Chapter Forty-One
"Immortal Lord Ling Juan, we are all of the Immortal Tribe. How can you speak such slander and tarnish another's reputation? My Kunlun has always acted with integrity and uprightness. How we conduct ourselves is not for your Bodhi Cave to criticize." Lian Xi stepped forward, shielding Gu Jin.
Lian Xi and Ling Juan had long held grudges against each other, and such public confrontations were not the first. But this time, involving the innocent Gu Jin, Lian Xi felt particularly apologetic.
"Act with integrity and uprightness? Bringing some unworthy individuals to an Immortal Tribe gathering at will—is that your way of showing respect to Hundred Birds Island?" Ling Juan flicked his sleeve, his gaze lifting toward Gu Jin behind Lian Xi. "I, Ling Juan, have walked the Immortal Realm for thousands of years and know every notable Immortal Lord from each sect. That person behind you—I have never seen him before." He then tilted his chin toward Xuan Che beside him. "Immortal Lord Xuan Che, have you ever seen this person?"
Both Ling Juan and Xuan Che had come to seek Hua Shu's hand in marriage, secretly at odds with each other. Yet when it came to discrediting others and stealing the spotlight, they stood united.
Xuan Che immediately shook his head. "Immortal Lord Ling Juan, now that you mention it, I truly have never seen this person."
Since leaving the Forbidden Valley, Gu Jin had not been entirely unfamiliar with members of the Immortal Tribe. After Dong Hua's Ascension, the sect leaders of various mansions personally came to Great Marsh Mountain to offer congratulations, and he, as an Elder, had received them all. However, he had only met the sect leaders and elders of each faction. Most of the attendees this time were young Immortal Lords from the Immortal Realm, and they indeed had never seen the tall, slender, and handsome Immortal Lord Gu Jin of ten years later.
Hearing these two from prominent Immortal Tribe sects speak this way, the crowd couldn't help but scrutinize Lian Xi and Gu Jin.
Seeing the other Immortal Lords grow suspicious, Hua Zheng knew the Peacock King's birthday celebration was a grand event. He did not want to start off by displeasing the gathered immortals, so he had no choice but to address Lian Xi. "High Lord Lian Xi, who is this Immortal Lord...?"
"You two Immortal Lords truly have short memories. Although we are not close, we have met once before. It has only been a few short years—how could you have already forgotten me?" A clear, resonant voice came from behind Lian Xi. Though not loud, it was heard distinctly by everyone.
The Female Immortal Lords watching from the side brightened up. Just this pleasant voice alone made them curious about the Immortal Lord beneath the bamboo hat.
Ling Juan and Xuan Che were taken aback, both thinking the Immortal Lord's voice sounded somewhat familiar, yet they truly could not recall where they had met him.
Gu Jin stepped out from behind Lian Xi, giving him a reassuring look, and removed his bamboo hat. Though his face was dusty, his eyes were as bright as the sun, exceptionally clear and spirited.
"It has been ten years since we parted at Phoenix Tree Island. It is possible the two Immortal Lords do not remember clearly."
Although Gu Jin no longer had the plump appearance of his youth, traces of his youthful features were still faintly visible. Both men had deeply etched memories of the events on Phoenix Tree Island a decade ago and immediately recalled the young Immortal Lord from Great Marsh Mountain who had once caused them great trouble.
"You are...?"
"However, not long ago, the Bodhi Patriarch and the Thunder Lord personally came to my Great Marsh Mountain to congratulate my master on his Ascension to the Divine Realm. Immortal Lord Ling Juan, you just now called Great Marsh Mountain unworthy and eager to climb high branches—is that not rather inappropriate? I wonder what your esteemed father would think upon hearing such words?"
As Gu Jin's words settled, those who recognized his identity exchanged glances, unable to hold back their exclamations.Gu Jin, the youngest disciple of High God Dong Hua and one of the three youngest Elders of Great Marsh Mountain, held a seniority and status on par with the Peacock King! The words Ling Juan had just spoken had thoroughly offended Great Marsh Mountain.
Ling Juan and Xuan Che’s expressions changed drastically, their hearts sinking with bitterness. This troublemaker from Great Marsh Mountain rarely left the mountain, so why had they managed to encounter and offend him twice in a row?
Ignoring the gazes of the crowd, Gu Jin took out a gilded invitation from his robes and handed it to Hua Zheng. “Gu Jin of Great Marsh Mountain, on behalf of my Sect Leader senior brother, has come to offer birthday congratulations to Her Majesty. Elder Hua, here is the invitation.”
The young man stood tall and straight, a longsword on his back. Though covered in the dust of travel, he was as elegant as a pine tree, drawing the admiration of many ladies.
No one could have imagined that the plump, sharp-tongued, and spoiled second-generation heir from Phoenix Tree Island a decade ago would grow into such an outstanding figure.
“So it is Elder Gu Jin of Great Marsh Mountain. Hua Zheng failed to recognize your esteemed identity—truly inexcusable. Her Majesty has instructed that if honored guests from Great Marsh Mountain arrive, I must personally escort them into the island. Elder Gu, please!” Hua Zheng hurriedly accepted the invitation from Gu Jin’s hand, adopting a humble posture as he personally led Gu Jin into the island.
Gu Jin nodded, then turned his gaze to the stunned Lian Xi. “Brother Lian Xi, let’s go.”
Lian Xi laughed heartily, his voice clear and bright. “It seems I was blind, failing to recognize my worthy brother’s identity. My father mentioned after returning from Great Marsh Mountain last time that you were no ordinary person. Seeing you today, I find that hearing of your reputation is no match for meeting you in person. This trip to Hundred Birds Island has certainly been worthwhile.”
Lian Xi clapped Gu Jin on the shoulder, clearly delighted.
Gu Jin also appreciated Lian Xi’s straightforward and unpretentious nature. After exchanging a few words and sharing a laugh, he walked with him toward the island, completely ignoring the bitter-faced Ling Juan and Xuan Che.
Hua Zheng hastily greeted Ling Juan and Xuan Che before following Gu Jin into the island.
Watching from a distance, some Immortal Lords couldn’t help but voice their surprise. “Hundred Birds Island holds the status of a sovereign island. Why are they lowering themselves so much for this young Elder from Great Marsh Mountain?”
An elderly Immortal Lord nearby stroked his beard and smiled. “You know about the recent war between the Peacock Clan and the Eagle Clan, where Princess Hua Shu defeated the Eagle King at the North Sea, right?”
“Of course, who doesn’t know about such a major event?”
“I heard that during the critical moment of the Immortal Power contest, Princess Hua Shu summoned the Sky-Shielding Umbrella, which allowed her to severely wound the Eagle King in one strike.”
“The Sky-Shielding Umbrella? Isn’t that High God Dong Hua’s Divine Artifact?”
“Indeed. The Peacock Clan and the Eagle Clan have been at odds for a long time, and this great battle forced the Eagle King to agree to a ten-year truce. Without High God Dong Hua’s Sky-Shielding Umbrella, Princess Hua Shu could never have defeated the Eagle King. Since Great Marsh Mountain helped Hundred Birds Island so greatly, it’s only natural for Hundred Birds Island to treat Elder Gu Jin with such courtesy.”
“So that’s the reason.” Having understood the cause, the gathered Immortals dispersed and entered Hundred Birds Island together.
However, some Immortal Lords couldn’t help but wonder: For tens of thousands of years, Great Marsh Mountain had never interfered in the affairs of the Immortal Realm. Why had they now brought out the Sky-Shielding Umbrella to protect the Peacock Clan? Could there be some hidden reason? Perhaps this Elder Gu Jin from Great Marsh Mountain had also taken a fancy to the Peacock Clan’s princess and had come to seek her hand in marriage?
The burning curiosity of these onlookers flared up, though they had no idea how accurate their speculations were—they had hit the mark with every guess.
Seeing that Gu Jin and Lian Xi were on good terms, Hua Zheng arranged for their resting residences to be next to each other. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Lian Xi returned to his own courtyard. Before Gu Jin could even take a seat, Peacock King Hua Mo, having heard the news, appeared.Hua Mo was dressed in a deep green royal robe, wearing an ornate crown, with a short beard, appearing refined and amiable, his kingly demeanor fully evident.
"Haha, I heard my nephew from Great Marsh Mountain has arrived! I failed to greet you properly!" Hua Mo entered the courtyard, followed by over ten maidservants, each holding a tray covered with red cloth.
Gu Jin quickly bowed to the Peacock King. "Gu Jin pays his respects to Your Majesty."
"No need for such formalities, no need." Hua Mo patted Gu Jin on the shoulder. "Nephew, High God Dong Hua is a generation above me, so technically we are of the same generation. But since you are close friends with my daughter, is it appropriate for me to call you 'nephew'?"
"Your Majesty jests. Back on Great Marsh Mountain, I considered myself of the same generation as Princess Hua Shu. You are an elder, so such an address is naturally appropriate."
Given Gu Xiaopang's fearless nature, if Hua Mo were not Hua Shu's father, he would not have been so polite.
"Good, then I shall presume upon this once." Hua Mo guided Gu Jin to take the seat of honor. "Some time ago, I had Hua Zheng deliver an invitation to Great Marsh Mountain. Elder Xianshan mentioned you were traveling abroad, so I thought Elder Xianzhu would come this time. I never expected you to come personally. But it's just as well—this gives me the opportunity to thank you in person."
"Your Majesty is too kind. Back on Phoenix Tree Island, Princess Hua Shu showed me great kindness. The princess is deeply filial, and I could not bear to see her worry about Your Majesty, so naturally I had to offer some assistance." Gu Jin mentioned Hua Shu in every other sentence, his thoughts practically written on his face. A glint flashed in Hua Mo's eyes, but he did not respond.
Just as Gu Jin was about to ask about Hua Shu, the Peacock King beckoned to the maidservants in the hall. "Nephew Gu Jin, you are kind-hearted and generous. On Great Marsh Mountain, you lent the Sky-Shielding Umbrella to Hua Shu, allowing Hundred Birds Island to avoid a crisis. Such great kindness is etched in my heart. These humble gifts are a token of my gratitude. Please accept them."
The maidservants lifted the red cloths, revealing transparent jade boxes on each tray. Immortal Qi overflowed from the boxes, containing rare spiritual medicines of the Immortal Realm, treasures not seen in a hundred years. The Peacock King's gratitude was indeed grand—the combined value of these gifts was no less than the Peacock King's Feathers previously sent to Great Marsh Mountain.
Gu Jin glanced at the trays in the maidservants' hands, then turned back to Hua Mo. His expression remained calm, without the slightest hesitation. "Your Majesty, my assistance to the princess was simply a matter of friendship and duty. There is no need for Your Majesty to thank me. These gifts are too precious—I would feel unworthy accepting them. Please take them back."
The young man's eyes were as deep as ink, clear and wise. His words carried an air of unyielding refusal. Hua Mo was slightly taken aback, withdrawing his hand somewhat awkwardly. "Indeed, indeed. You and Hua Shu are friends. My gesture was too formal."
"Your Majesty, it has been several months since I last saw the princess on Great Marsh Mountain. Recently, she battled the Eagle King—is her health still well?" Gu Jin finally asked what concerned him most.
"Thank you for your concern, nephew. Hua Shu lost some Immortal Power in her battle with Yan Qiu. These past few days, she has been in seclusion to recuperate. I'm afraid she will not emerge until the day of my birthday banquet. Otherwise, she would have surely accompanied me personally to thank you."
"So that's how it is." Gu Jin, who had not seen Hua Shu since arriving on the island, finally set aside his doubts and hurriedly asked, "Is the princess seriously injured?"
"Nothing too serious, nephew. No need to worry. Thanks to your Sky-Shielding Umbrella." Hua Mo smiled."That's good." Recalling how his past act of kindness had helped Hua Shu, Gu Jin was also pleased. But then he remembered Xian Shan's admonitions before leaving the mountain and his promise to Ayin at Purple Moon Mountain, and said, "Your Majesty, aside from offering birthday congratulations, I have come this time to discuss two matters with you."
"Please speak, Nephew." Seeing Gu Jin's serious expression, Hua Mo also straightened his demeanor.
"The first concerns the Sky-Shielding Umbrella. Your Majesty likely knows that the Sky-Shielding Umbrella was my master's personal Divine Artifact before his Ascension, and it has long safeguarded Great Marsh Mountain. My master, concerned about my shallow Immortal Power and fearing I might struggle to protect myself while traveling through the Three Realms, gave me the umbrella for my safety. Upon returning to the mountain this time, I heard that the Eagle King has already promised Your Majesty a ten-year truce, so the crisis at Hundred Birds Island has been resolved. For ten thousand years, Great Marsh Mountain has never involved itself in disputes of the Immortal Realm. This time, I have already acted against my master's orders. Therefore, I have come to retrieve the Sky-Shielding Umbrella and return it to Great Marsh Mountain, where it will be entrusted to my senior brother, the Sect Leader, to continue guarding our mountain sect."
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