After Saving the Immortal Sect, I Became a Heartthrob - Chapter 16

“This place is sparsely populated and the scenery is elegant; it truly is a perfect location.”

As he spoke, Lan Jue walked slowly toward Gu Cong Xing. Although his face remained calm, the curve of his lips was stiff, and his eyes were clouded with deep gloom.

Gu Cong Xing’s heart skipped a beat. He’s angry! In the past, no matter how arrogant or willful Gu Cong Xing had been, Lan Jue had never shown true rage; he was always patient and accommodating.

So why is he angry now?!

Feeling the approach of a silent fury, Gu Cong Xing instinctively took a step back. Unexpectedly, this movement further incensed Lan Jue. His expression turned completely frigid as he stepped forward to grab Gu Cong Xing’s hand.

But at that moment, Xiao Wangyou stepped forward, shielding Gu Cong Xing. His expression remained cold, and his voice was heavy: “Lan Jue, calm down.”

Lan Jue met his gaze, his face like frost. “I will only say this once. Move.”

Their gazes clashed in the air; neither was willing to look away, as if a great battle were about to break out at any moment. Standing behind Xiao Wangyou, Gu Cong Xing was somewhat dazed.

Why is Xiao Wangyou shielding me? Why does Lan Jue look like he caught us in an affair? And why are they confronting each other like this?

His thoughts raced. He felt that he should at least deny the secret meeting, but then he saw a tall, elegant figure walking toward them. It was Vice Commander Tao Xueting.

Xiao Wangyou clicked his tongue, knowing he had to leave with Tao Xueting. To his surprise, however, she simply gave a polite bow and spoke to Gu Cong Xing:

“Your Highness the Heir Apparent, please come with me.”

Gu Cong Xing was startled. “Looking for me?”

“Yes. His Highness the Prince Consort has ordered me to find you. I hope you will set off immediately.”

Gu Cong Xing wanted nothing more than to escape this strange and awkward situation. He agreed hurriedly and followed her toward Qianyuan Hall. The two gazes behind him felt almost physical, and one felt as though it wanted to pierce right through him. Gu Cong Xing broke out in goosebumps and silently quickened his pace.

The night was deep. At some point, dark clouds had entangled the moon, trapping it in a shroud of shadow and leaving only a few faint rays for the world below. Gu Cong Xing followed Tao Xueting silently, his thoughts gradually drifting back from the earlier “Shura Field” as he observed her silhouette.

Tao Xueting was extraordinarily skilled and deeply trusted by the Prince Consort. It was said that she had risen to the position of Vice Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard as a woman because of his support.

At this thought, Gu Cong Xing’s pace faltered slightly. He looked around and noticed that this place was as silent as the rockery in the back hall had been, and even the lake to the left was without a single ripple.

Come to think of it, why doesn’t Tao Xueting have a lamp? I have my reasons for not wanting to be found, but what are hers?

“…Commander Tao, your eyesight is truly extraordinary to be able to see so clearly without any light.”

Tao Xueting did not reply, simply continuing to walk at the same pace. Gu Cong Xing stopped in his tracks. Tao Xueting noticed immediately and turned around. “Your Highness, do not delay the hour.”

Gu Cong Xing looked around once more, a chill rising in his heart. “This is not the way to Qianyuan Hall.” If he hadn’t explored the palace today, he never would have recognized it.

He stepped to the side and back, his gaze sharp as he looked at Tao Xueting. “What exactly are your intentions?”

The humble and obedient expression Tao Xueting had been wearing vanished. She looked at Gu Cong Xing with a blank face, cold light flickering in her eyes.

“Your Highness is different from the rumors; you are no fool. However… it is already a bit too late.”

As soon as she finished speaking, a dark shadow lunged from the trees behind her, a sharp blade glinting with cold light!

“!” Gu Cong Xing immediately retreated, narrowly avoiding the blade, though a few strands of his hair were sliced away.

But just then, another shadow lunged from behind Tao Xueting, a short blade thrusting toward the small of Gu Cong Xing’s back!

Crap!

In his peripheral vision, Gu Cong Xing saw the rapidly approaching cold light. He spun and crouched, dodging the attack, then used his hands for support to perform a sweeping kick! The assassin with the short blade was hit and let out a pained cry: “Dammit!”

That voice…? Gu Cong Xing was stunned. He had definitely heard that voice before!

In that moment of distraction, the assassin with the long blade lunged again, the tip of the blade piercing deep into Gu Cong Xing’s side!

“Ugh…!” Though struck, Gu Cong Xing didn’t dodge. Taking advantage of the close proximity, he threw a punch that landed squarely on the assassin’s temple!

“Hell! Dammit!” The assassin was hit, and the black cloth covering his face was torn away, revealing a youthful face.

Gu Cong Xing’s pupils contracted. He recognized this face, too! It wasn’t a false memory like those of Uncle Lin or A-Luo, but someone he actually knew!

But just then, a rope was thrown from behind him, instantly wrapping around him and pinning his arms.

“Tch! You—” Gu Cong Xing struggled with all his might, but the rope only tightened, and his wound bled profusely.

“Hmph. Deng Zhao, Huo Chen you two really are incompetent if you can only manage a draw against an unarmed man,” Tao Xueting said.

Struggling to his feet, Deng Zhao said angrily, “If it weren’t for my cousin and me, how could you have successfully ambushed him?”

Huo Chen clutched his head. “Enough. Finish him quickly before something else happens.”

Tao Xueting let out a cold snort and turned her gaze toward Gu Cong Xing. His side was covered in blood, and his arms and legs were bound tightly, making him look like a blood-stained trapped beast. Despite his desperate situation, his eyes were still filled with unyielding light, and the veins on his fair forehead bulged from the intensity of his struggle.

Seeing this, Tao Xueting’s hand, which had been about to swing her weapon, faltered for some reason. She felt that this face should be indifferent and proud, sometimes revealing a genuine smile that could capture everyone’s attention without him even noticing. He shouldn’t be struggling like this, so disheveled and desperate.

“…Why are you still struggling? You are doomed to die today.”

Gu Cong Xing looked up at her and asked a question instead of answering: “How could I be satisfied dying like this, knowing nothing?”

Deng Zhao let out a cold sneer. “If you want to die knowing the truth, I might as well tell you. The Commander Tao before you should actually have the surname Guo.”

At these words, Tao Xueting’s brow twitched. She seemed to want to say something, but ultimately just lowered her eyes.

“The Guo family was once a scholarly family, but they were forced into slavery because they gave advice to the late Emperor! The reason for it all was that Gu Yuan from your family!”

“To die at the hands of the Guo family you truly cannot complain.”

“Ridiculous!!” Gu Cong Xing retorted immediately. “What do the grievances of our ancestors have to do with us! The one who set fire to the mountain and killed Gu Yuan was the late Emperor, and the one who listened to the strategy and punished the Guo family was also the late Emperor!”

“If you want revenge, you should seek out the late Emperor! What kind of skill is it to plot an ambush and win by numbers!”

Deng Zhao saw that even in the face of death, he still dared to argue. His anger flared, and he rolled up his sleeves, preparing to punch him again—

“Stop!” Tao Xueting instinctively called out to stop him, but then looked confused as she realized what she had done. Meeting Deng Zhao’s puzzled gaze, she feigned indifference: “He’s going to die anyway; what’s the point of one more punch? Better to let him know the whole truth and lose all hope.”

“Heh, ‘nothing is more tragic than a dead heart’? Your psychological warfare isn’t bad.” Deng Zhao gave a malicious smile and walked up to Gu Cong Xing. “Fine, then I’ll let you know our true purpose.”

“Didn’t you tell us to seek revenge on the late Emperor? Gu Cong Xing, do you really think we would let him go?”

“Truth be told, our goal is the entire Xiang Dynasty! When a member of the Guo family died a tragic death, my ancestors were also implicated, and over a hundred people were displaced in a single day!”

“Two generations of emperors have been obsessed with war, constantly fighting abroad and taxing heavily at home. This damnable rule should have ended long ago! And to make the Xiang Dynasty collapse, you are the first move, Gu Cong Xing!”

“Only if you die will the so-called Duke Gu Yu truly raise his troops in rebellion! When the border and the court are in chaos, our people will have their chance!”

“So you must die!”

Listening to this, Gu Cong Xing’s eyes widened. I see. No wonder Gu Yu hasn’t been allowed back to the capital once in all these years; the Emperor must have seen him as a major threat because of his command over the army!

No wonder the Duke and Duchess didn’t take me to the border; I was kept in the capital as a hostage!

The Duke had served the border loyally for many years, yet he still lacked the Emperor’s trust. If his only beloved son were killed in the capital, the fragile peace between the Duke and the Emperor would be shattered! If he heard rumors and was incited, he would surely rebel!

“I see…” Gu Cong Xing lowered his eyes and thought carefully, looking enlightened.

Deng Zhao and Huo Chen didn’t see the expected look of despair on his face. Deng Zhao snapped, “You and your father can go down with the Xiang Dynasty!”

Unexpectedly, Gu Cong Xing looked up immediately, his eyes clear. “Do you really think he is my father? Could it be that you have never doubted your own identities?”

Tao Xueting’s expression changed dramatically, but at that moment, Huo Chen flew into a rage as if a nerve had been struck: “Enough! Who wants to listen to your nonsense! Die”

He suddenly drew a long blade and thrust it toward Gu Cong Xing’s heart!

“No!” Tao Xueting’s piercing scream came too late. Seeing the blade about to strike Gu Cong Xing, she used all her strength to push him, sending him tumbling into the lake!

SPLASH—

There was a loud crash as Gu Cong Xing hit the water, sending up a spray of droplets.

“Tao Xueting! What are you doing!” Huo Chen roared.

Deng Zhao also looked strange, clearly seeing that Tao Xueting had turned at the last moment. But just as he was about to speak, he heard an unusual sound.

“Crap! Someone’s coming. Retreat!” He grabbed the two who were arguing, leaped onto a treetop, and quickly vanished.

Gu Cong Xing plunged into the lake, cold and foul-smelling water rushing into his mouth and nose. He forced himself to hold his breath and tried to move his limbs. Fortunately, the rope holding him loosened as soon as it hit the water, and his body regained its freedom.

He felt a surge of joy and was about to swim up, only to realize his limbs were weak and powerless!

Dammit, I lost too much blood earlier!

In the bone-chilling darkness, Gu Cong Xing’s heart sank endlessly, Am I going to die?

The annoying buzzing returned to his ears as he struggled to move his arms, but he only sank deeper.

Am I going to die? Like this, as a silent pawn in a plot to destroy a nation?

I refuse! I refuse!

I still have an unfinished mission!

Right! Exactly! I have things I must finish. If it ends here, their tragic fates will never be changed!

Them…?!

In a flash, the fog in Gu Cong Xing’s mind was shattered! In that life-or-death moment, his memories returned!

Right! Master, First Senior Brother, Junior Brother! It was precisely to save his sect that he had come here.

[Ding!! Host! You can finally hear my voice!]

It turned out the earlier headaches and ringing were all because of the system!

Along with the system’s cheer, spiritual energy surged through his body. A brilliant golden light flowed through Gu Cong Xing’s obsidian eyes, and a sword intent appeared!

BOOM,

He suddenly unleashed a massive burst of spiritual energy downward, using the counter-force to shoot upward and successfully leap out of the water! Gu Cong Xing landed on the bank, but his vision went black and he collapsed to his knees.

Dammit! I lost too much blood! And the damp, freezing chill of the lake has entered my body. Even with my spiritual energy returned, my body can’t hold on!

He wanted to reach for a spirit pill in his storage bag, but then realized he was dressed as the Heir Apparent; where would he have any spiritual tools or treasures?

“Dam…mit…” He cursed softly and collapsed to the ground, powerless.

In the final moment before his consciousness vanished, he heard frantic footsteps. A hand kept tapping his face, then reached under his nose to check for breath. He seemed to hear a blood-curdling cry, but it grew distant in his ears.

Then, a large hand gripped Gu Cong Xing’s jaw like an iron pincer, forcing his mouth open! The next instant, soft lips pressed firmly against his own, and through their intertwined lips, endless vitality was transferred.