The Gu God's Message

She went straight for it. Xu Qi'an stared at the young men in the painting for a few seconds, then looked away and turned to Huaiqing, whose face was serious and whose beautiful eyes were fixed intently on him.

Huaiqing is proud, reserved, and has a strong sense of self-respect, a completely different personality from Lin'an.

There are things she wants, but she will never say them aloud.

In this respect, she is even more extreme than Luo Yuheng, who "hates dual cultivation".

From Xu Qi'an's perspective, he knew Huaiqing's temperament; he was even more arrogant than Luo Yuheng and more fierce than Li Miaozhen.

A woman who harbors ambitions for the throne would likely find it difficult to accept her husband's affections for other women, which is why Xu Qi'an never pursued Huaiqing.

Unexpectedly, she's now taking the initiative herself.

On second thought, now that the world is at peace, the people are busy with spring plowing, and the problem of food supplies is gradually being solved thanks to the tariffs that have been introduced. Huaiqing is once again the emperor, and there are no more worries or obstacles.

What she wants to achieve next is obvious.

Xu Qi'an sighed:

"What a pity, what a pity."

Huaiqing raised an eyebrow and said:

"Pity?"

Xu Qi'an shrugged:

"Looking across the Great Feng, who else is worthy of His Majesty besides this Silver Gong? If you wanted to get married, you should have said so earlier, and I would have simply married you and Lin'an together. Now what should we do? The elder sister can't be the younger sister, can she?"

His sighing and lamenting made it seem as if he had missed a great fortuitous opportunity.

The chief eunuch and the junior eunuchs all bowed their heads, not daring to breathe loudly.

I desperately told myself—I didn't hear anything, I didn't hear anything!

When listening to such "high-level secrets," it's best to position yourself as a tool to be forgotten as soon as you hear it, and not to think about or say anything afterwards.

This is the way to survive.

In fact, what palace eunuchs feared most was encountering such things, because the more they knew, the shorter their lifespan.

Huaiqing was stunned, not expecting such a reply. She stared at Xu Qi'an for a moment, then snorted:

"Xu Yinluo is joking. Lin'an is my sister. Now that you have become the imperial consort, you must restrain your temper, not be fickle, and treat her well."

Her eyes and brows were no longer sharp, and her tone softened, indicating that she was very satisfied with Xu Qi'an's answer.

After Xu Qi'an apologized for his "slip of the tongue," Huaiqing hummed in agreement and said:

"Duke Wei is preoccupied with trivial matters today and is unable to come to the palace to play chess with me. Xu Yinluo will play chess with me in Duke Wei's stead."

"I only know how to play Chinese chess and Gomoku," Xu Qi'an agreed.

Haoqi Tower!

Wei Yuan unfolded the secret letter, which contained information about the current situation of Mahayana Buddhism in the Western Regions. As expected, the Buddhist School had forbidden the Arhats of Salvation from propagating Mahayana Buddhism and planned to hold a Buddhist conference after autumn. They were currently gathering believers from the Western Regions.

The Nightwatchers had many spies in the Western Regions, all of whom were from the Western Regions. These people were scattered throughout the various countries of the Western Regions and specialized in collecting information about Buddhist School.

The secret letter also mentioned that although Aranya forbade the propagation of Mahayana Buddhism in various countries and among all social classes, once the seeds of thought took root and sprouted, they spread like wildfire and could never be restored to their former state.

Mahayana Buddhism was then spread covertly and was highly revered and sought after by the poor and slaves.

According to a spy who was a slave, believers in Mahayana Buddhism regard Xu Qi'an, the Great Feng Silver Gong, as the supreme Buddha in the three thousand worlds. His will descends upon the nine provinces to spread the Mahayana Buddhist ideals, and the first person he converts is Du'e.

Influenced by this, the Arhat Du'e comprehended the Dharma and became a Buddha.

The supreme Buddha can deliver all sentient beings from the sea of suffering, enabling everyone to attain Buddhahood.

Wei Yuan pondered for a moment, then spread out paper on the table, picked up a brush and wrote something. He then affixed his seal, summoned Nangong Qianrou, and said:

"Take my order and go to the Southern Frontier border to transfer 30,000 taels of silver to the Western Regions, where you will give it to your spies."

The effeminate-looking Nangong accepted the imperial edict, frowned, and asked:

"Godfather, this is..."

Wei Yuan said in a compassionate tone:

"The people of the Western Regions are suffering terribly. Sending them some silver can improve their lives. Mahayana Buddhism can not only cleanse their hearts but also ensure they have enough to eat and wear."

Nangong Qianrou was a smart woman and immediately understood her godfather's meaning.

If believing in Mahayana Buddhism can earn you money, it's easy to imagine how those who are hesitant or neutral will choose.

"Hmph, it's good that you have your godfather strategizing behind the scenes. Xu Ningyan, that crude martial artist, only knows how to fight and kill all day long. He would never think of these things." Nangong Qianrou took the opportunity to slander her rival for favor.

Wei Yuan shook his head:

"If even these things require Xu Ningyan to painstakingly plan, Great Feng is not worth saving."

Nangong Qianrou stopped there and then said:

Why didn't my godfather go to the palace today?

As usual, my godfather is currently spending most of his time in the palace discussing state affairs with His Majesty and playing chess.

Wei Yuan sighed, "His Majesty sent someone to inform me today that I don't need to go to the palace. I reckon I won't need to play chess with her anymore."

However, this secret letter still needs to be sent to the palace and delivered to His Majesty.

From then on, Xu Ningyan received daily messages from the palace, inviting Emperor Huaiqing to the palace to play chess and discuss state affairs.

Aside from the initial few days of serious chess games and discussions of government affairs, Huaiqing frequently invited Xu Yinluo to stroll through the Imperial Garden, climb to high places for panoramic views, and even exchange chess moves on many occasions afterward.

Xu Yinluo had become the Empress's favorite minister.

Seeing that the man surnamed Xu was entering and leaving the palace so frequently, the ministers gradually reduced their petitions to His Majesty to marry and "establish an empress," and instead adopted a wait-and-see attitude.

The Xu Residence.

That morning, Xu Lingyin, with Bai Ji on her head, ran around in circles in the yard, while Bai Ji kept adjusting her limbs to maintain her balance.

This is a game they often play. Xu Lingyin runs out of breath first, then they lose.

The loser has to give their chicken leg to the other person tonight.

But the two, one human and one fox, could never determine a winner.

Passing through the inner hall, I saw Ji Baiqing, my aunt, Xu Lingyue, Lin An, and Mu Nanzhi chatting and drinking tea in a harmonious atmosphere.

"I feel there's something strange about the atmosphere in your house," Bai Ji said softly, standing on the human cub's head.

Xu Lingyin rolled her eyes upwards and replied in a sweet, innocent tone:

"What?"

Bai Ji said in a sweet voice:

"I can't really explain it, it just feels weird. Your mother's gaze towards my aunt is so strange, she must be jealous that my aunt is prettier than her. That Princess Lin'an even gave me some food yesterday, trying to find out my aunt's identity."

"Hmm, Sister Ye Ji suddenly told me that children should be honest."

"But I still didn't tell Xu Yinluo's wife."

Demon Race are adept at reading people and situations; it's an innate survival instinct.

Xu Lingyin listened, her expression blank:

What are you talking about?

Bai Ji thought for a moment, then tilted her head:

"I don't know, but something just feels off."

Xu Lingyin then suggested:

"Then let's ask my master. My master is very smart."

So the two of them went to find Lina, who was secretly eating in the kitchen.

Xu Lingyin blinked her innocent, wide eyes:

"Master, what are you eating?"

Lina wiped the grease from the corner of her mouth. "Enough nonsense. It's the rule of the trade: half for each of us."

She pointed to the smoked chicken on the plate.

Xu Lingyin happily walked over, tore off a chicken leg, thought for a moment, then tore off the chicken's rear end and handed it to Bai Ji above her head.

The three of them quickly began to eat. During this time, Xu Lingyin, while chewing with her cheeks puffed out, said:

"Master, I dreamt of the big bug again."

Lina's attention was focused on the smoked chicken, and she casually asked:

"What kind of big bug is that?"

Xu Lingyin said:

"It's the God of Gu!"

Lina dropped the chicken in her hand. Her pupils dilated slightly as she stared blankly at Xu Lingyin. After a long while, she lowered her voice and said:

"Did He teach you to fight again?"

Xu Lingyin shook her head, "He was talking to me."

"What did He say?" Lina asked loudly.

Xu Lingyin tilted her head, trying hard to remember, and then announced:

I forgot!

"You idiot!" Lina felt like she was about to choke on her own blood.

She's been smart since she was a child, so how could she have taken in such a stupid disciple?

Without saying a word, Lina grabbed Xu Lingyin's wrist and rushed out the door.

Bai Ji watched them leave happily, then pounced on the table and started gnawing on the smoked chicken.

They're all mine!

In the palace, by the clear pond in the Imperial Garden, Huaiqing, dressed in a plum-colored palace dress, sat on a green rock, her fair and shapely legs visible beneath the hem of her dress, her feet soaking in the clear water.

A small table was placed beside him, on which were wine, melons and fruits.

Xu Qi'an sat in the pavilion behind her, deep in thought as he faced the chessboard in front of him.

Huaiqing put a slice of peeled melon into her bright red mouth, ate it slowly and deliberately, and smiled:

"Springtime is just right, perfect for soaking your feet and admiring the flowers. Xu Yinluo, come and sit with me. There's no need to worry about the chessboard."

"Who do you think you are?" Xu Qi'an refused outright, saying:

"I'm sure I can figure out a way to break this deadlock."

Huaiqing ignored him.

After a moment, the Empress said jokingly:

"I heard from the Holy Son that the Xu Residence is engulfed in flames of war."

Xu Qi'an didn't even look up, staring at the chessboard, and smiled:

"With more people in the household, minor conflicts and disagreements are bound to arise; how can everything be harmonious? By the way, give me a copy of those lists that Chief Minister Qian gave you. I think there are some fine young men on them; Lingyue can look for a husband among them."

Huaiqing said "Oh":

"Xu Lingyue is indeed of marriageable age. If she has taken a fancy to any young master, I can grant her marriage."

Xu Qi'an pouted:

"I plan to use this list to scare her. That girl has been very arrogant in the manor lately, suppressing my mother and then Lin'an. I need to teach her a lesson."

Huaiqing laughed:

"Once Erlang and Simu get married, things will get really lively. Do you think they'll fight their own battles or form an alliance?"

Who knows!

Xu Qi'an imagined it for a moment, feeling both a headache and a bit of anticipation; the scene would definitely be more interesting than a brothel opera.

Thinking of watching a play, he suddenly remembered his apprentice, Miao Youfang.

"Miao Youfang is in the Imperial Guard, right?"

Huaiqing nodded.

Miao Youfang is now the commander of the 2nd Infantry Battalion of the Imperial Guard, a high-ranking position.

She cultivated Xu Ningyan's disciple as a trusted confidant.

"Send him to clean toilets for a month," Xu Qi'an said.

Just then, a eunuch in blue robes hurried over, stopped outside the pavilion, and said loudly:

"Xu Yinluo, someone from your residence has sent word that you must return immediately."

The Xu Residence.

In the study, Xu Qi'an stared at the little boy with a serious expression.

The little boy stared seriously at the pastries on the table.

"Have you forgotten what the God of Gu told you?"

"Big pot, can I eat it?"

Xu Qi'an sighed:

"Eat!"

While Xu Lingyin walked to the table to get pastries, he flicked his finger to the back of her neck, activating the beast-taming power of the Heart Gu.

Whether it's the Seven Deadly Gu in his body or the nascent Seven Deadly Gu on the back of the little bean's neck, they can both be seen as a "bridge" to communicate with the Gu God. However, the former is suppressed, and the Gu God cannot freely transmit his thoughts or descend.

However, the "prototype" of the Seven Deadly Gu on the little bean bud has no restrictions on the Gu God.

What he needs to do now is to use the little bean as a medium to reconnect with the God of Gu and listen to what nonsense He's spouting.

Suddenly, Xu Qi'an was enveloped in darkness, an endless, pure darkness.

In the darkness, a pair of blood-red eyes appeared, silently meeting his gaze.

"Autumn Dew."

"Without converting to poison, one cannot escape the great calamity."

The blood-red eyes slowly closed, and the darkness shattered.

Xu Qi'an opened his eyes, his brows furrowing.

"Autumn Dew. Without transforming into a Gu, one cannot escape the great calamity. What does this mean? What is the Gu God trying to say?"

He immediately took out the fragment of the Earth Book and sent a message:

[Three: Everyone, just now the Gu Divine Ability the Lingyin, which I don't quite understand.]

P. S.: Typos will be corrected later. Thank you for pointing out the typos in this chapter.