During the days when Gu Yao and Hu Guzhu were together, they spent their time discussing and exploring the art of making immortality pills (dan). This would seem monotonous and boring to others, but the two people found it of great interest, very engaging.
Hu Guzhu highly values talent. He felt that although Gu Yao had guidance from famous teachers, he still lacked some basic understanding. Therefore, Hu Guzhu generously provided guidance, enabling Gu Yao to delve deeper into the fundamental theory and understanding of dan art. In the same way, Gu Yao's unconventional dan art also opened a new window for Hu Guzhu. Hu Guzhu felt that after he returned and thoroughly digested these new concepts and integrated them into his own dan art, his skill would definitely rise to a new level.
Hu Guzhu took Gu Yao as a forget-age friend. It was a pity that Gu Yao could not enter the Cuiyan Valley, but Hu Guzhu gave Gu Yao a special token, which allowed him to enter the valley at any time.
Gu Yao was also thankful for Hu Guzhu's open-mindedness and generosity, without geographical bias or selfishness. Hu Guzhu's strict yet open-minded approach to Dan art enabled him to accept and accommodate Gu Yao's opinions and ideas. It can be said that Hu Guzhu is an excellent scholar-type Dan master. For Gu Yao, the starting point of his predecessor, Xu Chen, was too high. Some basic things had naturally integrated into Xu Chen's skills and were not easy to explain thoroughly. Therefore, Gu Yao still learned a lot from Hu Guzhu.
"Master Hu," Gu Yao said after some thought, "I've heard that you have never given up looking for the young master Hu. Do you have any leads yet?"
Master Hu was initially immersed in the study of immortality pills (dan). On hearing these words, he was rapidly jolted out of his state, showing a look of disappointment. "I, as a grandfather, have not done right by him. To this day, his whereabouts are still unknown. The children of the valley and the city lord's mansion of Shifang City have searched in many ways, but there is still no trace. It is a shame that Weicai (Hu's grandson) does not possess your talent, otherwise..." He felt regretful that his grandson did not inherit his talent in Dan Art. "You are of the same age as Weicai. If he had the opportunity to spend some days with you and learn from your steadiness, I would be satisfied."
Gu Yao smiled at this, feeling bemused by the situation of the grandfather and grandson, each missing the other, yet their lack of communication led to numerous misunderstandings, resulting in the current predicament.
What Master Hu didn't know was that his grandson was indeed near him. However, since he had spent more time with Xiaopang (another name/character in the tale), he chose to respect Xiaopang's choices, though he intended to help Xiaopang from the sidelines.
"Master Hu," Gu Yao added, "forgive my presumptuousness to ask a few questions. When I was in Shifang City, I heard many rumors about the young master. Most of them were not favorable, attributing to him a flawed character and wanton habits. They said he squandered away his spirit stones and then sold stolen Dan medicines in return for more spirit stones. Everyone seemed to believe these rumors without any doubt. But I know that it was me who sold Dan medicine secretly in Shifang City back then. My inappropriate behavior has put this disgrace onto the young master. So I figure the young master's character might not be as bad as the rumors say. But, how did such a reputation come about?"
Upon pausing, after getting to know Gu Yao's alchemy, Hu Guzhu also suspected that Gu Yao was the one who let his grandson take the blame in the Shifang City at that time. However, he wasn't blaming Gu Yao, after all, the rumor was not spread by Gu Yao and Shifang City was not a good place. What bothered him was his grandson, Hu Guzhu thought it over and said, "Weitai is indeed a bit stubborn, and it was my negligence in disciplining him, but his nature..."
Hu Guzhu could not continue, should he say that his grandson is evil by nature? No, because when he thought of the letter that his grandson sent to the city lord's mansion in Shifang City specifically to prevent him from worrying, it was not hard to sense his grandson's concern for him as his grandfather.
"Do you, young friend, think there's a problem with the rumors outside?"
Gu Yao smiled and said, "I just feel that there are not juts one person like Shao Guzhu who has a high background but average talent, but not many people like Shao Guzhu have such a high-profile reputation. In my opinion, what Shao Guzhu did is nothing to talk about, and the rumors about him don't seem to include many evil deeds. Hu Guzhu, perhaps I'm talking too much. You should know the best about what kind of person Shao Guzhu is."
Hu Guzhu initially felt that his grandson didn't sound so terrible, but Gu Yao's words made him feel embarrassed. He had neglected his grandson when he was busy and usually forgot about him, and he was mostly cared for by his disciples.
Hu Guzhu waved his hand and said, "No, you are right, young friend. I, the grandfather, should know him the best. Over the years, I have neglected my duties, I should take some responsibilities on my own."
Finally, Gu Yao and Hu Guzhu came out of the pill room, which surprised Forest Peak Master and Elder Gan and others. The Gu Yao who had just been talking with Hu Guzhu had to step back and act like a junior. Hu Guzhu felt it unnecessary, but he could not help but reflect on himself. Perhaps he had done some things wrong, assumed too much, and thus led to the current situation.
Upon hearing that Gu Yao and Hu Guzhu had ended their seclusion, Elder Yi, who received the news, rushed over from Sword Peak to pick up Chi Changye, just after Forest Peak Master saw off Hu Guzhu, before he could find Gu Yao to say a few words, he was gone. The Forest Peak Master was so angry that his face twitched, Elder Yi didn't look upon Pill Peak at all.
"Master..." Ling Qi looked at Forest Peak Master worriedly.
Lin Feng waved his hand and asked, "I heard that the Master of Hu Valley gave Gu Yao a special pass to Cuiyan Valley. Is it really in Gu Yao's hands?"
"Yes", this was something Gu Yao did not hide. With the Master of Hu Valley as his backup, he was not a person detached from worldly needs. For example, this time, if it wasn't for Master Hu, how could Dan Peak let him off so easily? Consequently, Ling Qi knew about the existence of this token.
Lin Feng's eyes deepened, not knowing what he was thinking, and finally said, "Let him be. His presence at Dan Peak is not much of a threat. His existence serves as a reminder to you all not to become complacent just because you've become my disciples in Danfeng, thinking no one else matters."
"Yes, master." Ling Qi also knew that if Dan Peak did not restrain itself, more people at the Tianfu Academy would take issue with Dan Peak.
Compared to the prosperity of Dan Peak, Sword Peak looked particularly desolate. Moreover, Elder Yi who lived there believed in hard cultivation rather than indulgence, so the scene on Sword Peak was indeed desolate. Standing on Sword Peak, Gu Yao felt the cold wind blowing through his ears, giving an ephemeral feeling.
Sword Peak was the most remote among all other peaks, and nobody would come here without a reason. It also served as a guard for the forbidden Jian Pavilion located behind it.
Elder Yi took the two of them on a detailed tour around Sword Peak. Though called a 'peak', it was more than just one mountain top. There were many empty places. Elder Yi generously let the two of them choose any mountaintop to live on.
Chi Changye glanced at Gu Yao beside him and said with a faint smile, "Elder Yi need not be so polite. Gu Yao can stay in the courtyard where the foreign academics live, this place is not suited for him to refine pills." In this place, there was quite a bit of sword qi left behind, as a pill refiner, how could he guarantee not to be affected?
Seeing the innocent expression on Gu Yao's face, Elder Yi lazily waved his hand and said, "Okay, you lot can decide. But Chi, you must familiarize yourself with Sword Peak as soon as possible. As for Jian Pavilion, you can decide when you want to explore it. I see you need a suitable sword. I tell you, as long as you pass through Jian Pavilion, you can find the most suitable sword there. Those outside are not envious of the objects in the pavilion, but they can't ensure their safe exit, so that's why the things in the Jian Pavilion are preserved."
Chi Changye's eyes flashed with amusement. So, Elder Yi had figured out how to manipulate things subtly? Although it seemed a little attractive to him - he did need a good sword that could accompany him in his growth and battles. So he said, "Okay, And Gu Yao, who came and went freely, was someone whom he valued greatly. If Gu Yao stayed, more disciples with the talent for Sword Repair might be attracted here.
After introducing the remaining staff of Sword Peak to Chi Changye, Elder Yi let the two men go.
As a believer in arduous cultivation, Elder Yi believed that if a swordsman did not practice hard, how could he excel? But Chi Changye obviously did not agree with this. Didn't you see him go around the Quqiu mountain range, only to come out as a base builder? Now that he's a base builder, his internal injuries probably won't affect him much. Most importantly, Elder Yi had already heard from others about the amazing sword swing by Chi Changye, and was quite pleased. This talented swordsman was indeed a discovery of his.
When Gu Yao and Chi Changye returned to their residence, Tian Feirong and the pudgy boy were both vexed by a pile of gifts. These were presents sent to Gu Yao and Chi Changye in different ways, some were given secretly to them in hopes they could put in good words for others. Tian Feirong had never thought he would have so many gifts until his hands hurt. Although the gifts varied in weight, the total was shocking. If it had been him back when he first left Yuanyang Farmstead, seeing such a pile of gifts would have stopped his heart with excitement.
On seeing the two return, Tian Feirong was the happiest. He quickly jumped up and gave a list to Gu Yao, "Quick, these are all for you two. You check it out. Alas, when will I have such a day?" Although he had the pleasure of receiving an overwhelming number of gifts, it was a pity that the gifts were not for him, but for him to receive on behalf of Gu Yao and Chi Changye.
The two took a look. They didn't know most of the names, but some were familiar, such as Lu Qiusheng, who had sent a pile of odd flowers and grasses, which really touched Gu Yao's heart.
"Even people from Mad Snake Gang sent gifts?" Gu Yao was surprised. Had it not been for this list, he would have almost forgotten the existence of this group.