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

Chapter Twenty-Three: Bottleneck and the Valley of Forgetfulness

The next day, early in the morning.

Gu Guanqi woke up as the first rays of morning light pierced through the window.

The morning breeze on Wenjian Mountain blows down from the mountaintop, carrying the crisp scent of snow, and sneaks in through the cracks in the window.

Gu Guanqi tilted his head slightly and saw Jiang Baili curled up in his arms, her black hair scattered on the pillow and on his chest. Her cold and aloof face now had a touch of lazy gentleness, her eyelashes were slightly lowered, and her breathing was light and long.

The morning light fell on her face, where the blush still lingered.

Jiang Baili's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she slowly opened her eyes.

Those clear eyes shone brightly in the morning light, reflecting the light and Gu Guanqi's face. She looked at Gu Guanqi, who was so close to her, without shyness or avoidance, but simply looked quietly at him, meeting his gaze.

The two of them stared at each other silently for a long time.

"Brother," Jiang Baili called softly.

"Hmm." Gu Guanqi smiled slightly.

Jiang Baili moved slightly, resting her face on Gu Guanqi's shoulder, her nose brushing against Gu Guanqi's neck.

"It seems like my martial arts bottleneck has loosened." Her voice carried a hint of languor.

Gu Guanqi chuckled lightly, "What a coincidence?"

Jiang Baili raised her head slightly, her clear eyes looking at Gu Guanqi, and said, "It's not a coincidence. The martial arts I cultivate follow the path of transcendence, which involves cultivating essence, energy, and spirit simultaneously."

Master said that I was born with extraordinary talent and have been cultivating in the spiritual veins of Wangchen Mountain. My essence has long been very pure. Some time ago, you cured my yin-yang imbalance, which made my power advance further and my qi also reached the breakthrough requirements.

The only thing lacking was the path of divinity, which is the most difficult aspect of cultivation, requiring comprehension and seizing that tiny, opportune moment. Last night, when we were united, I entered a state of perfect harmony of body and mind, a state of profound clarity and understanding. That moment, that opportune moment, allowed my path of divinity to reach the breakthrough requirement.

Gu Guanqi asked in surprise, "You can do that?"

Jiang Baili blinked, slowly raised her head, and said, "Brother, will you come with me to Wangchen Mountain?"

"Why go to Wangchen Mountain?" Gu Guanqi asked.

Jiang Baili said, "The reason why Master lives in seclusion in Wangchen Mountain is because he discovered a rare treasure there, which is a cave. Cultivating there can not only make the process twice as effective, but also help one enter a state of mental clarity, thus avoiding qi deviation during a breakthrough."

Gu Guanqi exclaimed in surprise, "That's amazing!"

Although he had never broken through, he was still a highly accomplished martial artist and was well aware of the influence of martial arts barriers and inner demons.

Breakthroughs in skill level and breakthroughs in realm are different.

Breakthroughs in skill and breakthroughs in realm are completely different. Skill can be achieved gradually and naturally, but realms vary greatly. Even with the same martial art, different people will have different realms after mastering it.

During the breakthrough process, the slightest carelessness can lead to being invaded by inner demons and going astray. The reason why inner demons can appear is that a single retreat may take a very long time, ranging from three to five days to a year or six months.

It's impossible to keep your mind completely free of distractions throughout this process.

Once distracting thoughts arise, it's easy to get stuck in a martial arts rut, becoming fixated on minor details. A single misinterpretation can lead to drastically different outcomes, completely straying from the path of martial arts. The consequences can range from ruptured meridians to instant death!

Therefore,

A place that can help people break through their cultivation level and avoid inner demons is practically a sacred place for cultivators.

Since the goal is to achieve a breakthrough,

Gu Guanqi naturally couldn't refuse, so he immediately agreed, saying, "I'll go with you."

"Um."

Jiang Baili smiled slightly, then leaned closer, her nose almost touching Gu Guanqi's. Her clear eyes looked directly at Gu Guanqi, and her hands gently stroked his body as she whispered, "Brother, it's still early... please help me cultivate one more time!"

Gu Guanqi rolled over and pinned Jiang Baili beneath him, whispering, "Okay!"

"elder brother……"

Jiang Baili reached out and hugged Gu Guanqi.

Morning light streamed in through the window, falling on the bed and on the intertwined figures of the two.

The old plum tree in the courtyard swayed gently in the morning breeze, and a few petals drifted down from the branches and landed silently on the snow.

In the distance, the morning bell of Wenjian Mountain rings out softly, echoing through the mountains, long and far-reaching.

……

noon.

The wind and snow subsided slightly, and I inquired about swords in the mountains.

Gu Guanqi walked out of the side hall that was temporarily being used as a clinic.

He had been treating the disciples of the Sword Inquiry Sect since he got up early this morning, and it took him a whole morning to finish.

Finally, he gave Shang Guzhou several bottles of pills he carried with him, wrote some prescriptions, and then bid farewell to Shang Guzhou.

He no longer needed to guard the disciples of the Sword Inquiry Sect for their injuries. They just needed to take their medicine as prescribed, and they would recover naturally in time.

The most troublesome one is Wang Jingshan.

Although Gu Guanqi cured him of the poison and stabilized his injuries, broken legs and arms cannot be cured by ordinary medicine. Whether he will be able to move freely in the future depends on fate and destiny.

Shang Guzhou escorted Gu Guanqi, Jiang Baili, and Lin Yourong to the outside of the mountain gate.

The snow was thick on the stone steps outside the mountain gate. Several ancient pines stood on both sides, their branches covered with snow, swaying gently in the wind, and snowflakes fell one after another.

Shang Guzhou stood on the stone steps outside the mountain gate, clasped his hands together, bowed deeply, and said, "Hero Gu, given the current situation of the Sword Inquiry Sect, I will not try to keep you here. We, the Sword Inquiry Sect, will never forget your great kindness and virtue."

After I recall those outer disciples who wish to return to the Sword Inquiry Sect, I will add a rule to the sect's regulations: all Sword Inquiry Sect disciples shall regard Hero Gu as their patriarch!

Gu Guanqi waved his hand and said, "Sect Leader Shang, there's no need for that. I didn't really help much."

Shang Guzhou said, "Without Hero Gu, not only would the Wenjian Sect be completely destroyed, but it would also be burdened with an indelible stain and injustice. Theoretically speaking, the Wenjian Sect was given a new life by you; you have done a life-saving favor to the Wenjian Sect!"

"You flatter me!" Gu Guanqi said. "I wish the Sword Inquiry Sect a speedy return to its former glory. Farewell!"

Shang Guzhou bowed and said, "Please take your time, gentlemen. Until we meet again!"

Gu Guanqi returned the greeting with a cupped hand: "Take care, Sect Leader Shang. Until we meet again."

Jiang Baili bowed slightly but did not speak.

Lin Yourong also bowed with her hands clasped.

The three mounted their horses, their hooves making a crisp sound as they trod on the bluestone slabs.

Shang Guzhou stood outside the mountain gate, watching the three figures gradually disappear along the mountain path. The morning breeze ruffled his gray hair and robes, making his figure appear particularly desolate.

Gu Guanqi and the other two rode their horses down the mountain at high speed.

After turning a bend in the mountain valley, the gate of Wenjian Mountain could no longer be seen.

On both sides of the official road were continuous mountain ranges, covered with snow, which gleamed dazzlingly white in the sunlight. The horses' hooves crunched on the snow, echoing through the empty valley.

Lin Yourong rode her horse to Gu Guanqi's right, turned her head to look at Gu Guanqi, and asked, "Guanqi, what are your plans for the future?"

Gu Guanqi said, "Xiaoyuer's martial arts are about to break through the bottleneck, and I will protect her."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yourong paused slightly, then smiled and turned her gaze to Jiang Baili on the other side.

"Congratulations, sister!" she said. "Your martial arts are already so advanced; if you break through again, won't you become a grandmaster?"

Jiang Baili, mounted on her horse, her plain white dress fluttering gently in the wind, her dark hair billowing behind her. She turned her head and asked, "What defines a grandmaster?"

Lin Yourong said, "The Lei Ming we killed yesterday was a Grandmaster."

Jiang Baili nodded slightly and said, "If he is a Grandmaster, then I will become a Grandmaster after this breakthrough, because I should be able to defeat him by myself."

Lin Yourong took a deep breath, her eyes filled with shock, and said, "You're two years younger than Guanqi!"

Jiang Baili looked at Gu Guanqi and said, "I want to protect my brother too!"

Looking at Jiang Baili's calm face and the undisguised affection in her eyes, Lin Yourong felt a surge of indescribable emotions.

She didn't speak again, but just sighed softly, a sigh so faint it was carried away by the wind.

The three of them walked down the official road, the sound of horses' hooves echoing through the valley.

Although Jiang Baili was a novice, her skills were profound, and she recovered very quickly, so there was no impact on her.

After walking for about half an hour, we finally reached the foot of the mountain.

From afar, a group of people could be seen stopping by the roadside; it was the Lin family's entourage. Lin Yinping, on horseback, was looking in this direction. Upon seeing them dismount, she immediately led the Lin family members to pay their respects to Gu Guanqi.

After exchanging greetings, the Lin family members left and waited at a nearby intersection.

Lin Yourong looked at Gu Guanqi, her lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but she didn't know where to begin.

After a moment of silence, she took a deep breath and turned to Jiang Baili.

"Sister," she whispered, "once you break through, I'll have Guanqi bring you to Tianping County to find me. I'll take you sightseeing; Tianping County has many places with absolutely stunning scenery."

Jiang Baili looked at her and nodded slightly: "Thank you."

Lin Yourong smiled, turned to Gu Guanqi, and said, "Guanqi, Jinxiu Medical Clinic has always been preserved for you."

Gu Guanqi nodded and said, "Okay, I'll come and stay in Tianping County for a while after the New Year when the weather warms up."

Lin Yourong was overjoyed and said, "I'll wait for you..." She then looked at Jiang Baili and said, "And my sister too."

After saying this, she remained silent for a moment, then cupped her hands and said, "Then I'll take my leave. I'll be waiting for you in Tianping County."

Gu Guanqi smiled and nodded.

Jiang Baili said softly, "Take care, Sister Yourong."

"Take care of yourself!"

Lin Yourong reined in her horse, squeezed its flanks with her legs, and the chestnut horse neighed loudly, galloping towards the Lin family's group.

The horses' hooves splashed up the snow, leaving fine, silvery streaks.

When she reached the Lin family's procession, she stopped, turned her horse around, and waved to Gu Guanqi and Jiang Baili.

Jiang Baili also waved.

Subsequently,

She and Gu Guanqi then turned their horses around, and the two horses galloped forward along the official road, their figures gradually disappearing into the wind and snow.

As they walked, Jiang Baili said, "Brother, I need to send a letter to my senior sister."

Gu Guanqi said, "Now that you're returning to Wangchen Mountain, you should inform Senior You."

Jiang Baili said, "It's not just this matter. There's another thing: Senior Sister You should go back to enjoy her retirement and family life. Actually, before Master went down the mountain, he told me that after I left, I would begin to follow my own destiny, and Senior Sister You's mission would be over; she should go home!"

Gu Guanqi asked in surprise, "Does your master know something?"

Jiang Baili nodded and said, "Master must have foreseen that you would be here."

"Is your master really that amazing?" Gu Guanqi asked.

Jiang Baili said, "My master is a man of profound learning. He is proficient in Qimen Dunjia, the I Ching, Feng Shui, martial arts, music, chess, calligraphy and painting. Even the martial arts he taught me were all created by him. I have never seen him not know anything."

Gu Guanqi raised an eyebrow and said, "Then we definitely have to meet him."

"Um."

The sound of horses' hooves echoed across the snow, growing fainter and fainter until it gradually disappeared into the wind and snow.

Snowflakes fluttered.

It fell into Lin Yourong's hair and onto her shoulders.

She was lost in thought, oblivious to the cold wind that swept past her, ruffling her robes and stray hairs at her temples.

Lin Yinping rode beside her, glanced at Lin Yourong, and chuckled, "Miss, are you reluctant to part with her?"

Lin Yourong remained silent for a while before slowly speaking: "It is hard to part with, but I am completely convinced."

She slightly raised her head, her gaze piercing through the swirling snowflakes to settle on the distant horizon. There was nothing there, only a hazy sky and a vast expanse of white snow.

"Jiang Baili's affection is too pure, without reservation or hesitation," she chuckled softly, "while I have too many things I can't let go of."

Lin Yinping asked, "How is she?"

"Very good," she said, a slight smile playing on her lips. "I bet she'll be the legal wife, and as for me, I'll just be a mistress."

After all,

Lin Yourong turned her horse around and spurred it forward.

The wind and snow continued to fall, landing on her hair and shoulders, and on the fluttering Lin family banner.

The sound of horses' hooves echoed across the snow, gradually fading into the distance and finally disappearing into the vast white expanse of the world.

……

Gu Guanqi followed Jiang Baili northward, passing through Duanjiang County and arriving at the territory of Jiujiang County, where they entered the Wangchen Mountain Range.

Wangchen Mountain is the largest and most mysterious mountain range in Qingzhou, stretching endlessly with overlapping peaks and spanning several counties.

Fortunately, although the valley where Jiang Baili lived was somewhat isolated from the world, it was not an uninhabited place deep in the mountains. Instead, it was located in a relatively small mountain with several small villages at its foot.

The two bought some necessities in a village at the foot of the mountain, and then carried them into the mountains on horses. After turning around several mountain ridges, they saw a canyon in the distance.

Jiang Baili stopped, turned around, and took Gu Guanqi's hand.

"Brother, stay close to me, don't go astray."

She pulled Gu Guanqi toward the canyon. The path twisted and turned, sometimes to the left, sometimes to the right, sometimes forward, sometimes backward. Sometimes it looked like a straight road, but she would deliberately take a big detour to the side. Sometimes it looked like a dead end, but she would push aside a clump of thorns and find a narrow crevice in the rocks behind it.

Gu Guanqi understood immediately; this was the strange formation set up by Jiang Baili's master.

He followed Jiang Baili.

The further you go in, the more you marvel at the wonder of this formation.

Jiang Baili said, "Although the Qimen formation that Master set up at the entrance of the valley is wonderful, it will not harm people. It's just that it's easy to go astray, and once you go astray, you'll eventually get lost. Master did this to prevent anyone from accidentally entering and disturbing him."

Gu Guanqi nodded slightly and said, "Your master is a reclusive master, so it's normal that he doesn't like to be disturbed."

After walking for about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, the two came to a bamboo grove. When they reached the end of the grove,

Then we came to a small valley, surrounded by mountains on all sides, with several wooden houses with green tiles and wooden walls built against the mountain, forming a small courtyard, which looked simple and elegant.

Several plum trees were planted beside the courtyard, their branches adorned with pink and white buds, some of which were already half-open, emitting a faint fragrance.

"This place is called Forget-Worry Valley." Jiang Baili stood beside him, her voice soft and gentle. "I was picked up by my master when I was very, very young, and I've been here ever since. All my memories are here."

"This place is nice," Gu Guanqi exclaimed.

"It's nice, but not suitable for long-term living." Jiang Baili looked at Gu Guanqi and said, "I grew up here, so it doesn't bother me. But it's different for you, brother. You can't possibly get used to the dullness here. But don't worry, brother, I won't ask you to live in seclusion here with me."

Gu Guanqi chuckled and said, "Staying here occasionally is fine, but I really can't stick to being isolated from the world for a long time."

Jiang Baili led Gu Guanqi inside and said, "This kind of life is not suitable for most people. Being isolated from the world for a long time is torture for many people."

As she spoke, she turned her head to look at Gu Guanqi and said, "Of course I can't bear to see my brother suffer. Besides, I will have children for him in the future, and I can't let the children never come into contact with outsiders!"

The two entered the courtyard.

Gu Guanqi tied up the horse, and then the two of them carried all the supplies they had brought into the house.

Subsequently,

Jiang Baili led Gu Guanqi to a cave deep in the valley.

The entrance to the cave was small, just enough for two people to walk in side by side. A thin layer of moss grew on the cave walls, giving off a faint green glow in the dim light. After walking a few steps inside, the cave chamber suddenly opened up, about the size of an ordinary room.

As soon as Gu Guanqi stepped into the cave, he sensed a strange aura.

That aura wasn't a change in temperature, nor was it the presence of wind; rather, it was an indescribable, ethereal quality that seemed to originate from the very heavens and earth, making one feel exceptionally refreshed and invigorated.

"This is the cave where I cultivate, which my master named Forget-Worries Cave," Jiang Baili said.

Gu Guanqi said, "Forget-Worry Valley and Forget-Worry Cave, your master's names are truly fitting."

"Master is very capable," Jiang Baili nodded slightly and said, "I just don't know when Master will return. I'll introduce you to him then."

Gu Guanqi's gaze suddenly fell upon a piece of Xuan paper weighed down by pebbles in the corner. He walked over and saw that it still had writing on it, so he picked it up:

"White Carp, don't worry about your master. Your master has gone to find a dowry for you, and the return date is uncertain."

Gu Guanqi asked in surprise, "Does your master know about me now?"

“It shouldn’t be because he knows about you, brother,” Jiang Baili said. “Although you are very famous in Qingzhou now, my master has never paid attention to the affairs of the martial world. He must have foreseen that my marriage was in motion when he was looking for a dowry for me.”

Looking back now, he happened to descend the mountain the day before my internal energy imbalance, perhaps he foresaw that my destined marriage was imminent. My master believed in cause and effect, and knew that my injuries were meant for you, brother, to heal, thus facilitating our marriage.

Gu Guanqi asked with some doubt, "Is it really that miraculous?"

"Brother, you can try to learn it," Jiang Baili said. "In the study outside, there are Master's books, many of which are about metaphysics. You can browse through them and see if you can grasp their mysteries. However, whether you can comprehend metaphysics depends mainly on your destiny; it cannot be forced."

"Are there any secret manuals related to Qimen Dunjia?" Gu Guanqi asked.

"Yes," Jiang Baili said.

"Can I watch it?" Gu Guanqi asked. "Would your master agree?"

"Master will only say that if you can see them, it means that those books are destined for you and are meant for you to read," Jiang Baili said.

"Okay then."

Jiang Baili said, "Let me take you to see it now, brother. I'll be starting my seclusion tomorrow to break through to the next level. Well, brother, I'm afraid you'll have to endure a rather dull life here for a while."

"It's alright, it's quite nice here, and I can even read to pass the time," Gu Guanqi said.

Jiang Baili took Gu Guanqi's hand and said, "However, I'm not in complete seclusion. I can come out to have dinner with you every day, brother..." As she spoke, she tiptoed and whispered in Gu Guanqi's ear, "I will still come out to rest at night, brother!"