A world of Gu

After the message was sent out, Huaiqing, who was free at the time, was the first to reply:

[A message from the palace has been sent to summon you back because of this matter?]

Xu Qi'an, using his finger as a pen, was about to reply when he saw Li Miaozhen preemptively pass him a letter questioning him:

[Two: What are you doing in the palace!]

"To keep your sister-in-law company," Xu Qi'an sent a letter.

[Three: This is not the main point; the main point is the information about the Gu God.]

[Four: Autumn Dew is a solar term, symbolizing the arrival of autumn. Xu Ningyan, you don't even know this?]

Chu Yuanzhen found it unbelievable.

Ah, is Autumn Dew a solar term? It wasn't one of the solar terms in my past life. Xu Qi'an relayed the message:

[Of course I know, my point is, why did the Gu God deliberately mention Qiu Lu?]

He doesn't usually pay attention to the calendar and doesn't know much about the seasons in this world.

Xu Qi'an thought that "autumn dew" referred to some kind of heavenly materials and earthly treasures, or autumn dew.

[Seven: Obviously, this represents a point in time, or a significant moment. As for "Without being poisoned, one cannot escape the great calamity," I don't need to explain that, do I?]

The busy Holy Son took a moment to reply.

[One: I think we should first clarify whether the Gu God was relaying a message to Ningyan through Lingyin, or simply relaying a message to Lingyin.]

Ningyan?! Li Miaozhen instinctively raised her eyebrows.

Huaiqing, this woman, almost never referred to Xu Qi'an in such a way in public.

Thinking back to Xu Qi'an returning home from the palace, Fei Yan gritted her teeth.

Huaiqing continued to send the letter:

[Speaking of autumn dew, a while ago, Duke Wei sent me a secret letter mentioning that the Buddhist School community plans to hold a grand Buddhist assembly in the autumn and is widely disseminating the news to recruit believers.]

[8: So, is the autumn dew related to the Buddhist School Dharma assembly?]

Asura, who had been watching the screen, couldn't resist chiming in when the topic turned to Buddhist School.

The top scholar from Chu analyzed:

[Four: If the "autumn dew" mentioned by the Gu God is related to Buddhist School, then this sentence is conveying some kind of information to Ningyan through the Lingyin.]

The reason is simple: the Gu God couldn't possibly convey information about Buddhist School to Lingyin; she was still just a child.

There's no point in doing that.

So it seems there's something wrong with the Buddhist Dharma Assembly. Is the Gu God warning me? Or is it using me to sabotage some of the Buddha's plans, plans that are related to the Buddhist Dharma Assembly? Xu Qi'an fell into deep thought.

[Second: But the second sentence was clearly not directed at that scoundrel Xu Qi'an.]

Li Miaozhen delivered the letter with resentment.

How did I suddenly become a scoundrel? Xu Qi'an's letter confirmed Fei Yan's words:

[That's what I think too. It seems the Gu God is reminding Lingyin that if she doesn't transform into a Gu, she won't escape the great calamity. That's interesting.]

This statement reveals information related to a great calamity. The Gu God said that without transforming into a Gu, one cannot escape the calamity; conversely, does becoming a Gu guarantee survival?

Furthermore, what about those creatures that cannot be transformed by the Gu poison?

[Part 1: I suddenly remembered something. Do you remember what Lina once said? The prophets of the Heavenly Gu Clan prophesied that on the day the Gu God awakens, the Nine Provinces will be transformed into a world of Gu.]

!!!

Huaiqing's words instantly brought everyone's memories back to two years ago.

When Lina shared the information that "the Confucian Sage statue has cracked" within the Heaven and Earth Society, she mentioned that guarding the Gu God is the Gu Clan's eternal policy, because the prophets of the Heavenly Gu Clan had prophesied that when the Gu God awakens, the entire Nine Provinces will become a world of Gu.

Could it be that the prophets of the Heavenly Gu Clan foretold the Great Calamity? Or rather, the part of the Great Calamity related to the Gu God? Chu Yuanzhen's mind raced, and he felt he had guessed the truth.

Without transforming into Gu, one cannot escape the great calamity. So, the Gu God intends to transform the Nine Provinces into a world of Gu? It turns out that we have unknowingly glimpsed a corner of the great calamity. After connecting the clues, Li Miaozhen felt a chill run down her spine.

Amitabha! So that's how it is! Master Hengyuan, who was watching through the screen, suddenly understood.

So, does the Gu God hope that Lingyin can cultivate Gu techniques to a high level as soon as possible, or even transform from a human into a Gu? Otherwise, when the great calamity comes, she will not be able to escape death. What kind of damned master-disciple affection is this? Xu Qi'an thought to himself.

Although Asuluo and Li Lingsu joined the group early, they were the last to access the internet. This was the first time I had heard of them, which surprised and shocked me.

[5: I did say that, but what does that have to do with the Gu God's Dream Lingyin? And what does it have to do with that last sentence?]

As everyone pondered and felt conflicted, Lina, who had been watching the screen for a while, voiced her doubts.

Nobody paid any attention to her.

[Nine: I always felt that there was a deeper meaning behind the saying, "Without being poisoned, one cannot escape the great calamity." It's just that I can't quite put my thoughts into it right now.]

Last night, Master Jinlian played with a group of cats on the rooftops, streets, and walls, having so much fun that she forgot all about home. After dawn, the cats dispersed, and the master took a nap in her own courtyard, basking in the sun.

Originally, the Daoist priest didn't want to engage in the Heaven and Earth Society's group chat, but the young men kept talking non-stop, causing him constant heart palpitations and making it impossible to doze off, so he had no choice but to join in.

I never expected the intelligence we discussed to be so advanced.

[Two: Master, you're out! I thought you were in seclusion again. We've been chatting for so long and you haven't shown up.]

Everyone greeted them, while secretly thinking to themselves:

Could it be that Master Jinlian has possessed a cat again and gone out to fool around at night?

[Three: Daoist priest, were you playing with the little female cat last night?]

Only Xu Ningyan would dare to say such things so recklessly, showing absolutely no respect for the Daoist priest, the members thought to themselves.

Why aren't they replying to me? What's going on? Lina wondered to herself.

[Nine: Nonsense! This matter is of great importance, and I have inevitably thought about it for a while. Let's leave aside the matter of "transforming Gu" for now. "Autumn Dew" should refer to the beginning of autumn. What the Gu God meant was that there would be some activity in Buddhist School in the autumn.]

[This refers to the 'Buddhist Dharma Assembly' that Number One just mentioned. The Gu God likely intends to use you to carry out some sabotage against the Buddha.]

Master Jinlian's guess coincided with my own. Xu Qi'an nodded secretly.

[7: Why isn't this the time when the great calamity is about to arrive?]

The Holy Son proposed a bold conjecture.

[Three: If it's the day of great calamity, will the Gu God reveal it to me? Don't forget, we are also His enemies.]

Li Lingsu was persuaded.

After a brief discussion and defining the two sentences, Xu Qi'an "left the group chat," put away the fragments of the Earth Book, and turned to look at his younger sister.

Xu Lingyin a greedy rabbit, moved her lips as she ate the fragrant and sweet pastries.

"Take the pastries and go outside. Big brother needs some peace and quiet."

Xu Qi'an sent the little boy away and sat alone at the table, quietly thinking. The sunlight outside the window gradually slanted westward, turning orange.

Finally, he came to his senses and glanced at the water drain in the corner; it was already three-quarters past 5 PM.

Just then, the study door creaked open, and the head palace maid from Lin'an stepped in, speaking softly:

"Your Highness, Your Highness summons you to the hall for your meal."

Xu Qi'an nodded gently, and as he stood up, he asked:

Where is His Highness?

He sat in his study all afternoon, but Lin'an didn't come looking for him? Had love vanished?

The head palace maid replied in a soft, gentle voice:

"His Highness is playing chess with Madam Mu in the hall."

Aunt Mu was what Xu Qi'an called her; the servants called the Flower Goddess Madam Mu.

This Madam Mu was of average appearance, over forty years old, and said to be a widow. Because of her close relationship with the matriarch of the Xu Household, she was staying at the mansion.

A rumor circulated among the servants in the manor that this Madam Mu was Xu Yinluo's lover, and that the two had a clandestine affair.

Recently, His Highness Lin'an has been trying various methods to find out about Madam Mu's background and has been competing with her at every turn, all because he has believed these rumors.

Leaving the study, passing through the corridor and courtyard, and walking through the fragrant garden, he arrived at the inner hall, where he saw his aunt standing by a high stool in the corner of the room, watering a clump of lush green ivy.

Seeing Xu Lingyue down, her slender fingers carefully embroidering exquisite cloud patterns onto a blue robe.

Seeing Lin'an and Mu Nanzhi hunched over the chessboard, their faces serious and their brows furrowed, locked in a fierce and evenly matched battle.

Seeing Ye Ji sitting beside Lin An, watching the two bronze-level warriors fight with a smile, while opposite her was Xu Yuan Shuang.

I saw Lina sitting at the table, resting her chin on her hand, waiting listlessly for dinner to be served.

I saw Ji Baiqing holding a book, drinking tea and reading at the same time.

He stood there, suddenly hesitant to approach, afraid of breaking the harmony, the warmth of the moment.

At this moment, Xu Lingyue looked up and saw her elder brother standing outside the hall. Her beautiful eyes lit up, and she said with a smile:

"Big brother~"

All the women looked over, their faces lighting up with smiles, and in an instant, a riot of beauty unfolded before them.

Xu Qi'an stepped into the inner hall, pretending not to see the contest between Lin'an and the Flower Goddess, and said:

"Is Mother having dinner here tonight as well?"

Ji Baiqing nodded:

Yuan Huai will be here soon.

Xu Qi'an looked around and then at his aunt, whose oval face had become even more beautiful and charming after taking the beauty-enhancing pill. "Where are Second Uncle and Second Brother?"

The dismissal time was early afternoon, several hours had already passed.

The aunt clearly didn't care about her son and husband, continuing to tend to her beloved potted plants, and casually replied:

"He's probably out socializing."

Whether it's Erlang or Xu Pingzhi, the higher their official rank and status, the more banquets they will have.

The aunt felt that as long as her son and husband didn't go to brothels or entertainment venues, she wouldn't bother with their business.

Of course, brothels were out of the question, but they were too low-class, and the men of the Xu Household would never go to such a low-end place to indulge in debauchery, so they were not on Aunt's radar.

Just as the aunt and nephew were talking, Uncle Xu returned.

My second uncle was dressed in the light armor of the Imperial Saber Guard, with a sword hanging at his waist. His footsteps were accompanied by the clanging of the armor plates. He had one hand on his sword and the other carrying a bag of greaseproof paper.

"Wow, it's been a long time since I bought any green tangerines."

The aunt was already used to it and said, "I'll make some soup for Lingyin later; it'll help with her spleen and improve her appetite."

Uncle Xu nodded, noticing his nephew glancing sideways at the green tangerine in his hand. Uncle Xu remained unmoved, even somewhat disdainful, and said:

"Ningyan wants some too? Sure, I'll have your aunt prepare a bowl for you later."

Xu Qi'an, who wasn't clean himself, silently turned his head away.

"Mom, I'm tummy tummy!"

Just then, Xu Lingyin, with Bai Ji on her head, ran in happily. Seeing the green oranges on the table from a distance, her cheerful steps suddenly stopped.

She looked wary, as if facing a formidable enemy.

"Feeling bloated? Have some green tangerines to tide you over."

Uncle Xu quickly peeled a green orange for his daughter, splashing the juice everywhere, which stimulated the sense of smell of his aunt and the women in the house.

"Who eats green tangerines to fill their stomach?"

Xu Qi'an said with a sigh, "Second Uncle, please have some decency."

Uncle Xu didn't actually intend to let his daughter eat it anyway; since he had achieved his goal, he immediately nodded and said:

"Then let's just throw it away."

Xu Lingyin silently took the green tangerine, put it in her mouth, and then swallowed it with a ferocious expression.

After she finally finished eating the green tangerine, Xu Erlang returned, carrying a bag of green tangerines.

"Are these green tangerines really that delicious?"

Ji Baiqing stared at the green orange in Xu Erlang's hand, her eyes filled with confusion.

If I remember correctly, Yuan Huai bought green tangerines every day recently and ate them all.

Ji Baiqing didn't pay much attention at first, but when she saw Xu Pingzhi and Xu Xinnian buying green tangerines one after another today, she felt strange.

Aunt and Lingyue were already used to it, the former said:

"Green tangerines are a medicinal ingredient; they don't taste very good, but they're good for your health."

This is the concept that the three men of the Xu Household instilled in their aunt.

Xu Erlang stuffed the bag of green oranges into his younger sister's arms and instructed her:

"Remember to finish your food."

Then he sat down at the table and took the hot tea that Lü'e handed him to quench his thirst.

The little boy looked at the bag of green tangerines on the table and the bag of green tangerines in his arms, raised his light eyebrows, and showed a serious expression.

Her record is eating three bags of green tangerines; she's seen it all.

There are only two bags right now, which is alright.

Besides, her master and Bai Ji were at home eating with her.

Ji Baiqing looked outside the hall and suddenly smiled, "Yuan Huai is back."

Outside the hall, on a path paved with bluestone slabs, Xu Yuanhuai, dressed in the uniform of Nightwatchers, with a gong hanging from his chest, a standard-issue sword at his waist, and a bag of green oranges in his left hand.

Xu Yuanhuai stepped into the inner hall and suddenly noticed that everyone was staring at the bag of green oranges in his hand, with strange expressions on their faces.

Ningyan told Yuan Huai how to use the green oranges? Uncle Xu looked enlightened and felt genuinely gratified.

I feel that the younger generation of the Xu Household has inherited their legacy.

"That idiot, elder brother! He's spreading his teachings everywhere, what if he gets exposed? Bah! You crude, uncouth warrior!" Xu Erlang, however, was much more astute.

He was unwilling to teach this "Secret Method" to his younger cousin.

Xu Yuanhuai was taken aback, wondering why everyone was looking at him strangely.

Then, he noticed that his second wife's younger sister was also holding a bag of green tangerines, staring blankly at his tangerines, looking like she was about to cry.

She wanted to eat it. Xu Yuanhuai's heart skipped a beat, and he forced out what he thought was a friendly smile before stuffing the green orange into the little girl's arms.

"Awooooo"

The Xu Household's dinner party began amidst Xu Lingyin's wailing.

Late at night, Xu Qi'an and Lin'an finished their dual cultivation. He felt unusually sleepy and couldn't wait to fall asleep.

For a master of his level, sleep is already something that is dispensable.

A crisis warning for martial artists? No, a warning for the fate of the nation!!

Xu Qi'an immediately grasped the crux of the problem: the national destiny warning had occurred before, when the Supervisor was sealed away and the Great Feng was in danger of extinction, the national destiny had warned him.

Without hesitation, Xu Qi'an immediately followed his heart and fell into a deep sleep.

In the boundless darkness, he saw a great sun rising in the west, illuminating the world and dispelling the darkness.

In the northeast, thick, dark clouds obscured the sky, churning and rolling in layers. The clouds coalesced into a human face, coldly and indifferently overlooking the earth.

In the distant south, a pair of blood-red eyes gaze upon the north across thousands of mountains and rivers.

South of the South, in a more distant place, distorted shadows loom menacingly, their exact form obscured.

The dream shattered abruptly. Xu Qi'an sat up abruptly, his pajamas soaked with cold sweat, and he gasped for breath as if he were suffocating.

P. S.: Typos will be corrected later.