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

Chapter 49 Before the Final Battle (11,000 words, please vote with monthly tickets)

In a small courtyard in Qingshi Town.

The heavy rain continued to pour down, and several oil lamps were lit in the room, casting a dim, yellowish light.

Su Qingxing treated Han Caiye's injuries, a process that lasted until the early hours of the morning. However, Su Qingxing's medical skills were truly superb, and he actually managed to pull Han Caiye back from the brink of death.

in the room,

Su Qingxing breathed a slight sigh of relief and said, "Senior Han, you need to rest now. It's not that you'll be completely without the opportunity to fight again in the future, but you'll have to wait at least three to five years."

Han Caiye chuckled and said, "That means we can't resort to violence. In three to five years, these old bones of mine will be buried."

Su Qingxing didn't know what to say.

She could offer a few words of comfort, but they wouldn't mean much.

Han Caiye is a martial arts master and is very aware of her own physical condition. If she hadn't suffered this serious injury today, she could have lived for at least another seven or eight years before reaching the point of exhaustion.

But now that his heart meridian has been damaged, although his life has been extended in time, his very essence has been damaged, and he will indeed have little chance of survival in three to five years.

"It doesn't matter," Han Caiye said calmly. "I'm over eighty years old now, and there are hardly any old friends left from my days of traveling the world together. I've lived long enough, so a few years less or more doesn't matter."

Su Qingxing said, "No wonder you were able to become the only female Grandmaster in Yunzhou. Your open-mindedness is something that ordinary people cannot match."

Han Caiye sighed and said, "No matter how open-minded you are, there will always be things you can't let go of." She tilted her head slightly, looked at Han Youniang standing to the side, and said, "Youniang, go and invite Master Gu here!"

"Um."

Han Youniang nodded slightly, bowed to Su Qingxing, and then turned to leave.

Su Qingxing said, "No need to trouble yourself, he's right outside." Then, Su Qingxing called out towards the door, "Guanqi, come in for a moment."

immediately,

The door was pushed open, and Gu Guanqi walked in.

Because he was worried that someone or another zombie might disturb Su Qing's work while Han Caiye was healing, Gu Guanqi stayed outside the door the whole time.

Gu Guanqi walked in, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Aunt Qing, you were looking for me?"

"It's Senior Han who's looking for you," Su Qingxing said.

"Senior Han!" Gu Guanqi bowed.

Han Caiye, barely breathing, said, "Hero Gu, although I was fortunate enough to survive thanks to Valley Master Su's great kindness, my old bones are not much to live on, and I have no ability to protect my granddaughter anymore!"

Everyone looked at Han Youniang.

Han Youniang lowered her head, her white hair almost completely obscuring her face.

"So," Han Caiye continued, "I hope the instructions I gave you in the forest will still be effective. I know my own daughter's situation well, and I dare not ask for too much. Just let her be your maid..."

"Senior," Gu Guanqi quickly said, "Don't worry, I will definitely do what I promised. Please don't mention the maid again. I said I would treat Miss Han as my own sister from now on."

What you're worried about is nothing more than her being bullied. Wherever I settle down, she'll be there too. If she marries someone she likes, I'll be her brother, and no one will dare bully or mistreat her then.

Han Caiye said softly, "I'm relieved to hear you say that." Then she looked at Han Youniang and said, "Youniang, from today onwards, you will follow Master Gu. However, you must understand your place. Master Gu treats you like a sister; that's a favor. You must always be mindful of your position, understand?"

Han Youniang nodded vigorously and said, "I understand, Grandma."

Gu Guanqi said, "Senior, let Youniang stay by your side and take care of you for now!"

Han Caiye sighed deeply, her eyes moistening, and said, "I've been running around for this girl all these years, but I'm actually tired of it. I want to return to my roots and enjoy my old age at home, but there's no room for her at home."

Now I really can no longer take her with me. It's her blessing to be with Master Gu, and if she can't, that's her fate. This is all I can do!

Gu Guanqi looked at Han Youniang, feeling both sympathy and emotion. After a moment's thought, he said, "Then come with me. I can't guarantee much, but you'll definitely not go hungry or cold, and you won't be bullied."

Han Caiye quickly said, "Thank you very much, Master Gu."

Gu Guanqi waved his hand and said, "Senior Han, what's going on with these zombies today? With your martial arts skills, how could this be?"

Han Caiye slowly said, "Master Gu, I told you the other day that there are two kinds of zombies in the world. One kind is zombies created by the art of corpse refining, and the other kind is zombies raised in special feng shui locations."

Gu Guanqi said in a deep voice, "And that zombie today, could it be the second type?"

Han Caiye said, "Yes, and even more bizarrely!"

Han Caiye took a deep breath and said, "The zombies created by the Corpse Refining Technique are actually powerful puppets with the characteristics of high speed, great strength and strong defense. The four zombies I killed today were of this kind."

But naturally born zombies are different. These zombies are like rare treasures; besides possessing the characteristics of normal zombies, they often develop special abilities. For example, some can fly, some can burrow underground. However, overall, although they are much stronger, their essence is not much different from that of wild beasts. But this zombie today is different; it actually knows martial arts!

Gu Guanqi and Su Qingxing exchanged a glance, both filled with surprise. Gu Guanqi asked, "Zombies know martial arts?"

Han Caiye said, "Although I was at a disadvantage and couldn't defeat that zombie, I shouldn't have been in such a sorry state. The reason I was so badly injured is because that zombie actually used a set of palm techniques that I couldn't defend against!"

"Can zombies practice martial arts?" Gu Guanqi asked.

Han Caiye said, "I have read all the manuscripts and documents about zombies, and I have never seen such a statement. After all, zombies do not have the Eight Extraordinary Meridians. In addition, even zombies born from nature would not have high intelligence. They would just have more instincts than zombies that have been refined. They could not possibly learn martial arts."

"You know what," Gu Guanqi said, "when I encountered that zombie today, I felt like it was intelligent. It didn't bother with me and just ran away. Especially when it saw me, I could clearly feel a certain something in its eyes."

Su Qingxing asked suspiciously, "Could it be that the zombie recognized you and was scared away by you?"

"Aunt Qing, you know what, Gu Guanqi chuckled, "There wasn't just one zombie today, there were also four zombies created by corpse refining techniques. What does that mean? It means that someone is behind this."

The last zombie, created by nature itself, was likely deliberately buried in the zombie-raising ground and raised there. The zombie didn't recognize me, but the person behind it might. Therefore, it's perfectly reasonable for it to run away, fearing it couldn't win.

Su Qingxing pondered for a moment, then said, "That could very well be true!"

Han Caiye spoke up, "Master Gu's speculation is indeed not without reason. It is very likely that the remnants of the Corpse Refining Sect from back then have reappeared in the martial world, or it is possible that other evil corpse refining masters have come to Yunzhou. However, there is only one point that I cannot understand, and that is, why does that zombie know martial arts?"

Gu Guanqi asked, "Senior, are you sure that's definitely a zombie?"

Han Caiye said, "Don't worry, Master Gu. I can't be sure about other things, but I will never mistake a zombie. Its aura, physical changes, skin, corpse energy, and corpse poison are all certain that it is a zombie."

Gu Guanqi said, "It's just a pity that we have no way to find that zombie now."

Han Caiye said, "The Six Doors and the government will take over, so Master Gu doesn't need to worry too much. However, now that a corpse-refining sorcerer has come to wreak havoc on the martial arts world again, I urge Master Gu and Valley Master Su to inform the martial arts community that once a corpse-refining sorcerer is discovered, he must be eliminated."

Corpse refining techniques, if in the hands of unscrupulous individuals, are extremely dangerous. Killing people to refine corpses is the most basic level; the Corpse Refining Sect of yesteryear, in order to feed zombies, just like today, drove zombies to drink blood, frequently committing massacres of entire villages and clans.

Gu Guanqi asked, "Does a zombie's blood-sucking ability help it become stronger?"

"That's right," Han Caiye said. "The zombie's body is solidified by the corpse poison and the yin energy, and it has its own cold internal energy. After it drinks human blood, the pure yang essence in the blood will be refined by the yin power of the corpse and transformed into its own cold corpse energy. The more blood it drinks, the more profound its yin power foundation becomes."

Humans are considered the most intelligent of all beings, possessing eight extraordinary meridians and the two bridges of heaven and earth imbued with yang energy. Therefore, human blood, especially the blood of martial artists, is more beneficial to zombies than the blood of other animals. Among humans, martial artists have the most vigorous qi and blood; the higher the martial arts cultivation level of a martial artist, the greater the benefit their blood provides to zombies.

Gu Guanqi said, "No wonder the Corpse Refining Sect was wiped out!"

This kind of behavior will definitely make everyone in the martial arts world feel insecure. As long as someone raises their arms and calls for action, the entire martial arts world will respond.

Gu Guanqi couldn't understand how the Corpse Refining Sect dared to openly establish itself back then; they were treating the martial world like a pasture!

Su Qingxing said, "Senior Han, once all the martial arts sects gather, I will certainly inform them to be vigilant. If there is any trace of the Corpse Refining Sect, we will deal with it promptly. Furthermore, a martial arts conference will be held this time, and with the establishment of the Martial Alliance, handling these matters will naturally be much more convenient."

Han Caiye nodded slightly.

immediately,

Seeing that Han Caiye's spirits were getting weaker and weaker, Su Qingxing said, "Senior Han, you should rest well and not worry about anything else. We won't bother you any longer."

"Take care," Han Caiye said.

Su Qingxing nodded slightly and said to Gu Guanqi, "Let's go, Guanqi."

Gu Guanqi cupped his hands in greeting to Han Caiye and Han Youniang, then followed Su Qingxing out the door.

As they walked outside and passed the corner, Su Qingxing teased, "Senior Han must be getting old and blind, actually entrusting his son to you. Aren't you afraid of letting the lambs fall into the tiger's den?"

Gu Guanqi said speechlessly, "Aunt Qing, what kind of image do I have in your eyes?!"

Su Qingxing tapped Gu Guanqi's forehead with her finger and said, "What kind of image can you have? A total scumbag!"

Gu Guanqi smiled awkwardly and didn't offer any further explanation.

Su Qingxing chuckled and said, "But thinking about it carefully, I can understand Senior Han. Her granddaughter's personality is too weak. If it weren't for Senior Han's protection, she would probably be tortured to death. Although you are a bit of a womanizer, at least you won't be bullied if you follow you."

That little girl has white hair and red eyes; she's probably been bullied a lot since she was little. She'll be with you from now on, so treat her well. Don't believe those rumors about her being born unlucky; they're completely unfounded.

"I understand." Gu Guanqi nodded and said, "However, is it alright for Senior Han to have Han Youniang come with me now? Her injuries are so severe!"

"You don't need to worry about that," Su Qingxing said. "The Xiao family, where Senior Han is from, is in the next county. Although they don't have any famous martial arts masters, they are still a prominent family with Senior Han as their martial arts master over the years."

"Send a letter to the Xiao family tomorrow morning, and someone will come to fetch Senior Han home. I will leave two of my disciples with good medical skills here."

At this point, Su Qingxing sighed and said, "It's just that such a prestigious family can't even tolerate a young girl, it's really..."

"Sigh, I've heard a rumor before. When this girl was born, her mother died in childbirth, and she was born with white hair and red eyes. She was immediately considered an omen of bad luck, and the entire Xiao family unanimously decided to drown her. It was only thanks to Senior Han's intervention that she survived, but she also promised never to return to the Xiao family."

Gu Guanqi sighed and said, "My life is miserable."

"It's a hard life," Su Qingxing nodded, then added, "So, don't bully them in the future."

……

The next day, early in the morning.

Gu Guanqi got up early and left the farmhouse where he was staying without eating.

It wasn't that he disliked the food, but rather that the family he was staying with were ordinary, unassuming people who lived in fear of him. If he were to stay for a meal, they wouldn't dare sit at the table.

He really felt it was bad.

So he left behind a little silver and departed.

He went straight to the house where Han Caiye lived. It was a wealthy family, local gentry. Although they respected Gu Guanqi and the others very much, they were not so apprehensive as to be walking on thin ice.

Su Qingxing also stayed at that house.

Last night, all the female disciples from Medicine King Valley stayed there, so there wasn't a spare spot for Gu Guanqi, and he felt embarrassed to compete with some of the girls for a place to stay.

As soon as he arrived at the door, he saw Han Youniang squatting in the corner, curled up in a ball.

Gu Guanqi walked over and asked in confusion, "Miss Han, what are you doing here?"

Han Youniang quickly looked up and saw that it was Gu Guanqi. She immediately stood up, holding a bundle in her arms. She carefully handed it to Gu Guanqi and whispered, "Doctor Gu, here!"

Gu Guanqi asked in confusion, "What is this?"

Han Youniang whispered, "It's the Corpse-Driving Technique and the Frost Scripture that Grandma gave you last night, but you didn't take them. Hmm, and... there's also a book of unorthodox tales."

"What is 'Unorthodox Miscellaneous Talks'?" Gu Guanqi asked.

Han Youniang said, "These are some methods for identifying Jianghu evil arts. There are many, such as zombies, divine strikes, and earth-遁术 (earth-遁术, a type of magic or magic).

Gu Guanqi took the bundle and asked, "Does it contain secret manuals?"

"No," Han Youniang explained, "it's just a record of how to identify these things. It's all recorded in there, based on what Grandma has learned from traveling all over the country over the years. It's not a secret manual."

"I see, that's very useful."

Although it wasn't a manual for cultivating those unorthodox techniques, being able to record and identify them was still very useful for Gu Guanqi, so that he wouldn't be completely clueless and unable to understand anything when he encountered those strange unorthodox techniques in the future.

When he opened the bundle, he saw a large stack of silver notes inside, roughly estimated to be at least three thousand taels.

"What are all these silver notes for?" Gu Guanqi asked.

Han Youniang said, "It's the money my grandmother has saved for me over the years."

Gu Guanqi asked, puzzled, "Then why are you giving it to me?"

Han Youniang said timidly, "Brother Gu, I won't eat and drink for free. I can wash your clothes, cook for you, sweep the floor, I can do anything."

"Uh..." Gu Guanqi said, "What I mean is that you keep this money yourself, you don't need to give it to me. I promised Senior Han to take care of you, it's not for your money."

Han Youniang lowered her head and remained silent.

"Take it!" Gu Guanqi raised his voice.

Han Youniang trembled, raised her head slightly, and said, "Brother Gu, please don't be angry, okay? I... don't know how to get along with you, but I promise I'll be obedient."

"I'm not angry," Gu Guanqi said. "If you want to listen to me, take the money, understand?"

"Yes, I understand." Han Youniang nodded.

Gu Guanqi took the three books out of the bundle and then handed the bundle containing the silver notes to Han Youniang.

Han Youniang kept her head down and said softly, "Brother Gu, I spend very little money and eat very little. Besides, I can earn money. I can read feng shui, copy books, and sew clothes. I will save all the money I earn. If you need money, just tell me and I will give it to you."

Looking at Han Youniang, Gu Guanqi felt even more sympathy for the girl; she had clearly developed a people-pleasing personality.

He sighed and said, "Let's go, let's go inside!"

immediately,

He walked into the house, but after taking only two steps, he suddenly remembered something, turned around, raised his hand, and said, "Oh, right, you..."

Han Youniang hugged the bundle tightly, immediately shrank her head and closed her eyes.

Gu Guanqi asked in confusion, "What are you doing?"

Han Youniang cautiously opened her eyes and whispered, "Brother Gu, if you want to hit me, could you do it somewhere where no one is around? That way, you can vent your anger, and no one will see, so it won't affect your reputation."

If... if you really can't hold back anymore, you can hit me now. I can hold it in and won't make a sound!

Gu Guanqi looked at his raised hand and said, "It's just a habitual gesture when I'm talking. Why would I hit you?"

Han Youniang whispered, "Brother Gu doesn't need a reason to hit me. I have internal energy cultivation, so I can withstand a lot of blows."

Gu Guanqi chuckled and said, "Don't overthink it. I won't hit you. I just want to ask you something. Do you know that I'm leaving today? If you want to come with me, you'll have to say goodbye to Senior Han today."

Han Youniang nodded and said, "I know."

"Alright, let's go, I'll go find something to eat," Gu Guanqi said.

"Brother Gu... Brother Gu."

"What's wrong?" Gu Guanqi asked.

Han Youniang said, "Brother Gu, if you want to hit me in the future, just hit me directly, but don't hit my hands, otherwise I won't be able to cook or do laundry."

Gu Guanqi: "..."

at this time,

A system notification sounded in Gu Guanqi's mind:

[Blind date event concluded]

[Reward: Max level "One Finger Zen" has been awarded]

Do you want to claim the reward?

……

"receive"

in an instant,

A pure and vast warm current flowed from the dantian to the limbs and bones, and all the meridians in the body were connected by the warm and gentle true energy. At the same time, the profound meaning of the finger technique, the acupoint technique, and the method of yin and yang energy circulation of the One Yang Finger were engraved into the soul, and in an instant, they reached the realm of perfection.

The profound insights into secret finger techniques, remote energy concentration, and healing through the transfer of qi flooded my mind, without the slightest error.

……

Gu Guanqi was comprehending the profound meaning of the One-Finger Divine Skill.

This martial art didn't help him much, but it did give him an extra source of pure Yang internal energy and a way to injure enemies from a distance.

but,

Just as the internal energy of the One-Finger Divine Skill was condensed,

Gu Guanqi suddenly realized that the pure Yang energy of One Yang Finger could actually merge with the extreme cold energy of Mingyu Gong to some extent.

just,

The quality of the One-Finger Divine Skill's internal energy was far inferior to that of Mingyu's True Qi, making it impossible to achieve a balanced state.

He now possesses five types of true energy within his body.

Because the three internal energies of Baoyuan Jin, Zixia Shen Gong, and Xiantian Gong all originated from the same source, they had long ago merged into one.

At this moment, the internal energy of One-Finger Divine Skill and the true energy of Mingyu Skill coexist and are cultivated together through the system, but they have not merged.

"If there were a pure Yang true qi of similar level to the Mingyu Gong, it could achieve the fusion of Yin and Yang. If it were supplemented by the attribute-less true qi of the Xiantian Gong for harmonization, wouldn't it be possible to transcend the balance of Yin and Yang and form the Yin-Yang Wuji!"

……

After Gu Guanqi and his group finished their meal, a group of county soldiers and some yamen runners arrived in Qingshi Town. Led by the county constable, the soldiers and runners, after learning about the situation, set up camp in Qingshi Town.

Gu Guanqi and Su Qingxing, along with disciples of Medicine King Valley, cooperated with the government in searching the mountains. However, by noon, there was still no trace of the zombies.

After returning to Qingshi Town for lunch, Gu Guanqi and his group withdrew from Qingshi Town, returned along the same route, rejoined the main force, and then set off again for Baihe County.

This trip lasted five or six days.

Along the way,

The thirteen sects of the Medicine King Valley faction gradually assembled, with a total number of over a thousand people. The procession was quite impressive, and local governments along the way came to inquire about it.

During this period, Gu Guanqi often looked through the secret manuals that Han Caiye had given him. However, he had no interest in the internal energy cultivation method. Instead, he looked through the corpse-driving technique and the book of unorthodox tales.

Han Youniang followed closely behind Gu Guanqi.

However, Han Youniang's horse riding skills were much better than Gu Guanqi had expected. She just never talked to anyone. When others asked her questions, she would always lower her head and respond softly.

At first, people were curious about her white hair and red eyes, and she always followed Gu Guanqi with her head down. But as time went on, they got used to her presence. With Gu Guanqi around, no one dared to gossip.

That afternoon,

The group arrived at a place called Changfeng County, and then headed straight for a manor called Red Leaf Manor, which was more than 20 miles outside the county town.

When they arrived outside Red Leaf Manor,

Tang Yu had already brought many people to greet them, including leaders and elders from various sects.

"Valley Master Su! Hero Gu!" Tang Yu shouted from afar, his voice full of energy.

Gu Guanqi and Su Qingxing dismounted and quickly walked forward.

"Sect Leader Tang," Gu Guanqi said, bowing slightly, "how is your recovery progressing?"

"Thank you for your concern, Hero Gu. It will take some time for me to fully recover." Tang Yu smiled, then cupped his hands to Su Qingxing and said, "Valley Master Su, it's been a long time! You're still so beautiful, and you seem to be getting younger and younger, looking like an eighteen or nineteen-year-old girl!"

Su Qingxing covered his mouth and chuckled, saying, "Alright, Sect Leader Tang, stop with the flattery. No matter how much you praise me, I won't charge you a penny less when I sell you the medicine!"

Tang Yu laughed heartily, stepped aside, pointed to the two people behind him, and introduced them to Gu Guanqi: "Master Gu, let me introduce you. These two masters are masters from Yunzhou."

Gu Guanqi looked up and saw a middle-aged man standing to Tang Yu's left. He was burly, with a broad back and thick waist, a square face with a ruddy complexion as if coated with cinnabar, and a full beard.

Tang Yu introduced, "This is Yang Tong, the great hero known in the martial arts world as the Red Lion!"

Gu Guanqi already knew about the masters of Yunzhou. Yang Tong was a master of the sword, and because he had a red face and a big beard, he was nicknamed "Red Lion" by the people of the martial arts world.

"I have long admired the illustrious name of Hero Yang!" Gu Guanqi said, bowing respectfully.

Yang Tong cupped his hands and said, "The name of the Sword Immortal is renowned far and wide. To meet you today, you truly live up to the rumors of your ethereal appearance!"

immediately,

Tang Yu then introduced another person, saying, "This is Yuan Guangkai, the great hero known in the martial arts world as the Great Vajra."

This man was not particularly tall, but he had a calm and composed demeanor. Standing there, he was like a towering mountain, unmoving as a mountain. He held a black iron rod, as thick as a bowl, weighing at least a hundred pounds.

Gu Guanqi had also heard of this person's great name.

Although this nickname sounds like that of a Buddhist, he is not actually a Buddhist. Rather, he is called "Great Vajra" by people in the martial arts world because he practices a type of martial art that makes him invulnerable to swords and spears, fire and water, and possesses immense strength.

"Master Yuan, I have long admired your name!" Gu Guanqi said, bowing.

Yuan Guangkai returned the greeting with clasped hands: "Greetings, Master Gu!"

Then Tang Yu said, "Let's go, let's go into the manor first. The food and wine are ready. Let's eat and chat, otherwise it will get dark soon."

immediately,

Su Qingxing gave a few instructions to his disciples behind him, and then the people from each sect began to set up camp.

After all, all the respectable sects in Yunzhou will be gathered here. Once the Bodhi Academy faction arrives, there will be at least four thousand people, which is certainly not enough for one manor to accommodate them all.

Therefore, the high-ranking members of each faction lived in the manor, while the other ordinary disciples set up camp around the manor.

The main reason why Red Leaf Manor was chosen as the gathering place is that the surrounding area is very open, with many places available for setting up tents.

Afterwards, the group entered the villa.

Soon, the villa square, which was very spacious, was set up with two or three hundred tables. There were about ten tables in the hall, which were specially prepared for the high-ranking members of each faction. Many people were already seated inside.

When Tang Yu and the others entered, everyone in the hall stood up.

Tang Yu raised her hand to signal everyone to take their seats, and then led Gu Guanqi, Su Qingxing, Yang Tong, Yuan Guangkai and others to the main table.

The main table is set in the center of the hall.

Tang Yu walked to the main seat but did not sit down. Instead, he turned to look at Gu Guanqi, cupped his hands and said, "Hero Gu, we still need your help to support us in this campaign against the Tingchao Sword Sect. This main seat should be yours."

In an instant, everyone's eyes fell on Gu Guanqi.

Gu Guanqi looked at the table.

This table is naturally reserved for the highest-ranking people present at this conference: Tang Yu, Su Qingxing, Yang Tong, Yuan Guangkai, and several top martial arts masters from Yunzhou.

Of course, given his current reputation in Yunzhou, he is certainly qualified to sit in the main seat. Just as Tang Yu said, it would be perfectly reasonable for him to sit in the main seat.

However, Gu Guanqi waved his hand and said, "Everyone here is a senior in the martial arts world, how can I sit in the main seat? Besides..."

Gu Guanqi tilted his head slightly and looked at Han Youniang, who was hiding behind him.

At this moment, Han Youniang was trembling slightly, extremely nervous, and buried her head very low, wishing she could hide her whole face in her chest.

She was timid to begin with and afraid of being the center of attention. Now, because she was with Gu Guanqi, she was standing at the very center of attention in the entire martial arts tournament, which made her extremely panicked.

Gu Guanqi chuckled and said, "Besides, my sister is timid and shy, and she hates being stared at by many people. I have to stay with her, so everyone, don't worry about me. I'll just find somewhere to eat!"

Tang Yu quickly replied, "How can that be possible?"

Gu Guanqi waved his hand and said, "Sect Leader Tang, you know me. I'm a free spirit and don't follow many rules." After saying that, Gu Guanqi cupped his hands to everyone and said, "I'm sorry, seniors, please eat and drink well. I'll just find a place to grab a bite myself!"

After saying that, he turned around and pulled Han Youniang to the side.

Han Youniang was completely dazed as he pulled her along, her steps faltering and she almost fell. When she came to her senses, Gu Guanqi had already led her outside the hall and found a table on the edge of the room to sit down.

The small table was occupied by several disciples of Medicine King Valley. Upon seeing Gu Guanqi approach, they all stood up and said somewhat awkwardly, "Hero Gu..."

"Please sit down, please sit down." Gu Guanqi gestured for them to sit down, then pulled up a chair for himself and said to Han Youniang, "You sit down too."

Han Youniang stood there, at a loss, and whispered, "Brother Gu, I... I'll just take a bowl of rice and find a corner to eat. You... you should be in the main seat. You can't do this because of me..."

"Alright, alright," Gu Guanqi pulled Han Youniang down to sit and said, "It's all the same wherever we eat. Sit down. I said I'd take you with me, and I will. With your personality, if I left you out there, you probably wouldn't even be able to get a meal."

Han Youniang sat down next to Gu Guanqi, placing her hands on her knees and lowering her head so much that it almost touched the table.

The disciples of Medicine King Valley remained silent.

Gu Guanqi picked up his chopsticks, placed a piece of braised pork in Han Youniang's bowl, and said, "Try it, this meat looks good."

Han Youniang didn't move, but whispered, "Brother Gu, you don't need to worry about me, I... I'm not hungry."

Gu Guanqi tapped the bowl and commanded, "Eat, did you hear me?"

"I...I heard it!"

Han Youniang quickly picked up her chopsticks, lifted her bowl, and carefully picked up the piece of braised pork.

She ate very quietly, almost holding the bowl in her hands, taking small bites without making a sound, as if afraid of attracting attention.

Gu Guanqi continued to put some more food into Han Youniang's bowl.

Han Youniang glanced up at Gu Guanqi, then quickly lowered her head, tears welling in her eyes.

Meanwhile, in the hall...

Tang Yu gestured for everyone to sit down and said, "I'm acquainted with Master Gu; he saved my life. Haha, young people always act impulsively!"

No one paid much attention to the matter, but an elderly veteran of the martial arts world remarked, "That girl isn't very good. So young, yet she has white hair and red eyes..."

"Oh dear," Su Qingxing waved his hand and joked, "Old Chen, please don't gossip like that. Master Gu is so young; what young man isn't sentimental? He wouldn't care about such things!"

The old man suddenly realized that Gu Guanqi was no ordinary young person, and it was not their place to instruct him on what to do.

He immediately said, "It was my fault for being senile. Young people should act according to their nature!"

"Come on, come on, eat some vegetables!"

Tang Yu quickly smoothed things over and urged everyone to start eating.

Subsequently,

He whispered to Su Qingxing, "Master Gu has the same air about him as I did in my youth!"

Su Qingxing chuckled, "This little scumbag is much better than you were back then. He may be a womanizer, but he's really capable when things get tough!"

"That's true," Tang Yu chuckled. "In situations like this, he can put aside his status in the martial arts world and prioritize taking care of the young lady. When I was young, I didn't have that status, and besides, I really couldn't do that."

Su Qingxing chuckled lightly, "There aren't many people who can do this!"

Tang Yu clicked his tongue in admiration: "That move was impressive!"

……

Baihe County, Tingchao County.

A mighty river, like a ribbon, stretches across the verdant mountains, flowing through Tingchao County. The river roars and surges, crashing against the rocks on the banks.

The Tingchao Sword Sect, one of the four major sects in Yunzhou, is located on the banks of this great river. Built against the mountain, its pavilions and towers are layered and stretch from the foot of the mountain all the way to the mountainside.

A river breeze carrying moisture swept over us, rustling the reeds on the bank.

It was already afternoon, and the sun was setting in the west, casting its rays obliquely onto the river surface, shattering it into countless golden scales.

Sect Leader Pei Ji sat cross-legged on a blue stone by the river, his eyes slightly closed.

He was about fifty years old, slender, and dressed in a moon-white robe. The robe fluttered gently in the river breeze. His two sword-like eyebrows slanted upwards towards his temples, and his expression carried a hint of aloofness and coldness.

A breeze blew by, and a few strands of white hair at his temples fluttered slightly.

Not far from him, a young man was sitting by the river fishing.

The young man was about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with a fair complexion and handsome features. He was dressed in a brocade robe, with a jade pendant hanging from his waist, and holding a purple bamboo fishing rod in his hand, looking relaxed.

This person was Zhang Donglou.

He glanced at Pei Ji, who was sitting quietly with his eyes closed beside him, chuckled softly, and said nothing, his gaze returning to the floating buoy on the river.

The two remained silent, neither of them uttering a word.

A gentle breeze rustles the river, the water murmurs softly, and time flows slowly in the silence.

Just then, a steady footstep sounded behind me, crunching on the gravel.

A middle-aged man strode over and stopped about ten feet behind Pei Ji, clasping his hands in a salute.

This man was tall and burly, with broad shoulders and a thick waist. He had a square face with a slightly dark complexion, thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a short beard. He carried a heavy sword slung diagonally across his back. The sword was wide, about twice the width of an ordinary longsword, and the scabbard was wrapped with black cloth strips, making it look extremely heavy.

He was Deng Wufeng, the Grand Elder of the Tingchao Sword Sect, and one of the three Grandmasters of the Tingchao Sword Sect.

"Sect Leader, Senior Brother," Deng Wufeng said in a deep, resonant voice.

Pei Ji did not open his eyes, but nodded slightly, signaling him to continue.

Deng Wufeng said, "I just received news that Su Qingxing of Medicine King Valley has arrived at Red Leaf Manor with the thirteen sects. Gu Guanqi is with him. Master Fayuan of Bodhi Academy and his party have also crossed the Qingyang River and will arrive no later than the day after tomorrow."

Pei Ji remained silent for a moment without opening his eyes before slowly saying, "I understand."

Deng Wufeng frowned slightly and asked again, "Sect Leader, are you really not going to send anyone to negotiate?"

Pei Ji opened his eyes, shook his head slightly, and said, "This matter cannot be discussed. Junior Brother Wang was killed along with Vermilion Bird and Azure Dragon in full view of everyone. No matter how we try to explain, the major sects will not believe us."

Moreover, with the martial arts tournament just around the corner, every faction is vying for the position of martial arts leader. Our Listening Tide Sword Sect being eliminated before it even begins is a good thing for them; they naturally won't miss this opportunity.

Therefore, pass the word down: prepare for battle! The Listening Tide Sword Sect is facing a life-or-death crisis!

Deng Wufeng sighed and said, "How did things come to this?"

Zhang Donglou, standing nearby, raised an eyebrow, set aside his purple bamboo fishing rod, turned around, and asked, "Is Elder Deng blaming me for dragging the Listening Tide Sword Sect into this mess?"

Deng Wufeng remained silent.

Zhang Donglou chuckled and said, "Elder Deng, don't say such things. There are risks in doing anything. Before we started cooperating, I explained all the risks and consequences to you, and you all agreed to them. So please don't say things that are detrimental to unity."

Deng Wufeng looked at Zhang Donglou, his brows furrowing even more.

Pei Ji said, "Junior brother, even if we lose, we must not lose our composure. Young Master Zhang is cooperating with us, not forcing us to cooperate with the Four Extremes Palace."

We know our own situation best. The Tingchao Sword Sect has produced three grandmasters in our generation. It seems glorious, but it has exhausted its resources. In reality, the sect is facing a talent shortage and is completely unable to expand outwards.

"It was our own greed for the position of alliance leader that led us to resort to unscrupulous means, and now that we have failed, we have no one to blame but ourselves. Moreover, Young Master Zhang's losses are far greater than ours; the Four Extremes Palace is almost entirely destroyed, and Vermilion Bird, Azure Dragon, and Ding Yue are all dead."

"Ugh!"

Deng Wufeng sighed and said, "Everyone says that our generation has produced three grandmasters, which is a great honor for the Tingchao Sword Sect. But if the Tingchao Sword Sect is destroyed in our generation, and we go to the underworld, how will we face our ancestors?"

"Don't worry, Elder Deng!"

Zhang Donglou stood up, brushed off non-existent dust from his robes, stood with his hands behind his back facing the great river, and said with a hint of arrogance, "With me here, nothing will happen to the Tingchao Sword Sect."

Deng Wufeng said, "Young Master Zhang, you are a person of the imperial court, and you are not very familiar with the affairs of the martial world..."

"I may not understand the martial world, but I do know that no one in Yunzhou has the ability to stand up to the government," Zhang Donglou turned his head and chuckled. "Elder Deng, I have already asked the state government to endorse the Tingchao Sword Sect. The government will make its own judgment on Wang Qingzhi's collusion with the Four Extremes Hall. That was his personal act and has nothing to do with the Tingchao Sword Sect."

When the time comes, the Six Doors and the prefectural government will intervene, and the matter will be settled. Who will dare to attack the Listening Tide Sword Sect? Even the Eight Great Sects wouldn't dare to openly defy the government or the imperial court!

Deng Wufeng said in a deep voice, "Young Master Zhang, are you sure? Will the prefectural government and the Six Doors really give you face and come to mediate?"

"I don't have that much influence," Zhang Donglou said with a slight smile, "but my father holds the reins of the Five Regions and Thirteen Prefectures. Isn't that a lot of influence for him?"

Deng Wufeng quickly said, "With the Left Prime Minister's intervention, the prefectural government and the Six Doors will naturally give us face. But there's still one person. Young Master Zhang, have you thought about how to deal with him?"

Zhang Donglou raised an eyebrow and asked, "You mean, Gu Guanqi?"

Deng Wufeng nodded and said, "He's not from Yunzhou, so he might not accept the mediation from the state government and the Six Doors."

Zhang Donglou waved his hand and said, "This guy's martial arts skills are indeed beyond my expectations. I will personally apologize to him and give him enough face to settle this matter!"

To reiterate, he may disregard the prefectural government and the Six Doors (the government's internal affairs department), and he may disregard me, Zhang Donglou, but he cannot disregard my father's feelings. If I personally apologize and soften my stance, he will naturally back down. After all, he wouldn't dare to oppose the imperial court, would he?

Deng Wufeng thought for a moment and said, "If Young Master Zhang is willing to reconcile, then this matter will be easy to handle. My only concern is that you are not willing to reconcile."

Zhang Donglou said, "If it were an ordinary person from the martial arts world, I would naturally not make peace with him. However, Gu Guanqi's strength is enough to qualify him to have a face-to-face conversation with me. He has earned my respect with his strength, and I am willing to give him face and back down."

After all,

Zhang Donglou chuckled again and said, "Besides, this is the Tingchao Sword Sect. No matter how strong or arrogant Gu Guanqi is, with all the major sects accepting the mediation, does he really dare to take on the entire Tingchao Sword Sect single-handedly? That would be a huge disregard for the Tingchao Sword Sect, wouldn't it?"

He then looked at Pei Ji and said, "Sect Leader Pei, what do you say?"

Pei Ji didn't speak, but slowly got up and looked at the river.

Then, he waved slightly.

The movements were very light and slow.

next moment--

The surface of the river suddenly changed.

The previously calm river surface suddenly became turbulent, as if something was churning underwater. The river water began to swirl, forming a huge whirlpool centered on the spot Pei Ji pointed to.

The whirlpool spun faster and faster, emitting a deep, rumbling sound, like the growl of a giant beast. The river water was churned into a murky mess, white waves splashed everywhere, and water mist filled the air.

"Whoosh—"

With a loud bang and splashing water, a long sword burst out of the whirlpool, leaving a trail of silvery-white water as it flew straight into Pei Ji's hand.

It was a long, silver-white sword with a slender blade and a thin, cicada-wing-like edge that gleamed coldly in the sunlight. Natural patterns, like water ripples, adorned the blade, as if the veins of a river were etched upon it.

Pei Ji gripped the hilt of the sword, flipped his wrist, and the tip of the sword drew a graceful arc in the air.

He looked down at the sword in his hand, and after a long while, he shook his head slightly.

"The sword is not clean enough."

He said it softly, his tone flat, revealing neither joy nor anger.

Then, he tossed it casually.

The silver-white longsword tumbled several times in the air, its tip pointing downwards, before falling back into the still slowly rotating vortex.

With a "plop," water splashed up, the sword disappeared into the river, and vanished in an instant.

The whirlpool gradually subsided, and the river returned to calm, as if nothing had happened.

Zhang Donglou asked in confusion, "Where is it unclean? It looks perfectly clean to me!"

"The sword in my heart is not clean."

"What do you mean?" Zhang Donglou asked.

Pei Ji shook his head and said, "My swordsmanship is tainted, so I have been cleansing my sword here for thirteen years, but I still haven't been able to find the specific source of the taint. If I were cleansed, why would I have resorted to underhanded methods out of fear of Tang Yu and Master Fayuan, causing the Tingchao Sword Sect to fall into its current predicament!"