Chapter 326: Gu He and Yun Yun's Nightly Talk, the Miserable Gu He
Yun Yun's beautiful eyes swept toward the tightly closed door. Her delicate, pale hand clenched tightly, sharp nails pressing into her palm. Suddenly, her brows furrowed, and she let out a cold shout.
At that moment, a faint sound echoed from within the grand hall.
Sigh…
"I didn't expect that even with your Dou Qi sealed by Yun Shan, your perception would still be this sharp. Yun Yun, it's been a long time."
A helpless and somewhat bitter voice slowly rang out. Moments later, a tall figure emerged from the shadows of the hall.
His face was familiar none other than the so called Dan King, Gu He, who had once ventured to the Tagor Desert to seize a Heavenly Flame.
Previously a fifth tier alchemist, Gu He had advanced to the sixth tier over the past three years.
Now, he was a completely different person from before. Even ordinary Dou Huang powerhouses treated him with great respect.
Such was the terrifying status of a sixth tier alchemist. Even a Dou Zong (Dou Ancestor) would not easily disregard him. This was precisely why Yun Shan sought to win him over.
After all, even the Hall of Souls valued sixth tier alchemists highly. Han Feng had used his status as a sixth tier alchemist to dominate the Black Corner Region, even establishing the Black Alliance.
This alone proved the immense influence such an alchemist could wield.
Standing with his hands behind his back, Gu He's figure was as awkward as ever.
At least, that was Wu Tian's evaluation of him.
Though Gu He carried himself with dignity, the two small mustaches beneath his nose completely ruined his image.
To Wu Tian, he was the epitome of creepiness.
Perhaps, in the eyes of a rival, he was nothing more than a pile of dog crap.
"It's you?"
Upon seeing Gu He appear, Yun Yun's expression faltered for a moment before she arched her brows and let out a cold sneer.
"Gu He, I never expected that the so called Dan Emperor would be such a despicable person, taking advantage of someone in distress. I once thought highly of you."
Hearing this, Gu He was momentarily stunned. Then, as if realizing something, he let out a bitter laugh.
"This has nothing to do with me. It was all Yun Shan's idea. He wanted me to… and besides, you know how I feel about you."
"If you truly don't want to, does it matter if it was Yun Shan's idea?"
Yun Yun's eyes were piercing as she stared Gu He down, her voice pressing in aggressively.
Though her Dou Qi was sealed, her aura remained undiminished.
Faced with her overwhelming presence, Gu He rubbed his forehead in frustration, then sighed after a long silence.
"Yun Shan's proposal… is incredibly tempting for me.
You know my feelings for you. It's not as if you're unaware you just chose to ignore them all these years."
"You…"
Yun Yun lowered her gaze slightly and shook her head.
"You are a rare and valuable friend. But… if you truly value our past relationship, you will reject my teacher's proposal. Only then can we remain friends. Otherwise, do not blame me for severing all ties."
Bathed in the dim glow of the hall's lanterns, Yun Yun's delicate face carried a chilling coldness.
Gu He sighed deeply, then said with a forced smile:
"Haha… Do you really think my refusal would change anything?"
"If I reject this, what do you think will happen to me?"
"More importantly, if I refuse… do you think you won't end up marrying someone else anyway?"
"And that person… might even be "
"Shut up!"
Yun Yun's expression changed drastically.
She snapped at him in anger, cutting him off before he could continue.
"Stop speaking nonsense! My teacher would never do something like that!"
Gu He's words shook her to the core.
She had thought about this possibility herself but she dared not dwell on it.
Because in her heart, she still clung to the belief that Yun Shan retained some semblance of humanity.
If what Gu He said was true…
Then Yun Shan was worse than a beast.
Gu He's expression darkened with bitterness as he shook his head.
"You still foolishly believe that Yun Shan is the same kind, benevolent master he once was?"
"Yun Shan is no longer the man you once knew."
"He is no longer my respected senior nor your revered teacher. He is now "
"Enough!!"
Yun Yun's face had grown frosty, and she shouted furiously.
Gu He fell silent for a long moment, then, with a lowered voice, finally spoke:
"You're rejecting me because of that Snake People bastard, Wu Tian, aren't you?"
The moment that name was uttered, Yun Yun's expression changed again.
She turned toward Gu He, her eyes filled with unspoken emotions.
"Yun Yun, I'm not an idiot… Yun Shan already told me everything.
Heh… and what's most ridiculous is that you actually told your 'caring' teacher about everything that happened between you and Wu Tian."
"Wu Tian, the so called 'Guardian Elder' of the Snake People Tribe, is now our Yun Lan Sect's greatest enemy.
And yet, Yun Yun, the sect leader of Yun Lan Sect… wants to offer herself to a man who already has a wife?
How utterly laughable."
Gu He's expression turned bitter.
He had always been proud
Yet today, he found himself losing to a married man.
Him. A sixth tier alchemist. A Dou Huang. A man with status and power.
And yet, he couldn't compete.
Even with all the women who dreamed of becoming his wife, he had only ever loved Yun Yun
And now, she chose Wu Tian instead?
He clenched his fists.
"This Wu Tian commands the entire Snake People Tribe, he founded Cailin Pavilion, he commands dozens of Dou Wang and Dou Huang powerhouses, and his own strength is immeasurable.
Even as a sixth tier alchemist, I know I cannot match him."
"If I want to win you over, I have no choice but to align with Yun Shan.
Yun Lan Sect is not what it once was… and I have no other options."
As he spoke, an aura of determination burst forth from him.
If it weren't for Yun Yun, he never would have allowed himself to be used by Yun Shan.
But to give up on the woman he loved?
He couldn't do it.
Yun Yun understood his resolve.
Gu He's feelings for her were genuine but she only ever saw him as a friend.
Because deep in her heart, there was only one man.
The very man that Gu He had just mocked.
Perhaps…
Gu He was right.
Perhaps she was indeed a fool.
Yun Yun parted her lips slightly, her cold gaze meeting his.
"Gu He, you and I are the same.
Neither of us can be forced into something against our will.
Not even by my teacher."
"If he insists then all he will get is a cold, lifeless corpse."
"For that man?"
Gu He's face twisted with fury.
For that man… she would rather die?
This was unacceptable.
He was a sixth tier alchemist, a Dou Huang powerhouse
And yet, he had lost.
To a man who was stronger.
More powerful.
More influential.
More handsome.
Younger.
More charismatic.
And with far more women…
Gu He felt his chest tighten.
He clenched his fists.
"Damn it… What's even the point of competing anymore?"
His only saving grace was that…
At least Wu Tian wouldn't challenge him in alchemy.
Right?
…
Right?
…
(End of Chapter)
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