Roar!
A deafening roar rang out, as if it sounded right in the depths of Xu Qi’an’s heart.
He shuddered all over, and a sudden intuition made him turn around and look back, only to see a monster that left him utterly dumbfounded.
This monster’s body blotted out the sky. Its form defied simple description, as its structure was far too complex and horrifying.
It was a gigantic mass of flesh, with tendons bulging and muscles swollen, like a mountain made of muscle.
Rows of pores covered the “mountain” of flesh, spewing dark green smoke that swirled in the sky, forming layers of dark green clouds.
At the base of the mountain of flesh flowed viscous shadows.
And in those shadows, countless creatures mated furiously and wildly, driven only by the urge to breed and propagate.
Behind the mountain of flesh trailed a herd of zombified beasts.
The reason Xu Qi’an could tell front from back was because this creature had a pair of eyes brimming with wisdom, eyes that could seemingly pierce through sun and moon, mountains and rivers, and see through the fleeting eons of time.
The Gu God!
There was no need for confirmation, Xu Qi’an instinctively knew its name.
The only deity to survive from ancient times, one of the few Beyond-ranks of this age, the primordial behemoth that had slept in the Abyss for endless ages.
Why am I seeing the legendary Gu God…?
A wave of doubt flashed through Xu Qi’an’s mind. At that moment, he saw, through the Gu God’s wise eyes, great surges of shadow.
Xu Qi’an turned to look back…
“Roar!”
Another clear and piercing roar echoed. He saw the azure sky, the boundless earth. He saw a true dragon soar, rising mightily, he saw a bird of fire sweep across the sky, painting the sunset with flames.
He saw a one-eyed giant wandering aimlessly across the vast lands, with a setting sun behind him.
He saw frenzied tentacles rising and thrashing from a boiling ocean, blocking out the sky.
He saw a black tortoise entwined by a giant serpent.
He saw a crimson, one-eyed great snake whose open eye turned day, and whose closed eye brought night.
He saw a giant with twelve arms, a black-scaled serpent with nine heads, a golden lion with three tails, a round ball of flesh covered all over with eyes and tentacles, a majestic bird shimmering with divine light of five colours…
The images shattered, and endless darkness swept in.
Xu Qi’an abruptly opened his eyes. What he saw was the familiar quiet chamber and its simple furnishings. This brought him immense reassurance and tethered him back to reality.
Ancient gods and demons?
What I saw were gods and demons from the ancient era…
Why am I seeing beings that should have long since vanished in the river of time?
Recalling the scenes he had just witnessed, Xu Qi’an felt waves of palpitations in his heart, nearly succumbing to terror.
Only then did he notice his back was drenched in sweat.
So terrifying, every ancient deity was unspeakably dreadful. It’s impossible to imagine what kind of era that was.
He got up and went to the tea table, poured himself a cup of hot water, and absent-mindedly took a few sips. Only after a while did he feel “alive” again, as if shedding the remnants of that fear.
Once calm, he began to analyse the origin of those memory fragments.
He concluded that “they belonged to the Gu God”.
The only thing on me connected to the Gu God is the Sevenfold Gu. Which brings up the question, why does the Sevenfold Gu contain memory fragments of the Gu God?
As the only treasure in the world that fuses seven Gu arts, the Sevenfold Gu does indeed harbour further secrets.
Xu Qi’an furrowed his brow, and in his confusion, could not help but think back to when he was still a novice.
By my usual style, whenever I run into something I can’t figure out, I would simply go to Duke Wei and dump the headache on him.
Xu Qi’an laughed, and as he laughed, he fell silent.
He rubbed his face, swept away distracting thoughts, and began to examine the upgraded Sevenfold Gu.
First, the Heaven Gu, no changes. It could predict the weather, sense the changes of all twenty-four solar terms, and its core ability remained “shifting constellations”.
As for peering into Heaven’s secrets, the skill to glimpse the future for a short time, because its level was too high, the Sevenfold Gu still had not mastered it.
…
The two abilities of the Shadow Gu, shadow jump and shadow stealth, had seen great improvements.
The range of shadow jump had increased to a radius of three hundred metres, and there was no longer a “buffer time”. Previously, when Xu Qi’an used shadow jump, there would be a brief buffer of less than a second (in which his body melted into shadow).
Shadow stealth was now even faster and even stealthier, it could be regarded as a sort of escape art, and it could bring one person along.
Additionally, a third ability had been added: shadow possession!
Xu Qi’an could inhabit the shadow of his target for up to two hours.
However, he had to be vigilant, as the previous two side effects had intensified, and a third side effect had been added:
He was required to spend fifteen minutes each day “possessing a shadow”.
It’s not so bad, I can just hide under a girl’s skirt… The Sevenfold Gu is truly perverse. Xu Qi’an lampooned.
…
The improvement to the Strength Gu was that it had gained a self-healing ability.
However, for the current Xu Qi’an, self-healing was completely redundant.
The Heart Gu had seen two improvements:
First, its effects on intelligent beings were deepened; second, it could now control a greater number of low-intelligence beasts.
The first could be used to influence enemies, just as Qihuan Danxiang did against the Taiping Sabre.
The second was suitable for warfare, one could become a small army by oneself.
But he had to be especially careful, as the host’s affection for animals increased. If he could not control himself, he might well find himself thinking, “why not leave a descendant with it?” and other similar terrifying thoughts.
…
The change to the Poison Gu was that, at will, he could transform his saliva, blood, hair, and so on into deadly poison, into any poison he had tasted.
For example, if Xu Qi’an had once consumed a particular medicinal poison, he could turn his hair or nails into that poison, handy for saving people if a remedy was needed.
Or, if he had tasted a numbness-inducing poison, he could turn his spit into that poison, and pass it into the National Teacher’s body with a kiss, thus having his way.
Of course, unless the Gu God descended personally, there was no poison in the world that could affect the National Teacher.
The side effect was a deepening craving for poison each day, and he became more selective, in half a month, if he failed to ingest a variety of poisons, it would throw a fit.
…
The Desire Gu could now split into as many as eighteen child Gu, and the aphrodisiac gas it secreted was even more potent. If Xu Qi’an wished, he could instigate group activity among those nearby, anytime, anywhere.
In addition, the Desire Gu had gained two new abilities:
First, enhanced endurance during intercourse.
Second, an increase in personal charm.
The former was admittedly redundant for a martial artist like Xu Qi’an.
The latter was the equivalent of a low-level charm.
Its side effect, in addition to his existing lasciviousness, was that he was now required to have sexual relations at least once every half-month. Of course, as a third-rank by now, Xu Qi’an could suppress this side effect…
Though there was no need for him to.
…
Lastly was the Corpse Gu.
The number of child Gu increased from four to eight. From originally retaining the skills possessed during life, it now retained a portion of the deceased’s remnant souls, making the puppets more agile and greatly enhancing their combat strength.
The side effects deepened, and it could be summarised in one sentence:
Cannot look at naked corpses! Cannot look at naked corpses! Cannot look at naked corpses!
Important things were said three times.
The side effects of the Corpse Gu are completely contrary to my hobby of dissecting corpses… I should be grateful that I had not yet inherited the Sevenfold Gu during the Princess Consort Fu case…
Otherwise, neither Huang Xiaorou nor Princess Consort Fu would have got away.
The Corpse Gu is the most perverse, then it’s the Heart Gu… Xu Qi’an silently lampooned.
Then his expression suddenly changed as he thought of something:
Why do I feel that the Corpse Gu is more perverse than the Heart Gu? Could it be that beasts and humans are easier to accept than corpses and humans? Am I thinking this way due to the influence of the Heart Gu?
Xu Qi’an’s mouth twitched violently.
At this point, the lattice door of the quiet room slid open from outside. The National Teacher, holding a horsetail whisk, stepped over the threshold and entered the room.
“I sensed that you’d awakened. Just now, your aura seemed off, did something happen?”
She asked with deep concern.
Xu Qi’an gently twitched his nose, detecting the scent of powder, a delicate fragrance wafted in.
Looking more closely, Luo Yuheng wore light makeup, making her all the more beautiful.
She must have dressed up for me. This personality of Luo Yuheng was that of a real, normal woman… Just as Xu Qi’an was about to give some praise, he was suddenly startled. Reflected in his pupils, Luo Yuheng’s graceful form turned out to be a beast-eared catgirl.
A mature, dominant catgirl.
Xu Qi’an closed his eyes. When he opened them again, the catgirl was gone. Now she had become a centaur, the upper body adorned in feathered attire and holding a whisk, the distant cold beauty of the National Teacher, but with a horse’s lower body.
“Slap!”
Xu Qi’an slapped himself hard across the face.
Luo Yuheng frowned slightly:
“What are you doing?”
To restore my standards for choosing a spouse… Xu Qi’an quietly let out a breath and said,
“It’s nothing, National Teacher, you needn’t worry.”
He immediately realised that it was the strange, alluring effect of Luo Yuheng’s karmic fire that made him see these new images of her, besides that of “kind Auntie” and similar personas;
Monster girls!
And this new image resulted from the influence of the Heart Gu. After compromising to a certain extent and drawing on previous life experience, he had created an image that both satisfied the Heart Gu’s yearning for beasts and was still somewhat acceptable to himself.
The National Teacher is truly a mirror for exposing a pervert’s true nature… Xu Qi’an forcefully suppressed his wayward thoughts and said,
“National Teacher, I wish to return home for a bit.”
Luo Yuheng hesitated briefly, then softly said,
“If nothing urgent needs your attention, then remain here at the Lingbao Temple until dusk.
“Tomorrow is the day of ‘Malice’ among the seven emotions, it is the most difficult negative emotion to control.
“To be on the safe side, tomorrow let’s not perform dual cultivation. I will place a seal upon myself and spend tomorrow in slumber.
“So…”
Xu Qi’an understood. She meant to make up for tomorrow’s missed session today.
After a bout of passionate battle, when things reached their peak, Xu Qi’an hugged a pair of smooth, shapely, long legs, pressing his abdomen against Luo Yuheng’s round hips, and said,
“National Teacher, can you go ‘meow meow’ for me?”
“National Teacher, ‘woof woof’ is fine too.”
“National Teacher, do you know how a horse neighs? National Teacher, why are you stabbing me with your sabre…”
…
Less than an hour after the court session ended, nearly every official in the capital with sharp ears was aware of the uproar in today’s court meeting.
Prime Minister Wang’s future son-in-law, the second son of the Xu family, Xu Xinnian, played the spearhead role for the “donation policy”, denouncing the aristocrats and fiercely criticising the nobility in Jinluan Hall. He implored His Majesty to adopt his proposal and called for donations.
According to those officials who stood outside the hall on the vermillion steps, Xu Erlang engaged in a war of words with the assembled officials, leaving the prestigious nobles in the hall speechless.
Although Xu Erlang won the battle of words, he ultimately failed to overcome the prevailing trend. Under the strong opposition of the nobles and officials, the court session ended almost as a farce.
For the time being, Xu Cijiu became the centre of attention, everyone’s talking point.
“I’d long heard His Majesty wanted to call for donations. An empty treasury is naturally filled by tax revenue, where’s the logic in asking for personal donations?”1
“Alas, His Majesty is young and impetuous, acting without regard for established rules.”
“You know nothing. This scheme to call for donations was devised by Xu Xinnian. His Majesty did not agree at first but was eventually persuaded by this smooth-tongued devil, who made the plan sound flawless, so that His Majesty believed that as long as we officials donated our silver, the disasters across the realm could be easily resolved.”
“Shameless, truly shameless! Xu Xinnian will stop at nothing for his own career. Why doesn’t he donate his entire family fortune? Our salaries are meagre, we’re just trying to get by.”
“Hmph, just a petty official.”
“He’s not just a petty man, but a pretty boy as well. If not for his girlish face seducing the Prime Minister’s daughter, he’d be nothing.”
Forced donations are were popular or even welcomed by any group, in any era.
Those with hot blood coursing with the loyalty to conutry and people were ever in the minority.
Furthermore, Xu Xinnian was tied to the current Prime Minister and had a brilliant future. Predictably, he became the object of scorn and abuse from all levels of the officialdom.
The Hanlin Academy.
Xu Xinnian, at the centre of the storm, ignored all the gossip from the outside world and focused on drafting announcements at his desk.
“Cijiu.”
Several associate scholars came into the hall, filled with righteous indignation, and said,
“The abuse outside is deafening. That group of muddle-headed fools has wasted all those years reading the classics.”
“Hmph, they’re used to a life of luxury, how would they care about the life and death of the common people?”
The Hanlin Academy was the purest of the pure, always holding its nose high, keeping a distance from ordinary officials.
If ordinary officials were mud, then they considered themselves lotuses.
Though their habitual arrogance was irritating, they were indeed less corrupt than regular officials, far more clear-minded, and had yet to be tainted by the filth of the bureaucracy.
Xu Erlang pondered for a moment, drew out a sheet of calligraphy paper, and wrote:
“For six hundred years the court has nurtured scholars, yet why now do both civil and military men flee?”
The few scholars’ eyes shone and they applauded, saying, “Marvellous!”
Just then, the austere and severe Hanlin Academy Grand Academician, Ma Xiuwen, entered with his hands clasped behind his back, expressionless.
“Sir!”
Xu Xinnian and the scholars bowed and saluted in unison.
Ma Xiuwen had a rigid character and rarely wore an expression. As a result, his face seemed stiff. He gave a cold hum and said,
“Xu Cijiu, come to my office.”
With that, he turned and left.
The scholars cast Xu Xinnian a look that said, “You’re on your own.”
Xu Xinnian gave a wry smile, uncharacteristically nervous.
He cupped his hands to his colleagues and quickly departed for Ma Xiuwen’s room.
Ma Xiuwen sat behind the desk, holding a brilliantly glazed blue-and-white teacup in his hands, staring at Xu Xinnian through the swirling steam.
“Pour your own tea!”
He said coldly.
Xu Xinnian shook his head, “My stomach is full of tea, I can’t drink any more.”
Ma Xiuwen did not insist. After a long silence, he suddenly said:
“Was it Prime Minister Wang’s idea?”
Xu Xinnian shook his head, “It was my own idea, the Prime Minister did not know about it at first. It was only after His Majesty accepted my plan that he was informed.”
Ma Xiuwen understood, “I knew it. How could Prime Minister Wang let you do something that would anger everyone? Cutting off a person’s source of income is like killing their parents. Seizing wealth is not much better.”
He took a sip of hot tea and continued:
“Even His Majesty finds it difficult to take money from their pockets, let alone you.
“You haven’t even left the Hanlin Academy yet, and your reputation is already ruined. The good impression you built up when you stood with the officials at the Meridian Gate to angrily denounce King Huai is now completely gone because of this matter.”
Xu Xinnian answered calmly, “Those truly loyal will not resent or hate me for this.”
Ma Xiuwen, a senior scholar at the Hanlin Academy, was responsible for teaching the young officials, and Xu Xinnian was considered his student.
Grand Academician Ma shook his head, “In the end, you have to go along with the world. Let me be frank with you, this plan will not work.”
After a pause, he lowered his voice, “I just went out for a walk. Everywhere, people are cursing you, and those who envy you are eager to use this chance against you. Be prepared for impeachment tomorrow.”
Xu Xinnian bowed, “Thank you, sir, for your warning.”
Ma Xiuwen waved his hand, “You may go.”
Xu Xinnian returned to the office hall. A few friendly fellow scholars gathered around and said:
“Cijiu, let’s go have a drink at Jiaofangsi after work and forget all these troubles.”
It was common for officials to go to Jiaofangsi for a drink together after work.
Xu Xinnian subconsciously wanted to refuse, but then one of his colleagues said:
“In this freezing weather, we can’t even hold a brush. We need the girls at Jiaofangsi to warm us up with their bosoms.”
Having not touched a woman for several months, Xu Cijiu thought it over and then agreed, saying:
“But I have matters at home tonight. I need to return before dusk, so I won’t be staying at Jiaofangsi this evening.”
…
Dusk!
Relying on the unfathomable powers of the Dark Gu, Xu Qi’an left Lingbao Temple and followed the bustling crowds towards Xu Manor.
No matter how severe the disasters were elsewhere, the capital, especially the inner city and imperial city, was always flourishing with music and dancing, its people prosperous and at peace.
“It’s so easy to miss the forest for the trees here!”
He sighed as he walked, glancing at the shops along the street.
Soon, he found his target, an old man selling green oranges.
The old man sat by the roadside, with two large baskets of green oranges set before him.
green oranges had a sour taste. They could resolve phlegm, stop coughs, and nourish the lungs. The peel had a strong aroma, and when dried, can be burned to repel mosquitoes.
Its medicinal value was exceptionally high, so it always sold well.
The National Teacher put on a lot of rouge. I need to get rid of the scent…
By instinct, Xu Qi’an bought a bag of green oranges and used the juice from the peel to erase the scent of makeup from himself.
Then, he suddenly realised, Why do I need to get rid of the scent?
The reason he used green tangerine juice as cover before was that Xu Dalang was supposed to be an honest youth who “wouldn’t even visit the brothels.”
His whole family thought so.
But as his reputation grew, the title of top dog at Jiaofangsi could no longer be concealed.
By now, there was no need to be so secretive.
“Ah, our youth has come to an end.”
Xu Qi’an still carefully used the tangerine peel juice to get rid of the scent of makeup, then carried the bag of green oranges home.
He could give them to Lingyin to eat!
It could count as a gift from an elder brother returning home.
He strolled unhurriedly to the gate of Xu Manor. His ear twitched, and he turned his head to see Xu Erlang riding home on a fine horse.
Erlang also saw Xu Qi’an, his joy obvious. He hastily pulled his horse to a stop, dismounted, and called out:
“Big brother!”
Xu Qi’an had just nodded in response when he saw Xu Xinnian fish out a bag of green oranges from his saddlebag.
At that moment, Xu Xinnian also noticed the greaseproof paper bag in his elder brother’s hand. Taking a closer look, he realised it was also green oranges!
…
The two brothers looked at each other in silence for a moment. Neither mentioned it. As they nodded to each other, Second Uncle Xu also returned.
“Ningyan!”
Second Uncle, delighted to see his long-separated nephew, even though he had already heard of Dalang’s return from Xu Lingyue the night before, leapt down from his horse.
“At last you’re back. Your Auntie’s been worrying about you every day…”
As he spoke, Second Uncle Xu pulled out an inflated greaseproof paper bag from his saddlebag.
When he saw the green oranges in his nephew and son’s hands, his expression immediately froze.
Father and son, uncle and nephew, brothers, they all looked at each other in silence.
Our youth… Xu Qi’an murmured in his mind.
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