“Gu Caiyu?”
Before Zanxing could speak, Bu Jiang turned to the man in front of them, a look of astonishment on his face. “Aren’t you dead?”
Hearing this, Zanxing felt a sense of confusion. Bu Jiang seemed to be acquainted with Gu Caiyu. Did this mean that he was also one of her past lovers? The thought flashed through her mind, and she felt a twinge of unease. It would be incredibly awkward if that were the case, especially since she and Gu Baiying were in a relationship.
“Oh?” Gu Caiyu then noticed Bu Jiang, paused for a moment, and then smiled broadly. “Ah, it’s the Demon Queen. It’s been a long time. You look even more distinguished than before. But what brings you here?”
“That’s a question I should be asking you,” Bu Jiang said coldly, her gaze fixed on him. Zanxing rarely saw Bu Jiang express such direct disapproval, and she wondered if Gu Caiyu had somehow offended her.
“I’ve been here all along,” Gu Caiyu said with a smile. “Anyway, I can’t leave.”
Their casual conversation seemed odd to everyone else. Rong Shuang turned to Shaoyang Zhenren, his expression serious. “Shaoyang, who is he?”
In this desolate wilderness, suddenly encountering a living person who behaved so naturally was unsettling. It seemed too normal to be normal.
Gu Caiyu turned his head to look at Shaoyang Zhenren. His gaze lingered on Shaoyang Zhenren for a moment, and after a brief contemplation, he hesitantly said, “Shaoyang Zhenren?”
Shaoyang Zhenren’s expression shifted slightly. “You know me?”
“Once, I came to Gufeng Mountain looking for Qinghua. She wouldn’t let me in, so I could only see you from a distance at the mountain gate. But I remember, your hair wasn’t like this back then. Though, you look quite handsome now, even more profound than before.” Gu Caiyu scanned the crowd and asked casually, “Where is Qinghua? I haven’t seen her. How is she?”
Shaoyang Zhenren remained silent.
Gu Caiyu waited quietly for a moment, seemingly understanding something. He sighed, and his smile turned somewhat bitter.
“The battle at the Golden Gate Ruins was over twenty years ago,” Shaoyang Zhenren finally said.
“Over twenty years,” Gu Caiyu’s voice grew somber. “Has it really been that long?”
“Qinghua’s soul was damaged after the battle, and she fell not long after,” Shaoyang Zhenren said. “Baiying, come over here.” He gestured to Gu Baiying. “Meet your father.”
Gu Caiyu was taken aback.
The people around them were also stunned. The identity of Qinghua’s Dao partner, Gu Baiying’s biological father, had been a mystery in the cultivation world. Now, amidst this strange wilderness, a clue about the identity of this enigmatic, handsome man was emerging.
“Baiying?” Gu Caiyu looked at the person in front of him. When he perished alongside the Demon King, he had been married to Qinghua only the day before, and he had never known he would have a son.
Gu Baiying stood in front of Gu Caiyu, his handsome demeanor and warm smile were reminiscent of a sharp and brilliant spear. His clear eyes bore an exact resemblance to his father’s.
No one would doubt their relationship.
Gu Baiying stood silently, and as Gu Caiyu looked at him, his eyes brightened.
“So, this is my son with Qinghua,” he said, his smile growing more proud. “Indeed, he must be exceptional, inheriting the best features of both of us. Such beauty is unmatched in the cultivation world. His cultivation level is also impressive. I knew it, if I, Gu Caiyu, had a son, he would undoubtedly be outstanding beyond compare, both in heaven and on earth.”
He unabashedly praised his son, paying no heed to the astonished gazes of the others or Gu Baiying’s expression. His attitude was warm and familiar, as if the twenty years of absence had never happened. He asked Gu Baiying, “You’re at an age now where you should be considering these things. I’m not concerned with your cultivation—your master will handle that. However, as your father, it’s only natural for me to be concerned about your personal matters. Have you met a girl you like?” His gaze briefly skimmed over Zanxing, a knowing look in his eyes. “Is this the young lady you have your heart set on? She’s quite beautiful. You have good taste, just like your father.”
“Why do you say that?” Bu Jiang asked coldly.
“From start to finish, this young man has been protecting the young lady behind him, and his gaze never leaves her. It’s obvious,” Gu Caiyu replied. As someone who had won Qinghua’s affection, he was perceptive and astute. Turning to Zanxing with a warm smile, he continued, “Which family are you from? Who are your parents? How serious is your relationship? Since we’re here, why not settle things today?”
…Isn’t this man a bit too forward? Zanxing wondered.
“Gu Caiyu,” Bu Jiang interrupted his rambling, her expression darkening. “She is my daughter, the future Demon King of Heishi City.”
At these words, Gu Caiyu fell silent.
The wilderness stretched endlessly, and the man stood before Zanxing, staring at her, momentarily at a loss for words.
Zanxing sighed inwardly. She and Gu Baiying were from different realms, which could have been manageable. But Gu Caiyu and Qinghua had both died directly or indirectly at the hands of the Demon King Gui Diaotang. With such a complicated relationship, it seemed somewhat unreasonable to expect Gu Caiyu to accept her relationship with Gu Baiying.
Gu Baiying furrowed his brows, about to speak, when Gu Caiyu suddenly addressed Zanxing. “So, you can’t decide on your marriage because your father isn’t present?” He nodded to himself, “Indeed, marriage should not be rushed. Since that’s the case…” He turned toward the giant pit. “Demon King, are you not coming out?”
The term Demon King caught everyone off guard, and they instinctively followed Gu Caiyu’s gaze.
From within the enormous pit, where the giant spear had been broken in two, a layer of blood-red mist began to rise again. The mist was even thicker and more dazzlingly eerie than before, from which a shadowy figure emerged.
Bu Jiang’s gaze fixed intensely.
The figure emerged slowly from the blood-red mist.
Zanxing felt a tightening in her chest, as if something within her was about to boil over.
The figure emerged fully from the mist, revealing a remarkably handsome young man in green robes.
His attire was elegant and graceful, with wide sleeves accentuating his outstanding appearance. His face was as delicate as a jade prince’s, pale-skinned, and exuded a cold and noble air. His dark, long eyes were indifferent, as if all the world’s beings were nothing more than insignificant ants to him.
“Demon King Gui Diaotang,” Daoist Lingxin said with a trembling voice.