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The Dragon

The Dragon By Oct 23, 2023 7 Comments
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Previous: Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Fortune And Status Are Decreed By Fate, Not By Humans

After what felt like an eternity, Zhong Michu finally let go. The group helped her inside the house.

Gu Fuyou got up, walked over to the dressing table, picked up a mirror, and examined the spot where she had been bitten. There was a ring of teeth marks, with a faint red glow emanating from the deepest part, like the light from molten lava.

Finding it strange, Gu Fuyou pressed her shoulder and looked again. The red glow disappeared, leaving only a red and swollen mark where she had been bitten.

Zhong Michu hadnโ€™t held back in the slightest. When Gu Fuyou pressed the area, it still hurt, though the sharp pain from before had subsided.

Annoyed, Gu Fuyou remarked, โ€œSenior Sister Zhong, are you holding a grudge because I bit you back in Xian Luo?โ€

Dongli had already helped Zhong Michu lie down and told the group, โ€œThank you for bringing her back. Itโ€™s late, you should all head home now.โ€

Si Miao and Gu Huaiyou nodded and left. Liu Guizhen glanced at her, seemingly wanting to say something but remained silent and followed the others out.

Gu Fuyou was still holding the mirror. She placed it down and moved to the bedside, noticing that Gu Huaiyou and the others had already left.

Dongli smiled at her, โ€œYou must be Gu Fuyou.โ€

Gu Fuyou responded with a smile, โ€œSenior Sister Dongli, you recognize me?โ€

Dongli replied, โ€œMichu has mentioned you to me.โ€

Curious, Gu Fuyou inquired, โ€œWhat did Senior Sister Zhong say about me?โ€

Dongli said, โ€œShe said youโ€™re very good.โ€

โ€œReally?โ€ Gu Fuyou was skeptical, recalling how Zhong Michu had once accused her of being insincere in front of elder Liuhe. Yet she also felt flattered. Touching the end of her braid hanging in front of her, she shyly laughed, โ€œIโ€™m not that good.โ€

Gu Fuyou said, โ€œSenior Sister Dongli, if you canโ€™t manage Sister Zhong alone since sheโ€™s drunk, I can stay and help.โ€

As she spoke, she moved closer to the bed, noticing Zhong Michuโ€™s face had a faint pink flush from the alcohol, but oddly, the skin near her temples was stark white, reflecting the light almost blindingly.

Thinking she was seeing things, Gu Fuyou rubbed her eyes to look more closely, just as Dongli covered Zhong Michu with a blanket, tucking her in snugly and only leaving her head exposed.

Dongli then stood up, obstructing Gu Fuyouโ€™s view, and smiled, โ€œLooking at her, she probably wonโ€™t cause too much trouble. I can manage alone. You should go back and rest early.โ€

Gu Fuyou, puzzled, mumbled in agreement, โ€œAlright then. Take care, senior sister.โ€

After bidding Dongli farewell, Gu Fuyou stepped out. Before she left the courtyard, Liuhe hurriedly approached, โ€œDongli, the guards reported that Michu might be injured. What happenedโ€ฆ?โ€

Gu Fuyou bumped head-on into Elder Liuhe, who gave her an up-and-down glance, โ€œWhat are you doing here so late, smelling of alcohol?โ€

Gu Fuyou: โ€œโ€ฆโ€

Oh great, caught red-handedโ€ฆ

As it turns out, good and bad news like to arrive hand in hand.

The next day, Gu Fuyou and the others were summoned to the sect leaderโ€™s study for admonishment.

Coincidentally, Gu Wanpeng, having some free days, arrived from Xiaoyao City to visit the Xuan Miao Sect.

He had heard about the contract between Gu Fuyou and Zhong Michu but had been too busy to visit. Ji Zhaoling had assured him there was no need to worry, so he had delayed his visit until now.

On this visit, he wanted to clarify the matter of the contract, as the brief details in the letter werenโ€™t clear enough. Secondly, he wanted to check on his childrenโ€™s progress in the Xuan Miao Sect.

Gu Fuyou was putting on earrings in front of the mirror and talking to herself, โ€œWhy does father choose now of all times to visit? This is not a good thing at allโ€ฆโ€

Although she voiced her complaints, she still dressed in a dignified smoky blue Luo dress and tidied up her appearance. She then asked Gu Huaiyou, โ€œGu Huaiyou, do I look good?โ€

Gu Huaiyou laughed, โ€œYou look great. Father will be pleased.โ€

Si Miao laughed, โ€œItโ€™s a coincidence that Uncle Gu came when you were making trouble. Are you dressing up to get a scolding?โ€

Gu Fuyou said, โ€œYou wonโ€™t escape punishment either!โ€

Turning back to Gu Huaiyou, she asked, โ€œIs Eldest Brother really not coming?โ€

Gu Huaiyou replied, “If both Eldest Brother and Father came, who would oversee the city? If you want to see him, we’ll be allowed to return home and visit our family in a month. You can see him then, so there’s no rush.”

The three of them got ready and headed to the sect leaderโ€™s study, running into Liu Guizhen on the way.

Expressing regret, Gu Huaiyou said, โ€œBrother Liu, weโ€™ve dragged you into this.โ€

Liu Guizhen shook his head, โ€œItโ€™s not your fault.โ€

While conversing, they encountered Yuan Changsui.

Yuan Zhangsui had just come out of the study, having been reprimanded for accidentally injuring Gu Fuyou in Xian Luo.

Yuan Zhangsui’s face was sullen, but when he saw Gu Fuyou, he paused and then sneered, โ€œWell, look at you, Third Gu, walking out unharmed.โ€

โ€œThanks to your good fortune,โ€ she responded sarcastically.

Yuan Zhangsui waved his hand, “No, I wouldn’t dare take credit for Senior Sisterโ€™s achievement.”

Gu Fuyou questioned, โ€œHow do you know I didnโ€™t just walk out on my own?โ€

Pointing to the study, Yuan Changsui said, โ€œThe sect leader intends for senior sister to inherit his position. The last initiation ceremony was her first involvement in sect affairs, and unexpectedly, it got disrupted by you. Then you had her break sect rules by entering Xian Luo, and now youโ€™ve summoned her to a place of ill repute like the Yinxue Pavilion. What bad luck has our senior sister run into to have crossed paths with you?โ€

For once, Gu Fuyou didnโ€™t retort. Si Miao spat out, โ€œWhat does it have to do with you?โ€

โ€œTrue, true. itโ€™s none of my business.โ€ Yuan Changsui, now in high spirits, walked away briskly.

Gu Fuyou’s expression was dark. Liu Guizhen suddenly said, “Donโ€™t take his words to heart. Those things are nothing to Senior Sister.”

Liu Guizhen, standing with his arms crossed, made this statement with surprising conviction.

Looking at him, Gu Fuyou asked, โ€œReally?โ€

Liu Guizhen replied, “There is one troublesome matter, though.”

Gu Huaiyou interjected, โ€œBrother Liu, can you just say everything at once without pausing?โ€

Liu Guizhen explained, “The Grand Elder is in the study. He is strict and competitive, and I fear he may cause trouble.”

The three of them had heard a bit about the Grand Elder.

The Grand Elder, Ji Xiyan, was the sect leaderโ€™s younger brother. He liked to compete with his elder brother in everything, from cultivation to reputation, and even compared their disciples.

He was known to be strict with his disciples, and now that Zhong Michu was involved in this incident, he certainly wouldnโ€™t let it slide easily.

When the four of them reached the study, they asked a disciple to announce their arrival and waited outside for a moment until they heard Ji Zhaolingโ€™s voice, “Come in.”

Entering the study, they saw Ji Zhaoling seated at the desk. To his right was the Second Elder, an energetic old man with white hair and a beard, dressed in a black robe, holding a tea cup. Next to him sat the Sixth Elder, Liuhe.

The Grand Elder, Ji Xiyan, was leaning on the desk with one hand behind his back, resembling the sect leader but with a stern, harsh expression.

To the left sat a middle-aged man in a splendid purple and gold robe, with sharp eyebrows and a commanding presence.

The four of them bowed to everyone present. Gu Fuyou looked at Gu Wanpeng and greeted with a smile, โ€œFather.โ€

Gu Wanpeng glanced at her and grunted coldly, causing Gu Fuyouโ€™s smile to fade.

Ji Zhaoling said, โ€œItโ€™s good youโ€™re here. Some elders mentioned you and Michu went to Yinxue Pavilion last night. Is this true?โ€

Gu Fuyou and her companions knew they couldn’t deny the truth, so they confessed.

Ji Xiyan tapped his fingers on the desk and said, “Sect Leader, Zhong Michu, as your senior disciple, should set an example. She violated sect rules by entering the Xian Luo and now went to such a disreputable place. Two offenses combinedโ€”how can kneeling in the ancestral hall suffice as punishment?”

Ji Zhaoling took a sip of his tea, then said calmly, โ€œXiyan, the matter with Xian Luo has already been resolved. You know the reason for Michu’s entry, and now even City Lord Gu has personally come to express his gratitude. If we still punish her, it would be disrespectful to City Lord Gu. Let’s consider her merits and faults as balanced. As for Yinxue Pavilionโ€ฆ”

Ji Xiyan exchanged glances with the second elder. The latter put down his cup and said, โ€œSect leader, we can overlook the Xian Luo matter, but these disciplesโ€™ visit to such places of ill repute is absolutely unforgivable!โ€

This Second elder had a rather gloomy temperament and was especially strict with disciples. His temperament was similar to Ji Xiyanโ€™s, making them an impenetrable duo within the Xuan Miao Sect

Gu Fuyou muttered, “There’s no rule in the sect prohibiting disciples from going to such places, so why punish us?”

Everyone in the room, being cultivators with heightened senses, heard her clear as day.

Ji Zhaoling chuckled, โ€œShe has a point. Elders, what do you think?โ€

The second elder said to Gu Fuyou, โ€œThe reason thereโ€™s no written rule is that itโ€™s an unwritten one. All the disciples know this and abide by it. Only you, indulging in frivolity and acting irresponsibly, went to that kind of place and even took your senior sister and brother there. Tell me, shouldnโ€™t you be punished?โ€

Gu Fuyou raised her voice, โ€œAll the disciples know? Not necessarily! When we went there, we even ran into many senior brothers. If the elder doesnโ€™t believe me, you can ask Senior Brother Liu.โ€

Ji Zhaoling asked, โ€œGuizhen?โ€

Liu Guizhen nodded, โ€œSister Gu is not lying. There were indeedโ€ฆ other senior disciples there.โ€

The Second Elder’s face turned dark. Ji Xiyan said coldly, โ€œThen punish all the disciples who went there. Even if there is no rule, you should all know in your hearts that cultivators should have a clear mind and few desires. You should be diligently cultivating, not recklessly having fun and indulging in pleasures?โ€

Gu Fuyou defended herself, โ€œWe didnโ€™t indulge recklessly. After our experiences outside, we wanted to thank Senior Sister Zhong and Brother Liu, so we invited them for a meal.โ€

The second elder slammed the table, shouting, โ€œAbsurd! Ridiculous! You were in the wrong the moment you stepped into that place!โ€

“Why is it wrong?”

The second elder retorted, โ€œIgnorant child, that place is filthy, teeming with lowly and sordid individuals. Associating with them could corrupt you, even with the slightest impure tendencies. Wouldnโ€™t that be willing self-degradation, betraying the teachings of your masters and elders?โ€

Gu Fuyou felt a surge of anger. Her face flushed, her blood boiling, “They make an honest living, never doing anything against their conscience. They are no different from you, with two hands, two feet, and a head, standing tall and upright. How are they lowly? Are they less human than you?”

The second elderโ€™s face turned a shade of purple, rage evident in his eyes. His spiritual energy circulated throughout his body, causing his robes to flutter without any wind.

Gu Wanpeng intervened, “Ah Man, mind your manners when speaking to your elders!”

Realizing Gu Wanpengโ€™s presence, the second elder suppressed his initial urge to reprimand Gu Fuyou. With no outlet for his mounting anger, he shattered the tea table with a slap, exclaiming, โ€œIgnorant girl, how dare you compare an old man to women of pleasure!โ€

Ji Xiyan remarked, โ€œThose women serve with their bodies, are fickle, and promiscuous. They willingly degrade themselves into the mud, they canโ€™t blame others for despising them.โ€

Gu Wanpeng signaled Gu Fuyou to refrain from further comments. However, she retorted, โ€œIsnโ€™t it the ways of the world that force them? Isnโ€™t it the Xu Ling Sect forcing them? Not everyone is born without worries for food and clothing. The slaves nurtured by the Xu Ling Sect, do they have a choice?โ€

โ€œYou were just lucky to be born into privilege. If the heavens were fair, giving them status, giving them spiritual roots, who knows, today they might be the ones sitting here, and not you, casting your disdain and hurling insults!โ€

โ€œI am enraged!โ€

โ€œAh Man, enough!โ€

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Previous: Chapter 19

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Wujubmybbt
Wujubmybbt
11 months ago

Enjoying this story a lot. The dynamic between Gu Fuyou and Zhong Michu are very fun and interesting with Gu Fuyou being unrestricted to any social norms and acting as she wishes to what she strongly believes in in wanting to seek justice for those of lesser power to the ones who abuses or take advantage their position onI power. In contrast, Zhong Michu is the opposite where she grew up in a secluded bubble and basically had no choice but to abide the elders around her in cultivating her to the fullest potential yet restricting her from the outside world where she loss the desire to explore what it is like.

They both compliment each other in many ways, Zhong Michu is tolerant of Gu Fuyouโ€™s erratic, spontaneous behaviour of always wanting to be free and allows GF to continue to do so as ZM knows that everything that GF does is for a reason and definitely slowly will fill that void that ZM had from her childhood, teenagehood to now and with that will help her discover what ZM desires or wants in life rather than just listening to those around her. GF learns a lot from ZM that her erratic behaviour does have a backlash to those who she cares a lot for in wanting to be more conscious and as well not to feel inferior with her cultivation level as itโ€™s quite obvious that GF is very strong but the timing as well the peopleโ€™s attitude towards her are just a reflection of how they feel towards themselves.

dadin
dadin
10 months ago
Reply to  Wujubmybbt

fuyou is like has an attitude of being transmigrated there

Shakthivel
Shakthivel
11 months ago

Thanks for the chapter ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ˜Š

Nabong_uwu
10 months ago

Gu Fuyou, go girl!! She is so damn right, privileged never see their privilege themselves, not everyone has the same opportunities, yet that doesn’t make them any less human or deserving of dignity than anyone else. I hate people who despise other for their misogynistic, classist and privileged mentality

Khriss
Khriss
9 months ago

Mmm she really does have the spirit of a transmigrator, or it’s just the fact that this is written from a modern author hahaha. The heavens are really unfair aren’t they?

tteoktteokboki
tteoktteokboki
4 months ago

idk if im going crazy or smthg but their dynamic really reminds me of wangxian from mdzs ๐Ÿฅน๐Ÿซถ

Hatimo
Hatimo
3 months ago

Ah man is right,