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

Chapter 77: A Battlefield of Asuras is About to Begin

翌日清晨，天光微亮.

Gu Guanqi and Zhao Lingyuan woke up from their sleep and looked at each other. Zhao Lingyuan did not show any shyness as a first-timer and said calmly, "It's time to get up. After breakfast, we'll set off for Mount Futu."

Gu Guanqi nodded slightly.

Subsequently,

The two quickly got up, dressed, and went out.

Not long after,

Gu Guanqi and Zhao Lingyuan led the group out of Danyang City on horseback, while Zhao Tianfang did not accompany them as he had to go to the Six Doors and the County Commandant's Office to check manpower.

Mount Futu is not far from Danyang City. At noon, Gu Guanqi and his group saw Mount Futu in the distance.

Zhao Lingyuan rode alongside Gu Guanqi, pointing to the mountains ahead, and said, "Brother Gu, this is Mount Futu. My father saw the potential of this place a long time ago, so he built a camp here to train troops. Our Prince Rong's 500 armored soldiers are stationed here."

Gu Guanqi looked up and saw that Mount Futu was not very high, but its advantage lay in its strategic location. The mountain was steep, with cliffs on three sides, and only a narrow path on the south side led up the mountain. From the foot of the mountain to the top, there was a panoramic view, with nowhere to hide, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.

Zhao Lingyuan said, "With this terrain, our chances of winning will be much greater."

Gu Guanqi said, "We'll still have to rely on your father's strategy."

Zhao Lingyuan said, "It shouldn't be a big problem. My father has been on the battlefield before. Although he has never commanded a large-scale battle, he has participated in them, and he has always led several thousand troops in long-term battles. He has a lot of experience."

Before long, the group arrived at the foot of the mountain, where several soldiers dressed in the uniforms of Prince Rong's personal guards were already waiting. Upon seeing Gu Guanqi and Zhao Lingyuan, they clasped their hands in greeting and then led the group up the mountain.

Once on the mountain, Gu Guanqi truly witnessed the scale of the camp. The walls, constructed of massive stones, stood about two zhang high, topped with crenellations and arrow towers, winding along the ridgeline and enclosing almost the entire mountaintop. Inside, the camp was fully equipped with barracks, warehouses, stables, and wells. Craftsmen were bustling about, reinforcing the walls and building stone emplacements, working diligently and enthusiastically.

Zhao Lingyuan led Gu Guanqi on a tour of the village, pointing out each facility and explaining: "This is the granary, already stocked with enough rations for a thousand people for three months. That's the armory, with plenty of bows, crossbows, and arrows. There's a pasture on the back mountain, with several hundred horses. When the Hanyue Sect's army arrives, we can charge in on horseback."

Gu Guanqi nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the well-organized camp and the well-trained soldiers. He couldn't help but feel a great deal of affirmation for Prince Zhao Tianfang's military capabilities.

In the afternoon,

Zhao Tianfang arrived, bringing with him soldiers from the Six Doors and the County Commandant's Office. The camp immediately became lively, but at the same time, the atmosphere gradually became tense.

Time flies,

Four or five days have passed.

In the past few days, a huge wave has swept through the martial arts world of Hongzhou. The Hanyue Sect martial arts alliance launched a campaign to punish Gu Guanqi, and the entire martial arts world of Hongzhou responded enthusiastically.

When the Rong Prince's Mansion released the news that Gu Guanqi would fight against the Hanyue Sect at Futu Mountain, it immediately brought the storm to a climax. In an instant, the martial arts world of Hongzhou was in turmoil.

All parties involved have become active.

It wasn't just limited to Hongzhou; the entire Jianghu of Gan Kingdom took notice.

This is the prestigious Hanyue Sect, one of the eight major sects.

The Eight Great Sects are like eight towering mountains in the martial arts world, considered sacred sites of martial arts, and for many years no one has dared to challenge their prestige.

Now, someone has actually stood up against the Eight Great Sects once again.

For a time,

The entire nation's thirteen states and five major regions began to take notice.

If it weren't for the great distance, many people would have wanted to come and watch the battle. However, those forces that were closer to Hongzhou did indeed send people over.

but,

The turmoil in the outside world had no effect on Gu Guanqi.

He has been staying in the camp for the past few days.

Every day, he would patrol the camp with Zhao Tianfang and Zhao Lingyuan, inspect the fortifications, and then learn the art of troop deployment from Zhao Tianfang.

In addition, his relationship with Zhao Lingyuan has progressed a lot. After all, they have already consummated their marriage, and it is natural that feelings would easily develop between them.

That afternoon, the sun was setting.

The mountain breeze was somewhat dry, and the faint chirping of cicadas from the distant forest could be heard in the air.

Gu Guanqi and Zhao Lingyuan were patrolling the east side of the stockade wall when a soldier ran up quickly, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and announced loudly, "Report! Alliance Leader Gu, Your Highness, a group of about two hundred people has arrived from the mountain. The leader is a young woman who claims to be named Fang Cunxin and requests an audience with Alliance Leader Gu."

Gu Guanqi paused for a moment while holding the water bag.

He turned his head to look at the scout, his gaze sharpening slightly: "Fang Cunxin? Are you sure it's Fang Cunxin?"

The soldier nodded and said, "That's exactly what she said. The prince sent me to invite you to identify her."

Zhao Lingyuan said, "Brother Gu, it seems I guessed right. Miss Fang is a lucky person and has not died. Now that you are at odds with the entire Hongzhou, apart from her, no one should use that name to see you."

Gu Guanqi immediately put down the water pouch, turned around, and strode towards the village gate. Zhao Lingyuan chuckled and followed him.

The two left the camp gate one after the other and walked briskly down the mountain path.

When Gu Guanqi reached the mountainside, he suddenly stopped.

At the bend in the mountain road, a chestnut horse stood by the roadside.

A tall woman in black sat on the horse, holding a long spear. The moment she saw Gu Guanqi, she immediately dismounted with swift movements.

The afternoon sunlight shone from behind her, outlining her slender and familiar silhouette.

It is precisely the heart within a small space.

She stood in the middle of the mountain path, sunlight falling on her shoulders, her eyes staring straight at Gu Guanqi, her eyes gradually reddening.

"Brother Gu..."

She called out, but the sound was mostly dispersed by the mountain wind, then suddenly rose a few notches higher, "Brother Gu!"

She threw down her spear and ran over quickly, reaching Gu Guanqi in just a few steps.

A mountain breeze swept up from the valley entrance, fluttering her hair ribbon and the hem of her dress. She stood before Gu Guanqi, tilting her head slightly, her eyes red, gazing intently at his face as if trying to etch it into her heart.

The next instant, she threw herself into Gu Guanqi's arms. Her arms wrapped tightly around Gu Guanqi's waist, her cheeks buried in Gu Guanqi's chest, and her shoulders trembled slightly.

"Brother Gu..." Her voice trembled with tears, yet tinged with laughter, "Why am I so lucky to have met you? How could I possibly be worth you taking risks for? I don't deserve your sacrifices!"

Gu Guanqi looked down at the person in his arms, reached out and gently patted her back, saying, "If I had known that the Hanyue Sect was like that, I shouldn't have let you go there in the first place, and you wouldn't have had to suffer so much!"

"It's not bitter, it's not bitter," Fang Cunxin hugged Gu Guanqi tightly, burying her face even deeper. "Brother Gu, let's never be apart again, okay? I can't live without you!"

"Okay, we won't separate."

Fang Cunxin hugged him even tighter.

After a long time,

Fang Cunxin calmed down and slowly raised her head. Her eyes were still red and her cheeks were still wet with tears. She sobbed slightly and said, "Brother Gu, I saw you at the border some time ago, but I killed a disciple of the Hanyue Sect at that time. Now I am a disciple of the Tianyao Sect, so I dare not acknowledge you in public."

The next day I went to find you, but you had already left. The next time I heard from you, it was that you had gone on a killing spree at the Hanyue Sect for my sake. I regret it so much; I should have just acknowledged you back then, and you wouldn't be at odds with the Hanyue Sect now.

Gu Guanqi gently wiped away the tears from Fang Cunxin's eyes and said, "Cunxin, the moment the Hanyue Sect humiliated you, it was already destined that I would become enemies with the Hanyue Sect. Even if you had recognized me at the border, today's scene would still have happened. I would still go to the Hanyue Sect to seek justice for you."

Fang Cunxin grasped Gu Guanqi's hand, choking back tears, and said, "Brother Gu, I don't deserve your kindness!"

"I think it's worth it," Gu Guanqi said.

Fang Cunxin's nose turned red, and she threw herself into Gu Guanqi's arms again, hugging him tightly, and asked, "Brother Gu, how can I ever repay you?"

Gu Guanqi chuckled, "What do I need you to repay me for? Tell me, what happened back then, how did you become the young master of the Heavenly Demon Sect?"

Fang Cunxin slowly said, "The Heavenly God Sect... well, it's the Heavenly Demon Sect. It has always been at odds with the Shaking Mountain Sect. It just so happened that during that time, my master... who is also the current head of the Heavenly God Sect, Liu Changgeng, personally infiltrated the Shaking Mountain Sect."

He happened to witness me being humiliated by the Hanyue Sect, so he saved me when I jumped off the cliff. Then he killed a female heretic who was about the same size as me, disfigured her, and impersonated me to deceive the Hanyue Sect.

He knew the style of the Hanyue Sect. If they knew I was not dead, they would hunt me down to the ends of the earth to cover up their scandal. So he changed my name to Ye Zhao.

The Heavenly God Sect and the Shaking Mountain Sect originally shared the same lineage, both specializing in external martial arts. I had a great talent for this, and my master greatly appreciated me, so he appointed me as the young sect leader. Later, when my father came to Hongzhou, the Heavenly God Sect secretly told him the truth, and he returned to Qingzhou, keeping it a secret ever since.

Gu Guanqi nodded slightly and said, "I was originally planning to settle scores with the Heavenly Demon Sect, but since they saved you, I'll let it go."

"Brother Gu," Fang Cunxin said, "Actually, the rumors in the martial arts world that the Heavenly Demon Sect is a demonic sect are just dirty water splashed by the Hanyue Sect. The Heavenly Demon Sect has been hiding for so many years, and apart from being an enemy of the Hanyue Sect in secret, it has never done anything bad."

But in the martial world, sometimes right and wrong, good and evil, are determined by who is stronger. The massacres and annihilations committed by the Hanyue Sect were all attributed to the Tianshen Sect. Over time, other forces started doing the same thing; whenever they committed an unjust act, they all claimed it was done by the Tianshen Sect.

Gu Guanqi nodded slightly.

After entering the martial arts world, he had long since dispelled the mystique surrounding prestigious and righteous sects.

This kind of thing is nothing new.

"Furthermore," Fang Cunxin added, "there's something else I need to explain to you. The plan to collude with Wu Tongtian in Miao territory to harm you wasn't the Heavenly God Sect's plan; it was done by the Vice Sect Leader, Yang Shu."

He was so obsessed with restoring the Heavenly God Sect that he had become possessed by demons. He completely disregarded the sect's rules and ancestral teachings, colluding not only with Wu Tongtian but also with the Heavenly Principle Sect.

After the Miao Jiang incident broke out, the Heavenly God Sect prepared to deal with Yang Shu, but at that time we received news that you had stormed the Han Yue Sect to seek justice for us. We were all stunned and caught off guard, allowing Yang Shu to escape. He must have gone to join the Heavenly Principle Sect.

However, the Heavenly God Sect has been hiding in the village and doesn't have much influence outside, making it impossible to track them down. Furthermore, having learned that the Shaking Mountain Sect has rallied the martial arts world of Hongzhou to attack you, the Heavenly God Sect has decided to send its entire force to your aid and has no energy left to hunt down Yang Shu.

Fang Cunxin raised her head, her eyes red, and said, "Brother Gu, believe me, even if I die, I will not harm you."

Gu Guanqi smiled slightly and said, "Of course I know you would never harm me."

Fang Cunxin smiled and said, "I'm so afraid that you'll misunderstand me, Brother Gu, and won't believe me anymore."

Gu Guanqi said, "I will never doubt you." As he spoke, Gu Guanqi tidied Fang Cunxin's messy hair and asked, "Are those people down the mountain from the Heavenly God Sect?"

"Yes," Fang Cunxin said, "My master is here too. Apart from the old and weak, everyone in the Heavenly God Sect who can fight has come. There are more than two hundred of them, including many experts. They are all willing to follow you, Brother Gu, and fight to the death against the Shaking Mountain Sect."

"Then go and invite them up!"

As he spoke, Gu Guanqi turned to look at Zhao Lingyuan, who was standing not far behind him, and said, "Cunxin, let me introduce you. This is Zhao Mingxuan, the heir of the Rong Prince's Mansion. Currently, the Rong Prince's Mansion has gathered more than two thousand people and is building fortifications on the mountain to fully assist me in fighting against the Hanyue Sect."

Zhao Lingyuan stepped forward, cupped her hands, and said, "Miss Fang, I've heard so much about you. My name is Zhao Mingxuan."

Fang Cunxin quickly clasped her hands in return, saying, "Thank you, Young Master Zhao, for helping my Brother Gu!"

Zhao Lingyuan smiled slightly and said, "Miss Fang, you're too kind. Brother Gu and I are close friends, and now that the Rong Prince's Mansion has come under his command, this matter is simply the Rong Prince's Mansion's responsibility!"

Fang Cunxin said, "Then I'll go and call my master and the others up now. I hope Young Master Zhao will take good care of them then!"

"Let's look out for each other!" Zhao Lingyuan said.

Immediately,

Fang Cunxin then mounted her horse and galloped down the mountain.

Gu Guanqi and Zhao Lingyuan also mounted their horses and went down the mountain together.

Watching Fang Cunxin's retreating figure, Zhao Lingyuan murmured, "Miss Fang is truly enviable!"

Gu Guanqi asked, "What are you envious of?"

Zhao Lingyuan said sourly, "Of course it's because Alliance Leader Gu was so angry for the sake of a woman. Which woman hasn't fantasized about her own hero? It's just a pity that not all women are as lucky as Miss Fang, who has a real hero protecting her."

Gu Guanqi chuckled, "So Ling Yuan is jealous!"

"Hmph," Zhao Lingyuan said, "Why would I be jealous? It's not my place to be jealous, and besides, I can't possibly be jealous enough to handle it all. My dear husband, you should think about how to face the impending battle!"

I've received word that Jiang Baili, the vice leader of the Qingzhou Martial Arts Alliance, has gathered over a thousand martial artists from Qingzhou and is rushing to Hongzhou. They've already reached the border. Meanwhile, An Yi, the vice leader of the Yunzhou Alliance, has also gathered over a thousand people and is heading to Hongzhou. Let's hope that before the Hanyue Sect even arrives, the martial arts alliances of Qingzhou and Yunzhou start fighting amongst themselves!

Gu Guanqi: "..."

Zhao Lingyuan asked with a smile, "If a fight really breaks out, whose side will you take?"

Gu Guanqi: "..."

Zhao Lingyuan said with a grin, "I can give you a good idea."

Gu Guanqi asked with some suspicion, "Is it a good idea or a bad idea?"

"That's a great idea, of course," Zhao Lingyuan said. "You're so healthy, why don't you seduce them all? Then none of them will have the energy to fight! Or, if it's really impossible to balance them all out, why not just put them all together?"

Gu Guanqi fell into deep thought.

Zhao Lingyuan looked at Gu Guanqi and couldn't help but spit out a light "Pah!" She said, "You...you really dare to dream. I don't know if you can seduce them, but you'll definitely get beaten to death!"

quickly,

The three of them then arrived at the foot of the mountain.

With Fang Cunxin's introduction, Gu Guanqi greeted Liu Changgeng, the leader of the Heavenly God Sect, and a group of elders.

Subsequently,

The group then went up the mountain.

……

As the group from the Heavenly God Sect ascended the mountain, Zhao Tianfang personally came to greet them. He then ordered his men to set up more than a dozen large tables in the open space in the center of the camp.

The mountain night was cool, so rows of torches were lit around the area, their orange-red light warming the entire clearing.

The banquet was very lavish, and the atmosphere was extremely lively.

The high-ranking members of the Heavenly God Sect took turns toasting Gu Guanqi and Zhao Tianfang.

Gu Guanqi and Zhao Tianfang were also very enthusiastic, which gradually made the people from the Heavenly God Sect breathe a sigh of relief.

They were well aware of their reputation in the martial arts world, and they were afraid that Gu Guanqi, the renowned leader of the two states, and Zhao Tianfang, the prince, might harbor resentment towards them.

Gu Guanqi and Zhao Tianfang both toasted the members of the Heavenly God Sect, expressing their welcome and gratitude in sincere words. In particular, when Gu Guanqi said that if they could win after this matter, he would definitely clear up the rumors and restore the reputation of the Heavenly God Sect, the members of the Heavenly God Sect were very excited.

Faced with this life-or-death situation, they resolutely came to their aid, mainly to take a gamble, hoping that Gu Guanqi would win and that Gu Guanqi would help the Heavenly God Sect restore its reputation out of gratitude for their help.

Therefore, they all came out in droves, prepared not to return.

After receiving Gu Guanqi's promise,

The atmosphere at the scene reached a climax.

The disciples of the Heavenly God Sect were even more enthusiastic in offering toasts, but with Fang Cunxin watching over them like a protective mother, the disciples couldn't offer too many.

Liu Changgeng was a man of few words, but he had a cheerful personality. After a few bowls of wine, he began to talk to Zhao Tianfang about the terrain of Mount Futu and the upcoming defenses.

The Heavenly God Sect and the Shaking Mountain Sect share the same lineage, both practicing the Way of Horizontal Cultivation and the Way of the Battlefield. Zhao Tianfang, being a prince who had led troops, found himself quite compatible with Zhao Tianfang during their conversation.

The elders of the Heavenly God Sect gradually relaxed and began toasting and exchanging drinks with the generals of Prince Rong's Mansion, making the atmosphere increasingly lively.

Fang Cunxin didn't talk much; she just sat quietly next to Gu Guanqi.

The banquet lasted until very late, until the moon was high in the sky and the firelight had dimmed, at which point the crowd gradually dispersed.

Zhao Tianfang and Zhao Lingyuan arranged for the members of the Heavenly God Sect to rest in the prepared barracks.

After dispelling the effects of the alcohol, Gu Guanqi got up and returned to his courtyard.

After returning to his room, he sat cross-legged on the bed, closed his eyes, and began to regulate his breathing.

With his current extraordinary level of true qi, he doesn't need to accumulate internal energy, but he still insists on cultivating every day, mainly to maintain his condition and bring his essence, qi and spirit to their fullest state.

The courtyard was quiet, with only the occasional rustling of the night wind through the locust tree branches. The moon gradually rose higher, and its silvery light filtered through the window, casting a thin layer of soft glow on the ground.

After an unknown amount of time, a very faint sound suddenly came from outside the courtyard wall. Someone lightly jumped down from the top of the wall, the soles of their boots landing on the muddy ground with almost no sound.

However, Gu Guanqi has a very strong sense of perception. If he wants to, he can detect even the movement of ants, so there is no situation where someone is approaching without him noticing.

He used his mental power to identify the person who had come was Fang Cunxin.

Soon, Fang Cunxin tiptoed to the door, gently knocked, and whispered, "Brother Gu, it's me, Cunxin."

Gu Guanqi finished his practice, got up, and went to open the door. As soon as the door opened, a night breeze carrying moisture rushed in.

Fang Cunxin stood in the doorway, moonlight streaming down from behind her, clearly outlining her tall and graceful figure. She had changed into a clean, plain-colored dress; her hair was still wet, draped over her shoulders, with water dripping from the ends. A few strands clung to her cheeks, making her face appear somewhat hazy. She had clearly just taken a bath; even her collar was slightly damp, exuding a faint scent of soap.

Before Gu Guanqi could speak, Fang Cunxin stepped in, crossed the threshold, and threw herself into Gu Guanqi's arms. She wrapped her arms around his waist, buried her face in his chest, and softly whispered, "Brother Gu, I missed you so much! I don't want to leave you for a moment longer!"

Gu Guanqi looked down at Fang Cunxin in his arms and whispered, "But it's already very late, you..."

Gu Guanqi didn't finish her sentence.

Fang Cunxin suddenly looked up, and without the slightest hesitation, her cool lips, moist with moisture, kissed Gu Guanqi.

Gu Guanqi did not dodge.

Fang Cunxin wrapped her arms tighter, pressing herself against Gu Guanqi's chest, kissing him urgently and heavily, with a clumsy awkwardness.

After a while, she slowly stepped back a little, her breathing rapid, her cheeks flushed with a deep blush that spread from her ears all the way to her neck.

She looked up, her eyes bright and glistening with tears, her voice trembling with emotion: "Brother Gu, I don't want to have any regrets."

She paused, took a deep breath, and continued, "When we parted, I was too timid. Even though I loved you, I didn't dare say a word. Later at the Hanyue Sect, I always thought that once I mastered my skills, I could stand proudly beside you. But who knew I almost lost that chance?"

Her voice grew softer, yet more resolute: "I don't know the outcome of this battle against the Hanyue Sect. We might win, or we might... So, Brother Gu, I want to give myself to you. I know I'm not good enough for you, I have no other desires, I only ask that you don't despise me, okay?"

After she finished speaking, she reached out and hugged Gu Guanqi's neck, looking at him nervously.

Gu Guanqi remained silent.

He reached out and gently put his arm around Fang Cunxin's waist, pulling her closer to him. Then, he reached behind him with his other hand and gently closed the door.

With a soft "bang," the door closed.

He picked Fang Cunxin up horizontally in his arms.

Fang Cunxin gasped softly, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck, her cheeks flushed as she buried her face in Gu Guanqi's shoulder, even her ears turning red.

Gu Guanqi carried her into the room and gently placed Fang Cunxin on the bed.

Fang Cunxin lay on her back, her long, wet hair spread across the pillow. Moonlight streamed in through the window, falling on her flushed face. She turned her head slightly, not daring to look at Gu Guanqi. Her eyelashes trembled violently, but her hands gripped the hem of Gu Guanqi's clothes tightly, refusing to let go, afraid that Gu Guanqi would leave.

Gu Guanqi gently slapped his palm out.

The candlelight flickered slightly in the night breeze before going out instantly.

Only the moonlight filtering through the cracks in the window cast their shadows on the wall, gradually merging together. Soft rustling sounds came from under the covers, along with the occasional whisper, quickly swallowed by the chirping of insects and the sound of the wind outside.

Moonlight peeked through the clouds, illuminating the entire mountaintop.

The mountain breeze rustled through the locust tree branches and leaves.

……

Since the arrival of the Heavenly Gods Gate,

The construction progress of the Futu Mountain project has accelerated considerably. This is because the Tianshen Sect mainly cultivates external martial arts, and most of its members are strong and powerful. They are all experts in construction, and can easily complete the work of three to five people by themselves.

in addition,

The Heavenly God Sect also possesses a legacy of military treatises and battlefield strategies. Although the sect leader, Liu Changgeng, and his high-ranking members have never actually led troops into battle, their knowledge of military theory is quite good. They are also very skilled at training soldiers, which has helped alleviate some of the pressure on Prince Rong.

Meanwhile, the event was in full swing at Mount Futu.

The storms in Hongzhou's martial arts world are getting bigger and bigger.

The Rong Prince's Mansion publicly claimed that Fang Cunxin was still alive and exposed the evil deeds of the Hanyue Sect, but the Hanyue Sect directly denied it.

In addition, the punitive alliance led by the Hongzhou Martial Arts Alliance and the Hanyue Sect has been rushing towards Danyang County. The force of tens of thousands of people, plus the logistics personnel, is about 15,000 people. The grand procession along the way has caused a great sensation.

The entire territory of Hongzhou was gripped by a sense of unease and oppression.

And then,

The other two groups also passed through Hongzhou, pushing the atmosphere to its peak. It was precisely because the martial arts alliances of Qingyun and Erzhou each had thousands of martial artists rushing towards Futu Mountain.

At noon that day, the sun was high in the sky.

At the training ground of Futu Mountain, the mountain wind blew up from the valley entrance, stirring up wisps of dust that mingled with the shouts of soldiers training in the drill field, echoing in the air.

Gu Guanqi, along with Fang Cunxin, Zhao Lingyuan, Liu Changgeng, Zhao Tianfang, and other high-ranking officials, were standing on a high platform at the edge of the training ground, watching hundreds of soldiers below drill in formation.

A scout strode quickly from the direction of the camp gate, passed through the ranks, and ran all the way to the foot of the high platform. He clasped his hands in a fist salute and called out loudly:

"Report! I am reporting to Alliance Leader Gu that a scout from the foot of the mountain reports that the Yunzhou Martial Alliance's forces have arrived ten miles south of Futu Mountain. In addition, the Qingzhou Martial Alliance's forces have also arrived, coming from the north of Futu Mountain, and are only about twenty miles away."

Everyone was excited, but also somewhat surprised, as they hadn't expected such a coincidence.

Gu Guanqi immediately turned to Zhao Tianfang and Liu Changgeng and said, "The martial arts alliances of Yunzhou and Qingzhou have come a long way to provide assistance. They must have had a long and arduous journey. I must go down the mountain to greet them personally."

Zhao Tianfang laughed and cupped his hands, saying, "As the host, I should go too." Then, he turned to Zhao Lingyuan and said, "Mingxuan, go and arrange the banquet immediately, and also tidy up those newly erected tents on the back mountain."

"Okay," Zhao Lingyuan closed her folding fan and replied crisply, "I'll take care of it right away."

immediately,

Gu Guanqi and Zhao Tianfang then quickly left.

Subsequently,

Zhao Lingyuan looked at Liu Changgeng and said, "Sect Leader Liu, your sect cannot be absent from the banquet later."

Liu Changgeng said, "We will all be comrades-in-arms fighting side by side, so we should take this opportunity to get to know each other. I also want to meet the heroes of Yunzhou!"

Zhao Lingyuan nodded slightly, then looked at Fang Cunxin. A faint smile played on her lips, carrying a profound meaning, as she said, "Miss Fang, you should make your preparations well. You absolutely cannot miss the banquet later!"

Fang Cunxin was slightly taken aback, blinked, and was somewhat confused. She opened her mouth, wanting to ask something, but Zhao Lingyuan had already turned around and strode towards the back of the camp with crisp, clean steps.

Fang Cunxin withdrew her gaze, her brows furrowing slightly as she asked in confusion, "What...what does Young Master Zhao mean by this?"

Standing beside her was a female elder in her forties, one of the few female experts in the Heavenly God Sect, who was quite close to Fang Cunxin.

Upon hearing this, she glanced at Fang Cunxin, then at Zhao Lingyuan's departing figure, and whispered, "Young Master, Prince Zhao is reminding you!"

Fang Cunxin looked at her blankly: "Remind me of what?"

The female elder said, "There are several grandmasters from the martial arts alliance of Qingyun and Erzhou, but the leaders are Vice Alliance Leaders Jiang Baili and An Yi, both young women in their twenties. Do you know why they were able to become Vice Alliance Leaders at such a young age?"

Fang Cunxin was stunned for a moment, then realized: "They... belong to Brother Gu..."

The female elder moved closer to her, lowering her voice even further: "Just like you, everyone knows the truth, but we haven't gotten married yet. Given Alliance Leader Gu's status, marriage would involve too many complications, so many things are up to everyone to fight for themselves."

Fang Cunxin's brows furrowed slowly.

The female elder glanced at her, her tone carrying a profound meaning, and said, "Now, everyone in the martial world knows that this turmoil in Hongzhou was all caused by you. Alliance Leader Gu's anger for you triggered the subsequent events. If we can win this matter, then the support for you as the eldest son of the family will definitely be very high."

"Young Master Zhao is from Hongzhou, and the Rong Prince's Mansion is also in Hongzhou. You are now the young master of the Heavenly God Sect, which is also in Hongzhou. Naturally, you and the Rong Prince's Mansion are of the same faction, so she naturally hopes that you can show the demeanor befitting the eldest son's family."

Fang Cunxin was silent for a moment, then said, "But I never thought about competing for anything. I just wanted to fight alongside Brother Gu and defeat the Hanyue Sect together!"

The female elder said, "Of course, if we don't win this time, then everything is off the table. But since we've gathered here, it's for the sake of winning. We can ignore it now, but what will happen after we actually win?"

Young Master, you must understand that conflict exists everywhere; it's just that the methods of conflict differ. If we win this time, Alliance Leader Gu will hold the martial arts world of the three states in his hands. Naturally, many factions will form around him.

Naturally, geographically, Yunzhou, Hongzhou, and Qingzhou each form their own factions. Although you are from Qingzhou, there is definitely no place for you in the Qingzhou Martial Arts Alliance. The Hongzhou faction will undoubtedly do everything in its power to help you secure the position of the eldest son's son.

Many things aren't about whether you want to argue or not, but rather that your position dictates that some things are unavoidable. Of course, don't misunderstand, I don't mean to instigate infighting, but rather that in certain situations, you need to maintain a certain level of composure; you can't be too afraid to even meet someone, can you?

Fang Cunxin pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "I understand!"