Zanxing (Retranslated)

Chapter 215 - Birthday (2)

Gu Baiying was momentarily stunned and then replied, somewhat perplexed, “Nonsense, do you like them?”

“If you encountered a demonic entity, would you capture it immediately?” Zanxing turned her head and stared into his eyes.

Her face lacked the usual teasing, and she had restrained her smile. Gu Baiying realized she was asking very seriously.

So, he answered with greater seriousness than ever before, “Of course.”

Of course.

He didn’t explain why or hesitate, as if it were a matter beyond consideration. The young man’s eyes were beautiful and clear, his gaze honest and unguarded.

Indeed, if his own father, Gu Caiyu, hadn’t sacrificed himself to balance Gu Diaotang, there would have been no need. The fall of Fairy Qinghua was also related to the demonic tribes, and having become an orphan because of them, could he still be expected to like them? It would be unreasonable to demand that.

“Yang Zanxing…” Gu Baiying’s expression turned somewhat suspicious.

Zanxing suddenly burst into laughter, her voice becoming as light-hearted as usual. “That’s good. With the demonic tribes possibly making a comeback, I was worried you might not handle them well. But now it seems your resolve is firm. I’m reassured that you can defend our sect well.”

“Hey,” Gu Baiying said, pinching her cheek with dissatisfaction. “Instead of worrying about me, you should worry about yourself. With your current cultivation level, you might wet your pants if you encounter a demonic entity.”

It was an instinctive action, and by the time he realized it, his hand was already pinching Zanxing’s cheek. Her skin was soft and warm to the touch, and the dark scar slightly raised, making his fingertips feel suddenly warm.

Their gazes locked, and the young man suddenly found himself at a loss for words, his entire body freezing.

Zanxing looked at him, unsure of how to react.

From the persimmon tree, a summer cicada chirped, adding a touch of liveliness to the mountain night. A cheerful voice came from a girl: “Miss, Miss, look at the double-sided embroidery I just learned. It’s perfect for making a cloak for Mimi—”

The girl’s voice abruptly stopped when she saw Gu Baiying. “Gu… Young Master Gu?”

“Young Master?” Zanxing snapped back to her senses, stunned for a moment. “Why do you call him Young Master?”

The girl quickly covered her mouth, glanced at Gu Baiying, and then said cautiously, “When Uncle Niu came here last time, he called him that.”

Zanxing cleared her throat. “Don’t use that term randomly in the future. It could cause a big problem if outsiders hear it.” Heaven help her, between Gu Baiying and herself, there was nothing untoward, but those who didn’t know might think otherwise.

The girl, Hong Su, was displeased by Zanxing’s words and retorted, “Uncle Niu and I have always called him that. I haven’t seen Young Master Gu get angry, so why should you be concerned?”

Zanxing turned to Gu Baiying and asked incredulously, “Aren’t you angry?”

A flash of embarrassment and irritation crossed the young man’s eyes, and then he said angrily, “Do you want me to discipline your maid? What’s the use of me being angry?”

Zanxing hurriedly said, “Yes, yes, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have let Hong Su say such things.” She glared at Hong Su. “Hong Su, go back to your room quickly.”

The young girl pouted, her face full of grievance. “Miss, don’t be angry with Hong Su. I thought Master Gu was happy to be our Yang family’s son-in-law since he didn’t say anything when I called him that. I didn’t realize he didn’t want to. Oh, Miss, you’ve been pampered at home since you were little, never having to do anything. Now that you’re at Gufeng Mountain, no one cares or looks after you, even forgetting your birthday. Finally, you find a suitable son-in-law, but he isn’t happy… Is Miss destined to be lonely for the rest of her life?” Hong Su’s voice grew sadder as she spoke. “Isn’t our Miss going to end up all alone?”

Zanxing was perplexed. How had she become destined for a lonely life? And how had the young girl’s tears appeared so suddenly and unexpectedly?

Gu Baiying looked up at Zanxing and asked, “Your birthday?”

Zanxing replied, “Huh?”

In At The Summit of the Nine Heavens, there was no mention of the birthday of ‘Miss Yang,’ a minor character. Even if it was mentioned, with so many words, she’d hardly remember it.

Hong Su offered a helpful hint. “Miss’s birthday is the first day of next month.”

“The first of June?” Gu Baiying’s expression changed slightly. “That’s not far off.”

“In Yuecheng, your birthday was quite lively, Miss. There were eight banquet tables, and the gifts from relatives and friends piled up so much that they couldn’t fit in the house,” Hong Su said, though it wasn’t clear how accurate her words were. “This year at the sect, I wonder if we’ll get a birthday gift. Probably not, since Miss herself has forgotten about it.”

Zanxing was impressed. Hong Su could have been a talented performer, this was a skill of a true expert.

The young and impetuous Gu Baiying clearly couldn’t handle Hong Su’s hints. After a pause, he stood up and said, “It’s getting late. Yang Zanxing, you should rest early. I’ll head back now.”

He hurriedly left the Elysium Hall courtyard. Hong Su leaned in close to Zanxing’s ear and whispered, “Miss, I guarantee he’s going to prepare a birthday gift for you.”

Zanxing looked at her. “You might as well have written ‘come and give me a gift’ on your face. How could he not bring one?”

“That’s for your own good,” Hong Su said earnestly, holding Zanxing’s hand. “Today, I checked with Miss Liu, and Young Master Mu has already made it clear that his beloved is Miss Meng. Compared to Miss Meng, your chances are slim. Since we can’t secure Young Master Mu, let’s settle for Young Master Gu. It’s like riding a donkey while looking for a horse, we can always switch to something better later.”

Zanxing couldn’t help but recall Gu Baiying’s words, “This staff barely matches your status as a direct disciple. When something better comes along, you can replace it.”

She wondered what Gu Baiying would think if he knew he was considered the ‘second choice.’

She stood up from the threshold, patted Hong Su on the shoulder, and walked into the house, muttering to herself, “Future prospects depend on having a future first.”

Riding a donkey while looking for a horse, if she wasn’t careful, she might fall off the donkey before finding the horse.

*

As Gu Baiying returned to Elysium Hall, he overheard Men Dong enthusiastically instructing Mu Cengxiao, “Very good. Keep these little poems memorized. When you chat with Senior Sister Meng in the future, sprinkle in a few lines now and then. It will surely make her view you in a new light.”

Gu Baiying couldn’t help but press his fingers to his forehead.

Daoist Yueguang was usually busy teaching disciples, while Men Dong, with his innate spiritual talent and unique physique, didn’t need to practice diligently and spent his days idling away in Elysium Hall from dawn till dusk. Whenever Mu Cengxiao needed someone, he’d come directly to Elysium Hall instead of going to the Daoist Yueguang’s hall.

Gu Baiying entered the hall, set down the Xiu Gu Spear, and leaned against a pillar with his arms crossed, observing the earnest discussion between the two younger ones with a cold eye.

Mu Cengxiao was quite modest, “But Senior Sister Meng doesn’t seem to treat me particularly special…”

“You haven’t shown her anything special either. You need to make her feel that she is unique in your heart, the most important person to you,” Men Dong said, pulling at his pink hair tie, speaking authoritatively.

Mu Cengxiao blushed, “How should I show that?”

“There are many ways.” Men Dong took a sip of tea, cleared his throat, and continued, “Like bringing her an umbrella when it rains, reminding her to drink hot water when she’s in her period, sharing a beautiful poem you come across… These are the details women appreciate.”

“But… Senior Sister Meng doesn’t seem like someone who would care about these things,” Mu Cengxiao hesitated.

“That’s what you think. Listen to me. In a few days, pick a gift for her. Otherwise, what’s the difference between you and any ordinary fellow disciple? Practicing and progressing together just makes you like brothers.”

Gu Baiying raised an eyebrow slightly.

“Then… I don’t know what Senior Sister Meng likes,” Mu Cengxiao pondered, “I was thinking of giving her a sword, but top-grade spirit weapons are rare, and what I find might not compare to her own Moon Soul Sword. As for pills and spirit herbs, she’s seen plenty, and I don’t have anything impressive.”

“A spirit weapon? You’re really dreaming. With your level, it’s better to give up on Senior Sister Meng. You’re like a piece of rotten wood that can’t be carved. Let me tell you…”

Gu Baiying’s ears perked up. At the next moment, Men Dong noticed him behind the pillar and asked, “Martial Uncle, when did you return?”

Gu Baiying stepped out, his expression cold as he said, “Just now.” After a pause, he added, “What were you talking about?”

“We were discussing how Senior Brother Mu wanted to give Senior Sister Meng a spirit weapon, spirit pills, and spirit herbs,” Men Dong sighed. “If I were Senior Sister Meng, I’d be furious.”

Gu Baiying’s expression shifted slightly. “Then what should he give?”

“Rouge, jewelry, and little lanterns!” Men Dong said without hesitation. “We don’t have many good things on the mountain, but there’s plenty of such items down in the city. From jewelry and silver to rouge, face powders, and even sugar figurines, lanterns, and sachets—there’s so much to choose from. Senior Sisters see only cultivation-related things every day at the sect, so if you’re going to give a gift, it should at least be something different.”

“Jewelry and silver?”

“There’s plenty of that at the Hua Jin Building,” Men Dong said with obvious expertise. “Manager Jin is so pretty herself, and the jewelry in her shop is quite good.”

“But the things at Hua Jin Building must be expensive, right?” Mu Cengxiao hesitated. Though he was now a direct disciple of Xuan Lingzi, and could use medicinal pills and spirit herbs within the sect, he couldn’t sell them outside. Compared to the Yinfeng Sect, which had mines, Taiyan Sect’s monthly spirit stone allowances were just decent. Meng Ying had everything she needed since childhood, so buying a mediocre piece of jewelry might not be ideal.

“Then just buy some rouge, face powder, or small trinkets,” Men Dong sighed. “You’re so clueless, not even knowing what Yang Zanxing and Liu Yunxin like. Right, Martial Uncle… Martial Uncle?” Men Dong turned to seek Gu Baiying’s opinion, only to see him already heading into the building on his own.

“Martial Uncle couldn’t stand it anymore,” Men Dong sighed and patted Mu Cengxiao’s shoulder. “Think it over carefully.”

Mu Cengxiao nodded in a daze. “…Oh.”