Qu Qirong took Deng Tianyu’s hand and checked it over several times. Only after confirming that he truly wasn’t injured did she breathe a sigh of relief, then shot him a reproachful look: “Don’t be so reckless next time!”
“The lesson is well learned, Aunt Rong!” Deng Tianyu nodded as if he were a chick pecking at rice.
When facing one’s elders, one should be respectful and humble—that was true filial piety!
“Aunt Rong, shall we begin removing the Heart-Controlling Gu now?”
“The longer the Heart-Controlling Gu remains in your body, the greater the risk.”
“Mm!” Qu Qirong responded softly, her gaze toward Deng Tianyu growing ever gentler.
She knew very well in her heart that Deng Tianyu was thinking wholeheartedly of her welfare, which was why he was so anxious.
She had long forgotten just how many years it had been since she’d last felt the concern and urgency of a family member.
But after acknowledging Deng Tianyu, that icy heart of hers had gradually become warm, as if it were cradled in the palm of a hand—always cozy and warm!
“The feeling of having a junior who only has eyes for you… it’s truly intoxicating!”
Qu Qirong sighed inwardly, then said: “Tianyu, come with me!”
So saying, she swayed her alluring figure and headed deeper into the small courtyard!
Deng Tianyu followed, keeping a distance that didn’t overstep propriety, trailing one step behind.
They walked along a small path paved with green stones, passed through a series of rock gardens, and finally entered an elegant dwelling planted with green bamboo.
The room was simply furnished, containing only a few tables and chairs, several ink landscape paintings, and an incense burner placed in the center.
“This is Aunt Rong’s room!”
A faint, familiar fragrance lingered in the room, and Deng Tianyu came to a definite conclusion.
Aside from Shizun Ning Wan and the Big Loli Li Shishi, this was his first time entering a woman’s boudoir.
Moreover, this boudoir belonged to Aunt Rong!
“Tianyu, have a seat for a moment. I’ve already sent word to Ling’er; she will be here shortly!”
Qu Qirong gestured for Deng Tianyu to sit, smoothed her long skirt, and gracefully sat opposite him.
The reason they had come to her room was because an array had been inscribed here.
Once the array was activated, it could not only prevent anyone from barging in, but also block out all Spiritual Sense probing.
Although Xiaoxiang Elegant Garden was a place she had purchased, and no one would be foolish enough to intrude or casually sweep the area with Spiritual Sense…
Given that this matter involved the secret of the Heart-Controlling Gu, Qu Qirong had to be cautious!
Deng Tianyu sipped his fragrant tea, his gaze not rudely wandering about.
Evidently, this woman named “Ling’er” was the former Southern Border Gu Tribe member Aunt Rong had mentioned.
Knock… knock!
In less than half the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, the door was knocked on.
“Enter!”
As Qu Qirong’s voice sounded, a tall woman dressed in a deep red fitted outfit walked in.
Her facial features were rather exquisite, with slightly thick eyebrows and pupils of a light blue hue, shimmering with a lively and innocent light.
Combined with her healthy, wheat-toned skin, she perfectly fit the image of a Southern Border woman.
“Greetings, Madam!” Ling’er saluted respectfully.
Qu Qirong raised her jade hand and opened the brocade box: “Ling’er, see if you can control this Heart-Controlling Gu Mother!”
Ling’er glanced at the Heart-Controlling Gu Mother and said: “Please remove the barrier, Madam!”
Deng Tianyu looked at Qu Qirong.
The latter nodded, and only then did he reach out a finger and dispel the Yin-Yang Fish light barrier that had been confining the Gu Mother.
This barrier was made by Shizun Ning Wan’s hand. Since it was a type of Yin-Yang Art, he could naturally undo it.
Just then, Ling’er actually reached out and grabbed the Heart-Controlling Gu Mother!
Deng Tianyu furrowed his brow!
Qu Qirong remained calm!
Under their combined gaze, the Heart-Controlling Gu Mother, which had been so fierce toward Deng Tianyu, was now like a docile kitten, allowing herself to be held in her hand. Its round, snow-white little head even nuzzled against her palm.
Deng Tianyu thought to himself: “As expected, someone from the Gu Tribe is different.”
A smile touched Qu Qirong’s lips as she said: “Ling’er, from now on, this Heart-Controlling Gu Mother will be left in your care to nurture. Now, use it to help me remove the Child Gu from my body!”
“Thank you, Madam!” A flash of joy darted through Ling’er’s eyes, and she once again bowed respectfully.
With the aid of the Heart-Controlling Gu Mother, her strength would also advance by leaps and bounds.
As if recalling something, Ling’er looked at Qu Qirong with a touch of worry: “But Madam, although we have the Gu Mother in hand, the Ice Soul Heart-Protecting Pill—”
“There is no need for the Ice Soul Heart-Protecting Pill anymore. In a moment, you just need to use your Gu Art and draw the Child Gu out of my body by relying on the Heart-Controlling Gu Mother.”
“Yes!” Though Ling’er had some doubts, she didn’t inquire further.
Qu Qirong led Deng Tianyu past the bed curtains and into the inner chamber, saying gently: “Let’s begin, Tianyu!”
As she spoke, she took out a jade talisman engraved with array patterns and infused it with True Essence.
“Buzz!”
Instantly, the entire room was enveloped by layer upon layer of cryptic array patterns.
At that moment, Deng Tianyu swept his gaze across the inner chamber, only to awkwardly realize that aside from the curtained bed, there didn’t seem to be any suitable place for the removal procedure.
“Let’s do it on the bed!” Qu Qirong also understood when she saw this, and her devastatingly beautiful face was tinged with a layer of gorgeous crimson.
Even though he was her junior, being not just alone in a room with him, but also sharing a bed, was indeed somewhat out of line.
“Tianyu is merely my junior. Although this action is overstepping the bounds, it is for the sake of removing the Heart-Controlling Gu!”
Qu Qirong inwardly cautioned herself, then slowly slipped off her embroidered shoes and silk stockings, and sat down on the bed.
Seeing this, Deng Tianyu didn’t hesitate too much either. He parted the bed curtain and sat on the edge.
“Tianyu, if you’re going to use your Sword Intent as a substitute for the Ice Soul Heart-Protecting Pill, how will you transmit it into my body?”
Qu Qirong’s elegant brows furrowed as she only now remembered this point.
The Ice Soul Heart-Protecting Pill could be swallowed, and its medicinal effects would then protect the heart meridian.
But what about the Sword Intent?
Did it also need to be swallowed, or did it require physical contact?
“I can condense the two Sword Intents in my palm and transmit them through it—”
Deng Tianyu said subconsciously, but halfway through his sentence, the words got stuck!
He hadn’t thought it through carefully before, and only now, when he got to this point, did he realize it was more than a little bit inappropriate.
Because the Heart-Controlling Gu was located right at the heart, and the corresponding external position was unmistakably the chest area.
In that case, wouldn’t he have to press his palm against Aunt Rong’s full bosom?
“Is it through my chest area… that the Sword Intent can be transmitted?”
Qu Qirong clenched her pearly teeth, the peach-blossom redness on her jade face becoming even more beautiful and moist as her voice trembled.
From what Deng Tianyu had just said, she now understood how the Sword Intent was to be transmitted.
Mature as she was, even she didn’t know how to handle this.
After all, no matter how you looked at it, besides being Deng Tianyu’s elder, she was also a woman.
Deng Tianyu was also somewhat hesitant: “Aunt Rong, should I think a bit more and see if there’s any other method?”
This matter concerned a woman’s chastity; how could he dare make a decision lightly?
The atmosphere froze for a moment, the two sitting across from each other both silent.
After pondering for a long time, Qu Qirong took a deep breath and suppressed the shame in her heart: “No need. We’ll proceed with this method!”
As the elder, she naturally had to bear the responsibility of an elder!
