Chapter 480 - 239: Gu Haitang’s Awakening (Part 2)
Chu Xuan looked around and quickly found the four righteous sects sitting at the very top, facing each other: Purple Heaven Jade Mansion, Heaven Ruins, Celestial Sword Palace, and Profound Celestial Sect.
Among them were some familiar faces, such as Chen Yixian, Master Songxue, and Duan Wanshan. These three high-level cultivators had all stepped in to help Chu Xuan during their time at Gui Xu Grotto Heaven.
Although they acted out of their relationship with the Cyan Lotus Daoist Palace, adhering to the bottom line and reputation that righteous sects ought to maintain, believing that no disciple of the Daoist Palace should be killed without evidence, it nevertheless counted as a favor, and Chu Xuan certainly wouldn’t forget them.
As for the few who came from the Shangguan family, he did not know them. The leader was a middle-aged Taoist, with long eyebrows and cold eyes, who seldom spoke or smiled.
Chu Xuan scanned the scene and his eyes landed on where Purple Heaven Jade Mansion was situated; Gu Haitang had also arrived, accompanied by a middle-aged Taoist nun. Yet she still looked somewhat gloomy, much thinner and more wan than in the past, which tugged at his heart.
The grand meeting had not formally begun, and as the host, Master Mu Yunzi had yet to appear. Chu Xuan turned his head to Xiaoxue, saying, "Dear, have some snacks here first. I’ll be right back."
Xiaoxue opened her mouth, but before she could say anything, Chu Xuan instructed Li Xingchuan, "Watch over her for me, don’t let her run around."
Li Xingchuan nodded seriously.
Thus, Xiaoxue could only say to her master in her heart: I’ve tried my best.
Ji Mingyu appeared somewhat sulky. She instantly saw where Chu Xuan intended to go and could only secretly follow him.
...
On Gu Haitang’s side, she originally did not want to come, but Master Liu saw her troubled by emotions, growing emaciated day by day. After consulting her mother, she decided to bring her out to relieve her mind.
Just like Master Liu had brought Pei Shurou to the Hundred Flowers Banquet to unwind back then.
Although Gu Haitang secretly fantasized about whether she might see Chu Xuan on this trip,
she knew it was as unlikely as dreaming. Chu Xuan had likely hidden in some corner long ago, possibly even having a child with Qingqing by now. Why would he inexplicably come to participate in an Alchemy Dao Conference?
The more she thought about it, the more stifled and sad she became, almost unable to hold back her tears.
But just at this time, Gu Haitang suddenly heard Chu Xuan’s voice in her ear: "Haitang, it’s me. Find a chance to come to the back mountain forest."
At first, she was stunned, thinking she was hallucinating from too much longing.
After Chu Xuan repeated it, Haitang became both surprised and delighted, her nose tingling as tears fell.
Seeing this, Master Liu quickly comforted her, but she waved her hands, making an excuse that she was in a bad mood, wanting to take a walk and would return when the ceremony began.
Master Liu advised once, seeing Gu Haitang’s determination, and had no choice but to let her go.
...
In the back mountain forest, generally, guests were not allowed in such places. But now the entire Alchemy Sect was busy and bustling, allowing Gu Haitang to find an opportunity to quietly sneak in.
She had just made a couple of turns in the forest when she saw the figure she longed for day and night approaching her actively.
In that instant, Gu Haitang’s tears burst forth. She immediately opened her arms and threw herself into Chu Xuan’s embrace, crying heartily.
Chu Xuan gently stroked her long hair, softly kissing her temple and ear, whispering, "Dear, dear, don’t cry. I’m here."
Seeing Chu Xuan’s attitude like this, without the imagined dislike or reproach or even hatred for her, Gu Haitang couldn’t help but feel a large rock lifted from her heart, making her even more moved to tears.
But time was precious, so she still tried to control her emotions, lifting her head to look at Chu Xuan, "I, I..."
Haitang choked up, not having said much before Chu Xuan lightly laughed and lowered his head to kiss her lips, a kiss that left her bewildered.
How long had it been since they were so intimate? At least twenty years, right?
In countless dreams, Gu Haitang envisioned scenes of their reconciliation, but she never expected this day to come so quickly, so suddenly.
Chu Xuan’s kiss left Haitang’s heart and soul intoxicated, reminding her of the scene years ago in the Ruo Wood Secret Realm when they were in danger.
Chu Xuan called her a "silly woman," which made her so angry that she suddenly kissed his lips. It was precisely this kiss that transitioned them from an ambiguous relationship to becoming lovers.
Although at this moment, Chu Xuan did not say any words of "forgiveness" or "reconciliation," Gu Haitang clearly felt his intention, his affection. She only thought that at this moment, she would have no regrets if she were to die.
After a long time, still blushing and weak-bodied from the kiss, Gu Haitang wiped away her tears and straightened up from Chu Xuan’s arms.
He was still smiling mildly at her, warm like the sun in mid-June, making her heart flutter, "I, did you forgive me?"
"It’s not about forgiving or not. The conflict at the wedding was mostly a misunderstanding, a result of various coincidences. Although you deceived me, I also deceived you. Didn’t I say this during the Ancient Battlefield in the Northern Territory?"
Gu Haitang remained slightly apprehensive, tightly holding Chu Xuan’s hands as if worried he might run away, "But back then you also said, we are sworn enemies, and sworn enemies cannot become spouses..."
Chu Xuan laughed openly, "I’ve changed my mind, or rather, I’ve come to terms with it. To hell with being sworn enemies! I’m in love with you, not your family."
"Before, I always thought that once my true identity was exposed, you’d be caught between both sides, which would be very uncomfortable."
"I thought only by keeping my distance from you could you explain to your family. If we forcefully tried to be together, it would ultimately bring no happiness."
"But I forgot one premise: your family needs to be normal, one that cherishes you, not one that would do anything to achieve its aims."
"Last time at Gui Xu Grotto Heaven, that old man Shangguan He, to accuse me in public, even fabricated lies about you having reported my identity as the Heavenly Demon to your family long ago."
"That was when I started to doubt whether it was a correct choice to let you stay with the Shangguan family."
"Entrusting your future to such elders, would it really bring you happiness?"
"Especially seeing you having already brought your mother to Purple Heaven Jade Mansion, it removed my last bit of hesitance. You don’t trust those people, do you?"
"Haitang, completely break away from the Shangguan family and come to me, okay?"
Chu Xuan gazed into her eyes seriously, "I’ll do my utmost to make you happy."
Gu Haitang couldn’t help choking up again. She suddenly hugged Chu Xuan, actively kissing his lips, longingly seeking his affection.
Their tender affection left a certain lady secretly watching from the side nearly mad with jealousy. Ji Mingyu cursed inwardly, "Traitors, both of them are traitors!"
After this deep kiss ended, Gu Haitang didn’t immediately give Chu Xuan an answer. Instead, she troubledly shared many secrets with him.
These were the things her mother had told her before, including Shangguan Yu’s condition, the curse plaguing the Shangguan family, the truth about her father’s death, and the family’s current secret division.
Chu Xuan was quite shocked to hear this; he never expected that Haitang’s father’s murderer would be Shangguan Yu!
At the same time, he secretly sighed with relief, becoming increasingly convinced that Gu Haitang should be by his side. Even Gu Jianjia, her mother-in-law, strongly supported their union.
Moreover, after implementing the upcoming plan, Haitang would not need to sever her ties with Purple Heaven Jade Mansion. Chu Xuan could continue to be with her under his redeemed identity as a disciple of the Daoist Palace.
"Chu Xuan," said Gu Haitang with a pleading look, "I swear I’ve dreamed of being with you."
"But I cannot entirely abandon my family and ignore them. I want to change the family’s current situation. Once that person, once that person is gone, there will be no obstacles between us."
Hearing this, Chu Xuan pondered silently for a moment. Gu Haitang’s heart was in turmoil, worried he might get angry and leave, but she had thought about this issue for many years, not just impulsively.
But Chu Xuan didn’t. He nodded and said, "Since that’s what you want, I support you in doing so. But this path will be much harder than simply giving up your family. Are you sure you want to do this?"
Gu Haitang immediately showed a look of surprise and joy. She hugged Chu Xuan’s hands tightly to her chest, nodding repeatedly, "I am prepared for this. It’s time to end the Shangguan family’s six-hundred-year-old curse."