Weak, So Weak!

Miss Zhou Rites, starting to comprehend a CG without saying a word... that’s simply cheating.

Gu Chengming thought to himself that he hadn't even unlocked the CG for the Love: Zhou Rites Heavenly Rectifying Art yet, so how had Miss Zhou Rites already begun unilaterally comprehending a new one?

Unfortunately, Miss Zhou Rites was in no position to respond to him now.

Gu Chengming saw off the “Former Near Heaven,” who was still bowing to him even as she reached the courtyard gate, and returned to the hall to sit down alone. His gaze naturally fell back upon the ancient longsword resting on the table.

Reasonably speaking, the unlock progress for this “Knight sword” had been rising quite smoothly lately. He could easily grind out a few more rounds to reveal the sword's final form in one fell swoop.

However, Gu Chengming had a faint feeling that something was wrong.

【The Huiyuan Sword Manual is quite worried: Chengming, this sword’s “sword intent” is far too vicious. Could it end up eroding your Dao Heart?】

【The Red Dust Phantom Step deeply agrees: If this continues long-term, you might be tainted by malice.】

Gu Chengming was thinking the same thing.

According to the old rules of the cultivation world, the relationship between a sword cultivator and a Dharma sword was usually reciprocal: the cultivator fed the sword with their soul, and the sword fed the cultivator back with its sword intent.

But the sword intent of this sword was currently a bit too sinister...

In a strict sense, the Zhou Rites Heavenly Rectifying Art was indeed a very good framework to carry this sword intent.

It was just that the art was currently off studying some unknown CG, causing the progress on the Knight sword to stall.

With a thought, Gu Chengming decided to go check the room for the Love: Zhou Rites Heavenly Rectifying Art first.

According to Gu Chengming’s original plan, he would need to set aside a significant amount of time specifically to conquer this room. After all, this Miss Zhou Rites had a rather eccentric personality; he still didn't even know how to enter the Love: Zhou Rites room, so completing it certainly wouldn't be simple.

But now that the matter of the Knight sword was right in front of him, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and try to ask for guidance.

The moment Gu Chengming’s mind shifted and he pushed open the door to the Love: Zhou Rites room, he wasn't immediately kicked out like the previous few times. Instead, he was able to see the situation inside the room clearly.

In the center of the room hung a half-unrolled bamboo slip with upright ink characters. Countless tiny phantoms of ritual vessels floated around it—tripods, gui, jue, and zu—forming a miniature world of “ordered hierarchy.”

Beneath the bamboo slip sat an upright figure with the air of a refined young lady from a prestigious family. She sat cross-legged with her eyes closed in concentration, her brow slightly furrowed. She was the personification of the Love: Zhou Rites Heavenly Rectifying Art.

The figure seemed to sense his arrival but did not open her eyes. Gu Chengming’s gaze shifted downward to the space in front of her.

The “sword intent” projection of the Knight sword was suspended right before Miss Zhou Rites.

Sensing Gu Chengming’s approach, Miss Zhou Rites let out a soft chuckle. She seemed to be talking to herself, yet also to him.

“This sword indiscriminately views all living beings in the world as ‘objects to be discriminated against.’ Therefore, it possesses a suppressing force against all living things.”

“From this perspective, it actually possesses a wonderful synergy with my own original intent.”

To be honest, characters who started explaining the setting without a second thought were the most dangerous. If Zhou Rites weren't a heart method herself, Gu Chengming would have suspected that Miss Love: Zhou Rites was about to grab the Knight sword in the next moment and start a full-blown boss fight.

However, based on the rules discovered so far, heart methods were different from sword arts and body cultivation techniques. The heart methods in the Laboratory of Love were usually “tests,” much like the Love: Qingxin Art.

In other words, the fact that Miss Love: Zhou Rites was showing herself now most likely meant she was here to set a challenge for him.

Gu Chengming sighed silently in his heart, bracing himself to be put through the wringer.

At that moment, Miss Love: Zhou Rites suddenly raised her hand and lightly pressed down on the bamboo slip hanging in mid-air. The ink characters on the slip trembled slightly, and a wisp of ancient golden light floated up.

“As the old saying goes: ‘The gentleman is harmonious but not uniform; the petty man is uniform but not harmonious.’”

“Though the intent of this sword is biased, that bias itself is a form of conviction. If we use the rectified heart of the 《Zhou Rites》 as the bone and the prejudice of this sword as the edge...”

She opened her eyes, a gentle smile appearing in them. “Then, in the name of rites, to perform the reality of discrimination—would that not be the most upright and honorable thing in the world?”

Gu Chengming: “?”

At the same time, the phantom of the Knight sword suspended in mid-air suddenly trembled. A wisp of ancient golden light slowly rose from the mottled patterns on the blade.

That golden light intertwined and merged with the sword's original malice, finally condensing into a peculiar sword intent that possessed both the rectitude of rites and the sharpness of prejudice.

—All-Being Discrimination Sword!

Miss Love: Zhou Rites gave a grand wave of her hand. “If you can achieve what I have described and successfully execute this single strike, you will be considered to have cleared the room for the Love: Zhou Rites Heavenly Rectifying Art.”

“Of course, the prerequisite is that you must do this without relying on Zhou Rites herself.”

As she spoke, the phantom of the All-Being Discrimination Sword flew toward Gu Chengming’s brow.

Upon perceiving the sword intent of this Knight sword, Gu Chengming was once again ushered out of the Love: Zhou Rites room.

The next moment, reappearing in the courtyard, Gu Chengming looked at the words appearing before him: 【All-Being Discrimination Sword: Discrimination not yet accumulated】. His expression became quite subtle.

...

At this very moment, True Monarch Liuyun Suyu was sitting beneath the osmanthus tree, her expression equally subtle.

The term “subtle” could be broken down into many types.

Some were the hesitation of facing a major event, some were the panic of having one’s thoughts exposed, but True Monarch Liuyun Suyu’s current state was a mixture of embarrassment and distress.

What distressed her was, naturally, the direct approach Zhou Qingmu had taken during her visit a few days ago, when she had cut straight to the point: “Is the True Monarch interested in my Little Gu?”

True Monarch Liuyun Suyu had been stunned at the time. She had been about to adopt the ancient rules of the cultivation world, and the words “when peers compete, each naturally relies on their own means” were already on the tip of her tongue when the other woman’s next sentence completely threw her for a loop.

“If the True Monarch is truly interested, I would like to form an alliance with you.”

True Monarch Liuyun Suyu had lived for countless ages. Fighting fellow disciples for the Dao, discussing laws in the Sixth Realm, and battling fiercely between immortal sects—she had handled it all with ease. But she had never encountered a situation like this.

“An alliance?”

“Yes.” Zhou Qingmu sat upright on the stone bench. “In terms of age, I am younger than the True Monarch by more than ten thousand years; in terms of seniority, I am shallower than the True Monarch by more than ten thousand years.”

“But both you and I are a step too late.” She paused, her voice tinged with self-deprecation. “Little Gu has more than just the two of us by his side. There are others, and those women have all stepped ahead of us. If we continue to compete using ordinary means as a matter of course, I fear that even ten years of competing will leave us right where we started.”

“Therefore, we might as well form an alliance to share information and act together by borrowing each other's momentum.”

These words sounded absurd at first, but upon careful consideration, she felt that Zhou Qingmu’s words were not without merit.

She, True Monarch Liuyun Suyu, possessed the strength of a Sixth Realm True Monarch but was an absolute novice in this particular field. She indeed needed an “ally” for this path.

“What are the terms of this alliance?” True Monarch Liuyun Suyu considered for a moment before finally speaking.

Zhou Qingmu’s lips curved slightly; she was clearly prepared. “First is naturally to share intelligence. The True Monarch lives in Little Gu’s courtyard and has many conveniences; meanwhile, I am in the Night Guard Division and am quite familiar with Little Gu’s official movements. By sharing what we know, we can each make up for our shortcomings.”

“Second is to not sabotage each other. If one party is present, the other will not steal the spotlight. If one party is alone with him, the other will not trip them up from behind.”

“When necessary, we can jointly push forward.”

True Monarch Liuyun Suyu clearly didn't quite understand what “jointly push forward” meant.

Seeing this, Zhou Qingmu explained, “Little Gu is a man who seems socially adept in daily life, but he is actually quite passive in matters of the heart. Rather than competing secretly, it is better for us to work together to stir up this stagnant pool of spring water.”

As soon as those words came out, True Monarch Liuyun Suyu instinctively nodded.

Exactly! Little Gu was usually like a block of wood. She had thought her usual hints—sentiments like “the moon is beautiful tonight”—were bold enough, but Little Gu hadn't reacted at all.

She had thought it was because too much time had passed or that her words were indeed too obscure. Now, finally, someone in the same situation had come out and said, “Little Gu is quite passive in matters of the heart.” She knew it! She was definitely an offensive-style player, right?

Such words, sounding like they came from a kindred spirit, went straight to True Monarch Liuyun Suyu’s head. In a moment of heat, she agreed to Zhou Qingmu’s so-called alliance.

She had been quite composed when she agreed, feeling that she was simply following the ways of the world and sharing information with a junior, which wasn't anything shameful.

But thinking back on that conversation later, True Monarch Liuyun Suyu’s face gradually turned red.

—I, a dignified ancient True Monarch who has lived for tens of thousands of years, actually allied with a junior in her early thirties to compete for a twenty-year-old Daoist partner? Was my head filled with something unclean that day?

She flipped through the jade slip in her hand again and sighed with distress.

It was too late for regrets. Once the alliance was established, it was like spilled water—hard to take back.

Furthermore... she lowered her eyes to look at the communication jade slip resting on her lap. Deep in her heart, in a corner she didn't even want to admit to herself, there was a faint sense of relief that she had established this alliance.

At that moment, the communication jade slip in her sleeve that she had exchanged with Zhou Qingmu suddenly trembled.

True Monarch Liuyun Suyu was slightly stunned. She pinched the jade slip and immersed her divine sense into it.

【Tonight at the Hour of the Ox, there is a plan we can execute.】

True Monarch Liuyun Suyu was about to send a message back to ask for details when a short supplement came from the jade slip across from her.

【The Imperial Observatory just divined that another wisp of a Dao Throne from Wangyue’s remains is about to peel off. Its landing point is in the ruined tower in the northwest corner of the capital. I have already petitioned His Majesty to hand over full authority for this matter to Little Gu. Tonight, Little Gu will definitely enter seclusion to deduce the matter of the Dao Throne.】

【I will teach the True Monarch a script. It will definitely make him realize the True Monarch’s feelings.】

Teach her a script? A sense of unease rose in True Monarch Liuyun Suyu’s heart; she had a feeling this script wouldn't be very reliable.

But since things had come to this and the alliance was already established...

She sighed and tucked the jade slip back into her sleeve.

—So be it. Since things have reached this point, the arrow is already on the string.

...

The Hour of the Dog, three quarters past, in Gu Chengming’s study.

Gu Chengming had just exited the Laboratory of Love not long ago and was planning to organize his various gains from today when a set of footsteps sounded outside the door.

According to the usual rules, True Monarch Liuyun Suyu rarely came to find him after the Hour of the Dog. For one, she was mindful of the propriety between men and women, and for another, she was afraid of disturbing his nightly cultivation. Why was tonight so unprecedented?

While he was wondering, the door was gently pushed open a crack.

True Monarch Liuyun Suyu stood outside the door, her moon-white sleeves fluttering lightly in the night breeze. Her expression, however, carried a bit more awkwardness than usual.

“Little friend.” She paused, picking a rather stiff opening line. “I was just admiring the moon in the courtyard when I suddenly felt the intent of the Cloud and Moon loosen. I came specifically to verify it with you.”

—The intent of the Cloud and Moon loosened?

Gu Chengming felt something was off. Usually, if this senior truly had a realization, her tone was always calm and composed. Tonight’s sentence was quite forced.

He was just about to respond when he saw True Monarch Liuyun Suyu already stepping into the room.

She sat down formally across from him, her hands resting properly on her knees, yet her gaze was inexplicably wandering.

The sense that something was “off” deepened in Gu Chengming’s heart. He maintained a calm facade and pushed a cup of tea toward True Monarch Liuyun Suyu.

After waiting for about half a cup of tea’s time, he found that this True Monarch senior seemed to have no intention of “getting to the point.” She just sat there blankly holding the tea, her expression becoming increasingly subtle.

He finally couldn't help but speak. “Senior mentioned the intent of the Cloud and Moon?”

True Monarch Liuyun Suyu suddenly coughed, set the tea back on the table, and straightened her expression.

“Little friend, I was indeed a bit abrupt just now.” She paused, seemingly gathering her courage. “Actually, I didn't come this time for the intent of the Cloud and Moon.”

“Please go on, Senior.”

“Little friend, I...”

True Monarch Liuyun Suyu considered for a moment and finally chose a safe phrasing. “I have come this time because of a knot in my heart. It has been on my mind for several days, and no matter what, I wanted to speak of it to you tonight.”

Gu Chengming: “?”

True Monarch Liuyun Suyu took a deep breath, seemingly having made a decision. She was planning to confess according to the words Zhou Qingmu had taught her, but for some reason, the words wouldn't come out when they reached her lips. In the end, her tongue took a turn.

“Uh... do you still remember that day in the Cuiping Mountains, when I told you that sooner or later, I would drag out that person who was in the Unfettered River with me?”

Gu Chengming was slightly stunned. He reflected for a moment before remembering that after the True Monarch had cut off Qin Wuwang’s head that day, she had looked at the sky and said such a thing.

“Senior is referring to that Longevity Sect Perfected Man?”

True Monarch Liuyun Suyu’s tongue was tied, but she ultimately followed the redirected topic. “Uh, yes. This matter has been on my mind for several days. Now that I have some free time, I plan to personally make a trip.”

As she spoke, she felt she was simply too weak; the words had been right there, yet she had turned into a deserter at the last moment.

She clearly wanted to express her true feelings, but the conversation had shifted back to some Longevity Sect Perfected Man.

If it ended like this, she would be far too pathetic.

At this thought, she gathered her courage again and changed the subject. “Would you be willing to accompany me?”

Gu Chengming was slightly stunned.

He had originally thought True Monarch Liuyun Suyu had come tonight for some monumental reason, but he hadn't expected it was to invite him to join her in purging a Longevity Sect Perfected Man who had long since fled.

Logically, with True Monarch Liuyun Suyu’s strength, why would she need to call upon a mere Fourth Realm junior like him to deal with a heavily injured and fleeing Longevity Sect Perfected Man?

But the words “accompany me” just now had been spoken with a certain subtle tone.

Normally, he should have politely declined. After all, the matter of the Dao Throne in the capital had not yet been settled; he really shouldn't be leaving the capital at this juncture.

But the True Monarch senior’s rather clumsy opening just now inexplicably carried a sense that made it hard to refuse.

At that moment, the communication jade slip in Gu Chengming’s sleeve, the one he had received from Zhou Qingmu, suddenly trembled.

His divine sense swept over it, and in the next instant, his brow twitched slightly.

【Little Gu, there is a lead on the Longevity Sect True Monarch; the Imperial Observatory just sent word. I have already petitioned His Majesty to give you full authority over this matter. I hope you will go with True Monarch Liuyun Suyu; be sure to be thorough.】

Gu Chengming was slightly stunned. Then, he looked up at the True Monarch Liuyun Suyu across from him, whose gaze was wandering inexplicably, and a subtle thought suddenly surfaced in his mind.

True Monarch Liuyun Suyu’s rather clumsy invitation to “accompany her,” and Zhou Qingmu’s “full authority” assignment arriving at this exact moment—the two events clashing together was simply too much of a coincidence.

Gu Chengming’s gaze lingered on True Monarch Liuyun Suyu’s face for a moment. For some reason, there was a hint of frustration on her face, yet she was still looking at him quite expectantly.

He lowered his eyes, pushing that inexplicable suspicion back into the depths of his heart.

Whatever. Since the True Monarch senior and the Director had already quietly laid the groundwork outside his view, it would be far too much of a mood-killer if he were to expose it now.

“What Senior says is quite right.” He considered and picked the most appropriate phrasing. “I was just intending to go with Senior; this debt should indeed be settled together.”

True Monarch Liuyun Suyu was slightly stunned. Had he actually agreed to her seemingly inexplicable invitation?

For some reason, True Monarch Liuyun Suyu felt a bit dazed.

...

At the same time, inside the Imperial Observatory.

Watching the interaction between True Monarch Liuyun Suyu and Gu Chengming in the courtyard through a water mirror, Zhou Qingmu couldn't help but smack her own forehead.

“How pathetic!”