Chapter 805: You have to admit to things yousve done (1/2)

Both Gu Qishao and Mu Linger rushed to the forbidden grounds. By now it was daylight, but Han Yunxi was still sitting by the cliffside, staring blankly into the abyss. She could see nothing but an endless stretch of darkness last night, but it was no less deep under the sunlight. Chu Xifeng was still leading a huge team of shadow guards to search the depths with various men sending periodic updates from below.

Han Yunxi only listened without saying a word.

Seeing her dejected state left Gu Qishao’s heart aching. But Mu Linger was the first to hurry over.

“Han Yunxi, what happened last night? Doctor Gu...can Doctor Gu still be saved?” she asked anxiously.

Luo Zuishan had told them scant details on their way here. They only knew that Han Yunxi’s group had been ambushed last night and that Gu Beiyue had fallen over the cliff. Now Han Yunxi looked up at Mu Linger before turning back to the cliff again without a word.

At this moment, Chu Xifeng climbed up the cliff, so Mu Linger asked him, “Guard Chu, what’s the situation? Have you found Doctor Gu?”

Chu Xifeng sighed. “This cliff is too deep. The upper half is completely barren with no life. The middle is filled with tall trees and boulders. We searched for an entire night through this section last night, but didn’t find Doctor Gu. Further down…” Chu Xifeng glanced at Han Yunxi. Although he dreaded her reaction, he still had to tell the truth. “For now, we’ve only searched as far as the central section and haven’t reached the bottom yet. But from there we can hear the sound of water...the water… The water’s moving very rapidly, so there should be a river at the bottom of the cliff. We’re not sure how deep it is, but since the lighting’s better now, this subordinate’s already sent people to find a way down. This subordinate…”

Chu Xifeng looked timidly towards Han Yunxi again. “This subordinate...I came to make a report.”

“Then…” Mu Linger’s eyes were already turning red. “Then Doctor Gu’s prospects are bad! Doctor Gu’s such a good person, how could…” She would never forget how much he’d taken care of her when she first entered Pill Fiend Pharmacy! Then Gu Beiyue had gone to treat Grand Concubine Yi at the Duke of Qin’s estate and left her to manage the pharmacy by herself. However, he’d helped her out silently with countless things! Actually, after Han Yunxi and Long Feiye left for Celestial Mountain, Gu Beiyue had shouldered the burden of the south central region’s commander-in-chief’s estate and the Duke of Qin estate’s various details by himself. No one realized how he’d worked, but she knew everything.

How could such a gentle, warm, kind, and quiet man, who took compassion and pity on the pitiful, end...end up being the pitiable one in the end?

“No! Doctor Gu won’t die! He won’t!” Mu Linger abruptly stood straighter as she rushed towards the cliff. “I’ll go search too, we have to find him!”

Finally, Gu Qishao walked over as well. He crouched down and stuffed a water canteen into Han Yunxi’s hands before giving her a long look. Without a word, he flew down the cliff as well, right after Mu Linger. He acknowledged scant few people in his life, but Gu Beiyue happened to be one of them. Gu Beiyue had even called him “Little Qi” once, so he’d find him for the sake of their friendship even if he had to go through a mountain of swords and a sea of flames!

Chu Xifeng made as if to speak, but stopped himself. He would rather esteemed wangfei curse him out or interrogate him than remain silent. He didn’t regretting choosing to protect her last night and coming too late to save Gu Beiyue, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t feeling miserable! After a few more attempts to speak in vain, he finally went back to continue the hunt.

By noon, the search team had all made their way back up the cliff. Mu Linger couldn’t stop her tears, while Gu Qishao remained mute. Chu Xifeng lowered his head and gave the status report.

“Esteemed wangfei, it’s a river at the bottom of the cliff. The shallowest point is the height of a full-grown adult and the flow...the flow is extremely rapid. Our people searched for a long time...but didn’t find anything. This subordinate...this subordinate will have them keep swimming downstream…”

“You long knew that Gu Beiyue was a member of the Shadow Clan?” Han Yunxi cut him off.

Gu Qishao and Mu Linger were surprised by the revelation. So Gu Beiyue was the white-robed gentleman they met in the Skypit? Both of them stared at Chu Xifeng. Chu Xifeng had already written a letter to His Highness Duke of Qin last night but had yet to receive a reply. He didn’t know how the Duke of Qin would deal with this issue. Under Han Yunxi’s scrutiny, he knew there was no escape. Lying now would only make things more difficult for His Highness Duke of Qin.

His head hung as he replied. “Yes.”

“So Long Feiye long knew as well?” Han Yunxi’s voice sounded hints of anger.

After a while, Chu Xifeng nodded again. “Yes.”

“Then who am I?” Han Yunxi demanded next.

She had once suspected her origins because of the white-robed gentleman and even asked Long Feiye about the possibility multiple times. But she never thought that Gu Beiyue was that very gentleman, or that Long Feiye would hide this from her!

Chu Xifeng hastened to explain. “Esteemed wangfei, it was Doctor Gu who requested to keep this a secret! It’s not His Highness Duke of Qin’s fault! Doctor Gu said he’s the sole survivor of the Shadow Clan. He doesn’t know if the West Qin imperial heir still exists in this world, but he doesn’t want to find them either. Nor does he want to be the Chu Clan’s watchdog. He said his identity is unique, so he doesn’t want to make trouble. All he wanted was a peaceful live as a Pill Fiend Pharmacy physician, so he asked His Highness Duke of Qin to hide the truth with him. Esteemed wangfei, these are Doctor Gu’s private affairs. If he didn’t want you to know, then His Highness Duke of Qin couldn’t have done anything either, right?”

Chu Xifeng’s heart was always on his master’s side. Han Yunxi didn’t fear becoming West Qin’s imperial heir, but she was afraid of lies and plots. Hearing Chu Xifeng’s explanation cleared her head before she asked, “How did Long Feiye know? When did this happen?”