Chapter 277: Jiang Ruoxu Appears

Upon hearing Yu Jinghong’s words, Gu Mo and the others were greatly surprised. Qi Tianshu also abruptly lifted his head, exclaiming, “Re...reincarnation really exists? Isn't that just a legend?”

Yu Jinghong replied, “I don't know either. But back then, I once saw the Forbidden White Jade City and glimpsed a bit of the secret of reincarnation. I didn't fully comprehend it though... I didn't know what would happen after I died... But it seems now, it was a success.”

As she spoke, she gently touched Xiaobai's cheek and said, “Karma dictates everything; what goes around comes around. This child's incomplete mind might be due to the lack of this wisp of my divine consciousness... I... I...”

Suddenly, Yu Jinghong's aura changed dramatically. The gentle look in her eyes was instantly replaced. She looked at Qi Tianshu and said, “Tianshu, whether it's an evil thought or a good thought, I am Yu Jinghong. I am your master. Do you truly intend to kill me?

After reincarnation, I would be another person. If I live, your master still exists in this world. If I die, there will truly be no trace left. Tianshu, I raised you and taught you martial arts. Can you really be so heartless?”

The blue bricks beneath Qi Tianshu's knees cracked. His forehead heavily struck the bluestone slab, the dull thud startling the copper bells hanging from the eaves. As the third resounding knock fell, beads of blood already trickled down his brow bone into the corner of his eye. Yet, he seemed oblivious, abruptly sweeping his sleeve across his face, his knuckles white from the force.

As he stood, his robe swept up dust from the ground, and the jade pendant at his waist clanged as it fell—a gift from Yu Jinghong seventy years ago.

“You are not her, and you are not worthy to be her.”

His voice was hoarse as ripping silk, yet his fingertips were as steady as a deep abyss or a towering mountain. Before his words even finished, the sword intent around him surged like a gale before a torrential downpour.

Yu Jinghong's pupils constricted.

Qi Tianshu's fingertip had already pointed.

Amidst the tearing sound of air, a beam of green light pierced through the morning mist like a living entity. The world first fell into an eerie silence. It was as if invisible hands had pressed the pause button on the world; falling leaves hovered suspended in mid-air, swirling, and even the sound waves from a distant ancient bell transformed into visible ripples, frozen in the void.

Yu Jinghong's spiritual body disintegrated inch by inch within the sword intent, turning into nothingness.

Gu Mo felt wisps of extremely pure spiritual power flowing towards Xiaobai, nurturing Xiaobai's divine consciousness. It was natural and perfectly integrated, as if that spiritual power originally belonged to Xiaobai.

“Reincarnation really exists?”

Gu Mo was very puzzled. As someone who had awakened past life memories, he had always maintained great reverence for tales of gods and spirits. However, he had not seen reincarnation in his awakened memories, nor had he discovered the power of reincarnation in this world so far.

“Xiaobai, how do you feel?” Gu Mo asked.

Xiaobai looked bewildered, her eyes still remarkably clear. Subconsciously, she hid behind Gu Chudong.

“Brother, what's wrong?” Gu Chudong asked.

Gu Mo shook his head slightly and said, “I was a bit too hasty in my thoughts. Even if it truly is a reincarnated body, it would take time for the soul to become complete. And even if the soul is complete, it would still have to start from scratch.”

Gu Chudong asked, “So, have you figured out how reincarnation works?”

“No,” Gu Mo replied, “So, I plan to stay at the Canglan Sword Sect for a while longer to observe Xiaobai.”

“Alright,” Gu Chudong quickly nodded, saying, “Anyway, we don't have anything urgent right now. I gained a lot from the Dragon-Tiger Mountain Ascension Platform this time, and I have quite a few Enlightenment Fruits that need to be slowly refined.”

Gu Mo nodded.

At this moment, Qi Tianshu stood still, staring blankly at the statue of the Green-Clothed Goddess, appearing utterly dejected.

The older one gets, the more nostalgic one becomes, especially for a master who provided upbringing and taught skills.

Originally, for many years, Qi Tianshu had implicitly accepted that his master had passed away. But now, learning of her death and experiences, and then witnessing the complete eradication of her trace, he found it difficult to accept for a while.

Gu Mo walked over and patted Qi Tianshu's shoulder, saying, “Sect Master Qi, according to your master, Xiaobai is her reincarnation. So, don't be too sad.

I recently saw a classic text on Dragon-Tiger Mountain that described seven types of sages in the world. One type is called 'born knowing,' referring to those who can see through the mysteries of the womb. Xiaobai, despite her incomplete mind, could name Dongya Village in Yunzhou, call you by your real name, and recognize your sword intent. This proves that she very likely can see through the mysteries of the womb, so she might even recover her past life memories someday!

Even if she can't recover them, it doesn't matter. At least you should be happy for your master. Reincarnation is an unfathomable, ethereal legend, yet she was able to reincarnate. You are not young anymore; it's uncertain whether you will have a chance to meet your master again in a future reincarnation. You might not even get to live a second life, might you?”

Qi Tianshu turned to look at the timid Xiaobai, frowned slightly, and murmured, “When you put it that way, it does make sense. But I still feel like something's off.”

Gu Mo chuckled softly and said, “Let's go.”

Immediately, everyone left Qingyi Village.

Before they left, the villagers of Qingyi Village were still in a state of numbness, though a large number had already prostrated themselves to death.

Qi Tianshu made another trip to Tianyi Mountain, retrieved Yu Jinghong's remains from the sinkhole, and then the group rushed back to the county town overnight.

They stayed in the county town for a night.

They left early the next morning. However, before leaving, Qi Tianshu paid a visit to the county yamen.

After leaving the yamen, Qi Tianshu's previous day's heaviness and unease vanished, and his whole demeanor became refreshed.

The group rode their horses out of the county town. Gu Chudong looked at Qi Tianshu's back and asked curiously, “Brother, why did Sect Master Qi's demeanor change so much after visiting the county town?”

Gu Mo slowly explained, “Because he was conflicted yesterday. He was furious with the people of Qingyi Village; the Lu family was wiped out by them for their ingratitude. But as a martial arts grandmaster and the Sect Master of Canglan Sword Sect, it wasn't convenient for him to retaliate directly. It would be difficult for a dignified figure like Qi Tianshu of the Sword Sect to slaughter a group of defenseless villagers.

But now it's different. He must have informed the county yamen about the vast wealth in Qingyi Village. Once that news spreads, Qingyi Village won't be able to hold onto those riches; it will attract a pack of wolves... How to put it, this is true retribution. They repaid kindness with enmity for wealth, and now, the people of Qingyi Village will pay the price for that money.”

Gu Chudong remarked, “The people of Qingyi Village don't seem to deserve sympathy.”

“They never did.”

Qi Tianshu felt very awkward.

He didn't deny his feelings and respect for his master. Yet, now facing his master's reincarnated self, a girl who looked like a three or four-year-old child, he truly didn't know how to act.

If he treated her as his master, this girl had no memories and had already reincarnated. Although he hadn't fully understood what reincarnation entailed, he had heard various folk legends; it could be interpreted as two people or as one.

If Xiaobai were Yu Jinghong's descendant, as he initially thought, Qi Tianshu would certainly care for her like his own junior and personally nurture her.

But now, it felt very awkward.

Therefore, on the return journey,

Qi Tianshu stayed in the carriage, avoiding Xiaobai as much as possible. By the time they returned to Canglan Sword Sect, ten days had passed.

As soon as they reached the foot of Canglan Mountain, the acting Sect Master Shang Buyu hurried over. After saluting Gu Mo and Gu Chudong, he approached Qi Tianshu's carriage and softly said, “Master, I have an important matter to report!”

“What is it?” Qi Tianshu asked.

Shang Buyu took a letter from his robe and handed it into the carriage, whispering, “Master Zhang Tianshi of Dragon-Tiger Mountain has sent letters to all major sects requesting help to find someone. They are looking for the Holy Maiden of Penglai Island, and according to the portrait, this Penglai Holy Maiden is... Miss Xiaobai!”

Qi Tianshu was startled. He quickly tore open the envelope and read it, then unfolded the portrait.

“It really is Xiaobai!”

Qi Tianshu's pupils constricted. He got out of the carriage, walked to Gu Mo, and handed him the letter and portrait. Then he asked Xiaobai, “Xiaobai, do you know about Penglai Island?”

Xiaobai tilted her head, thought for a moment, and then gently shook her head.

Qi Tianshu said, “Think carefully, where did you live before you came to Chen Family Village?”

Xiaobai still shook her head.

Helpless, Qi Tianshu stopped asking questions. He turned to Gu Mo and said, “Xiaobai must have encountered something after leaving Penglai Island to become so mentally incomplete.”

Gu Mo asked, “Is it possible that Xiaobai was mentally incomplete from the start?”

“The Holy Maiden of Penglai Island? That can't be, can it?”

“So a fool can't be a Holy Maiden? Who made that rule?”

Qi Tianshu: “...”

Gu Mo chuckled lightly and said, “Write back to Dragon-Tiger Mountain and tell them to contact the Penglai Island envoys to claim her. We'll know the situation once they arrive and ask.”

“You're right,” Qi Tianshu said. “As for her identity, there shouldn't be much doubt. This also conveniently explains why her body contains such powerful and unusual energy.”

Qi Tianshu actually felt a slight sense of relief. If Xiaobai had a place to settle, he wouldn't have to face her long-term. It wasn't that Canglan Sword Sect couldn't afford to support one person if Xiaobai stayed on Canglan Mountain, but rather, he genuinely didn't know how to interact with her.

At least in the short term, Qi Tianshu was unable to adjust his mindset to face Xiaobai. So, after returning to Canglan Sword Sect, he immediately announced his seclusion and hid away.

Gu Mo and Gu Chudong remained as guests at Canglan Sword Sect. Gu Chudong devoted herself to cultivation, while Gu Mo continuously observed Xiaobai.

As for Xiaobai's background, it was simply too incredible. Therefore, Gu Mo and the few others who knew kept silent, not revealing it to outsiders. Of course, Gu Mo believed that even if they did tell others, people would only treat it as a fantastical tale and few would take it seriously.

Of course, this was on the condition that it wasn't Gu Mo saying it. Otherwise, with his status as the number one under heaven, no matter how outrageous his words were, people would believe him. Moreover, the higher a person's cultivation, the more likely they were to believe, and it would snowball, making even falsehoods potentially become truth. He feared a large number of people would then flock to research reincarnation.

Time flew by, and over a month passed.

His research on Xiaobai yielded significant results; he had basically figured out how Xiaobai's reincarnation came about.

Theoretically,

whether a person is dead or not is determined by whether that person still possesses consciousness. Spiritual power is a type of ethereal body, distinct from the physical body, that constitutes consciousness.

After ordinary people die, their consciousness immediately vanishes, and their spiritual power instantly dissipates.

However, after highly cultivated Qi practitioners die, their consciousness also disappears, but their spiritual power lingers in the mortal realm. Perhaps due to certain laws or under specific conditions, reincarnation is triggered, and the spiritual power enters a human body, transforming into a fetus.

The spiritual power of such a fetus would be of the same origin as the spiritual power from the previous life, making them highly compatible.

That's why Xiaobai perfectly matched the spiritual power left behind by Yu Jinghong's wisp of divine consciousness.

However,

this theory was merely a hypothesis Gu Mo deduced based on Xiaobai's changes; it currently lacked significant verification and experimental proof.

Still,

Gu Mo was not in a hurry. For him, researching reincarnation was merely to satisfy his curiosity. He was only in his twenties, far from needing to consider his lifespan. If there truly was an urgent need, he could collect more information on wanted criminals across the land and look for those whose bounties included martial arts or rare natural treasures that could extend one's lifespan.

Upon this thought,

Gu Mo suddenly became enthusiastic. He immediately wrote a letter and entrusted a Canglan Sword Sect disciple to go down the mountain to the post office and send it to Ye Jinglan. He asked Ye Jinglan to use imperial channels to compile all the wanted criminal information from various parts of Qian Nation, and to also organize information on wanted criminals from other countries if available.

“Brother, can't you sit still again?”

In a large courtyard, Gu Chudong watched Gu Mo hand the letter to a Canglan Sword Sect disciple and couldn't help but complain, “The martial arts world says your martial arts blockage is about slaying wanted criminals, but I think that's not really the point. It seems you genuinely enjoy it, you just can't sit still! Every time you talk about catching wanted criminals, your eyes light up!”

Gu Mo smiled and said, “No hurry, but it doesn't hurt to learn more, does it? Who knows when we might encounter one? What, do you dislike money?”

Gu Chudong's eyes lit up. She linked her arm through Gu Mo's and said with a grin, “Brother, you know I've always been very supportive of you!”

Gu Mo: “...”

Just then,

a Canglan Sword Sect disciple ran up and cupped his hands, saying, “Hero Gu, Heroine Gu, the Sect Master requests your presence at the Sword Inquiry Tower.”

The Sword Inquiry Tower was the main hall of the Canglan Sword Sect. Generally, it was only opened for significant sect matters. Normally, when Qi Tianshu invited Gu Mo, he would go directly to his residence.

“What's wrong?” Gu Mo asked.

The disciple quickly replied, “Two guests have arrived; they are envoys from Penglai Island.”

Gu Mo immediately grew interested and led Gu Chudong directly to the Sword Inquiry Tower.

Gu Mo had always been very curious about the mysterious Penglai Island and was quite interested in people who came from this sacred land of Qi practitioners.

Soon,

Gu Mo and Gu Chudong arrived at the Sword Inquiry Tower.

As they entered the main hall, Gu Mo saw two very similar-looking plump men, one with a red face and one with a black face, making them highly distinguishable. These two were very lively, chattering away in the hall.

“Esteemed envoys, this is Hero Gu Mo, the current number one under heaven. And next to him is Hero Gu's sister, Heroine Gu Chudong, the youngest Grandmaster in our Yunzhou!”

“A pleasure to meet you, a pleasure to meet you!”

The two plump men quickly stood up, cupped their hands simultaneously, and uttered the exact same words. Only because one had a red face and the other a black face was it easy to distinguish them; otherwise, one might easily mistake them for a hallucination.

“Can you stop copying me?” the red-faced envoy said angrily.

“It's clearly you who's copying me,” the black-faced envoy retorted.

“Nonsense, I thought of that phrase first.”

“Bullshit, I thought of it! You just stole it from me!”

“I'm the elder brother, so what I say goes!”

“I'm the elder brother!”

“I'm the elder brother!”

“I'm the elder brother!”

The two of them started arguing in the main hall.

Gu Mo watched them, looking bewildered.

Qi Tianshu walked over and said helplessly, “These two have been arguing for quite a while now.”

“No way, are they that childish?” Gu Mo exclaimed, surprised.

Qi Tianshu pointed to his head and said, “I feel like there's something not quite right with them up here.”

“Then I'll give it a try.”

Gu Mo suggested, “Gentlemen, why don't you two fight? Whoever wins gets to be the elder brother, how about that?”

The black-faced envoy waved his hand and said, “We've already fought at Dragon-Tiger Mountain. Our minds are perfectly in sync, so neither of us can break the other's moves.”

“Exactly,” the red-faced envoy said. “It's precisely because our minds are in sync; otherwise, I would have beaten him long ago.”

Gu Mo smiled, “Being in sync isn't an issue. If one of you uses hands and the other uses feet, then it just comes down to who's smarter, doesn't it?”

The two instantly brightened.

“I'll use my feet!”

“No, I'll use them!”

“I'm the elder brother, I'll use them.”

“I'm the elder brother, I decide.”

“I'm the elder brother!”

“I'm the elder brother.”

“I'm the elder brother, you're the younger brother!”

Watching the two fall back into their endless bickering.

Gu Mo and the others looked speechless; they had somehow circled back to the same argument.

Qi Tianshu slapped his forehead with a resigned expression and said, “Gentlemen, please stop for a moment. Don't you have important business to attend to?”

“Yes, yes, yes, important business!”

The black-faced and red-faced envoys each took out a jade token from their robes. The black-faced envoy handed his to Gu Mo, and the red-faced envoy handed his to Gu Chudong.

The black-faced envoy cupped his hands and said, “Hero Gu, Heroine Gu, the First Island Lord and Second Island Lord invite both of you to Penglai Island next Mid-Autumn Festival to admire the moon and enjoy mooncakes. If you are free, please honor us with your presence!”

Gu Mo took the token and nodded slightly. Immediately after, Gu Chudong also accepted her token.

Immediately after, the red-faced envoy bowed and said, “Many thanks, Hero Gu, Heroine Gu, and Sect Master Qi, for helping us find the Holy Maiden. May we ask where the Holy Maiden is currently, and if she can be entrusted to us?”

Qi Tianshu asked, “Why is your island's Holy Maiden mentally incomplete?”

The black-faced envoy looked puzzled and said, “Hasn't she always been like this? The First Island Lord says it's a 'heart of innocence'.”

The red-faced envoy retorted, “Nonsense, 'heart of innocence' refers to us two! The Holy Maiden is incomplete in soul.”

“Oh, yes, yes, incomplete in soul,” the black-faced envoy corrected himself.

Gu Mo and Qi Tianshu exchanged a glance.

Qi Tianshu further inquired, “She doesn't recognize you.”

“Of course she doesn't recognize us,” the black-faced envoy said. “Penglai Island is not a place of the mortal realm. Without the permission of the First or Second Island Lord, one cannot enter or leave. If one forces entry, they forget their past. If one forces exit, they forget their time on the island.

The Holy Maiden forcibly left Penglai Island more than two years ago, so naturally, she wouldn't remember us or Penglai Island. However, it's no longer an issue; we have brought the Island Lord's decree this time. As soon as the Holy Maiden sees the decree, she will remember us.”

Qi Tianshu looked towards Gu Mo.

Gu Mo nodded slightly.

Immediately, Qi Tianshu sent someone to call for Xiaobai.

Since receiving the lingering wisp of Yu Jinghong's divine spiritual power in Qingyi Village, Xiaobai's mental development had shown clear improvement during this period. She occasionally learned a word or two and no longer hid when she saw people as she used to.

“Hehe, Your Highness the Holy Maiden.”

As soon as Xiaobai appeared, the black-faced envoy immediately broke into a smile. However, the smile on his face was genuinely unappealing, scaring Xiaobai into retreating repeatedly.

The red-faced envoy immediately scolded, “You ugly demon! Don't scare the Holy Maiden! Let me do it!”

Immediately after, the red-faced envoy pulled the black-faced envoy away and walked towards Xiaobai with a beaming smile. Then, with a wail, Xiaobai was directly frightened to tears.

The black-faced envoy immediately retorted sarcastically, “You're so handsome, you're so handsome! You've scared the Holy Maiden to tears, how handsome you are!”

Feeling extremely embarrassed, the red-faced envoy slapped the black-faced envoy in a fit of rage and snapped, “Enough nonsense! First, let the Holy Maiden regain her memory.”

Immediately,

the two each took out half a jade slip from their robes and slowly merged them. At that instant, a glow diffused, and Xiaobai, startled by the brightness, quickly covered her eyes.

The next instant,

the light vanished. Xiaobai lowered her hands, opened her eyes, and with a look of pure delight, ran towards the black-faced and red-faced envoys, exclaiming, “Fat Dongwang, Fat Dongqu, why are you here? Oh... I remember now, are you here to take me back?”

The red-faced and black-faced envoys quickly nodded. The red-faced envoy said, “The First Island Lord said if you don't go back, we are to forcibly tie you up and take you!”

“Of course I'm going back. It's not fun out here; there are bad people everywhere...” As she spoke, she looked at Gu Chudong and said with a giggle, “There are good people too!” She ran to Gu Chudong, grabbed her hand, and said, “Chudong, Chudong, I'm going home! Next year, when you visit my home, I'll take you to play. My home is a really big island, and there's lots and lots of delicious food and fun things there!”

“Okay,” Gu Chudong nodded.

Xiaobai then looked at Qi Tianshu and said, “Old Grandpa, I want to go see Grandma and Xiaolong.”

Qi Tianshu's heart tightened at being called “Old Grandpa,” feeling very awkward. He quickly motioned for a disciple to take Xiaobai to see the people, while he himself turned and left directly.

Soon, Xiaobai bid farewell to the old woman and Xiaolong, the grandmother and grandson from Chen Family Village, and then followed the two Penglai Island envoys down the mountain.

Gu Mo, Gu Chudong, and Shang Buyu escorted the three to the mountain gate.

Xiaobai waved goodbye and quickly departed.

The black-faced and red-faced envoys, one on each side, continued to argue as they walked alongside Xiaobai.

Suddenly, the black-faced envoy asked, “Why aren't you letting us fight today? Last time at Dragon-Tiger Mountain, you were ready to fight.”

The red-faced envoy said, “Are you stupid? At Dragon-Tiger Mountain, Master Zhang Tianshi was severely injured, so even if we broke things, he couldn't catch us to demand compensation. But today is different; Gu Mo and Qi Tianshu aren't injured. What if they pin us down and beat us?”

“Oh, you're right! You seem to have gotten smarter!”

The two of them playfully descended the mountain. At the foot of the mountain, they retrieved a sedan chair from a cave.

Xiaobai sat inside the sedan chair.

The two Penglai envoys carried the sedan chair, one in front and one behind, and departed. Their speed increased steadily; eventually, they were almost flying, carrying the sedan chair across the mountains and fields without their feet touching the ground. Seemingly oblivious to fatigue, they ran continuously from noon until evening, covering three or four hundred *li* in one stretch, well beyond the borders of Canglan Mountain.

The two carried the sedan chair, weaving through the forest.

Seeing that it was already getting dark, the black-faced envoy said, “Should we find a place to rest?”

“Are you crazy? Where would we find a place to rest in this forest?”

“Oh, right. Well then, let's keep running.”

“But I'm a bit hungry.”

“Then, I'll stay here to protect the Holy Maiden, and you go into the mountains to hunt some game.”

The two put the sedan chair down.

The red-faced envoy immediately prepared to leave.

But suddenly, he saw a bright light approaching in the night, growing closer and brighter.

“Is that a shooting star?” the red-faced envoy asked.

The black-faced envoy leaned closer and said, “That... seems to be a sword.”

“Huh, it really is a sword!”

The streak of light instantly descended, hovering in the air. It was indeed an ancient, blunted heavy sword, floating there in the forest, with patterns appearing on its blade.

The red-faced envoy asked curiously, “Why is this sword floating in the air?”

The black-faced envoy curled his lip and said, “Don't you think this sword looks familiar? Doesn't it look like Jiang Ruoxu's Startled Thunder Sword?”

“It does seem like it,” the red-faced envoy said. “But if the Startled Thunder Sword is here, then where is Jiang Ruoxu?”

“Idiot,” the black-faced envoy said, “Jiang Ruoxu is naturally inside the sword. Have you forgotten? The last time we saw Jiang Ruoxu, he had already become the sword spirit of the Startled Thunder Sword.”

“Oh, right,” the red-faced envoy said. “Then, if the Startled Thunder Sword is here, doesn't that mean Jiang Ruoxu has arrived?”

The black-faced envoy immediately stepped forward and shouted, “Jiang Ruoxu, what are you doing here? Did you lose your Penglai token and come to ask us for another one?”

Just then, the Startled Thunder Sword, suspended in mid-air, suddenly emitted a clear, resonant hum, sounding like a dragon's roar, shaking dewdrops from the branches.

Around the sword body, white mist gradually rose, like threads of gauze, churning and coalescing under the moonlight.

Within the mist, a figure slowly materialized. It was a very strange figure, almost transparent, faintly glowing with a dim, ethereal light.

This person's face was as pale as paper, utterly bloodless. His eyebrows were like ink-drawn strokes, his eyes like cold stars, still radiating a sharp, world-defying brilliance as if capable of piercing through all illusions in the world. This person was none other than the previous number one under heaven, Jiang Ruoxu.

Jiang Ruoxu's figure shimmered slightly, seemingly both illusory and real. There was no sound from his steps, yet the surrounding air rippled faintly. He looked at the two Penglai Island envoys and calmly said, “After meeting you two a while ago, the more I thought about it, the more something felt off. So, I decided to come today and see if you are truly human. Is Penglai Island cultivating a group of Qi practitioners, or a group of ghosts!”

Immediately,

Jiang Ruoxu pointed a sword finger through the air at the two.

In that instant, an ethereal sword intent appeared, so fast the two envoys couldn't even clearly see it.

But,

Jiang Ruoxu suddenly heard a telepathic message: “Jiang Ruoxu, I can resolve all your doubts.”

Jiang Ruoxu looked towards the sedan chair.