After Saving the Immortal Sect, I Became a Heartthrob - Chapter 4

Three days had passed since the System announced the side mission. Through a series of inquiries, Gu Congxing had learned that the System’s tasks were divided into two categories: Main Missions and Side Missions.

Main missions were few in number but mandatory; failure to complete them would result in a total mission failure. Side missions, on the other hand, were released sporadically and were not mandatory. Completing them granted small amounts of Salvation Points and credits, while failure carried no penalty. The triggering of side missions seemed linked to his own movements and actions.

Even if it is just a side mission, please work hard to complete it, Host. There might be unexpected surprises!

Recalling the System’s parting words, Gu Congxing though outwardly stoic felt a faint stir of anticipation in his heart. According to the information he gathered, the Luofu Town auction was an annual event, with the next one scheduled for three months from now. This gave him ample time to organize and prepare.

Two days ago, he had visited the Hall of Discipline on Wendaofeng Peak to report the crimes of Chen Wang and the others to Elder Tang Wuxin. To his surprise, she was already aware of the situation.

“After your conflict that day, the Sect Master happened to visit the Peak Master of Danqing. Seeing those three injured and terrified, he suspected a demonic cultivator had infiltrated the sect. He questioned them thoroughly.”

“Those few were honest enough to confess everything. The Sect Master was furious and immediately ordered Elder Chen to bring them in for punishment.”

Gu Congxing raised an eyebrow, surprised that the Sect Master had personally intervened. “And the result of their punishment?”

“Hmph. Those three practiced deception first and caused grievous injury second. According to the laws, they were sentenced to eighty strokes of the discipline whip and one month at Reflection Cliff. Those two outer disciples were spineless; fearing they’d be beaten to death, they requested to leave the sect. As for Chen Wang…”

A look of disdain crossed Tang Wuxin’s beautiful, cold face. “That brat was so scared he almost asked to leave too, but his father cursed him out in public and forced a Body-Tempering Pill down his throat so he could survive the whipping. Even so, he was knocked unconscious by the lashes. He’s currently paralyzed and rotting away at Reflection Cliff.”

Gu Congxing found the result to be within expectations. As he bid farewell to Elder Tang, she glanced at him and gave a cold snort.

“You brat, even if it was to save your junior brother, your actions are far too flashy and reckless. Be careful not to capsize in a backwater one day.”

The words were sharp and prickly. The Gu Congxing of his previous life might have shown displeasure, but the current him simply nodded calmly. After all, he had indeed “capsized” once before.

After his junior brother fell asleep, Gu Congxing proceeded with his plan to find the little junior sister who was obsessed with web fiction. Before leaving, he sought out Bai Lingwu, who was busy grinding medicinal herbs, and asked him to look after Zhong Ming.

Gu Congxing left in a hurry, so he didn’t know that the moment he stepped out of the medicine house courtyard, Zhong Ming—who had been lying in bed—quietly opened his eyes.

“Eh? Junior Brother Zhong, why are you awake so soon?”

“I can’t sleep soundly when Senior Brother isn’t here,” Zhong Ming said, sitting up. “My body is mostly recovered. If you have duties, Senior Brother Bai, feel free to go. There’s no need to watch over me.”

Bai Lingwu waved his hands frantically. “Aiya! That won’t do! If Senior Brother Gu returns and finds me gone, the next person lying in this bed will be me!”

Zhong Ming let out a light laugh. “Senior Brother Bai, you’re joking. My senior brother wouldn’t do that.”

Bai Lingwu’s eyes widened in shock. Does this silly kid not know that Gu Congxing is the universally recognized ‘God of Terror’ in this sect?

“…Junior Brother, do you know about your Senior Brother Gu’s exploits in the last sect competition?”

“I only know that he won. I don’t know the specifics.”

Bai Lingwu thought, As I suspected. He cleared his throat and transformed into a live commentator for the competition.

“The sect competition happens every two years. Participants must fight three rounds, and total victors qualify for the grand Immortal Sect Competition held every five years. Naturally, many people enter.”

“Back then, Gu Congxing had only been in the sect for a year. Although he had reached Foundation Establishment, he wasn’t considered an advantaged competitor—he was only at the early stage, while many others were at the late stage.”

“In his first match, he faced a senior brother who had been in the sect for years and was at the peak of Foundation Establishment. The outcome seemed obvious, so that senior mocked him. To everyone’s shock, Gu Congxing’s swordplay was transcendent; he won despite being three minor realms lower… and he beat that senior so badly his face was swollen like a pig’s. If the rules hadn’t forbidden killing, he probably would have been cut down on the spot.”

Zhong Ming blinked, seemingly unimpressed by the violence.

“The second match was even more ‘tragic.’ Gu Congxing was matched against the sect’s most pampered little junior sister Ling Yao.”

Zhong Ming’s expression shifted slightly.

“Both of them were exceptionally good-looking, so a crowd gathered just to admire their faces. Who knew Gu Congxing wouldn’t show a shred of ‘tender pity for the fairer sex’? He sent the little junior sister flying with a direct hit! Sigh!”

“In the third match, Gu Congxing’s opponent tried to take revenge for the junior sister by using extremely vicious moves. Unexpectedly, Gu Congxing had a sudden epiphany and split the thousand-year-old rock of the martial arena in half with a single ultimate move!”

As for that unlucky opponent, he was flipped right off the stage. Word is he was bedridden for six months. Recalling the scene, Bai Lingwu let out a sigh. Since then, those who either lusted after or loathed Gu Congxing gave him a wide berth.

Bai Lingwu expected to see shock on Zhong Ming’s face, but instead, the boy’s eyes were filled with admiration and longing. “As expected of my Senior Brother!”

Bai Lingwu: “…” This Junior Brother Zhong looks refined and elegant; he won’t grow up to be a battle maniac too, will he?

“Ahem,” Bai Lingwu cleared his throat, pulling Zhong Ming back from his thoughts. “By the way, do you know where Senior Brother Gu went? I saw him heading toward Lingxu Peak.”

“Oh, he went to find someone.”

“Who?” Gu Congxing has acquaintances outside his own lineage? He didn’t go to beat someone up again, did he?

Zhong Ming’s eyes curved into crescents. “Ling Yao. The very ‘pampered’ junior sister you just mentioned.”

Bai Lingwu: “…” Bai Lingwu: “???”

Gu Congxing flew his sword to Lingxu Peak and headed straight for Ling Yao’s grotto. According to his memory, this direct disciple of the Peak Master loved two things: web fiction and spiritual artifacts. Thus, he had specifically brought along a spiritual tool he had brought from the Gu Clan—the Sanqing Bell.

The bell was crafted from century-old minerals from Dragon Bone Mountain. Its body was pure white, and its chime was clear and bright, capable of clearing the mind and protecting against mid-level illusions or demonic barriers. It was a rare artifact. Gu Congxing had three; aside from his own, he had one reserved for his junior brother. In fact, it was his desire to give the bell to his junior brother that reminded him he could use another as a gift for the junior sister.

After all, his last memory of meeting Ling Yao was of him blasting her away. Coming to her for help required a show of sincerity.

Outside the grotto, Gu Congxing was indeed blocked. “Senior Brother Gu, Senior Sister Ling is currently cultivating. It is inconvenient for her to see guests,” a sweeping disciple said with a lowered head.

“I have come with an important question and a generous gift.”

The disciple looked up in surprise.

“Please relay the message. If she is unwilling to accept the Sanqing Bell, I shall leave…”

“Aie! I want it, I want it!”

The plain-looking disciple suddenly transformed. Her features shifted into a picturesque face, her dark hair fluttered, and she revealed a peach-colored dress. Her lovely face was covered in a beaming smile. Who else could it be but Ling Yao?

“Your disguise technique is quite good,” Gu Congxing praised sincerely.

“Just some parlor tricks, nothing compared to your brilliance, Senior Brother Gu.” Ling Yao giggled and leaned closer. “So… where is the Sanqing Bell?”

Gu Congxing pulled the bell from his storage bag and handed it to her.

“Fantastic! It really is the Sanqing Bell! What a treasure!” Ling Yao hopped around; the item clearly delighted her. She was soon to go on an expedition to a secret realm where illusion-weaving beasts were common. This bell was a perfect counter.

Being sent flying? Everyone who fought Gu Congxing ended up in a miserable state. She had only been bedridden for a week; that was nothing compared to the Sanqing Bell! That page was turned!

“Since you brought such a treasure, Senior Brother, I will tell you everything I know! Whether it’s sect gossip or secret realm info, just ask.”

Seeing that she didn’t hold a grudge, Gu Congxing felt relieved. “En. I came to ask you about… web fiction.”

“…Fiction??” Ling Yao looked bewildered.

Gu Congxing’s expression remained unchanged. “Do you know what ‘Danmei’ means?”

Ling Yao turned pale with shock.

“And what does ‘Heartthrob’ (Wanrenmi) mean?”

Ling Yao’s gaze went blank.

“Oh, and ‘Dog Blood’ (melodrama) and ‘Beautiful, Strong, and Miserable’… Junior Sister, what’s wrong?”

Seeing her expression grow increasingly bizarre, Gu Congxing stepped forward, but she suddenly manifested her Purple Jade Wolf-Hair artifact and shouted:

“How bold! To dare impersonate Senior Brother Gu! Who exactly are you?!”

Gu Congxing: “…”

A moment later.

After some “friendly sparring,” Ling Yao awkwardly rubbed her head and cast a healing spell on herself. “Don’t blame me, Senior Brother. I just didn’t expect a sword-idiot—I mean, a sword cultivator like you to be interested in these things. In that case, let’s start from the basics.”

Ling Yao pulled several books from her storage bag. As she met Gu Congxing’s eyes, a lightbulb went off in her head. She scrutinized him carefully.

Gu Congxing had dark hair and eyes, with skin as white as snow. His lashes were thick, his eyes slightly upturned at the corners, and while he had a straight nose and thin lips, his philtrum was soft and rounded. He had a flawless, jade-like face—spiritually refined and beautiful.

His looks weren’t aggressively flamboyant; in fact, he carried a gentle, immortal air. But his gaze was too intense, and his personal aura was so strong that he captured everyone’s attention the moment he appeared. Once seen, he was never forgotten.

—But he himself had no idea.

Ling Yao propped her chin on her hand and gave a mischievous grin. How did I not notice before? This terrifying God of War Gu Congxing is actually quite suited to be… a Shou (bottom)?

“Hehe, since you’re so keen on researching, I’ll explain in detail. Maybe you’ll even need it one day.”

“…Alright.”

That day, Gu Congxing experienced a massive shock to his ideology and a total reconstruction of his worldview. He learned the meanings of Danmei, Gong (top), Shou (bottom), Dog Blood, Heartthrob…

By the end, Gu Congxing’s expression was dazed. Ling Yao, however, grew more excited as she spoke, her face flushing as the “lessons” grew increasingly explicit. Finally, when she reached the topic of “multi-person positions,” Gu Congxing fled in a panic.

He heard Ling Yao calling after him, but he didn’t care. He accelerated his sword flight. It wasn’t until he reached his own quarters that he realized he had accidentally taken several books with him in his haste.

Looking at the covers. The Master’s Secret Night, Nowhere to Run, Eldest Brother, and The Junior Brother with the Divine Physique—Gu Congxing’s hand shook. He instinctively wanted to disintegrate the books with his spiritual power.

But logic returned, and he suppressed his power. He gathered the books and hid them in a secret compartment of his desk. He didn’t realize that his face was currently beet-red.

He initially wanted to return the books immediately, but the moment he thought of Ling Yao’s words, his mind swirled with vague yet vivid images. Gu Congxing shook his head violently, grabbed his longsword, and began practicing his forms accompanied by a Heart-Clearing Incantation.

A few days later, Zhong Ming had basically recovered. The two brothers bid farewell to Elder Bai and returned to Zhuoguang Peak.

After escorting his junior brother to his courtyard, Gu Congxing turned to leave, only to have his hand caught. He turned in surprise; Zhong Ming immediately let go, his face flushing.

“Senior Brother, I… I just…”

“Is your body still feeling unwell, Junior Brother?”

Zhong Ming’s mind was in a whirl. How could he admit that he simply wanted to stop his senior brother from leaving? Through these days together, he had become somewhat dependent on him. He didn’t want to be apart. Since his earliest memories, no one had treated him like this—his adoptive grandfather was kind, of course, but he had passed away.

But how could he say such childish, clingy things?

Gu Congxing saw the boy’s eyes darting around in silence and couldn’t help but chuckle. “Since Master is in seclusion and Eldest Brother is away, would you… be willing to let me instruct you?”

Zhong Ming snapped out of it. Is there such a good thing?

“Of course I’m willing!” Zhong Ming nodded eagerly.

Seeing the boy’s sparkling eyes, Gu Congxing was reminded of a large puppy. Then, his thoughts drifted back to those fiction books.

A junior brother like this… must be a Shou.

Earlier, he had asked the System and learned that the protagonist of this story world, The Cry of the Phoenix, was actually Xiao Wangyou. The main plot followed Xiao Wangyou searching for the truth of his clan’s massacre, growing stronger and seeking revenge.

And, as a side note: Gu Congxing was an antagonist who died early.

As a “Heartthrob,” Xiao Wangyou possessed extraordinary charm in the story. Many characters had emotional entanglements with him, including the three members of his own lineage he was meant to save. After Ling Yao’s “education,” Gu Congxing clearly recognized that “Master” and “Eldest Brother” were high-risk occupations, and his junior brother wouldn’t be spared either.

Considering Xiao Wangyou’s tall stature and cold, stern demeanor, Gu Congxing concluded he was the “Protagonist Gong.”

How hateful. This guy is actually going to ruin these young men and women. I wonder how he managed to get close to Master, Senior Brother, and Junior Brother back then.

“Senior Brother?”

Noticing Gu Congxing’s shifting expression, Zhong Ming called out. Gu Congxing snapped back to reality and looked at his junior brother with a solemn, earnest gaze.

“Junior Brother, in the future, remember to stay away from men older than you. Especially those who are good-looking and love to act cool.”

Zhong Ming: “?”