WJ Chapter 64

Wanqiu (4)

Guan Wujue was kissed again and again by the Sect Leader, and was left dizzy by the words “I like you” whispered repeatedly in his ear. He now realized that when the Sect Leader had acted so extremely weak earlier, saying he had “no strength,” it was all a lie to deceive him.

After listening for a while, he finally smiled helplessly and muttered softly, “Sigh, what would I want your life for? It’s not like I can eat it.”

“Even if you can’t eat it, it still has other uses.” Yun Changliu’s gaze softened as he casually played with the Protector’s hair, thinking this should finally appease him, right? Wujue still looked better when he smiled.

Guan Wujue simply took it as the Sect Leader’s casual teasing. Only now did he gradually understand. Earlier in the Death Row, he couldn’t figure out why the old Sect Leader would have unhesitatingly exposed his deal with Gu Jinxi. Once the Sect Leader knew it involved Ye Ru’s life, he definitely wouldn’t agree to such a plan—wouldn’t that be giving up this path he had worked so hard to find?

Now he finally understood—it was because this path had long been cut off!

He had been kept by the Sect Leader in Yangxin Hall knowing nothing, but Yun Guyan must have learned through his own channels that Ye Ru had been placed under the Sect Leader’s protection. The originally perfect plan was disrupted without warning, and he, the Four Directions Protector who had initially proposed it, remained in Yangxin Hall without coming out…

No wonder Yun Guyan couldn’t restrain himself and had to take him out of the city—probably fearing even greater changes that would make even the medicine person’s blood impossible to secure.

However, Guan Wujue was still unwilling to give up. Seeing that Yun Changliu truly wasn’t angry and was actually in quite a good mood, he tentatively said:

“Sect Leader, this matter with Ah Ku… is there truly no room for negotiation? If Wujue takes him to meet Gu Jinxi’s appointment, I will naturally do my utmost to protect his life. Moreover, Ah Ku is willing to take this risk for the Sect Leader—this is a heaven-sent opportunity. I beg you to reconsider.”

Actually, Guan Wujue was being somewhat dishonest saying this. His nature already contained a measure of ruthlessness and decisiveness, and for Yun Changliu’s sake, he would dare to do anything. If he truly took Ye Ru to the meeting and there was an opportunity, he would naturally save him in passing, but if he saw the situation offered no opening to exploit, he absolutely wouldn’t create extra complications out of pity for Ye Ru.

To be frank, the weak, non-martial little medicine person’s chances of survival weren’t even fifty percent—not even thirty.

How could Yun Changliu not know this? He glared coldly at the Protector. “Willing? You were just willing to have this lord impose severe punishment on you. Should I really—”

Unfortunately, the Sect Leader lost his momentum halfway through. Guan Wujue looked over with an innocent expression of “why not, what’s wrong with that,” making him feel like all his energy was hitting cotton. Yun Changliu really had no way to deal with him, and in the end could only point at the Protector in feigned anger. “You truly are infuriating me. Don’t bring this up again.”

Guan Wujue didn’t dare to truly anger the Sect Leader at this moment and hurriedly nodded repeatedly in agreement, casually glossing over it.

Yun Changliu kept a stern face and said coldly, “Regarding this matter, I won’t scold you or blame you—that’s this lord’s selfishness at work. But you deceived this lord and intended to harm Ah Ku. From an official standpoint, punishment must still be meted out.”

“That’s natural. The sect’s rules cannot be abandoned. Wujue is willing to accept punishment.” Guan Wujue had no particular feelings about this. After all, he had entered the Death Row and was emerging completely unscathed—not only would the Sect Leader’s authority be damaged, but Xiao Donghe as Punishment Hall Master would also be in a difficult position. “What punishment will the Sect Leader impose?”

But Yun Changliu shook his head and, supporting himself on the headboard, prepared to lie down. “That can wait. You’ve been worried and frightened these past days and must be quite exhausted. First accompany this lord in sleep for a while.”

Guan Wujue hurried to support him, thinking it was always good for the Sect Leader to rest, and called out to Wen Feng.

The attendant pushed the door open and nearly stepped on the pillow on the floor. Despite his shock, he understood what he’d been called in for and, half-laughing, half-exasperated, went to the cabinet to get a clean pillow and placed it on the bed.

By this time, at the Sect Leader’s insistent request, Guan Wujue had already removed his outer robe and footwear and slipped under the covers. Yun Changliu changed pillows, then suddenly reached out to embrace his waist, gently pulling to indicate, “I’m feeling a bit cold. Come closer.”

This was clearly taking advantage again while pretending to be ill. Guan Wujue couldn’t bear to expose this little pretense and closed his eyes, obediently moving closer.

The bed and covers were warm and soft, and the Sect Leader held him in a very comfortable position, so drowsiness came at just the right time.

Before truly falling into sleep, the Four Directions Protector felt Yun Changliu’s shallow breathing beside him and had a vaguely bad premonition in his heart.

The Sect Leader already knew that Ah Ku was Duanmu Lin, so what about the rest? What about things concerning himself?

His old name, the forgotten past, the truth that so many people had covered up together…

Perhaps it couldn’t be concealed for much longer.

……

These past days had truly exhausted Guan Wujue’s energy. While awake and facing Yun Changliu he didn’t notice, but once he truly relaxed and fell asleep it was different. He didn’t intend to sleep too deeply, but his consciousness remained hazy and unable to wake.

Half-dreaming, half-awake, he seemed to feel the Sect Leader get up midway, gently patting him through the covers like coaxing a child, urging him to rest more.

So Guan Wujue drowsily fell asleep again.

This was the first good sleep he’d had in ten days—long and peaceful. When he truly woke and opened his eyes in bed, the sky outside the window had completely darkened.

No one else was in bed; Yun Changliu wasn’t beside him. Guan Wujue threw off the covers and sat up, rubbed his temples, draped his outer robe over his shoulders and walked out.

Just reaching the door, it was pushed open from the other side. Yun Changliu had changed into the magnificent robes symbolizing his position as Sect Leader, with someone following behind him—surprisingly, it was Left Envoy Xiao Donghe.

Upon seeing him, Xiao Donghe immediately smiled teasingly and bowed. “Ah, my great Protector, didn’t you say the Sect Leader definitely wouldn’t forgive you this time? How was it? Was sleeping in Yangxin Hall comfortable?”

Guan Wujue shot the Left Envoy a sidelong glance with a “tsk,” about to speak when Yun Changliu gave him a light push. “Stop fooling around. There’s sweet porridge simmering on the stove. Go get properly dressed before coming out to drink it.”

He turned to Xiao Donghe. “Left Envoy, you may also return first. Remember what this lord instructed you.”

“Yes, this subordinate takes his leave first.” Xiao Donghe bowed to the Sect Leader, glanced at Guan Wujue, then at the Sect Leader again before departing.

His final look was extremely complex; Guan Wujue couldn’t read its meaning at all. Once Xiao Donghe’s figure receded, he asked Yun Changliu, “What did you discuss with Donghe?”

Yun Changliu refused to answer, only urging him to dress properly. He then took his own hair ribbon from the headboard and loosely tied the Protector’s long hair. Outside, the moon was bright and stars sparse, the night sky like black satin. Yun Changliu led Guan Wujue to sit at the small table and had someone bring in the food box.

Opening it revealed a pair of exquisite porcelain bowls containing two servings of small porridge still steaming hot.

The porridge contained red dates and Job’s tears, matching the Protector’s taste, cooked sweet, glutinous, fragrant, soft, and easy to digest. The Protector and Sect Leader sat together in Yangxin Hall slowly drinking porridge, quiet and warmly domestic. After a few bites, Guan Wujue couldn’t help his curiosity. “How exactly will you punish this subordinate?”

Yun Changliu instead became hesitant. He looked out the window and unnaturally pressed his lips together. “Perhaps… we should wait until tomorrow morning. It’s getting late. First finish your porridge, then take medicine and sleep.”

Guan Wujue shook his head helplessly. “This subordinate just woke up.”

Yun Changliu insisted. “I’m afraid once you hear it, you won’t be able to rest well all night.”

“That serious?” The Protector laughed in surprise, clearly not taking it seriously. “No matter how you punish, Wujue accepts it. You might as well tell me now.”

Yun Changliu looked at him deeply, his gaze flickering. After a long while, he finally made up his mind, straightened his sleeves, and spoke with perfect composure. “Very well, listen… This lord intends to form a marriage alliance with Ah Ku and take him as consort of the rear chamber.”

Guan Wujue scooped another spoonful of porridge into his mouth and very naturally responded with “Mm.”

To Yun Changliu’s earth-shattering statement, he showed not a trace of extreme reaction.

“……” Yun Changliu’s expression darkened slightly as he stared at the Protector. “He has already agreed. What do you think?”

The Protector looked at the Sect Leader in confusion. “Why… are you asking me?”

“You……” Yun Changliu’s expression became even uglier. He suddenly grasped the wrist holding the porcelain spoon, demanding unacceptably, “What, this lord just said I liked you, and now in a blink I’m going to hold a grand wedding ceremony with someone else—and you have nothing to say?!”

Guan Wujue curved his lips in a smile at Yun Changliu, his voice carrying its usual calm composure. “Since the Sect Leader has decided to protect Ah Ku, there will naturally be measures. Ah Ku is both Wanci Manor’s young master and a rare Medicine Gate medicine person—such a dangerous identity could become a sacrifice in power struggles at any time… To ensure his carefree life, there’s no other way except keeping him in Xifeng City under protection forever.”

“And Xifeng City has strict rules. Without giving Ah Ku a significant position, it will be difficult to convince the masses. But this little medicine person has no martial arts and no experience, so you can’t grant him an important position. Then taking him into your rear chamber is the simplest and most effective method. Moreover, if Wanci Manor comes to demand their young master back, the Zhuyin Sect can use your old relationship with Ah Ku to block them. This is the best strategy.”

Yun Changliu remained silent. Guan Wujue shook his head and smiled again. “These reasons aren’t something this subordinate can’t understand. Should I act like a delicate little wife and cry and make a fuss at my husband? The Sect Leader underestimates Wujue too much…”

Suddenly the Protector’s expression changed, looking strangely at the Sect Leader. “Wait, you… don’t tell me you… wanted to see Wujue jealous?”

Yun Changliu stiffened, saying coldly, “No.”

“Then why are you unhappy?” Guan Wujue tilted his head, chewing on his spoon in confusion. “This move of the Sect Leader’s also contains the intention of guarding against Wujue and the old Sect Leader harming Ah Ku. Why are you asking this subordinate’s opinion? If Wujue said no, would you actually abandon the plan?”

Yun Changliu unexpectedly nodded, sighing. “If you’re unwilling, this lord will think of other methods.”

He spoke lightly. But actually… where were there any other methods? If he could think of any, he wouldn’t have brought this matter up with Wujue at all.

Initially, Yun Changliu only intended to keep Ah Ku in Xifeng City under the name of the Sect Leader’s benefactor, protecting him for life. However, when deploying the Zhuhuo Guards and Yin Ghosts, he met opposition from Xue Duxing, the current Ghost Gate Hall Master and Zhuyin Sect Elder.

Elder Xue had always been impartially strict. He immediately told the Sect Leader frankly that if Yun Changliu could remain in position continuously, with his authority and ability, he could still protect Ah Ku. However, now that the Sect Leader’s life was limited, after Yun Changliu’s death, no one could guarantee the fate of this helpless little medicine person.

After all, in this treacherous jianghu, with interests paramount, who would care about some dead former Sect Leader’s benefactor?

But giving Ah Ku a formal position would be different. If the Sect Leader’s spouse were insulted, it would insult the entire Zhuyin Sect’s reputation. This way, even if the sect members were unwilling, they would have to protect him.

When Xue Duxing proposed this method to Yun Changliu, his reasoning was exactly the same as Guan Wujue’s—this was the simplest and most effective best strategy.

Guan Wujue sighed in resignation.

He smiled bitterly, shook his head and said to Yun Changliu, “The Sect Leader need not trouble yourself further, please don’t trouble yourself anymore. If someone must think of other methods, let it be Wujue.”

“Rest assured, I won’t harm Ah Ku anymore.”

The Protector said this verbally, but thought to himself: Actually, it’s no great problem. The time and place for the transaction have already been set. At worst, when the time comes, I’ll lure Gu Jinxi out and double-cross him.

Though this would be somewhat more dangerous, Guan Wujue believed his martial arts were no less than Gu Jinxi’s. As long as he planned meticulously and acted cautiously, his chances of success shouldn’t be small.

Unexpectedly, Yun Changliu suddenly glanced at him, as if seeing through all his inner plans. “Wait, this lord’s punishment for you isn’t finished yet.”

He tapped his index finger on the table. “The Punishment Hall’s Meridian-Sealing Origin-Suppressing Needles—that shouldn’t wrong you, should it?”

Guan Wujue suddenly raised his head in disbelief!

With a clang, his spoon dropped into the bowl.

The red-robed Protector, who had always remained unmoved as a mountain, finally showed an expression of fear on his face.

His lips trembled, his eyes revealed a trace of despair. He suddenly turned and knelt at Yun Changliu’s feet, clutching the Sect Leader’s hem and crying out in anguish. “Sect Leader! Are you… going to cripple Wujue?”

The Meridian-Sealing Origin-Suppressing Needles were one of the Punishment Hall’s few severe punishments. However, it was rather special. From the perspective of the punished person’s suffering, compared to those other cruel severe punishments, it was like drizzle compared to violent storms and thunder.

Yet this punishment that didn’t greatly torment people was still classified as severe punishment. This was because the effect of the Meridian-Sealing Origin-Suppressing Needles was just as the name suggested. Driving twelve specially-made long needles deep into the major acupoints of a person’s twelve meridians could seal the flow of internal energy.

In other words…

Those subjected to this punishment, even the most first-rate masters, would in an instant become ordinary people without internal energy. Unless the needles were removed, it was like having one’s martial arts crippled!

Guan Wujue didn’t fear even death, so naturally he didn’t fear punishment.

But if his internal energy was sealed, even if only temporarily—

How could he still kill Gu Jinxi and seize the medicine for the Sect Leader?!