Free Web NovelChapter 161: Chapter 161: Actually Ran Away From Home
Lu Sangjiu froze. She had considered that Gu Jue might not be in the best condition, but she never imagined he would withdraw from the competition altogether.
’As the male lead, even if he’s injured, he should still be able to dominate everyone, shouldn’t he?’
’Could it be... that Gu Jue has lost his protagonist’s halo?’
Lu Sangjiu was certain that the book she’d read was written from Ye Zhiyao’s perspective. Even though Gu Jue was the male lead, his entire role was to serve Ye Zhiyao.
’So, if Gu Jue and Ye Zhiyao no longer love each other, does that mean he’s been freed from his role as the male lead? And has he lost his protagonist’s halo for good?’
Though it was just a guess, Lu Sangjiu had a nagging feeling that this was the truth.
And so, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt toward Gu Jue... He had always been helping her, and as for the protagonist’s halo, regardless of her original intentions, she had ultimately caused him to lose some of its advantages.
Moreover, she suspected that when Gu Jue had shown Yi Ze no mercy that day, it was likely he’d been acting on her behalf.
All in all, she felt she owed Gu Jue for this.
Although she had decided to keep a certain distance from Gu Jue, she couldn’t just ignore him at a time like this, not even as a friend.
After a moment of contemplation, Lu Sangjiu finally decided to visit Gu Jue, if only for her own peace of mind.
However, she didn’t plan on going alone. Instead, she contacted Chi Yan and Feng Lin.
They had all gotten to know each other in the Qingyu Secret Realm, and Chi Yan was particularly well-acquainted with Gu Jue. ’If I ask them to come with me, it’ll just be a friendly visit. There can’t be any misunderstandings then, right?’
However, both of their tournament matches were scheduled for early on, so they could only go after they were finished.
So, Lu Sangjiu decided to head over to the Golden Core Group’s competition grounds to wait and watch their matches.
Among those eliminated in the first round, there were inevitably some who were quite skilled but had been dealt a bad hand by fate.
Take Yan Zui, for example, or even Yi Ze.
However, such cases were rare. These were cultivators with a real chance of placing in the top three, so they would naturally treat this one and only opportunity to reclaim a spot with the utmost seriousness.
Therefore, cultivators like them wouldn’t act rashly. They would first watch the other challenges, observe their potential opponents’ strength, and only make a move when they were confident of victory.
Although Feng Lin and Chi Yan had yet to reveal their full strength, they were by no means weak among the qualifiers.
As a result, neither of them faced any particularly strong challengers. They easily defended their arenas for five consecutive matches, securing their spots in the next round.
Once their matches were over, the three of them wasted no time and immediately headed for the private courtyard where Gu Jue was staying.
This time, there was no need to sneak in. After a Gold and Silver Gate disciple announced their arrival, the three of them were granted unimpeded passage to Gu Jue’s courtyard.
Gu Jue was already able to walk around, but he didn’t seem to be in high spirits. His face was a little pale, giving him a visibly frail appearance.
Sword Bu Gui had gone to the tournament grounds, leaving Gu Jue all alone in the vast, desolate courtyard.
However, he was visibly pleased to see Lu Sangjiu and the others, and a faint smile lit up his eyes.
"Are your matches over?"
Chi Yan nodded nonchalantly. "Fellow Daoist Feng and I are done. Lu Fairy’s match is later."
Gu Jue’s gaze shifted to Lu Sangjiu. "...I promised I would watch your match. It’s a shame I couldn’t keep my word. I will definitely go today."
How could Lu Sangjiu dare let him wander about again? She quickly waved her hands. "No, no, no! My matches aren’t exciting at all, there’s nothing to see. The important thing is for you to rest and recover."
After a pause, she couldn’t help but ask, "Are your injuries that serious?"
Gu Jue shook his head. "They weren’t that serious, but Master was out yesterday when people from the Beast Taming Sect showed up. I ended up fighting them... That’s what made it worse."
He had previously damaged his body by forcibly using an Immortal Artifact, so this was a critical time for him to rest and recuperate.
The Elixir Pills he took were of the highest quality; he should have been fine after resting for a day or two. But since he had to go and fight someone yesterday, it was no longer an injury that could heal in just a couple of days.
Lu Sangjiu couldn’t help but frown. "The Beast Taming Sect came looking for trouble with you, and no one from the Gold and Silver Gate stepped in?"
Gu Jue shook his head. "It’s a personal grudge, after all. It wouldn’t have been right for the Gold and Silver Gate to interfere."
He paused before adding, "It got a little worse, but I’ll be fine after a few more days of rest. You don’t need to worry so much."
’It wasn’t that Lu Sangjiu was worried, she just felt guilty. Otherwise, with Gu Jue’s power, he would have been sure to make a dazzling showing at the Sword Seizing Conference.’
Feeling a little upset, she fell silent for a moment before remembering to ask, "By the way, what about Liu Xi? I don’t think I’ve seen her for the past couple of days."
At the mention of Liu Xi, Gu Jue’s expression darkened with a mix of helplessness and worry. "After arguing with me that day, my junior sister sent a message to Master saying she was going out alone to clear her head. She’s left Muxian Town."
"Since then, neither Master nor I have been able to reach her, and we have no idea where she went... She’s almost never traveled far on her own before. I’m really worried."
"Part of the reason I chose to withdraw, besides my injuries, is that I want to recover as quickly as possible so I can go find her and make sure nothing’s happened."
Lu Sangjiu hadn’t expected Liu Xi to have actually "run away from home," which made her feel even more awkward.
’After all, Liu Xi’s argument with Gu Jue that day was because of me...’
She said nothing, but Gu Jue seemed to realize what she was thinking and quickly reassured her, "Don’t overthink it. This has nothing to do with you."
His reassurance, far from helping, only made Lu Sangjiu feel even more embarrassed.
After a moment’s thought, she said, "Don’t you worry too much, either. Once the Sword Seizing Conference is over, if nothing comes up, I’ll ask my senior sister to help you look for Liu Xi."
"Liu Xi is a Golden Core Stage Cultivator, after all. I doubt she’d run into any serious danger that easily."
Hearing this, Chi Yan and Feng Lin immediately offered to help as well.
Gu Jue wasn’t the type to enjoy burdening others, but when it came to finding someone, more help was always better. So, after a moment’s hesitation, he didn’t refuse.
He cupped his fists toward them. "Then I thank you all in advance."
The group chatted for a few more minutes, then Lu Sangjiu and the others stood up to take their leave.
"Well then, you focus on recovering. And please, don’t go wandering off again. We’ll come visit another day."
Lu Sangjiu added, unable to feel at ease, "And especially don’t go out to watch my match. It’s really not that important."
Gu Jue was clearly reluctant, but after a look at Lu Sangjiu, he finally nodded. "...I know."
Only then was Lu Sangjiu satisfied. She gave a wave and turned to leave with Chi Yan and the others.
But they had only taken a few steps when Gu Jue suddenly called out to her, "Fellow Daoist Lu..."
Lu Sangjiu turned back. "Hm? Is something else wrong?"
Gu Jue hesitated before asking, "Did you... come visit me the day before yesterday?"
Lu Sangjiu paused, then shook her head with a look of perfect sincerity. "No. Why do you ask?"
"...It’s nothing."
Gu Jue shook his head, his gaze falling to hide the disappointment in his eyes.
’It seems that bag of candy beans wasn’t from her after all. Perhaps someone just dropped it by my pillow without noticing...’
