CHAPTER 171: CHAPTER 39: PLAYING THROUGH THE NIGHT

"How are the girl’s injuries?" Shen Shuyi walked to Jun Wu’s side, and after getting a clear look at Gu Qingqing’s face, a trace of surprise flashed in her eyes, and she asked with concern.

"A bit better than before." Jun Wu carefully held Gu Qingqing, looking at her with extremely gentle eyes, and said softly.

"Everything at the cold pool has been arranged as you instructed. You can go over now." Shen Shuyi was seeing this expression on her son’s face for the first time, knowing that Jun Wu was falling for her, she quickly said.

"I’ll take Geng Geng to the cold pool first, and accompany Father and Mother later." Unable to properly salute while holding Gu Qingqing, Jun Wu could only bow slightly and speak to Jun Yutian and Shen Shuyi.

"Hurry on, let’s talk about other things later." Shen Shuyi urged before Jun Yutian could speak.

Jun Yutian was about to speak, but upon hearing this, he could only close his mouth and nod at Jun Wu.

Jun Wu took Gu Qingqing and left first, Rong Ye and Mu Chen also bid farewell, heading together to the cold pool.

The cold pool was located inside a cave, where the temperature was quite low. Even people like Jun Wu with cultivation found it chilly, and Gu Qingqing frowned even more.

"Brother Mu, is this really going to help?" Jun Wu hugged Gu Qingqing tighter, asking uncertainly.

"Of course, you’re more familiar with the healing effects of the cold pool than I am." Mu Chen circulated his Spiritual Power to feel less cold and said to Jun Wu.

Thinking of his mother’s condition over the years, Jun Wu hesitated no more, carrying Gu Qingqing to the edge of the cold pool. Just as he was about to put her in, Mu Chen stopped him.

"Wait, you need to take off Geng Geng’s clothes first. Do you have a maid you trust to help?" Mu Chen looked around and asked Jun Wu.

Jun Wu paused, and after realizing what Mu Chen said, he felt a bit hot, his eartips turning slightly red. Fortunately, Mu Chen’s attention wasn’t on him at the moment, so he didn’t notice.

"I do, I’ll call her in." He took a moment to steady his breathing and said.

Outside the cave, there were actually some people arranged by Shen Shuyi, including a steward maid by her side. However, not to disturb them, she hadn’t followed in. Upon Jun Wu’s call, she immediately came in from outside.

"Aunt Gui, please help Geng Geng take off her clothes, then place her into the cold pool." Saying this, he carefully laid Gu Qingqing down on the jade bed nearby.

"I understand, Saint Heir, don’t worry, I will take good care of this young lady." Aunt Gui, who had watched Jun Wu grow up, was very happy that he had found someone he liked. Being someone Shen Shuyi trusted to send over, she was loyal to Jun Wu!

"Thank you, Aunt Gui." Jun Wu held great respect for the people around Shen Shuyi.

He turned around, tidied Gu Qingqing’s hair, and reluctantly withdrew.

Rong Ye and the others also withdrew, standing guard outside the cave.

Inside the cave, Aunt Gui hadn’t clearly seen Gu Qingqing’s appearance before. Upon seeing her clearly, she was amazed. Having followed Shen Shuyi for years and seen countless people, and with Shen Shuyi’s own beauty, among the noble girls of the younger generation she’d seen, none matched Gu Qingqing’s looks!

With the help of other maids, she carefully removed Gu Qingqing’s outer garments, then carried her to the edge of the cold pool, gently placing her inside. After ensuring she wouldn’t slip, she returned to the poolside and sighed in relief.

She sent a maid to report to Jun Wu, while she stayed by the cold pool to watch over Gu Qingqing.

Jun Wu, having returned to Yunlan Sacred Land, naturally had to speak with Jun Yutian about his experiences in Wuyun City. After instructing Aunt Gui to take good care of Gu Qingqing, he left with Mu Chen and others to find accommodations, leaving only Yue Zhao behind because Gu Qingqing still experienced headaches, and Yue Zhao had to play the zither to aid her healing!

Yue Zhao sat down in the pavilion beside the cave, continuing to heal himself.

They arrived at Yunlan Sacred Land in the afternoon, and it quickly turned to evening. During this time, Gu Qingqing’s headache flared up once more. Yue Zhao played the zither for a quarter-hour before Gu Qingqing’s condition slightly improved.

As night fell, a maid rushed out of the cave, and Yue Zhao quickly went to meet her.

"What happened? Why are you so panicked?" Worried about what might have happened to Gu Qingqing inside without knowing, Yue Zhao asked anxiously.

"The young lady inside is in severe pain, it’s like her headache flared up again, and she even vomited blood. Aunt Gui sent me to fetch the Saint Heir." Although the maid was flustered, she kept her wits and quickly answered Yue Zhao’s questions.

Yue Zhao was shocked, releasing the maid’s arm instinctively and wanted to rush in, but remembered that Gu Qingqing wasn’t wearing her outer clothes, stopping at the cave entrance. He stood there, thought for a moment, and with a hand movement, the Flowing Light Zither appeared in his hand.

Taking a deep breath, calming his emotions, he placed his hands on the Flowing Light Zither and began playing the Soul Suppressing Song.

The soothing and relaxing music gradually rang out, bringing ease to the anxious maid. Though her steps didn’t slow, she quickly left.

Inside the cave, Aunt Gui watched Gu Qingqing rolling in the cold pool in distress. Hearing the calming music, her anxious heart involuntarily calmed down, and she became immersed in the music, recognizing that it was Yue Zhao playing. She sighed in relief and noticed Gu Qingqing’s rolling slowed, with her facial expression easing a bit.

As the first playthrough of the Soul Suppressing Song ended, Gu Qingqing was no longer writhing, but still held her head, showing some discomfort. The second playthrough of the Soul Suppressing Song followed closely.

When Mu Chen, Rong Ye, and Jun Wu arrived, Yue Zhao was in the midst of performing the third playthrough of the Soul Suppressing Song.

The anxiety in the hearts of the three was soothed by the Soul Suppressing Song, and they stood in place, listening to Yue Zhao’s performance.

When the maid came out to say that Gu Qingqing’s condition had stabilized and she was no longer in pain, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Yue Zhao also breathed a sigh of relief in his heart but didn’t stop playing. He remembered what Mu Chen had said before, that to heal Gu Qingqing’s injuries, the song must be played continuously and healed in one go; otherwise, it would take a long time to heal.

So, Yue Zhao played the Soul Suppressing Song outside the cave for Gu Qingqing all night, to let her sleep well!

And because he played it so many times, his understanding of the Soul Suppressing Song deepened. During the latter half of the night, he entered a very magical state.

...

He felt as if he saw an ancient battlefield, scattered with corpses and bones everywhere, even the ground was stained red with blood, clearly indicating not just one but many battles took place here!

The souls of those deceased warriors were trapped on the battlefield after death, with no way to escape, repeating their actions day after day before their death. The resentment on the battlefield grew, and gradually, the air on the battlefield was tainted red, transforming this place into a hellish purgatory!

One day, a monk appeared on the battlefield. As soon as he entered, he was surrounded by ghosts and resentment from the battlefield. These ghosts howled around him, trying to tear his body apart, drain his blood, and make him one of them!

The monk was not affected by the ghosts at all. He walked to the center of the battlefield, took out a zither, sat down, silently recited a scripture, then placed his hands on the zither with a solemn and sacred expression, closed his eyes, and began to play.

He realized that the song the monk played was exactly the Soul Suppressing Song he had been playing!

During the first playthrough, the battlefield remained unchanged!

During the second playthrough, the blood hue in the air lightened slightly!

During the third playthrough, a strong silver light suddenly emanated from the body of a ghost nearest to the monk. Its expression changed from fierce numbness to relaxed joy, and its soul became transparent until it disappeared.

During the fourth playthrough, ghosts within a two-meter radius around the monk vanished happily, just like the previous ghost!

...

The monk sat there, playing the Soul Suppressing Song over and over again, as the ghosts around him gradually disappeared, the blood hue in the air faded more and more, and even the blood on the ground began to change!

After three days and nights, all the ghosts on the ancient battlefield disappeared, the air became normal, and the blood on the ground faded significantly.

The monk opened his eyes, and suddenly golden light emanated from his body. Then his body rose, directly ascending to the heavens!

At this point, the vision ended, and when Yue Zhao came to his senses, it was already daylight. The morning sun’s rays shone on him, and he felt an unprecedented lightness in his heart. Those unclear aspects from before were now understood.

He felt as if he had touched the barrier to the Half-step Immortal Rank, but something was still missing for him to step over it!

His eyes glimmered with a hint of joy. He hadn’t expected to gain such insight. At the time, he only wanted Gu Qingqing to feel better and recover soon, not realizing his own cultivation would leap forward!

He looked towards the cave, his eyes becoming exceptionally gentle, praying in his heart for Gu Qingqing to wake up soon!

Jun Wu and Rong Ye had not watched outside the cave last night. They knew Yue Zhao had played the zither all night, and they were slightly surprised to see Yue Zhao’s aura significantly improved for some unknown reason.

"I just experienced enlightenment!" Yue Zhao explained simply.

Jun Wu and Rong Ye were surprised, but they were still happy for Yue Zhao.

"It seems Second Brother, you’re about to become the first among us to reach the Half-step Immortal Rank!" Mu Chen said with some emotion.

Yue Zhao just smiled without speaking. Although confident, he knew how strong Si Lin was; such words were still premature!

"I wonder how Gu Qingqing is doing? Brother Yue played all night, her headache should be much better now, right?" Jun Wu said, more concerned about Gu Qingqing, worriedly.

"It should be..." Mu Chen was about to speak when the maid who ran out interrupted him.

"Saint Heir, the young lady inside has woken up!"