The Ancient Gods' Whisper

The dim corridor echoed with faint rustling sounds.

"I'll take care of it myself."

"Don't move. There's more here. Turn around."

"Uh... fine."

Gu Jianlin raised his hands high, resembling a clueless robber cornered at gunpoint by the police.

Su Youzhu stood on tiptoe, meticulously wiping away the dust and bloodstains on his chest with a damp tissue. Only after confirming it was spotless did she turn, unlock the door, and, without hesitation, pull him inside by the hand.

Helplessly, Gu Jianlin felt as though his very bloodline was subdued when facing this girl.

It forced him to admit one undeniable truth.

She had undoubtedly raised him single-handedly.

Su Youzhu indeed possessed the inherent demeanor of a poised older sister; even though she was a few months younger than him, her aloof and chilly disposition was entirely natural. Every look she cast his way inexplicably made him feel guilty.

Not even the majestic authority of the Qilin Venerable worked here.

It was akin to a child having done something wrong suddenly encountering a strict elder sibling — a suppression in the food chain.

"What have you two been up to again? Sick and still running outside? Went to watch the meteor shower, huh? Xiao Lin, you're just spoiling her! One day, you two will drive me to an early grave!" His mom spat irritably as she wiped the living room table, glaring at the two troublemakers who'd returned home.

The kitchen was infused with the heavy scent of herbal medicine. Uncle Su, busy simmering the concoction, chimed in: "You're back? It's good for the young to get some fresh air. Perfect timing, Xiao Lin — make sure she drinks her medicine."

The parrot seemed desperate to speak but had its mouth tied shut, unable to squeak even a peep.

Su Youzhu sat glumly on the sofa, her face dark as she stopped speaking altogether.

Gu Jianlin glanced at her; at home, she had the persona of a rebellious troublemaker who needed strict supervision.

The instant they stepped through the door, their social standings flipped upside down.

"How many times have I told you — keep this in the fridge! It's going bad now!"

"The fridge is so stuffed with your things there's no room left!"

The couple in the kitchen started bickering again.

Gu Jianlin set the herbal medicine on the table. "Drink it. Even though it doesn't really help, just see it as a way to keep things balanced."

Su Youzhu pulled a sour face. She loathed herbal medicine but, mindful it was prepared with care by Mom, braced herself, pinched her nose, shut her eyes, and gulped it down without complaint.

"Here."

Gu Jianlin retrieved a bottle of Yakult from the fridge and handed it to her, lowering his voice to ask, "Why'd you randomly run outside tonight? Didn't I tell you to stay home and rest? Do you realize how dangerous it was?"

Su Youzhu hugged the Yakult bottle and chugged silently, her face blank, only to retort: "You're one to talk! If I'm not mistaken, didn't you say you were going out today to buy me milk tea? Where's the milk tea?"

Gu Jianlin's heart skipped a beat, but his years of experience now made him unfazed. With composure, he said flatly, "If I'm not mistaken, weren't you supposed to be showering at home, wearing that see-through nightdress for me? And where's that nightdress?"

For a moment, the living room fell silent.

Su Youzhu raised her dazzlingly bright eyes and gave him a mockingly icy stare.

Without a word, she marched to the bedroom and returned with a silky black nightgown in hand.

It was transparent, freshly laundered, and carried the faint aroma of laundry detergent.

Oh crap.

Gu Jianlin almost had a reflexive meltdown, hurriedly snatching the garment and shoving it behind the couch cushions.

If their parents saw, it would be game over.

He had only made an offhand joke, never expecting to dig his own grave like this.

"I live up to my promises."

Su Youzhu's gaze was piercing as she coolly stated, "But you might want to explain something to me first. What's the deal with that red-haired woman? Why is it every time we split up, you end up with her?"

Gu Jianlin maintained his composure and replied firmly, "She's just a trustworthy teammate. Since you were conveniently injured, I couldn't team up with you, and she was the only reliable option left."

Su Youzhu stared at him quietly for a few moments.

"I see."

She mused thoughtfully, "Following your logic, if one day I ended up pregnant and you had biological needs to resolve, you'd go look for another woman, correct?"

Gu Jianlin's brain short-circuited instantly.

This mental leap was outrageous; once he processed it, he realized it was sheer absurdity!

"Stop saying nonsense."

He declared seriously, "We're siblings."

Su Youzhu huffed coldly. She had been holding the Moonstone Heart, feeling sentimental. But upon recalling it had been snatched together with another woman, the sentiment vanished in an instant.

"I suppose you really are growing up."

She grumbled, "Things were better back in school."

Gu Jianlin paused. "What do you mean?"

"In school, whenever another girl got ideas about you, I could just scare her away."

Su Youzhu replied wistfully, "Do you remember how, after you entered high school, quite a few girls confessed their feelings to you? And after your rejection, they'd never bother you again."

Gu Jianlin thought back and realized she was right; at first, there were one or two persistent admirers, but they eventually disappeared without a trace.

"That's because I had friendly and constructive dialogues with them, advising them against dating prematurely."

Su Youzhu said righteously, "Your peace and quiet were all thanks to my efforts."

Gu Jianlin was stunned, never imagining she had done such a thing.

"But I remember—there were still people leaving breakfast and snacks under my desk."

Realization dawned on him.

"Hmph, figured it out? That was all my doing! The school food was so bad even stray dogs wouldn't touch it. I was worried you wouldn't grow properly or that you might be malnourished. But looking at you now, you seem to have developed pretty well."

Su Youzhu scrutinized his face and physique, nodding approvingly. "My nurturing plan was a success. The only downside is that I've raised you too well, and now other women keep coveting you."

Gu Jianlin went quiet for a moment, then smiled softly.

Truthfully, he hadn't cared much for school before, nor was he sociable with his peers. Being overly mature meant there was little common ground. But in hindsight, he realized there were many beautiful moments he had let slip by unnoticed.

For instance, the girl in front of him.

"I do need the Moonstone Heart, but don't be so reckless next time."

Su Youzhu said seriously, "Otherwise, one day you'll drive me into an early grave."

Gu Jianlin was about to respond when he noticed her grimace in discomfort, breaking into a muted cough.

Startled, he instinctively steadied her shoulders, worried she was hurt.

Suddenly, a silvery glow flickered in Su Youzhu's beautiful eyes as she effortlessly activated the Divine Speed Force domain. Lifting her snow-white, delicate face, she pressed her soft lips against his.

The Ghost Slayer Path's perks manifested themselves boldly.

When striking, she gave no room for reaction.

Gu Jianlin felt a brief chill on his lips and instinctively leaned back.

But Su Youzhu moved faster, grabbing onto his collar and pinning him down.

No escape.

Gu Jianlin caught a fleeting trace of mischief and triumph in her illuminated eyes. Her lips were soft and icy, as if laced with Siberian frost — unskilled yet fervent.

The scariest part was, the couple in the kitchen were still arguing.

A simple glance their way and they'd see the two locked in an embrace.

Long moments later, Gu Jianlin watched blankly as she released his lips.

Like a little queen, aloof and proud.

"That's your punishment."

Su Youzhu leaned closer, whispering coldly in his ear, "Next time you bluff me, I'll bite you in front of them. Oh, and no see-through nightdress for you tonight...though, if you insist, you can come to my room."

Gu Jianlin felt her lingering warmth on his lips, his brain entirely wiped.

"So this is how you use the Ghost Slayer Path, huh?"

He murmured, feeling her schemes forever beyond his grasp.

"Not allowed?"

Su Youzhu lifted her chin. "Sweet or bitter?"

Gu Jianlin fell silent; he wanted to say it was sweet.

But her antics were too outrageous, and he didn't want her to feel victorious. So he nudged her forehead aside and said sternly, "I'm going to shower—we'll interrogate Councilman Zhang afterward."

With that, he turned and left without hesitation.

Su Youzhu watched his retreating figure, the corners of her lips curling into a faint smile.

She hadn't intended to be so forward initially.

But sensing looming danger, she had to act preemptively.

·

·

Magic City, Deep Space Headquarters.

The expansive floor-to-ceiling windows reflected the city's radiant lights. Rhein stood like a silent sculpture, his tall, upright silhouette mirrored by the glass, his frozen expression unmoving.

Five minutes ago, he received the news.

Saints Tianzhou and Xingye were dead.

Two young Saints he had personally groomed, both irreplaceably vital confidants.

All because the so-called strongest Catastrophe, King of Qing, accused them of being members of The Order of the Hidden.

Thus, these Holy Sanctuary Level Saints were crushed like roadside ants.

There was no room for negotiation.

"What a pity."

He murmured softly.

Whether pity for them or something else was unclear.

To those unfamiliar with the Ancient Catastrophe, this might seem absurd.

Saints.

Holy Sanctuary Level Ascenders.

How could they die so inexplicably?

But Rhein, a man versed in that gory history, knew better.

During the Ancient Catastrophe, the deaths of Seventh Rank Holy Sanctuary Level Ascenders were utterly insignificant.

Not remotely surprising.

Too many Guardians of the Human World perished at the hands of those two brothers back then.

Blood soaked the earth.

Hell on earth.

Thankfully, Li Qingsong was still alive. That alone offered a sliver of good news.

In the silence, Taixu's voice rang out.

"Vice President Rhein."

Taixu spoke gently, "Minister Zhang Xuzhi requests an audience."

Rhein paused briefly; his golden dual pupils devoid of emotion. "Tell him to stop overthinking. Focus on advancing to Seventh Rank and securing the final Heavenly General slot. If Lu Zijin takes that position instead, he needn't bother coming to see me again."

Taixu responded, "Understood."

A shadowy figure dressed in black-lace maid garb flickered and vanished.

Approximately five minutes later.

Taixu's projection reappeared in the darkness, hesitant to speak.

"Minister Zhang refuses to leave?"

Rhein raised an eyebrow. "Losing just one brother made him lose his grip?"

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