novelzi Chapter 45 – Fate has kept us from holding hands across the way
Chapter 45 – Fate has kept us from holding hands across the way
Gu Xuanyuan and Jiang Aonan, reunited after a long separation, arranged accommodations for everyone before heading straight to the City Lord's mansion in Yong'an City to drink and reminisce.
The accommodations for Gu Feng, Fang Feixue, and Hou Yixiao were arranged in the guest rooms directly affiliated with the Imperial City of Yong'an.
The maids from the City Lord's mansion led everyone to the location, where the cave dwellings were filled with abundant spiritual energy, and the courtyard was surrounded by a variety of flowers, birds, and trees, creating a refreshing atmosphere.
By the time it was the hour of Hai, the female servants in the Imperial City had tidied up the rooms and daily necessities for everyone and were ready to leave early.
Hou Yixiao, with a twinkle in his eyes, suggested, "I've heard the night market temple fair in Yong'an City is extremely lively. I have a mind to check it out. Would the sequence be interested in joining?"
Raising his eyebrows noncommittally, Gu Feng knew this guy was full of mischief and wouldn't stay idle at night. He didn't respond to Hou Yixiao but instead looked at Fang Feixue.
"Let's go, it might be nice to take a stroll!"
Fang Feixue had intended to go for a walk, but she wasn't too fond of Hou Yixiao's behavior, making her hesitate for a moment.
Seeing her concern, Gu Feng smiled and said, "Just think of him as our bag carrier and ignore him."
At that, Fang Feixue no longer hesitated and nodded.
The three of them received tokens from the maid to enter and exit the Imperial City, to avoid causing any trouble like before.
Casually rewarding a few beginner-grade spirit stones to one of the household servants, Gu Feng hoped he could serve as a guide for the night. After all, this was Yong'an City, and they were unfamiliar with the place, so having a local guide would be convenient.
The household servant, overjoyed with the reward, eagerly agreed.
The group took to the air, led by the household servant, flying directly to the most bustling night market in the city.
Along the way, the household servant enthusiastically introduced the customs and culture of Yong'an City.
Before long, they arrived at the most bustling night market in Yong'an City—Yunluo Street!
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Gu Feng was utterly amazed by the bustling scene before him.
The various lights made the street seem like a winding, colorful dragon.
Yunluo Street stretched for dozens of miles, with stalls and cultivators selling goods lining both sides, various lights flying back and forth, and the crowd was packed.
The cries of vendors and the noise of haggling filled the air, adding a lively atmosphere to the night in Yong'an City.
"Come take a look, all kinds of cultivation artifacts available!"
"Top-quality artifact refining material, Earthfire Iron! Don't miss it!"
"Mysterious Rank cultivation method, Aurora Ghost Finger, selling cheap! Only three hundred medium-grade spirit stones!"
"Luofu Elixirs for sale! Top-quality Foundation Establishment elixirs!"
Walking on Yunluo Street, even Gu Feng was dazzled by the array of goods.
Many rare treasures were things he had never even heard of, sparking his curiosity!
Gu Feng walked to a stall, where various items were displayed, including insect pupae, plants, and even what seemed like animal bones.
"Young master, these are authentic Gu sources from the Northern Wilderness. Which one catches your eye? The price is negotiable."
The stall owner was a middle-aged man with a sharp face, dressed in plain clothes, his long hair messy, looking like a beggar fleeing from famine.
"Gu sources?"
Gu Feng raised his eyebrows in suspicion.
Seeing his confusion, Fang Feixue explained, "Gu cultivators from the Northern Wilderness use various Gu techniques to harm others and protect themselves, and Gu sources are the foundation for practicing these techniques."
Gu sources are the core of Gu cultivators' techniques and the refining of various Gu poisons.
With the corresponding cultivation method and Gu source, a Gu cultivator's techniques can unleash great power.
The forms of Gu sources vary, some resembling insects or beasts, others like plants, and some even like ordinary stones.
But without exception, Gu sources are only found in the Northern Wilderness, a major specialty of the Northern Wilderness.
The stall owner, seeing Gu Feng's attire, guessed he must be a wealthy young master from a large cultivation family, seemingly visiting the border for the first time and unfamiliar with Gu sources.
Watching the flower-selling girl's retreating figure, Fang Feixue pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "Gu Feng, did you know that when I was young, I was very much like her."
Gu Feng remained silent, just quietly observing Fang Feixue's thoughtful face.
"Back then, I was still a mortal, living with my parents in Banyan Tree Village..."
As she spoke, Fang Feixue fell into her memories and continued, "My mother was in poor health, and my father was just an ordinary farmer. To help treat my mother's illness and support the family, I would go into the mountains every day to gather herbs, then carry them to town to sell. Whatever didn't sell, I would take home and brew into medicine for my mother..."
She gave a bitter smile, lowered her head, and continued, "Later, I met my adoptive father. He brought me to Heroic Spirit City, and through hard work, I became a cultivator, advancing from Qi Refining to Golden Core, and now to the Elemental Infant Realm. I never dared to slack off for a day because I knew, coming from a poor background, I had no one to rely on if I didn't strive..."
Looking at Gu Feng, Fang Feixue's eyes were misty.
"Do you know how dangerous it is for a ten-year-old girl to go into the mountains alone to gather herbs?"
"Do you know how difficult it is for a newly arrived mortal girl to establish herself in the cultivation world?"
Gu Feng remained silent and replied, "I know..."
"No, you don't..."
Fang Feixue interrupted Gu Feng, looking into his eyes, and said firmly, "You were born into nobility, protected by the Gu Family, and favored by the City Lord. How could you possibly understand the struggles of ordinary cultivators like us?"
The two fell into an awkward silence.
"I understand your feelings. Maybe I'm not as adaptable as you, but I'm not foolish."
Gu Feng's heart trembled, and he held his breath.
After a moment, Fang Feixue lowered her head and, with a hint of grievance, slowly said, "But the difference in our statuses is truly worlds apart..."
"If we were to be together, who would protect my dignity in the future?"
Fang Feixue choked up, her heart filled with turmoil. The disparity in their statuses left her feeling anxious and fearful.
Gu Feng felt a bitter smile in his heart. He had long known that what Fang Feixue cared about most was the issue of status.
In this world, aside from strength, one's background was an insurmountable chasm. Even when cultivators formed partnerships, they often considered social standing.
But Gu Feng didn't see it that way.
Having lived two lives, he was naturally carefree, daring to love and hate, unwilling to be bound by such trivial rules.
If even choosing his own partner required others' arrangements to satisfy his family, then what was the point of cultivation? What was the point of seeking the Dao!?
Might as well just bash his head against a block of tofu and be done with it!
Unfortunately, Fang Feixue was extremely traditional, deeply influenced by the ruling class of the Gu Family in Heroic Spirit City, and was immensely worried about this.
Just as Gu Feng was about to persuade her, an untimely shout came from behind!
"Feixue, what a coincidence!"
His ears perked up, and Gu Feng recognized the voice all too well, silently cursing the narrowness of fate.
Turning around, it was indeed Yan Wushuang, that pretty boy.
As soon as Fang Feixue saw Yan Wushuang, she immediately let go of Gu Feng's hand and hid the Vaitara flowers behind her.
Yan Wushuang noticed but remained composed, cupping his hands toward Gu Feng and saying, "Greetings, Young Master Gu."
"Commander Yan, are you also here to stroll the night market?"
Gu Feng suppressed his anger, forcing a smile as he asked.
Nodding, Yan Wushuang replied with an unchanged expression, "I just finished some official duties and came to relax. I didn't expect to run into you here."
"Ah, what a fateful meeting from a thousand miles away!"
His words were flawless, and Gu Feng, seeing through it all, knew this guy had come specifically to see Fang Feixue. He quickly responded with a sarcastic tone, "It's just a pity that in this world, strange things happen, and often, even when face to face, hands cannot be held!"
Recalling how Gu Feng and Fang Feixue had been holding hands earlier, Yan Wushuang felt a lump in his throat but ignored Gu Feng, turning to the flustered Fang Feixue and gently saying, "Feixue, it's been a long time since we last met. Why don't we find a place to have a drink and catch up?"
Hearing this, Gu Feng was almost driven to madness!
This pretty boy! Damn it, he's challenging me head-on!
"Snatching someone right in front of me! And he wants to find a place to have a drink? Does he think I'm dead or something!?"