Chapter Fifty-One
It wasn't until Gu Jin stepped out from the crowd and called out to the Peacock King that the assembled immortals remembered something rather important.
Several months ago, when the Peacock Clan and the Eagle Clan were locked in conflict, the Peacock Clan had been at a complete disadvantage. Hua Shu had entered Great Marsh Mountain to borrow the Sky-Shielding Umbrella, which allowed them to decisively defeat the Eagle King, leading to today's celebration that served both as a birthday banquet and a victory feast. However, the reason Hua Shu had given for borrowing the Sky-Shielding Umbrella back then was likely something like the Eagle Clan plundering Paradise Grottoes or similar. Otherwise, as one of the Three Venerables of Great Marsh Mountain, even if Gu Jin wanted to repay a favor, he wouldn't have lightly lent out a Divine Artifact to suppress another clan.
The young man stood tall and graceful as jade, his eyes and brows stern and solemn. This was the Gu Jin the Peacock King saw when he turned around. Great Marsh Mountain was a pillar of the Immortal Realm, unlike the Eagle Clan which resided solely overseas. The Peacock King had intended to let the matter slide, which was why he hastily expelled Yan Shuang from the island. He hadn't expected Gu Jin to speak up.
"Immortal Lord Gu Jin?" Hua Mo looked toward Gu Jin, not overly concerned. The Sky-Shielding Umbrella had been lent willingly by Gu Jin, and he had given it to Shu'er of his own accord to repay his debt of gratitude. Surely, he wouldn't now reclaim the umbrella before all the immortals of the realm, tarnishing his reputation as untrustworthy and ungrateful.
"Your Majesty," Gu Jin raised his head, his gaze steady and composed. "After the battle between the two clans several months ago, did Your Majesty and the Eagle King agree to a ten-year truce?"
Hearing Gu Jin's words, the crowd was momentarily stunned. They had thought the young and spirited Immortal Lord Gu Jin might angrily reclaim the Sky-Shielding Umbrella out of indignation. Why was he instead inquiring about the truce between the two clans?
Yan Shuang, standing nearby, was also taken aback and somewhat puzzled. She glanced toward Ayin.
Ayin was watching Gu Jin thoughtfully. Given her senior brother's character, he wouldn't reclaim the Sky-Shielding Umbrella. He wanted... to make amends for his own mistakes, no matter what it took.
"That is correct. After Yan Qiu's great defeat, he agreed to a ten-year truce with our clan. For ten years, our two clans shall not encroach upon each other nor engage in war," Hua Mo nodded.
Gu Jin gave a slight nod and spoke with an air of nonchalance, "Your Majesty, discord among the Immortal Tribes harms the natural order. I believe the ten-year truce should be changed to a hundred years. For a century, the two clans shall temporarily cease..." He paused slightly and, under the astonished gazes of the immortals, looked toward Lan Feng. "What does High Lord Lan Feng think of this proposal?"
Only then did everyone understand the intent behind Gu Jin's earlier question. Hua Shu had already refined and absorbed the Sky-Shielding Umbrella, and reaching the peak of the High Lord realm was imminent; she might even step into the Demigod realm. Now that the Eagle King was severely injured, even with ten years of recuperation, he might not recover to his peak state. Given the deep-seated enmity between the two clans, if the White Bird Island intended to provoke conflict after ten years, the Eagle Clan would have no one capable of opposing Hua Shu, risking annihilation.
This was a long-standing feud between the two clans. Above the North Sea, aside from the Peacock Clan and the Eagle Clan, there was only the reclusive North Sea Dragon King who paid no heed to worldly affairs. Other immortal sects found it inconvenient to intervene in the conflict between the two clans, and if a real crisis arose, it would be difficult for them to step in and assist.
With a century of recuperation, given the Eagle King's abilities, if he dedicated himself to cultivation, he could still contend with Hua Shu. Immortal Lord Gu Jin was forcing the Peacock King to establish a hundred-year peace agreement, buying ample time for the Eagle Clan to recover and rebuild.
Truly worthy of being a disciple of High God Dong Hua and one of the Three Venerables of Great Marsh Mountain. Even when he made a mistake, his courage and magnanimity to turn the tide were beyond ordinary reach.Lan Feng, questioned by Gu Jin, was taken aback and genuinely found himself in a difficult position. He had already forced the Peacock King to open the Boundless Cave to allow Yan Shuang to investigate. If he now demanded Hua Mo swear to a hundred-year truce, what would become of Hundred Birds Island’s dignity? He had just become engaged to Hua Shu, and for both personal and principled reasons, it was awkward for him to speak up again. Yet, as the acting ruler of the Heavenly Palace, for the sake of peace between the two clans, Gu Jin’s proposal was not unreasonable...
Enough. The Celestial Emperor had entrusted the Immortal Realm to him; he could not betray that trust.
Just as Lan Feng was about to speak, Hua Mo, standing beside him, did not wait for his reply and instead turned to Gu Jin with an unpleasant expression.
"Immortal Lord Gu Jin, whether our two clans cease or resume hostilities is a matter between the Peacock Clan and the Eagle Clan. No matter how prestigious Great Marsh Mountain may be, it should not interfere in the affairs of the North Sea."
Gu Jin remained unmoved, merely raising an eyebrow slightly with a perfectly measured look of surprise. "Your Majesty, when Princess Hua Shu came to Great Marsh Mountain to borrow the Sky-Shielding Umbrella, she never mentioned to me that this was a private conflict between two clans..."
Gu Jin was the son of Shang Gu and had been raised by those two old monsters, Tian Qi and Feng Ran. How could his mind be simple? The moment Yan Shuang revealed the true reason for the conflict between the two clans, he knew he had been used.
It was one thing for him to be deceived and manipulated due to misplaced trust, but now, because of his foolishness, the Eagle Clan had lost the chance to win the war fairly, the protective Divine Artifact left by his master had been refined and absorbed by Hua Shu, and even his mountain sect, which had never involved itself in the conflicts of the Immortal Realm, had nearly broken its millennia-old rules because of him. If he remained silent now out of some personal sense of gratitude, how could he face the century of nurturing from his master and senior brother? What would become of Great Marsh Mountain’s prestige and dignity?
If the timing weren’t so inappropriate and the expressions of the Peacock King and his daughter weren’t so grim, the Immortal Lords outside the hall would have applauded Gu Jin’s words!
Indeed, when your Hundred Birds Island was being chased and beaten by the Eagle Clan and came to Great Marsh Mountain to borrow a Divine Artifact, why didn’t you say it was a private matter between two clans? Now that you’ve refined the artifact and defeated the Eagle King, you’re shouting that it’s your own affair. One cannot be so shameless!
Seeing the unfavorable reactions of the assembled immortals, Hua Shu’s face paled, a mix of shame, anger, and helplessness.
Hua Mo, seeing his beloved daughter wronged, grew even angrier. He clasped his hands behind his back, blocking Lan Feng, who was about to speak to calm the situation, and fixed a stern gaze on Gu Jin. "Immortal Lord Gu Jin, what if I refuse?"
Gu Jin did not respond immediately. After a long pause, he took a step toward Hua Mo. If one looked closely, he positioned himself squarely in front of Yan Shuang and Ayin, shielding them completely.
Gu Jin raised his hand slightly, his fingers forming a simple sword seal. The Primordial Spirit Sword answered his call, unsheathing and tracing a brilliant arc of light behind him before coming to a steady halt between the Peacock King and himself. A surge of powerful Immortal Power emanated from the blade.
"If Your Majesty is unwilling to swear to the hundred-year truce, then ten years from now, whenever conflicts arise between Hundred Birds Island and the Eagle Clan, Great Marsh Mountain will draw its sword and fight for the Eagle Clan."
Gu Jin’s Immortal robes fluttered in the wind, his gaze resolute. His voice echoed powerfully in the deathly silent hall, stunning the assembled Immortal Lords into silence.
Behind Gu Jin, Yan Shuang’s eyes flickered with warmth. Ayin was right—her senior brother was a good man. That Hua Shu from the Peacock Clan truly did not deserve him.
As for Ayin, staring at her senior brother’s back, she nearly drooled.Wow, A Jin is just too, too, too handsome! Ayin stroked her chin, the smile in her eyes impossible to hide, while inwardly she mused: With A Jin’s relationship with Hundred Birds Island turning out like this, he probably won’t be thinking about or longing for Hua Shu anymore.
Inside the Cosmic Bag, A Jiu was also listening closely to the commotion outside the hall. Sensing Ayin’s inner delight, he snorted in dissatisfaction, only to be warned with a tap on the bag’s wall by Ayin.
"You!" The Peacock King’s expression grew even uglier, but Gu Jin’s words slightly quelled his anger, and his enraged mind began to clear a little.
He hadn’t expected Gu Jin to go this far for the Eagle Clan. But Gu Jin represented Great Marsh Mountain. If he stubbornly refused to agree to the hundred-year pact, it would be tantamount to personally pushing the immense support of Great Marsh Mountain into the Eagle Clan’s camp. From then on, the North Sea would no longer be under the sole control of the Peacock Clan. Fine, what was enduring a moment’s humiliation? He had endured so much over the years, and there were still long days ahead.
Hua Mo took a deep breath, finally softening his expression. He looked at the Primordial Spirit Sword in front of Gu Jin and forced out a semblance of amiability. "What is this, dear nephew? I was just overcome with anger earlier and merely spoke a few words in jest. Hundred Birds Island never intended to start a war. Whether it’s ten years or a hundred, what difference does it make to me? I’m simply not yet accustomed to others dictating matters on Hundred Birds Island. Very well, the peace of the Immortal Realm takes precedence above all. I promise you, within a hundred years, there will be no conflicts on the North Sea. High Lord Lan Feng and all the fellow immortals present here can bear witness. My word is my bond, and I will never go back on it!"
Seeing the Peacock King relent, Gu Jin waved his hand and withdrew the Primordial Spirit Sword. He cupped his hands slightly toward Hua Mo, presenting the graceful demeanor of a refined gentleman in a troubled world. With a light smile, he said, "Your Majesty, please do not take offense. Gu Jin is young and inevitably impatient. I overstepped just now."
It was only at this moment, witnessing the scene that had just unfolded, that Hua Shu suddenly recalled the young Immortal Lord from ten years ago on Phoenix Tree Island, who had frightened Xuan Che into retreat with just a few words.
The image of Gu Jin from back then slowly merged with that of the young Immortal Lord ten years later. A faint unease suddenly welled up in her heart, and for the first time, an absurd thought arose.
Was it truly worth giving up Gu Jin for Lan Feng? Just how many unknown facets did this third Elder from Great Marsh Mountain, who had never ventured into the world, still possess?
"No harm done, no harm done. Now that everything is cleared up, it’s fine," Lan Feng stepped forward, amicably easing the tension. "Since all matters are resolved and the birthday banquet is not yet over, let’s all return to the hall and take our seats. Princess Yan Shuang, you are to enter the Boundless Cave tomorrow, so rest on the island today."
Hua Mo took the opportunity Lan Feng offered and nodded as well. "Dear nephew, Lady Ayin has traveled far and must be weary. Please, join us in the hall for the banquet."
Little did anyone expect that while Gu Xiao Pang appeared courteous and proper on the surface, he was actually someone who couldn’t tolerate the slightest grievance. He bowed slightly to the Peacock King. "Your Majesty, my master has just ascended, and there are many mundane affairs within our mountain sect. My two senior brothers are getting on in years and may not be able to handle everything. Before I descended the mountain, Senior Brother Xian Zhu instructed me to return early after delivering the birthday gifts. Gu Jin must take my leave now and will not disturb Your Majesty further."
Seeing Gu Jin about to depart, none of the immortals were surprised. After all, tensions had just flared between the two sides, and it was likely that the Peacock King wasn’t particularly keen on sharing a few more cups of birthday wine with Immortal Lord Gu Jin.Hua Mo's eyes flickered with a trace of displeasure, yet his expression remained amiable. He waved his hand and said, "Since that is the case, I shall not detain you any longer, dear nephew."
Gu Jin wasted no words, grabbing Ayin by the collar and heading straight out without a moment's hesitation. From beginning to end, he did not glance at Hua Shu again. Ayin, satisfied with the outcome, was too delighted to care whether her senior brother's method of taking her away was dignified or not.
Yan Shuang quickly cupped her hands toward the Peacock King as well and added, "Your Majesty Hua Mo, since we are neighbors and not far apart, I shall return to the island tomorrow to meet with High Lord Lan Feng. I take my leave now."
With that, she followed Gu Jin and Ayin toward the outer island. The Eagle Clan princess, clad in battle armor, seemed, for some reason, to carry a faint aura of protection against the backlight.
Many years later, when the old Immortal Lords of the Immortal Realm recalled this day, they could not help but sigh with emotion.
Perhaps the entanglements spanning millennia, the protection, the gratitude, and the unwavering devotion all began on this very day.
OpenNovel