Asking You to Keep an Eye on Someone — Are You Looking for Me?
Asking You to Keep an Eye on Someone — Are You Looking for Me?
“Gongzi, the young woman from the Blue Flood Ancient World you asked for has been brought here.”
Just as Gu Changge set down the Jade Tablet in his hand, the voice of a servant making a report sounded from outside the palace hall.
“Brought her? Then let her in.”
Gu Changge’s expression returned to normal as he nodded.
Soon, led by the Third Manager of the local Alliance of Thousand Merchants, the young woman Xue Yan arrived at the palace from beyond its gates.
She wore a red dress, her face fair and delicate, her eyes like limpid water, her hair like clouds. Yet her expression was somewhat anxious and tense, her slender hands clutching tightly at her sleeves, clearly ill at ease.
As the most magnificent palace complex within Vermilion Bird Court, this place was filled with experts like clouds, with far too many terrifying powerhouses hidden in the shadows.
Divine senses vast as abyssal seas, blood qi surging like erupting volcanoes, pressing down upon this stretch of sky until it seemed about to collapse.
Merely the gazes they cast her way were enough to make her feel suffocated, her very soul trembling.
To put it bluntly, any single person here was like an ancient god, capable of casually sweeping away the Blue Flood Ancient World behind her.
“Xue Yan guniang?”
Just as all sorts of thoughts churned in her heart, impossible to calm, Gu Changge at the front of the hall spoke with a smile.
He wore white robes and white socks, his black hair draped loosely, his figure tall and straight, appearing exceedingly simple and unadorned. On his handsome, refined face was a smile like a spring breeze, one that easily settled a person’s scattered emotions.
Gazing at the white-robed man before her, transcendent and otherworldly like a banished immortal, even Xue Yan—who did not consider herself a shallow person—was dazed for a moment. A blush surfaced on her cheeks, and it took several breaths before she recovered.
“Xue Yan greets Gu Gongzi.” She bowed respectfully, her gaze drifting behind Gu Changge.
Qing’er stood respectfully in attendance behind him, brewing tea for him.
The million-year-old Tree Heart Spring bubbled and boiled, the Enlightenment Tea leaves tumbling within, rich tea fragrance wafting out, accompanied by all manner of extraordinary phenomena.
Principles of Dao interweaved, auspicious light pervaded the air—a small golden sword, an ancient bell the size of a palm, a tiny golden figure...
In terms of value alone, this single cup of tea could absolutely rival an entire city.
Xue Yan had only ever read of such legendary divine objects in ancient texts—things that could aid a cultivator’s enlightenment, where even a single whiff of the tea’s fragrance could advance one’s cultivation by leaps and bounds in a day. She had never imagined...
And here it was, merely served as ordinary tea for daily drinking.
Even the word “extravagant” seemed utterly inadequate to describe it.
Perhaps only those existences who could pluck the stars from the sky and sit watching the passage of countless ages could manage such a thing.
Xue Yan’s dazed expression quickly recovered; she did not let these things shake her heart.
“May I ask, Gu Gongzi, for what matter have you summoned Xue Yan today?”
She cupped her hands and asked Gu Changge.
“I’ve sought you out because there’s naturally something I’d like your help with.”
Gu Changge smiled faintly and gestured for her to sit.
Xue Yan hesitated somewhat.
She couldn’t understand what matter could possibly require Gu Changge to seek her out.
If even Gu Changge couldn’t accomplish something, what could she possibly do?
Still, she sat down, waiting for Gu Changge to state his instructions.
Seeing this, Qing’er behind him went over to pour her a cup of Enlightenment Tea, then returned to stand respectfully at Gu Changge’s side.
She knew Gu Changge seemed to be playing a grand game of chess, and the young woman before her, Xue Yan, was an exceedingly suitable piece.
“Enlightenment Tea...”
Seeing the tea before her, Xue Yan was momentarily stunned.
She truly never imagined that one day she would actually get to drink Enlightenment Tea.
The Enlightenment Tea bubbled and boiled, giving off Dao aura so intoxicating one could nearly ascend on the spot. A palm-sized great bell emerged, tolling faintly; divine swords rang out, immortal light blazed brilliantly, as if truly real.
She felt every pore in her body seem to dilate, even her soul absorbing this aura of enlightenment.
Her cultivation, which had long since hit a bottleneck, now showed signs of loosening.
This thing was far too precious—Xue Yan feared she lacked the fortune to enjoy it.
Even so, with great difficulty she tore her gaze away, refusing to let the Enlightenment Tea sway her resolve.
“It’s merely a cup of tea. Compared to the favor I wish to ask of Xue Yan guniang, it hardly counts for anything.”
Gu Changge waved a hand, his gaze carrying a hint of appreciation as he smiled.
“Then, Gu Gongzi... the matter you seek me for—what exactly is it?”
Xue Yan was deeply curious and couldn’t help but ask in puzzlement.
“I’d like you to keep a close watch on someone for me.”
Gu Changge smiled, his fingers tapping unhurriedly on the table before him.
“His every move, and every stir of activity around him—I want it all reported to me.”
Xue Yan was stunned. What kind of person would need her to watch them? And to report their every move to Gu Changge?
“This person—you should know him.”
Gu Changge smiled, unsurprised by Xue Yan’s reaction.
With that, Qing’er behind him stepped forward and handed a Jade Tablet over to her.
“This is... Shixiong Lu Ming?”
Xue Yan’s divine sense probed into the Jade Tablet, and upon seeing the figure manifested within, she froze entirely, her eyes going wide as if in disbelief.
“Xue Yan guniang should be no stranger to him.”
Gu Changge truly hadn’t expected that this Fortuitous One he paid little mind to would actually have some inexplicable connection to Nether.
The Alliance of Thousand Merchants’ informants spread across the entire Battlefield of Hundred Worlds; few things escaped their notice.
These past few days, although Lu Ming had been cautiously and carefully inquiring about Nether’s affairs, to observant eyes it was still glaringly obvious.
Especially since Gu Changge was also investigating Nether’s whereabouts.
However, to avoid alerting the enemy, Gu Changge did not directly send men to seize Lu Ming.
So after some thought, he decided to make his move through the fated woman at this Fortuitous One’s side, to see whether he could follow the vine to find the melon—and learn through what means Lu Ming had made contact with Nether.
“Gu Gongzi, can you tell me the reason?”
Xue Yan’s expression was somewhat conflicted and struggling. She didn’t dare refuse Gu Changge’s demand.
She was a smart person; she knew she lacked the standing to speak with Gu Changge as an equal or bargain with him.
Nor did Gu Changge need her consent—he naturally had a thousand ways to control or coerce her.
But this person was, unexpectedly, Shixiong Lu Ming, someone she knew extremely well.
Ordinarily the two of them were quite close, often sparring and discussing the Dao together; their friendship ran deep.
In fact, in her view, toward Lu Ming she even harbored some inexplicable, hard-to-describe feelings.
“Because on his body is the mark of a certain person I’m looking for. So I intend to use him to find that person.”
“Rest assured, I bear no ill will toward this shixiong of yours.” Gu Changge smiled in reply, sipping his tea lightly.
He naturally wouldn’t say that he intended to use Lu Ming to locate Nether’s whereabouts.
Nor was there any need for the young woman Xue Yan to know such things.
Xue Yan’s expression turned slightly solemn, and she nodded, though in her heart she didn’t fully believe Gu Changge’s words.
She also knew that, given her status, it was impossible for Gu Changge to tell her the whole reason.
The only thing she could do was obediently carry out Gu Changge’s instructions.
Although Gu Changge currently appeared gentle and refined, judging from the many rumors, the ruthlessness of his methods was absolutely no less than that of some world-shaking demon.
Afterward, at Gu Changge’s instruction, Qing’er handed Xue Yan a Communication Jade Talisman.
Within it was a special Restriction, through which her whereabouts and movements could be sensed.
Beyond that, all matters concerning Lu Ming could be transmitted through this Communication Jade Talisman.
Of course, most importantly, should Xue Yan make any move to leak any of this, Gu Changge’s people would notice at the first instant and act to deal with it.
“Since you’re handling matters for Gongzi, when the time comes, your rewards will naturally not be lacking.”
Qing’er placed the Communication Jade Talisman before Xue Yan.
Her exquisite face carried a trace of a smile. Although in her eyes Xue Yan was still no different from an ant, because of Gu Changge, she could no longer treat her with contempt, and so spoke courteously.
Xue Yan nodded and accepted the Communication Jade Talisman, though her heart was somewhat heavy.
Originally, she had thought Gu Changge summoning her late at night meant he had some other intention.
In the end, she had simply overthought it.
With Gu Changge’s status, what manner of woman in the Beyond had he not seen? How could he possibly be moved by a mere girl from a Lower Realm like her?
“This pot of Enlightenment Tea—Xue Yan guniang may take it back with you to share with your shixiongs and shijies.”
Once Xue Yan agreed, Gu Changge smiled and made no move to keep her longer, beginning to usher his guest out.
Xue Yan hesitated somewhat—the value of this pot of Enlightenment Tea was something she simply dared not imagine.
But since Gu Changge had casually bestowed it, as though it were ordinary spirit fruit or wine, she didn’t put on false airs. After voicing her thanks, she took the teapot, bade farewell, and departed.
The Third Manager who had brought her was still waiting for her at the palace gates.
Seeing her come out carrying Enlightenment Tea, his eyes couldn’t help but reveal a trace of envy.
With his status, even a single taste of Enlightenment Tea would cost him an enormous price.
In the entire vast Beyond, aside from Gu Changge, there were probably few who could be so extravagant.
Of course, tonight was an exception—Gu Changge had instructed Qing’er to brew two pots of tea, so he too would soon have a chance to savor this tea’s wonders.
After Xue Yan departed, the smile on Gu Changge’s face faded away within the palace.
His gaze grew somewhat deep, revealing a hint of contemplation, and then he instructed Qing’er behind him:
“Keep a close watch on everyone from the Blue Flood Ancient World these next few days. Furthermore—I want truthful reports on everything concerning that prodigy named Lu Ming. Send people to take control of all his family and friends back in the distant Blue Flood Ancient World as well.”
“Let none of them slip through.”
After all, he was a Fortuitous One—some accident might well occur.
So, to be absolutely certain, Gu Changge decided to first take control of his family and friends.
That way, even if the piece called Xue Yan were exposed, he would still have the means to force Lu Ming to yield and draw Nether out for him.
Qing’er’s heart trembled slightly, her expression solemn as she nodded. “Rest assured, Gongzi, I’ll arrange it at once.”
The Blue Flood Ancient World was endlessly far from here, merely one of the countless Lower Realms in this region.
Like a speck of dust in the sands of the Ganges—even if Gu Changge destroyed it with a flip of his palm, it wouldn’t raise the slightest ripple, let alone merely controlling a few people within it.
“Since you’ve shown yourself in the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds yet won’t come see me...”
“Then I’ll simply come find you.”
After Qing’er went down to make these arrangements, Gu Changge also dismissed the rest of those in the palace.
He gazed at the moon wheel shimmering with faint light outside, shook his head gently, then took a single step and vanished.
The matter of Su Qingge had come as quite a surprise to him.
And now, this surprise would naturally have to be resolved by his own hand.
Though the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds was vast and boundless, if Gu Changge truly wished to find someone—especially someone who cultivated the Taboo Demonic Arts—it was as easy as lifting a finger.
“The Chosen One token I gave you—is it serving you well? Truly worthy of the Taboo Demonic Arts. In merely these few days, your aura has grown this much stronger?”
Meanwhile, in the Dark Net Hall of the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds, within an exceedingly secluded courtyard.
Lan Yifei, the Chosen One of the Immortal Dao Alliance, appeared here. His figure was tall and slender, and on his refined, composed face was a trace of admiration as he spoke.
“How did you know I was here?”
Su Qingge stood at a distance, her entire body shrouded in black mist, her true features indiscernible, her figure unclear—utterly blurred.
Her expression was cold and indifferent, her voice exceedingly hoarse, impossible to tell whether male or female.
“The Dark Net Hall happens to be backed by my Immortal Dao Alliance. So your presence here cannot be hidden from me.” Lan Yifei smiled.
Su Qingge’s gaze returned to calm. “You came to find me—aren’t you afraid I’ll kill you?”
“Not afraid. You don’t have that ability right now. I came to find you because I actually want to know the identity of the true Successor of Demonic Arts.” Lan Yifei shook his head.
During this time, he had studied the portion of the Taboo Demonic Arts Su Qingge had given him, and felt as though a door to cultivation he had never seen before was slowly opening before him.
He hadn’t been able to suppress the urge to try, and in the end couldn’t resist seeking out a few corpses of powerful experts.
And with that one attempt at cultivation, he was hooked beyond control—he even had the notion of destroying his previous foundation and remolding it anew with the Demonic Arts.
Thus, he wanted all the more to know the true Successor of Demonic Arts’ identity, to obtain the complete Taboo Demonic Arts.
“When the time is ripe, I will naturally tell you. Now is not yet the time.”
Su Qingge spoke indifferently, with no intention of informing Lan Yifei of the matter.
Lan Yifei’s brows furrowed. “Do you think I truly won’t make a move against you?”
By now he was even beginning to doubt whether Su Qingge actually knew who the true Successor of Demonic Arts was—or whether even she was merely a piece kept in the dark.
That would be why she came up with such an excuse to stall him.
“You’re welcome to try.” Su Qingge’s expression was calm, without the slightest change.
Although she had previously been no match for Lan Yifei, during this time in the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds she had devoured the Source of quite a few prodigies, and her cultivation had advanced considerably.
“You truly won’t shed a tear until you see the coffin. Unless the true Successor of Demonic Arts appears, you cannot possibly be my match—especially not on my Immortal Dao Alliance’s territory.”
The smile on Lan Yifei’s face gradually turned cold, his tone far from polite.
“Then by all means, try it. See whether I can kill you or not.”
A trace of disdainful smile surfaced at the corner of Su Qingge’s lips—though her beautiful, peerless face was shrouded in mist and could not be seen clearly.
Lan Yifei’s brows knitted tightly. Honestly, he didn’t want to fight Su Qingge here.
Because he couldn’t be sure whether Su Qingge still had some backup plan or hidden trump card.
“Then why do you keep refusing to tell me the true identity of the Successor of Demonic Arts?” His tone was unfriendly, carrying a few traces of suspicion.
A flash of dismissiveness passed through Su Qingge’s gaze, though she quickly recovered and said indifferently:
“You only need to know that right now... you are not yet qualified to know who he is.”
If Lan Yifei learned now that Gu Changge was the true Successor of Demonic Arts...
Would he still have the courage to snatch the complete Taboo Demonic Arts from his hands?
Give him a hundred times the courage, and he still wouldn’t dare.
“You...”
Lan Yifei had no way of knowing what Su Qingge was thinking; he only felt looked down upon by her, his face turning somewhat unsightly.
He nearly laughed from sheer exasperation, sorely tempted to strike and make Su Qingge understand the vast gulf between their strengths.
“It seems... you were looking for me?”
But just then, a strange spatial fluctuation suddenly emerged within the courtyard, accompanied by a young man’s voice.
Beneath the mist, Su Qingge’s countenance changed drastically, turning pale in an instant.