Chapter 23: The Mystery of a Past Life

Looking back on the past, his heart was as clear as a mirror.

His meridians were destroyed, his dantian shattered—yet he harbored little hatred, for Qu Lin's death.

This was a debt he owed her. As the leader of the Spirit Heart Sect, his actions had betrayed his master's expectations. All of this was a punishment he deserved.

Gu Pinglin pressed his lips together.

He had long known she loved Duan Qingming, but that night when he drunkenly embraced her, she hadn't pushed him away. He thought her feelings for Duan Qingming weren't so deep, so he took her completely. Yet afterward, she chose to end her life with such resolve. Many doubts lingered in his heart, but after Duan Qingming destroyed his meridians, despair drove him to madness. He spent years fleeing, obsessed with restoring his cultivation and defeating Duan Qingming, never dwelling on this question. Now, looking back, something felt amiss.

Did Duan Qingming know the truth? Gu Pinglin instinctively glanced at the man beside him.

"Oh, finally back to your senses?" Duan Qingming spoke. "What did you want to ask? About Qu Lin?"

Noticing Duan Qingming had changed clothes again, Gu Pinglin nearly laughed.

This Duan Qingming isn't the one from my past life. He knows nothing. What could I possibly probe? This is absurd.

"If you won't ask, I will," Duan Qingming continued. "How do you know my sword techniques—'Startled Swan Passing Shadows,' 'Falling Swan Under Shadows'?"

Gu Pinglin was prepared: "A whim, spoken casually. What? Are the names wrong?"

"They're too fitting. They match exactly what I envisioned," Duan Qingming replied with a faint, ambiguous smile. "It seems our hearts are connected, Gu Xiaojiu."

"An honor," Gu Pinglin said impassively.

"But I still wonder," Duan Qingming drawled, "did I ever say where I was going?"

Gu Pinglin admitted bluntly: "Zhang Lian is troublesome. I wanted to use your name to lure her away. It failed."

Duan Qingming raised an eyebrow: "You wanted to avoid Solitary Goose Marsh."

"Thanks to you, we didn't avoid it," Gu Pinglin sneered. "Those Dark Abyss Sect disciples died because of you. Harming people yet making them grateful—truly masterful."

Duan Qingming chuckled: "Why put it that way? If they hadn't been greedy, would they have followed me into the marsh? Without me, they'd have died sooner or later. Did you think those fools could achieve the Great Dao?"

Arguing with him was pointless. Gu Pinglin dropped the subject and tossed him the Stone Lotus Seed from his sleeve.

Duan Qingming examined it without surprise: "A treasure. The Stone Core can protect the body during Inner Core formation, increasing success. From the trap?"

"It belonged to the Hundred Streams Ancestor," Gu Pinglin confirmed. "You know how to use it."

Duan Qingming looked intrigued: "For me?"

"Yes."

"Do you doubt my ability to form my core?" Duan Qingming narrowed his eyes.

Such arrogance. Gu Pinglin snorted: "Even with full confidence, accidents happen. I'm giving it to you. Use it or not, that's your choice."

"Are you worried about me?" Duan Qingming teased. "You said we're rivals."

Gu Pinglin didn't answer. I have the Creation Art, but he lacks the Mending Heaven Art in this life. His breakthrough carries risk. Giving him the seed is compensation—after all, he joined the Spirit Heart Sect because of me.

Duan Qingming pocketed the seed without another word.

Nearby, commotion erupted—someone had arrived.

"Where is Qingming?" A beautiful woman strode over, escorted by Chang Jinxin. She wore a deep purple robe with a ceremonial cape, her features strikingly similar to Duan Qingming's, though her expression was icy and aloof.

Gu Pinglin recognized her: Duan Qingming's aunt from the Dark Abyss Sect, Cheng-shi, junior sister to Zhan Renjie. As Duan Qingming rose, Gu Pinglin stood out of courtesy.

"Aunt." Duan Qingming bowed.

"Come with me," she commanded, ignoring Gu Pinglin.

Duan Qingming frowned slightly, patted Gu Pinglin's shoulder, and followed her.

Her goal is obvious, Gu Pinglin thought. The Dark Abyss Sect's reputation and resources far surpass the Spirit Heart Sect's. But persuading Duan Qingming? Unlikely.

To create the Mending Heaven Art, to perfect the Gu Ying Sword Art—he must go to the Dark Abyss Sect.

Qu Lin seized the chance to approach: "Senior Brother Gu."

"Junior Sister Qu," Gu Pinglin replied politely. "Is something wrong?"

Her expression dimmed: "Am I disturbing you?"

"Not at all. Please sit."

She sat cautiously beside him: "Were you thinking about something?"

Gu Pinglin tested the waters: "Perhaps Duan Liugong will join the Dark Abyss Sect."

Qu Lin considered: "Senior Brother Duan doesn't seem opportunistic. I don't think he'd abandon his sect." Flustered, she added, "Not that the Spirit Heart Sect is lesser! I just meant—"

Gu Pinglin cut her off gently: "It's fine. What do you think of him?"

Relieved, she relaxed: "Senior Brother Duan is... remarkable." She blushed, lowering her voice: "But you, Senior Brother Gu, are both wise and brave... and kind-hearted."

"Hm?" Gu Pinglin recognized her affection and shifted uncomfortably. "Junior Sister, you're young. Focus on the Dao. Don't take risks lightly."

Qu Lin nodded eagerly: "I will! I've been diligent. I'm close to breaking through to the Minor Heavenly Circuit realm."

Gu Pinglin couldn't help a small smile.

Firelight softened her delicate features—not stunningly beautiful, but pure and endearing.

In my past life, I barely knew her, Gu Pinglin reflected. That night... what truly happened?

"Oh? Junior Sister and Xiaojiu get along well too." A voice interrupted.

Both looked up. Duan Qingming stood before them, dew misting around him in the firelight like a rain-soaked young gentleman.

Gu Pinglin couldn't read his eyes but felt a familiar chill. "It's late. Junior Sister should rest," he said evenly.

Qu Lin hurried off without meeting Duan Qingming's gaze.

Duan Qingming sat beside Gu Pinglin, slinging an arm over his shoulder: "Interested in her? Should we both join the Dark Abyss Sect?"

This childish probing... Gu Pinglin stifled discomfort. He's fond of Qu Lin, yet she favors me. Complicated.

Knowing Duan Qingming's possessiveness, Gu Pinglin wouldn't court trouble: "Nothing interests me more than the Dao."

Their eyes locked. The coldness in Duan Qingming's gaze faded.

"Good," Duan Qingming released him and lay back on the grass.

He'll change clothes again tomorrow. Gu Pinglin shook his head wryly.

Cheng-shi failed to persuade him. This won't do.