The Shameless One

Smack!

The whip lashed out like a viper, striking Shen Tianyin’s shoulder with precision. Despite Gu Feiyan holding back her strength, the sheer disparity in their cultivation levels sent Shen Tianyin flying like a ragdoll. He rolled across the ground, coughing up blood and wailing in pain.

Gu Feiyan walked toward him with an elegant gait. “Strip him of his clothes and force him to kneel here for three days as an example. If I see him again after this, he won’t need to live anymore.”

With that, she stepped over Shen Tianyin’s chest without a second glance, leaving gracefully.

Two of her followers stayed behind, roughly tearing Shen Tianyin’s robes and using sealing techniques to immobilize him. They forced him into a kneeling position so perfect it could be used as a textbook example.

Qin Gou, Cao Yilin, and the others rushed over.

“Brother Shen, are you alright?” Cao Yilin asked with a bitter smile. “I told you not to act rashly! This was just a coincidence. It’s not uncommon for two people to look alike.”

Shen Tianyin didn’t respond. Instead, a strange smile crept across his face. “Hehehe…”

Qin Gou looked at him, puzzled. “Brother Shen, are you okay?”

“Why is he laughing? Oh no, did Senior Sister Gu whip him so hard it scrambled his brains?” Cao Yilin exclaimed in shock.

Even Gu Feiyan’s followers were confused. Did this fool’s brain grow on his shoulder? Gu Feiyan had clearly gone easy on him, so why was he acting like this?

“You’re all wrong!”

Shen Tianyin burst into laughter, ignoring everyone around him. “A coincidence? A next life? No, I’m certain now. She’s Yan’er, my Yan’er! Hahaha! She even gave herself away!”

“He’s completely lost it,” one of Gu Feiyan’s followers said with a hint of pity.

Shen Tianyin’s sharp gaze locked onto Cao Yilin. Overjoyed, he said, “Did you hear what she said to me? ‘I gave you a chance!’ Do you know what that means? She remembers me! She’s blaming me for not protecting her back then! I wasn’t sure before, but now she’s exposed herself!”

For a moment, Qin Gou, Cao Yilin, and the others exchanged silent, bewildered glances.

Cao Yilin looked conflicted, unsure whether to tell Shen Tianyin the truth.

Meanwhile, Qin Gou was utterly shocked. ‘This guy… is a genius!’

***

In front of Gu Feiyan’s spiritual gathering cave, the flowers were in full bloom, their fragrance intoxicating.

Inside, Gu Feiyan lounged lazily on a jade bed, her graceful figure exuding a natural allure.

“Xiao Mu, you really missed out by not coming to the dueling arena with me today.”

Mu Man’er, who had come to visit, blinked her bright eyes curiously. “Why, Sister Feiyan? Did something interesting happen at the arena today?”

“Nothing interesting, but there was one idiot and one person who caught my attention,” Gu Feiyan said with a radiant smile, though it was tinged with something unusual. Few in the sect had ever seen her smile so genuinely, and even she rarely smiled this openly.

“Oh? What kind of person caught your attention?” Mu Man’er asked, nibbling on a spiritual fruit Gu Feiyan had given her.

“Are you asking about the idiot?”

“No, the other one.”

“Oh.” Gu Feiyan paused, thinking about how to describe him. “He’s a very shameless, very brazen person.”

Mu Man’er couldn’t help but laugh. “Shameless? What’s so interesting about someone like that?”

“Because he’s unique.”

Gu Feiyan struggled to suppress her laughter. “That guy’s methods are utterly despicable, yet he seems completely unaware of it. In fact, he’s quite proud of himself! He acts like it’s the most natural thing in the world. You should’ve seen him—his confident expression, his air of self-importance. Anyone who didn’t know better would’ve thought he was some great hero serving the people!”

“That sounds so silly,” Mu Man’er giggled, imagining the scene.

Gu Feiyan shook her head, giving Mu Man’er an amused look. “Silly? I think his shamelessness reminds me of my father when he was younger.”

“Sister Feiyan, you’re gossiping about the Sect Master again,” Mu Man’er said, half-laughing, half-crying.

“I’m not! Back when my father was just an ordinary disciple, the trouble he caused was legendary. You could ask Elder Yuan Zhen about it. Now that he’s the Sect Master, he puts on airs, but plenty of people still remember his embarrassing past.”

Gu Feiyan sipped her tea, her lips curling into a playful smile. “Besides, that guy was in disguise. A very clever disguise. I doubt anyone in the sect could see through it except me.”

“A disguise? Could he be a spy from another faction?” Mu Man’er asked, surprised.

“No. I can tell he has no ill intentions toward the sect. But…” Gu Feiyan frowned slightly, unable to hold back a chuckle. “He seems very eager to stand out. His desire for attention is written all over his face.”

“Who’s he trying to impress?”

“I don’t know.”

Mu Man’er stuck out her tongue playfully. “I bet he’s trying to impress you, Sister Feiyan!”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

Gu Feiyan rolled her eyes. “That guy probably isn’t even interested in women.”

“A… a man with that kind of preference?” Mu Man’er exclaimed, shocked.

“Forget it. Let’s not talk about him anymore. I’m planning to bathe in the Jade Dew Pool for some body refinement in the next couple of days. Want to join me?” Gu Feiyan asked, twirling a strand of her hair.

Mu Man’er thought for a moment before politely declining. “Sorry, Sister Feiyan. I’m close to a breakthrough and plan to seclude myself in my cave for ten days starting tomorrow.”

“Alright. But sitting alone in the Jade Dew Pool for so long will be boring. I was hoping for some company,” Gu Feiyan murmured, sipping her fragrant spiritual tea.

***

At dawn, Qin Gou awoke from another dream, his smile growing wider.

“Jade Dew Pool.”