Jiumozhi desperately tried to dispel the sword energy of "Sword Twenty-Two," unleashing his ultimate techniques one after another, such as "Flame Saber," "Formless Calamity Finger," "Flower Plucking Finger," and "Dharma Leaf Finger."
But even though he had exerted all his strength, the wounds inflicted by the sword energy on his body only increased.
Fortunately, Gu Hanyuan noticed that he had reached his limit and was controlling the sword energy to make it seem spent.
However, Jiumozhi's condition was still not very good.
Although he wasn't severely injured, he had many additional wounds, and just the blood loss could be fatal.
Jiumozhi let out a sigh of relief and hurriedly clasped his hands together in a gesture of respect.
“Thank you for your mercy, esteemed one. If there is a chance in the future, I will surely repay this favor. Today, witnessing such divine skills, I am truly convinced. The 'Six Meridians Divine Sword' is simply not worth mentioning.”
With Jiumozhi's keen insight, he could still tell that Gu Hanyuan had shown him mercy.
Although he didn't know why, he had to acknowledge this favor.
Otherwise, it would be easy for the other party to kill him.
He even felt a bit afraid to go to the Song Kingdom, worrying that all martial arts in the Central Plains were of this caliber, which would be tantamount to seeking death.
If Gu Hanyuan knew what he was thinking, he would probably find it both amusing and exasperating.
He had originally intended to use Jiumozhi to spread the name of Wutian and the "Holy Spirit Sword Technique" to the Song Kingdom, yet even with mercy, he had still frightened him.
Gu Hanyuan waved his hand, signaling Jiumozhi to leave.
Jiumozhi wisely took his leave respectfully.
He was also eager to tend to his injuries; if he bled any longer, he would truly die.
Seeing that the crisis at Tianglong Temple had been averted, Duan Yu hurriedly came over to express his gratitude.
Gu Hanyuan casually brushed him off.
At this moment, Zhong Ling hugged Mu Wanqing from behind and whispered in her ear.
“Don't you think Brother Wutian is particularly charming?”
“Mm.”
Mu Wanqing instinctively responded to Zhong Ling's words, and upon realizing it, her face flushed even deeper.
Feeling a bit embarrassed and annoyed, she turned and pinched Zhong Ling's cheek.
“Ling'er, you've really learned to be naughty!”
The two girls playfully tussled until Duan Yu went to discuss with Duan Zhengming about temporarily retracting the decision to pass the throne to Duan Zhengchun.
Gu Hanyuan turned around to watch the beautiful scene of the two girls playing.
After Mu Wanqing noticed Gu Hanyuan's gaze, she became a bit flustered and quieted down.
Gu Hanyuan walked up to Mu Wanqing and gently stroked her hair.
“Relax a bit.”
Mu Wanqing seemed genuinely comforted, her previously tense body gradually relaxing.
However, her heart raced even faster.
“Brother Wutian, I want one too.”
Zhong Ling raised her hand beside Mu Wanqing, indicating that she shouldn't be left out.
Gu Hanyuan did not refuse and similarly gave Zhong Ling a "head pat."
After that, the three of them did not greet the people from Tianglong Temple and left directly.
Gu Hanyuan didn't care about those people at all; they were merely tools that had lost most of their usefulness.
He would find an opportunity later to deal with them all at once.
This time, the evaluation of the villain had two entries.
Jiumozhi earned a reputation boost, receiving an S-level evaluation and 2800 villain points.
For protecting Mu Wanqing, he received an A-level villain evaluation and 1900 villain points.
Currently, Mu Wanqing's series evaluation stands at SSS level, accumulating 12400 villain points, which cannot be claimed for the time being.
In the following days, due to Duan Zhengming's brief retreat from the world and the loss of most of his internal energy, he was unable to handle state affairs, so everything was left to Duan Zhengchun.
Duan Zhengchun was so busy that he had no time to return to the Town South King’s residence.
Gu Hanyuan's avatar in Butterfly Valley had not yet sent back any news, so he took advantage of this rare time to relax.
During the day, he took Mu Wanqing and Zhong Ling around for fun, and at night, he stayed directly at Dao Baifeng's place.
With Duan Zhengchun absent, Dao Baifeng was the most powerful person in the Town South King’s residence, and even Duan Yu had to listen to her.
Making arrangements was incredibly easy.
Thus, Gu Hanyuan no longer had to sneak out at night and leave before dawn.
As for what he had previously said about dealing with Zhong Ling, he indeed followed through, allowing her to fully experience the feeling of being a sweet darling.
Zhong Ling, having tasted the sweetness, was both excited and fearful.
After some interrogation, she finally revealed what she had told Mu Wanqing.
Gu Hanyuan found it both amusing and exasperating.
As for the strategy guide Zhong Ling mentioned, he would absolutely not admit to it.
While playing in Dali, Mu Wanqing watched Zhong Ling and Gu Hanyuan embrace and hold hands without any reservations.
Even at Zhong Ling's request, Gu Hanyuan lowered the mask covering the lower half of his face and kissed her as if no one else was around.
The impact on Mu Wanqing from hearing about it was completely different from witnessing it firsthand.
Even without more stimulating content, it had already made her emotions hard to calm.
Moreover, Mu Wanqing was very satisfied when Gu Hanyuan revealed the lower half of his face.
She felt that Zhong Ling's evaluation of his looks should be quite accurate.
Later, news came from the puppets in Butterfly Valley that Granny Jin Hua, also known as the Purple Shirt Dragon King Dai Qisi, was about to arrive.
Meanwhile, Yin Susu had also used the intelligence network of the Sky Eagle Sect to rebuild an intelligence organization covering various countries.
Although it was still quite rudimentary, it was not a problem to focus on a few individuals as per Gu Hanyuan's request.
This time, the news received was related to the Song Kingdom.
All these factors prompted Gu Hanyuan to prepare to return to Butterfly Valley.
However, before he left, he received news that Duan Yu had been captured by Jiumozhi during an outing.
It seemed he still had an unquenchable desire for the "Six Meridians Divine Sword."
Moreover, after witnessing the power of Gu Hanyuan's "Holy Spirit Sword Technique," his interest in the similar "Six Meridians Divine Sword" had greatly increased.
Although Duan Yu was no longer as unpredictable as before, lacking experience, he was easily ambushed and subdued by Jiumozhi.
That night, Dao Baifeng pleaded with Gu Hanyuan to save Duan Yu.
Gu Hanyuan had no interest in saving this adopted son and knew that he would most likely be fine; he had just gone to be a sycophant for the "Fairy Sister" Wang Yuyan.
What was initially a casual promise to appease Dao Baifeng turned out to be taken seriously by her.
She served Gu Hanyuan diligently, even nearly exhausting the "Sunu Sutra" in the process.
The next day, Gu Hanyuan bid farewell to Zhong Ling and Mu Wanqing.
They had initially wanted to follow him to the Song Kingdom, but Gu Hanyuan said their speed was too slow to bring them along.
Afterward, Gu Hanyuan kissed Zhong Ling goodbye.
Mu Wanqing watched this scene unfold before her more than once.
At first, she might have felt jealous, but later she gradually got used to it and even began to fantasize about herself in that role.
After Gu Hanyuan separated from Zhong Ling,
Mu Wanqing thought he would leave directly, but unexpectedly, he suddenly embraced her.
“Wan'er, do you think you can escape?”
This was the first time Gu Hanyuan had called her so intimately, leaving her a bit dazed.
Then Mu Wanqing felt a warmth on her lips, and she could no longer think of anything else.
Neither Zhong Ling's gaze, nor the sound of the wind, nor even the passage of time could be felt.
She didn't even know when Gu Hanyuan had left; she just blankly reached out to touch her lips.
It wasn't until she heard Zhong Ling's teasing voice that she came back to her senses, chasing after her in embarrassment.
But the radiant smile on her face still betrayed her feelings.