Chapter Thirty-Nine
"Senior Brother, what is this...?"
"When Master ascended, I thought to myself, you're not getting any younger. If you meet a suitable young lady, we as your senior brothers should make preparations for you." Xian Zhu scratched his head, smiling kindly. "When Master brought you back, he didn't mention which family in the mortal realm you came from. Elder Brother and I assumed your parents and siblings were probably no longer around. This phoenix crown was specially prepared for you. When you meet a woman you fancy, take this crown to propose marriage—it won't disgrace you. I can tell, you're quite taken with that Hua Shu from Hundred Birds Island..."
Gu Jin's face flushed red. "Senior Brother..."
"Don't be embarrassed. You're unmarried, she's unwed, and Hua Shu is the foremost beauty of our Immortal Realm. What's wrong with liking her? I support you. Junior Brother, this time, the Peacock King is openly celebrating his birthday, but anyone with eyes can see he wants to choose a husband for his precious daughter. I've heard many Immortal Sect Leaders are bringing their most treasured heirlooms to seek her hand. Although our Great Marsh Mountain rarely involves itself in the conflicts of the Three Realms, when it comes to treasures, we're no less than them. With the Sky-Shielding Umbrella already setting a precedent, plus this phoenix crown, the Peacock Clan owes our Great Marsh Mountain a debt of protection. When you go to Hundred Birds Island this time, the old Peacock King will surely agree to this marriage."
Xian Zhu pushed the ink box toward Gu Jin, smiling as he spoke.
Gu Jin was taken aback. "Second Senior Brother, you and Sect Leader Brother know I lent the Sky-Shielding Umbrella to Hua Shu?"
Xian Zhu sighed. "Junior Brother, you have a pure and kind heart, and Hua Shu once showed you kindness on Phoenix Tree Island. When the Peacock Princess came to Great Marsh Mountain to plead for her father, Elder Brother and I guessed you wouldn't refuse her. A few days ago, when Hua Shu battled Yan Qiu and returned victorious—given her age, no matter how talented she is, without our Great Marsh Mountain's Supreme Treasure, she wouldn't have won so easily. Moreover, many people went to watch that day. Those with keen eyes would naturally recognize Master's Sky-Shielding Umbrella. It was precisely because the Eagle King thought Hundred Birds Island had gained our Great Marsh Mountain's protection that he promised not to wage war for ten years."
Seeing how perceptive Xian Shan and Xian Zhu were, Gu Jin felt guilty and uneasy. "Senior Brother, Great Marsh Mountain has always avoided interfering in other clans' affairs. This time, I acted willfully and caused trouble for our mountain."
"Forget it. Our Great Marsh Mountain doesn't seek trouble, but we're not afraid of it either. Hua Shu is just a young girl struggling to hold up Hundred Birds Island, and she's the one you fancy. We can help if we're able. Besides, once you marry, our two mansions will be in-laws. Helping a bit more is nothing." Xian Zhu took a letter from his sleeve and placed it on the ink box. "This is the betrothal letter I asked Sect Leader Brother to write for you. Take it and the phoenix crown to Hundred Birds Island. Seek an audience with the Peacock King early and settle the matter, so other Immortal Mansions don't get there first. I have important business to attend to down the mountain later and won't be back for a few days."
Only then did Gu Jin realize that Xian Zhu had been waiting outside the hall early in the morning to deliver the betrothal letter and phoenix crown to him. For a moment, his eyes grew moist.
He had been raised by Tian Qi and Feng Ran since childhood. One was a True God, the other the Phoenix Sovereign—neither had experience raising a child. All these worldly customs and human sentiments were taught to him by Xian Shan and Xian Zhu after he entered Great Marsh Mountain.
"Senior Brother..." Gu Jin's voice choked with emotion.Xian Zhu, seeing that he had moved his junior brother to tears, laughed heartily and shoved the ink box and betrothal letter into Gu Jin's hands. With a turn, he recited an Immortal Incantation and flew away, leaving behind only a carefree wisp of cloud.
Gu Jin turned around, holding the phoenix crown and betrothal letter, and happened to see Ayin leaning against the temple doorframe with her arms crossed, watching him.
For some reason, his hands holding the phoenix crown and betrothal letter trembled slightly.
"Hey!" Ayin whistled. "Are you off to Hundred Birds Island to propose?"
Gu Jin tucked away the phoenix crown and betrothal letter, cleared his throat softly, and didn't deny it. "Such a young girl, worrying about so much. Hurry up and go cultivate your Spiritual Power."
Seeing he didn't deny it, Ayin's eyes darkened. As Gu Jin headed to the back mountain to practice swordplay, she ran up to him. "I want to go to Hundred Birds Island with you."
Gu Jin paused, instinctively refusing, "What would you do there?" Seeing Ayin about to explode, he quickly added, "This time I'm going to Hundred Birds Island to offer birthday congratulations. There won't be any danger on the way. Besides, A Jiu's Inner Core still needs your Spiritual Power to heal. He's from the Demon Tribe and shouldn't wander around the Immortal Realm. Hundred Birds Island has many powerful Immortals. If he accidentally reveals himself, it could cause trouble."
Mention of A Jiu blocked all the arguments Ayin had prepared. She could only stare wide-eyed as Gu Jin walked away.
In the osmanthus tree inside the temple, A Jiu held the mung bean cakes Qing Yi had made, watching the two argue and bicker, grinning like a fox.
Oh, almost forgot—he is a fox, and a cunning nine-tailed one at that.
Qing Yi, hiding nearby, saw A Jiu stifling laughter and asked suspiciously, "A Jiu, Ayin looks like she's about to cry. Why don't you hide in the Cosmic Bag and sneak out with her quietly?"
The young man took a sip of Drunken Jade Dew and flicked Qing Yi on the forehead. "Am I stupid? That idiot Gu Jin can't see who the Dragon Spitting Pearl is, but I'm not blind. I won't just hand Ayin over. It'd be best if he stays blind forever."
With that, A Jiu jumped down from the osmanthus tree, carrying the mung bean cakes and Drunken Jade Dew, and went to cheer up Ayin with a smile. Qing Yi was left behind, stroking his chin and sighing as he watched the fox's retreating figure.
"Ah, Junior Uncle, I don't think you can win against this fox..."
Second Heaven of the Demon Realm, Tranquil Mountain.
Chang Qin saw off the travel-worn Xian Zhu, while Chang Mei waited for her in the council hall. The matter of the Nine Nether Purgatory was of great importance, and Chang Qin had only let Chang Mei in on the details.
"Tribal Chief, the young chief is at Great Marsh Mountain. Shouldn't we go bring him back?" Chang Mei was impatient. She had restrained herself while Xian Zhu was there, but as soon as he left, she was eager to fetch Hong Yi from Great Marsh Mountain.
"I allowed him to stay with Gu Jin and that Water Condensation Beast," Chang Qin shook her head. "His Demon Core is damaged, and only that Water Condensation Beast's Spiritual Power can heal him."
Chang Mei was taken aback. "No wonder you allowed those two young Immortals into Tranquil Lake to meet Elder Wu Xi back then. You knew they had rescued the young chief in Purple Moon Mountain."
Chang Qin nodded. "Yi'er didn't want them to know his identity as the young chief of the Fox race, so I let it be. But he never mentioned what happened during those three years in the Nine Nether Purgatory. If Xian Zhu hadn't told me today, I wouldn't have known he suffered so much there. Besides, even if we went to fetch him, he might not be willing to come back."
Seeing Chang Qin's serious expression, Chang Mei sighed inwardly.Young Chief Hong Yi and the tribal chief had always had an unresolved knot between them; otherwise, why would he have left the Fox race three years ago, disappearing without a trace?
In those days, the most valiant and skilled warriors of the Fox race were Fox King Hong Xuan and his younger sister, Chang Qin. Chang Qin was born with nine tails, and her combat prowess even surpassed that of King Hong Xuan. Back then, she was deeply infatuated with Sen Yu, the second son of the Demon Emperor. After Sen Yu disappeared, she guarded the Third Heaven for ten thousand years for his sake, dedicating herself wholeheartedly to the Tiger race. However, upon Sen Yu’s return, he forcibly detained her in the Third Heaven for thousands of years. At that time, King Hong Xuan had pressured the Demon Emperor with the entire strength of the Fox race to secure Chang Qin’s release from the Third Heaven and her return to the Fox race. But Chang Qin, with her proud temperament, firmly refused her brother’s assistance, determined to defeat Sen Yu herself and regain her freedom. Thus, she remained trapped in the Third Heaven. It was during this period that the Heavenly Empress led troops to invade the Demon Realm. King Hong Xuan fought in the battle but, overwhelmed and unsupported, perished alongside his wife on the battlefield.
When the news reached Chang Qin, she was devastated, but it was too late for regrets. After their parents’ deaths, Hong Yi could never forgive Chang Qin. He always believed that if Chang Qin had returned to the Fox race earlier, his father and mother would not have died in battle. After Chang Qin returned to the tribe, Hong Yi rarely stayed within the Fox race, only returning each year on the anniversary of King Hong Xuan’s sacrifice. If Hong Yi had not suddenly disappeared on the eve of King Hong Xuan’s sacrifice three years ago, Chang Qin might never have realized something had happened to him.
“Chief, Great Marsh Mountain is, after all, an Immortal Sect…”
“It’s fine,” Chang Qin waved her hand. “Great Marsh Mountain is known for its gentle ways. The Sect Leader and Xian Zhu are both honorable men. Since they have allowed Yi’er to recuperate in the mountain, as long as he does not leave, they will surely protect him. What worries me now is the Nine Nether Purgatory. Until I understand how Yi’er entered the Purgatory, I cannot rest easy.”
“Chief, what should we do then?”
“These next few days are when the young foxes hatch. I must guard Tranquil Mountain. In a few days, I will go to Purple Moon Mountain to seek an audience with Dragon Lord San Huo and see if he knows anything about this. If even he is unaware, I will personally go to Phoenix Tree Island. The Phoenix Sovereign and True God Tian Qi have a close relationship; she will surely uncover clues. From today onward, have our people guard the mountain gates strictly and remain vigilant.”
“Yes, Chief.”
The council hall fell into silence. Outside the window, a wisp of black smoke lingered, its gaze dark and cold, never dissipating.
Great Marsh Mountain had recently become much livelier. Not only had Junior Uncle Gu Jin and Junior Aunt Ayin returned, but they had also brought along a proud and clever white spirit fox. This white spirit fox was exceptionally beautiful, and within just a few days of entering the mountain, it and the Water Condensation Beast had become the treasures everyone adored. Unfortunately, the white spirit fox was not only proud but also very picky, only favoring century-nurtured Immortal Fruits and the Drunken Jade Dew at the foot of the mountain. To curry favor and get close to it, the disciples of Great Marsh Mountain went all out searching for Immortal Fruits in the back mountains, hoping to earn its favor outside Qi Moon Hall and play with it for a while.
Qing Yi watched as that cunning and hypocritical fox pretended to be a naive sweetheart every day, toying with his fellow disciples. For the first few days, he had wanted to be loyal and honest, warning his fellow disciples. But after that fox transformed into its nine-tailed fox form and lingered outside his window for half the night, he gave up on being a hero. Who knows what he and that fox had gone through inside Qi Moon Hall.Gu Jin still went to the back mountain to practice his sword every day, while Ayin stayed in Qi Moon Hall watching A Jiu and Qing Yi banter, all the while counting on her fingers the days until the birthday banquet at Hundred Birds Island.
As she counted the days, she counted until Uncle Xian Zhu returned from his travels, until A Jiu’s Demon Core had mostly recovered, and until the day Gu Jin set off for Hundred Birds Island to meet the Hua Shu he had been longing for.
Many years later, Ayin thought that these days spent idly basking in the sun in Qi Moon Hall with A Jiu and Qing Yi, waiting for Gu Jin, were the most unattainable and fleeting time in the countless millennia of her life.
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