ITOTIABSAM | The Immortal on Liuyun Mountain | 161
Xie Ye swore that he only intended to persuade Gu Cong's father in the plot; he had absolutely no intention of escaping. But perhaps the previous fight had consumed too much of his energy.
Even with Gu Cong acting as a power bank to replenish his spiritual power, whenever the surroundings quieted down, he couldn't help but feel drowsy.
With urgency in mind, and not wanting to discuss private matters in front of everyone, the head of the Song family grumpily borrowed a secluded hall from the Wuliang Sword Sect.
Leading the way with a furrowed brow, just as he pondered how to broach the subject straightforwardly, he suddenly heard a rustling sound behind him.
Turning around with a stern expression, before the Song family head could say anything, he saw his own son proficiently carrying the white-robed Immortal who had just single-handedly challenged the entire sect.
Seeing his gaze, the unfamiliar-looking youth even took a step back, his arms tightening around Xie Ye in his embrace without making a sound.
Unexplainably, the head of the Song family felt as if his son had become a different person.
But soon enough, the youth showed his familiar expression again, as if the momentary vigilance just now was just his imagination.
With a strong presence when awake, even a slender figure could appear powerful. Yet at this moment, Xie Ye's eyes were tightly closed, his wrist hanging limply, pale and delicate, seemingly fragile for no reason.
—It was because of complete trust, even reliance, that made a dignified Immortal appear soft, like an ordinary person.
"He's too tired," speaking casually, Gu Cong lowered his voice, his eyes filled with almost overflowing tenderness. "He's been getting injured a lot lately."
Injured?
Injured yet still coming alone to cause trouble at the Wuliang Sword Sect, what would he be like if he wasn't injured?
To be honest, the peaceful atmosphere in the main hall just now mostly stemmed from the intimidation of Xie Ye's strength. If people knew that the Immortal was now weak and unconscious, there would undoubtedly be many restless individuals.
The biases ingrained over centuries couldn't be easily eliminated—those not of our kind must be different. The head of the Song family also wanted to take this opportunity to bring his son back on track, but with just one glance at the look in his eyes as he gazed at Xie Ye, he knew he didn't stand a chance.
Not even the slightest chance.
The little brat, so sentimental, was just like he was when he was young.
With a silent sigh, the head of the Song family deeply reflected: What was this? Like father, like son? Was it because of his strong bond with his wife that his son was so easily deceived, nurtured by their affection?
True emotions among cultivators were already rare. Many Daoist companions were merely weak ones depending on the strong, or simply traveling companions on the path of cultivation. Compared to that, Xie Ye's gender didn't seem so important.
"Have you thought it through?" the head of the Song family asked bluntly. "He's an Immortal. Just because the sects are peaceful today doesn't mean no one will want to kill him in the future."
Gu Cong nodded. "I know."
"There are certainly many people trying to please him," the head of the Song family hinted. "In the world of cultivation, there's no shortage of attractive men and women."
Despite being one of the few strong enough to keep the Unlimited Sword Sect in check, Xie Ye was still outnumbered.
Gu Cong remained composed and reiterated with the same answer: "I know."
"But even if there are many, he will only choose me."
Because he was Starry Grass, he was the White bird, he was Xie Ye's destined puppet...
He was Gu Cong.
The head of the Song family paused his steps, silent for a moment, then turned back, as if reevaluating his own son. He looked him up and down:
To anyone looking, it seemed like Xie Ye was the one in control of this relationship. But in reality, perhaps it was Song He who was the more dominant, the more persistent, and the one unwilling to let go.
Realizing there was no further room for persuasion on this matter, the head of the Song family cleared his throat and changed the subject: "Does your body have any karmic entanglements?"
Facing his father, Gu Cong's feelings were actually quite complex. Although the system said that Song He was a mistake in his data and that the Quick Transmigration Bureau sent him to take over this role, he still occupied Song He's identity and therefore had to respect Song He's past and be responsible to Song He's family.
Understanding that his father was concerned about him, he patiently explained, "It's not possession, nor is it resurrection. It's just a puppet. If there are any karmic consequences, they would only fall on Xie Ye."
The head of the Song family, completely unaware that his son was a block of wood, was left speechless:
A puppet?
This body, which can move, cry, laugh, and even breathe and have a pulse, is actually lifeless?
"Because it's nourished by essence and blood, that's why I can have flesh and blood," Gu Cong joked, not wanting the atmosphere to be too heavy. "With jade as bones, this body is much stronger than before, and the appearance is not bad either."
In his mind flashed the images of those ghastly pale, slender, and disfigured puppets from the underworld. Song He's father suddenly felt relieved, realizing that Xie Ye's aesthetic sense was still somewhat normal when carving out Song He's new shell. Otherwise, even with the guidance of the Soul Lamp, he might not dare to acknowledge it, and might even want to strike him down with a sword.
Too horrifying.
It wasn't until Gu Cong laid Xie Ye on the couch in the side hall that Song He’s father realized with hindsight, suddenly tasting the words he had just spoken: "You little rascal, are you trying to speak on his behalf?"
Gu Cong replied candidly, "It's not speaking on his behalf ."
"It's speaking the truth."
Song He's father: …
They say a daughter who's married off is like water poured out, but looking at his son, it seemed no different. Gu Cong was originally Xie Ye's main puppet, and their auras were connected.
For a moment, even Song He's father didn't realize that these two were just nominal Dao companions. Sternly, he said, "I don't care about anything else, but the marriage ceremony must be held."
Such important matters, as the designated heir of the Song family, how could he casually overlook them?
Feeling a sudden pang of guilt, Gu Cong whispered, "We... should wait for Master to wake up before discussing this."
Where did all that bravado just go?
Seeing no point in further discussion, Song He's father simply closed his mouth and left:
The issue of how to deal with Shen Qingshu was still unresolved, with lingering grievances. He had many other matters to attend to.
---
It seemed like Xie Ye slept for a long time, long enough for the news of the appearance of the strange Immortal to spread like wildfire, evolving into various versions that became the talk of the entire cultivation world.
The head of the Wuliang Sword Sect announced seclusion just days after the encounter with the strange Immortal, and Qin Ji, a wandering cultivator who also faced the Immortal, broke through on the following night.
In contrast, Shen Qingshu, who had once been praised by many young cultivators, was not so "fortunate." Not only was his Dao heart shattered and his cultivation plummeted, but he was also expelled from the sect and sent to the remote northern regions for reflection.
Both opposed the strange Immortal, yet the outcomes were starkly different. For a moment, people couldn't tell whether the appearance of the strange Immortal in the cultivation world was a blessing or a curse.
The rumored story of Song He, whose soul wandered and died only to come back to life, naturally drew the attention of most, including the secular world.
But this much-discussed young master rarely appeared in public, with rumors suggesting that he had left the Wuliang Sword Sect with his father and returned to the Song family.
Pain.
His right hand was tightly gripped by someone, so hard it felt like his bones were about to break. Meanwhile, something furry kept rubbing against his cheek. Confused, Xie Ye slowly opened his eyes, only to see an unfamiliar ceiling.
"Chirp!" Seeing him wake up, the white bird perched on the pillow fluttered its wings anxiously, chirping.
Following the direction indicated by the fluffy wings, Xie Ye saw the tall, long-legged youth standing by his bedside, just like in every lifetime before.
He had witnessed this scene many times, yet the current expression on Gu Cong's face seemed like he was having a nightmare, with his handsome brows furrowed tightly and cold sweat covering his forehead.
Xie Ye's hand, held tightly by the other party, showed faint imprints due to its excessively fair complexion.
His throat, unused from sleeping for so long, felt hoarse as he gently called out, "Gu Cong?"
The youth who always responded promptly didn't wake up this time.
In a state of fluctuating consciousness, both hazy and clear, Gu Cong felt like he was trapped in a nightmare, one that was so real he couldn't break free from it.
In the dream, he was still a Quick Transmigration agent from another world. Due to Song He's choice, before he could fully come to his senses, he was sent into Liuyun Mountain by Shen Qingshu with just a point of his finger.
But this time, he soon experienced his second wandering soul:
Without deliberately suppressing his spiritual energy, Xie Ye merely touched himself, and the spiritual energy emanating from him suffocated the starry grass Gu Cong was possessing.
This "plot development" so different from reality inexplicably stirred a hint of panic within him.
His thoughts seemed to wander outside, able to operate with clarity and reason, but unable to control the dream. He could only watch helplessly as the warmth between himself and Xie Ye was erased, witnessing himself turn into a small white bird, vigilantly building a nest outside Xie Ye's courtyard for the mission.
The puppet phoenix symbolizing Xie Ye's obsession with Shen Qingshu remained intact, and the puppet in the cave looked exactly like Xie Ye... The scenes shifted rapidly, then froze, as the puppet housing the soul of "Gu Cong" awakened.
More words would only lead to more mistakes. Following the system's advice, he pretended to be ignorant, blank-faced like a foolish child, trying not to react to anything.
But Xie Ye was patient.
Word by word, he taught him to speak, to dress, to tie his hair, to understand common sense, and even swordsmanship, instructing him on how to defend himself in dangerous situations.
It seemed that Xie Ye was reluctant to use him to test the barrier of the Liuyun Mountain, perhaps wanting to compensate for all the beauty he had never experienced himself.
"Because it will hurt," Xie Ye lazily reclined in the rocking chair, turning his head with a gentle smile. "Because you are my friend."
Friend.
Gu Cong felt a sense of wavering within himself.
He began to repeatedly review the familiar original text and inquire about the external situation from the system, hoping to find a solution that could satisfy both sides.
"Gu Cong," on many sleepless nights, he heard 0028 ask, "Don't you want to go home?"
Completing tasks to accumulate points and fulfill wishes was what a Quick Transmigration Officer should do.
What's the use of saving the villain? It's like the old-fashioned games in Gu Cong's original world, where the "true ending" was set. The evil dragon never died, and the game would always reset, with new heroes always appearing.
Who could save an NPC in a game? The plot would always move forward, and the real world didn't pause.
"Gu Cong, you need to think more for yourself."
"Think for yourself."
The monotonous mechanical voice echoed incessantly. When he came to, Gu Cong was blinded by the overly bright sunlight, squinting his eyes. Subconsciously looking down, he found himself holding a sword.
And the tip of the sword was aimed at Xie Ye's back…
At the heart of the young man, who was completely defenseless.
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