Chapter One Hundred: The Spirit Core of the Red-Tailed Fox

Three days later.

The weather today was as gloomy as Gu Zhiheng’s expression.

Early in the morning, without even having breakfast, everyone sat in the courtyard of the administration office.

Today was the day Liu E was to deliver the Red-Tailed Fox spirit core to Gu Zhiheng, and everyone was curious whether it really existed.

But Gu Zhiheng seemed indifferent, unconcerned about the matter, as if it was nothing.

The air was dry, and the wind carried a lot of yellow sand, stinging the face.

The bottle of wine in Gu Zhiheng’s hand swayed slowly; he took sips now and then, his gaze hazy and absent-minded, occasionally glancing up at the sky.

No one knew what he was looking at or thinking—he just appeared to be daydreaming.

“He got the spirit core, nearly a thousand years old, and fresh, still with blood,” he said with a slight smile, gulped down a mouthful of wine, then turned to Chu Xingran beside him.

“Tonight, paint all the talismans you can. We should check out other places next.” The Red-Tailed Fox affair seemed just the beginning.

They couldn’t deal with them this time, but there would be opportunities later.

“I’ve thought it through—the road ahead won’t be easy. Everyone will face life-threatening dangers to some extent,” he paused, looking around at those beside him.

In truth, he didn’t want these people to follow him anymore.

They would all be in danger in the end, either dead or injured, with no happy endings.

That’s why he had been wearing a dark expression lately, allowing Qingxiu to mercilessly mistreat them, hoping they would know when to quit.

But he hadn’t expected Liu E to risk everything, to desperately obtain such a high-level Red-Tailed Fox spirit core to save someone unnecessary.

Maybe they were different from him—their hearts still cared about people, about things they wanted to protect.

He was different—from beginning to end, he had always been alone.

They were mere passersby in the whole affair, a fleeting episode in his life.

He couldn’t afford to be softhearted, yet he found himself unable to bear it.

Because of Liu E’s desperate efforts this time, he seemed to understand something: if you care, you should protect them.

But they were too stubborn; no matter how much he persuaded them, they would keep following him.

From now on, he would remain cold and ruthless, yet they would keep their original intention and stay by his side.

The journey to the northwest rescued all the spirits and cultivators but harmed everyone around him.

They paid with their lives to secure others’ safety; he didn’t know if it was worth it.

He seemed to understand selfishness—that it means only caring about those you truly care for.

But he also realized the principle of sacrificing the small for the greater good; those who achieve great things do not fuss over trivial matters.

“I’m sorry. From now on, I will do my utmost to protect you,” he silently apologized, feeling he had dragged them down.

In a fleeting moment of grief, the atmosphere shifted in color. At that instant, Gu Zhiheng understood many things.

There really are those who risk everything without hesitation, who reconcile without grudges, and who accompany others against all odds.

The seven emotions and six desires—he had grasped most of them.

“Ah Heng, brother got what you wanted. Let her go!” Liu E almost stumbled, but Gu Zhiheng swiftly caught him.

“Why bother? She’s not worth it. You could have spared yourself,” Gu Zhiheng said, unable to understand—was love truly that important?

It was a shackle, a prison, a long, sharp thorn.

“I promised her that I would protect her safety no matter what, and I’ve done it,” Liu E said with a faint, bitter smile, though he clearly didn’t have to do this.

Jing Shushu was also the woman he loved most; everything had been perfect.

But sadly, the one she loved was Gu Mojiang, his best brother.

Sadly, brotherly loyalty was betrayed, and childhood love proved equally fragile.

“Forget her. You still have brothers and sisters by your side in the days ahead!” Gu Zhiheng gently tapped Liu E’s forehead; Liu E fainted.

“I sealed his memories of Jing Shushu. His body is weak now; I’ll take him upstairs to rest first,” he explained briefly to the others, carrying Liu E to the second floor’s resting room.

After settling Liu E, Gu Zhiheng descended the stairs and faced the others, thinking long before speaking.

“If possible, you should leave. I won’t force you.”

“The road ahead is truly perilous. I don’t want any of you to suffer accidents. I want you to live well.”

“I can manage on my own. Though it might take longer, I believe your safety is the most important.”

“The dangers ahead are beyond what we can imagine. Between life and death, I fear I might not be able to save you.”

His voice was clear and resolute, but his expression was complicated. He lowered his head and remained silent.

He had said what he most wanted to say—he feared they would leave, yet feared even more that they wouldn’t.

Hearing Gu Zhiheng’s words, everyone fell silent.

None of them had expected that over a single spirit core, Gu Zhiheng would come to understand so much.

He was not merely growing up; he was forcing himself to face reality, persuading himself to accept and recognize it.

“Gu Zhiheng, we won’t give up on you or abandon you. We will always support you from behind,” Mo Han said, patting Gu Zhiheng’s shoulder—they were brothers after all!

Chu Xingran shared the same stance—they would neither give up nor abandon him.

“Master Jiu, we chose this path from the start. We are not afraid of the dangers or hardships ahead. We are willing to walk alongside you,” Chen Yuan said, knowing that one day Gu Zhiheng would stand before her again as their leader.

Though Chu Zhao’an didn’t fully grasp the bond among these few, he wasn’t the type to regret or give up halfway.

Since he chose to follow Gu Zhiheng, he would not retreat; he would stay faithfully by his side until the end.

Gu Zhiheng was deeply moved by their choice. After so many days, he finally smiled again.

This time his smile carried sincerity, approval, and anticipation for the future.

“I knew it—you bunch of bastards wouldn’t run away. Good disciples, keep training hard. No giving up!” Well, if that’s the case, no need to hold back anymore.

This group had made him act all these days, yet not one was willing to leave.

“Hey, Gu Zhiheng, are you even human? Come here, damn it!” Mo Han shouted angrily from behind. Gu Zhiheng, the shameless bastard!

They had all staged such a heartfelt scene here, and he actually let Qingxiu continue? Could he not be so absurd?

After all, they were good brothers and sisters, yet he pulled such a stunt—wasn’t that just inhumane?

“We’re all brothers and sisters. Your little brother is just trying to help you all. Keep working hard!” Gu Zhiheng laughed heartily. So this is the kind of fun being strong entails!