Chapter Sixty-Nine: More Loss Than Gain

At dawn, as the first light of morning spilled across the land, Gu Weiyu, who had been meditating inside her tent, stepped out and with a light leap, reached the high slope of the valley. Bathed in the gentle warmth of the rising sun, much of the gloom that had weighed on her heart these past days was dispelled.

Last night, after pondering for hours, she had finally found a solution in the jade slip left by her ancestor—the Art of Concealment. With this art, not only could she alter her appearance, but, to a certain extent, she could even change her very aura. Achieving such a profound effect was no easy feat, but as long as she mastered the basics, she could easily fool the senses of those at her own cultivation level.

So, while Gu Weiyu devoted herself to cultivation and practicing the Art of Concealment in the quiet valley, small events were unfolding in Danyang City.

"Oh? Is that so?" In the Treasure Pavilion, Chu Nanhe sat impassively in an elegant chamber, his gaze fixed on the black-robed man bowing before him. His voice was cold, devoid of emotion.

"Yes, the Tower Master specifically sent me to inform you," the man replied, his tone deep and respectful.

"You may go. Convey my thanks to the Tower Master," Chu Nanhe waved his hand.

With a bow, the black-robed man withdrew from the chamber.

"Xing'er, come here," Chu Nanhe called.

A paper crane fluttered out the window, gliding toward the courtyard behind the Treasure Pavilion.

Standing at the window, Chu Nanhe reflected. He had seen through Hu Xiaoyu's clumsy disguise from the very beginning, but for Xing'er's sake, he had chosen not to expose her. If it weren't for her well-behaved conduct in the Treasure Pavilion, he would have forced her departure long ago, regardless of her wishes. Anyone close to Xing'er would always warrant his extra caution.

Soon, soft footsteps sounded outside the chamber.

Chu Liuxing pushed open the door and strode in, speaking carelessly, "Father, you wanted to see me?"

Chu Nanhe glanced at the door, which hadn't been fully closed. Chu Liuxing understood, turned back, and shut it before taking a seat.

"Sanshui's been a bit unruly lately, hasn't he?" Chu Nanhe asked directly.

"Sanshui?" Chu Liuxing frowned, recalling how the servant had been absent often of late. "He has been rather slack these days," he admitted.

"Xing'er, that boy's intentions are impure. I plan to reassign Liu Huo to serve you instead," Chu Nanhe replied coolly.

"Impure intentions?" Chu Liuxing looked up in surprise.

"He went to the Mission Tower two days ago and claimed that the girl surnamed Gu had appeared in my Treasure Pavilion..." Chu Nanhe continued, relaying the message the Tower Master had sent.

Chu Liuxing was stunned, barely hearing the rest of his father's words. Waves of shock surged within him—so Yu-di was indeed the one sought by the enormous bounty?

"Xing'er, that girl is not simple. It's for the best that she left," Chu Nanhe said, his tone softening as he looked at his son with rare gentleness. In his eyes, his son had many virtues but was too soft-hearted and naïve.

"Father, is Yu-di really... But he's only at the fifth stage of Qi Refining. And why doesn't he want to go home?" Chu Liuxing asked, still in disbelief.

"Xing'er, those are other people's affairs—not yours to worry about," Chu Nanhe said sternly. "It's fine to make friends, but everything has its limits. A favor of rice may be repaid with gratitude, but too much may breed resentment..."

As his father began his familiar lecture, Chu Liuxing grew restless; he made friends by his own principles!

"Father, I know what you're trying to say," Chu Liuxing finally interrupted, unable to contain himself.

Seeing his son's obstinacy, a trace of helplessness flickered in Chu Nanhe's eyes. "Fine. You may go."

Chu Liuxing stood, feeling stifled. "Father, I want to go out for a walk."

"Take Liu Huo with you," Chu Nanhe agreed, sensing his son's mood and raising no objection.

As for Sanshui, neither of them mentioned him again.

Having learned that Sanshui had gone to the Mission Hall, Chu Liuxing's affection for him vanished. Regardless of Sanshui's motives, to do such a thing behind his back was unacceptable.

Chu Nanhe acted swiftly. As soon as Chu Liuxing left the Treasure Pavilion, he ordered that Sanshui be given an extra month's wages and dismissed from service.

At the entrance of the Treasure Pavilion, Sanshui stood in a daze, clutching his pay. He had actually been dismissed?

He recalled the meaningful look from the chief steward when he asked for the reason: "Are you really unaware of what you've done?"

Suddenly, Sanshui remembered his visit to the Mission Hall. Could it be...

"No, if the young master knows, surely he wouldn't want me to leave!" Still clinging to hope, Sanshui tried to reassure himself.

After a walk around the city, Chu Liuxing's mood improved somewhat, but as he approached the entrance of the Treasure Pavilion, he was stopped.

"Young master, you're finally back!" Sanshui, who had been waiting outside, was so emotional he nearly burst into tears.

Chu Liuxing glanced at the hand gripping his sleeve and, for some reason, felt a surge of aversion. "Why are you here?"

Sanshui, about to appeal to their past bond, was caught off guard. The young man before him suddenly felt like a stranger. He stammered, "Y-young master... I don't want to leave you!"

"Sanshui, we've been master and servant. I won't speak too harshly, but you must look after yourself from now on." With a flick of his sleeve, Chu Liuxing strode away with Liu Huo, leaving Sanshui's hand empty and his heart filled with endless regret.

A thousand spirit stones could never compare to the privilege of remaining at the side of the Pavilion Master's son.

———

Outside Danyang City, in the secluded valley.

A boy with a round, tigerish face squatted beside a brook, making silly faces at his reflection in the water. With every contortion, the image in the water mimicked back a series of goofy expressions, making him look quite comical.

"This Art of Concealment is truly miraculous!" After a while, the boy ceased his childish antics, exclaiming in a crisp voice to himself.

She touched her face—still the same as before, with not a single feature altered. Yet, in others' eyes, her appearance had changed in a most peculiar way.

Gu Weiyu was thoroughly satisfied. Her own features were on the delicate side, making her look rather girlish, and she was perfectly content with her current look!

"It took me an entire ten days, but at last, I've managed to grasp the basics of this art!" The past days had been anything but easy—living rough like a wildling, eating in the open and sleeping under the sky. Her mouth was nearly tasteless from the plain food!

"Tomorrow, I'll take a stroll through Danyang City!" Gu Weiyu thought with delight. After all, she now had spirit stones in her purse!