Zanxing (Retranslated)

Extra 8 - Dual Cultivation (2)

This inn was quite large.

It wasn’t like an ordinary tavern, instead, it resembled a sprawling courtyard. The innkeeper led Zanxing and Gu Baiying into the courtyard, and aside from the occasional guest being escorted by maids, there was hardly anyone else in sight, ensuring a high level of privacy.

After turning through several winding paths, the innkeeper finally stopped before a large gate and smiled, saying, “Here we are, Guihai Blessed Land.”

The exterior looked like an ordinary house—so plain that Zanxing hesitated and glanced at the innkeeper. “Is this really it?” she wondered if they were about to be scammed.

The innkeeper covered her mouth and chuckled, gently pushing them inside. “Once you enter, you’ll see for yourself.”

The gate creaked open, and an unusual fragrance greeted them.

Indeed, it was a courtyard, and it was quite spacious. So spacious, in fact, that right in front of the house, there was enough room for a snow-white hot spring. The water bubbled with steam, and the surface was strewn with various flower petals. Colored lanterns hung at each corner, casting soft, shimmering reflections on the water. The ambiance was undeniably romantic.

Gu Baiying gripped his Xiu Gu spear tightly and cautioned, “There are soundproofing talismans on all sides. Be careful, there might be danger…” Before he could finish, Zanxing let out an excited cheer and dashed toward a swing bed beneath a tree in the courtyard.

She ran her hand along the edge of the swing bed, marveling, “They even have this kind of bed here! How meticulous!”

Gu Baiying: “…”

It was more like a hanging hammock than a traditional swing bed. The bedding was soft, draped with light pink curtains. If one ignored the faint bloody handprint imprinted on the fabric, it was an ideal place to relax, especially with the hot spring nearby. With soundproofing talismans preventing any outside noise, it’s easy to imagine that Daoist couples with a taste for excitement would love this place.

Gu Baiying hesitated, “Maybe we should reconsider…”

But before he could finish, Zanxing had already grabbed his hand and pulled him inside. “We’ve already paid, so why reconsider? Let’s at least take a look!”

Zanxing was eager to explore all the new and interesting places in Duzhou. Now that she had found such a fun location, how could she not take a closer look?

As soon as they entered the house, the sweet fragrance in the air became even more intense.

Not far from the entrance stood a large black cage. The cage was secured with thick iron locks. At the sight of it, Gu Baiying immediately pulled Zanxing behind him. “Be careful! There’s something strange about this place.”

Before he could say more, Zanxing interrupted, her eyes gleaming with excitement. “This must be the handiwork of the demon clan.”

Only demons could come up with such bold and audacious designs.

Gu Baiying stared at her in disbelief. “Yang Zanxing, don’t you find it odd? There’s a massive cage here, complete with chains. Someone might have been imprisoned here.”

Zanxing hummed dismissively, not the least bit concerned. “If you like it, you could even be imprisoned here tonight.”

Gu Baiying frowned, confused. “What do you mean by that?”

Sighing, Zanxing said, “Maybe you should stop talking.”

As they moved further inside, they discovered the room held many other items. Mirrors hung on all four walls, reflecting their images at every turn. A stack of colorful booklets sat on the table, but Gu Baiying tossed them aside after a single glance, his face flushing bright red all the way to his ears.

Zanxing, puzzled, muttered, “But where’s the bed?”

The room was filled with all sorts of odd objects, but no bed. Could it be that the swing bed outside in the courtyard was the only place to sleep?

While Zanxing was still pondering this, something on a folding screen caught her eye.

The screen was long, with each panel adorned with a different illustration, and on each panel hung two pieces of clothing. There were Daoist robes paired with light dresses, with the illustration beneath showing a Daoist master and a demoness. There was a phoenix-embroidered robe alongside a general’s armor, and beneath it, a depiction of an empress and a military officer. The images grew bolder and more provocative, showing courtesans and nobles, concubines and scholars, and even widows and scoundrels. The more fairy-like the brush stoke, the bolder the picture.

Gu Baiying approached to take a closer look, and his expression immediately darkened. With a flick of his spear, he lifted one of the garments draped on the screen and used it to completely cover the entire display.

Zanxing raised a brow. “What are you doing?”

Avoiding her gaze, Gu Baiying replied calmly, “This place is odd. We should consider staying at another inn.”

Zanxing felt a headache coming on. But then, she caught sight of the garment he’d used to cover the screen. She froze for a moment. “Wait, is this a wedding robe?”

As soon as she spoke, the atmosphere in the room shifted. In an instant, the strange and eerie room transformed, decorated in festive red, with large ‘double happiness’ characters plastered everywhere. At the center of the room was an enormous, plush bed, its linens an auspicious crimson. A small table in front of it held a spread of eight-treasure lotus seeds and a jug of wine meant for wedding nights.

And standing before Zanxing, dressed in a bright red wedding robe, was none other than Gu Baiying, staring at her in surprise. “You…”

At some point, Zanxing’s own attire had transformed into a bright red wedding dress. The exquisite embroidery and intricate patterns made her look like a radiant bride, glowing as if she were ready for marriage.

“I see it now!” Zanxing exclaimed in sudden realization. “The clothes on the screen—whichever one you choose, the room transforms to match that theme.”

No wonder the innkeeper had said, “In the other rooms, there’s only one type of scenery per room, but Guihai Blessed Land is different. It offers multiple scenic options, and the guests can choose whichever they like.”

So this was a self-selected theme!

As if to confirm her thoughts, the long screen vanished, replaced by a vivid painting. The figures in the artwork were seated on the bed of a newlywed’s chamber, and above them were the words Bridal Chamber of Flowers and Candles.

This theme was a Bridal Chamber!

Gu Baiying stood there, stunned, staring at her.

Zanxing, who usually favored green dresses that matched her calm yet resilient temperament was now clad in a striking red for the first time. She had always been naturally radiant and bright, never bothering with excessive adornment, but this red wedding dress made her appear especially captivating.

The Jie Xin Bell rang with a crisp, clear sound.

Zanxing’s gaze was thoughtful as she looked at him.

Gu Baiying was undeniably handsome, whether among humans or demons, and his looks had always ranked him highly. As he had grown older, his once wild temperament had mellowed, but this vibrant color brought out the spirited youth hidden deep within him—the same spirited youth Zanxing had first met all those years ago, with his rosy lips and bright smile.

The bridal canopy fluttered, and the red candles burned high.

Zanxing could hear her own heartbeat, pounding fiercely in her chest. She stepped forward and softly called his name, “Gu Baiying.”

Gu Baiying’s throat rolled as he swallowed, instinctively taking a step back.

To be fair, Zanxing and Gu Baiying had been together for quite some time now. During their travels, Gu Baiying had always been respectful and adhered to etiquette, though there had been moments where his emotions ran high. However, just when things might become dangerous, he would always sober up quickly, pulling away as if embodying the very principles of male virtue at all times.

This had often led Zanxing to be teased by Bu Jiang, who mocked that she had gone long without ever engaging in dual cultivation.