Chapter 12 Why Would I Bear His Child?
Lin chuqing wore an ordinary dress today and a mask, yet her unparalleled bearing remained impossible to conceal.
Her immortal aura drifted like mist, otherworldly and detached, giving the impression of a fairy briefly visiting the mortal world.
Her phoenix-like eyes were clear and bright, spirited and perceptive, as if they could see through a person's heart.
When Gu Qing met her gaze, the contrast of black and white in their eyes reflected his own image with uncanny clarity.
"Sister chuqing is peerlessly elegant."
"Flatterer."
Lin chuqing had grown immune to Gu Qing's compliments, yet she was secretly pleased—after all, women dress for those who delight them.
"I'll give you the rest. Only open it while in seclusion."
Gu Qing handed her the remaining beast-essence liquid.
After all, she was his future wife. Though stingy by nature, he was generous with his own people. Beast essence could be replenished by hunting more in the Beast Mountain Range.
"What is it? So secretive."
Lin chuqing was curious; her intuition told her the contents were not ordinary. She wanted to return it, but she knew from Gu Qing's character that would be impossible.
"You'll know when the time comes. Don't open it before seclusion." Gu Qing said sternly.
"Very well."
Lin chuqing inclined her head slightly, thinking that if it proved too precious she could return it or exchange it for something of equal value.
"Come, we haven't gone shopping together in ages."
Endless cultivation was dull, and those without steady temperament could not endure it. Gu Qing sometimes relaxed by strolling the market or leaving the city for a change of scene. Since Lin chuqing's return was of uncertain duration, he resolved to show her all of Maple Leaf City.
For 3 days the two visited nearly every scenic spot in Maple Leaf City.
One evening they walked among the plum groves outside the city. The plum trees were a special grafted variety, blooming in many colors year-round, forming what looked like a sea of flowers from afar.
At dusk they strolled beneath the blossoms. The young man's frame was tall and upright, his features exceptionally handsome, brows like swords and eyes like stars.
His gaze seemed to hold a starry sky—deep and mysterious. He wore a long black robe with dark patterns, imposing and enigmatic. The young woman wore a glazed fairy dress with ribbons fluttering, her slim waist moving like a lithe serpent.
They resembled a pair of transcendent lovers.
"Sister chuqing, when will you enter seclusion this time?" Gu Qing asked reluctantly. He knew that once she secluded, she would leave Maple Leaf City and he might not see her for a long time.
He had planned to marry her as soon as he reached the Qi Condensation Realm, but knowing she was the Hidden Immortal Palace's successor changed everything. If he declared his intention, those who accompanied her would surely take her away.
"Leaving in 2 days."
Lin chuqing was equally reluctant, but this was not her decision to make. Her stay in Maple Leaf City had already been the maximum she could request.
They climbed to a mountaintop and sat together on a large stone. Gu Qing slipped an arm around her slender waist and said with a smile, "When I join the Star Temple and my cultivation is complete, I will come to marry you. Agreed?"
"Agreed."
Gu Qing postponed the wedding to relieve her worry. They had promised to wed after he reached the Qi Condensation Realm, but her current circumstances would not permit immediate marriage. It was not that her sect forbade marriage, but that premature marriage and childbirth would severely impede both their cultivation paths.
Leaning on his shoulder, Lin chuqing felt an absurd flutter. She had hated Gu Qing as a child—he dirtied her clothes and teased her relentlessly—yet now she was to marry him and bear his child. The feeling was difficult to describe.
After parting with Lin chuqing, Gu Qing went to the Grand Elder's residence. Inside sat an elder and a junior.
"Congratulations, Master. Lin Yuan senior brother has made great progress," he bowed and offered congratulations.
"Hahaha!" the Grand Elder laughed. "I managed to breakthrough to Divine Sea Realm, 7th Level, thanks to your Blue Ice Lotus."
The Grand Elder stroked his beard, eyeing Gu Qing with growing satisfaction.
"Indeed, junior brother. Without your Blue Ice Lotus I would be ruined."
Lin Yuan looked grateful; after consuming 1/3 of a lotus seed his foundation had been fully restored, his bone quality improved, and he had directly advanced to the Qi Condensation Realm. If he consumed the remaining seeds, his future prospects would be far greater—Purple Mansion Realm was not out of reach.
"It was the right thing to do."
Gu Qing replied earnestly, then asked, "Master, you called me back—do you have any instructions?"
"Indeed."
The Grand Elder nodded, his expression turning dark. "That little bastard truly deserves death. If he does not die, I will not be at ease."
As expected… Gu Qing was silent for a moment before saying, "Master, I advise you to give up. Lin Chen must not be killed."
"Why not? Is it because of Lin chuqing? Don't worry, I will act with discretion. No one will ever know, and you will still marry the beauty," the Grand Elder said openly. Since Gu Qing had presented the Blue Ice Lotus seeds, his loyalty was beyond doubt.
Gu Qing was speechless. This bizarre confidence, so like a typical villain, was truly unmatched. He pondered, then decided to frighten the Grand Elder with a fabricated reason.
"Lin Chen has a mysterious backer. Even if Master acted personally, you could not touch him. Please abandon this idea."
"Truly?" the Grand Elder's expression grew solemn.
"Of course," Gu Qing replied gravely, continuing to bluff. "Think about it. Just two months ago Lin Chen was stuck at Body Refining, 1st Level. How could he suddenly reach Body Refining, 9th Level? It defies all logic."
The Grand Elder and Lin Yuan exchanged uneasy glances. Their faces shifted between fear and unwillingness, but clearly, they believed him. His reasoning was sound.
"Then… must I endure such humiliation?" Lin Yuan muttered bitterly.
… You should count yourself lucky just to be alive.
The Grand Elder fell silent, then asked, "But if Lin Chen lives, the Lin family will one day be ruined by him. What should we do?"
Lin Chen's talent for causing disaster was unmatched. With only a Body Refining cultivation, he had already sown division within the Lin clan and offended the other great families of Maple Leaf City. If his cultivation grew stronger…
The Grand Elder sucked in a sharp breath. In all his years, he had never seen anyone court death so thoroughly.
"We will watch the situation. If it worsens, separation is the best choice."
If Lin Chen lived, the Lin family would surely perish. Not even the gods could save them.
If Gu Qing killed Lin Chen, Lin chuqing would likely discover it. Lin Chen was not worth the risk. Sending assassins was also useless—after all, protagonists always turned misfortune into blessing.
Perhaps once Lin chuqing left Maple Leaf City, he could strike. But there was no guarantee she would not take Lin Chen away to another sect. For now, patience was the only path.
"Separation?"
The grandfather and grandson's faces twisted. Gu Qing was right. They could not kill him, nor could they expel him. Splitting the family was the only option, though unbearably humiliating.
That the fate of the clan should be decided by one junior was maddening.
"Alas, so be it." The Grand Elder sighed. Life and bloodline meant more than pride.
"Tomorrow is the grand competition for Maple Leaf City's younger generation. With that brat's arrogance, he may challenge you," the Grand Elder warned, his face dark. "Do not accept. Arrogant though he is, his swordsmanship is extraordinary.
If you are dissatisfied, just marry his sister and vent your frustration that way."
… Was that even human speech?
"I know what to do," Gu Qing replied flatly.
"Good. I've always trusted your judgment," the Grand Elder said with relief. He produced a gleaming piece of armor, spiritual light rippling across its surface. "This is an upper-grade spiritual armor I obtained in my youth. It is useless to me now, so take it."
Lin Yuan's eyes widened with envy. To him, such armor was priceless. Yet he said nothing. In truth, he believed the treasure belonged with Gu Qing, who had greater talent and had already shown him kindness. If Gu Qing grew stronger, he could bask in that radiance.
"No need, Master. I already have armor," Gu Qing quickly refused, surprised that the Grand Elder would give away such a hidden treasure.
"My lotus seed came from a gravely wounded Divine Sea Realm cultivator. From his corpse, I also took an upper-grade spiritual artifact."
The Grand Elder and Lin Yuan froze, then understood. No wonder Gu Qing had obtained the Blue Ice Lotus—it was plunder from a dying master.
The Grand Elder reclaimed the armor. "Did you cover your tracks? No risks left behind?"
"Completely clean. Here are the manuals and pills I found in his storage ring." Gu Qing placed down a storage pouch. "I have other matters, so I'll take my leave."
He departed quickly, afraid that lingering might corrupt him into a brainless villain as well.
"This boy…" the Grand Elder muttered with a half-smile. He still had much to say. Opening the pouch, his eyes went wide in shock.
The manuals, techniques, and pills inside were abundant. Some spiritual herbs and fruits were even useful to him.
Gu Qing had slain hundreds of beasts, gaining countless treasures. He had given away only a fraction, keeping the rest for sale. All the techniques and martial skills, however, he turned over, save for the Tiger Soul Halberd Art.
"Sigh… Ah Qing has always been honest, filial, and considerate. Why does he not keep more for himself? I must warn him, lest he suffer losses in the future." The Grand Elder's expression shifted with emotion.
"Grandfather, Junior Brother Gu Qing has been clever since childhood. Does he really need your warnings?" Lin Yuan whispered.
"What do you know? A Divine Sea Realm's storage ring holds countless treasures. Ah Qing has given us the majority. With these, even you could reach the late Divine Sea Realm."
… Was there any need for such exaggeration?
Let me see for myself.
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