81. The Underbelly
Tie Ruo Nan left the next day. But Lo Jik didn’t touch her Gu. He merely informed Bai Ning Bing to be careful about it. Lo Jik does wish Ruo Nan good fortunes. He hopes she shoots through the cultivation and ascends to become an Immortal. Lo Jik can try and get Platinum Achievements. The best scenario will be his words affecting Ruo Nan enough to become more Demonic (Individual.) Once she leaves, Lo Jik resumes his routine. He enters the Gambling dens to lose. He does open a Rank 1 or Rank 2 Gu rarely. But his luck never shone as bright as the Rank 5 Thousand Li Earthwolf.
He also takes a few rocks for Lucky Charm.
All these are Strength Path Gu Lo Jik ignored before. Now? Lo Jik will feed all these Gu to the Dreamer Gu after opening them. Some may die. However, most of them are Rank 3 and 4 Gu. There are also two Rank 5 Beast Strength Gu.
Lo Jik is resolved to see how long it takes to achieve a Master Achievement!
But he is also mindful of the Dreamer Gu Worm’s condition. The Gu gets injured sometimes. So, the progress isn’t incredible.
Days and months pass as they approach the year’s end. Lo Jik sometimes spends time with Xin Ci. But she is also busy.
Sometimes, Lo Jik flies under Wei Yang’s guidance or drinks with the man. He socializes with almost every person. Lo Jik even found time to greet a few Young Masters as his life in the Shang Clan turned stable.
So, it righteously annoys the only individual he wholeheartedly ignores after the lengths she went to attract his attention.
“Pfft!” Lo Jik laughs. “Fruits inside of soup? That’s stupid.” He moves a piece as he and Bai Ning Bing sit near the pond. He frowns. “Why not? Fruits are used for the soup’s stock. Why not add it to the soup.”
“It will be disgusting and soggy unless it has a meat texture,” Lo Jik shrugs. He drinks a spoonful of soup. “This one is good. Where did you buy it from?”
“Me Shi’s Soup Pond,” Bai Ning Bing replies. “I will need another year to go through them all.”
“Sigh, it’s already been a year,” Lo Jik huffs. “It’s your turn. Move a damn piece.”
“I’m thinking.”
“The more you think, the more you lose.”
“Is that what your foolish lovers taught you?” Bai Ning Bing shoots with a roll of his eyes. Lo Jik instead stares at him before wagging his brows.
“Please,” he scoffs. “If you can’t accept me with a penis, you don’t deserve my—”
“Gu Yue Lo Jik,” a cold voice interrupts their match. The voice abruptly turns soft and mellow. “Ah~! Junior Bai Ning Bing is here, too. Here. I brought you some soup.”
Lo Jik and Bai Ning Bing stare at Su Shou entering the courtyard with eight followers. While a veil covers Su Shou’s features, her subordinates are neat and beautiful. One of the subordinates walks over to Bai Ning Bing and sets a bowl.
“One for him, too,” Bai Ning Bing grunts in annoyance. The servant hesitates when Su Shou nods slightly. Bai Ning Bing wouldn’t care less. However, Lo Jik has the disgusting habit of shoving his sloven spoon into his bowl for a taste! As if Bai Ning Bing wants Lo Jik’s saliva anywhere near his bowl! Lo Jik knows where the youth would like it. But that ain’t happening even for an Immortal Gu.
Well…
If it’s an Immortal Gu… Things can be discussed, right?
That’s a WHOLE Immortal Gu!
Bai Ning Bing and Lo Jik taste the soup as Su Shou sits on the chair near Bai Ning Bing. Her cold glare lands on Lo Jik.
“You are living well, Gu Yue Lo Jik. Don’t you want to know what happened to all the Mind-Body-True Connection and the Bitter Strength Gu?”
“Thank you for your concerns, Senior Su,” Lo Jik smiles as he intentionally slurps the soup. “I have had an unlucky streak finding a Gu. I rest my hopes on the Super Auction. Since we missed the previous one, I plan to save for the Super Auction for the coming year.”
Su Shou narrows her eyes.
She did all that to make Lo Jik impatient. However, he wasn’t impatient at all!
Instead, Lo Jik now realizes that Su Shou needs him. Or she wouldn’t come looking for him months later. Now Lo Jik understands his charm isn’t divine enough to make Su Shou want ‘it’ after a meeting. But she must have other needs.
Su Shou sneers but doesn’t speak a thing.
In fact, she only speaks with Bai Ning Bing after that, as if Lo Jik doesn’t exist. However, Lo Jik hears a voice emerge in his head.
“This is a consumable Rank 4 Hear My Voice Gu. Meet me alone in my private courtyard in the Fourth Inner City. Nobody knows of it except Yan Fei.” The familiar voice from Su Shou explains all the directions and the methods to enter the courtyard before claiming in a deadly tone. “Don’t be late.”
She doesn’t add a threat because she doesn’t need to.
Lo Jik calmly drinks his soup and places another piece. Su Shou briefly stares at the board before glancing at Bai Ning Bing. Bai Ning Bing’s gaze brightens as he moves a piece.
‘Woah!’ Lo Jik blinks. ‘I didn’t know Bai Ning Bing became that good—’ he glances at Su Shou. ‘Is that bitch using Rank 4 consumable Gu just to let Bai Ning Bing defeat me? She’s nuts!’
He narrows his eyes but doesn’t say anything.
Su Shou leaves once Bai Ning Bing takes the win.
As the night arrives, Lo Jik moves through the city before arriving at the appointed location. He often uses his scouting Gu to locate any traps. However, he didn’t find any aside from the ones Su Shou taught to avoid. Once he enters through the back door, Lo Jik observes the unadorned but otherwise neat space. He walks through the hall before turning left and knocking on the door.
“Come in,” a soothing voice answers as Lo Jik walks inside.
He half-expected this to be some swinger invitation. But he clearly hoped too much. How can it be so easy to get Golden Achievements?
Lo Jik glances at Su Shou… Well, he stares at her more than necessary. He always expected Su Shou to have a beauty complex due to some sort of mutilation. So, he always wondered what this Rank 5 Gu Master couldn’t heal. Looking through her veil might have been dangerous, so Lo Jik never used the Heaven Piercing Eye Gu.
But now?
He stares at features just as enticing as Xin Ci. Her soft almond eyes, brown pupils, pillowy pink lips, and the quiet smile make her appear—
“Divine, no?” She questions as Lo Jik snaps out. He blinks and frowns. What happened? He never—
“Divine Disposition Gu?” Lo Jik hesitates and questions.
Su Shou lets out a surprised noise. “Good. You are knowledgeable. But it’s not just the Divine Disposition Gu. I refined my body using the Divine Beauty set. This set does not change my features but how they are perceived. It’s a set under Enchantment Path. It’s as good as the Alluring Minx Set.”
She introduces the Gu while pointing at the seat.
Lo Jik quietly accepts the seat.
‘So, it wasn’t a beauty complex. No. In a sense, it is a beauty complex. Just not the way I assumed.’
“Do you know why you are here?”
Ordinarily, this is where Lo Jik will insert a joke. But things grew out of his control too fast. He knows when not to act like a cocky pervert. So, he quietly shakes his head, not saying a word.
Su Shou doesn’t reveal her usual arrogance. Instead, she appraises Lo Jik again. Appreciation flickers in her gaze as an enchanting smile blooms on her face. Lo Jik feels his body stir at the sight as she questions. “Do you not hate how Su Shou acts?”
Resisting the urge to get a boner since her smile evokes all kinds of emotions, Lo Jik frowns. He bites the flesh of his lips from the inside of his mouth.
“There is no hatred, Senior Su,” Lo Jik speaks calmly despite his slightly quivering eyes. He is ready to attack the moment things shift. He lacks adequate defenses for the Soul and the Mind. He can’t take astounding risks.
She narrows her eyes. “I’m not Su Shou,” the woman smiles. “But my name can wait for later.”
Her appraising glance descends onto his almost naked body under the cover of loose robes.
What a lacking day to be wearing such revealing clothes.
“Do you know Yan Fei wishes to recruit you and Ning Bing?” Su Shou rests her elbows on the table, allowing her palms to cup her cheeks as she leans forward. “I know Yan Fei. He isn’t interested in Bai Ning Bing. He sees himself in you. Take away the aptitude, and you two are almost the same!”
Her brown eyes turn into a daze as she reminisces something. Soon, poison and hate flicker in her eyes.
“Do you know? It’s the first time Yan Fei revealed a weakness. Xin Ci has a unique position in his heart.” She chuckles. “I wish to crush his heart alongside Xin Ci whenever I look at her.”
Lo Jik’s expression turns slightly alert. One does not reveal such traitorous acts without having enough confidence. Oh, why did he get lured by the Golden Rewards? Sigh. He knows why. Isn’t the Dreamer Gu a Golden Achievement’s reward? What about Particle Viewing and others? The class of goodies received from a Golden Achievement is nothing short of a mortal True Inheritance from an Immortal’s Legacy!
Heck! He got two Yellow Relic Gu!
Su Shou sighs.
“But Xin Ci is too kind. She isn’t like Yan Fei’s vile spawns,” she shakes her head. “That is true beauty. So mild… kind, and trustful.”
“I want you to hear a story, Unchained,” she narrows her eyes. “It’s about a young girl who didn’t know better. Would you like to hear it?”
“I would,” Lo Jik regathers his composure.
She nods. Appreciation blooms in her gaze.
“There once was a girl found in the flowers,” she recites. “She grew besides death and life, so pure and joyous.”
“Old Sheng Shi called her Jiu. He taught and braided her hair. So deep was their bond, Jiu never cared.”
“Once came in a youth, a peasant amongst men. But he was the first man, a sight Jiu adored.”
“She played and talked; they smiled and laughed. Then, they issued a Vow forever last.”
Her voice turns mournful. The sadness in Su Shou’s expression tugs on Lo Jik’s heartstrings. However, he only becomes more alert.
“A fool she was, the Blood-Haired laughed. The visitor consoled Jiu’s broken heart.”
“For the vow was insincere, the toad lusted for swan. The swan set sights on a red snake.”
“One poisoned her mind, and the other bit her heart. The blood Jiu shed freed her from the vow that never last.”
“Jiu left with the visitor. Her heart grew sweeter with a handsome lad.”
Her eyes turn red.
“Yet when the duties called, the red-haired snake snared her at last. Torn and mourning, Jiu wondered.”
“If not ugly and beautiful, what is sacred?”
“Herself, she thought. So poisoned was her heart she ended an innocent life at last.”
“The Shadow in Jiu’s heart deepened; she enraged the snake. But he was helpless.”
“Jiu was the poison he made.”
Su Shou closes her eyes and sheds a lone tear. Regathering her emotions, Su Shou opens her eyes. She smiles at Lo Jik, questioning softly. “So? What do you think? You must think that Jiu was a fool.”
Lo Jik works his jaws. How can he look away from an opportunity? Su Shou revealed pretty shocking things. He won’t be able to back away. To think she was once pregnant with Yan Fei’s child.
Still, Lo Jik questions.
“What about the rest?”
Su Shou blinks.
“What?”
Lo Jik smiles and momentarily closes his eyes before speaking softly.
“Now she grew, the woman lost. Jiu was with the flowers; Shou among the thorns.”
Su Shou’s eyes widen as Lo Jik continues.
“Did the poison deepened, she wondered.”
“Lost in the past; Shou wandered the lonely path.”
“Is it the end? Does the path extend?”
“Did Jiu and Shou suffer for nothing?”
“Will Jiu look beyond the beautiful flowers? Would Shou peer through the thorns?”
“When the past unburdens, will the story move along?”
Su Shou stares at Lo Jik in a daze as he grows quiet.
“That’s what I think, Senior Su,” he replies.
“When the past unburdens…” Su Shou whispers. Her gaze slightly brightens. She glances at Lo Jik with a note of admiration.
“No wonder Yan Fei wants you under Xin Ci,” Su Shou sighs. “But you are too similar. You cannot follow commands. Yan Fei is one individual you will never work under. Are you aware of Yan Fei’s past? He is a Blood Path Gu Master. He once discovered the True Inheritance ground of the Blood Sea Ancestor. He attained his notable Blood Palm Gu from that True Inheritance, using it to eliminate his competition.”
Su Shou continues.
“After becoming the Young Clan Leader. He spent considerable time finding another True Inheritance.”
“This True Inheritance was the Blood Shadow Gu. So, Shang Yan Fei has two Immortal Gu that he lent the Supreme Elders for research. While he cannot use the Blood Palm Immortal Gu, the Blood Shadow Gu is another matter.”
“From Rank 1-5, the Blood Shadow Gu is a consumable Gu that achieves the effects of Slavery Gu. Instead of straining the mind, the Gu Master can forcefully control the target using a mere drop of blood. However, the Bood Shadow Immortal Gu doesn’t have the weakness of being a consumable Gu. Its effects are stricter, too.”
Su Shou reveals a shocking secret. “I angered Yan Fei. However, he dared not kill me. I was half the reason why he ascended to the Clan Leader’s position. I was his trusted aide until I found he used the Rank 5 Blood Shadow Gu on me. Hehe. Do you know how he did it? He used it through our unborn child. I…”
She grits her teeth. “I flushed it all out. So, Yan Fei used half the blood in the system at the time to forcefully use the Blood Shadow Immortal Gu. Others don’t know it. But several higher-ups are already under Shang Yan Fei’s control.”
Lo Jik's brain buzzes.
“So, he can control his children?” Lo Jik blinks as Su Shou shakes her head.
“Everyone’s blood is unique to them, like their Essence. Yan Fei has to introduce his blood into their system. However, no. He never controlled his children.”
Lo Jik grows silent as Su Shou continues.
“Now, you understand it’s an open trap. Although I shared this information, Yan Fei will do nothing to me. Unlike the Slavery Gu, Blood Shadow Gu does not instate utmost loyalty for the user. So, even if you reveal my intentions of betrayal to Yan Fei, he will kill you instead of killing a Rank 5 Gu Master, whom he can control at his beck and call.”
Lo Jik doesn’t reveal any outward reaction.
“Because I know you’re similar to Yan Fei, I understand you would be willing to go against him and the likes of Empress Wu Ji with adequate temptations.”
Su Shou smiles slightly.
“I won’t force you. That won’t make you work to your bones.”
“Oh,” Lo Jik chuckles and sighs. “Now I am to work to my bones?”
“If you wish to surpass Yan Fei and become an Immortal—yes.”
He blinks and looks at her.
“Do you think you alone aspire to become an Immortal?” Su Shou giggles. There is slight desolation in her voice. “I cannot cultivate past Rank 5 Middle Stage. He cut my path!” Her glare sharpens. “Yan Fei is shrewd. He understands my exterior to the clan is an act. Did you know? The words—Ugly people should die and let the beautiful thrive—were never mine.”
She chuckles bitterly. “Although I like beauty, I prefer one’s inner beauty. I suffered at the hands of ugly and beautiful alike. No. Shang Yan Fei controlled my body and expression. It was a reminder of how much control he had over me. I cannot even self-destruct!”
Su Shou grits her jaw.
“I want you to assist me. This body is lost. I can only leave it behind. I want you to carry my soul and help me find the Man Defying Dead Gu.”
Lo Jik’s eyelids twitch. “Man Defying Dead Gu is refined from the Raising Dead Gu. How can I find that consumable Rank 5 Gu? It can create a new body around the soul. Doesn’t the Shang Clan have it?”
“They only have one,” Su Shou replies candidly. “However, Yan Fei will not let me exchange it.”
“It doesn’t matter how long it takes. I prefer dying a ghost to a slave. If you fail, it’s alright. But you can have a chance to ascend that realm with me as your guide.”
“You know about Immortal Ascension?” Lo Jik cast a suspicious glance.
“Yan Fei found me in a Blessed Land,” Su Shou smiles. “I cannot reveal its contents because of the restriction Gu used on me. Even Yan Fei’s Blood Shadow Immortal Gu could not overwrite it.”
Lo Jik frowns.
“Are you thinking why the Supreme Elders didn’t search my soul?” She smiles alluringly. “They tried and received backlashes. My soul is protected through an Immortal method. I cannot be broken.”
“Everything can be broken,” Lo Jik refutes. “This is too dangerous, Senior Su. You overestimate my capabilities.”
“Are you saying you cannot escape the Shang Clan with a Rank 5 Thousand Li Earthwolf?”
“I could escape with an ordinary Rank 5 Gu Mortal. But you have Lord Immortals’ attention.”
“They cannot sense my soul,” she assures.
“I cannot.”
“Do you have a choice?” Su Shou sneers. Her expression softens once Lo Jik grows silent. “I hate restricting others. I do. Everyone under Heaven deserves freedom. However, even Ren Zu died as a slave. What choice do we have?”
She persuades, “Oh, Unchained. You are not free. You remain ignorant of the chains wrapped around your neck, wrists, and ankles.”
Lo Jik lowers his head.
He isn’t afraid. He is merely calculating. Is it worth offending the Shang Clan for the mysterious Su Shou?
Others might think not. But what about Lo Jik? He has his Trait. Su Shou is a healing Gu Master. He might get the Rank 5 Man Defying Dead Gu from his Trait’s rewards! So, it’s not a question of daring.
It’s the question of worth.
“I don’t have an answer yet.”
“It’s understandable,” Su Shou smiles. “I can wait for years. Take all the time to grow. However, you cannot step outside the Shang Clan’s Fifth Inner City without notifying me. Doing so will compel me to reveal my traitorous thoughts to Yan Fei and reveal his newest victims.”
“Oh, there were others?” Lo Jik smiles bitterly. “Joy.”
“Hehe,” Su Shou licks her lips. “I tried being with others. But dearest Yan Fei killed them all. And I lost interest when getting close to others no longer provoked him. However, you are the first Partner-in-Crime I’ve had after Yan Fei.”
Lo Jik blanks out. “You’re married?”
Su Shou shrugs. “Yes. I’m Yan Fei’s 13th and last wife.”
‘Holy shit…’ Lo Jik’s body shudders. This could be a Platinum! A Rank 5 bitch married to a control freak who is ALSO a Rank 5 Gu Master? Does the marriage create a qualitative change? Lo Jik hopes it does!
“Are you scared?” She questions once she notices Lo Jik’s body briefly tremble.
Lo Jik blinks before allowing his shoulders to slump.
“I’m fucked, Senior Su. Do you have the face to ask me that? Isn’t it better if I return the Essence Cloud Elephant King Gu? Let’s pretend none of this happened. You can keep commenting on how ugly I am while fawning over Xin Ci and Ning Bing.”
“Beauty?” Su Shou sneers. “Them? Ability is beauty.” Her gaze turns scorching. “You are an able man, Lo Jik. Help me. I shall return the favor with everything. I’m a fool who trusts easily. Just don’t break it. I promise I won’t haunt you.”
He exhales. “May I leave for now?”
“Yes.”
“Just like that?” his frown deepens.
“You shall expose this secret at your risk. Why does it matter to me?” Su Shou shrugs. “Just notify me if you leave the Shang Clan, or else I might have to expose you. Just for transparency, Yan Fei has a Rank 5 Blood River Python. So your best bet in escaping the Shang Clan will be by air or land.”
Her smile turns wicked.
“I told you. I hate restrictions. Why would I unnecessarily restrict you?”
Lo Jik scoffs and leaves after cupping his fist. He only hears an enticing voice. “The next time you appear here, you must decide. The rewards are nothing short of a Gu Immortal’s True Inheritance. And… call me Chen Jiu if you favor my proposal.”
Lo Jik doesn’t reply and escapes while Su Shou sighs deeply.
She hates restricting others. But the situation is also delicate. Su Shou wants Lo Jik to act willingly. So, she used the Rank 5 Deceiving Appearance Gu. It’s a consumable Gu. This Gu allows the Gu Master to understand the hearts of whom they gaze at for an hour.
She could tell Lo Jik was moved.
Su Shou could also tell the wanton craving in his heart…
—For her.
His desires reached a stunning fervor once she revealed her marital status. It shocked Su Shou.
‘What an arrogant beast,’ she smirks. She gently parts her thighs. ‘To think he is more than willing to bed and take me after knowing Yan Fei’s control. Hehe. I chose wisely. There is no need to muzzle such beautiful beasts. They will soar. It’s better to tag along when you can.’
But Su Shou also has her reservations. ‘I still need fighting strength. The best way is to use the Heavenly Ghost.’
She starts planning.
Su Shou doesn’t believe she will receive a reply right away.
Lo Jik would want to make furious preparations on his side.
How could she know?
Lo Jik would be even down to fucking her in Yan Fei’s bedroom while broadcasting all of it to the Shang Clan for the Platinum Achievement in the Gu World!
His craziness is unbound for that sweet Platinum!
***
Alternate Title: Lo Jik Out Her Plotting For the Rise Of Demonic Gu Immortals; Looking For Golden, Stumbling on Platinum; Invitation; It’s a Trap; Entering In the Night; The True Su Shou; The Tale of Burdened Past; Brother Unchained Knows How To Work Out Kinks; Impressed Su Shou; The Shocking Trusths; Shang Yan Fei’s Might; Su Shou’s Past; The Ways of Gu Immortal; Knowing How To Excite Men Like Lo Jik; The Complicated Relationship; Ever-Sincere Su Shou; Yan Fei’s Plotting; Shocking Blood Shadow; The Beauty Complex; True Chen Jiu: Muscles Are Beauty! *Reckless Demon Venerable: Cool! That’s Right, Kid.*; Su Shou Lies, Too; Spread Thighs; A Dangerous Beast; The Platinum Sniffing Beast; Lo Jik Planning The Most Diabolical Shit for Platinum; Su Shou Throws In Her Hat to For the Cultivation Grandpa Ring Trope; The Hidden Deal; Lo Jik About To Train; Nothing Gets Between The Platinum—Nothing; Su Shou: I’m Also Marrie— *Lo Jik: Aight, Bet*; The Cuckpiece Is Real!; Lo Jik: I’m Straight! *Random Immortal Gu: Imma End This Man’s Whole Career*
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