"Spats are signs of affection, and quarrels are proof of love."
So that's how it is.
Ninth stood tall, his posture straight as he cast a sidelong glance at Black Goose with his crimson eyes, murmuring, "Ah'He hits me every day, and scolds me too, rain or shine, without fail."
Black Goose's eyes widened.
What was there to be proud of!?
"And it's not just hitting and scolding. When Ah'He's in the mood, she even bites—"
Chu'he leaped up to cover Ninth's mouth, her face flushed red. "Enough! Don't make it sound like I'm constantly abusing you!"
Their bickering blended with the clamor of the bustling streets, adding to the lively atmosphere.
Hidden in a dark alley, Sang Duo peeked out, observing the figures in the distance while listening to the whispers transmitted by her gu insects. She muttered under her breath.
"That Central Plains woman is so bold, laying hands on the Young Master."
"The Young Master gets beaten and scolded by her every day, yet he doesn’t even fight back?"
"Could she be some hidden master?"
Sang Duo grew even more uneasy. "The elders tasked me with bringing the Young Master back to Miaojiang, but so many of our sect brothers have died along the way. What can I possibly do?"
She stomped her foot in frustration, too afraid to show herself before the Young Master.
The Young Master had been raised as the Gu King since childhood. According to the ancient traditions, he was meant to sever all emotions and desires, becoming a human gu—devoid of joy, sorrow, or longing.
Though he was the Young Master of the Gu Sect, he held no affection for its members. Those who stood in his way were simply disposed of.
Yet, the way he acted around that Central Plains woman didn’t seem like someone without desires.
Were the elders hiding something from the rest of the sect?
Sang Duo was barely competent, the kind the elders would usually dismiss. But she had somehow managed to refine the most powerful puppet, forcing them to send her on this mission.
Suddenly, the young man in the distance raised his hand, crushing a barely visible insect between his fingers. His gaze shifted, cold and ruthless, a storm of darkness swirling in his eyes.
Sang Duo ducked back, but not fast enough. She spat out a mouthful of blood, writhing black insects squirming within it—a horrifying sight.
Her puppet, Cang Yan, moved to protect her, but Sang Duo grabbed his arm, panting. "Quick, take me to an inn. Help me break the gu."
Cang Yan carried her to the nearest inn, tossed some silver to the innkeeper, and barged into an empty room.
Once the door was shut, he laid her on the bed and began stripping off his clothes. Before he could finish, Sang Duo yanked him onto the bed.
His pants were pulled down in an instant, and soon, their bodies tangled together.
As the bed curtains swayed, she guided one of his hands to the edge of the bed.
Her nails lightly traced his sun-kissed skin, leaving a thin cut on his wrist. Slowly, black blood dripped out, the squirming insects escaping through his body.
After the fierce battle they had just endured, Zhou Xian arranged for everyone to rest in the guest quarters of the estate. Wenren Buxiao, the Lord of the Prefecture, would host a banquet in their honor three days later.
Chu'he and Ninth played until sunset before finally entering the estate. As for Black Goose, the moment he spotted White Dove glaring at him, he immediately plastered on a smile and scurried over.
White Dove had no patience for him. She approached Chu'he and said, "Miss Chu, we plan to leave tomorrow."
With Ninth by her side, Chu'he was clearly safe. Their mission to escort her home had effectively failed.
Chu'he thought for a moment, then removed one of her earrings and placed it in White Dove’s hand. "You travel fast. Could you deliver a message to my father in Yangcheng? Tell him I’m safe and will return home soon. This earring is proof—he’ll recognize it. I’ll pay you the full fee for the job."
That was a deal worth taking.
White Dove nodded, then glanced at Ninth, who stood nearby, devoid of his usual killing intent. She hesitated but finally said, "Miss Chu, a word in private?"
Chu'he looked at Ninth and nodded. She took a step forward—only for Ninth to follow.
She pressed her hands against his chest to stop him. "Ninth, White Dove and I need to talk about girl things. You can’t listen!"
Black Goose chimed in, "Yeah, you’re a grown man. No eavesdropping."
Ninth halted, his gaze lingering on Chu'he’s retreating figure. He pursed his lips and idly fiddled with the silver ornaments on his clothes.
"She’s not going to run away. Why are you staring so hard?" Black Goose rubbed his hands together, then ventured, "Ninth, we’ve fought side by side, faced life and death together. That makes us friends, right?"
At the word "friends," Ninth smiled. "Yes. We’re friends."
Black Goose thought the smile looked a bit forced, but that didn’t matter. He glanced at White Dove and whispered, "I’ve heard Miaojiang’s medicines are incredibly potent. Do you… have any of that kind?"
Ninth tilted his head. "That kind?"
"You know… the kind that helps a man, uh, reinvigorate his vigor. I threw out my back, and I’m worried I won’t have the stamina to keep my woman happy."
Ninth blinked. "Reinvigorate?"
Black Goose wasn’t sure if Ninth was feigning ignorance or genuinely didn’t understand. "I mean, that thing between men and women. Skin-to-skin contact. You do know what I’m talking about, right?"
Ninth’s expression cleared. "Ah, of course I know."
"You and Miss Chu are always together, so you must’ve… Not that I’m judging! We’re warriors—passionate, free-spirited. As long as two people love each other and it doesn’t harm anyone, what’s the problem?"
Ninth decided this was a compliment, so he nodded. "No problem."
Black Goose rubbed his hands again, embarrassed. "You’re young, so you wouldn’t understand. But for us men who’ve been worn down by life, sometimes we just… don’t have the energy. So I was wondering if you had any medicine to help prolong things. Just a little longer would be enough!"
Ninth shook his head. "No."
"No such medicine?"
Ninth repeated, "No."
"Why not?" Black Goose groaned. "Don’t Miaojiang men ever struggle with this?"
Ninth replied flatly, "Why would we? Even without medicine, I can stay skin-to-skin with Ah'He all night."
"A-all night?!"
"If Ah'He weren’t so greedy for food and didn’t wake up early to eat, I could keep going all day too."
"A-all day?!"
Ninth gave Black Goose a sidelong glance. "I’ve never taken medicine. Ah'He doesn’t like me eating gu-based concoctions. Do all Central Plains men need pills?"
A youth of seventeen or eighteen—his prime was his greatest asset.
But even at that age, Black Goose had never been that formidable.
His back hunched as he turned away, covering his face in utter defeat.
Meanwhile, White Dove spoke quietly, "In our line of work, news travels fast. Rumor has it that the missing Young Master Song Chunming was last seen in Canghaizhou."
Young Master Song.
Song Chunming—that amnesiac male lead, her officially betrothed!
Chu'he's expression shifted.
White Dove lowered her voice and added, "Miss Chu, I’ve noticed how fiercely Ninth protects you. You’d best prepare yourself soon."
Chu'he knew White Dove meant well. "I understand. Thank you for the warning."
Without lingering, White Dove turned to leave, kicking the hunched-over man as she passed. "What are you moping about here? Let’s go!"
Black Goose trailed behind, muttering miserably, "Darling, I’ll treat you twice as well from now on! Please don’t despise me!"
Distracted, Chu'he scratched her head anxiously, relieved that Ninth hadn’t overheard their conversation.
"Ah'He."
Hearing Ninth call her, Chu'he looked up.
He had somehow appeared right before her—dazzlingly adorned by the girl’s handiwork, his striking, mountain-spirit beauty glowing with a radiant smile.
Leaning down, he asked cheerfully, "Who is this missing Master Song, hmm?"
He’d heard!
Chu'he had often praised his good looks, but now, with that breathtaking face inches from hers, she broke into a cold sweat.
