Chapter 162 - 161: Wholeheartedly Devoted to the Dao

Chapter 162: Chapter 161: Wholeheartedly Devoted to the Dao

After the three brothers had pleaded and reasoned with her endlessly, Gu Qingyin finally, and reluctantly, gave up on the idea of continuing her cooking lessons.

After her birthday, the weather slowly warmed, and Gu Qingyin found some time to go see Gugu.

Not long after the New Year, Gugu had started school.

To make commuting to and from school easier, Huo Xinghai had bought a house near the school. Gugu usually lived there with an auntie from the Hua Family.

For her safety, Mao Mao had also gone with her, and a doctor from the Chen Family lived there as well.

Gu Qingyin took the family car to the school gate to wait for Gugu to get out. Just like most parents, she got out and waited at the entrance, craning her neck to look inside.

When the teachers finally led the lines of students out, Gu Qingyin joined the swarm of parents pushing to the front. Upon seeing Gugu, she smiled and waved enthusiastically.

When Gugu saw her, her eyes lit up, and she jumped up and down twice with excitement.

"Children who see their parents, please stand still and raise your hand. Wait for a teacher to give you a high-five, and only then can you leave."

Gugu eagerly raised her hand. The moment a teacher high-fived her, she deftly darted out of the crowd and threw herself at Gu Qingyin. "Grandma!"

Her voice was sweet and clear, causing the surrounding parents to look over in confusion. ’This is her grandma?’

Gu Qingyin ignored the others, scooping Gugu up into her arms and walking away.

"Is school fun?" Gu Qingyin asked.

Gugu beamed and nodded. "Mhm, I made lots of friends! Today, a friend invited me to his birthday party. Can I go?"

Of course Gu Qingyin wouldn’t object. "If you want to go, then go. Just remember to prepare a birthday present."

"What should I get him..."

Chatting away, the two of them—one big, one small—got into the car and continued their conversation.

They talked about life at school, about her studies, and about Huo Xinghai’s recent schedule.

"I miss Uncle Xinghai," Gugu said, a little downcast. She hadn’t seen Huo Xinghai for a long time since starting school.

Gu Qingyin stroked her head and promised, "You focus on your studies for now. If you do well on your final exams, I’ll take you to visit Uncle Xinghai on set, okay?"

Gugu’s eyes sparkled. "Really?"

Gu Qingyin held out her pinky to make a promise with her. "It’s a deal!"

After having dinner with Gugu, Gu Qingyin left. She had to go back and pack her luggage for her trip to Wudang Mountain tomorrow.

The competition between Wudang Mountain and Longhua Temple was being held at Wudang Mountain this year, and she had been invited to be a judge.

When she first got the news, Gu Qingyin was completely stunned. ’Who am I to be a judge? On what grounds?’

Later, Liu Ergou’s senior uncle, Daoist Zhang—the public representative for all of Wudang Mountain—personally explained it to her.

Only then did Gu Qingyin learn that this competition was different from previous years. To ensure absolute fairness, Wudang Mountain and Longhua Temple would each provide one judge, the Mystic Association would provide two, and the final judge would be selected from the general public.

As it happened, Gu Qingyin had previously demonstrated her power at the Mystic Association, and since she wasn’t affiliated with any major power, she was the most suitable candidate for the public judge role.

Gu Qingyin didn’t hesitate for long before accepting the invitation.

Although there was no payment, it was a good opportunity to build her reputation. It might even lead to some big jobs in the future.

At ten the next morning, Gu Qingyin boarded a plane. She landed just after twelve-thirty, where Liu Ergou was already waiting for her outside the airport.

Once in the car, Liu Ergou didn’t mention the competition. Instead, he started gloating about the Dongfang Family’s recent misfortune.

The Dongfang Family was Dongfang Ran’s clan, a traditional Heavenly Master Family. A century ago, they could have been considered a prominent family, but they had since fallen into decline.

The entire family numbered no more than thirty people, and less than a third of them still practiced Xuan Techniques. Dongfang Ran was the most talented Cultivator the Dongfang Family had produced in nearly a hundred years.

Unfortunately, he had strayed onto the Evil Path, implicating his family and leading to a thorough investigation by the Mystic Association.

And that investigation had indeed uncovered some serious problems.

Out of the eight Cultivators in the Dongfang Family, including Dongfang Ran, more than half had specialized in the Evil Path.

But unlike the evil energy that Dongfang Ran displayed, the rest of the Dongfang Family members practiced a Bloodline Method. This involved purifying the bloodlines of other Dongfang family members and using a special Secret Technique to refine and absorb it, thereby enhancing their own cultivation talent.

In other words, they sacrificed others for their own gain. Because they used blood relatives, the method, while wicked, had no negative side effects.

At first, the Dongfang family members only drew small amounts of blood. But later, the appetites of several Cultivators grew, and they began imprisoning people as blood slaves.

By the time the Mystic Association found these people, most of them were half-dead. They were later sent to the hospital, and while their lives were saved, the prolonged blood loss had caused permanent damage to their bodies, greatly shortening their lifespans.

The incident sent shockwaves through the entire Mystical World.

The Mystic Association launched a massive, thorough investigation, putting every family and sect on edge. After all, if one looked too closely, no one was a hundred percent clean.

Gu Qingyin clicked her tongue as she listened. ’These once-glorious families... the wild things they’ll do to preserve their ancestors’ honor.’

Seeing that she was willing to listen, Liu Ergou’s enthusiasm for gossip grew. He adjusted his posture and unconsciously scooted closer to Gu Qingyin, only to turn his head and almost come face-to-face with Huo Yunjing!

"Whoa!" Liu Ergou jumped, instinctively leaning back so far he nearly fell out of his seat.

Huo Yunjing glared at him, his voice chillingly calm. "Stay away from my wife." As he spoke, he raised his hand and wiggled his fingers, making the wedding ring on his ring finger particularly conspicuous.

Liu Ergou froze, not understanding what he meant.

It wasn’t until Gu Qingyin, who had been blocked by Huo Yunjing, reached out and pushed him aside that he noticed. Gu Qingyin was also wearing a matching ring, also on her ring finger.

"You two got married?" After asking, Liu Ergou felt something was off and asked again, "You got married *again*?"

Gu Qingyin shot Huo Yunjing a helpless look, then smiled and nodded. "Yes, a Netherworld Marriage."

Liu Ergou smiled. "Congratulations." He looked at Huo Yunjing and said sincerely, "To stay together despite being separated by life and death... that’s not easy. Treasure it."

Huo Yunjing narrowed his eyes and snorted. "As if I need you to remind me."

Gu Qingyin made a "tsk" sound and slapped him. "Be nice," she scolded.

Huo Yunjing choked on his words, then mumbled a dry "thanks."

Liu Ergou just smiled, not minding. When he found out Gu Qingyin had a son, he had resolved to let go of his feelings. Now, learning that she was in a Netherworld Marriage, the last lingering trace of affection in his heart vanished.

’For Gu Qingyin to willingly enter a Netherworld Marriage, she must really be in love.’

After all, the old Gu Qingyin had despised ghosts, wanting only to either eliminate them or help them pass on.

Liu Ergou smiled. In the future, he would surely be able to do as his master said and devote his heart to the Dao.