My Gentle and Pure Sect Leader Husband - Chapter 75

When he realized the visitor had ill intentions, he didn’t expect them to directly come for his life. Yu Tianbao was so frightened that he ignored the wounds on his body and scrambled up as quickly as possible to hide behind Yan Hongyin, cowering in the corner by the bed.

Yan Hongyin didn’t even blink, but slightly narrowed her eyes, examining the little dumpling who was being protected in the youth’s arms with his mouth covered.

In the ensuing silence of the room, everyone watched as that man, elegant as a scholar from the capital, raised his hand. His long, slender fingers curved and flicked, effortlessly knocking away the long sword. It flew from the young man’s hand with a clang, falling to the ground.

“Not bad skills, but your swordsmanship needs more practice,” Yu Luocha tucked his hands in his sleeves and leaned softly against Yan Hongyin again. “Young City Lord Ye still needs a few more years of training.”

Having his full-force thrust so casually deflected and being directly called out by name, Ye Gucheng looked down at the sword lying on the ground, his face dark as water, emotions surging in his eyes.

Gong Jiu also paused at the scene before him. He pushed the little dumpling who wanted to move forward back behind him, walked over, first gave a respectful bow, and then addressed Yan Hongyin, “Imperial Sister.”

Though the King of Taiping was stationed at the border with illustrious military achievements, he had been away from the capital for a long time, and the Queen was often ill and rarely socialized with the capital’s noble ladies. So although Gong Jiu had entered the palace to pay respects several times, he had never met Princess Qu Ya who was a female member of the imperial family.

After all, Princess Qu Ya’s status was noble and she was highly favored, making it impossible for the palace concubines to invite this Grand Princess to any banquets or poetry gatherings—Princess Qu Ya’s figure had never appeared at any of these events.

“The Crown Prince of the King of Taiping?” Yan Hongyin’s voice was cold.

The Crown Prince of the King of Taiping was ranked ninth among the royal relatives, which made it easy to understand how the name Gong Jiu came about. (TL: Palace Nine)

Gong Jiu hesitated for a moment, but still responded, “…Yes.”

Yan Hongyin nodded, her gaze passing over the two youths and falling directly on the little dumpling who was fidgeting behind them. “Won’t come over?”

The little dumpling edged closer, giving Gong Jiu a reassuring look, then tugged at Yan Hongyin’s clothes, circling around while using his childish voice to wheedle. “Imperial Sister~ I just wanted to come out and play. They won’t let me do this or go there in the palace these days, it’s suffocating!”

Why be so careful? It was all to prevent this one and only seedling from being pinched off by someone!

Yet this carefully protected seedling had pulled himself out of the soil and happily delved into dangerous places, coincidentally finding a territory where even the emperor couldn’t reach.

“Tell me, whose idea was it to come to the Luocha Sect?”

Yan Hongyin had met this little dumpling several times. Ever since one time when she was resting in a tree and the dumpling had silently held his breath to keep watch, occasionally when she returned from outside the palace at night to attend to His Majesty, she would bring some snacks for the little dumpling.

The dumpling was small but very clever. Somehow he had figured out there was something unusual about Yan Hongyin’s identity. When asked about it, he just grinned foolishly and said Yan Hongyin had the air of jianghu about her, and he could tell with one sniff.

So when Yu Luocha proposed supporting the Third Prince as the heir, Yan Hongyin had so readily accepted the suggestion.

–The Third Prince’s extraordinary intelligence at such a young age was one aspect, but another was that Yan Hongyin’s relationship with him was actually purer and closer compared to the other two princes who had truly grown up from childhood.

The little dumpling rubbed Yan Hongyin’s clothes, his puppy eyes brimming with tears. “There was no idea, I got lost with Ninth Brother…”

Yan Hongyin glanced at Gong Jiu, whose face clearly said he didn’t want to speak, and nodded, accepting this explanation.

“Then why were you trying to kill me! I only… I only…” Yu Tianbao, seeing they were all somehow related, summoned his courage and peeked out his head, but quickly shrank back when he met Gong Jiu’s murderous gaze. He muttered quietly, “I only schemed against your brother a little, and he stabbed me with a dagger too! I even quietly had people let them escape from the dungeon… Aren’t we even? What deep grudge could there be…”

“Um… actually…” the little dumpling hesitated.

Gong Jiu gave a cold laugh and stated directly, “We owe someone a favor and need to find something for him. Hearing that Imperial Sister had personally arrived, and that the Luocha Sect Leader was dying, if Imperial Sister intends to take over the Luocha Sect, killing the puppet young leader on the surface would be appropriate! So we thought to exchange Yu Tianbao’s life with Imperial Sister.”

“If Imperial Sister doesn’t want him dead, naturally she could save him, and then we could discuss other conditions.”

Yu Tianbao’s face was filled with disbelief. He pointed at himself, opening and closing his mouth, not knowing what to say.

The little dumpling then turned to look at the man beside his Imperial Sister, thought for a moment, and whispered very softly, “…Loulan…High Priest?”

Yu Luocha raised an eyebrow. “It seems Wife was right, the Third Prince is indeed exceptionally intelligent.”

“No, no, no… I’m not smart, I learn things very slowly!” The little dumpling waved his hands repeatedly, his head also shaking, his panicked appearance reminding Yan Hongyin of how the little dumpling in the palace would complain of headaches and stomachaches every few days to escape his lessons.

Loulan High Priest?

Isn’t that…

The expressions of Gong Jiu, Ye Gucheng, and Yu Tianbao suddenly changed.

Especially Yu Tianbao, who had just been rambling in front of Yan Hongyin, and Gong Jiu, who had just said the Luocha Sect Leader was dying—their expressions became quite extraordinary.

Yu Tianbao’s pupils trembled, his expression dazed. He swallowed and said softly, “Tianbao… pays respects to… Fa-Father.”

The Luocha Sect Leader from his memory—imposing and dangerous, whose word was law, and who intimidated the entire border region—how had he become… become… like this… in just over a year?

Yu Luocha unabashedly turned his head and responded with a smile. “Good boy.”

Yu Tianbao immediately nodded his head like a pecking chick.

“Tell me, Young City Lord Ye, what treasure have you come to my Luocha Sect to find?” With just a change in sitting posture, Yu Luocha exuded a dangerous and cold aura, his killing intent gradually spreading, causing the little dumpling to move closer to Yan Hongyin.

Gong Jiu’s body shuddered, his cheek slightly bulging, as if he was gritting his teeth to endure something.

Ye Gucheng bore the brunt of the pressure and killing intent. Before long, sweat beaded on his temples, and his arms, fingers, and body began to tremble. Just as he was about to be injured while stubbornly refusing to yield, Yu Luocha’s aura suddenly retracted, the outwardly projected internal energy vanishing without a trace.

With the great weight suddenly removed from his body, Ye Gucheng stepped back twice to stabilize himself, but his expression no longer had its previous cold dignity, appearing somewhat disheveled.

Gong Jiu, who had been secretly gritting his teeth, also sighed in relief, stepped back twice, and used the table corner to support his lower back, steadying his weakening legs, determined not to collapse.

“Ye Gucheng of the South Sea pays respects to the Sect Leader.” Ye Gucheng steadied himself and, with a pale face, clasped his hands in greeting to Yu Luocha. “My father is suffering from a serious illness. His prescription lacks one ingredient, ‘Black Jade Bamboo.’ I heard this herb once appeared beyond the border and was later presented to the Sect Leader, which is why I’ve come specially. If the Sect Leader is willing to part with it, I and Baiyun City will comply with any exchange.”

“Black Jade Bamboo?” Yu Luocha had never heard of such a thing and turned to look at Yu Tianbao, whose face showed sudden realization.

Yu Tianbao said softly, “It was a gift that Zha Muhe sent two years ago. Later, I found the thing peculiar-looking and requested it from Elder Guzhu.”

Yu Luocha didn’t say anything more, but hearing this, Ye Gucheng tightened his clenched fist, his eyes brightening dramatically.

Yan Hongyin’s thoughtful gaze swept briefly over Gong Jiu, then she released the little dumpling’s hand from her clothes and said in a deep voice, “From today on, you will stay by my side. You are not allowed to be involved in the Luocha Sect’s affairs anymore, and your studies cannot fall behind.”

The little dumpling’s eyes quickly misted over, looking pitifully at Yan Hongyin. “Will Sister teach me martial arts then?”

Yan Hongyin coldly stated, “I’ve said long ago, your constitution cannot practice martial arts. You’d better focus on scholarly pursuits.”

The little dumpling sniffled, turned away, and ran to Gong Jiu’s side, hugging his leg without saying a word.

Gong Jiu was caught off guard by this sudden contact and barely managed to support himself on the table to avoid embarrassment.

“You come along too. Until I say you may leave, you’d better not think about sneaking away,” Yan Hongyin looked at Gong Jiu. “You’re very clever, you should understand that without my permission, you cannot leave the Luocha Sect.”

“Oh… and you don’t know the way, so you definitely can’t get out.”

Gong Jiu: “…”

What’s wrong with not knowing the way?! He could still get out without knowing the way!

Did one need to know the way to go down a mountain? Just keep walking forward!

But with the Luocha Sect Leader beside Princess Qu Ya, if she wouldn’t let him go…

Gong Jiu lowered his head, the light in his eyes flickering.

“I don’t intend to keep you confined forever,” said Yan Hongyin. “I just don’t want you causing trouble. After this matter with the Luocha Sect is settled, you may go wherever you wish.”

There were plenty of issues in the King of Taiping’s mansion too. In the past two years, the King of Taiping had suffered consecutive military defeats. Although the southern border hadn’t fallen, many civilians and goods had been captured by foreign tribes.

This time, the Queen of Taiping was discovered to be a spy from a foreign tribe. Although she had already committed suicide, the amount of intelligence she had passed on from the capital over the years was yet unknown, involving numerous details.

With Gong Jiu out alone, sending people to follow him might even allow them to contact other foreign forces.

Additionally, the King of Taiping had deep feelings for that Queen, and this son felt particularly guilty. If Gong Jiu were to refuse to return to court in the future, it would be a legitimate reason to revoke the King of Taiping’s military power and title.

It wasn’t the right time to discuss Ye Gucheng’s matter, so Yan Hongyin didn’t say anything about it.

Finally, she looked at Yu Tianbao who was shrinking behind her.

“As for you…”

Yu Tianbao quickly raised both arms. “I’ll do whatever you say, with no ulterior motives, absolutely no hesitation!”

Yu Luocha gave a light laugh.

Yan Hongyin sighed. “Come here, let me re-bandage your wound.”

Gong Jiu’s dagger had not been light, and the wound was in the waist and abdomen. After all that movement, Yu Tianbao’s wound had already reopened and was seeping blood.

****

The next two days passed with Yan Hongyin and Elder Guzhu’s negotiations. Yu Luocha wandered around the sect without a trace, coming and going like a shadow. When he returned, he only remarked that he had become somewhat unfamiliar with the place, earning a very exasperated glance from Yan Hongyin.

It wasn’t until the third day that the two found time and once again took out the invitation card signed by Su Mengzhen.

Following the route described in the letter, the two gradually went deep into the Kunlun Mountains, finally stopping at the entrance of a valley.

Yu Luocha rubbed his fingers and said, “The Kunlun Mountains have complex terrain and are full of dangers. Even I wouldn’t dare to claim I’ve explored them all, but this place…”

He knew about it.

The locals called this place the Death Valley because anyone who accidentally entered never came out alive.

The herders who lived in the area would rather let their sheep and horses starve to death on the Gobi Desert due to lack of grass than drive their flocks into this seemingly lush and fertile deep valley.

At the entrance of the valley, snow-capped mountains stretched to the horizon on both sides, but not far away, one could see a clear, unfrozen emerald lake surface glittering in the sunlight. Everything seemed so ancient and silent.

Suddenly, Yan Hongyin and Yu Luocha simultaneously reached out to each other, pulling each other back a step, their expressions solemn as they looked down!

At the spot where they had just been standing, a dark red thorn was slowly growing.

What should have been an eerie and terrifying sight appeared jewel-bright in the sunlight, making those who looked at it feel joy, unable to muster any caution or fear.

The thorn curled around a note that extended toward Yan Hongyin.

On it was Su Mengzhen’s handwriting again.

—Follow me.

Yu Luocha, however, crouched down and, relying on his special constitution and the presence of a skilled physician beside him, reached out to touch the thorn.

The thorn trembled in place, hesitating for quite a while, and then, facing Yu Luocha, it actually bloomed into a small, pink flower.

It looked quite shy and bashful.

“For me?” Yu Luocha raised an eyebrow. “Thank you, it’s beautiful.”

Yan Hongyin: “…”

Was her ability to accept things too poor, or was Yu Luocha’s calmness somewhat abnormal?

Yu Luocha’s fingers twirled the little flower given by the thorn. He stood up and said with a smile, “This is the Kunlun Mountains, nothing here would be surprising to those of us who live beyond the border.”

“Shall we go in and take a look?”