Chapter Seven: The Strong and the Weak, Plain for All to See

After leaving Brightwater Town behind, Chu Xingran took Gu Zhiheng and Chen Yuan to a random inn, mainly because there were no surveillance cameras in the area—making it easy for them to do things that defied scientific explanation without anyone noticing. Even if they were accidentally exposed, they could brush it off with something as simple as blaming it on a trick of the eye, since she and Chen Yuan really weren’t human.

For her part, at least she had once been human; though she’d existed as a ghost for a long time, her origins remained. Chen Yuan was different—no matter how cute she appeared, she wasn’t human at all. If she revealed her true form, she’d scare away every living soul. After all, the true form of an earth dragon had nothing to do with cuteness; to be frank, it was somewhat revolting.

“You should rest early. Chen Yuan and I will handle the refining. Before dawn, we’ll come find you to draw the talisman,” Chu Xingran said, slicing Gu Zhiheng’s finger and collecting a few drops of blood in a porcelain vial from who knows where. Without a backward glance, she took Chen Yuan and entered a guest room at the end of the second floor, leaving Gu Zhiheng alone, staring blankly at the wound on his hand.

Just then, the innkeeper came upstairs and saw Gu Zhiheng dazed in the corridor. The young man looked decent enough, but his expression seemed a bit dull. His clothes marked him as a country boy, though his appearance was pleasant.

“Hey, brother, nights aren’t peaceful here. Best get some rest!” With that, the innkeeper tossed Gu Zhiheng a bandage and some disinfectant, then turned and went back downstairs.

Indeed, the night was uneasy, at least in this small village.

Gu Zhiheng watched the innkeeper leave, took the supplies, and returned to his room, wondering how the innkeeper had known he was injured. Lost in thought, he carefully disinfected and bandaged his finger, then quickly showered and changed before lying down.

In the room at the end—let’s call them two people for now—Chu Xingran and Chen Yuan effortlessly refined the heart of the celestial dragon, mixing it with cinnabar. Chen Yuan stirred the porcelain vial’s contents with a gloomy expression, a faint fragrance filling the air.

She glanced at Chu Xingran, who was drinking, and couldn’t help but roll her eyes. This woman could never kick her bad habits, even after all these years; no wonder she’d been abandoned.

“You’ve lived so many years, and it’s just a man—why can’t you let it go?” Chen Yuan said, puzzled, then quickly finished preparing the vial and handed it to Chu Xingran.

They’d known each other for centuries, yet Chen Yuan still couldn’t understand what Chu Xingran felt for that man.

Clearly, she was the one abandoned, but she stubbornly waited year after year. Time passed, and that man lived one lifetime after another, but fate kept them apart.

Listening to Chen Yuan, Chu Xingran smiled self-deprecatingly. Of course she understood, but some things were destined. She’d clung to life for five hundred years, accompanying him for lifetime after lifetime; her heart no longer held the hatred it once did. Even if everyone said she’d been abandoned, the truth was she had failed him. She stayed only to make amends, wanting nothing more than to remain by his side.

“All right, your business isn’t mine. Let’s go!” Chen Yuan shook her head, signaling Chu Xingran to find Gu Zhiheng.

Refining was child’s play for both of them—something they could do with their eyes closed. Chen Yuan truly didn’t understand why Chu Xingran insisted on hiding it from Gu Zhiheng.

And the innkeeper’s gaze—there was something odd about the way he looked at them, especially Gu Zhiheng.

A piercing scream shattered the night’s silence.

Chu Xingran and Chen Yuan rushed out, and when they reached Gu Zhiheng’s room, they found the door open and Gu Zhiheng gone, though a distinct bloodstain marked the floor.

Suddenly, screams echoed from the first floor; the two hurried downstairs.

When they reached the stairway, both were so shocked their eyes nearly popped out.

The man sitting on the sofa, relaxed and nonchalant, his expression wild and unruly—was that really the Gu Zhiheng they knew?

“Ha, I appreciate your kindness, but I truly am sorry about Gui Zhi,” Gu Zhiheng said coldly, each word icy and detached.

Chu Xingran looked at Chen Yuan, bewildered, wanting to ask what was going on, but Chen Yuan was just as confused—she had no idea what had happened.

“Gu, what are you doing up in the middle of the night and why are you fighting?” The innkeeper didn’t seem like a bad person at all.

“Gui Zhi’s other grandson, seeking revenge for her. Never judge by appearances. Especially not with spirits who’ve taken human form.”

Strange, but it turned out there wasn’t a single human resident in Brightwater Town; all were celestial dragons.

The innkeeper before them was Gui Zhi’s other direct grandson. Knowing Gui Zhi had met trouble, he deliberately welcomed Gu Zhiheng’s group as they passed through the village.

Although the place was an inn, they rarely accepted guests at night—unless their guests were enemies.

“My grandmother cultivated for centuries and never harmed anyone—what gave you the right to cut out her heart?” Blood trickled from his lips, but his angry roar was strong.

Yes, what gave him the right?

“The deeds of Brightwater Town happened under Gui Zhi’s watch. Murder after murder, and she allowed you all to do as you pleased.”

“Indulgence, sheltering, fostering your evil—those are her crimes.”

“I spared her only because raising celestial dragons benefits the nearby villagers. Otherwise, do you think I would have let her live?”

Ha, would Gu Zhiheng ever handle things without discernment?

A spell struck; the innkeeper screamed in agony and instantly reverted to his true form.

Chu Xingran and Chen Yuan shuddered at the sight. This side of Gu Zhiheng was unfamiliar to them—the pain of the spell on flesh was almost palpable.

If one day they fell into Gu Zhiheng’s hands, would he show the same ruthless resolve?

After all, one was a vengeful ghost, the other the hundred-year-old earth dragon he needed.

Earth dragon gallbladder—a vital ingredient for breaking the seal. Chen Yuan’s fate would not be pleasant.

Judging by Gu Zhiheng’s current demeanor, strength and weakness were clear; neither she nor Chu Xingran could match him. Even together, they might not escape unscathed from his grasp.

“All right, half an hour until dawn. Once the talisman is drawn, we leave.” Gu Zhiheng frowned in impatience at the celestial dragon sprawled on the floor, addressing Chu Xingran.

He glanced at Chen Yuan trembling behind Chu Xingran, gave her a look of disdain, then turned away, pulling his collar open and presenting his back for Chu Xingran to draw the talisman.