Chapter 1355: [10Year] Shores of the Ice Sea
Gu Beiyue remained sprawled as his hands clutched the edge of the wooden tub in a death grip. He forced himself to endure the true qi that was running rampant.
Over the past six months, he spend every day suffering through a bout of true qi running wild inside his body. He could endure it every time without losing it, until he reached a point where no one could tell he was suffering its attacks at all.
But this time was completely different. He felt as if the true qi was going to swallow him up from the inside, a complete loss of control. At the same time, needles covered the major acupuncture points on his back and four limbs. Qin Min checked them over again and again to verify she hadn't made a mistake.
"How can this be?" She had no idea how pale she looked. "Gu Beiyue, tell me why this is happening?"
She couldn't find a reason. Every time he had an attack, she would quickly apply her needles, which basically calmed him down. He had exceptional self-restraint, that she knew. He wouldn't be clutching the tub like this unless he lost control. Seeing him suffering, she didn't know whether she should keep observing or boldly try a different acupuncture technique. In the past half year, she had done nothing besides applying needles to him and improving this particular set of acupuncture techniques from the medical book. She had Shaoyao find a few martial artists as experimental subjects and basically confirmed that her modifications would have better effects than the original to contain internal energy.
But inside Gu Beiyue's body wasn't internal energy, but true qi. She didn't dare experiment on him and had no idea whether the modifications she made were effective in suppressing true qi.
So, what should she do now?
Wait, or take a gamble?
Gu Beiyue was unsure what was going on either, so he couldn't answer Qin Min. Little Shadow wiped his tears silently from the sidelines. He wanted to cry, but didn't dare to make a sound in fears of disrupting his parents. He was such a gentle child, but how much had he cried in the past six months? Shaoyao and the medical acolyte stood by fretting without being able to disturb them, either.
Abruptly, Gu Beiyue released his hands and rolled to the ground, curling up into a ball. He didn't make a sound, but it was clear he couldn't bear it anymore. Because he tumbled, many needles fell off his body. Shaoyao and the rest hastened to support him and flip him over, only to be stunned. Veins popped out of Gu Beiyue's face and neck as if swollen with some force on the verge of exploding.
Qin Min steeled her heart and decided, "Hurry, help him onto the bed!"
She was giving her all. This should be Gu Beiyue's final trial. There was no time to waste, nor any chances to regret! Success or failure would depend on this trial. Waiting or leaving things up to fate wasn't an option! Her only choice was to switch her acupuncture technique!
She sniffled and declared, "Shaoyao, fetch the other box of needles here!"
She quickly removed the remaining needles from Gu Beiyue and had the medical acolyte and Shadow come help straighten his body. He didn't know what she was planning, but knew she hadn't given up.
Right!
She wouldn't give up.
Even if he did, she wouldn't.
He gritted his teeth and bore the true qi rushing within his internal organs to clutch the edge of the wooden bed! Qin Min originally planned for the medical acolyte and Shadow to tie Gu Beiyue up, but seeing him like this made her heart ache. It hurt so much, she wanted to cry!
How could she forget that he was better at enduring than anyone else?
Shaoyao delivered the needles and Qin Min instructed, "Shaoyao, take the young master outside. No one's allowed to enter!"
"Mother!" Little Shadow immediately hugged one of the pillars in the room. "I'm not leaving!"
"You'll distract mother. Go!" Qin Min's voice was cold.
She had never been so stern with Shadow since they met, much less yell at him. This time, she was extremely fierce! Otherwise, little Shadow would face the cruelty of life and death!
What could be crueler in the world than this?
Shadow pursed his lips before hanging his head to walk out in silence. Seeing his lonely silhouette, Qin Min's heart broke.
"Shaoyao, keep an eye on the young master!" So speaking, she stopped looking at him and focused wholly on Gu Beiyue's body. Currently, the man was still sprawled on the bed and watching the child's retreating back. When Shadow reached the threshold, Shaoyao and the medical acolyte followed him out. The boy stood for a moment before he gave in and looked back. But all he saw was Shaoyao shutting the doors.
"Young master, don't fear. It'll definitely…" Shaoyao wanted to comfort him, but Shadow suddenly ran outside the courtyard until he was far, far away. He didn't stop until he reached the waterfall's edge. Shaoyao and the medical acolyte hastened after him. Originally, she wanted the assistant to comfort the boy since it was easier for children to interact, but the other had hardly gotten close when Shadow burst into tears. The waterfall was loud, but Shaoyao and the acolyte were close enough to hear his sobs clearly. However, Gu Beiyue and Qin Min heard nothing from the small house.
Currently, Qin Min had already started applying needles in a free-for-all life-and-death battle with unpredictable outcomes. At the same time, Han Xiang had already arrived at the shores of the Ice Sea.
The southern banks of Ice Sea were located in the northernmost border of Cloud Realm Continent as an unbroken coastline. Its highest point was more than one zhang[1] above the sea, while its lowest point was only half a man's height over water level. The vast Ice Sea with its seemingly endless boundaries affected the temperatures of the shoreline quite a bit, even if it wasn't as cold as the actual depths. Although it was summer, standing by the banks gave one a feeling of winter instead, especially when the cold wind blew over the frozen surface. The temperatures were enough to chill the bone.
The shoreline on Mysterious Continent's side were twice as high as Cloud Realm Continent. Its overall terrain was also higher in elevation. Currently, Han Xiang was getting off her sled and walking towards Han Yunxi and the rest. She was dressed in red battle robes and looked quite valiant with her tall figure against the pure ice.
Han Yunxi also wore pants in lieu of skirts in a dignified hue of purple to showcase her status. While Han Xiang came alone, behind Han YUnxi were a line of people. It was unclear whether this scene made Han Yunxi more supported or Han Xiang more bold. One thing to add about the picture was the fact that golden-eyed snow mastiffs surrounded them on all sides as Han Xiang approached Han Yunxi's group. These animals never took the initiative to provoke humans, but a huge group of them had shown up this time. It was a puzzling phenomenon. If not for Han Xiang's presence, they would've discussed it. As it was, no one was in the mood to bring it up.
Gu Qishao's eyes looked back and forth, knowing full well that these mastiffs were coming for him. But he had no worries. If the little beasts dared to run wild, he would show no mercy! He'd push Long Feiye into the pack! Just by his aura alone, that ice-cold face would be enough to scare them all off! After all, Long Feiye, Han Yunxi, and Han Chen were all present. Any one of them was enough to quell the snow mastiffs. So even if the animals were displeased with Gu Qishao, they only surrounded the perimeter and didn't dare approach, much less pounce. Gu Qishao grew quieter after some observation and went back to looking at Han Xiang with the rest. Only then did he notice she was wearing red robes like him.
"Tsk tsk tsk, same colors!" he laughed. "Must be a beautiful woman!"
"Qi gege, you'll always be the most beautiful one of all!" Mu Linger said hastily.
Jin Zi was expressionless. He didn't mind Mu Linger using "beautiful" to praise other men besides himself, especially if it was Gu Qishao.
Gu Qishao's mouth twitched, not bothering to acknowledge Mu Linger's "praise." He muttered offhandedly, "Poison lass, if she's afraid of being bullied on our turf, why not take the battle onto the Ice Sea?"
"It's really tasking to stay on the Ice Sea, alright?" Han Yunxi rolled her eyes.
It was too cold on its surface, so it would take much more concentration and energy to fight over the Ice Sea.
"It's no difference if everyone finds it tasking," Gu Qishao said.
"Since there's no difference, why ask for trouble and suffer the chill?" Tang Li interjected.
By now Han Xiang was close. Everyone finally saw her face and Gu Qishao blurted out, "Senior Han, she's Han Xiang? It's not the wrong person, right?"
"No," Han Chen said coldly.
Gu Qishao gave a start before chuckling in a funny tone. Although nobody else did, they knew why he was laughing. From a distance, Han Xiang's figure and heroic battle clothes made people assume she was a delicate beauty. But in reality, her appearance was indeed uncomplimentary.
Tang Li couldn't help remarking, "Qishao, I should've placed bets with you if I knew this earlier."
Han Yunxi looked back. "What's the point in gossiping about others?"
Tang Li and Gu Qishao fell silent at her words. Han Xiang stopped walking and paid her respects to Han Chen first. "Father, long time no see. Is everything well?"
Han Chen nodded without speaking. He emerged from behind Han Yunxi and stood on the sidelines straddling the center between them. Han Xiang's gaze rested on Han Yunxi as her expression turned arrogant. "This must be the Great Qin Empress, correct?"
Han Yunxi already knew Han Xiang had ill intentions, so she arched a brow and replied back even prouder, "Indeed, that is this sovereign."
Han Xiang's eyes flashed with disdain as she glanced to the side. Next to Han Yuxni was the god-like, dignified, and coldly solemn Long Feiye. In a flash, she froze. She was instantly certain that this was Great Qin's Emperor Xuanyuan Ye.
This man was even more charming than she imagined.
She even stopped looking at Han Yunxi to stare straight at him. Long Feiye was disgusted and soon looked coldly at Han Xiang, nearly shocking her soul into cracking. She withdrew her gaze and told Han Yunxi coldly, "I heard you've yet to acknowledge your ancestors, so I won't call you big sister just yet, all right?"
Han Yunxi didn't want to waste words and looked at Han Chen. "Are there any rules for the duel?" she asked simply.
Before Han Chen could reply, Han Xiang declared, "Of course. You can't use poison arts!"