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

Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Fifteen Deadly Swords and the Bright Jade Skill

Fifteen Deadly Swords

This sword technique was painstakingly cultivated by Yan Shisan based on the Thirteen Deadly Swords passed down in his family. The first thirteen swords were all ruthless, targeting vital points, and their sword movements were unpredictable and swift, enough to dominate the martial arts world. Yan Shisan secluded himself for seven years, comprehending the fourteenth sword, integrating all the variations of the thirteen forms, and its power reached its peak once again.

Until his life-or-death battle with Xie Xiaofeng, he broke through the origin of martial arts in a desperate situation and created the fifteenth sword.

This sword strike was death itself; its strike annihilated all things, leaving no way to unravel its destructive power, yet it also possessed overwhelming malevolence, making it highly susceptible to backlash. Yan Shisan knew that this sword strike would inevitably lead to catastrophe, so he ultimately destroyed the technique himself, leaving only his name to be passed down through the martial world.

……

Gu Guanqi knew about this sword technique.

If the Flying Immortal from Beyond the Heavens represents perfect momentum, then the Fifteen Deadly Swords represent perfect spiritual will.

That sword strike was neither a sword nor a move; it was the embodiment of death itself, representing absolute destruction, unbreakable by any move, and unstoppable by anyone.

Suppress your opponent with an absolute will to die, making them feel as if time and space have frozen and all things have perished.

This sword technique

Even the creator cannot perfectly control it; it has already reached the level of the Tao.

……

Gu Guanqi regained his composure and looked at An Yi.

He roughly understood that this woman, judging from her clothing and appearance, was a very conservative and traditional woman who wanted to cover herself up completely.

Now, in this helpless situation, she has become intimate with a stranger and has begun to consider marriage.

but,

The name An Yi, coupled with the reputation of Medicine King Valley, sounded somewhat familiar to him.

After thinking for a moment, he suddenly remembered seeing this name on the Qilin Ranking from the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion. At that time, he was ranked tenth, while An Yi was ranked ninth, one place ahead of him. She was the senior sister of Medicine King Valley.

"Are you the senior sister of Medicine King Valley?" Gu Guanqi asked.

An Yi nodded slightly, glanced at Gu Guanqi, and then lowered her head again.

Gu Guanqi cupped his hands and said, "Miss An, my name is Gu Guanqi."

An Yi's body trembled slightly, her face instantly turning pale. She raised her head and asked, "You...you are the Sword Immortal...Gu Guanqi?"

She looked at Gu Guanqi, secretly praying that it wasn't that Gu Guanqi.

But she already knew in her heart that the possibility was almost nonexistent.

It's highly unlikely that they would both be named Gu Guanqi, both possess the ability to suppress the true energy of the Seven Soul-Slaying Palms, and both be located in Yunzhou.

Gu Guanqi said, "I dare not claim the title of Sword Immortal, but my friends in the martial arts world are too kind to accept it; I do indeed have such a title."

An Yi felt a surge of panic and bitterness. She quietly took a deep breath and said, "Young Master Gu, I've heard of you before. Fu Ling... is my junior sister!"

Gu Guanqi nodded slightly and said, "I know. According to Fuling, I could even call you Senior Sister An!"

"You...you can just call me that, it's...appropriate," An Yi said somewhat awkwardly, and quickly added, "Gu...I'll call you Junior Brother Gu then. I...I feel a bit stuffy, so...I'll go downstairs for some fresh air..."

After saying that, she quickly turned around to get off the carriage, but then suddenly turned back and used the silk handkerchief in her hand to wipe the bloodstains in the carriage. However, the bloodstains had dried and could not be wiped off.

She quickly said, "I...I'll go get some water, Junior Brother Gu!"

She then quickly got off the carriage.

Gu Guanqi understood why An Yi reacted this way; she must know his identity and that he and Xue Fuling had almost gotten married.

Therefore, the deliberate use of terms like "junior brother" and "senior sister" is to avoid any appearance of impropriety.

At this moment,

A system notification sounded in Gu Guanqi's mind:

[Blind date event concluded]

[Reward: Max level "Fifteen Deadly Swords" has been issued]

Do you want to claim the reward?

……

"receive"

In an instant, a vast and powerful sword consciousness surged into his sea of ​​consciousness.

Yan Shisan's lifelong arduous cultivation, his seven years of seclusion and enlightenment, and even his ultimate understanding of life and death during the decisive battle in Maple Forest, all transformed into vivid sword shadows that rapidly circulated in Gu Guanqi's sea of ​​consciousness.

The first thirteen sword strikes are cunning and ruthless, each strike aimed directly at the vital points of the body, and the sword path is unpredictable; the fourteenth sword strike integrates thousands of variations, with one sword strike generating thirteen killing moves, perfectly natural and flawless.

In particular, the death intent of the fifteenth sword, and the true meaning of annihilation it contained, were all clearly understood by Gu Guanqi at this moment.

……

Gu Guanqi also got off the carriage.

An Yi's eyes still held a hint of helplessness, but her expression had returned to normal. She cupped her hands towards Gu Guanqi and said, "Junior Brother Gu, thank you for saving my life."

"Senior Sister An, you're too kind," Gu Guanqi said. "It's only right and proper for me to help. Um, may I ask what happened to you, Senior Sister?"

An Yi sighed softly, just about to speak.

At this moment,

Yan Wangchuan also came over. Seeing An Yi, he smiled and said, "Little girl, you've recovered quite well! You woke up so quickly and can even move around. Our Doctor Gu's medical skills are truly superb!"

Upon hearing this, An Yi immediately recalled the process of being treated in the carriage, and her ears began to burn slightly.

Gu Guanqi noticed An Yi's unease and said, "Elder Yan, let me introduce you. This is An Yi, the current senior disciple of Medicine King Valley. You always have such a loose tongue, you might need to ask Medicine King Valley for help. Don't offend Senior Sister An, or you'll be in deep trouble!"

Yan Wangchuan was slightly startled and quickly said, "My apologies, it's actually Young Master An in person!"

Gu Guanqi introduced to An Yi: "Senior Sister An, this is Yan Wangchuan, the Assistant Magistrate of the Six Doors in Qingzhou. We are on our way to Medicine King Valley. He has also been hit by the Seven Soul-Destroying Palms."

"I know," An Yi said. "I came here because of Yan Tongzhi. Commander Ma sent a message to Medicine King Valley some time ago. However, while Medicine King Valley can treat Yan Tongzhi's injuries, the valley is currently lacking a medicinal ingredient. That's why I came here specifically to obtain one."

Gu Guanqi said, "Could it be the legendary Blood and Tears Pearl?"

"Yes," An Yi said, "However, I encountered an accident on my way to the Chen family. The Chen family's ancestral home was broken into and massacred by villains. Only one elder and one child escaped. On my way with them, we were attacked by villains. During the battle, I was ambushed and had to flee all the way here!"

"I see," Gu Guanqi asked, "Then, Senior Sister An, do you know why those villains went on a killing spree at the Chen family?"

An Yi shook her head slightly and said, "I don't know the specifics, but I heard from the young master of the Chen family that the other party wanted to steal something called the Bright Moon Pearl."

"The Bright Moon Pearl?" Gu Guanqi looked at Yan Wangchuan.

Yan Wangchuan shook his head slightly and said, "Don't look at me like that. I'm not some all-knowing expert. I've never heard of this thing."

Gu Guanqi smiled slightly and then asked An Yi, "What are your plans now, Senior Sister An?"

An Yi said, "I need to check on the safety of my junior sisters first, so I'll have to trouble my junior brother to take me to Baoshan County."

Then, once my strength has recovered, I will go to the Chen family ancestral land. Firstly, to see if any members of the Chen family are still alive, and secondly, to search for the Blood Tear Pearl. Our Medicine King Valley has no remaining Blood Tear Pearls, and to treat Yan Tongzhi's injuries, we absolutely need a Blood Tear Pearl as a medicinal ingredient.”

Gu Guanqi said, "I'll go with you, Senior Sister, just in case there are any villains attacking from the shadows. However, you've also been hit by the Seven Soul-Destroying Palms..."

"It's nothing serious," An Yi said. "I cultivate the Heavenly Physician's Divine Scripture of Medicine King Valley, which has a restraining effect on mental martial arts like the Seven Soul-Destroying Palm. Besides, this wasn't Zhuque's personal attack, so the Soul-Destroying True Qi isn't pure."

Gu Guanqi nodded and said, "Then, let's not delay. Let's head to Baoshan County now, and then I'll go with you, Senior Sister, to investigate the Chen family's affairs."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Junior Brother!" An Yi said. "I'm afraid I'll need you to protect me then."

As he spoke,

An Yi looked at Gu Guanqi and found that he was looking at her. She immediately felt a little guilty and looked away.

At this moment, the system's voice rang in Gu Guanqi's mind—

[A blind date invitation has been detected; advanced blind date event can be started]

[Enable?]

Gu Guanqi quickly muttered "Activate".

[Blind Date Partner - An Yi]

Rating – Four Stars

[Advanced Dating Reward: Mingyu Skill]

The Advanced Dating Event has begun. Players are encouraged to complete it diligently. Rewards will be distributed after the event concludes.

……

Mingyu Gong is the highest-level internal martial arts technique cultivated by successive palace masters of Yihua Palace. Its divine power is profound and mysterious, and it can also grant immortality.

After reaching the peak of cultivation, one's skin becomes as transparent as jade, and one's internal energy is not released outwards but rather contained inwards. Therefore, one can increase one's internal energy without depleting it when practicing, achieving a state of endless and inexhaustible power.

Furthermore, the internal energy will form a vortex of suction, drawing in anything it touches like a magnet attracting iron. Moreover, due to the profound mystery of this divine skill, one will become increasingly youthful and beautiful, maintaining eternal youth and possessing an elegant demeanor, almost like a celestial being.

The martial arts realm can reach a state of limitless Asura, Yi Jin Nirvana, and carefree tranquility.

……

"Senior Sister An is amazing!"

Gu Guanqi silently praised An Yi in his heart. The Fifteen Deadly Swords technique was her trump card. But this Mingyu Gong was a comprehensive improvement, not only in martial arts realm, but also in internal strength, overall combat power, and even personal temperament.

Once I calmed down,

Gu Guanqi then said, "Senior Sister An, please ride in my carriage. Your injuries have only just stabilized, and your strength hasn't fully recovered, so riding a horse isn't suitable for you. Hmm, let's set off immediately."

An Yi quickly replied, "Then you..."

"I'll ride in Elder Yan's carriage," Gu Guanqi said.

"Okay, thank you."

An Yi breathed a slight sigh of relief.

She really didn't know how to face the prospect of continuing to spend time alone with Gu Guanqi.

However, for some reason, she felt a little disappointed.

immediately,

The group then mounted their horses and set off for Baoshan County.

……

It was already evening when we arrived in Baoshan County.

Dusk descended from all directions, enveloping the entire county in a hazy, golden hue.

An Yi led the convoy through two streets and alleys to the front of a place called "Fu'an Inn," where An Yi and her two junior sisters were staying.

As soon as An Yi stepped off the carriage, two figures rushed out of the inn.

The two young women, both dressed in the robes of Medicine King Valley disciples, looked anxious. They were the two junior sisters that An Yi had brought with her on this trip.

"Senior Sister!"

The two men breathed a long sigh of relief upon seeing An Yi and quickly asked, "How are you?"

Another older woman noticed that An Yi didn't look well and quickly asked, "Senior Sister, are you injured? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine now." An Yi waved her hand, her gaze sweeping over the two of them. "And you? Are you injured?"

"No, no," the older junior sister quickly shook her head. "We sped all the way and no one chased after us. After we arrived in the county town, we reported it to the authorities. The young master of the Chen family and Zhou Mingyuan are now in the county government office. We knew you would definitely come here to find us when you returned."

An Yi nodded slightly and then asked, "Did Zhou Mingyuan tell you the specifics of what happened at the Chen family ancestral land?"

"It's similar to what I told you before," the older junior sister said. "That group of masked men started a massacre without warning, and it happened very suddenly. Old Master Chen probably knew something, but he didn't have time to say it."

After saying that, she added, "Senior Sister, I have already asked the county government to send a message back to Medicine King Valley. The county government will also notify the Chen family in Jiuyuan County."

An Yi nodded slightly.

At this time,

Gu Guanqi and his group led their horses to the stable and tied them up. Then they went into the inn and asked the innkeeper to prepare their rooms and meals.

An Yi gave Gu Guanqi and Yan Wangchuan a few instructions before going upstairs to heal her injuries and recover her strength.

……

翌日清晨，天光微亮.

Gu Guanqi got up very early and just as he reached the stairwell, he saw An Yi sitting in the lobby.

Today she changed into a light blue outfit, the front of which was still buttoned up tightly, and the high neckline covered her neck.

His face was still somewhat pale, clearly indicating that his skills had not yet fully recovered.

"Senior Sister An, so early?" Gu Guanqi walked down the stairs and greeted her with a cupped hand.

An Yi said, "I couldn't sleep well because I kept thinking about the Chen family, so I just got up early."

Gu Guanqi said, "Then let's eat something and then go take a look at the Chen family's place."

"it is good."

An Yi nodded, then beckoned to the waiter.

Subsequently,

An Yi and Gu Guanqi each ordered some food.

After eating,

The two left the inn, then went to the stable, mounted their horses, and rode along the long street out of the city.

The two rode side by side, barely exchanging a word the entire way.

About an hour later, the two arrived at the outside of a manor built against the mountain.

The manor is situated at the foot of the mountain, with blue brick walls, black tile eaves, and a vast area. The gate is a pair of vermilion-lacquered doors with copper nails, and above the lintel hangs a plaque with the words "Chen Mansion" inscribed on it.

The courtyard gate was wide open, with several deep knife marks on the door panel. Two constables stood at the gate, and upon seeing someone arrive, they quickly stepped forward to stop them.

An Yi stepped forward, identified herself, and took out the token of Medicine King Valley. The yamen runner glanced at it and went inside to report.

Soon,

A middle-aged man emerged from the manor, cupping his hands in greeting, "Young Master An has come in person. I am Liu Chong, the County Commandant of Baoshan County!"

"County Commandant Liu!" An Yi bowed and asked, "How's the investigation going? Is Old Master Chen still alive?"

Liu Chong shook his head and said, "Apart from Chen Yuan and Zhou Mingyuan, who were sent by your Medicine King Valley yesterday, there are no survivors. Old Master Chen is also dead, and his death was gruesome, clearly indicating that he was tortured before his death."

An Yi frowned and asked, "Are there any other clues?"

Liu Chong said, "Judging from the traces at the scene, the martial arts styles were mixed, and the group of villains who came didn't seem to belong to the same sect..."

"It's the Four Extremes Palace," An Yi said. "Yesterday I fought with the people chasing Chen Yuan and Zhou Mingyuan. They used the Four Extremes Palace's Vermilion Bird's ultimate technique, the Seven Parts of Soul-Destroying Palm."

Liu Chong's expression darkened slightly. He said, "The Four Extremes Palace truly deserves to die. They've committed countless atrocities over the years, yet we still can't find their hideout!" Liu Chong sighed and then asked, "May I ask what brings Young Master An here?"

An Yi said, "Let me see if I can find any useful clues. The assassins of the Four Extremes Hall all disguise themselves as ordinary people to commit crimes. However, since they deliberately conceal their tracks, they are very likely to leave some clues. I wonder if I can go in and take a look?"

Liu Chong nodded quickly and said, "Since it is Young Master An who wants to investigate, there is nothing wrong with it. I will not bother you any longer. If you need anything, you can call me at any time."

"Okay, thank you!"

Afterwards, An Yi and Gu Guanqi entered the manor.

The courtyard was a mess; tables and chairs were overturned, flowerpots were shattered, and dark red bloodstains were visible everywhere on the ground. The bloodstains had dried, leaving large, dark marks on the bluestone slabs, a shocking sight.

Along the way, there were signs of fighting everywhere.

However, the bodies had already been moved.

As they walked, Gu Guanqi asked, "Senior Sister An, this manor is so big, where are we going to find the Blood Tear Pearl? Where are the pearl farms located?"

An Yi shook her head slightly and said, "The Chen family's clam pond is on the mountaintop, but it's no use for us to go there. Each of the Chen family's clams is numbered, and they are taken away once the pearl is formed, so the yield is very low. Tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of clams can only produce less than ten Blood Tear Pearls a day. As soon as one is produced, the Chen family immediately collects it. We won't find Blood Tear Pearls if we go to the clam pond."

Gu Guanqi nodded slightly and said, "I see."

An Yi continued, "The Blood Tear Pearl has always been kept by the Chen family patriarch himself, and then he personally sends someone to Medicine King Valley at the end of each quarter. Therefore, the only way to find the Blood Tear Pearl is to look in the Chen family patriarch's courtyard."

quickly,

An Yi then led Gu Guanqi to a large courtyard.

The inside was very messy, with broken doors and windows, clearly indicating that a fierce battle had taken place.

The two searched the study for a while without finding anything, and then went to the bedroom to start looking around.

Sure enough, a sandalwood box was soon found on the wooden shelf. When it was opened, several blood-red pearls, each about the size of a little finger, were placed inside.

Just then, Gu Guanqi's gaze sharpened slightly.

He sensed someone coming this way.

"Senior Sister An, someone's here," Gu Guanqi whispered.

An Yi listened intently but sensed nothing. However, she knew her martial arts skills were inferior to Gu Guanqi's, so it was normal for Gu Guanqi to be able to detect those she couldn't. She then asked, "Is it someone from the county government?"

"No," Gu Guanqi said in a low voice, "the other party is very careful. They are using their lightness skill to sneak in here. There are three of them. This behavior does not seem like that of people from the county government."

An Yi quickly said, "It could be people from the Four Extremes Palace. They went there to find the Moon Pearl, and now they've returned, perhaps because they found a clue to it. Let's not alert them yet, and see what they're up to."

"Okay." Gu Guanqi nodded.

At that moment, a very faint sound of clothes rustling in the wind came from afar in the courtyard.

"They seem to be heading towards the bedroom!" Gu Guanqi said in a low voice.

An Yi quickly scanned the area and finally settled on the wardrobe in the corner.

She pointed.

Gu Guanqi immediately understood.

Then the two walked over quickly, and An Yi opened the cabinet door and slipped inside.

Gu Guanqi followed closely behind and also crawled into the wardrobe.

The cabinet door closed gently, leaving only a very thin gap through which one could barely see what was happening outside.

The space inside the closet was cramped, and the two of them squeezed together, almost touching.

Gu Guanqi's back was against the cabinet wall, while An Yi was half-turned, facing the cabinet door, with only a few inches between them.

An Yi moved slightly, and her breasts pressed against Gu Guanqi's body.