Everyone Says I’m Cold and Aloof, But I Just Have Social Anxiety! - Chapter 23

Emperor Tai’an let out a cold snort, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest of the dragon throne. “Heh, Gu Yuan! What Eunuch Wei says is not without reason.”

“Commander Chang, continue.”

Upon hearing this, the Commander of the Imperial Guard proceeded: “Your Majesty, those people he previously rescued from the Prince’s estate were all afflicted with Spirit-Devouring Powder, leading them to flock to the Danxia Sect to seek medicine. The Danxia Sect set a rule at the foot of the mountain forbidding anyone from flying up, which sparked rumors of intentional harassment.”

“However, according to my investigation, a disciple of the Hundred Flowers Immortal Sect—who happens to be the younger sister of a core disciple of the Danxia Sect—was personally picked up and flown to the top by that same core disciple.”

Emperor Tai’an snorted again. “Hmph, the Danxia Sect is acting quite willfully just because the whole world needs their spirit pills and miracle medicines. They are like a spoiled child favored by all.”

He furrowed his brows, his gaze revealing deep concern and dissatisfaction as he secretly calculated how to respond to this intricate situation. The Commander of the Imperial Guard remained half-kneeling, his head bowed even lower, not daring to make a sound as he awaited further instructions.

Emperor Tai’an then took up a brush and wrote a letter, handing it to the Commander. “Chang Zai, this letter must be delivered personally into the hands of the Master of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion.”

The Commander immediately replied with a “Yes,” took the letter, and withdrew.

As Gu Qingzhi flew with Yan Luochen, the sight of overlapping peaks and lingering clouds signaled their return to the sect. The two landed before the mountain gate, where a gate-keeping disciple greeted them with a crisp, respectful voice: “Greetings, Senior Brother Gu, Senior Brother Yan.”

Yan Luochen nodded with a smile. “Mm.” He then looked at Gu Qingzhi’s indifferent expression and shook his head with a chuckle.

Gu Qingzhi looked back. “What are you laughing at?”

Yan Luochen quickly restrained his smile. “Nothing. Senior Brother, let’s go to the Great Hall; Master is surely there.”

“Mm.”

The two walked side by side along the winding bluestone path, heading straight for the sect’s Great Hall. Gu Yuan sat upright in the main seat, his expression solemn and majestic.

“Father.” “Master.”

Gu Qingzhi and Yan Luochen saluted respectfully.

Yan Luochen spoke first: “Master, Senior Brother and I have successfully obtained the Nine-Yang Spirit-Restoring Pill. Thank you, Master, for not hesitating to give up a third of the spirit stone mine to exchange for this medicine for me.”

Gu Yuan nodded slightly, his gaze showing concern. “Did you encounter any other troublesome matters on the way?”

“Reporting to Master, we did not!” Yan Luochen replied.

“Very good. Go down and rest first,” Gu Yuan said, nodding with satisfaction. “By the way, just to be safe, before you take the medicine, go to the Medicinal Bamboo Peak and have your Martial Aunt Bai Zhi check it.”

“Yes!”

The two took their leave. After leaving the hall, they headed toward the Medicinal Bamboo Peak to find Su Bai Zhi.

On the Medicinal Bamboo Peak, a few emerald bamboos swayed in the wind, making a rustling sound. The air was filled with a faint fragrance of herbs—neither bitter nor sweet—which made one feel refreshed. Su Bai Zhi was busy in a field of herbs, her figure graceful in her light green dress. Hearing footsteps, she straightened up and turned around. Seeing Gu Qingzhi and Yan Luochen, a smile immediately appeared on her face.

“Oh? Isn’t this Martial Nephew Qingzhi? To think you would take the initiative to come to my Medicinal Bamboo Peak, and accompanying someone else at that. Truly a rarity.” Su Bai Zhi teased.

[That feeling… it’s back! I should probably say something out of politeness…]

A trace of embarrassment appeared on Gu Qingzhi’s face, but only for an instant. He performed a salute and called out: “Martial Aunt Bai Zhi.”

Yan Luochen was full of smiles. Folding his fan, he quickly took out the small jade bottle containing the Nine-Yang Spirit-Restoring Pill and handed it to Su Bai Zhi with both hands. “Greetings, Martial Aunt Bai Zhi. We’ve come today to trouble you to take a look; is there anything wrong with this medicine?”

Su Bai Zhi took the jade bottle, opened the cap, and sniffed carefully near the mouth. After examining it for a moment, she nodded lightly. “Mm, there are no issues with this pill. The Nine-Yang Spirit-Restoring Pill is an extremely precious medicine. Where did you get it? Could it be the Danxia Sect?”

Yan Luochen and Gu Qingzhi did not hide anything, giving her a general summary of the events.

After hearing them out, Su Bai Zhi said, “So that’s how it is. After taking it, you must immediately circulate your spiritual power to guide the pill’s strength through your meridians.”

“Remember, the circulation must be steady. Do not be too hasty, otherwise the pill’s power might become too violent and damage your meridians.”

Yan Luochen listened intently and nodded repeatedly. “Thank you for the guidance, Martial Aunt.”

Gu Qingzhi also saluted: “Thank you!”

This “Thank you” drew Su Bai Zhi’s attention. She stared intently at Gu Qingzhi. “Tsk tsk, truly rare. It seems Martial Nephew Qingzhi’s personality has changed somewhat after spending so much time with Martial Nephew Yan? Not bad, not bad at all!”

Gu Qingzhi said nothing on the surface, but internally…

[Was my… no, was the original body’s personality really that bad?]

As for Yan Luochen, he simply thought she was referring to the “original” him.

Afterward, the two left the Medicinal Bamboo Peak together. Back at their residence, under a tall sycamore tree, the sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting mottled shadows. Gu Qingzhi and Yan Luochen sat at the stone table. Yan Luochen took out the pill, looked at it, and then said: “Senior Brother, I must trouble you to protect my law.”

Gu Qingzhi nodded solemnly in agreement.

Yan Luochen stood up from the stone stool, then sat back down—directly on the ground. He looked at Gu Qingzhi and smiled. “Thank you, Senior Brother.”

Then, he placed the Nine-Yang Spirit-Restoring Pill into his mouth and swallowed. As the pill entered his stomach, it instantly turned into a powerful warm current that spread throughout his body. Yan Luochen hurriedly closed his eyes and began to guide this power, while a glow of light gathered around him.

Fine beads of sweat gradually formed on his forehead. His Golden Core flickered with light; the core, which had been slightly dimmed due to the poison, gradually regained its luster under the nourishment of the pill’s power. Spiritual power surged through his meridians like a rushing river. Yan Luochen ashed his teeth, struggling to control the speed of the circulation to keep it from going out of control.

Gu Qingzhi watched him with a focused expression, his eyes fixed on Yan Luochen, ready to deal with any unexpected situation at a moment’s notice.

As time passed, the spiritual power within Yan Luochen gradually stabilized, and the pill’s strength was fully absorbed. His aura became stronger and stronger, and his once weakened body gradually filled with power. Finally, Yan Luochen slowly opened his eyes and let out a long breath, excitement sparkling in his eyes.

“Senior Brother, I feel the toxin has been cleared, and my spiritual power is fully restored.” Yan Luochen said excitedly.

A relieved, faint smile appeared on Gu Qingzhi’s face. “That is excellent. You have suffered during this period. From now on, the Yuqing Immortal Sect is your home.”

Yan Luochen stood up and stretched his limbs, feeling the long-lost power.

“If it weren’t for Senior Brother’s care all the way, I’m afraid I would have found it difficult to hold on until now.” Yan Luochen looked at Gu Qingzhi gratefully, revealing a meaningful smile. “Don’t worry, Senior Brother. From now on, you are my family, and I am also Senior Brother’s person!”

Gu Qingzhi: “…”

[That sounds really strange, but it also seems technically correct!]

Hearing the inner voice, and seeing Gu Qingzhi’s silence, Yan Luochen gave a sly smile. “What is it? Senior Brother, you said it yourself just now. Surely you don’t regret it?”

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingzhi immediately responded: “I do not.”

Why think so much? He’s my Junior Brother, he’s family. No problem!

At that moment, a breeze blew past again, the sycamore leaves rustling as if responding to a certain “Happy” Luochen, or perhaps rejoicing in his recovery. Yan Luochen looked up at the sky, his heart full of expectation for the future. “Senior Brother, now that the family vendetta is avenged, my family should be happy, right?”

Gu Qingzhi’s eyes were clear as he looked at him. “They will be! And they will be proud of you.”

Yan Luochen froze for a moment, then smiled warmly. “Mm, it will surely be as Senior Brother says!”

They would surely be proud of him becoming a personal disciple of Sect Leader Gu, and they would surely be happy for him becoming Gu Qingzhi’s partner—after all, in the eyes of others, he is the unattainable Young Master Gu!

“Senior Brother, in the future, we shall still fight side by side.”

Gu Qingzhi nodded slightly. “Naturally.”

The two looked at each other and smiled, the sunlight spilling over them, reflecting their faces full of hope. In the days that followed, Yan Luochen cultivated hard every day to consolidate his cultivation, while Gu Qingzhi also continued to improve his own strength, preparing for the unknown trials ahead.