Vindicated After a Wrongful Death - Chapter 28

If Gu Congxu were in his small dragon form right now, his body would surely have stiffened into a pillar, with even the tip of his tail pulled taut.

He stared at Xiang Zhongjing as if he’d seen a ghost, his lips trembling as he tried to speak, but after several attempts, he couldn’t force out a single word.

A dignified True Dragon, actually scared to this extent by a mark indicating “that” kind of activity.

Xiang Zhongjing was laughing himself silly on the inside, yet on the outside, he maintained the look of someone who had been ravaged. He even reached out and grabbed Gu Congxu’s incessantly shaking hand, guiding it toward the quilt. “There are other places, too. Do you want to undo my robes and see for yourself?”

Gu Congxu: “…”

Xiang Zhongjing’s palm was warm, but Gu Congxu acted as if he had touched a burning coal, desperately jerking his hand back. His expression was completely numb from the sheer shock.

“Im… impossible…” Gu Congxu finally found his voice, but his defense was incredibly weak. “I… I’m not that kind of person!”

Xiang Zhongjing propped himself up on his elbow, resting his head in his palm. With his other hand, he casually twirled a lock of dark hair, saying with a half-smile, “If people could prove their own innocence, I wouldn’t have been framed and trapped in that secret realm for all those years.”

Gu Congxu was choked by the retort, finding himself unable to refute Xiang Zhongjing’s logic.

He stammered for a while before finally asking with a face of agony, “What exactly did I do last night?”

Hearing this, Xiang Zhongjing suddenly pulled the quilt up to cover his face, hiding beneath it and feigning shyness. “What a lecherous dragon. It’s bad enough you won’t take responsibility, but you have the nerve to shamelessly ask me to say it again.”

Gu Congxu: “…”

Gu Congxu had been dazed with fear, his vertical pupils nearly filling his eyes, but upon hearing this clumsy acting and affected speech, he suddenly snapped into clarity.

Having spent sixty years together day and night, Gu Congxu was well aware of this man’s vengeful nature. If he had truly been mistreated, Xiang Zhongjing wouldn’t have waited for him to wake up; he would have scraped off every one of the dragon’s scales with a sword. He certainly wouldn’t be in the mood to play games.

Gu Congxu finally settled down completely. He said expressionlessly, “Stop fooling around. My master said I’m very well-behaved when drunk. I wouldn’t do… that kind of thing you’re talking about.”

Xiang Zhongjing pulled the quilt down slightly, revealing only a pair of eyes that looked as if they were soaked in water. Because half his face was still under the covers, his voice sounded a bit muffled.

“How do you know? Maybe back then, you were rebellious toward your master while drunk, too…”

Gu Congxu couldn’t tolerate this. He snapped sharply, “My master was like the bright moon in the sky, how could anyone dare to defile him!”

Gu Congxu wished he could use the most beautiful things in the world to describe his master. Such a person was like a banished immortal; even a single glance felt like sacrilege. How could he be slandered like this?

Gu Congxu glared at Xiang Zhongjing in anger, but as he did, a memory from his drunken state suddenly surfaced. He had apparently been startled into a moment of clarity by something.

What was it?

Gu Congxu thought hard and finally remembered the memory that had shaken his spiritual terrace to its core.

His master, who was as unreachable as the clouds and the moon, had said gently, “I’ll tie you into a knot.”

Gu Congxu: “…”

Gu Congxu’s body stiffened even more than before, more shocked than when he thought he had slept with Xiang Zhongjing.

Xiang Zhongjing laughed so hard he started kicking the quilt. “Sangeng, you should always leave yourself a way out. Did you never think that if I really am the reincarnation of your master’s soul, the things you’re saying now would be enough for me to mock you ten thousand times?”

Gu Congxu’s heart was in a total panic, but he held onto a sliver of hope and refused to admit it. He feigned composure and bared his teeth fiercely at Xiang Zhongjing. “You couldn’t possibly be my master!”

Xiang Zhongjing laughed even harder.

Teasing this pure-hearted True Dragon was simply too much fun.

Xiang Zhongjing feared that if he said any more, Gu Congxu would retreat into the sea of knowledge to hide again. He rolled over lazily and asked, “Do you know where the other dragon bones are?”

Gu Congxu was still processing that memory. Hearing the question, he opened his eyes and said gloomily, “If a dragon bone hasn’t been hidden by an isolation formation, I can sense the spiritual energy of a bone within a hundred miles in my true form. But I can’t perceive anything further than that.”

Xiang Zhongjing got up and took out a map of the Nine States to look. “The hundred miles around Wujin Road are all wasteland and forest. If we want to keep looking, we have to head into the Central Plains.”

Gu Congxu leaned in, frowning as he pointed to a spot. “Are these three characters ‘Qu Yi Sect’?”

Gu Congxu didn’t recognize many human characters. Even though his master had taught him a few back then, he had mostly forgotten them over the years.

Xiang Zhongjing followed his finger. He was about to confidently solve the problem for this illiterate dragon, but when his eyes landed on those three words, he also froze.

Xiang Zhongjing: “…”

Sixty years had passed, and it seemed the characters of the outside world had been simplified quite a bit. Xiang Zhongjing spent a long time identifying them before saying with forced calm, “Mhm, right. That is indeed the Qu Yi Sect.”

The look Gu Congxu gave Xiang Zhongjing was filled with a bit of longing and envy.

Back then, his master was knowledgeable and multifaceted. When bored, he would always focus intently on a book. To the young Gu Congxu, it was incredibly charming.

Gu Congxu had a sort of inexplicable romanticized adoration for his master.

His master loved wine, so wine must be a good thing.

His master was brilliantly talented, so any knowledgeable person must be a respectable figure just like his master.

Xiang Zhongjing, who could recognize characters Gu Congxu didn’t know, suddenly rose significantly in the True Dragon’s estimation.

Xiang Zhongjing gave a dry laugh and slowly tucked the map away, planning to ask Man Qiuxia about it later.

“Fine, then we’ll head to the Central Plains.”

Just as they finished their discussion, Man Qiuxia’s voice came from outside.

“Qu Weixian is here. He’s not wearing a veil again. He’s so ugly he could kill me, come out and let me look at you quickly.”

Xiang Zhongjing: “…”

Xiang Zhongjing stood up helplessly, straightened his messy clothes, and opened the door. “If he won’t wear one, can’t you wear one?”

“I forgot for a moment,” Man Qiuxia said casually. His reddened eyes immediately stared at Xiang Zhongjing’s face without stopping. Only after a good while did he finally satisfy his eyes. “Are you seeing him?”

Xiang Zhongjing: “Yes. Did the peacock come?”

“No.”

Xiang Zhongjing finally felt at ease. He crooked a finger toward the room and said, “Let’s go.”

Man Qiuxia was wondering who he was talking to when a man in black walked out of the room expressionlessly. His aura was cold and piercing, carrying a pressure that even human cultivators could vaguely detect.

Gu Congxu’s presence was so heavy that Man Qiuxia actually ignored his face at first.

Man Qiuxia asked in surprise, “He is…”

Xiang Zhongjing said, “Gu San…”

Before he could finish, Gu Congxu shot him a glare.

Xiang Zhongjing had no choice but to correct himself, “It is the True Dragon Lord.”

Only then was the True Dragon Lord satisfied.

Man Qiuxia: “…”

Man Qiuxia looked at the murderous Gu Congxu with astonishment. Even someone as bold as him didn’t dare to casually provoke this man, yet Xiang Zhongjing acted as if he didn’t notice the terrifying pressure at all, even teasing him with a straight face.

Man Qiuxia considered himself quite mad, but he didn’t realize Xiang Zhongjing was even less afraid of death than he was.

After a while, Man Qiuxia belatedly covered his eyes, blood once again flowing over his hands and face.

Gu Congxu: “…”

Gu Congxu said grimly, “Am I that ugly?”

Man Qiuxia nodded while keeping his head tilted back so Xiang Zhongjing could wipe his eyes, saying muzzily, “Ugly enough to kill me.”

Gu Congxu: “…”

Gu Congxu’s vertical pupils were cold. He asked Xiang Zhongjing expressionlessly, “Can I eat him?”

Fearing Gu Congxu might actually swallow Man Qiuxia whole, Xiang Zhongjing said, “No.”

Man Qiuxia was still muttering, “If you’re ugly, am I not allowed to say it? Zhongjing, blow on my eyes for me, will you? A lash seems to have gotten in.”

Gu Congxu finally reached his limit. He grabbed Xiang Zhongjing’s hand and ground his teeth silently. “Let’s go. Aren’t we going to see someone? Why are you wasting time here?”

Pulled by Gu Congxu’s grip on his wrist, Xiang Zhongjing stumbled. Caught off guard, half his body leaned into the crook of Gu Congxu’s arm, and he froze.

The first thing Man Qiuxia saw when his vision cleared was Xiang Zhongjing leaning against Gu Congxu like a youth in the first flushes of love, his ears flushed deep red.

Gu Congxu had no desire to speak further with Man Qiuxia and shot him a hateful glare. “Since I can’t eat him, let’s go.”

Xiang Zhongjing was led away by Gu Congxu in a daze.

Watching the two figures leave, Man Qiuxia thought back to the “Gu Sangeng” on Xiang Zhongjing’s jade plaque at the ceremony, and his expression turned a bit strange.

This True Dragon actually had some ability, to be able to make the stoic Xiang Zhongjing so bashful.

The bashful Xiang Zhongjing fully regained his senses after a few steps. He stared at Gu Congxu’s hand holding his wrist and said softly, “Do you know where to go to see Qu Weixian?”

Gu Congxu released his hand, crossed his arms, and said coldly, “Anywhere is fine, as long as it’s not near that blind ant.”

Xiang Zhongjing: “…”

“He’s like that with everyone. You don’t need to care about his evaluation.” Xiang Zhongjing suppressed a smile as he looked Gu Congxu up and down. “I think you look very good.”

Gu Congxu was stunned, followed by a surge of secret joy. If he were in dragon form, the tip of his tail would be curling up.

Before Gu Congxu could finish being happy, Xiang Zhongjing added, “If I had to choose a Dao companion from all of the Nine States, you would definitely be the one who most catches my eye.”

Gu Congxu: “…”

Gu Congxu flared up in embarrassment and glared at him. “Are we seeing the person or not?!”

Seeing him turn red, Xiang Zhongjing felt he had finally avenged his own reddened ears from earlier. He felt satisfied at last.

The two found the right path and soon met Qu Weixian.

Qu Weixian was sitting politely on his knees by a small side table, drinking tea with elegant posture. A sword lay horizontally beside his hand.

The moment Gu Congxu entered and saw his enemy, his vertical pupils constricted into needlepoints. He said grimly, “Can I…”

Xiang Zhongjing cut him off expressionlessly. “No eating.”

Gu Congxu’s expression remained ugly. If Xiang Zhongjing weren’t firmly holding his wrist, he surely would have shot forward like an arrow from a bow.

Xiang Zhongjing pulled Gu Congxu along and sat down in front of Qu Weixian, saying calmly, “Weixian.”

Qu Weixian offered him a smile, then looked over at the bared teeth and fierce expression of Gu Congxu, asking in confusion, “Evil Dragon?”

Gu Congxu hated it most when people called him an evil dragon. Having just been calmed down, those two words poked him right in the lungs. He slammed the table, smashing it into woodchips, and roared in a fury, “Die!”

Gu Congxu was so angry he wished he could rush over and swallow Qu Weixian, but Xiang Zhongjing held him back with all his might, leaving him to vent his impotent rage just half a step away.

Xiang Zhongjing tried desperately to soothe him. “True Dragon Lord! Forget it, forget it!”

Even with Gu Congxu practically in his face, Qu Weixian didn’t even blink. Seeing woodchips on his hem, he even reached out to brush them away with a gesture that was incredibly gentle.

In front of Qu Weixian, it felt as though time slowed down along with him.

Qu Weixian finished brushing away the chips at a leisurely pace. Without even looking at the dragon struggling to kill him, he stared intently at Xiang Zhongjing and said, “Zhongjing, your spirit beast is too fierce.”

Xiang Zhongjing: “…”

Before either of them could react, Qu Weixian added, “The Qu Yi Sect has a formation for controlling spirit beasts that can make even a True Dragon submissive. If you go to the Central State, tell me, and I will bring the formation to you.”

Xiang Zhongjing: “…”

Gu Congxu: “…”

Gu Congxu’s entire body stiffened, and he instinctively felt a sense of crisis. He turned his head to look at Xiang Zhongjing.

Peacocks were usually haughty and would rather die than be controlled by human cultivators, yet the Qu Yi Sect had made it willing to recognize a master, even treating it like a tool.

Previously, Gu Congxu had wondered what the Qu Yi Sect had promised the peacock to make it work so hard for them.

Now it seemed the peacock might not be willing at all, but was instead controlled by the formation Qu Weixian mentioned, driven by humans.

Gu Congxu looked at the pensive Xiang Zhongjing beside him, his heart suddenly skipping a beat in a strange panic.

If Xiang Zhongjing really wanted to use that formation to make him submissive, what should he do?

Would he have to perish together with him?

Gu Congxu was filled with bewilderment.

They had only just reached a deal not long ago, a mutual restraint and mutual aid. How long had it been before this Qu Weixian came to stir things up!

Gu Congxu felt panicked one moment and even more hateful toward Qu Weixian the next. His heart was a mess of emotions, feeling terribly uncomfortable.

Just as Gu Congxu’s mind was in turmoil, he suddenly heard Xiang Zhongjing speak.

“No need.”

Gu Congxu was stunned, looking at him in astonishment.

If that formation truly worked, it would be purely beneficial for Xiang Zhongjing. Why would he refuse?

Gu Congxu suddenly felt he couldn’t understand Xiang Zhongjing at all.

Qu Weixian also blinked. “Why?”

“He is not my spirit beast; he doesn’t need to be submissive to me.” Xiang Zhongjing seemed to have deduced something. “Though, I am indeed interested in this formation.”

Qu Weixian asked again, “Why?”

Xiang Zhongjing narrowed his eyes slightly. “Sixty years ago, I once followed the peacock in an attempt to escape its shackles. I saw it enter a cave dwelling in the forbidden grounds of the Qu Yi Sect.”

Qu Weixian tilted his head.

Gu Congxu also unconsciously stopped glaring at Qu Weixian, his eyes fixed only on Xiang Zhongjing.

“That cave dwelling gave me a very strange feeling. My intuition told me that if I wanted to live, I should not enter.” Xiang Zhongjing released his grip on Gu Congxu, propped up his chin, and said lazily, “Sixty years have passed, and I’ve only just realized that my intuition saved my life back then.”

Even though Qu Weixian was the Sect Master of Qu Yi, he had never entered the forbidden grounds. He said, “Was the formation to control the peacock inside that cave?”

“That cave gave me a feeling very similar to when I first met the True Dragon,” Xiang Zhongjing said. “That’s why I’m wondering, if that really is the formation to control the peacock, then the object at the center of the formation’s eye…”

He looked at Gu Congxu, offered a smile, and said something shocking.

“Could it possibly be a dragon bone?”

Gu Congxu’s vertical pupils constricted violently.

The silent Qu Weixian suddenly nodded and said, “Oh, I see.”

Hearing that familiar tone, Xiang Zhongjing arched an eyebrow. “What do you see?”

Sixty years ago, whenever Qu Weixian used that “I see” tone, he usually understood nothing at all.

Sure enough, Qu Weixian said, “So Zhongjing is afraid the Evil Dragon won’t want to go to the formation, so you made up the ‘dragon bone’ excuse to trick him into going inside.”

Xiang Zhongjing was expressionless.

He really didn’t understand.

Gu Congxu, who had just barely regained his composure, was horrified!

Xiang Zhongjing: “…”

You really believe whatever anyone says, don’t you?!