Jiangshan Fengwuzhi

Chapter 324 In a dream
Gu Jingnian realized early on that he had fallen into Shen Jichi and Xue Juju's trap.

But he had a vague feeling that they wanted to lure him to a place, and it wasn't just to kill him; otherwise, there should have been an ambush there.

He was indeed curious about that place, and he even had a feeling that Gu Caiwei might be there.

"Young man, bring the Ancient Wood Token." Xun said, "This old man has no plans to move anytime soon."

"it is good."

Gu Jingnian didn't press the matter further, got up, left the clinic, and walked out.

He needed to see Xue Juju one more time.

Presumably, since Xue Juju poisoned him, she would want to see him, and should have left an opportunity for them to meet.

The dark clouds hanging over Zhuojing City grew heavier, and Gu Jingnian sensed an increasingly dangerous atmosphere.

But he decided to gamble on his judgment.

Back in his hiding place, he lit candles and placed mirrors on the table, preparing to escape at any moment.

Then, he picked up the handkerchief Xue Juju had given him, took a deep breath, and smelled a fragrance.

He walked towards the source of the fragrance.

Light and shadow intertwined with his steps, allowing him to traverse time and space... When the fragrance lingered once more, his silhouette was already standing before Xue Juju.

Xue Juju was fast asleep, lying on her side, her body revealing a beautiful curve.

Strangely, Gu Jingnian could not see the bed beneath her or the blankets covering her.

"Where is this?" he asked directly.

Xue Juju was awakened by his voice, opened her eyes, yawned, and answered in a muffled voice.

“This is my dream, you don’t need to worry about those people coming to capture you.”

It's clear that she did it on purpose—deliberately leaving the handkerchief and deliberately poisoning him—all to lure Gu Jingnian here.

Gu Jingnian said, "Am I in your dream?"

“Yes.” Xue Juju closed her eyes again, shifted to a more comfortable position, and said, “Sending images into dreams, didn’t you know that before? The Marquis and I love playing this game, otherwise, I wouldn’t have the stamina to handle him.”

As she spoke, her voice became more alluring.

She pressed her finger to her lips and said, "In my dreams, I can do whatever I want."

Gu Jingnian was too lazy to talk to her about how to play, and said, "Give me the Ancient Wood Token."

“Alright,” Xue Juju said, “I can also cure your poison, but you have to keep your word and release the Marquis.”

"I will release Shen Jichi, but only after I rescue my sister."

"You're a liar." Xue Juju said in a coquettish tone, "Hmph, believe me or not, I'll lock you in my dreams?"

“With Shen Jichi’s abilities, if I release him, how will I survive? And since I rescued my sister, keeping him around is useless.”

"I don't believe you," Xue Juju said. "How about this, you take me to see the Marquis."

Gu Jingnian said, "Jusai City is too far away. Even if I use the teleportation technique, I cannot get there."

"I told you, this is my dream, I can do whatever I want here."

“But Jusai City suppresses supernatural abilities, so your dreams cannot enter Jusai City.”

"You're wrong." Xue Juju finally came to her senses, sat up lazily, and said, "It was Jusai City who entered my dream, not me using my superpowers in there."

Gu Jingnian frowned, unsure of what she meant.

"come here."

Xue Juju then raised her arm and waved to him.

She was dressed lightly, and her movements were quite alluring.

Gu Jingnian stepped forward and asked, "What are you doing?"

"Come here," Xue Juju said, still waving, "hold me in your arms."

Gu Jingnian didn't move.

"What are you afraid of? Hurry up, you have to hold me so you can take me to see the Marquis."

As Xue Juju spoke, she leaned forward and buried her body in Gu Jingnian's arms.

"Alright, now use teleportation to the place closest to Jusai City."

"Is there anything I should be aware of?"

"No, in my dreams, we can do whatever we want."

Gu Jingnian didn't believe it at first, as he had never sent a shadow beyond a few miles.

But when he sensed the aura of Jusai City and used the Shadow Transmission Technique again, a city actually slowly appeared before his eyes.

It was very blurry, and the city did not show its full appearance; it only showed the shape that Gu Jingnian remembered. It was clear that this was not the real Jusai City.

Hold my hand, and don't let go.

Xue Juju and Gu Jingnian held her wrist before she left his embrace.

"Let's go, take me into the city."

Gu Jingnian then pulled Xue Juju, who was only wearing a thin nightgown and barefoot, toward Jusai City. The winding mountain road receded in a strange way, just like the way he remembered walking through it.

Following his memory, he entered the city and arrived at the place where he had imprisoned Shen Jichi. Opening the door of the stone house, he found Shen Jichi, still in shackles, lying peacefully asleep on the couch.

"Hold me tight," Xue Juju said, pulling Gu Jingnian's hand around her waist.

She reached out to push Shen Jichi, but her hand passed right through Shen Jichi's body.

At this moment, only Gu Jingnian could have any real physical contact with her.

Xue Juju then took out a handkerchief from her bodice and waved it at Shen Jichi.

"Master Hou."

"Master Hou."

After calling out many times, Shen Jichi finally opened his eyes.

He lay there, glanced at Xue Juju and Gu Jingnian, and was not angry at all because of their intimate actions. Instead, a smile appeared on his face.

"You came?"

"Hmm," Xue Juju said, "The moment I saw Gu Jingnian, I knew what the Marquis wanted."

“Gu Jingnian, there’s no need to rush,” Shen Jichi immediately reassured him, “I will give you what you want.”

Gu Jingnian said, "I think this is just a trick you use to get away."

"Aren't you going to ask me who Xun Yan is?"

"Who is he?"

Shen Jichi said, "He was originally an alchemist by His Majesty's side, but he has been retired for many years. Whether you want to find Gu Siniang or want to find out His Majesty's secrets, he can take you there."

After saying that, he looked at Xue Juju and said, "Now that you have seen me, you can give him the Ancient Wood Token. I'm sure he will keep his promise and release me."

"Yes, Lord Marquis," Xue Juju replied.

After saying that, she stretched out her hand, her voice tinged with a hint of coquettishness, and said, "My lord, I miss you so much."

Shen Jichi sat up, wanting to take her hand, but he couldn't.

He had no choice but to bring his mouth and nose close to smell the fragrance on Xue Juju's hands.

Gu Jingnian immediately realized what they were doing.

This fragrance is likely similar to the incense that can eliminate the suppressive effect of Jusai City on supernatural abilities, and could help Shen Jichi escape.

He put his arm around Xue Juju and stepped back.

"Master Hou!"

Xue Juju couldn't help but shout with deep emotion.

This situation is more like a loving couple being torn apart by the bully Gu Jingnian.

As Xue Juju shouted, the surrounding darkness began to dissipate.

The dream began to collapse.

The candlelight shone on the two of them. Gu Jingnian looked around and found that he was standing by the bed, holding Xue Juju in his arms.

"You're such a nuisance, ruining my dream."

"Give me the Ancient Tree Token."

“Alright,” Xue Juju said, “Search in this room, but remember, you have to use your true form to retrieve it…”

Before Gu Jingnian could speak again, a flurry of footsteps could be heard outside.

Soon, Shen Lingshu's voice rang out.

"Gu Jingnian!"

"Oh!"

The door was kicked open again.

Gu Jingnian glanced back, and without letting go of the hand around Xue Juju's waist, he prepared to leave, his shadow appearing and disappearing.

"Gu Jingnian, what you want is in my hands," Shen Lingshu shouted. "Come find me if you dare!"

Before he could finish speaking, Gu Jingnian had already disappeared.

--------

Inside the small house, the candlelight still shone.

Gu Jingnian, who had been sitting there in a daze for a long time, suddenly snapped out of his reverie and came back to his senses.

He recalled what Shen Jichi had said. Xun Yan had once been an alchemist by Emperor Rui's side, so he could roughly guess where the place Xun Yan was talking about was.

He also heard Shen Lingshu's clamor. If the Ancient Wood Token were in her hands, it would be difficult to take it, because the Kaiping Division had set up too many traps around Shen Lingshu, making it difficult for her to exert her supernatural abilities.

Unless, of course, I don't use my superpowers...

Just then, Gu Jingnian's ears twitched, sensing a rustling sound outside the small hut where he was hiding.

Now, every time he uses Shadow Transmission, Kaihei is becoming increasingly adept at locating his true form using the compass.

He unfurled his fiery wings and soared into the sky.

At the same time, black mist enveloped the hut, and accompanied by the sound of earth and wood crumbling, pursuers broke down the door and entered.

(End of this chapter)