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

Chapter 190 Four Illuminations Divine Skill and Formless Divine Skill (Seeking monthly votes)

Gu Guanqi cupped his hands to Bai Xu and said, "Elder Bai, the Path of Passion that I cultivate does indeed require contact with the opposite sex, just as the Fourth Young Master said."

Because this method was initially discovered through blind dates, this process is required in subsequent encounters. The other person doesn't need to do anything; it simply starts with a blind date, then you can interact normally as friends. You don't need to feel any pressure; just let things take their course.

Bai Xu nodded slightly and said, "Alliance Leader Gu, I am twenty-six years old this year. I am a disciple of Ba Quan Chen Shanhe, and my master is now the leader of the Qizhou Martial Arts Alliance. I am currently serving as an elder of the Martial Arts Alliance. Because I have been traveling around with my master for many years, I am still unmarried."

Gu Guanqi had heard of Chen Shanhe.

To be precise, he had learned about the titles of the martial arts alliance leaders of the other ten states of Qian Kingdom, in addition to Qing, Yun, and Hong.

As far as he knew, Chen Shanhe, the leader of the Qizhou martial arts alliance, was a high-ranking member of the temple, directly appointed by the temple. Logically, no one would dare disrespect him. His martial arts alliance was essentially an external weapon of the temple, but now it seemed that wasn't the case!

"I've never been to Qizhou before, so I'm not very familiar with the martial arts world here. What's the situation with your Martial Alliance? It seems the Tianhe Gang doesn't give the Martial Alliance much face," Gu Guanqi said.

Bai Xu sighed, pointed to the Tianhe Gang members still lying on the ground, and said, "I'll treat these people with acupressure points first, to avoid any problems later."

"No need, no need," Tang Batian said. "You guys chat, leave these people to us. I'm an expert at things like tying people up and using pressure point techniques!"

Bai Xu hesitated and said, "This—"

Gu Guanqi said, "They are from the Yunzhou Mechanical Sect, and they are indeed very skilled at acupressure."

The Yunzhou Mechanical Gate specializes in producing and manufacturing hidden weapons. Most of their weapons are specifically designed to target acupoints. Therefore, the Mechanical Gate and Medicine King Valley are similar in their entry-level training, both requiring the learning of acupoint identification. The Mechanical Gate is particularly skilled in acupoint striking techniques.

Hearing Gu Guanqi say this, Bai Xu didn't say much. She helped Gu Guanqi up the table and invited him to sit down. She slowly said, "Alliance Leader Gu has the appearance of a celestial being and his cultivation is boundless. The martial arts world of the three states under your leadership is all under your authority, and no one dares to disobey you."

But Qizhou is different. My master never intended to be the leader of the martial arts alliance. Everyone knows that the leader of the martial arts alliance in Qizhou is just a figurehead. The one who can truly command the martial arts world is the temple.

However, the imperial court had issued a decree requiring the election of a martial arts alliance leader. Later, all the martial arts factions gathered to elect a leader, each asking the temple to select someone, but this person had to be a grandmaster.

The temple has five grandmasters in total. First is the sect leader, then the three high priests, and the fifth is the commander of the divine guards. My master was originally the commander of the divine guards of the temple. Among the five grandmasters of the temple, his status is the lowest, so this matter naturally fell to him.

Gu Guanqi nodded slightly and said, "Since you come from a high-ranking position in the Temple and have this connection, the Martial Alliance and the Temple must have a very close relationship, right?"

"On the contrary," Bai Xu said, "The Temple dislikes the Martial Alliance very much. The Temple's leader once said that this is a plan by the imperial court to undermine the martial arts world. The establishment of the Martial Alliance in each state seems to be a way of giving power to the martial arts world, but in reality, it is a way to split the martial arts world in each state."

Gu Guanqi asked in confusion, "What do you mean by that?"

Bai Xu explained, "Alliance Leader Gu is not from any of the eight major sects, so even if he becomes the leader of the martial arts alliance in three states, you won't sense any shady dealings involved."

The imperial court nominally delegated power to the martial arts alliance, allowing the martial arts to govern itself, seemingly granting the martial arts a great deal of autonomy. However, this brought no benefit whatsoever to the eight major sects, as those powers were already in their own hands anyway, without the court relinquishing them.

On the contrary, now that the Martial Alliance has been established, those powers that were originally hidden in the shadows have been brought to light, and nominally, those powers belong to the Martial Alliance, not to the Eight Great Sects.

In the short term, you won't feel any difference. After all, the martial arts alliance in the area where the eight major sects are located only serves a nominal purpose; internally, it is still the eight major sects that are in command and control.

However, people's hearts are unpredictable. Moreover, as time goes by, who can guarantee that a peerless genius won't emerge in the martial arts alliance? For example, what if one day a peerless genius like Alliance Leader Gu were to appear? Would you be willing to be a puppet of the temple?

To put it another way, the leader of the Songzhou Martial Arts Alliance was originally the deputy leader of the Qiushan Sword Sect. However, only a few months later, the relationship between the Songzhou Martial Arts Alliance and the Qiushan Sword Sect has already become very strained. Especially last month, when the Songzhou Martial Arts Alliance clashed with the Qiushan Sword Sect while mediating a conflict within the martial arts world, Qiushan Sword Sect disciples killed many Songzhou Martial Arts Alliance disciples. Although the matter has been quelled, everyone knows that the Songzhou Martial Arts Alliance has completely severed ties with the Qiushan Sword Sect.

Gu Guanqi suddenly realized.

He hadn't thought about this before, because he had already defeated Qing, Yun, and Hong prefectures, and no one or force could be above his martial arts alliance, so he didn't feel there was a problem.

There's a saying that goes, "Your position determines your perspective." No matter if you were family before, once you're in different positions, your considerations will change, and your mind will naturally become divided.

Even brothers who separate will remain of one mind.

He suddenly understood why the national decree to establish a martial arts alliance had made Zhang Jiexi and Wei Tanjin, these two sworn enemies, put aside their hatred and work together to implement it.

The main purpose of these two people was to plant spies in the Eight Great Sects.

Currently, the eight major sects are equivalent to local warlords. However, the Great Qian Dynasty has not completely collapsed and still retains some influence. Although this decree is a blatant attempt to split the eight major sects, they are not strong enough to dare to rebel. They can only grit their teeth and accept it, and then each find their own way to deal with the situation.

For example, the solution the Hanyue Sect in Hongzhou came up with was to appoint Fan Tianyao, who was very loyal to the Hanyue Sect, as their leader.

However, upon closer examination, human nature is fickle, and it is difficult for a person to remain absolutely loyal over time, especially when interests clash, as mentioned later. The party that always yields will eventually develop resentment.

If the imperial court were to secretly guide the situation further, the nail would be driven in firmly.

"So," Gu Guanqi said, "the temple's solution is to suppress or marginalize the Qizhou Martial Arts Alliance?"

"Yes," Bai Xu said, "From the moment the Martial Alliance was established, the Temple's role for the Martial Alliance was merely symbolic. All personnel arrangements were assigned by the Temple, and the branch offices in various places were simply filled by randomly picking some people to coast along."

Gu Guanqi nodded slightly. This was also a method to prevent the development of the Martial Alliance from the root, making it a hopeless mascot and vassal force under the Temple.

Unless a truly exceptional figure emerges who hasn't been poached by the temple, the martial arts alliance will find it difficult to exert any influence on the temple without external forces.

Of course, the imperial court will definitely try to secretly help the martial arts alliance, but that's another kind of power struggle.

However, Gu Guanqi was still puzzled and said, "Since the Temple wants to weaken the influence of the Martial Alliance, why did they arrange for your master to be the leader of the Martial Alliance? Your master is in his prime! Why didn't the Temple just find an old grandmaster to go through the motions?"

Bai Xu pondered for a moment, then said, "This concerns matters within the temple itself."

Bai Xu didn't say it explicitly, but Gu Guanqi understood what she meant.

Chen Shanhe was among the top executives within the temple, so his demotion to the marginalized Martial Alliance must have been due to his defeat in an internal power struggle.

This is true of any force. As long as there are many people, it is impossible for them to be completely united. When facing external forces, they will stand together, but internally they will be scheming and fighting among themselves.

Many forces ultimately perish not because of external invasion, but because of internal strife. This is true even for nations, let alone martial arts factions.

Even within Gu Guanqi's own Three States Martial Alliance, various factions exist, with much infighting and backstabbing going on behind the scenes.

"Then, since the Martial Alliance is positioned as marginalized, Elder Bai, why did you come to Qinghe County this time? I just heard you say that your master is here too," Gu Guanqi said.

Bai Xu said, "How should I put it? My master was indeed prepared to just coast along, but being in that position, there are many things he simply couldn't ignore."

Several hundred people from Qinghe County have wandered to Qichuan County. They were all forced to flee their homes by the Tianhe Gang, who had destroyed their families. They knelt before my master, begging him to uphold justice for them.

My master didn't want to get involved, and he felt he couldn't manage it, but he was restless and tormented by his conscience. Regardless of the true nature of this martial arts alliance leader, he was, in name, the leader. Finally, he decided to come and do what he felt he should do.

Gu Guanqi nodded slightly and said, "Now that I've become the leader of the martial arts alliance, I should do what a leader of the martial arts alliance should do."

Bai Xu sighed and said, "However, some things, well, how should I put it? It seems like just the Tianhe Gang, but actually behind it all—" Bai Xu took a deep breath and said, "Alliance Leader Gu just heard it too, now all the officials in the Qinghe County government are involved, as well as various martial arts forces in Qinghe County. In fact, it's the entire Qinghe County, and even—there's a temple behind it!"

Gu Guanqi said, "As far as I know, Situ Jian also came from the temple."

"Yes," Bai Xu said, "He was a disciple of Wei Qi, the Grand Priest of the Heavenly Gate of the Temple. He left the Temple in his early years to join the Tianhe Gang and made many contributions. Later, he returned to the Temple to cultivate for several years. Until three years ago, before the old leader of the Tianhe Gang passed away, he sent someone to invite him back to take over the Tianhe Gang."

Gu Guanqi said, "Then he has a very close relationship with the temple."

Bai Xu sighed softly, her eyes filled with worry.

Just then, the rain outside gradually stopped.

Bai Xu stood up and said, "Alliance Leader Gu, I'll leave things here to you. I'll head to the Martial Alliance branch right away to gather some men."

At this moment, a system notification sounded in Gu Guanqi's mind:

[Blind date event concluded]

[Reward: Max level "Four Illuminations Divine Skill" has been issued]

Do you want to claim the reward?

Because it is an internal skill, it usually causes a sudden surge of unique true energy when one receives it, which inevitably produces some unusual phenomena. Therefore, Gu Guanqi did not receive it immediately.

He regained his composure, cupped his hands towards Bai Xu, and said, "Elder Bai, please go quickly. I'll keep an eye on things here; these people won't be able to escape."

"Thank you, Alliance Leader Gu."

Bai Xu cupped her hands in greeting, then took her umbrella and walked out.

Gu Guanqi escorted Bai Xu to the door and took a lantern from the wall, handing it to Bai Xu.

The dim, yellowish light cast a hazy glow on Gu Guanqi's face.

Bai Xu looked at Gu Guanqi's face, slowly slung the umbrella over her back, took the lantern from Gu Guanqi's hand, smiled slightly, and said, "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Be careful on the road," Gu Guanqi said.

Bai Xu looked at Gu Guanqi, slightly lost in thought, and slowly said, "We will travel together to Qinghe City. If there is any opportunity to help Alliance Leader Gu with his cultivation, please feel free to ask, and I will definitely cooperate."

At this moment, the system notification sounded in Gu Guanqi's mind once again: [A blind date invitation has been detected. Advanced blind date activity can be started.]

[Enable?]

Without hesitation, Gu Guanqi silently recited in his mind: "Activate."

J5

The next moment, a new notification sound appeared in my mind: [Blind Date Partner - Bai Xu]

Rating: Four stars

[Advanced Dating Reward: Max Level "Formless Divine Skill"]

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

The Formless Divine Skill, along with the Bright Jade Skill, the Wedding Dress Divine Skill, and the Four Illuminations Divine Skill, is ranked as one of the Four Great Divine Skills, and is a top-tier, powerful internal skill in Buddhism.

When cultivated to perfection, the explosive power is like a storm. At the same time, the defense is also extremely strong, with a thick and harmonious protective energy. In particular, it greatly improves the cultivator's mental state, making them as stable as Mount Tai. Even if Mount Tai collapses in front of them, they will not change their expression. They are calm in the face of enemies and are naturally immune to most mental interference such as hypnosis and sound waves.

Gu Guanqi was pleasantly surprised to see that it was the Formless Divine Skill.

He already possessed the Bright Jade Skill and the Wedding Dress Divine Skill, and now he has obtained the Four Illuminations Divine Skill. Once he obtains the Formless Divine Skill, he will have collected all four great divine skills.

For him now, the greatest benefit of this level of martial arts lies in improving his overall level. Although it cannot raise the upper limit, it can raise the lower limit, allowing him to possess immense power in every move, and making any casual move more powerful than ordinary divine skills.

After Bai Xu left, Gu Guanqi returned to the inn and sat down, then began to read the book "Flying Immortal Technique" that he had obtained from Liu Qingning.

These secrets are obscure and difficult to understand for ordinary people, and they would take a long time to read. However, with Gu Guanqi's level of skill, he only needs to glance at them to understand the key points instantly.

In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he had finished browsing through the Flying Immortal Manual.

After reading it, he simply tossed it aside and burned the manual.

Although he knew that destroying this book would be pointless, he at least couldn't let this evil skill slip out of his hands.

Seeing this, Tang Batian asked in surprise, "Brother Gu, you finished reading so quickly?"

"Hmm," Gu Guanqi said, "This manual is incomplete. Also, if I'm not mistaken, the most profound parts of this manual have been deliberately concealed."

Tang Batian said, "It seems that Liu Qingning's master was holding back. This is normal. In the martial arts world, many people are used to keeping their skills to themselves. Some are worried that their disciples will pass them on, while others are worried that their disciples will betray them, so they take precautions. As a result, many martial arts skills have been lost over time."

Gu Guanqi shook his head slightly and said, "That's not the case. This Flying Immortal Technique isn't about hiding something; it's essentially an abridged, rushed version."

I've examined this manual, and many of its concepts align with orthodox Taoist principles. Logically, it shouldn't be an evil cultivation method that relies on taking people's blood. Therefore, I suspect this isn't the original version, but rather something deliberately modified for faster results.

Tang Batian said, "That's quite common. There are plenty of people in the martial arts world who will stop at nothing to achieve rapid cultivation. Didn't our Yunzhou Grandmaster Yuan Guangkai turn himself into a zombie before? If you hadn't intervened, the Yunzhou martial arts world would have been in turmoil."

Gu Guanqi nodded slightly.

Actually, this Flying Immortal Technique isn't a particularly profound cultivation method overall. It mainly focuses on cultivating spiritual power, splitting the spirit in two to continuously strengthen the second spiritual body. The stronger the second spiritual body, the more effective the summoning of deities—that is, the more divine power one can borrow, as described in the manual.

In essence, it uses a second spiritual body as a vessel, which allows it to withstand more.

About two more hours passed.

The sound of horses' hooves came from outside the inn, and a large group of people arrived with torches.

The one leading the way was Bai Xu.

She led her people inside and then instructed them to deal with the members of the Tianhe Gang.

Afterwards, Gu Guanqi greeted Bai Xu and then went upstairs to rest.

Upon entering the room, Gu Guanqi immediately summoned the system and silently said, "Claim."

In an instant, a flood of martial arts insights surged into his mind like a tidal wave.

The profound and mysterious mental techniques, the methods of circulating true qi, and the true essence of invisible power control of the Four Illuminations Divine Skill are all imprinted deep within the soul.

The several streams of true energy that were originally flowing within his body trembled simultaneously, and a new, warm, vast, and flawless true energy arose from the source of his dantian.

In that instant, he also understood the Four Illuminations Divine Skill's so-called realm of becoming a martial saint without learning martial arts.

However, what satisfied Gu Guanqi the most was the Lingbo Duxu realm after the Four Illuminations Divine Skill was perfected.

This realm is a technique for utilizing true qi. When true qi is harmonious, abundant, and pervades the entire body, the body is naturally lifted by true qi without the need for conscious effort to raise qi or circulate qi, achieving the effect of feeling light as a feather and moving freely in the air.

He already knew the Golden Goose Skill, which allowed him to walk on air. Now, with the addition of the Lingbo Crossing Void ability, he can even stay suspended in the air.

This ability, though seemingly insignificant, is actually extremely difficult. It has nothing to do with the speed of light footwork. Even with his Wind God Kick, which is so fast that most people can't see it, he still can't stand in mid-air.

The next day, early in the morning.

As soon as it was light, Bai Xu started instructing the innkeepers to cook.

After everyone had breakfast, Bai Xu compensated the inn with some money and then ordered them to set off for Qinghe City.

She brought a lot of people from the Wulin Alliance branch, but some of them left last night with the corpses. Today, this group is responsible for escorting Chen Guozhong, Liu Qingning, and several Tianhe Gang members who are not seriously injured.

Gu Guanqi, Tang Batian, and others accompanied them.

After a night's rest, Xu Rongrong woke up. Gu Guanqi checked her over and found that she was fine.

To take care of Xu Rongrong, a frail woman, Bai Xu even prepared a carriage for her.

Meanwhile, on their way to Qinghe City...

The news has already been received in Qinghe City by the Tianhe Gang.

Zhang Chuan, the leader of the Tianhe Gang in charge of intelligence, was the first to receive the news and then rushed to meet the gang leader, Situ Jian.

Zhang Chuan hurriedly entered a large hall.

Sunlight streamed in obliquely through the carved windows, spreading a warm, dappled pattern across the blue brick floor.

A thin, middle-aged man, around forty years old, was sitting and looking at the folded paper. He wore a blue scholar's robe, had fair skin, gentle features, and a neatly trimmed short beard. If it weren't for the jet-black longsword hanging at his waist, anyone who saw him would have thought he was a schoolteacher from some academy.

This man was none other than Situ Jian, the leader of the Tianhe Gang.

Zhang Chuan strode across the threshold, his face showing urgency. He walked a few steps to the desk, handed over a secret letter with both hands, and said, "Chief, something has happened! Chen Guozhong and Liu Qingning have been arrested."

Situ Jian paused for a moment as he took the letter, a hint of surprise flashing across his usually calm brow. He didn't open it immediately, but instead glanced at Zhang Chuan and said slowly, "I was just worried that Liu Qingning would fail, so I specifically had Chen Guozhong use the pretext of capturing that kid who uses hidden weapons as cover to lead men to surround and capture Bai Xu. And they still failed?"

Zhang Chuan stood with his hands at his sides, unsure of what to say, and could only awkwardly reply, "There was a slight accident."

Situ Jian didn't say anything more and unfolded the secret letter to read it.

His gaze swept quickly across the paper, his originally gentle expression gradually hardening, and the serenity between his brows was slowly replaced by a somber look.

After reading the last line, he remained silent for a moment before folding the letter and placing it on the table. His tone was unreadable: "So it turns out that trying to capture that kid backfired. I was too clever for my own good, and now I've only made my own mess of things."

Zhang Chuan shook his head slightly and said, "Chief, this is not your fault. No one could have imagined that the kid who suddenly appeared had a master hidden by his side, and they just happened to run into each other. No one can prevent such an accident."

Situ Jian pondered for a moment and said, "We didn't catch Bai Xu, but instead she's caught us red-handed. Given the current situation, it seems unlikely we can resolve this peacefully with Chen Shanhe."

Zhang Chuan asked, "So, what does the gang leader mean—?"

Situ Jian said in a deep voice, "Then we can only confront him head-on. Chen Shanhe lost to the Temple and was replaced. Now he has been demoted to the Martial Alliance. He must be resentful."

Now he wants to make the martial arts alliance stand tall, and his first punch was aimed at my Tianhe Gang. I don't know if he thinks I'm an easy target, or if he's after my master.

Zhang Chuan exclaimed in surprise, "Chief, you mean Chen Shanhe's target might be the Heavenly Gate High Priest!"

Situ Jian said, "Chen Shanhe previously served as the commander of the Divine Guards in the Temple. He was demoted to the Martial Alliance after losing a fight with my master."

The temple's intention was simply to let him coast along in the Martial Alliance, living a life of leisure. But for no apparent reason, he decided to attack my Heavenly River Gang, and he chose the very moment my master came to collect offerings. It's hard for me not to suspect he's trying to use this to bring down my master. Surely he can't genuinely be acting out of a sense of justice and advocating for the people?

Zhang Chuan frowned and said, "But the fact that the real mastermind behind the Dragon King Ritual is the High Priest of the Heavenly Gate is something only you and I know in the entire Tianhe Gang. How did Chen Shanhe find out?"

Situ Jian waved his hand and said, "He doesn't need to know. My relationship with my master is common knowledge. If he can use this matter to bring me down, my master will naturally be affected."

He could strengthen the martial arts alliance, defeat me, and damage my master's reputation—killing three birds with one stone. Why wouldn't he?

Zhang Chuan asked, "So, what exactly do we do now?"

Situ Jian frowned and said, "Originally, we wanted to capture Bai Xu to threaten Chen Shanhe and negotiate a peaceful resolution. Since that approach isn't working, we'll just fight. He wants to use my Tianhe Gang to establish his authority, so I'll make his martial arts alliance lose face!"

After a pause, Situ Jian said, "Go and announce to the outside world that the Martial Alliance intends to unify the martial arts world, kills my Tianhe Gang disciples, and kidnaps my Tianhe Gang leader as a threat. Stir up the waters first, and when things get out of hand, I will be able to explain to the martial arts world."

Besides that, gather your men immediately and prevent Chen Shanhe and his group from entering the city. I will go directly to fight them and not give them a chance to bring up the Dragon King Festival.

"Alright." Zhang Chuan quickly cupped his hands and said, "I'll go prepare right away."

After speaking, Zhang Chuan hesitated for a moment, then said, "Chief, there's something else I think I need to tell you."

"What is it?" Situ Jian asked.

Zhang Chuan said, "It's that kid we were chasing before, Tang Batian, the fourth young master of the Yunzhou Organ Sect—"

Situ Jian waved his hand and said, "It doesn't matter. We're in the right. Besides, the Mechanical Gate is far away in Yunzhou. They can't cause any trouble. Just make sure they don't kill that kid. I can make the Mechanical Gate come and redeem him themselves."

Zhang Chuan quickly said, "Chief, the main issue isn't Tang Batian, but rather that someone has appeared beside him, who is very likely—Gu Guanqi, the leader of the martial arts alliance of Qingyun and Hongzhou!"

Situ Jian was startled and asked, "Are you sure it's that madman?"

Zhang Chuan shook his head and said, "I'm not entirely sure, but I received information that the person was exceptionally handsome, dressed in white with a black sword, and was traveling to and from Qinghe City with Tang Batian. In addition, none of the dozens of people Chen Guozhong brought escaped, and Bai Xu definitely couldn't have done that. Considering all of this, the person is very likely Gu Guanqi."

Situ Jian frowned and said, "If it's Gu Guanqi, then we're in trouble. This person's martial arts are too high. He killed the Left Prime Minister Zhang Jiexi and the General Yan Kunlun in the midst of ten thousand troops by himself and his sword. I'm afraid even the sect leader couldn't do that."

"Yes," Zhang Chuan said, "Recently, people in the martial arts world have been saying that he is the best in the world."

Situ Jian waved his hand and said, "That's just flattery. I don't know about others, but just look at Jun Ziyou and Ye Wudi. Although neither of them has ever stormed into the palace, they are both ruthless people who can single-handedly charge into heavy cavalry armies. It's still uncertain who is stronger between the two. How could Gu Guanqi be considered the best in the world?"

Zhang Chuan said, "Regardless of whether he is the best in the world or not, if he really comes, we'll be in trouble. None of us can stop him."

Situ Jian tapped his fingers lightly on the table and said, "You need to quickly find a way to confirm whether it is Gu Guanqi or not. If it really is Gu Guanqi, then this matter is beyond our ability to handle."

Given Gu Guanqi's style of doing things, he'll probably attack me with his sword the moment we meet. The government won't do anything to him either. Gu Guanqi quelled the coup in the capital and the rebellions of Zhang Jiexi and Yan Kunlun. Even if he stormed into the government office and killed all the officials, the court would only cover for him.

Therefore, if it really is Gu Guanqi, then this matter can only be handled by my master himself.

Zhang Chuan said, "Boss, is it possible that even if it really is Gu Guanqi, he's just here to inquire about that kid Tang Batian's affairs?"

Situ Jian waved his hand and said, "Gu Guanqi is known for his chivalry and is also fond of meddling in other people's business. He was the leader of the martial arts alliance in three states. Except for Hongzhou, where he became the leader because of a feud with the Hanyue Sect, the other two states were able to become the leaders of the martial arts alliance because he meddles in the affairs of wherever he goes, which made his chivalrous reputation spread far and wide, and he was eventually elected as the leader."

I know what I've done. The Dragon King Sacrifice was utterly heinous, causing countless families to be torn apart and lives ruined. For this, Gu Guanqi's desire to kill me is entirely justified, so I dare not gamble on him not meddling.

"This—" Zhang Chuan asked, somewhat puzzled, "Chief, although Gu Guanqi is very powerful, this is Qizhou, and Qizhou has its own rules. You also have the background of the Temple. Is it really necessary to be so afraid of him?"

Situ Jian curled his lip and said, "People like you who can't see the situation clearly are often the ones who get killed. What level is Gu Guanqi? What rules does Qizhou have that he can follow?"

Rules are meant to limit those who lack the strength. You think you can use the rules of the martial world to restrain Gu Guanqi? He killed you; what rules can help you avenge him? Would I dare to avenge you? Or would the Temple be willing to pay an enormous price to avenge you?

Zhang Chuan was slightly taken aback and said, "This—"

Situ Jian waved his hand and said, "Investigate quickly. Remember, keep your head clear. The martial world does have its rules, but not everyone has to follow them."

Leaving aside Gu Guanqi, let's talk about Junzi You, who cultivates the Path of Heartlessness. How many righteous sects did he kill back then? Yet, who dares call him a demon? Everyone says it's the people he killed who are demons. When your strength reaches a certain level, whatever you say becomes the rule.

"I understand, I'll go check it out right away," Zhang Chuan said.

"As soon as possible," Situ Jian said, "once it's confirmed to be Gu Guanqi, pack your things and run away immediately."

"Huh?" Zhang Chuan asked in surprise, "Wasn't the message to the High Priest of Tianmen?"

"We must send word," Situ Jian said, "but I'm worried my master won't be able to handle it. Let's run away and hide first. If my master can resolve it, we'll come back. If he can't, we'll run to Lingnan and never come back!"