When the pair returned to the academy, they didn’t ride in a carriage, but instead on a third-level ancient beast that Qi Guanrui had obtained from God knows where. It had a very broad back, was fast and steady, and had a more docile personality than other ancient beasts. The price was very expensive, and those with lower martial levels could not sit on it.
Gu Bai and Qi Guanrui sat side by side, with Qi Guanrui holding Gu Bai’s right hand. Fortunately Qi Guanrui didn’t hug him, out of consideration for his carefully crafted image. Despite the incredible soft-heartedness he had just displayed, Gu Bai felt that his standards were getting lower and lower and that the future looked bleak.
This is simply a cycle of seeking death!
Contrarily, Qi Guanrui was in a good mood. The desires he had suppressed for so long were finally satiated and he intended to lock up Ziche Shubai for life afterwards. However, as a result of his actions, Ziche Shubai’s attitude towards him was a bit strange. Qi Guanrui thought that at least he didn’t seem to hate him much. So, when Ziche Shubai suggested going back to the academy, Qi Guanrui generously decided to go with him, as if nothing had changed.
But he knew that some things could not be undone.
He pondered over it, and it seemed that this was the best outcome for the time being… But Qi Guanrui couldn’t just feel content with those results alone. He also noticed that Ziche Shubai’s attitude had slightly softened, and he felt perhaps in the near future, he would be able to satisfy his desires some more.
In the meantime, Qi Guanrui has thoroughly enjoyed “taking care” of Gu Bai. He had manipulated Gu Bai’s food, clothing, housing and transportation decisions. Although Gu Bai knew that Qi Guanrui was a pervert, circumstances in his previous life meant that he passively accepted the living situation.
Qi Guanrui watched Gu Bai’s reaction, and something in his eyes grew increasingly resolute, increasingly obsessive… What he had when he was at his weakest and most vulnerable, after many years, could still only be possessed by him alone.
The journey back to the academy was much faster because of the help of the third-level ancient beast. After the trauma of the past few days and with the addition of his suppressed qi, sometimes Gu Bai would just fall asleep on the ancient beast. But every time he woke up, he was lying in Qi Guanrui’s arms. At first, he felt a bit awkward, but later on, he didn’t react much. As for whether he was kissed, touched, hugged, or nibbled on while asleep, he had no idea at all. ╮(╯▽╰)╭
After traveling for a full day and night, the pair arrived at a martial town near Haoyang City.
Here, they heard some news.
It was in a restaurant, and the private room on the second floor offered a perfect view of the scene below. Behind a screen, a handsome young man in white robes, with a high crown*, leaned on a soft couch, sipping wine, his expression emotionless. Opposite him sat a young man, exceptionally good-looking, pouring the wine for him and serving him dishes.
Below, there was a lot of noise.
*[T/N: I believe it means to look dignified or of high standing, but it could be literal.]
A burly man, carrying a large red-gold broadsword, his face flushed with drink, was arguing passionately, spitting as he spoke.
“I saw the tragic scene in Huachao City with my own eyes! Everyone at the flower-viewing event was killed, not a single one survived. Some of the beautiful ladies perished in such a pitiful way! You say I’m lying? Why don’t you go see for yourselves?”
Someone asked, “I heard that it was done by a very powerful ancient beast. Is it true?”
The burly man grew excited and said, “Isn’t that right! It was a giant python, massive in size, capable of sweeping away everything within a ten-mile radius. Just a few days ago, the Lord of Huachao City invited many powerful warriors to go and kill it, but instead, the python wiped them all out in one go! They all ended up in its belly!”
Upon hearing this, someone shouted, “No wonder the nearby cities have been on high alert recently, and many powerful figures are coming from all directions. It must be because of that giant python!”
The burly man said smugly, “The lords of several cities, all plagued by the giant python, have jointly issued a huge bounty. Anyone who can bring back the python’s head will be rewarded with ten million Wu coins!”
At this, the crowd erupted.
“Ten million Wu coins?”
“If I had the ability, I’d fight for it myself!”
“No wonder so many powerful warriors are around. It’s all because of the bounty!”
“Who knows, it might even attract Wu Di, the most exceptional warriors. That giant python is in for a tough time!”
The entire first floor had erupted into a clamor, chaotic like a pot of congee, with everyone filled with excitement. A ten-million bounty—such a large sum was rare, even in history, this sum has occurred perhaps no more than a handful of times! This was truly a grand event…
Gu Bai silently turned his gaze to Qi Guanrui.
What the hell did you do to cause all this? The bounty on the Demon Emperor in the later part of the original story was the same amount! Did you screw up or what?! I always thought you were just cold and distant, but I didn’t expect you to be this messed up in the head too!
Qi Guanrui of course heard what the people below said, so he smiled slightly and said softly: “Gege, do you also want to hunt down… that giant python?”
Gu Bai was momentarily stunned, then his expression turned slightly awkward but with a hint of understanding.
Right, of course I wouldn’t know that ‘giant python’ = ‘pervert’.
With that realization, he responded in a manner befitting his cool, aloof persona, “If I encounter it, I’ll definitely have a battle with it.”
Qi Guanrui looked at him gently, “Does gege want it to die?”
Gu Bai: “…”
So, you’re asking me, right in front of me, whether I want to kill you? Has your IQ really gone offline, or do you think mine has? I feel there is no correct answer, I sense danger.
Qi Guanrui sighed softly, “I had thought that if gege wanted the life of that giant python, I would bring it to him, just to make him smile…”
Gu Bai: Heh.
If you really have the guts to kill yourself, I will definitely smile in front of your corpse!
Qi Guanrui sighed again, “But unfortunately, since my brother hasn’t said anything, and I’m unwilling to undo the chains on him, I’ll have to give up.”
Gu Bai turned his face away. Don’t take kidnapping so lightly, you bastard!
Qi Guanrui was already used to Ziche Shubai’s silence, but ever since he had taken Ziche Shubai, he had spoken less and less. Sometimes, an entire day would pass without them saying more than two sentences to each other. The days when they could talk about everything and nothing seemed like a distant dream. But now, Ziche Shubai could be held in his embrace. Even though things weren’t perfect, he believed that there was always room for things to turn around. Ziche Shubai had always treated him differently from others, hadn’t he? It was just that he had done something that upset Ziche Shubai, something that perhaps made him a little angry, so now he didn’t want to pay Qi Guanrui any attention. But this outcome was much better than anything Qi Guanrui had expected––actually, Gu Bai hadn’t thought that much about his silence. Ever since Gu Xiaoshan turned into a pervert, his mind had been in a state of constant internal monologue. But at the same time, his mouth had grown even tighter—what if he accidentally said something he shouldn’t? Especially after realizing how easily he could provoke the pervert, he adhered even more strictly to the “say less, don’t provoke” policy, striving not to upset the pervert to avoid the impending consequence of the other suddenly transforming.
…I’m doing this for world peace! Honestly, it’s really not easy. TAT
When Qi Guanrui was Gu Xiaoshan, Gu Bai had always been happy to talk to him about anything. But when he became Qi Guanrui, the perverted main character… Gu Bai was no longer willing to chat. Also… the fact that the “stud” guy suddenly developed an interest in that area—was just too against the laws of the world and too inconsistent with the tone of the story! Such an unscientific thing, and Gu Bai was still struggling to process it. Maintaining the image of the aloof, cold, and elegant Ice Mountain Lord without completely cracking had already drained all his energy (facepalm). As for any further thoughts… well, he’d think about it once his brain restarted. ╮(╯▽╰)╭
After finishing their meal and taking a short rest, Qi Guanrui happily led Gu Bai out of the restaurant. When they released their third-tier ancient beast and climbed onto it, they naturally attracted a lot of attention. Such a high-profile display was, of course, seen by passersby as a show of strength. The crowd that had heard about the bounty also speculated that the two might be there for the reward. They whispered among themselves, offering their own opinions, which led to a bit of grandiloquent conversation before they all scattered.
Qi Guanrui and Gu Bai continued quickly towards Haoyang City. Along the way, Qi Guanrui leaned close to Gu Bai’s ear and spoke softly.
“Gege, are you really not going to join in the fun?”
“Gege, are you really not tempted by the ten-million-yuan reward?”
“Although gege’s family is wealthy, it would be nice to add some icing on the cake…”
“That python has hurt countless people. If you don’t like it, just say the word and I will kill it for you…”
That’s enough! How insecure do you have to be to keep pestering me about this? After saying so much nonsense, do you dare to really kill yourself in front of me? It’s fine if you ask me once, but you keep asking me over and over again. What answer do you want me to give you? If I don’t answer, this matter will never end! Fuck!
Gu Bai inhaled deeply, and said in a sinister tone, “There’s no need to kill it. It’s rare to see such a huge creature. Why not ride it? It could be just as rewarding.” [T/N: Oh god]
I really want to stomp on you a few times, will you hand yourself over willingly?
Qi Guanrui smiled, it was very gentle, and also… very ambiguous. Qi Guanrui licked his lips: “So gege wants to ride… it?”
Gu Bai’s face turned pale.
Fuck! I basically invited the pervert to harass me this time!
Qi Guanrui suddenly leaned back in to whisper in Gu Bai’s ear, “One day, I will help gege achieve his wish.”
Gu Bai clenched his fists. Ride! Your! Mum! Is it too late for me to take it back?
Gu Bai had tried to calm his own temper but instead slapped himself in the face. For the next three hours, he didn’t say a single word.
Meanwhile, Qi Guanrui seemed to have thought of something amusing and his smile grew gentler, just like a spring breeze.
The powerful speed of the third-level ancient beast brought the two of them successfully outside Haoyang City the day before the opening of the Qingtian Academy. As expected, the garrison force had increased a lot, and there were even some heavily armored soldiers on the periphery, all doing their part to protect the city. Ahead, everyone entering Haoyang City was being checked, even the carriages had to be inspected.
The Lord of Haoyang City was a peerless powerhouse at the Wu Huang level. His orders had to be obeyed unless a challenger’s martial strength exceeded his. But if someone really had that kind of power, they wouldn’t bother entering through the gate. Qi Guanrui and Gu Bai, of course, were no exception. When it was their turn to approach, they also had to dismount from the ancient beast.
Qi Guanrui helped Gu Bai down. The two of them jumped off in unison and landed steadily on the ground. Soon, some soldiers came to inspect them. When they saw the two wearing luxurious clothes, they didn’t dare to treat them disrespectfully. Afterwards, a strange fierce beast come over to sniff them and they were allowed to enter.
Qi Guanrui entered calmly, without a hint of guilt on his face. Gu Bai walked beside him, lighting a candle for Haoyang City. It wasn’t that the soldiers weren’t capable, but the writing was too thorough. The author of Fish Lips* shed tears in his heart. To give the protagonist a “golden finger”, Gu Bai had set up different auras for the human and serpent forms, so the spirit beast couldn’t sense it.
*[T/N: I don’t know but I hope this is the name of the original novel.]
***
Here’s a reminder of the level lore based on previous translator:
武者 Wu Zhe (Martial Artist)
武使 Wu Shi – low level (Martial Envoy)
武师 Wu Shi – High level (Martial Master)
武君 Wu Jun (Martial Duke)
武王 Wu Wang (Martial King)
武帝 Wu Di (Martial Emperor)
武皇 Wu Huang (Martial Sovereign)
武圣 Wu Sheng (Martial Saint)
武祖 Wu Zu (Martial Ancestor)
武尊 Wu Zun (Martial Supreme)
Little Pink Starfish 
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