He only heard a “shua” sound and saw a flash of blinding white light.
In that instant, a long, thin sword pressed against the rich, good-for-nothing’s neck.
The lengthy sword was black, only as wide as a pinky, but with a viper-like tone as if about to hiss “■■“
The rich, good-for-nothing’s face went white with fear.
It was like aiming to kick but hitting a metal plate instead[1]!
He was only flirting with a girl, why was his life suddenly in jeopardy!
Gu Bai wordlessly covered his face.
He had no words to describe how he was feeling just then.
So, this was the one… how unfortunate was this young master?
It was only then that Gu Bai finally got a clear view and saw, sitting in the corner, a “young lad” in a snug outfit. Perhaps because of the clean and pretty face, the good-for-nothing thought the lad was a cross-dressing girl, so he tried hitting on her.
Of course, the young master, who had seen many beauties, was not wrong. That “young lad” was, in fact, not a lad at all, but in reality, a girl.
But this girl, she believed she was a guy.
As expected, the girl pressed her sword against the good-for-nothing’s neck, and in a husky voice said, “Little beauty? Dross. Go die!”
With that, she swung her thin sword downward with great force… to chop off that sinner’s root!
Falling backward, the good-for-nothing released an “ahhhh” scream. He quickly reached down to cover his crotch, dripping cold sweat and looking as if he was about to piss himself.
At that, the corner of the girl’s mouth raised into a vicious smirk, “Idiot. Scram!”
The good-for-nothing then flailed and crawled away.
Gu Bai gave that girl kudos. Establishing her dominance, dude!
And so, it came, another crucial character from the MC’s harem, the legendary Xuhuáng fairy, Wu Shang.
Just looking at her as is, the girl had wrapped herself almost suffocatingly, like an assassin, but no matter how flat she may be, there were at least some curves. Excluding herself, anyone, with a little observation, could tell she was a girl.
Wu Shang, from her name to her personality, to how she behaved, was no different from a guy at all. From a young age, she had been raised by her unlawful shifu to become a tool for revenge and has self-gender identification impediment. Once she grew up, she was ready to take revenge for her shifu. However, her shifu suddenly died, causing her to lose sight of her life goal.
Afterward, Wu Shang used clues her shifu had uttered in his sleep-talking and found some of her shifu’s enemies to assassinate. But failed the assassination, was gravely wounded, and was coincidentally rescued by the MC. Then she followed the MC, becoming one of the most loyal girls by the MC’s side.
Of course, she always thought she liked girls, but after spending a long time with the MC, she unknowingly fell in love with the MC, a dude. She panicked, she hesitated, she thought something was wrong with her brain… until she was bedded by the MC, after that, the problem was no longer a problem.
Gu Bai threw his morals out the window when he wrote this arc.
According to his, and his best friend’s, many years of book-reading and field studies, inside Shi Dian’s stallion novels, all otakus love to see the male leads conquer lesbians. Wu Shang was created to satisfy those otaku’s perverted fantasies. A lesbian would never fall for a man is as factual as a gay man can never be turned into a hetero. Especially so for a girl as strong as she was. She would never accept being the one pinned down!
Without a doubt, Gu Bai’s alternative take on this had led to many excited howls from the otakus, a boost in his popularity, and a boost in his confidence…
Gu Bai looked at that girl and sighed.
This girl probably hadn’t left her mountain yet, and her shifu shouldn’t have died yet.
At this moment, Qi Guan Rui waved his hand in front of him, “Gege, the food is here.”
Gu Bai turned his head, and from the corner of his eye caught a glimpse of a hawk-like, older man stepping through the door. The girl, following the old man, slammed money on the table and left.
He didn’t think much of it and began eating.
For not seeing each other for a couple days, his Xiao Shan still gave such top tier service…
Those two brothers hadn’t met in two months, so after returning, they caught up on each other’s progress. Qi Guan Rui had an approximation of Gu Bai’s Wu Li level; as for Gu Bai, he was obviously understanding the false side.
For the rest of the time, Gu Bai still attended lectures when obliged to attend lectures, practiced martial arts when needed to practice martial arts, and continued to raise his fundamentals.
Qi Guan Rui didn’t raise any trouble either, except drugging Gu Bai when he was tired to quench his thirst a bit, he didn’t dare do more advanced stuff.
And like that, another three months passed.
The school break began.
The break at Qing Tian Academy was fifteen days long. During that period, one could either stay at the dorms or choose to leave school, though staying would cost an additional fee.
Gu Bai gave this some thought, he thought he would pay the money, it was better that they stayed in the academy and not run around.
However, Qi Guan Rui walked over, holding Gu Bai’s shoulders affectionately, he asked “Gege, shall we go out and have some fun?”
Gu Bai paused for a second.
Qi Guan Rui inched closer, and breathed next to his ear, “just…the two of us.”
Gu Bai’s ears turned red.
N- naughty brat, you are way too close to my ear, it’s itchy!
Qi Guan Rui lifted the corner of his mouth, “It’s a man’s ambition to conquer the world. Once we limit ourselves to one place… even if our strength can keep up… our hearts can’t accommodate it. By that time, it would be harder to break through.” He looked at Gu Bai, his smile turning gentler. “Besides, I also want to roam outside. Gege, come travel with me, please?
Gu Bai’s face was expressionless, but in his heart, he’d already compromised.
It was true. Boys of Gu Xiao Shan’s age in the modern era would be at their most active. Trapping him in one place to stay with an old man like himself, who had lived two lives, was too stifling for him… then, let’s go have fun!
Deadpanned, Gu Bai nodded.
Qi Guan Rui’s gaze also softened, “Gege… you are the best.”
Gu Bai replied, “Yeah.”
If you know this you brat, better treat me well, with filial piety!
What to do with this sudden feeling that he’s raising a son?
So, the brothers hit the road, leaving the four maids to see them off, waving goodbye with a small handkerchief and teary eyes from afar.
The route was completely decided by Qi Guan Rui, and Gu Bai listened to his planning, even buying a small carriage. And so, they swayed and rocked their way out of Hao Yang city.
In the front, the coachman hurried the carriage along the road. Qi Guan Rui crossed his knees and sat near the outside, watching Gu Bai lean crookedly on the animal hide and smiled slyly, “Gege, sorry for the inconvenience this time.”
Gu Bai rubbed his temples, “Traveling with you, I can relax and chill.”
Though to say this body has been too pampered and is used to seeking ease, so it covets it. Needing to keep up a facade in front of others was tiring, perhaps finally going out wasn’t a bad idea.
Qi Guan Rui took Gu Bai’s words as enjoying the time spent alone with him, his smile grew more genuine by 20 percent. “Even by myself, I can still serve Gege comfortably.”
Gu Bai nodded. He absolutely believed Gu Xiao Shan could do as he said. The current Gu Xiao Shan was so well rounded, now if this continued, the flawless maids he’d groomed were gonna collectively become unemployed.
Qi Guan Rui, seeing how assured Gu Bai was, and that his actions were more at ease than any other time, boosted his mood even more.
Gu Bai didn’t ask where Qi Guan Rui was taking him. For a child he raised to age… completely ignoring the thirteen years lost in between… he was still very tolerant, understanding, and trustworthy. This feeling of spoiling someone else, was actually not bad at all.
Qi Guan Rui watched Gu Bai lean for a while, then extended his hands to hold him to his side and kneaded his shoulders.
Gu Bai leaned lazily against him; his image collapsed completely.
The more Qi Guan Rui saw, the more delighted he felt.
After traveling for about a day, they approached a nearby city. Qi Guan Rui led Gu Bai to switch carriages, still bedded comfortably, then traveled another day, then changed again.
After repeating this process for about three or four more days, they finally stopped at a city.
Gu Bai got down from the carriage and saw, inscribed on the city gates with three big characters, “Hua Zhao city”.
Qi Guan Rui beamed. “I heard that in two days there will be a Hua Chao festival[2] here. The city will be flushed with hundreds of blossoming flowers and holding a centi-flower convention, with even more sights outside the city. So, I wanted to bring Gege here to appreciate it. Gege, do you like it?
Gu Bai gazed wordlessly at the sky.
Like it or not… if he was a normal dude, definitely.
Hundreds of blossoming flowers, those who bloomed weren’t only flowers, but also the “flowers”!
Once upon a time, that perverted MC accumulated every beautiful girl at the flower festival, successfully adding more tiles to his harem. However, it would still be a long time until that arc happened. Therefore, the people they would meet at this flower festival now probably weren’t the same batch as the original, so it shouldn’t matter… much.
So, Gu Bai nodded, “I like it.”
On this rare occasion, when Gu Xiao Shan had expended so much effort, there was no way he would hurt the child’s feelings.
Qi Guan Rui’s expression grew gentler. Holding Gu Bai’s hand, he lightly whispered, “Then follow me, Gege.” And just like that, Gu Bai was led away by him.
Upon entering the city, Gu Bai saw many people, ordinary guys and girls holding hands, and the two of them holding hands wasn’t out of the blue at all… my ass! Bruh, all the couples holding hands in the whole street are male and female couples. What business did they, two males, have holding their freaking hands together!
Gu Bai wordlessly stared at Qi Guan Rui.
Qi Guan Rui smiled benevolently, “Gege, the street is crowded.”
Gu Bai’s face twisted.
Okay, holding hands it is, as long as you, brat, don’t find this losing face then hold it as long as you want!
He knew Gu Xiao Shan was overly attached to him and had been abused before, so Xiao Shan was always finding something to remind him of his presence. Anyway, it wouldn’t be the first time going along with him, and he also knew this child was a bit cunning. But anyhow, this child was definitely the person he cared the most about in this world and letting him find reassurance did nothing bad.
And so, his bottom line was reestablished, again.
Gu Bai abandoned all resistance and allowed himself to be towed and dragged, scanning his surroundings as he did so.
With a quick scan, he saw some interesting things.
On the streets, like everyone else holding hands, one pair looked particularly familiar… more accurately, it was the “guy” who was pulling the other that looked familiar.
Lanky build, tall figure, clothed in black, fair features, dark aura… who else could it be other than that cool, dominating Wu Shang girl who was molested by that evil, good for nothing, young master a couple days ago! The one she was currently tugging was also a girl, whose look was delicate and elegant, like a daughter of an eminent family.
Definitely Wu Shan’s first love!
The one who sparked Wu Shan into love but died tragically.
Could they possibly be starting the “Wu Shan’s fucked up past” side plot?
The flashback that was casually remarked on in the original text…
Qi Guan Rui tightened his grip, and asked, using a soft voice, “Gege, what are you looking at?”