Zanxing (Retranslated)

Chapter 211 - The Peerless Heart Sutra (2)

The Library Pavilion was as quiet as ever today.

In contrast to the bustling Martial Arts Hall, which was always crowded, the Library Pavilion was as desolate as an abandoned building. It was no wonder that the place was so quiet. The Martial Arts Hall housed techniques and Heart Sutras, which were highly beneficial to cultivators. On the surface, the Library Pavilion seemed impressive, but most of the books inside were travelogues and miscellaneous works. Young disciples often came here to look for novels to pass the time, while older disciples were too busy with their techniques to waste time here.

As a result, the gatekeeper child was perpetually bored and could count all 8,648 tiles in the entire building.

Since Zanxing’s arrival, the Library Pavilion had finally gained some popularity, and today, in an unusual turn of events, two people had entered the pavilion.

Men Dong walked out of the Library Pavilion with his hands behind his back, swaggering. Behind him followed Mu Cengxiao, looking hesitant. As they passed the gatekeeper child, Mu Cengxiao appeared somewhat nervous.

After they had walked a good distance, Mu Cengxiao finally stopped Men Dong and, after some hesitation, asked, “Junior Brother, are these books really useful?”

He held a stack of colorful books, including titles like One Hundred Dating Spots in the Cultivation World, The Ultimate Collection of Romantic Phrases, Step-by-Step Guide to Pursuing a Dao Partner, and How I Became the White Moonlight of an Immortal After Cultivating.

“Haven’t I already told you?” The child, with a stern face, took on the role of a mentor and said, “Pursuing a Dao partner requires proper methods, you can’t be reckless like those young hotheads. I’m only teaching you out of our repeated travels together. If I can’t be your strategist in the entire Taiyan Sect, no one else can.”

He reached behind him, pinched Mu Cengxiao’s ear, and sneered, “What strategist? More like a dog-headed strategist.”

The young man standing behind him had a look of exasperation, “Your confidence is astounding. It’s like you never stop bragging the moment I’m not around.”

Men Dong, covering his ear, resisted his hand and retorted with righteous indignation, “Martial Uncle, how can this be considered bragging? Everyone in our sect knows my reputation as the ‘Messenger of True Love.’ I’ve delivered no fewer than a thousand love poems from senior brothers and sisters. I understand perfectly well how to pursue a Dao partner.”

Gu Baiying looked at him coldly. “Oh, really? Then recite a couple for me.”

“Fine, I’ll recite.” Men Dong cleared his throat and began, “Listen carefully.”

“‘I must have eaten too much salt. Otherwise, why do I keep thinking of you?’”

“‘Do you know what kind of wine gets you drunk the easiest? — Your eternity.’”

“‘Do you know what kind of deity I like? — Your gaze.’”

“‘After meeting you, I only want to become one kind of person. — Your person.’”

“‘Do you know? We’re both quite excessive. How excessive? — You’re excessively beautiful, and I’m excessively infatuated.’”

He recited several lines in one breath, then looked at the two with a smug expression. “How was that? Aren’t they exquisite lines?”

Gu Baiying replied with a flat tone, “I feel like throwing up.”

“Is that so?” Mu Cengxiao hesitated and spoke uncertainly, “So this is how poems are written in our sect. It’s indeed quite different from those outside.”

“Idiot, you’re not actually believing this kid’s nonsense, are you?” Gu Baiying looked incredulously at Mu Cengxiao. “Are you sure you want to write this for Meng Ying?”

“Senior Sister Meng is different from other girls. I wouldn’t write those flowery verses, as it would only make me a laughingstock. But with poems like these…” Mu Cengxiao hesitated, “I might not be able to write them well either.”

“Are you sure this qualifies as poetry?” Gu Baiying pressed his forehead. “Forget it, it’s not my gift, so do as you please.”

“By the way, Senior Brother Mu,” Men Dong asked, looking up at him, “Even though I agreed to be your strategist, you need to clarify things with your childhood friend. Senior Sister Meng has a noble disposition and would never compete for affection with other women. If you hope for Senior Sister Meng to be jealous, you’re very wrong. If things between you and Liu Yunxin are still unclear, don’t even bother writing poems. Senior Sister Meng won’t give you a second glance.”

“No, no,” Mu Cengxiao quickly waved his hand, his face reddening slightly. “Yunxin and I grew up together, and our relationship has always been one of siblings. After our parents passed away, I did consider marrying Yunxin to take care of her for the rest of her life, given her poor health. But after joining the Taiyan Sect, I met Senior Sister Meng…” He paused before continuing, “My relationship with Yunxin is purely one of mutual support, with no romantic feelings. I’ve already clarified my intentions with Yunxin before we went to the treasure trove. She understands my feelings. I, Mu Cengxiao, am not someone who wavers. I’ve never thought of enjoying the blessings of multiple partners. I swear!”

Gu Baiying crossed his arms and suddenly asked, “What about Yang Zanxing?”

“Huh?”

The young man’s brow furrowed slightly in irritation. “Isn’t Yang Zanxing interested in you? What do you think about that?”

Mu Cengxiao looked puzzled. “Zanxing? I thought so before, but… I believe it’s mostly a misunderstanding.” In the Spirit Domain of the Sacred Tree in the treasure trove, they had both been poisoned by the Liu Huan Grass. Even though Zanxing wasn’t affected by the floral scent, her reaction at the time didn’t seem like she was interested in him. It felt more like she was trying to avoid him.

Gu Baiying snorted lightly, remaining silent, clearly unconvinced.

Seeing this, Men Dong thought for a moment, grabbed Mu Cengxiao’s arm, and started walking forward. “Alright, Senior Brother Mu, since you’re determined, I’ll help you to the end. Come on, let’s go over the books you’ve selected today. I’ll highlight the key points for you.”

As their voices gradually faded away, Gu Baiying was lost in thought, staring at their retreating figures. Suddenly, a voice popped up from behind him, “What are you staring at so intently?”

Gu Baiying jumped in surprise. Zanxing stood before him, smiling as she followed his gaze. “Oh, why are Senior Brother and Men Dong together?”

Gu Baiying took a step back, creating some distance between them. After a pause, he awkwardly replied, “Are you looking for Mu Cengxiao?”

“No,” Zanxing responded quickly. “I was looking for you. I just came from the Elysium Hall and didn’t see you there. I thought you were still in seclusion. How are you feeling lately, Martial Uncle?”

She looked at him with genuine concern.

Gu Baiying turned his head away and said, “Just so-so, I’m not dying.”

“Don’t say such inauspicious things when there’s no need.” Zanxing, without thinking, went to cover his mouth. “Hasn’t Fourth Master already used the Sacred Tree’s fruit to refine medicine for you? The Snake Shaman’s answers are never false. If she says the fruit can help repair your spiritual veins, it will definitely work. Soon, your spiritual vein problems will be completely resolved, with no further issues.”

She babbled on for a while before realizing the awkwardness of her gesture.

Her palm was still resting on Gu Baiying’s lips, cool and soft, and his clear, deep eyes made her hand feel warm.

Zanxing quickly withdrew her hand, feeling that her actions might seem a bit out of place. She hurriedly changed the subject, “By the way, Martial Uncle, where’s my staff?”

The Wuyou Sword brought back from the treaure trove was a top-grade spirit weapon, even though the sword spirit had been removed. Among their group, everyone had their favored spirit weapon, but Zanxing was still using the patched-up Panhua Stick. Gu Baiying had taken her Wuyou Sword to the Hua Jin Pavilion, where trades were abundant and there were skilled weapon smiths who could forge the sword into a staff suited for Zanxing.

“Give it back to you in a couple of days,” Gu Baiying said.

The atmosphere fell into silence once more.

Unlike before, Gu Baiying didn’t hurl criticism at her, and Zanxing couldn’t find any teasing remarks to counter him. Standing side by side felt awkward, so Zanxing’s gaze fell on Gu Baiying’s waist. She was trying to think of a new topic when she unexpectedly made a new discovery and asked, “By the way, Martial Uncle, where’s your Jie Xin Bell?”

Gu Baiying’s expression stiffened.

Yet, Zanxing moved closer, her eyes fixed on him as if searching for clues in his expression. She continued, “I don’t think I saw it when we went to the treasure trove last time… Martial Uncle, where’s your Jie Xin Bell? Why isn’t it with you?”

“It’s broken,” the young man said calmly, though his hand hidden behind his back tightened slightly.

“Impossible. The Jie Xin Bell is a spirit weapon; it shouldn’t break so easily. And it’s not supposed to make any sound, so how would you know it’s broken?” Zanxing pressed on, forcing Gu Baiying to back away step by step. Then she suddenly seemed to realize something, her eyes widening. “Could it be that it did make a sound?”

Gu Baiying began to cough, clearly flustered.

Zanxing stood still, as if she had uncovered the truth, and muttered to herself, “Last time on the Doluo Platform, when Pu Tao asked if you had a lover, you didn’t answer. It seems you really did have someone.” She murmured, “But it doesn’t make sense. We haven’t heard the Jie Xin Bell ring for a long time. Maybe it’s not someone from our sect, but if something was really going on, Men Dong, who is always around you, would have noticed it immediately.”

“Could it be…” She looked up at Gu Baiying with piercing eyes, as if seeking deeper meaning.

Gu Baiying, feeling increasingly distressed under her gaze, instinctively pressed his lips together and said, “Could it be what?”

“Remember when we were in Wufan City, the Mirage Woman seduced you and wanted you to stay as her male concubine? You firmly refused at that time, but did you secretly enjoy it? She was so beautiful and charming, it’s natural for men to be attracted to such a woman. You might have been honest with your body even if you said otherwise.”

Gu Baiying’s initial irritation faded quickly, replaced by calm and a blank expression.

He stared at Zanxing for a moment before finally saying, “Yang Zanxing.”

“What?”

“I really am sick,” he said, and without another word, he turned and walked away.

Zanxing was left standing alone.

She watched his retreating figure, her earlier teasing expression slowly fading away.

After a moment, she sighed in resignation and followed him out.