Reborn As The Short-Lived White Moonlight of the Tragic, Powerful Male Lead - Chapter 19

Chapter 19

We Shall Divorce in One Year

Divorce was a private matter between Xie Lanting and Gu Yunqi, unsuitable for discussion in front of outsiders. With his words interrupted, Xie Lanting had to swallow them back and turned to Xiao Qingfeng: “I thought you weren’t coming.”

Xiao Qingfeng: “I made it just in time, didn’t I?”

Gu Yunqi noticed Xie Lanting had cut his sentence short. Holding his sword in hand, he opened the door for Xiao Qingfeng. Xie Lanting sat back at the table: “You really did know who I was.”

Xiao Qingfeng fanned himself smugly, the breeze lifting his hair: “Naturally!”

There were far too many people today. To prevent anyone from fishing in troubled waters, Gu Bo had locked down the Gu estate. Guards were everywhere, and patrols were tighter than usual.

Xiao Qingfeng had not only bypassed every guard but also successfully found this specific room. Whether by divination or other means, he was undeniably a man of genuine talent.

Even someone as naturally suspicious as Gu Yunqi had to admit that Xiao Qingfeng didn’t play by the rules. He was flagrantly bold, yet left no trace to be grasped.

The three sat around the table. Xiao Qingfeng produced a jade vial: “I’ve finished the antidote, but taking it requires a specific medicinal ‘primer’ that I couldn’t find.”

Xie Lanting, a former Transformation Stage cultivator, had his own collection of treasures. Now that he had packed up his entire dowry and wedding gifts, he was quite wealthy. He opened the vial, sniffed it, and asked: “What’s missing?”

Xiao Qingfeng: “A two-thousand-year-old Frost-White Branch.”

Xie Lanting’s hand froze: He didn’t have that. He had countless treasures in his storage space—ten-thousand-year items, even—but specifically no two-thousand-year Frost-White Branch.

Gu Yunqi’s hand also paused: He had one.

He had previously sent his secret guards to prepare an antidote, but it hadn’t been easy. Just researching what “Qurishi” was took a long time. So far, the ingredients they’d gathered were scattered and incomplete, but by sheer coincidence, a two-thousand-year Frost-White Branch was the first thing they’d secured.

This Xiao Qingfeng…

Gu Yunqi caught the man’s eye out of the corner of his vision. Xiao Qingfeng looked back and pointedly winked at him.

Gu Yunqi: “…”

Don’t wink at me. We aren’t that close.

Giving it up wasn’t a problem; the issue was that he was currently playing the role of a penniless, miserable wretch who could barely afford to rent a room. Suddenly producing a precious spiritual herb would be suspicious. He had to invent a reason.

Fortunately, reasons weren’t hard to fabricate. Gu Yunqi pulled a box from his storage space and placed it on the table, opening it: “Immortal Lord, I have it.”

“This is… an heirloom left by my parents. Although most things were taken away, I managed to hide this one away.”

He had indeed hidden some things, but definitely not a Frost-White Branch. To make the performance convincing, he added a touch of weariness—the look of someone who had struggled to save a single spark of hope and would never use it unless it were a dire emergency.

His acting was so superb, his expression so on point, that even though Xie Lanting knew what kind of person Gu Yunqi was, he was momentarily fooled.

If this really is an heirloom, plus the debt of saving my life, the favor I owe him is getting massive.

In the original novel, the main story began after Xie Lanting’s death. The details of these three years were only mentioned in brief flashbacks. No one knew exactly how much Gu Yunqi’s parents had left him besides secret guards and forbidden arts.

Having accepted the Frost-White Branch, how could he possibly have the heart to mention immediate divorce?

Xiao Qingfeng, seemingly unaware of his inner conflict, pushed the antidote and the herb toward him: “No wonder. I cast a hexagram before leaving today, and it said I shouldn’t worry about the primer. It turns out it was right here. It’s all complete. Chew the Frost-White Branch first, then take the medicine. Go on, clear the poison.”

Seeing Xie Lanting hesitate, Gu Yunqi worried he had overacted and urged: “Immortal Lord, the sword you gave me earlier is incredibly precious. Consider the Frost-White Branch my return gift. Please, accept it.”

It’s not the same. An immortal sword is just icing on the cake for me, but if the Frost-White Branch was left by your parents, its meaning is entirely different.

Xie Lanting sighed and placed the Frost-White Branch in his mouth. It was a life-saving item; he had to use it. He would just have to figure out a way to repay him later.

The Frost-White Branch was a soft, white grass that felt cool on the tongue. After chewing it, he drank the antidote. A wave of warmth rose from his dantian. Compared to the first two doses, the sensation of the final purification was actually quite mild.

Xiao Qingfeng: “Give me your hand. Let me check.”

Xie Lanting rested his hand on the table. Xiao Qingfeng checked his pulse: “Mmh, the poison is gone. Your old injuries are troublesome, though; you’ll still need to recover slowly.”

Xie Lanting nodded: “I know. Thank you for this.” He turned his gaze to Gu Yunqi. “And thank you, too. I—”

Xiao Qingfeng: “Someone is coming.”

Xie Lanting’s words had been cut off several times today, as if fate itself was preventing him from speaking. But someone truly was coming, and they were stepping heavily on purpose, as if afraid he was too weak to notice them.

“That stride… it’s Liu Qifeng and Shudao.” Xie Lanting stood up. “Wait a moment, I’ll deal with this.”

After he left, the expressions and movements of the two people in the room didn’t change, yet the atmosphere shifted instantly. The previous lightheartedness vanished. Gu Yunqi politely refilled Xiao Qingfeng’s tea: “The Immortal Lord is indeed a master of divination.”

Xiao Qingfeng accepted the praise grandly: “I try.”

“Then, can you calculate my path ahead?”

Xiao Qingfeng met Gu Yunqi’s pleasant expression and curled his lips: “Revenge will be served. But Young Master Gu, the road to revenge is not an easy one.”

Whoosh! The sound of air being sliced rang out. Two sharp blades were instantly crossed at Xiao Qingfeng’s throat!

Xiao Qingfeng didn’t even blink. He remained perfectly calm. “Silent movement, not a shred of killing intent leaked. Excellent skills.”

Chu Yi and Chu Er appeared like ghosts behind him, saying nothing. Gu Yunqi’s image of a mild-mannered, humble youth vanished. His aura transformed completely; his cold gaze felt like it could scrape bone.

After a few heartbeats, Gu Yunqi suddenly smiled. It wasn’t his usual gentle smile; he had finally torn off the mask. He was done pretending.

“Stand down. Immortal Lord Qingfeng can calculate anything. If he were truly in league with Gu Bo, I wouldn’t have grown up safely. My subordinates have offended you; I offer my apologies.”

Chu Yi and Chu Er withdrew, their figures vanishing again. Xiao Qingfeng fanned himself and sighed: “No matter. It’s just that you both have high guards. After we parted in Dongyang, neither of you sought to leave a communication seal with me. Lanting is practically gambling with his life to test my abilities.”

“When a stranger suddenly appears who helps with everything and has everything planned out, it’s only natural for the Immortal Lord to be wary,” Gu Yunqi said. “As for me… well, I was raised poorly. This is just how I turned out. My apologies.”

Xiao Qingfeng: “I’m a generous man. Do you trust me now?”

Gu Yunqi nodded: “You sought me out because of a connection to my ancestors?”

“No. I value you two for who you are.” Xiao Qingfeng snapped his fan shut, his expression turning serious. “I cast a hexagram for myself. If I want to ensure my own safety in the future, I will need the help of you two. I came here to help in order to build a good relationship.”

He began actively selling his services: “Look, I can calculate, I can heal. Though I cannot kill directly, I can be of great help.”

Cannot kill directly… Likely a rule of divination. Many diviners have their own codes. Cultivation is an act of defying heaven, and divination is like tearing a hole in heaven to peek inside. A perfect diviner is rare; in the current cultivation world, the only one known for never making a mistake is Lord Xuangui of the Demon Realm.

Gu Yunqi didn’t reply immediately. Instead, he said: “With your skills, people should be breaking down your door for a reading, rather than you just being a legend in romance novels.”

Xiao Qingfeng: “Ah, I’ve always preferred to keep a low profile.”

Gu Yunqi glanced at him, thinking that in terms of being thick-skinned, this man was a match for himself. How could he say that with a straight face?

Xiao Qingfeng smiled: “So, have we finally established a preliminary friendship?”

Gu Yunqi took out his communication jade—a silent agreement. Xiao Qingfeng exchanged seals with him and looked outside. “Mmh. Just waiting for Lanting now.”

…

Outside, Xie Lanting faced Liu Qifeng and Shudao. During the first two exchanges, they’d had to trade barbs first, but this time Xie Lanting was direct. He simply threw a storage ring at them.

Liu Qifeng caught it and shared a look with Shudao. So cooperative?

When things were too easy, there was usually a catch—especially with Xie Lanting.

Liu Qifeng scanned the ring with his divine sense. As expected, the contents were far from complete. He gripped the ring: “Xie Lanting, do you really think you can get the final dose without handing over everything?”

Xie Lanting: “Oh, I’m not doing that.”

Shudao looked around the dilapidated, desolate courtyard, his mood improving: “Since Senior Brother understands, then this is…?”

Xie Lanting: “I don’t need the antidote anymore.”

Liu Qifeng / Shudao: “…?”

Shudao panicked instantly: “What do you mean, Senior Brother?”

As Xie Lanting had noted before, Shudao preferred watching him suffer over seeing him dead. If Xie Lanting died, where would the fun be? Among the villains, Shudao was actually the one least likely to kill him.

The words burst out of him, but seeing Xie Lanting’s expression, he and Liu Qifeng realized the truth simultaneously: “Your poison is cleared?”

“For all these years, I have done right by our Master and the Royal Sword Sect. I’ve been too lazy to manage social networks, but did you two really think I didn’t have a single person outside who could lend a hand?”

Xie Lanting curled his lips mockingly: “There is someone in that room right now. You’re welcome to try and meet them.”

Both Liu Qifeng and Shudao were at the Great Ascension Stage; Liu Qifeng was even at the late stage. They could only sense one person’s aura in the room. But as soon as Xie Lanting finished speaking, a second aura emerged perfectly on cue—a silent, heavy threat meant to back up Xie Lanting’s words.

The two were filled with doubt and alarm: Transformation Stage?!

Who was it? Bai Qianye had left the banquet… was it him?

Xie Lanting had only intended to play a “bluffing game”; he hadn’t expected someone to actually play along. Is Xiao Qingfeng really this versatile?

Xie Lanting’s confidence surged. He spoke to the “Twin Scoundrels” of the sect: “There are many guests today, and their gifts are likely substantial. Combined with the items in that storage ring, you have enough to pay back the Gu family.”

“I actually don’t want to give you a single cent, but I also don’t want the Gu family hounding me every day. Handing back one portion is enough of a courtesy.”

“Courtesy?” Liu Qifeng hissed. “Do you have any idea how many treasures were in that dowry—”

“I do, because they’re in my hands.” Xie Lanting flashed a smile. “They are indeed good things. You said I was ‘marrying out,’ so the dowry should be mine. Makes sense.”

“Are you joking?! Half my net worth is in there!”

“I’m not joking.” The smile vanished from Xie Lanting’s face, turning cold. “You pushed me to this point just to reap all the benefits. There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world.”

Poisoning him, forced marriage—they had done it all. The facade of brotherhood was gone, replaced by open schemes. Xie Lanting had nothing left to worry about.

He wasn’t afraid Liu Qifeng would kill him in a rage. After all, wasn’t Shudao standing right there to stop him?

And Shudao did stop him. He hadn’t contributed much to the dowry anyway. He pulled on Liu Qifeng’s sleeve: “Senior Brother, why don’t we go back and organize the wedding gifts? Looking at the gift list, maybe they can make up the difference?”

Hardly!

Liu Qifeng took a deep breath. He could give Gu Bo an explanation now, but what about himself? He had ended up with nothing! Other than a formal alliance with the Gu family, he hadn’t gained a single treasure! Curse you, Xie Lanting!

If Xie Lanting had given nothing, Liu Qifeng wouldn’t have been able to face Gu Bo and wouldn’t have let it go today. But Xie Lanting had timed it perfectly—by providing enough for the Gu family, Liu Qifeng wouldn’t risk his life for the rest.

Liu Qifeng looked at the room and said hatefully: “I can’t do anything to you today, but don’t get cocky. The guests will only stay for a few days at most. The person in your room has to leave eventually. Before long, you just wait and see how I deal with—”

“Oh, I’m so scared!” Xie Lanting turned and shouted toward the room, “Did you hear that? If something happens to me in a few days, remember to storm the Royal Sword Sect. Don’t look for anyone else, just find these two specifically and get justice for me!”

Inside, Xiao Qingfeng cooperated beautifully, his voice carrying spiritual pressure: “They wouldn’t dare!”

“Senior Brother, Lord Gu has been pressuring us about the dowry for a long time. Let’s go settle the important matters first, alright?”

Shudao persuaded Liu Qifeng once more. It was truly thanks to his twisted logic that Xie Lanting was still alive.

The two were dragged away by Shudao, fuming. Xie Lanting had won a round, secured half of Liu Qifeng’s wealth, and cleared the poison. He felt refreshed.

…

Returning to the room, the two who had been trading secrets had changed again. Gu Yunqi had returned to being the “good youth,” all his coldness tucked away. It was a textbook mask—too bad Xie Lanting didn’t see the shift, or he would have hailed a fellow professional!

Xie Lanting raised an eyebrow at Xiao Qingfeng: “Are you at the Transformation Stage?”

“No, no. Just a small trick, a unique secret technique. Not good for fighting, but great for scaring people.” Xiao Qingfeng handed over his jade. “Come on, just you left.”

Xie Lanting exchanged seals with Xiao Qingfeng, officially acknowledging the favor. Xiao Qingfeng had arrived at the right time and left just as appropriately, departing without any lingering once his business was done.

Finally, with the outsiders gone, Xie Lanting could say what was on his mind.

Initially, he wanted to divorce as quickly as possible. But in this short time, he was forced to change his mind. Xiao Qingfeng had saved him because he wanted something in return—a clear transaction. But Gu Yunqi had provided the herb without asking for anything.

A debt of life must be repaid.

Xie Lanting weighed his words and spoke: “A debt of life should be repaid with a gushing spring. I am willing to stay by your side for one year. Within this year, as long as it doesn’t violate heavenly principles or my own conscience, I am at your disposal to repay the favor.”

Even if Gu Yunqi had secret guards, there were certain public things they couldn’t do. Having an extra hand would surely help.

Gu Yunqi opened his mouth, but before he could refuse, Xie Lanting continued: “Don’t be in a hurry to refuse. I have something else to discuss. We… aren’t truly in love, after all. Give me one year to repay the debt. After one year, we shall divorce. What do you think?”