Everyone Says I’m Cold and Aloof, But I Just Have Social Anxiety! - Chapter 5

It should be known that the Yuqing Immortal Sect was originally simply known as the Yuqing Sect. The reason it later added the character for “Immortal” was that an immortal had ascended to the upper realm from its ranks five hundred years ago the most recent recorded ascension to date.

Since then, the status of the Yuqing Immortal Sect had soared. Even the Imperial Family held them in awe, granting them significant deference.

Furthermore, the individual standing before them, possessing the white jade pendant, was clearly someone of exceptionally high status within the sect.

The leader of the men in black instantly lost his nerve. His attitude underwent a complete 180-degree turn as he said with a face full of flattery, “So it is a distinguished guest of the Yuqing Immortal Sect. It was my lack of eyes that caused me to offend you. We have no intention of becoming your enemy; I hope you can be magnanimous and forgive our ignorance.”

As he spoke, he bowed slightly and folded his hands, appearing utterly terrified.

“If you were to leave now, we would act as if we had never seen you. What do you think?”

Although Gu Qingzhi appeared expressionless and aloof on the surface, he was actually panicking inside.

Do I really have to speak? I want to just leave, but they seem to be here to capture Yan Luochen.

They even mentioned something about being a Prince’s male plaything? This culture is far too wicked! He did just help me, after all; I can’t just leave him behind…

Gu Qingzhi turned his head to look at Yan Luochen. The latter had been pricking up his ears to listen to Gu Qingzhi’s inner thoughts. Noticing Gu Qingzhi’s gaze, he reacted instantly, putting on an innocent expression and looking at him pitifully.

Seeing this, Gu Qingzhi felt a wave of helplessness. Nevertheless, he grabbed Yan Luochen’s arm and channeled his spiritual power. With a single leap, they easily cleared the trap and landed steadily on the ground.

Upon landing, Yan Luochen immediately moved close to Gu Qingzhi, using his folding fan to block their view as he whispered, “I just helped you twice; you can’t just leave me and go!”

As he spoke, his warm breath brushed against the back of Gu Qingzhi’s ear, making it itch and turn slightly red. A strange sensation fluttered in Gu Qingzhi’s heart.

Seeing Gu Qingzhi preparing to leave with Yan Luochen, the group of men in black drew their blades, intending to step forward and block their path.

However, when they saw the seemingly close relationship between Yan Luochen and Gu Qingzhi and considering Gu Qingzhi’s status they were unwilling yet dared not strike. They could only stand there, hesitating.

Gu Qingzhi finally spoke slowly, his voice clear and firm: “Go back and tell your Prince or whoever he is: I will protect Yan Luochen.”

“This…”

The leader of the men in black looked troubled and found himself in a difficult position. After a moment of hesitation, he asked cautiously, “Might I ask, distinguished guest—is it your Sect that wishes to protect him, or is it you personally? If it is your personal action, I must boldly ask for your name so that we may report back to the Prince!”

The leader was merely following orders. Although he was pressing for an answer, his tone was respectful and his logic sound. Gu Qingzhi could find no fault in his words.

Frowning slightly, Gu Qingzhi thought for a moment before replying coldly, “This is the personal business of me, Gu Qingzhi, and has nothing to do with the Sect.”

Hearing this, the men in black dared not entangle themselves further. The leader folded his hands respectfully once more and said, “In that case, we shall report the truth to the Prince. Farewell!”

With that, he prepared to lead his group away.

Before they left, one of the men behind him softly called out, “Boss,” as if to remind him of something, but the leader glared at him fiercely, immediately silencing whatever the man was going to say.

The group then left in a dejected manner.

Yan Luochen turned to Gu Qingzhi with a bright smile, his eyes sparkling with surprise and curiosity. He asked, “Qingzhi, so your name is Qingzhi? Since your surname is Gu, what is your relation to Sect Leader Gu of the Yuqing Immortal Sect?”

Gu Qingzhi merely looked at him quietly, still refusing to speak, though a faint, almost imperceptible warmth flickered in his eyes.

“Oh, well, if you don’t want to say, I won’t ask. So? Does it feel pretty good to have a friend to help each other out?”

Yan Luochen looked at Gu Qingzhi expectantly.

Gu Qingzhi merely gave a light hmph and said, “Troublesome!”

After saying this, he didn’t even realize that the corners of his mouth had curved upward slightly in a barely visible smile.

Yan Luochen suddenly seemed to remember something important. Frowning slightly, he paused before asking, “Um… that Three-Headed Python, are we still chasing it?”

Hearing this, Gu Qingzhi turned to meet his gaze. As their eyes met, they both nodded simultaneously as if in telepathic agreement, deciding to go and investigate further.

Moving like lightning, they quickly swept through the dense jungle.

Along the way, they saw no trace of other demonic beasts. They had likely been frightened away by the aura of the Three-Headed Python earlier.

After a period of rapid travel, they soon arrived at the mouth of a cave.

Yan Luochen sniffed the air and immediately wrinkled his nose. He quickly opened his folding fan to cover his nose and mouth, turning his head toward Gu Qingzhi. “Qingzhi, there’s a cave there. It’s giving off a faint stench. Shall we go in and look?”

Gu Qingzhi said nothing, merely pursing his lips, but he couldn’t help but complain internally.

Qingzhi? Why is this fellow calling me so intimately? Really… in all my years, aside from my father and my seniors, no one of my generation has dared to call me that.

Despite his thoughts, Gu Qingzhi took a deep breath, held it, and slowly stepped into the cave.

Hearing his inner voice, the corners of Yan Luochen’s mouth curled up as he laughed silently, his eyes curving into crescents. He then followed Gu Qingzhi into the cavern.

Inside, the two looked around and found the cave empty; it seemed there was nothing there.

However, upon closer inspection, they noticed the stone walls were emitting a faint, subtle glow, adding a touch of mystery to the gloomy cave.

Gu Qingzhi was focused solely on finding the trail of the Three-Headed Python and didn’t pay much attention to the light.

Yan Luochen, however, seemed to realize something. His lips curled up and his eyes flashed with excitement. Then, with eyes glowing, he exclaimed loudly, “This is actually a hidden Spirit Stone Mine!”

At the words “Spirit Stone Mine,” Gu Qingzhi stopped in his tracks instantly, his face full of disbelief. His tightly strung nerves suddenly relaxed at that moment; however, the stench immediately rushed into his nostrils.

“Gag!!”

Gu Qingzhi couldn’t help but dry heave. He immediately held his breath again, his face showing a trace of embarrassment and annoyance.

Seeing him in such a disheveled state a stark contrast to his usual cold and aloof demeanor, Yan Luochen couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

This laughter provoked Gu Qingzhi, who immediately glared fiercely at Yan Luochen, his gaze like a cold arrow.

Catching this “eye-dagger,” Yan Luochen quickly suppressed his smile, coughed twice, and said, “Cough… Well, let’s see what the situation is inside first. We have to get rid of this smell before we can comfortably deal with this Spirit Stone Mine!”

Hearing this, Gu Qingzhi felt he made sense, so he turned and continued deeper into the cave.