Chapter 39: Who Abandoned Whom?

Emerging from the black market, Gu Pinglin had no intention of lingering. He prepared to depart immediately for the Spirit Heart Sect. Just as they were about to take flight, a burst of feminine laughter sounded behind them.

Turning, Gu Pinglin saw two female cultivators standing at the bridgehead, apparently sharing some amusing anecdote—one of them laughing so hard she trembled like a flower in the wind.

The women were unmistakably twins, their features nearly identical, down to the same pair of striking, spirited eyes.

Gu Pinglin couldn't help glancing at Duan Qingming.

Duan Qingming had noticed them too. "I've heard Sect Leader Zhou of the Guangling Sect has twin daughters—Zhou Caige, the elder, and Zhou Caiqin, the younger."

Gu Pinglin asked dryly, "Interested?"

Duan Qingming replied, "To pique my interest, they'd need far more than this."

Gu Pinglin had anticipated this answer. Duan Qingming's standards were impossibly high—he hadn't even spared a glance for the Heavenly Sword, let alone ordinary women. In their past life, these sisters had severed ties with their family and sect to follow Duan Qingming, only for him to keep them around solely to humiliate Gu Pinglin.

Duan Qingming looked back at him. "Are they connected to me?"

In this life, they truly aren't. Gu Pinglin countered, "Do you remember them?"

"Strangers. Mediocre at best." Duan Qingming studied the women, then Gu Pinglin, suddenly smiling. "Ah—though their eyes are rather exceptional."

Gu Pinglin ignored him and took off on his sword.

With Qi Zhen and Qi Peng's failure, the Qi Family temporarily ceased their pursuit. The remainder of Gu Pinglin and Duan Qingming's journey passed without incident, and they returned to the Spirit Heart Sect within days.

The sect had recently gained renown in the cultivation world. Within just a few years, three of its disciples had formed Outer Cores—all under thirty years of age, with Duan Qingming and Gu Pinglin achieving it in under twenty. Such talent signaled formidable future potential.

Major sects sent congratulatory missives to Yue Songting, hinting at alliances, while smaller sects sought goodwill through visits. Yue Songting, however, remained characteristically composed.

After reporting the bazaar's developments—the allure of the Hundred Streams Ancestor's legacy was undeniable—Gu Pinglin was dismissed to rest. He first sought out Bu Shuihan to offer congratulations, only to encounter him en route, equally eager for their reunion.

Having formed his Outer Core and tempered his physique, Bu Shuihan's entire bearing had transformed. His movements were light, his handsome face now resembling millennia-old jade—lustrous yet restrained.

Delighted for him, Gu Pinglin clasped his hands. "Congratulations, Senior Brother."

Bu Shuihan was even more thrilled. Dragging Gu Pinglin along, he declared, "Spar with me! Let's test my current limits!"

Since cultivating Gu Pinglin's modified Spirit Heart Sect techniques, Bu Shuihan had reaped immense benefits, holding his junior's insights in high esteem. Now, with his Outer Core formed, he burned to gauge his newfound strength. Yet Chen Qian and others were either too advanced or too busy to humor him. Gu Pinglin's return was his long-awaited opportunity.

Indulging him, Gu Pinglin followed to a secluded mountain clearing.

Bu Shuihan drew Lake Echo Sword, pointing it at Gu Pinglin with brimming confidence. "I'm not the same as before. Come at me with everything!"

"As you command."

Sword-wind arose. Hundreds of violet streaks crisscrossed the air.

"You're certainly not holding back!" Bu Shuihan's eyes lit up as he formed a sword seal to counter—then froze mid-motion. "Wait. Your sword…?"

Noticing his daze, Gu Pinglin retracted his stance. "Senior Brother?"

Bu Shuihan sheathed his blade and stormed over, snatching Gu Ying Sword from Gu Pinglin's grasp. His expression could have frozen lava. "This is Duan Qingming's sword. Why do you have it?"

Normally stored in his Hundred Pockets Bag, the sword had gone unnoticed until now. Prepared for Bu Shuihan's hostility toward Duan Qingming, Gu Pinglin smiled mildly. "Senior Brother Duan has acquired another blade. Finding this one spiritually potent, I requested it as compensation for escorting him."

The explanation gave Bu Shuihan little room for protest. After a long pause, he snorted. "Since when are you two so chummy?"

Gu Pinglin offered, "If it displeases you, I'll cease using it."

"No need." True to his forthright nature, Bu Shuihan tossed the sword back. "It's a fine blade. Keep it if you like."

Gu Pinglin accepted it.

Bu Shuihan hugged Lake Echo Sword, pacing a few steps before whirling around. "Do you take me for some petty, narrow-minded wretch?"

"Never," Gu Pinglin said. "Had Senior Brother lacked magnanimity, you wouldn't treat me so."

Bu Shuihan's lips pressed tight. Finally, he muttered, "You're my junior brother. Talented, surpassing me in forming your core—how could I not rejoice for you? As for Duan Qingming… It's not baseless suspicion. Recall when he first joined—how he schemed to defeat me publicly under Master's gaze? Everyone thinks I provoked him recklessly, but have you ever seen me disrespect Chen Qian or others? That man calculates even against fellow disciples—heartless and ungrateful! He's never truly regarded us as brothers!"

The last point isn't wrong. Gu Pinglin sighed inwardly.

Bu Shuihan continued, "Since his arrival, have you heard a single criticism of him? Master, senior brothers, juniors—all sing his praises. Yet perfection itself feels… artificial. He's placating Master, charming everyone. Think—with his gifts, any major sect would treasure him. Why cling to our Spirit Heart Sect? I suspect ulterior motives."

Duan Qingming harbors no schemes. Gu Pinglin chose diplomacy. "Your concerns are valid. But unless he acts maliciously, there's no need for excessive wariness. People change. Major sects aren't inherently superior. Our Spirit Heart Sect stands united under Master's benevolent guidance—any discerning individual would stay."

Bu Shuihan wavered. "Perhaps. He does treat you differently. Maybe my prejudice colored my judgment."

Knowing Bu Shuihan's tragic fate in their past life, Gu Pinglin aimed to soften his animosity. Currently, Duan Qingming held no interest in Bu Shuihan. If their rapport improved, disaster might be averted.

Mission accomplished, Gu Pinglin shifted topics. "Shall we spar?"

"Forget it." Bu Shuihan's stubborn honesty still resisted full reconciliation. Waving a hand, he grumbled, "Lost the mood."

As they walked, Gu Pinglin shared tales from their journey.

Bu Shuihan suddenly said, "Yesterday, the Duan Family sent a missive."

"Oh?"

"Master ordered it kept from Junior Brother Duan." Bu Shuihan lowered his voice. "It was a bereavement notice from Eighth Young Master Duan. On the eleventh next month, a family elder will enter the Sword Tomb."

The Duan Family's renown lay in their sword arts. Upon death, esteemed members were interred in their ancestral Sword Tomb alongside their blades. With Patriarch Duan Pin still alive, the notice coming from Duan Qinghou's name signaled formal acknowledgment of his heir status.

Gu Pinglin's steps faltered.

This hadn't occurred in their past life. Duan Qingming's abandonment of the Heavenly Sword Shattered Jade had shaken the cultivation world. Family elders, citing his unparalleled talent, vehemently opposed Duan Qinghou's succession.

Now, circumstances diverged. Injured from creating the Mending Heaven Art and overlooked by the Heavenly Sword, Duan Qingming's perceived decline had disillusioned the elders. His refusal to leave the Spirit Heart Sect for the Dark Abyss Sect marked the final straw—they'd washed their hands of him.

Bamboo groves shrouded a two-story bamboo lodge, its railings and windows exquisitely crafted.

Night winds rustled through the leaves, their whispers weaving solitude's chill.

Lantern glow flickered with each step, its dim light trembling.

Overhead, withered leaves swirled, deepening autumn's aura. Underfoot, thick layers of fallen foliage formed a gray carpet.

Adjusting his black cloak, Gu Pinglin halted before the shuttered window but didn't approach. Instead, he hung his lantern on a bamboo branch.

Moments later—

"A negligent host, unaware of guests—my apologies."

A bamboo mat unfurled soundlessly, spreading across the ground.

Duan Qingming descended the stairs leisurely, his hair unbound, robes slightly disheveled, the sash loosely tied. A white cloak draped carelessly over his shoulders—clearly, he hadn't anticipated visitors.

Gu Pinglin turned, offering a perfunctory apology. "My apologies for disturbing your solitude."

Duan Qingming stopped before him. "To what do I owe this late visit?"

"Nothing of import." Gu Pinglin's voice was calm. "I've come to share a drink."

The corner of Duan Qingming's lips twitched—a suppressed smile. "I recall you're not fond of alcohol."

Gu Pinglin remained impassive. "For Loommist Wine, exceptions are warranted."

"You invite me to drink, yet demand my wine? What logic is this?"

"Well? Do you refuse?"

"Dare I? It's my pleasure." Duan Qingming tossed him a flask, retrieving another for himself.

Gu Pinglin inspected his, unstopped it, and took a swig.

Duan Qingming's eyes narrowed slightly. "This wine's aftereffects are potent. Intoxication comes swiftly."

"You may drunk, but I won't." Gu Pinglin chuckled. "Care to test our tolerance?"

"Oh?"

"Afraid?"

"Ancient sages died for worthy company. Tonight, Duan Liu must risk life for junior brother." Duan Qingming leaned in, smiling. "An amusing method of consolation."

Gu Pinglin countered, "Do you require consoling?"

"Of course—" Duan Qingming settled onto the mat, reclining leisurely. "Not."

"Then why would I console you?" Gu Pinglin joined him opposite. "I merely thought a celebratory drink was in order—to mark your liberation from worldly trivialities, freeing you to focus on the sword path."

After his mother's death, that little monster grew up amidst wolves. How much affection could he hold for the Duan Family?

In their past life, even after achieving fame, Duan Qingming had toyed with the Duan Family—loyal though they were—until two Core Formation elders perished within a decade under his machinations.

Foolish Duan clansmen. This demon didn't lose you—he discarded you long ago.