Starting with a blind date with a female constable, you acquire the Nine Swords of Dugu.

Chapter Fifteen: Passion

Gu Guanqi, Yan Wangchuan, and the constable quickly arrived at a small courtyard in Pipa Lane on the outskirts of the city.

The bailiff stepped forward and knocked on the door. The door knocker struck the wooden board with a dull thud.

A moment later, the courtyard gate creaked open, and a hunched old man poked his head out. He was about sixty years old, with a slightly hunched back, a face covered with wrinkles, and cloudy, lifeless eyes. He was wearing a gray cotton robe with some mud stains on the cuffs.

The constable flashed his badge and said, "Old man, this is an official case. We're here to ask you questions. Is this the home of craftsman Liu Fang?"

The old man glanced at the group, then quickly stepped aside, his voice slightly hoarse but respectful: "Yes, sirs, please come in, please come in."

Yan Wangchuan stepped across the threshold, Gu Guanqi followed closely behind, and the constables walked at the very back.

The courtyard wasn't big, but it was kept very tidy.

The old man led the group into the main hall, which was quite simple, with a table, a few chairs, and a burning sandalwood incense burner in the corner.

The old man went into the inner room and came out carrying a tray with several rough earthenware teacups on it, from which steam rose from the spout of a teapot. He placed the teacups in front of the group, poured tea, and then sat down on a chair nearby.

"What do you gentlemen want to ask?" the old man asked in a low voice, as if afraid of disturbing something.

Yan Wangchuan asked, "You're Liu Fang?"

"Yes, I am Liu Fang." The old man nodded.

"Was it you who designed the mine shafts at the Dongyang Mountain iron mine back then?"

Liu Fang paused for a moment, then nodded, her voice still low: "Yes, that was more than ten years ago. At that time, the imperial court wanted to open mines, and the county government recruited more than a dozen craftsmen, and I was the leader."

Yan Wangchuan nodded slightly, his gaze falling on Liu Fang's face. His tone was calm yet carried an air of authority: "Have you entered that mine recently?"

Liu Fang lowered her eyes and remained silent for a long while before slowly saying, "Yes."

Yan Wangchuan stared at Liu Fang and asked in a deep voice, "When did you go, and why?"

Liu Fang slowly said, "About a month ago, someone approached me and offered a large sum of money to design a rerouting system in the mine."

Yan Wangchuan and Gu Guanqi exchanged a glance, and then Yan Wangchuan asked, "Design what?"

Liu Fang paused for a moment before speaking: "The water-drawing mechanism... He asked me to design a trap in the mine that could kill a martial arts master, but the mine couldn't collapse directly."

Then I thought of the lake above the mine. When the mine was being dug, the route went astray, and one tunnel happened to lead to the bottom of the lake, almost causing a major problem. Now, with a little design, the lake water can be diverted to fill it.

Yan Wangchuan said, "You just did what I told you to do? Didn't you think about the consequences?"

"I'm just an ordinary citizen, I can't refuse," Liu Fang said.

Yan Wangchuan nodded slightly and asked, "Do you know who asked you to do it?"

"I know," Liu Fang said calmly, "It's the Guanyin Sect."

Yan Wangchuan was stunned, full of surprise. He never expected the other party to say it so casually.

Immediately, he realized that something was wrong.

And then,

Liu Fang took a sip of tea, looked at Yan Wangchuan, and slowly said, "Sir, may I ask you a question now?"

Yan Wangchuan's hand was already gripping the hilt of the knife. He said, "Ask away!"

Liu Fang took a sip of tea and said, "I can tell you the truth you want to know, but could you please end your investigation here?"

After all,

Liu Fang remained expressionless and calm as she quietly watched Yan Wangchuan.

Yan Wangchuan smiled and said, "No problem, no problem. It just depends on what price you can offer. Hmm, speaking of which, you're not really Liu Fang, are you?"

Liu Fang smiled slightly and said, "I am indeed not Liu Fang, but my answer just now was true. That's how it is. Lord Yan's guess was also correct. The kidnapping of the families of the high-ranking members of various factions in Qingzhou was indeed a ruse orchestrated by our Guanyin to frame the Wenjian Sect."

Yan Wangchuan laughed and said, "Actually, I was just curious. I didn't intend to overturn the case. I have no grudges against the Guanyin Sect, right? Let's just give them a little something, and I'll pretend I don't know anything. How about that?"

Liu Fang chuckled and said, "I've long heard that Yan Wangchuan moves between the martial arts world and the government, enjoying both a successful official career and a reputation in the martial arts world. He moves between the two worlds with ease. Meeting him today, I can see that his reputation is well-deserved."

"You flatter me!" Yan Wangchuan said. "Then it's settled. Give me whatever you want as a reward, and I'll be leaving right away."

Liu Fang laughed and said, "Lord Yan, don't leave now. We can give you benefits. Whether you want gold and silver or a promotion, as long as you stay here for five days, we can satisfy you in everything."

Yan Wangchuan chuckled and said, "That's unnecessary. I have official business to attend to!"

Liu Fang said coldly, "I thought Lord Yan was a pragmatic person, but it seems he's not so smart after all!"

"No, no, no," Yan Wangchuan hurriedly said, "Stay, stay, I'll stay. Five days, right? No problem, absolutely no problem, even ten days is fine..."

at this time,

Yan Wangchuan suddenly drew his sword and slashed at "Liu Fang".

The blade flashed like a bolt of lightning, blasting a silvery-white arc through the dimly lit hall, carrying a sharp gust of wind, and slashed straight at Liu Fang's face.

Liu Fang sneered and struck out with her palm.

The palm strike was fierce, carrying a powerful internal force, and condensed into a visible palm print in the air, meeting the blade light head-on.

however--

"boom!"

The palm print shattered instantly upon colliding with the blade, the force scattering and causing the teacups on the table to clatter. The blade's momentum didn't cease; it fell straight down, striking Liu Fang squarely in the chest.

"puff--"

Blood splattered.

Liu Fang let out a muffled groan, his entire body flying backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily into the wall behind him. The wall cracked with a thud, bricks shattered, and dust flew everywhere. He fell to the ground, spitting out blood, struggled a couple of times, and then struggled to lift his head, his eyes filled with terror and disbelief.

"You...how come you weren't poisoned?"

His voice trembled slightly, and his eyes were fixed on Yan Wangchuan.

Yan Wangchuan stood there, knife in hand, looking equally bewildered. He looked down at himself, then at "Liu Fang," his voice tinged with confusion: "I was terrified, sweating bullets. I hadn't noticed anything amiss, and I thought you were too skilled for me to detect. I was just playing along, but... you're not so skillful after all?"

Liu Fang's expression changed drastically, and she exclaimed, "Impossible! This is impossible! You shouldn't be able to circulate your inner energy right now..."

Before he could finish speaking, his gaze suddenly turned to Gu Guanqi, and his pupils contracted sharply.

"It's you!"

Gu Guanqi sat in the chair and said calmly, "Your Guanyin Sect should know that I am also an expert in poisons. Why are you showing off your limited skills in front of me?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Wangchuan suddenly realized what was happening and quickly moved closer to Gu Guanqi, lowering his voice to ask, "You secretly gave me the antidote?"

Gu Guanqi nodded slightly.

Yan Wangchuan rolled his eyes, looking resentful, and said, "Why didn't you remind me sooner? You made me so anxious!"

Gu Guanqi chuckled and said, "I just saw you seemed to be in a good mood and didn't want to bother you!"

Having said that, he turned his head, his gaze falling on "Liu Fang," and said, "Your methods of using poison are somewhat more skillful than that of your fellow disciple Zhao Ziqi, but not by much!"

Liu Fang coughed up blood and said, "I had heard that Master Gu was highly skilled in poison, and I had always wanted to spar with you and have a contest. Today, I've made a fool of myself!"

Yan Wangchuan looked at "Liu Fang" and said, "You must be Poisonous Forest, one of the Twelve Constellations under the Blood Guanyin!"

Liu Fang sighed, wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, tried to stand up but couldn't, and said, "It is indeed I. Lord Yan, Hero Gu, actually, there's really no need for us to fight to the death. We can discuss this!"

Yan Wangchuan explained to Gu Guanqi in a low voice, "The Twelve Constellations under the Blood Guanyin are very famous in the Northern Frontier. All twelve are top-tier masters of unorthodox techniques, each specializing in different unorthodox methods. They are extremely difficult to deal with and have a history of killing Grandmasters. We must not underestimate them!"

Gu Guanqi nodded slightly, looked at the poisonous forest, and said, "There are still seven people in your courtyard, so there's no need to hide it anymore!"

Poison Forest climbed with difficulty to sit down on a chair, and said weakly, "Master Gu truly lives up to his reputation as a grandmaster. He is indeed remarkable, even knowing exactly how many of us are lying in ambush here. Now, Master Gu, would you like to guess where the other three of us went?"

Gu Guanqi's pupils contracted slightly.

Yan Wangchuan exclaimed in surprise, "You went to deal with Jiang Baili?"

Du Linzi grinned and said, "Who is Master Gu? How could we dare to appear before him without using some tricks?"

As he spoke,

He looked at Gu Guanqi and said, "Hero Gu, it was indeed our Guanyin Sect that was impolite in this matter. We are willing to compensate you, and we only hope that you will not hold a grudge. After our Guanyin Sect is established, we will definitely maintain a permanent alliance with you."

Furthermore, you've already met my disciple, the Dragon Girl and the Fire Phoenix. Her martial arts skills and appearance are top-notch. She is fond of you and willing to be your wife or concubine. If you are willing, Master Wen can even offer you the position of Vice Master!

Gu Guanqi chuckled and said, "If Wen Qiuchi really had such a magnanimous heart, he wouldn't have plotted to kill me. Now, instead, your plan has been exposed."

"Things are different now!" said Poison Forestman. "Hero Gu, if you agree to stay here for a few days, we guarantee we won't harm Miss Jiang in the slightest. What do you say?"

"I don't think it's very good!"

Gu Guanqi sneered, and as soon as he finished speaking, he quickly flicked out several steel balls with both hands.

"Whoosh whoosh-"

The steel balls pierced the air and shot towards several spots in the courtyard.

The next moment, the sound of clothes rustling in the wind came from several directions at the same time, and seven figures emerged from the shadows, each wielding a weapon and dressed in different ways. There were men and women, old and young, who surrounded Gu Guanqi and Yan Wangchuan.

Du Linzi clutched his chest, leaned back in his chair, and sneered, "Gu Guanqi, do you really not care whether Jiang Baili lives or dies?"

Gu Guanqi sneered, his tone indifferent: "A bunch of worthless scoundrels, do you think you're worthy of catching my little fish?"

"Arrogant!"

Du Linzi's face darkened, and he shouted sharply, "Attack!"

Upon hearing this, the seven constellations simultaneously unleashed their inner strength and each employed their own methods.

Some waved their hands, some drew their knives, some flicked their sleeves to scatter poison powder, and some drew their hidden weapons—

However, the next moment——

"puff--"

"puff--"

"puff--"

Almost simultaneously, the seven men's expressions changed drastically. They spat out blood, their bodies went limp, their weapons clattered to the ground, and they all collapsed, their lips turning blue, clearly indicating that they had been poisoned.

One of the women struggled to lift her head, glared at Gu Guanqi, and shouted, "Gu Guanqi! You're supposed to be a grandmaster, how could you poison someone!"

Gu Guanqi glanced at her speechlessly, his tone tinged with helplessness: "If you're going to use something poisonous, why call yourself a grandmaster?"

The woman was trembling with anger, but she couldn't utter a word.

Du Linzi sat in the chair, his face ashen, staring intently at Gu Guanqi, his voice hoarse: "When...when did you poison me?"

Gu Guanqi did not answer.

He raised his left hand and flicked his fingers repeatedly.

"Pfft, pfft, pfft—"

Several steel balls shot out from his fingertips as fast as meteors, heading straight for Du Linzi and the others. Four people, including Du Linzi, were caught off guard and the steel balls pierced their foreheads. The four men stiffened, their eyes glazed over, and they died instantly.

The remaining four, despite their severe injuries, managed to dodge the steel balls and fled in four different directions.

But in that instant,

With a light tap of his foot, Gu Guanqi drew his Autumn Water Sword with a clang.

The sword flashed like a bolt of lightning, drawing a cold, clear arc in the twilight.

His movements were as swift as a ghost, his Lingbo Weibu technique leaving several afterimages in the courtyard. In the flash of sword light, the four men froze, their bodies slumping forward.

Blood slowly seeped from their necks, pooling into a dark red stain on the blue brick floor.

"Huh," Gu Guanqi said, "Three people went to deal with Xiaoyuer, and there are eight of us here, the Twelve Constellations, how come we're still missing one?"

Yan Wangchuan said, "If I'm not mistaken, the fake Pang Renfeng that you killed in the mine should be the Insect Elder, who is skilled in using Gu poison among the Twelve Constellations."

at this time,

In the hall, the constable was already slumped to the ground in terror, muttering, "I... I don't know anything..."

Yan Wangchuan glanced at the constable and said, "I know this has nothing to do with you; it's Wang Kang who is involved!"

Immediately,

Yan Wangchuan and Gu Guanqi exchanged a glance.

Gu Guanqi said, "I need to go back to the inn first."

"Alright," Yan Wangchuan said, "I'll go to the county government office!"

immediately,

Gu Guanqi stopped riding his horse and instead used his lightness skill to dash towards the city like a fleeting shadow.

……

When Gu Guanqi returned to the inn

The first thing I saw was a corpse on the street in front of the inn.

then,

He hurriedly ran into the inn.

When he saw Jiang Baili, he breathed a long sigh of relief.

Although he had great confidence in Jiang Baili and believed that nothing would happen to her, he was still worried until he confirmed it.

Gu Guanqi appeared.

Jiang Baili quickly went over and snuggled into Gu Guanqi's arms, whispering, "Brother, some bad guys tried to grab me just now, it scared me."

Gu Guanqi chuckled and said, "Next time you pretend to be scared, you need to use a slightly frightened tone and make your movements a little faster, that will make it look more convincing."

"Mmm," Jiang Baili whispered, pressing her head against Gu Guanqi's chest, "Brother, I'm still learning."

Gu Guanqi said, "But I think you should read less of those mindless novels; they're corrupting you."

"I love watching it, I want to watch it again," Jiang Baili said.

Gu Guanqi chuckled lightly, then said, "Come on, come with me to the county government office!"

When Gu Guanqi brought Jiang Baili to the county government office...

Yan Wangchuan has not arrived yet.

After waiting for a while, Yan Wangchuan finally arrived. At the same time, he had already assembled the Six Doors troops he brought, a group of about thirty people, who had been waiting for him outside the city.

Immediately afterwards, a group of people stormed into the county government office.

With the Six Doors token, the constables dared not stop them.

When they arrived at the backyard,

Everyone then saw Magistrate Wang Kang sitting in a recliner, looking very calm. He pointed to a small booklet on the table and said, "This is an account book, which clearly records the consumption of food, wine and other items during this period in the mine."

These are genuine account books. I used my position to shift those accounts to shops related to the Wenjian Sect. This is all I can offer, but it should be enough to quickly overturn your previous evidence against the Wenjian Sect.

Yan Wangchuan picked it up and glanced at it, then asked doubtfully, "Are you being this honest?"

Wang Kang smiled and said, "From the moment you noticed something was wrong with the mine, the truth couldn't be hidden anymore. Whether I cooperate or not doesn't really matter; it just means you'll spend an extra day or two."

Yan Wangchuan said, "What's in it for you to work for the Guanyin Sect?"

Wang Kang shook his head and said, "Prefect Yan, I'm not working for the Guanyin Sect." He then pointed upwards and said, "Someone above wants me to cooperate with the Guanyin Sect. You don't really think that a mere county magistrate like me, along with the Guanyin Sect which has no real power base in Qingzhou, can accomplish this, do you?"

Yan Wangchuan's face darkened, and he asked, "Who else is there?"

"I don't know the specifics," Wang Kang said, "but there are people in Tiannan County cooperating with the Guanyin Sect, people in the prefectural government are also cooperating, including your Six Doors, there are also people cooperating."

After all,

Wang Kang stood up and said, "Commander Yan, some things don't need to be said too clearly. Whether it's the Guanyin Sect or the Wenjian Sect, they both have the support of the imperial court. Otherwise, they couldn't have reached that level."

"Right now, what appears to be a struggle between the Guanyin Sect and the Wenjian Sect is actually just an entanglement in a power struggle within the imperial court. You and I are merely small ripples in a storm!"

Yan Wangchuan said coldly, "But the Guanyin Sect is backed by the eunuch faction!"

Wang Kang was silent for a while, then said, "This is not something a county magistrate like me should consider, nor is it something a mere deputy prefect of the Six Doors should consider."

After all,

Wang Kang pointed to the booklet and said, "The thing is here, Magistrate Yan. Take this account book and go to save Wenjian Sect. You will offend the Nine Thousand Years of the Court, and the final result is that you will most likely not be able to save Wenjian Sect."

Of course, if you don't take it, you'll definitely feel guilty. After all, although you're a famously shrewd person, it's strange that you've spent your whole life investigating and solving cases, yet you've always acted with a clear conscience.

Yan Wangchuan chuckled and said, "Having a clear conscience isn't that important. Besides, I've been a smooth talker my whole life, and I'm over sixty now. I'm not going to get all hot-blooded again."

Wang Kang smiled slightly and remained silent.

however,

next moment,

Yan Wangchuan suddenly reached for the booklet and said, "But then again, we're practically half-buried already. If we don't have this one last burst of passion now, we'll never have another chance!"