Chapter 134 (This last part is a fragment and doesn't translate directly. It likely refers to a specific chapter or section.

Jiang Xi spent these days studying and practicing Gu, while Shang Yuji and A Cuo traveled extensively around Wuming Village until the Gu duel arrived.

During this time, A-Cuo looked sullen and sighed, "Jiang Xi is simply a madman. In just over a month, he has squeezed out all the knowledge of several elders. If he stays any longer, no one in the entire village will be able to teach him."

Shang Yuji knew the reason: "He just wanted to finish his studies as soon as possible so he would have time to do what he wanted to do."

Without hesitation, A-Cuo replied, "Isn't what he wants most to be with you?"

Shang Yuji said helplessly, "So it was precisely because he didn't have time to spend with me during this period that he was anxious and urged himself to study hard."

The mountain spring flows gently, clear and transparent, meandering down. The mountain breeze blows, and the vast forest stretches out in rolling green waves. The wind carries the tranquility of the forest and the moist moisture of the mountain spring, refreshing the soul.

A-Cuo, with a serious face, stared at her: "A-Ji, the people of Wuming Village sometimes rely too much on witchcraft and sorcery, believing that sorcery can do many things, even love and affection, which some people use to plunder. But love plundered is not true love, and a partner manipulated by sorcery cannot be considered a partner, but rather a puppet called love controlled by sorcery."

"Even if some people understand the truth, they are still indulging in the 'love' their beloved shows them after being manipulated. This love is illusory and beautiful, and some people are always willing to be immersed in it. Those who are drowning in the abyss and unwilling to struggle will lose their minds, while those who are sinking into despair in their lucidity will suffer agonizing pain..."

“This is not uncommon in Wuming, and it has caused many tragic incidents.” A-Cuo paused for a moment, then continued, “I hope you will always be clear-headed, always see your heart clearly, and not fall in love because of the love that the Gu has created to deceive your body…”

"Okay, it's not good to say it like this. Actually, I'm very worried about you. Jiang Xi's ability to remove witchcraft is too terrifying. If you two become estranged in the future, and you don't want to be with him anymore, but he's unwilling to let go, he's planted a curse on you. And because of the curse, you mistakenly believe that you still like him. That's not right."

He's too powerful; no one can defeat him, no one can break his spell. In the end, you'll be the only one who gets hurt.

After speaking, A-Cuo looked worried and fell silent.

“A-Cuo…” The two sat on the grass, and Shang Yuji looked back earnestly, “I am very grateful that you have considered such a deep level of consideration for me.”

"But please rest assured, the situation you are worried about will not happen. My situation with him is too special. If you have to say, our relationship is abnormal, but we both cherish it very much." Shang Yuji lowered her eyes, recalled the past, and said with a sigh of relief, "This relationship started from an abnormal beginning. At that time, in order to survive, we ignored its existence and could only let it grow more and more strangely. By the time we realized it, it was too late."

"Later, an unusual affection churned our blood and flesh, and once torn apart, it was bloody. Unfortunately, I disliked the pain after being torn apart, while he was ignorant but intuitive. So we tacitly accepted its existence, put it out in the open, and carefully protected it together."

"Although this relationship started off poorly, I like it very much. I can assure you that the 'like' I'm talking about now is from the bottom of my heart. Before agreeing to spend the rest of my life with him, I understood my own feelings, and I have never regretted choosing him."

"Don't worry about him bewitching me, he can't bring himself to do it. Just as he understands me better than anyone else, I understand him better than anyone else. In this relationship, he has made more concessions, given more, and cherished more. He has laid his heart bare and laid it naked in front of me, afraid that I might not like it... I am still me, but he is not entirely himself. He has entrusted his heart to me for safekeeping, and then occasionally forgets his own consciousness and existence, living for me."

"If his love was too intense, he would kill himself before he even had the thought of hurting me."

Upon hearing the last sentence, A-Cuo was speechless for a moment before slowly replying, "It sounds even more terrifying."

Shang Yuji chuckled twice and reassured him, "Don't worry, as long as I stay clear-headed and stick to my principles, he and I will be on the right track."

“Oh, I’ve shared such heartfelt words with you, but I don’t think I’ve ever said them to him.” Shang Yuji smiled genuinely. “I have to tell him when I get back that I truly love him.”

A-Cuo crossed his arms and snorted, "Anyway, if you're unhappy, just come find me. I'll compete to become the next Wuming chieftain. Just come to me if you need anything!"

"Thank you, dear A-Cuo. I'll bother you whenever I need to in the future, but you can't find me a bother."

"I mean what I say, and I don't find it troublesome."

The two shared their worries and chatted for a while before heading home at sunset.

After saying goodbye to A-Cuo, who had accompanied her all the way, Shang Yuji stepped onto the bamboo house. As she approached the door, she heard soft sobbing behind it.

The familiar crying sound immediately told her who it was. She opened the door and saw Jiang Xi curled up on the floor covered with a straw mat, crying pitifully.

Shang Yuji leaned closer, bent down, and tilted her head to ask, "Whose husband is crying so pitifully?"

"It's...it's...it's Ah Ji's...Ah Ji's family..."

"Correct answer, here's a bouquet of flowers for you."

A bouquet of vibrant colors was pulled from behind her and brought to Jiang Xi's eyes. Tears blurred his vision. He carefully held the bouquet in his arms, trying to wipe away his tears, but he couldn't stop them.

Shang Yuji simply sat down next to him and opened her arms: "Come on, Aji needs to comfort her good husband."

Jiang Xi hugged the flowers in his arms and nestled himself into her embrace. The comforting scent of pear blossoms and the fragrance of the flowers filled his nostrils, and he felt a gentle pat on his back. He sobbed, tears wetting their clothes, his fingers gripping her hem tightly until they turned white.

"Is someone outside bullying you?"

"Waaaaah, no, it's not waaaah."

After guessing several possibilities without finding the right one, Shang Yuji muttered to herself, "Could it be that they overheard my conversation with A-Cuo?"

The person in his arms only cried and did not answer, causing the silver ornaments on both of them to vibrate and jingle.

She reacted instantly, her eyebrows curving upwards as she cupped the face of the person nestled in her arms. Jiang Xi followed her movement and looked up, and Shang Yuji, bathed in the glow of the setting sun, saw the reddened eyes from crying. She said softly:

“Then I have to tell Jiang Xi the truth. I’m very lucky to know Jiang Xi, and I love her very much.”

He sobbed, "Ah Ji, waah Ah Ji, I... I love Ah Ji so much too, waah waah waah, Ah Ji, Ah Ji—"

"Since we're on the same page, let you cry your heart out today."

"Waaaaah, thank you, Aji! Waaaaah, Aji, Aji—"

"Yes, yes, yes, you're welcome. I'm here, I'm here."

“Ah Ji, Ah Ji…”

...

The next day, as dawn broke, Wuming, nestled deep in the mountains and valleys, was shrouded in a white mist. As the sun rose above the treetops and the wind blew again, the mist dissipated, revealing the bamboo houses scattered throughout the forest.

Shang Yuji opened his eyes halfway, already oblivious to the hands and feet clinging tightly to him. He looked down at the peaceful sleeping face in his arms. He had cried so hard yesterday that his cheeks were flushed and his lips were upturned, as if he were in a sweet dream.

Yesterday, Jiang Xi went to inform him that a witchcraft duel would be held in two days. The elders told him to rest for two days and not to get up early to go to the center to practice witchcraft. So she didn't wake him up. She put one hand on the back of his head, letting his flowing hair slip through her fingers. She rubbed it a couple of times, then closed her eyes and went back to sleep.

When she woke up again, she met the blinking eyes of the person in her arms. Jiang Xi smiled softly, nuzzled her cheek, and whispered, "Aji, good morning."

"Good morning." She yawned, freeing herself from her limbs which felt like they were bound by ropes. She sat half-upright, lost in thought, when the person beneath her suddenly clung to her again.

She reached out and ruffled his head, making his hair a mess, before Shang Yuji told him to let go of the arms that were wrapped around his waist.

Two days passed as usual. As if waking up from a dream, Shang Yuji looked around at Jiang Xi and realized that he seemed to have become more clingy.

"..." Shang Yuji was silent for a moment. Let her stick to him, it's better than crying secretly by herself.

She sighed resignedly, hugged him back, and after a moment encouraged him, "Just do your best in tomorrow's duel. After it's over, we'll bring chilled lychees and gourd chicken to the grand banquet Elder A-Xing mentioned."

"Okay~ Ah Ji, Ah Ji, tomorrow Ah Ji will take the curling iron over. It's hot outside, and the curling iron will keep you cool. You also need to bring a fan. The green snake is heavy, Ah Ji, let it crawl on its own and don't let it wrap around your hand, it will tire you out."

"...Get your things ready tomorrow, and I'll bring them over."

Then he cuddled and kissed her, and she was finally freed.

Fortunately, she could accept this level of intimacy, but Shang Yuji still decided to lower her standards a bit more. After all, the person she was lowering her standards for was Jiang Xi, so she wouldn't suffer any loss.

The witchcraft duel was unexpectedly lively and interesting for Shang Yuji.

Cricket fighting has been a form of entertainment for thousands of years, and the kind of witchcraft duels that are comparable to several upgraded versions of such contests are even more exciting.

Aside from some incomprehensible wing flaps and insect chirps that serve as a deterrent, Shang Yuji categorizes them as unique competitive patterns found only in nature, like marking territory and displaying power.

What followed was a fierce battle between the Gu worms, biting wings, gnawing on legs, and ramming into each other to push them out of bounds. With the cooperation of the Gu master and the Gu worms, the enemy was driven out of the stage.

Some Gu worms compete in poison, and many are poisoned and fall into a coma.

Shang Yuji was astonished. On the small competition stage, challengers from all sides displayed their extraordinary skills, contributing a spectacular competition scene.

The curling stone contains saltpeter and frozen ice. Holding the stone, you can feel the heat dissipating from your body.

There seemed to be some villagers from Wuming Village lamenting that they hadn't thought of bringing curling. Some people went home to make a simplified version of curling and then came to watch the competition. Occasionally, a few older people would give Shang Yuji some of their snacks, saying that the saltpeter she sold was very useful.

After waiting for a while, Shang Yuji had many small gifts given to her by the villagers hanging on her body.

The audience outside was distracted, but it didn't affect the lively atmosphere inside, until a dragonfly less than a finger long, with a vibrant green color like the finest jade, made its appearance.

As soon as it stepped onto the stage, all the Gu practitioners, whether on or off the stage, felt the fear signals transmitted by their Gu worms.

The gray butterfly, which was fighting against the green dragonfly, did not even dare to go on stage. Even though the Gu master urged it, it could not get the Gu worm to take the stage after several attempts.

The result was that he missed the time limit and was disqualified from the competition.

The same scenario played out in the next two scenes.

Finally, Elder Zhen couldn't stand it anymore and publicly declared that Jiang Xi should become number one, and the others should compete for the remaining rankings.

Then Elder Zhen invited Jiang Xi to step down, leaving the arena to the actual contestants.

Jiang Xi, who had left the stage early, quickly ran to the audience to look for someone. As soon as A Ji came over, he saw her.

Watching Aji's focused gaze on the Gu worm competition, watching Aji hurriedly accept the gifts from the villagers, and seeing Aji cheering him on as he went on stage.

He secured the title of champion ahead of time, and now he can finally go find Ah Ji!

Shang Yuji handed him the ice curling stone: "Hold it to cool down, it's quite refreshing."

Jiang Xi took the curling stone, then used her other hand to fan the stone, directing the cool air towards Aji. She said slowly, "Aji, I won! Elder Zhen said the prize can be chosen from the treasure vault, but we can only go in after the duel is over. Aji, would you like to come in with me and see if there's anything you want?"

Little Green successfully upgraded to the Gu King. With a flap of its wings, it landed on the silver ornament in Shang Yuji's black hair, transforming into a jade dragonfly decoration.

They described entering the Wuming Treasury as as easily as going shopping on the street.

Shang Yuji praised him a few times and replied, "Then we'd better choose carefully!"

Jiang Xi agreed, her face beaming with joy, and happily told her about the fun she had experienced behind the competition stage. The two of them then returned to the bamboo house together.