Volume One: The Soul-Guiding Gourd and the Soul-Burning Lamp Chapter 101: Dig Deep Tunnels and Store Plenty of Grain (Part 1)

Inside the shelter cave, the flickering beeswax candlelight danced with the breeze, casting an atmosphere of serene tranquility and comfort. Time slipped away abruptly, though how long had passed was unknown.

Finally, Gu Mo, who had been unconscious, twitched a finger and slowly awoke from his slumber. The moment he regained consciousness, he snapped his eyes open sharply, tensing his entire body. With a powerful springing motion, he flipped upright, landing with a muffled thud. Every nerve in his body was on high alert as he glared fiercely around, searching for any clue or sign.

Clearly, Gu Mo still believed he was inside the spider’s cave. But as his gaze swept the surroundings, he saw a group of unfamiliar faces sleeping deeply not far away. Humans living in this cave? The sensation was as if the sun had risen simultaneously from the east, south, west, and north!

In an instant, Gu Mo held his breath and sank into a crouch, like a fierce tiger descending a mountain, vigilant and ready for battle. From the darkness nearby, a slender figure grasping a sharp spear watched Gu Mo’s every move intently.

The fresh fragrance of crops mingled with the gentle sound of flowing water, allowing Gu Mo’s nerves to relax somewhat. A sweet floral scent drifted into his nostrils. Seeing no immediate danger, Gu Mo took stock of his own attire—and was stunned.

On the ground before him, Gu Mo clenched his fists tightly, dressed in a faded floral dress, surrounded by a cluster of colorful flowers and plants.

“What the hell is going on? Where’s my sportswear? What’s this faded floral dress that’s been washed a dozen times?” he muttered in irritation.

Just then, his attention was drawn to a wax-sealed pill that had been opened. Frowning, Gu Mo picked it up. On the empty shell of the pill was a set of bold characters.

Suddenly, Gu Mo’s body tensed; a shudder ran through him as chaos filled his mind.

“Wu Ji Bai Feng Pill? I’ve taken this before! Damn it! No doubt this filthy stuff came from that sleazy bastard. Li Hetang would never bring this nonsense! Wait, where’s Greedy Ghost?”

Thinking this, Gu Mo immediately reached out to feel around, for all his possessions and life were in Greedy Ghost’s mouth. But the next moment, he was completely petrified.

“Damn! I’m wearing a floral dress—there are no pockets!”

Two long, alternating snores nearby stirred Gu Mo’s curiosity. Turning around, he saw Xiao Yulou and Li Hetang, both dressed in black Taoist robes, leaning against the cave wall, snuggling close together. The sight was almost too picturesque to behold.

At this, Gu Mo began to suspect something was seriously wrong with him. Even Xiao Yulou and Li Hetang behind him seemed oblivious. It was clear now that Gu Mo had been gravely injured.

Then, the youth from the shadows cautiously approached, spear in hand. A youthful voice rang out.

“Uncle… you’re awake?”

Startled by the voice, Gu Mo froze, staring at the boy with confusion.

“Damn, I must be losing it if I didn’t even notice this kid!”

Clad in that floral dress, Gu Mo felt like a pervert. A deep shame washed over him, making him wish the ground would open and swallow him whole. After a brief moment, he forced an awkward smile at the boy.

“Uh… did you guys rescue me?”

The boy sheathed his spear and nodded with a smile.

At this moment, the burly Min Wenhua rose and approached Gu Mo. Seeing the large man, Gu Mo straightened up, eyeing him cautiously but curiously.

“Mr. Gu, how are you feeling?”

Gu Mo was momentarily taken aback but quickly considered the possibilities. Since this man bore no hostility and addressed him respectfully, it was clear these three had been saved by Min Wenhua’s hand. With that, Gu Mo smiled and thanked him.

In the following minutes, the three men sat cross-legged, sharing their stories by the dim light. Gu Mo finally learned the full sequence of events. Despite not understanding why Gu Mo had gone mad, Min Wenhua admired his courage, especially recalling the vivid memory of Gu Mo confronting the giant spider head-on.

As their conversation continued, Gu Mo asked Min Wenhua, “Brother Mao, do you have any plans?”

Min Wenhua sighed helplessly, stroking the head of a small child named Walnut.

“Honestly, it makes little difference to me where we live. But having these children suffer alongside me…it’s hard to accept.”

Hearing this, Gu Mo nodded faintly, the thought of helping them escape beginning to take root in his mind.

Just then, the ethereal Xiao Yulou stretched lazily and awoke. Gu Mo’s eyes immediately darkened with murderous intent as he glared at him quietly.

“Sleazy bastard, was this your doing?”

Still groggy, Xiao Yulou looked at Gu Mo with innocent eyes. Upon noticing Gu Mo’s attire, he smirked slyly.

“Ah~ Brother Gu, what are you talking about?”

Frowning deeply, Gu Mo spread his palm open, revealing the wax-sealed pill shell marked with “Wu Ji Bai Feng Pill.”

Seeing this, Xiao Yulou waved his hand calmly.

“Boundless Heavenly Venerable!”

At this, Gu Mo’s face twisted as he muttered angrily under his breath.

“You sleazy bastard! What the hell is ‘boundless’ about this? Why give me this crap? I’m not in menopause or suffering from irregular menses or abnormal discharge!”

Xiao Yulou merely chuckled lightly, brushed his robe sleeve, and resumed his Circle of Light technique. With a swift motion, a golden circle the size of a washbasin appeared, playing the scene of Gu Mo’s fourth frantic battle against the giant spider, neatly cut to show only the key moments.

If Gu Mo knew it was Xiao Yulou who had thrown him out to face the giant spider alone, that sleazy Taoist would undoubtedly receive a brutal beating.

Witnessing this unbelievable footage, Min Wenhua and Walnut glanced at each other, their minds momentarily shaken.

After watching the whole story, Gu Mo raised his head and asked again, “Brother Xiao, what’s the connection between my injury and this Wu Ji Bai Feng Pill?”

Xiao Yulou produced another pill and handed it to Gu Mo.

“Brother Gu, this wax-sealed pill contains my special elixir. Otherwise, how could you have protected your vital meridians?”

Only then did Gu Mo finally understand. Xiao Yulou had sealed the pill in wax to preserve it—but Gu Mo still found the thing repulsive.

With a grimace, Gu Mo returned the pill, saying, “Brother Xiao, next time use a different wax seal.”

Xiao Yulou grinned slyly.

“Brother Gu, I also have Six Flavor Rehmannia Pills here. Wouldn’t this casing be better?”

Gu Mo shot him a cold glare.

“Keep it then—I’m not suffering from kidney deficiency!”

Laughter filled the dim cave.

Soon after, a weary Li Hetang awoke.

“What are you guys talking about?”

Gu Mo glared fiercely at the just-awakened Li Hetang and cursed.

“Soup drinker!”

(In a moment of frustration, Gu Mo had given Li Hetang a peculiar nickname.)

Li Hetang rubbed his sleepy eyes, puzzled.

“Brother Gu, when did you wake up?”

Gu Mo grabbed the floral dress he was wearing and demanded, “What the hell is this? Did you do this?”

Li Hetang waved nonchalantly.

“Ah~ it’s just a dress. What’s the big deal?”

Gu Mo clenched his teeth and glared fiercely, eyes as big as cow’s eyes.

“Well, finally I’ve found the culprit!”

Li Hetang was utterly clueless.

Gu Mo’s face twisted as he snarled, “You’re quite the fancy player, dressing me in women’s clothes and putting flowers and plants around me. Are you trying to hold a memorial for me or something?”

Li Hetang shot back with equal sharpness.

“Cut it out! I carried you across mountains and rivers all the way. If that’s not merit, it’s hard work, right?”

He paused, lowering his voice.

“Besides, that dress has holes where your butt shows through! There are kids and women here; aren’t you embarrassed?”

Gu Mo was speechless, wanting to retort but unable to find the words. After a few seconds, he simply rolled his eyes and pouted.

“Hmph~ a grown man secretly carrying a dress—you're really twisted!”

Nearby, the boy named Walnut sheepishly raised his hand.

“Uncle, I put those flowers and plants there.”

Gu Mo was dumbfounded. Could it be he had wrongly blamed Li Hetang?

Seeing Gu Mo’s complete confusion, Walnut lowered his voice.

“Uncle Mao said those plants are herbs that help calm the nerves.”

Though still angry, Gu Mo wasn’t cruel enough to quarrel with a child. He felt like a frostbitten eggplant, utterly deflated.

Li Hetang smirked devilishly.

“Alright, that dress was lent to you by the women over there. You and Brother Xiao both passed out, and I don’t have any personal space to stash your stuff.”

Gu Mo was left utterly speechless.

Xiao Yulou cleared his throat and pulled out a set of patient’s clothes from his sleeve.

“Brother Gu, you might as well wear this for now.”

Gu Mo’s beard nearly twisted in anger, but patient’s clothes were better than that floral dress. After some thought, he took the clothes and changed in a corner.

Moments later, dressed in the patient’s outfit, Gu Mo sat beside the others. The ethereal Xiao Yulou smiled and said,

“Brother Gu, I’ve thought of a way to train you.”

Gu Mo’s face lit up instantly.

“What method?”

Xiao Yulou glanced around at the group, then bowed slightly and spoke slowly.

“Your ghost qi cultivation is very special, essentially opposite to my Heavenly Gang righteous qi.”

At these words, Gu Mo felt a deep unease.

Suddenly, Xiao Yulou flicked his robe sleeve and summoned internal Taoist energy. In an instant, the black-robed Taoist was enveloped in dazzling golden light, his ethereal aura unmistakably apparent.

He basked in the attention, enjoying the moment.

“Boundless Heavenly Venerable!” he intoned, staring into Gu Mo’s eyes.

“Brother Gu, what I’m saying is: ‘Dig deep holes and store grain widely!’”

At this, Gu Mo’s mind turned to a pure, sticky white mush…