritual pills. I couldn’t negotiate with her, so it’s up to you now.”

Simiao entered the room. Soon after, a woman leisurely ascended the stairs. With delicate steps and a graceful sway, she wore a pale blue shawl on her arm and held a fan in her hand. Her already beautiful face was further enhanced by her makeup, adding a touch of allure.

Upon seeing her, Gu Fuyou smiled and said, “Sister Zhu, you’ve almost made Si Miao cry.”

Zhu Ruo responded with a playful smirk, “She wouldn’t.”

Before they could converse further, Gu Huaiyou and Liu Guizhen arrived.

Upon entering, Liu Guizhen looked distinctly out of place and uneasy, his demeanor suggesting he wasn’t familiar with such establishments.

Gu Huaiyou had dragged him up by the arm. On the stairs, Liu Guizhen protested, “Brother Gu, the sect rules clearly state that disciples shouldn’t frequent such places. It’s inappropriate for us to be here.”

Gu Fuyou walked over and said, “Brother Liu, is there really such a rule in our sect regulations?”

She’s skimmed the sect rules and doesn’t remember seeing this one. Could she have missed it?

It shouldn’t be like that. There are many cultivation methods in the world. Some methods forbid indulgences like alcohol and romantic relations, but the cultivation method of Xuan Miao Sect doesn’t abstain from such things.

Liu Guizhen said, “It’s an unwritten rule.”

Gu Fuyou glanced down from the railing and laughed, “That doesn’t seem to be the case.”

Everyone followed her gaze and saw a few disciples sitting in a corner of the hall below. Liu Guizhen recognized them as fellow disciples, some even of the same generation as him.

Liu Guizhen was speechless.

Gu Huaiyou pushed him into the room, saying, “Brother Liu, we’re just having a meal together to thank you for your help. It’s not a raucous gathering. Yinxue Pavillion is famous for its food, you don’t want to miss it.”

As Gu Huaiyou ushered him inside, a beautiful woman in a blue dress followed them with a basket of vibrant flowers, the petals glistening with dew.

Gu Fuyou turned to Zhu Ruo and said, “Sister Zhu, everyone is here. Please have the dishes served.”

She then noticed the woman with the basket and smiled, “Sister, what lovely flowers you have.”

The woman in blue smiled back, “Is everyone here? The senior sister you praised so highly in your letter isn’t coming? I saw there were a few ladies here, so I picked some flowers for you to enjoy.”

Gu Fuyou picked a lily from the basket. Its pure white petals were plump, reminiscent of a dancing girl’s skirt.

She tucked it behind her ear, her long hair braided and hanging down her back. When she smiled, she was the picture of youthful charm. “Sister Zhu, how do I look?”

Zhu Ruo chuckled, “It looks beautiful, but probably not as beautiful as your Senior Sister.”

The woman in blue added, “You praised your senior sister so much in your letter that we’re all curious to meet such a graceful lady. It would be wonderful if she could become our sister too.”

Zhu Ruo’s expression changed and her voice deepened, “You’re speaking out of turn. She’s a celestial talent, pure and elegant. How could a place like ours be worthy of her?”

Realizing her mistake, the blue-clad woman quickly apologized, “You’re right, Sister Zhu. I misspoke.”

As they spoke, Zhu Ruo had already instructed the servants to bring up the food and wine. She also arranged for four elegant ladies to come and perform music.

The three entered the room, and Gu Fuyou walked out to the balcony, leaning on the railing.

Zhu Ruo looked at the street lights and sighed, “I just hope she doesn’t find our place too dirty for her.” Her eyes reflected a deep melancholy.

Gu Fuyou knew Zhu Ruo was reflecting on their status and reputation. In their line of work, they often faced disdain and sometimes even self-contempt.

Gu Fuyou reassured her, “Sister Zhu, she’s not like that!”

Si Miao, having overheard, teased, “Ah Man, when you first met Senior Sister Zhong, two out of three things you said about her were complaints. How is it that after one trip to the Xian Luo, you can’t stop praising her? Don’t you still find her rigid, aloof, and hard to get along with?”

Gu Fuyou smiled and rested her cheek on her hand, “After knowing Senior Sister Zhong for a while, I realized she’s like a river clam.”

Zhu Ruo was curious, “How so?”

Gu Fuyou grinned, “Hard on the outside, soft on the inside.”

Her words made all the ladies laugh.

Zhu Ruo, the woman in blue, and the four performers were all more curious about Zhong Michu, urging Gu Fuyou to invite her.

Unable to resist their persuasion and thinking it had been a while since she last saw Zhong Michu, Gu Fuyou decided it was a good idea. After all, she owed her thanks to Zhong Michu. Why not bring her over to join the fun?

Having made up her mind, she took out a talisman and called, “Nanzhu Jun.”

After the incident in Xian Luo where she was caught by a Wind Beast and couldn’t summon Zhong Michu due to a lack of spiritual power, she had the idea to refine the summoning formation into a talisman. This way, even if she was out of power, she could still summon Zhong Michu with the talisman.

As the talisman shone brightly, Gu Fuyou looked around, but saw no sign of Zhong Michu.

Zhu Ruo pointed downwards, “Is that her?”

Gu Fuyou looked down, her eyes lighting up. She stood at the railing and waved energetically below, “Senior Sister Zhong! Senior Sister Zhong! Over here!”

Zhong Michu, dressed in a snow-white robe with a light blue shawl draped over her shoulders, Zhong Michu looked up, her hair adorned with a jade bamboo hairpin.

Gu Fuyou turned to Zhu Ruo and the others, “Sisters, look!”

Several ladies moved to the railing to have a look. With beauties clustered together, they gazed at Zhong Michu below, commenting with smiles, “What elegance.”

“She really is a beauty.”

“A charming girl, so endearing.”

Gu Fuyou took the lily from her hair and tossed it down to Zhong Michu.

Seeing this, the other women laughed and each took a flower from the basket, throwing them down towards Zhong Michu.

The commotion drew the attention of those on the floors above and below. As they noticed the lively scene, they all moved to the railings to watch.

Upon seeing the beauty below, they joined in the fun, taking fresh flowers and tossing them down. Some even crushed the flowers, scattering the petals.

In no time, the air was filled with a rain of flowers, gently falling down.