Chapter 131: A new war arouses suspicion and secretly gives birth to his only child, Ganmu. ...
Gu Congxing's heart skipped a beat when he heard that. He hastily turned his face away, coughing lightly to cover it up. He could feel his cheeks burning hot; he knew without even looking that they were completely red.
"N-Never mind the covetousness..." His gaze wandered, finally landing on Lu Wu's still-healing hand. He gently grasped it, slowly transferring his warm immortal energy to it. "First, heal your wounds. When we return, you must come see me often."
His voice gradually became softer and softer, almost whispering.
Lu Wu stared at his drooping eyelashes and said in a low voice, "Okay."
This word is of great weight.
Upon returning to Heaven, the Emperor of Nanyang faithfully reported the battle situation. The Jade Emperor was delighted and rewarded Luwu with the rank of Supreme God, further elevating him to a higher level of immortality.
Even Gu Congxing benefited from it and was given the title of a wandering immortal, finally officially joining the ranks of immortals.
From then on, Lu Wu kept his promise and often came to see him. The nine-tailed white tiger lay quietly under the immortal tree, letting the mottled light and shadows cast on its snow-white fur.
The shadows of the trees are swaying, and time is quiet and peaceful, as if it can last forever.
From Lu Wu, Gu Congxing learned that neither Tiangou nor Gu had been severely punished. The Jade Emperor, mindful of their acknowledgement of their mistakes, had merely banished them to the lower realms—Tiangou to the Western Wasteland, and Gu to the Northern Territory, where they were required to cultivate diligently and atone for their sins.
When Lu Wu mentioned this, the lines between his brows relaxed a little. Gu Congxing thought that he must also not want to see other mythical beasts go to destruction.
However, the good times didn't last. Ever since Lu Wu was summoned to the Bixiao Palace, he'd become noticeably busier, spending less and less time with Gu Congxing. When he did appear, his face was always slightly pale.
Gu Congxing wanted to give him the immortal fruit, but he resolutely refused. He simply transformed into a tiger, gently coiling Gu Congxing in his arms, with her furry head resting on his side, and they fell asleep together in silence.
A few days later, Wen Yu returned from Yaotai and saw that Gu Congxing and Lu Wu were getting closer and closer. She dragged him to a corner of the Imperial Garden and glared at him:
"Ganmu! Why are you so close to Luwu? Are you planning to serve under him?"
Gu Congxing shook his head in surprise: "Of course not. I... just think he's a good person and want to help him."
"He's fine?!" Wen Yu pressed down on Gu Congxing's shoulders with such force that it hurt him slightly. "Ganmu, I heard a lot of news when I went to Yaotai this time. Do you know what Baihu did to get his current position as a god?"
"I know that he participated in many battles under orders, and many of his military achievements were taken away by others. It's quite unfair."
"He's the first person in the history of Heaven to be ranked among the immortals as a divine beast! How could he be a simple victim?"
Wen Yu shook his shoulders, her voice rising unconsciously. "And don't you know... the reason he became a god was not only because of his ferocity and skill in war, but also because he annihilated the Eastern Region's Xuanwu clan! He ascended to the immortal throne by slaughtering his own kind, stepping on the corpses of his own people!"
He paused, lowered his voice, and said word by word:
"I heard that he'll be slaughtering other divine beasts again soon! You're the most powerful divine tree in the Imperial Garden. He's deliberately approaching you, so he must have ulterior motives!"
Gu Congxing's body suddenly stiffened, as if he had fallen into an icy cave.
Do you have ulterior motives towards yourself?
Reaching the immortal position by killing one's own kind?
Is that Lu Wu who is kind even to his enemies?
He opened his mouth to argue, but heard a commotion nearby. It was Lu Wu, riding the wind and clouds, clad in the Nine-Scale Battle Armor newly bestowed by the Jade Emperor. He was ablaze with color, majestic and imposing, stirring up awe wherever he passed.
However, he did not look around and walked straight towards Gu Congxing.
"Ganmu."
He glanced at Wen Yu, who had a bad look on her face, standing beside Gu Congxing, nodded slightly, and then he stretched out his long arms to pull Gu Congxing into his arms, and they rode away together on a colorful cloud.
The two flew to the Immortal Tree, and Lu Wu gently set him down, reaching out to straighten his slightly disheveled clothes. His movements were meticulous and familiar.
Gu Congxing looked at his calm profile, and Wen Yu's words rang in his ears again.
——Brutal and violent, with bloody hands.
Could Lu Wu, who carefully tied his hair, accompanied him in traveling across mountains and rivers, and shielded him from all wind and rain in the human world, really be that kind of person?
"Ganmu?"
A warm big hand covered his cheek, and the index finger touched his slightly frowned brow.
Lu Wu's voice was filled with worry: "Are you feeling unwell?"
"No, it's nothing." Gu Congxing shook his head, suppressing his doubts. "I heard that Dayu in the mortal world asked for help. The Jade Emperor wants to send you and other immortal generals to subdue Gonggong and Fuchu... This time, I will be able to assist you better."
Yes, seeing is believing, hearing is not.
He and Lu Wu have lived together in the human world for a year. How could he doubt him just because of a few words from the outside world?
And as long as he witnesses the battle with his own eyes, all the rumors will be dispelled.
But at this moment, he heard an unexpected response.
"No."
Gu Congxing suddenly raised his head. Lu Wu's face was paler than usual, but his tone was firm and unyielding: "The lower realm is extremely dangerous this time. You should not take risks."
"But I'm clearly stronger now! Besides, there are other heavenly soldiers and generals going with us on this mission, so why can't I go alone?" Gu Congxing said quickly, feeling inexplicably anxious. "Could it be... there's some hidden story?"
Lu Wu was silent for a moment, with complex and indistinguishable emotions surging in his golden eyes.
"... Ganmu, I have passed on my skills to Kaiming. He will take care of you while I am in the lower realm."
He lowered his eyes and looked at Gu Congxing, his tone no longer allowing for argument.
“Lu Wu——!”
This kind of evasion clearly shows that he is hiding something!
Gu Congxing wanted to ask more, but Lu Wu didn't give him the chance. He just looked at Gu Congxing deeply, and there were too many things hidden in his eyes that Gu Congxing couldn't understand - reluctance, struggle, and even a hint of... determination?
The next moment, Lu Wu raised his cloak, turned around and strode away.
Gu Congxing didn’t know if it was an illusion, but he felt that Lu Wu’s figure was shaking slightly when he left, as if he would fall down at any time.
He subconsciously took a step forward, wanting to catch up and ask for clarification, but his feet seemed to be nailed to the ground.
It doesn’t matter, he thought, he can always find out everything when Lu Wu comes back.
——That’s how it should be.
But after that day, Gu Congxing never saw Lu Wu again.
It was as if he had completely disappeared from the Imperial Garden Nursery, without even a trace of his presence left.
On the contrary, Kaiming became more and more familiar with the fairies. Not only could he chat and laugh with them, but even Wen Yu admired him highly.
Gu Congxing stood in the distance, looking at Kaiming's figure surrounded by the crowd, his eyes fell on his profile which was 50% similar to Lu Wu - after Lu Wu taught him the skills, the two looked even more alike, and sometimes in a trance, he almost mistook him for that person.
"Ganmu?"
Kaiming sensed his gaze, raised his lips and waved his hand, and in the blink of an eye he had bid farewell to the surrounding immortal flowers and flew in front of him.
"Do you have something to ask me?" Kaiming bowed slightly with a gentle smile.
Gu Congxing hesitated for a moment, then finally asked, "...Kaiming, do you know where Lu Wu went?"
Kaiming Sichen said, "Lord Luwu? He should have gone to the underworld by now."
Have they already set off?
In such a hurry, without even... saying goodbye to him?
Gu Congxing felt a chill running down his limbs, piercing deep into his heart. He didn't know how he'd said goodbye to Kaiming, but he just ran furiously until he was sure there was no one around, then he collapsed to the ground.
Lu Wu, you are hiding something...
The night wind howled, bringing a biting chill. In the blink of an eye, fine raindrops fell, soaking his clothes.
Gu Congxing sat in the rain with his knees hugged, looking at the banana leaves trembling in the wind and rain in front of him. He pursed his lips silently, and the rain slid down his cheeks.
"Hey, little sacred tree? Why are you out here in the rain alone?"
The sudden voice was bold and unbridled, tinged with a hint of cynicism. Gu Congxing looked up at the sound and saw Fenghuang leaning against a tree, arms folded. Her crimson dress blazed like fire in the dark night, and the ornaments on her wrists jingled.
“Swish——”
He and Gu Congxing met each other's eyes, and suddenly jumped down, as light as a feather.
"Phoenix?" Gu Congxing was startled by the person who suddenly landed in front of him. He couldn't help but step back, but was grabbed by the wrist.
Phoenix leaned forward, its red eyes flashing dangerously and seductively in the rain.
"Finally," he said with a determined smile on his lips, "I caught you."
***
The lower world, Mount Buzhou.
Lu Wu sat alone in the tent, immortal energy surging around him, but it flickered like a candle in the wind. If Gu Congxing were here, he would be shocked to find that the golden light was much dimmer than before, as if it would dissipate at any moment.
He slowly withdrew his magic power, his brows furrowed, and his already pale face looked even more haggard.
"Immortal Lord Luwu."
An immortal general stepped through the curtains, cupping his fists and saying, "Thanks to the Immortal Lord's powerful technique, we were able to subdue Fu Chu. Emperor Nanyang has now imprisoned him in the Xuan Pagoda. The power of the Immortal Lord's brand truly opened my eyes... May I ask, Immortal Lord, where did you learn this technique? Could you please allow me to delve into it?"
Lu Wu raised his eyes and looked at him, instantly regaining his usual calm and majestic appearance, with his previous tiredness perfectly hidden.
"Your Excellency is so kind. This branding technique was personally taught by His Majesty the Jade Emperor."
"Taught by the Immortal Emperor himself, no wonder he's so powerful..." The immortal general showed a look of regret, then suddenly said, "Now that the battle is victorious, the Human Emperor Dayu is leading the mortals in a celebration. It's quite lively. Wouldn't you, Immortal Lord, go and see it?"
Lu Wu stood up and put on the Nine-Scale Battle Armor: "No need, I need to return to the God Realm immediately."
"Is that so? What a shame," the immortal shrugged. "During the celebration, I saw a phoenix dancing and soaring through the heavens, accompanied by a handsome young man. Everyone called it an auspicious omen, a match made in heaven. It was truly pleasing to the eyes and soul!"
Lu Wu suddenly stopped moving!
The vast immortal power surged out uncontrollably, sweeping through the entire tent like a hurricane, and the ground beneath his feet suddenly burst into several cracks!
The immortal general retreated in fear: "Lu, Lu Wu Immortal Lord...?"
Before he could finish his words, Lu Wu rushed out of the tent like an arrow!
Outside the tent, laughter and joy could be heard everywhere, and the joy of victory was everywhere. However, Lu Wu's face was as gloomy as water, and his body moved as fast as lightning as he rushed straight to the square where Dayu was celebrating!
"What a beautiful phoenix..."
"That young man is quite smart and handsome. Could he also be a member of the Phoenix Clan?"
"No, no! It's said that the sacred tree transformed into a spirit! A phoenix roosts on the sycamore tree, and the faint fragrance of the wood... There's truly a natural bond between them, inseparable!"
The endless discussions were like icy spikes, piercing Lu Wu's heart with every word.
He looked up and, under the azure sky, he saw the dazzling phoenix. Its cry, fierce as fire, rose in the heavens as it circled and danced around a young man.
The young man was of natural beauty and had an extremely handsome face. He danced with the phoenix under the sky, their arms intertwined, smiling at each other, like a couple made in heaven.
At this moment, the phoenix suddenly transformed into a human form and landed in front of the young man, blocking everyone's view.
Amidst thousands of cheers, he leaned down, and judging by his movements...he actually kissed the boy directly!
Exclamations and envy flooded in like a tide. Lu Wu stood still, his eyes fixed on the young man without blinking.
His Ganmu.
His only one, Ganmu.
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