Infinite Fire Record

Chapter 37: Guo Jing’s Hidden Secrets

The winding path led deep into the southern mountain, where the air hung heavy with an eerie silence. Outside the ancient tomb, the parched ground bore the dark stains of blood, its scent thick in the atmosphere, adding to the solemnity of the scene.

Five figures stood on the dry earth, their gazes heavy with caution as they peered ahead. Among them, a burly man furrowed his thick brows, his features rough and unrefined.

At that moment, a murderous glint flickered in his eyes, and he barked coldly, “Bastard, come out!”

As his words fell, he swung his left hand. The very air twisted, letting out a bold dragon-like whistle, forming a roaring force that surged forward.

Boom!

The ground shattered, sending blood-stained soil scattering in all directions.

An old man with a head of silver hair stroked his beard, his voice laden with emotion. “Within three feet of this land, the very soil is soaked with blood. One can only imagine how many lives were lost here. This child… carries an overwhelming aura of slaughter.”

The weight of his words made the others grimace. Their expressions grew bleak, except for one among them—his gaze held an innocence, yet beneath it, a flicker of anger stirred.

“Stinking beggar! Brother Guo, do you know who this child is or not?”

The question fell upon Guo Jing and Hong Qigong, leaving them momentarily silent.

Guo Jing let out a long sigh and clasped his fists before the old man. “Brother Zhou, this child… is Huang Rong’s son.”

As his words settled, Qiu Chuji’s brows knitted in doubt. Hong Qigong, too, seemed perplexed, his gaze lingering on Guo Jing before he finally sighed, saying nothing.

Guo Jing’s face darkened with resentment. Without another word, he swung his arm, releasing another bold dragon’s roar toward the mist-covered formation before them.

This was the “Misty Mist Formation,” an array designed by the Imperial Sky, inspired by the Huang Medicine Master’s teachings. Even Guo Jing found himself helpless before it.

His voice rang out in frustration. “This cursed child! When he was born, the sky exploded with thunder. His hair was silver, and between his brows, a silver flame mark! Such an unnatural sight—he is a demon! At first, I wanted to end his life, but the old Island Master of Peach Blossom intervened. Now, I regret it. If I had killed him then, this disaster would never have come to pass!”

His eyes burned with killing intent as he stared into the dense mist.

Hong Qigong stepped back, surprise flashing in his gaze. Qiu Chuji, his face etched with anger, glared at Guo Jing. “Jing’er, is this true?”

Guo Jing’s expression turned rigid, his face flushed—not just with shame, but with fury. He clenched his fists and growled, “Exactly!”

Among the five, Hong Qigong remained in shock. Qiu Chuji seethed, his killing intent palpable. Liu Chuxuan could only sigh heavily.

Zhou Botong, ever the curious old codger, suddenly frowned. “Guo brother, how do you have a child? Back then, I recall you were severely wounded in the Mongolian war. You lost your vitality, did you not? How could you possibly—”

Before he could finish, Hong Qigong swiftly covered his mouth.

Guo Jing’s face turned redder. His voice was heavy as he replied, “Brother Zhou, though I lost my vitality, I am still a martial artist. With disciplined qi cultivation and miraculous medical techniques, there were ways to restore possibility.”

He sighed deeply, his face as red as Guan Yu’s legendary hue.

Zhou Botong’s eyes widened in horror. “Such incredible medical skills! I must learn them. I must have Little Huang Rong teach me!”

Without hesitation, the old codger ran excitedly toward the mountain.

Hong Qigong let out another long sigh, turning to Guo Jing. “Jing’er, I see that this formation will not yield. Even if you break through, there may be no trace of him left.”

Guo Jing clenched his fists before lowering his head. “Master, I understand.”

He turned toward Qiu Chuji and bowed deeply. “Taoist Master Qiu, forgive my disrespect. The moment this sinful child appears, I will cripple his martial arts and personally deliver him to the Quanzhen Sect.”

Qiu Chuji sighed heavily, shaking his head in silent disappointment.

Hong Qigong stroked his beard, glancing at Guo Jing. He seemed to have more to say, but in the end, all he could do was sigh.

As Guo Jing turned to leave, Hong Qigong remained where he stood, his gaze following the retreating figure. “In the end… I chose the wrong heir. Jing devoted his life to protecting Xiangyang City. But without Rong’er, what does it all mean? Protecting Xiangyang was her dream, not his. Apothecary Huang, back then, you opposed their marriage with all your might, and I was the fool who forced it. Perhaps I wronged Rong’er as well. No wonder you turned your back on me all these years.”

He sighed again, his voice tinged with remorse. “Ah, Apothecary, you are a genius. You must have known all along… Jing was never the same man after that war. His body had long become lifeless. This so-called child? He was not conceived naturally. I condensed Jing’s blood into essence and transferred it into Rong’er using secret techniques. The methods of the Free and Unfettered School are unpredictable, but in the end, what has it brought? A child who has committed such terrible slaughter. Perhaps this is Heaven’s punishment.”

His voice grew faint. “Guo Jing… I was wrong about you. A man who would consider his child a demon and seek to kill him… Is this the loyalty you speak of? Or did you never understand what true chivalry meant?”

With that, Hong Qigong left, his steps heavy, his heart burdened with regret.

Unbeknownst to him, another figure had been listening all along.

A man clad in a green robe stepped forward. His black and white beard framed a face still full of vitality, though his dark eyes glowed with cold disdain.

“Hmph… Hong Qigong, only now do you regret?” His voice was laced with contempt. “Back then, I could not wait to kill Guo Jing myself.”

His lips curled into a sneer. “Tian’er always thought Guo Jing was a fool, living off my daughter. But now, I see—he is not even a man at all. A war robbed him of his essence, turning him into a eunuch.”

His fists clenched. “My daughter… Master Huang’s daughter… married a eunuch. What greater humiliation is there? Hong Qigong, I will mark this debt.”

With that, Huang Yaoshi stepped into the mist.

The Misty Formation posed no challenge to him. After all, he had once perfected its design.

Soon, a bamboo house came into view, dust settling over its surfaces. A slow smile crept onto Huang Yaoshi’s lips. “So, Tian’er has gone out to play. But why call me here?”

His gaze fell upon a letter resting on the table.