Chapter 20: Husband and Wife Through Countless Lifetimes, The Memories Still Linger

The Grand Dean arrived just in time, exuding an imposing air. Given his understanding of Shadowless, he knew that everything that needed to be said or done must have already been settled, so he got straight to the point.

Shadowless remained silent.

Du Gu Bieli was dumbfounded.

Sensing something was off, the Grand Dean awkwardly stood to the side. After a moment of stiffness, he forced a dry laugh and said, “You’re all here, not busy, are you? Heh...”

Shadowless shot him an annoyed look, then turned to Du Gu Bieli and said, “If you agree, nod your head. If you don’t... it’s best if you still nod. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee what I’ll do if I get angry.”

A chill ran down Du Gu Bieli’s back. He still remembered vividly how Shadowless had dispatched a Marquis-level powerhouse in just a few moves. The threat in his words was clear. Besides, he was indeed at fault first, having taken liberties with Su Xiruo—not only touching her, but even kissing her. The memory lingered on his lips, warm and sweet, the taste intoxicating. He could still feel the indescribable softness and resilience in his palm...

“What am I thinking?” Du Gu Bieli cursed himself for being shameless, shaking his head vigorously. Considering the feelings of her parents, he felt increasingly ashamed, his stature shrinking—literally, he felt half a head shorter. He forced himself to speak, thinking hard, “Please don’t be angry. I know I was wrong, but marriage is no trifling matter. Even if I agree, have you considered her—Su Xiruo’s—opinion? Shouldn’t her wishes matter? If it’s just the two of us pressing forward, we’ll only end up making a laughingstock of ourselves...”

“That’s true.” Faced with such a life-changing matter, Shadowless calmed himself, nodded, and concluded, “You’re settled, then. When I have time, I’ll ask Xiruo for her thoughts. If she feels the same way, then you can become husband and wife as soon as possible...”

“Must you be in such a hurry?” the Grand Dean interjected, displeased. “Xiruo is gentle and considerate, hardworking and obedient—there’s no need to rush her into marriage! It’s this boy who’s lacking—no looks, no strength, no wealth... In short, he has nothing going for him. Even his height is lacking...”

In that moment, Du Gu Bieli wanted to cry but had no tears.

Those words really stung.

...

“That’s not entirely fair. To fight your way through the selection and become a student of the academy requires some talent. If we nurture him, he could amount to something,” Shadowless offered, leaving him a shred of dignity, not mocking him completely, and highlighting at least one merit while dangling a tempting prospect.

“But why should we nurture him? I have nothing to do with him—could he be your illegitimate son?” The Grand Dean craned his neck, eyeing Shadowless skeptically.

Secretly despising the Grand Dean’s poor acting, Shadowless shook his graying head vigorously, denying, “If I had a son, he’d be much taller than him. I’d have to look up to him, not down as I do now.”

“Here we go again...”

Du Gu Bieli, his pride battered, knew better than to argue. These were the Grand Dean and the Vice Dean of Inspections. Reading the room, he remembered Tiger King’s recent warning, stifling any annoyance. He lowered his head in silence, letting their conversation pass through one ear and out the other, while he pondered the mysteries of the Path of Artifact Refinement.

“...Boy, you were admitted to the academy without undergoing the formal registration and competition. That’s against the rules. This is the first time I’ve used my authority to get someone in through the back door. Don’t you have anything to say in thanks?” Shadowless questioned.

The Grand Dean chimed in, “Also, you were allowed into the forbidden zone, so that’s not a violation. But you used the storage room’s ores without permission, causing great waste for the academy. Don’t you have anything to say about that?”

“Well? How are you going to make it up to us?”

“Show us your sincerity and make up for the academy’s losses.”

...

Du Gu Bieli rubbed his temples, unsure who to answer first.

Seeing the timing was right, the Grand Dean and Shadowless exchanged a knowing smile, then adopted benevolent expressions and asked kindly, “Tell me, using spiritual power to control and refine ore—is that a special method of crafting weapons?”

“Or rather, is it a divine refining technique?” Shadowless added, eyes full of expectation. The Grand Dean stared at Du Gu Bieli’s lips, his heart pounding as if it might leap from his throat.

Du Gu Bieli blinked, understanding dawning. So, these two old foxes had their eyes on his Path of Artifact Refinement all along. All the previous pressure, threats, and temptations had been but a prelude, creating an atmosphere of intimidation.

He chuckled inwardly, then feigned contemplation, resting his chin on his hand. Before the two elders’ patience ran out, he straightened up and said seriously, “Indeed, this is a technique for crafting weapons, called the Path of Artifact Refinement. It allows one to extract the essence of ores using only spiritual power, without external aids, to forge animated weapons... But my master forbade me from passing it on to others. So, esteemed deans, there’s no need to trouble yourselves.”

The two old men shared a long silence. After a while, the Grand Dean, struggling with disappointment, took a step back and probed, “We’re not asking you to reveal your technique. We only hope that, during your time at the academy, you can forge a few—some—many animated weapons for us. As compensation, I’ll overlook your past mistakes, let you stay in the forbidden zone, do as you please, use any ore from the storage room for practice, study any technique in the library, and waive your tuition...”

After a moment’s thought, he added, “And if you’re in a hurry to marry Xiruo, I’ll arrange it immediately...”

“When did I say I was in a hurry?” Du Gu Bieli was both amused and helpless. The terms were indeed generous—no more worrying about housing or tuition, free access to ores for practice to improve his technique, and all he had to do was hand over some completed animated weapons. He agreed at once, “That’s negotiable. But as you saw, my technique is still in its early stages and will take time to improve. Even when I can forge animated weapons, I won’t be able to produce many at first...”

“No problem, no problem.” The Grand Dean agreed at once, securing the arrangement.

Shadowless echoed, “If you’re overwhelmed or need help, just let us know. We’ll remove any obstacles so you can focus on your training and forge animated weapons as soon as possible.”

“Good, I do need some help with cleaning. You can take care of that first,” Du Gu Bieli replied unceremoniously, seizing the opportunity. Shadowless and the Grand Dean were taken aback, faces full of questions—what would he do in the meantime? Du Gu Bieli answered calmly, “I’ll be cultivating, of course. Can’t waste time. If my technique doesn’t improve, how can I forge animated weapons?”

“Quite right, quite right.” The two elders nodded in relief, speaking in unison, “We’ll arrange helpers for you at once.”

DONG—DONG—DONG—

Suddenly, the bell outside the storage room rang out, its echoes spreading across the academy. Soon, the previously quiet grounds buzzed with noise and excitement.

Classes had ended.

All teaching for the day was over.

Du Gu Bieli hurried out—he needed to fetch his little sister, the child, and the wolf.

The Grand Dean and Shadowless let him leave, sharing a smile before clapping their hands together like children in celebration. “It’s done, it’s done—both matters are perfectly resolved...”

“The boy is loyal, responsible, and honest. He’s not bad at all.”

“Yes, I’m quite satisfied... When you said he was worthless, I almost believed you...”

“Weren’t you mocking and threatening him yourself?”

...

Arguing and laughing, they left together.

...

“Big brother, I missed you so much.” After picking up his little sister, Du Gu Bieli went to the Genius Youth Class, where the little girl, voice quivering with tears, threw herself into his arms. Her jewel-like eyes brimmed with grievance and fear.

“Don’t cry, big brother’s here to fetch you now.” Du Gu Bieli patted her head gently, comforting her. “I was just finding us a place to stay, so it’ll be easier to go to class from now on.”

“Don’t make a fuss, big brother was busy with something important,” his little sister chided gently, though her own eyes reddened. Unable to suppress her anxiety, she said, “Big brother, we won’t be separated anymore, will we?”

“Of course not.” Holding the little girl and putting an arm around his sister’s shoulder, Du Gu Bieli promised, “As long as I’m alive, you have nothing to fear. Laugh when you want, be happy as you please. If anyone dares to bully you, big brother will kill them...”

“Boss, there you are.” The wolf approached from behind, accompanied by a shy young man—Xiao Hua—who had made it through the selection with them.

Du Gu Bieli glanced back, his smile freezing as he frowned. “What happened to your face?”

The wolf rubbed it instinctively, grimacing. “It was from the combat class. That teacher is a real piece of work—his methods are nasty. You have to fight, or you get punished for holding back your strength.”

“I see.” Du Gu Bieli didn’t press the issue, changing the subject. “We have a place now. Let’s all go.”

“Du Gu, um...” Xiao Hua called out timidly, not daring to meet his eyes. He still felt guilty for having entered the academy first due to his own paid tuition.

“Xiao Hua, are you alright?” Du Gu Bieli didn’t mind, speaking gently, “If you don’t have a place to stay, come with us. There’s plenty of room.”

“Really? Thank you, Du Gu!” Xiao Hua looked up in surprise, his eyes shining.

“Don’t be like that—be a man!” The wolf clapped his shoulder, then suggested, “Boss, lead the way. I’m eager to see our new home...”

The five of them laughed and chatted, heading toward the forbidden zone. At the edge, Du Gu Bieli took out a token, pressing it to each of their foreheads. A mark flashed and disappeared on each, and as they stepped inside, sure enough, there was no barrier.

But where the forbidden zone had once been empty, now two neat rows of brand-new houses stood.

Du Gu Bieli was still marveling when the door creaked open. Out stepped a gentle, elegant woman, her beauty fresh and refined.

Her robes fluttered in the wind, giving her the air of a fairy come to earth. Her sleek black hair cascaded naturally, like a waterfall from the heavens. Her clear eyes, delicate nose, and slender waist gave her the grace of a willow swaying in the breeze. When she smiled, two adorable tiger teeth appeared—a blend of maturity and innocence, allure and dignity, giving her a unique charm.

Her lips were rosy and tempting, making one imagine their softness and sweetness, like a ripe peach, impossible not to want to taste.

In that moment, Du Gu Bieli’s heart pounded. Somehow he just knew—this woman was Su Xiruo.

He knew it without any reason.

As if, in lifetimes past, they had been husband and wife, endlessly reincarnated, always searching for each other, and now, upon meeting again, the memory was still fresh.

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