Chapter 1371: Late
After Yang Tie finished speaking, Gu Qing smiled. However, she continued to appear very serious. She said softly, "Senior Yang, we've known each for many years. I'm well-aware of what a person you're. What I'm asking you has nothing to do with the Celestial Sect of Wonders. It's just about you."
After Yang Tie heard her words, he didn't say anything. He looked at Gu Qing quietly and waited for her to finish her words.
"I want to ask you about your opinion of our future together?" Gu Qing repeated what she wanted to ask.
Yang Tie descended into silence and didn't answer her.
Gu Qing took in a deep breath and said, "Senior Yang, I know that you almost became a Daoist couple with the Bizhen Master Fang Shaolan from the Purple Clouds Sect although you've never mentioned it before."
"It seems like it isn't just a Daoist couple, but...husband and wife just like Miss Zhener and the Flaming Emperor?"
Yang Tie nodded his head slowly and looked at Gu Qing earnestly, "You're right."
Gu Qing asked, "Did she suggested a breakup?"
Yang Tie smiled and answered calmly, "Yes. Sister Shaolan is too hardheaded and competitive. I gave her too much pressure."
Gu Qing sighed in her heart as she heard his words.
For many others, it's never a bad thing to establish a relationship with a potential successor of the Celestial Sect of Wonders.
However, many also believed that being with a successor of the Celestial Sect of Wonders was too much to handle due to his constant presence in the spotlight. In addition, this spotlight was getting even brighter and brighter.
Even for Gu Qing, a rising talent of the Gu Empire, was predicted to live in the shadows of Yang Tie if she became a Daoist couple with him.
If she took it a step further and became his wife, the Qing Yang Master Gu Qing from the Gu Empire would cease to exist. Only the wife of the Tian Tai Holy Man, Lady Yang, would be recognized.
Compared to Fang Shaolan's hardheadedness, Gu Qing was much gentler. She was convincing herself to accept this.
Gu Qing looked at Yang Tie and asked softly, "Senior Yang, do you...do you still miss her?"
"I've no intention of knowing about your past, thoughts and private matters. But this matter concerns me too." Gu Qing said calmly. "Whatever your answer is, I can accept it. I won't turn hysterical. Whatever your decision, I'll be able to accept it and face it calmly."
"I'm not a kid. If it's really hopeless, I can live with it and I won't bother you."
"But I must try my best. I want to understand things and not live in ignorance."
Yang Tie looked at Gu Qing and shook his head, "No, Junior Gu. You've the right to know about this matter. After meeting you, I often think of this in my heart. Even if you don't ask me, I'll approach you regarding this matter one day and clarify things."
Gu Qing turned silent and listened to Yang Tie. Yang Tie lifted his head to look into the sky and said, "You're right. I've been missing Sister Shaolan."
"I tried to keep her and fight for our relationship. But she was too determined. I could only respect her decision."
"All these years, I've grown older and my mastery has also increased. I've experienced more and more things too. I've slowly learned to accept things. Rather, I face them in a different way now. I approach the problems from a different perspective."
"But in the end, I realize I still can't forget her." Yang Tie looked a little low in spirits but he still remained calm. "Junior Gu, you're outstanding. Both you and Sister Shaolan are very outstanding. Let me say something frivolous today. If we get together for life, I'll be very blessed."
Although Gu Qing had a strong admiration for Yang Tie, Yang Tie was very formal with her. He was never frivolous and was never over the top with his actions. He wouldn't give her false hints and cause her to misunderstand. Regardless whether it's him or the Celestial Sect of Wonders, they believed that he and Gu Qing were a potential Daoist couple. But they never thought of the idea of marriage.
Yang Tie looked at Gu Qing and said sincerely, "If we really reach that step in the future - wedding you as my wife - it'll be my great fortune."
"But my feelings for Sister Shaolan are different from my feelings for you." Yang Tie looked at Gu Qing's eyes and said slowly, "You're not anyone's substitute or a spare tire. You're special. If we really get together, I guarantee full loyalty towards you. I won't have anything to do with Sister Shaolan.
"But it won't be love."
Gu Qing was slightly relieved and slightly disappointed when she heard his words, "Yes. I had this feeling from the start. You weren't over the top with your actions either. It's not even possible for me to lie to myself."
"Although you put it in this way, I know that we can at most be a Daoist couple."
"Without the Bizhen Master around, we may actually be a true couple."
"But as you said, we won't be a couple truly in love even if we get together. But I wonder whether our relationship will be different if you've never met the Bizhen Master."
Yang Tie paused for a moment before saying, "I never answered you when you asked what I think about the future."
"I've never thought about it completely because of some things and I don't know how to put it to you. But today I realized that I've never truly understood you. Junior Gu, you're truly outstanding. It's also because of your advice that I've become more determined about the future."
He looked at Gu Qing and said softly, "I'll find Sister Shaolan and speak to her again."
"Lying is a form of hurt. So is rejection. But I don't want to continue lying to you. If I've hurt you, I apologize."
"As a man, I need to take responsibility. In fact, I'm embarrassed that you're clarifying the matter with me rather than me finding you first. I've delayed you over these few years."
Gu Qing shook her head, "Senior Yang, your words are too serious. I'm the one who delayed you. Because of me, you're left in a spot. All these years, I've benefited greatly from our discussions about the Dao. You imparted a lot of knowledge to me, but I didn't help you in any way. In terms of love, it's also one-sided."
She lifted her head to look at Yang Tie, "I'm glad that you can clarify everything with me today. I'm very happy. I'm really happy."
The lady in white smiled brightly, "Senior, I hope that you can get back together with the Bizhen Master and all will be well in the end."
Yang Tie looked at Gu Qing and said softly, "Thanks for your blessing, Junior Gu."
Gu Qing smiled as she said, "The elders and comrades from the Purple Clouds sEct should be at the hostel at the south of the Longevity City. Senior Yang, go now."
Yang Tie nodded his head and said as he saw that she was unwilling to turn and leave first, "Junior Gu, take care."
Gu Qing watched Yang Tie's back figure as he left, and her smile slowly disappeared. She was quickly engulfed by sorrow but she couldn't stop it.
Yang Tie could sense her emotions. He revealed a look of reluctance and pity in his eyes.
Gu Qing bit her lips when she sensed that Yang Tie was walking slower and slower, "Don't turn around, don't turn around...if you turn around, I'm afraid that I can't control myself. I may cry in front of you..."
She couldn't control the sorrow in her heart. But Gu Qing felt her body stiffening. She couldn't restrain herself. She only wanted to look at him one more time.
Yang Tie stopped and didn't turn around. He listened to her without moving.
Tears finally streamed down Gu Qing's face. However, she didn't utter a word as she lowered her head.
"Junior Gu, I'm sorry." Yang Tie sighed silently before walking forward again. He broke void space this time and disappeared instantly.
Since he couldn't promise her anything now, he would only bring her more hurt if he treated her nicely now.
He might not achieve anything from talking to Fang Shaolan, but it wasn't fair to make Gu Qing wait for him. It would be an insult to Gu Qing.
On the other side of the Longevity City, Zhu Yi was conversing with the Immortal Soul Third Level cultivator, Gu Cheng, from the Gu Empire. They were both glancing in a certain direction. They both looked at each other after they glanced in that direction.
Gu Cheng sighed as he said, "Perhaps, this is the best outcome for both parties."
Zhu Yi said, "We can only let nature take its course for matters like this. Human relationships are very delicate. We can compromise and try to remove all conflicts, but it will take its toll on one's self."
Gu Cheng ceased to talk about this topic, "I wonder when your master will arrive?"
Zhu Yi answered, "He'll arrive with eldest senior."
Gu Cheng nodded his head silently. The Gu Empire was unsure why Lin Feng would make a personal visit and even gather all his Immediate Disciples as well as invite the different sects and powers.
Besides Xiao Yan and Xiao Zhener's engagement, there would also be a conference for the younger disciples to interact with one another. There would also be a pill cultivation contest jointly organized by the Celestial Sect of Wonders and Gu Empire. Gu Jun, Gu Cheng and the rest from the Gu Empire were well-aware of the schedule of events.
However, Lin Feng did mention to them that he had other matters to discuss with them. They didn't know anything detailed. Regarding this, Gu Jun, Gu Cheng, and the others made their own conjectures.
As the time and date got closer, more and more people had gathered in the Longevity City. Even Shi Tianhao, who was initially in the Void Battleground, managed to reach the Longevity City a day before the ceremony.
However, what left everyone bothered was that Big Luo Hades didn't appear.
Big Luo never revealed himself after he entered the sect. Even the Celestial Sect's own junior disciples had never seen this ninth junior uncle and ninth junior granduncle.
However, it became very normal after many years. If not because of the fact that Lin Feng's Immediate Disciples had all gathered, no one would've expected Big Luo Hades to appear.
As compared to Big Luo, the most embarrassing thing was that the main figures of the ceremony, Lin Feng and Xiao Yan, had yet to arrive on the day of the ceremony.