Chapter 10: The Silver-Haired Banished Immortal

Hearing her Master's words, waves of emotion surged within Jun Liuyi's heart.

Thinking carefully, if that were truly the case, then it wouldn't be difficult to explain the Sect Leader's madness in exhausting everything to detoxify her.

Obsessed for love?

Could there really be such a man in this world? However, she quickly shook her head with a bitter smile, unable to help but sigh inwardly.

Even if one were driven mad by love or obsessed by passion, in the end, wouldn't they still marry, establish a career, and found this Spirit Control Sect?

Whether Shangguan Keng was someone her mother could not forget, or someone who could not forget her mother, in the end, he had simply married and had children, betraying that poor woman who had borne his children.

"What are you thinking about again?" Seeing the traces of sorrow on his beloved disciple's face, Yao Ze could not help but ask.

"I was just thinking about why Mother spoke to Liuyi with such earnest gravity before she died." Jun Liuyi looked up at the Ghost Doctor with a smile. "At that time, I thought Mother's heart had turned to ash because she had seen too many of Father's concubines competing for favor, which is why she instructed me that the thing in this world most unable to withstand scrutiny is the love promised by men."

Hearing his disciple's words, the Ghost Doctor had no words of rebuttal. Staring at the calmness in her eyes, he also seemed to understand the source of her recent melancholy.

"Are you lamenting because of what I said regarding obsession for love?"

Regarding her Master's inquiry, Jun Liuyi made no attempt to hide her inner sentiments, elaborating her thoughts to him.

Listening quietly to her theory, Yao Ze nodded in approval, and only after a long while did he say, "In that sense, it is also correct."

The Ghost Doctor had a peculiar temperament, and his views on worldly matters were also different from ordinary people. Hearing Liuyi's reflections now, he also felt a sense of sentimentality.

Yao Ze sighed and said, "Your Martial Aunt once said similar words back then. I still remember her saying that if a person truly and sincerely loves someone, how could they have the heart to settle for anyone else? I didn't expect this little girl's thoughts to be so remarkably consistent with hers; no wonder I felt a sense of déjà vu when I first met you."

Mentioning his Junior Sister, a faint ripple of emotion stirred in Yao Ze's eyes.

This was the first time his Master had proactively mentioned his Martial Aunt. Looking at his Master now, it seemed this devoted soul might include the Master himself.

Seeing Jun Liuyi's inquisitive gaze circling around him, a meaningful smile curled at the corners of his mouth. Yao Ze cleared his throat a few times. "Right, let's focus on important matters. What are your plans next?"

Jun Liuyi naturally understood the Ghost Doctor's awkwardness. It was rare to see her Master like this, so her mood improved significantly. However, since her Master was unwilling to continue the topic, as a disciple, she naturally would not pester him to dig into his secrets.

"Originally, I planned to find a way to seek out Master once these seventy-seven forty-nine days had passed, but now..." Jun Liuyi glanced at Yao Ze with some difficulty. "Now, with the unexpected incident of Master stealing the Cold Jade Pillow, Master truly needs to stay behind to look after the Sect Leader. This plan will have to be disrupted for the time being."

Hearing Liuyi's words, Yao Ze blinked in confusion and asked, "Why is that?"

"Master did not go to the Weird Gu Alliance to steal the Cold Jade Pillow, but instead came to the Spirit Control Sect. Does this have nothing to do with Martial Aunt?" Jun Liuyi looked at the Ghost Doctor with realization.

"..." What responded to her was the Ghost Doctor's uneasy silence.

"It is only because Master came to steal the Cold Jade Pillow that we, from top to bottom, are wary of the Phantom Thief's abilities. Therefore, to prevent any mishaps and ensure the Sect Leader's safety, I sent people to the Weird Gu Alliance." Jun Liuyi hesitated for a moment before continuing, "There are also traitors within the Spirit Control Sect. I fear that the person who arrived at the Weird Gu Alliance tonight is already in a standoff with the Gu Saint."

"What did you do?" Seeing his disciple's indifferent expression, Yao Ze's face couldn't help but change.

"Using poison to control Gu, finding life through the brink of death." A concise sentence, yet it left the Ghost Doctor greatly alarmed.

His eyes widened suddenly as he said, "The leader of the Weird Gu Alliance has inherited the full essence of your Martial Aunt. You used poison to control Gu to preserve the lives of those sent there, and also to lure the snake out of its hole. But that means the poison used to restrain the Gu Saint will backfire..."

"That is why I already owe too much to the Spirit Control Sect." Jun Liuyi lowered her head and said.

Previously, she did not know that the Phantom Thief was her own Master, so although this strategy was a desperate one, she might not have felt such intense guilt.

But now, having learned that her Master did it all for her, she naturally shouldered this debt upon herself.

Even though it was a "killing two birds with one stone" strategy meant to protect the Sect Leader's life, in the end, it was all because of her.

Therefore!

What she needed to do now was to strip away the seeds of hatred that might be sown with the Weird Gu Alliance.

Seeing the self-reproach in Jun Liuyi's eyes, the Ghost Doctor also fell silent. Many things were simply the result of such unfortunate coincidences; too many external factors had led to this current entanglement.

"Regarding Shangguan Keng's toxins, I will handle everything." Yao Ze spoke with determination.

Hearing this, Jun Liuyi gave him a sweet smile.

"I will rely entirely on Master. I shall set out for the Weird Gu Alliance first thing tomorrow morning."

The master and disciple chatted for a while longer before they each retired to rest.

Early the next morning, Jun Liuyi left the Spirit Control Sect along with Shangguan Jun. Because the Weird Gu Alliance was only half a day's journey from the Spirit Control Sect, the two quickly used their lightwork to arrive early.

However, unlike their restful night, the Weird Gu Alliance had endured a turbulent night.

Being escorted into the main hall of the Weird Gu Alliance under gazes of hostility, the two finally felt their hearts settle slightly. In the hall, a man's sharp gaze shot toward them like ice picks.

He was dressed in white, and although his silver hair was tied up, several strands fell against his cheeks. He possessed the temperament of a banished immortal, yet he carried an aura of extreme indifference that made one feel a chill just by glancing at him.

"The Young Lord and the Saintess of the Spirit Control Sect visiting together truly brings honor to this humble place." After his sharp eyes swept over their attire, the man finally spoke indifferently.

"I have long heard of the Gu Saint's great name; seeing you today is indeed extraordinary," Shangguan Jun said with a wicked smile, using polite formalities.

"Likewise." The coldness in the Gu Saint's eyes deepened, and his words, devoid of any warmth, made one shudder. "I have long heard that the Spirit Control Sect's Saintess possesses skillful hands—the people she wishes to kill, even gods dare not keep! The people she wishes to save, even Yama dares not snatch! However, I am very curious to know which is superior: Gu or poison."

He abruptly shifted his gaze from Shangguan Jun, directing a frost-like chill straight at Jun Liuyi.

However, what responded to him was her smile, as bright as a flower, calm and composed.

"In this world, everything has its match." Jun Liuyi murmured, meeting the Gu Saint's gaze fearlessly and staring back with composure.