Qu Yougu still took the initiative to go see Shu Xin.
Just as his master had said, if he did not fight for her himself, relying on others would be useless.
He had to let Shu Xin see his sincerity.
Qu Yougu had given the matter a great deal of serious thought.
He had even compared his own strengths and weaknesses with Situ Jian’s.
Vaguely, he felt that Situ Jian was the only person he truly needed to measure himself against.
After all, Shu Xin had once chosen him.
Afterward, Qu Yougu had another earnest conversation with his master, White Crane Dao Lord. Only after making all the necessary preparations did he decide to seek out Shu Xin.
Qu Yougu had barely left when Elder Shao came to chat with White Crane Dao Lord.
They were both cultivators in the Wugou Realm and fellow disciples of the same sect. Having known each other for many years, they got along like old friends.
“You’ve poured practically everything into this disciple of yours,” Elder Shao teased. “Even if he were your own son, you probably couldn’t have done much more for him.”
“What difference is there between him and my own son? I raised him from childhood.” White Crane Dao Lord sighed. “Actually, coming to the Questioning God Sect at a time like this is taking advantage of their predicament.”
“If we weren’t taking advantage of their predicament, he would never have a chance to discuss becoming Dao companions with Shu Xin in his lifetime.” Elder Shao spoke calmly. “I’ve lived for so many years, and I consider myself fairly good at judging young people. Your disciple will become a pillar of our sect in the future. But someone like Shu Xin can become the backbone of an entire sect. As long as she remains alive, the Questioning God Sect will never fall.”
How many cultivators had come to the Questioning God Sect, both openly and secretly, by now?
And how many of them harbored ill intentions?
Shu Xin faced so much hostility from all sides alone, yet she continued to greet everyone with a smile and conduct herself with perfect composure. Considering her age, it was simply astonishing.
Even if Elder Shao, at his current age, were to do what Shu Xin was doing, he was not confident that he could do it any better.
Not to mention that Shu Xin was now the foremost cultivator of the Grotto-Heaven Realm. In truth, she had countless choices available to her.
She could easily have temporarily left the Questioning God Sect, just like her fellow disciples.
As long as Xu Guan was not a fool, he would surely understand Shu Xin’s value. He must also have given her the option to leave.
Yet Shu Xin had stayed.
If she had left as well, the cultivation world would not have only discovered now that Xu Guan was attempting to break through to the Grand Ascension Stage.
A talent like her was rare wherever she went.
Compared to her, Long Ling, Qu Yougu, and Yin Rushi could only be considered ordinary.
The only person who could perhaps be compared with Shu Xin was Situ Jian—the one who had escaped right under the noses of the Earthly Immortals.
Oh, she had once been engaged to Situ Jian.
What a pity. The two of them had truly been a match made in heaven.
Who knew whether the Longevity Dao Sect had gained a fortunate opportunity or missed one?
They had possessed both of these people at the same time, yet lost them one after another.
“How likely do you think it is that Qu Yougu will succeed in persuading Shu Xin?” White Crane Dao Lord asked.
“If he succeeds, that proves Shu Xin is intelligent and values their bond,” Elder Shao replied casually. “If he fails, I’ll think even more highly of her.”
“A gentleman loves wealth, but acquires it by honorable means.”
“If she can refuse Qu Yougu today for Xu Guan and the Questioning God Sect, then she can also treat all the riches and glory of the cultivation world as fleeting clouds and brush them aside with a smile. These three winds and four fires may simply be a trial that is not even worth calling difficult to her.”
“Your disciple will probably have a hard time finding a Dao companion who can satisfy him in the future.”
After seeing what the very best people in the cultivation world were like, how could he still find those crooked melons and cracked dates appealing?
“Your opinion of her is remarkably high,” White Crane Dao Lord said with a smile.
“Still, I agree with you.” White Crane Dao Lord continued, “But I do hope my disciple succeeds. Otherwise, with Shu Xin among his peers, he may never be able to catch up with her for the rest of his life.”
Elsewhere in the shadows.
Ning Weixuan wore the jade pendant given to him by Master Yushan. With his appearance and figure completely impossible to identify, he could naturally appear openly before the cultivators of the Blood Demon Sect, the Fiend Demon Sect, and the others.
“To test whether the Divine Fire Diagram Spirit Book is real, I have another method besides targeting Shu Xin.”
“We can’t trust the words of some skulking, disguised fellow.” A Blood Demon Sect elder sneered. “You possess such an impressive treasure that can block spiritual sense. You must come from some major sect. Coming to us in secret like this, I doubt you have good intentions.”
Ning Weixuan was not particularly angered by the demonic cultivators’ words.
After all, these demonic cultivators had always acted this way. One could never let down one’s guard around them. Trying to use them was no different from making a deal with a tiger; one careless move, and they would turn around and take advantage of you.
“The Questioning God Sect doesn’t have only Shu Xin as a disciple. The other disciples may be difficult to locate, but all we have to do is spread the word that the Questioning God Sect is in imminent danger and that Xu Guan and Shu Xin have been besieged and gravely wounded. They’ll naturally come hurrying back,” Ning Weixuan said blandly. “Once we have those disciples under our control, the Questioning God Sect will be forced to hold back out of fear of harming them.”
“How sinister. You’re from the Longevity Dao Sect, aren’t you?” Yin Rushi suddenly spoke. “I heard Xu Guan has a fellow disciple who defected to the Longevity Dao Sect. Could that be you?”
“Whether I am or not won’t affect the outcome.” Ning Weixuan had no desire to trade verbal blows with them. “You’re much better at finding people in this regard than we are. I’ll come back when you’ve found them.”
With that, Ning Weixuan stopped arguing with them and transformed directly into a streak of escaping light.
“Scheming in secret? As if we needed you to tell us how to do that—we’ve already been at it for some time.” A cultivator from the Fiend Demon Sect gave an eerie laugh. “See? What difference is there between those so-called righteous sects and us?”
Yin Rushi curled his lips.
They were all demonic sects, but that did not stop him from looking down on them from the moral high ground.
Of course, he had not opposed their actions either.
Who could blame him, when Shu Xin was so impossible to deal with?
…
Shu Xin naturally had no idea that everyone outside had already raised their opinion of her by several levels.
Early that morning, she was awakened by the Sword Spirit.
[Qu Yougu has arrived.]
[He’s waiting right outside the door for you to let him in.]
[Wow, he came alone. I checked—there’s no one else behind him.] The Sword Spirit immediately grew interested. It had not expected to get a show first thing in the morning.
Wen Jingzhi lived together with Shu Xin.
Of course, for cultivators, “living together” amounted to nothing more than adding another meditation cushion.
Given Wen Jingzhi’s current condition, Shu Xin was not comfortable leaving him alone, either.
The cultivators outside were all watching them like hungry tigers. If Wen Jingzhi were caught alone and ambushed, Shu Xin would regret it beyond words.
“Looks like he came for the engagement,” Shu Xin sighed. “Since we know each other, we might as well clear things up.”
【I thought you’d bargain a little before agreeing to him,】 the Sword Spirit said, glancing at Wen Jingzhi with deliberate provocation. 【The way you used to do things, you and Qu Yougu would’ve joined forces, pretended to be getting married, then taken a hefty cut from the Myriad Paths Sect. The betrothal gifts, the congratulations from all those other cultivators, the welcome gifts from everyone in the Myriad Paths Sect—you’d have pocketed every last one without batting an eye. You’d have made a fortune.】
“Exactly. And then there’d be all sorts of homecoming gifts and honeymoon gifts. I could’ve become rich overnight,” Shu Xin said ruefully. “I was better off not hearing about it. Now that you’ve mentioned it, I’m actually starting to regret it. So many spirit stones, all turned down just like that.”
Wen Jingzhi stepped forward and handed Shu Xin a cup of tea, interrupting her train of thought.
The Sword Spirit’s blade flickered faintly.
The little fox was looking more suspicious by the minute.
“Thanks, I’m not thirsty.” Shu Xin took the cup anyway. Seeing that Wen Jingzhi wasn’t going to put it down, she took a sip.
The tea cleared her head a little, and her earlier regret soon faded.
They were only worldly possessions. There were plenty of ways for her to make money. No need to sacrifice herself—or take on the Myriad Paths Sect as an extra headache.
She’d nearly been skinned alive after leaving the Longevity Dao Sect. She didn’t dare get tangled up with these major sects again. If she hadn’t had some skills of her own, they would’ve chewed her up and spat her out long ago.
Seeing that Shu Xin had taken a sip and stopped dwelling on it, Wen Jingzhi finally shifted his cushion over and sat close beside her.
“Ahem. But I do have my principles,” Shu Xin said, changing her tune again. “If Qu Yougu and I were just entering into a partnership, I wouldn’t be entirely opposed. Or, if it weren’t Qu Yougu but Jingzhi, I might consider it.”
【Why not Qu Yougu?】 Could it be that the little fox was just especially good at sweet-talking people?
“Because, to him, his sect matters far more than anything else.” Shu Xin was quiet for a moment before answering. “Wait a little. You’ll understand better soon.”
Not long after she finished speaking, Qu Yougu arrived at Shu Xin’s door.
She opened it and welcomed him inside with a smile.
Wen Jingzhi went to brew another pot of tea and brought out a fresh set of cups for Qu Yougu.
The Sword Spirit circled Wen Jingzhi twice, as if sizing him up.
Qu Yougu saw Shu Xin, and a flicker of joy crossed his face. But he didn’t hurry into her cave dwelling. Instead, holding his sword, he bowed to her. “Daoist Shu, under normal circumstances, I shouldn’t disturb you at a time like this. But there are some things I need to ask you in person. That’s the only way I can show my sincerity.”
“There’s no need to rush. Sit down first,” Shu Xin said, nodding as she ushered him in.
She wasn’t one to stand around talking.
This would probably take a while.
“Daoist Shu, about what Elder Shao brought up earlier—I think there may have been some misunderstanding.” Qu Yougu gathered his courage and looked Shu Xin straight in the eye. “Elder Shao spoke of a marriage alliance because the Myriad Paths Sect and the Inquiry God Sect need to form one. But that isn’t how I feel about it personally. In fact, when my master told me that you and I could marry, I didn’t feel as if my fate had been arranged for me. On the contrary, I felt relieved.”
“It was in that moment that I realized for certain: my feelings for you, Daoist Shu, are indeed romantic.” Qu Yougu poured it all out in one breath, not even noticing that Wen Jingzhi was standing nearby.
【Well, would you look at that—he’s laying it on the line!】 The Sword Spirit could hardly wait to start snacking on melon seeds, and even made a point of positioning itself in front of Wen Jingzhi.
No interruptions allowed right now.
It was enjoying the show.
Besides, Shu Xin was going to turn him down anyway.
Wen Jingzhi held his teacup with a light touch, but the water inside swirled in circles, one after another.
Beneath his calm exterior, there seemed to be a storm of unimaginable force.
Some people simply had a way of drawing all kinds of others to them.
Shu Xin probably hadn’t expected Qu Yougu to suddenly say something like that.
She’d assumed he would lay out the facts and make his case, telling her what was so great about the Myriad Paths Sect and how he would fight to secure benefits for her.
Instead of a list of reasons to marry into the Myriad Paths Sect, she’d gotten a straightforward confession from Qu Yougu.
It hit Shu Xin like a boulder.
Wait, I’ve always thought of you as a buddy!
You’re trying to woo me?
For a moment, Shu Xin wanted to back away.
Otherwise, she might not be able to keep her virtue intact.
She didn’t care all that much about virtue, but she still had to be choosy about whom she gave it up for.
Shu Xin gave it some serious thought: had she done anything that might have misled Qu Yougu?
No. Not that she could think of.
On the contrary, most people probably wouldn’t be interested in her.
It wasn’t that Shu Xin lacked confidence. She simply knew she wasn’t the kind of person most people wanted as a girlfriend or wife.
She was too self-centered, and lacked any instinct for devotion or sacrifice.
If she ever acted accommodating, it would only be because some other benefit was dangling in front of her.
In other words, she was a scheming opportunist who never lifted a finger without a reason.
She and Qu Yougu didn’t seem like they could be more different.
“What… what do you like about me?” Shu Xin couldn’t help asking. “I’m not bad-looking, but in the cultivation world, where beauties are everywhere, I can’t be anything special.”
Back on Earth, she could’ve been a movie star with her current looks.
But this was the cultivation world.
There were so many stunning beauties that even her sexual orientation was starting to waver.
Surely the Myriad Paths Sect was full of gorgeous female cultivators. Had Qu Yougu really never met enough of them?
“Daoist Shu, I’m not someone who fixates on appearances,” Qu Yougu said, shaking his head.
Shu Xin smiled, but the smile looked strained.
Listen to that. What kind of thing is that to say?
【This kid really doesn’t know how to talk,】 the Sword Spirit grumbled. 【When the little fox was fifteen, he already knew to say, “Sister Shu is the most beautiful person in the world.”】
Saying something like that was just foolish!
Wen Jingzhi straightened slightly.
He looked rather triumphant.
“Daoist Shu, you’re noble and selfless, willing to risk your life for what’s right. I’ve never met anyone as righteous, courageous, and resourceful as you,” Qu Yougu said admiringly. “Back at the Fan family, you were the one who turned the tide. At the Unsought Mountain Manor and the Mysterious Spirit Dao Sect, you vanquished demons and monsters, yet never sought fame or profit. I hope you won’t laugh at me, but in all these years, I’ve never looked up to anyone. Only when I’m facing you, Daoist Shu, do I feel that I fall short.”
Noble and selfless? Willing to risk my life for what’s right?
If you hadn’t just confessed your feelings for me, I’d have thought you were taking a dig at me.
Shu Xin couldn’t help eyeing Qu Yougu suspiciously.
He was being sincere, wasn’t he?
Then why did it sound as if he were talking about someone else?
If she had to put it into words, it was like someone had fallen in love with a version of her possessing maxed-out beauty and a carefully crafted persona. That person was still her, of course, but all of it was a disguise she had created.
“Fellow Daoist Shu, I’m serious.” Qu Yougu did his best to make his words sound sincere. “I will do everything in my power to protect the Inquiry God Sect. If you ever need anything, Fellow Daoist Shu, I will also do everything I can to help you accomplish it. So this is absolutely not me taking advantage of your vulnerable position. It is a genuine desire on the part of the Myriad Dao Sect to form an alliance with the Inquiry God Sect.”
Shu Xin was silent for a while, then suddenly smiled.
“What if I asked you to betray the Myriad Dao Sect?”
“You wouldn’t do that, Fellow Daoist Shu,” Qu Yougu replied at once. “There’s no point in asking a question like that.”
“Is there no point, or do you simply not want to answer?” Shu Xin countered.
“Do you doubt my sincerity, Fellow Daoist Shu?” Qu Yougu frowned slightly. “I can swear an oath upon my Dao heart. Everything I’ve said is absolutely true.”
“No. I believe you.” Shu Xin stood up. “I believe that if I were ever in danger or faced a powerful enemy, you would protect me even at the cost of your own life. That is something I believe you could do whether you were my Dao companion or not—even if we remained nothing more than good friends.”
“But your life, on the other hand, is not important.”
“Let me ask you again. If the Myriad Dao Sect insisted on absorbing the Inquiry God Sect and demanded that my master and I become disciples of the Myriad Dao Sect, what would you do?” Shu Xin had not originally intended to take the conversation this far.
The trouble was that Qu Yougu was being completely serious.
When faced with someone sincere, Shu Xin did not want to keep speaking in circles.
“I… I believe the sect would never do such a thing.” Qu Yougu pondered for a while. “If the sect truly did, I would do everything in my power to establish an Inquiry God lineage within the Myriad Dao Sect and fight for the greatest benefits possible.”
“But what if we don’t want to join the Myriad Dao Sect?”
“...Fellow Daoist Shu, given the Inquiry God Sect’s current circumstances, relying on the protection of the Myriad Dao Sect is the best option.” Qu Yougu tried to reason with Shu Xin.
Unfortunately, Shu Xin had not come to listen to him reason.
“You see? You’ve actually already given me your answer by avoiding the question.” Shu Xin smiled. “Perhaps to you, my existence is more important than your life. But above me, the sect is still your ultimate destination and choice. What you want is for me to enter the Myriad Dao Sect as well and serve it alongside you. That’s not unreasonable, either. The Myriad Dao Sect gave you life, raised you, taught you everything you know. It’s only natural for you to repay it with your life.”
So even if the sect wanted to sell him to her, he would accept it willingly—and would not even feel that there was anything wrong with it.
But Shu Xin could not agree with that.
Even parents had no right to control their children’s marriages.
Even the legal order of inheritance placed one’s spouse first.
Because a person’s right to choose for themselves was more important than blood ties, more important than anything else.
She disliked the Myriad Dao Sect’s actions, and she disliked this kind of political marriage.
If she ever needed one, it could only be a false engagement like the one she had with Wen Jingzhi—mutually beneficial and founded on equality and free will. It could not be something that, under the banner of an alliance through marriage, was in reality no different from a forced sale.
“Fellow Daoist Shu, aren’t you also working tirelessly for the Inquiry God Sect?” Qu Yougu did not think there was anything wrong with his choice. “You’re willing to put yourself in danger for the Inquiry God Sect. Naturally, I can also give everything for my sect. I believe that is precisely because we are the same kind of people.”
“I believe that whether they were sect disciples or scions of a noble clan, everyone would give me the same answer.” Qu Yougu could not understand what Shu Xin was saying at all. “If someone isn’t even willing to give everything for the sect that raised and nurtured them, then no matter how good that person may be, how could they possibly be trusted?”
After saying this, Qu Yougu hesitated for a moment before continuing, “Fellow Daoist Shu, are you so fixated on the question of sect allegiance because you’re worried that I’ll end up like Situ Jian?”
【He’s even dragging someone else into this.】 The Sword Spirit found it all terribly amusing.
Human variety never ceased to entertain it.
Someone like Qu Yougu would make an absolutely wonderful friend.
But as a Dao companion? Unless the other person had also been raised by the Myriad Dao Sect, it would be impossible. To him, the sect was his principle, and everything else had to yield to it.
That was because he had been taught this way since childhood, and the sect had treated him accordingly.
“No. You and I are not the same kind of people.” Shu Xin rubbed her brow, suddenly unsure how to explain it to Qu Yougu.
Seeing that there was no way to get through to him, she simply asked, “Do you still remember Yuan Xinmei?”
“Who?” Qu Yougu froze for a moment, apparently unable to place the name.
Shu Xin smiled silently.
“Fellow Daoist Qu, you don’t need to say anything more. No matter what you say, I won’t agree.” Shu Xin shook her head. “I agreed to meet you alone this time because we’re friends. The next time we meet, we’ll be cultivators belonging to two different sects. If it doesn’t concern the interests of our sects, I’ll naturally be willing to remain friends with you. Otherwise, public and private matters must be kept separate. They cannot be mixed together.”
“Fellow Daoist Shu, I think—”
“I’m sorry, Fellow Daoist Qu, but please leave.” Shu Xin extended a hand to see him out.
Qu Yougu’s face was filled with disappointment. He completely failed to understand why Shu Xin had dismissed him merely because he had been unable to answer the seemingly inexplicable question of who Yuan Xinmei was.
The name did sound somewhat familiar, but he truly could not recall it at the moment.
“I remember her.” Shu Xin looked at Qu Yougu. “When you understand why I asked you that question today, Fellow Daoist Qu, you’ll understand why I rejected you.”
Qu Yougu left with his head hanging low.
【I thought you were going to say something else.】 The Sword Spirit could not help asking. 【You had plenty of ways to persuade him. Why did you suddenly ask him such a strange question?】
“I just feel that someone who died for him ought to be remembered by him, at the very least.” Shu Xin looked at her palm, then turned to Wen Jingzhi.
“But he couldn’t remember her.”
【Is it really such a serious problem if he couldn’t remember?】 The Sword Spirit did not understand.
“If it were Jingzhi, he would have answered my question immediately.”
If Shu Xin casually asked Wen Jingzhi for the name of any subordinate he had recruited who had died many years ago, he would certainly be able to answer at once.
Qu Yougu could not.
The difference between them was enough to outweigh any excuse Shu Xin could come up with.
Some things could deceive other people, but they could never deceive one’s own heart.
And Shu Xin understood that very well.
“You’re a sword spirit. You don’t need to understand, but I do.” Shu Xin’s voice was firm and decisive. “He couldn’t answer. So no matter how good he is, he will never be someone I choose.”
