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

That night, Fang Cunxin had the镖队 (bodyguards) take control of Yunqi Temple, because she couldn't confirm whether Huiming had any accomplices there. She then sent someone to the local county town to report to the authorities.

As dawn approached,

The magistrate and county lieutenant of Zhenwu County personally led a team of county soldiers to Yunqi Temple to handle the matter.

Subsequently,

The county magistrate and county constable then took all the monks of Yunqi Temple and You Si away to the county government for investigation, and the escort team of Zhenshan Escort Agency also had to go to the county government to make a statement.

Fortunately, the caravan was going to pass through Zhenwu County anyway, so there was no conflict.

It was already noon when Gu Guanqi and his group came out of the county government office.

At the entrance of the county government office.

Fang Cunxin walked alongside Gu Guanqi and said, "Brother Gu, let me take you to the Nanshan Sect!"

Gu Guanqi quickly said, "No need to trouble yourself. Your caravan still has a long way to go. It's not far from here to the Nanshan Sect. I can find it."

Fang Cunxin said, "As the saying goes, if you're going to help someone, help them to their destination. Besides, we were up half the night last night, and the brothers in the escort team didn't get any rest. We don't plan to continue our journey for now and are going to find a place to rest. I haven't visited my uncle and aunt in a long time, so I'll go with you to the Nanshan Sect."

Since Fang Cunxin had said so, Gu Guanqi naturally couldn't refuse any longer, so he cupped his hands and said, "Then thank you very much, Cunxin."

Fang Cunxin waved her hands repeatedly, saying, "Brother Gu, why are you being so polite with me? If anyone should be thanking someone, it's you. You've helped me so much along the way!"

Subsequently,

The caravan found an inn in the city to stay, while Gu Guanqi and Fang Cunxin rode their horses toward the Nanshan Sect.

The two walked for about an hour before finally arriving at the Nanshan Sect.

……

After Fang Cunxin introduced herself, the two of them were led by the disciples of the mountain gate into the Nanshan Sect and arrived at a side hall.

The disciple from the mountain gate cupped his hands and said, "Please wait here a moment, I will go and inform them."

"Wait a moment, I'll go with you." Fang Cunxin called out to the mountain gate disciple, then looked at Gu Guanqi and said, "Brother Gu, please sit here for a while. Give me Elder Poison's letter, and I'll go and inform my aunt and uncle. After all, this matter is unusual."

Gu Guanqi smiled slightly: "Alright, then I'll have to trouble you."

After all,

Gu Guanqi then handed the Poison Immortal's handwritten letter to Fang Cunxin.

Fang Cunxin turned around and left with the sect disciple.

Gu Guanqi waited alone in the hall.

However, it didn't take long, only about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, before footsteps could be heard outside the door.

Gu Guanqi looked over.

The curtain was lifted, and a middle-aged couple walked in side by side.

Leading the way was a burly middle-aged man, around fifty years old, with thick eyebrows, large eyes, a square face, and a broad forehead. He had a thick, short beard that was neatly trimmed. What was most striking about him were his hands—large, thick palms, strong fingers, and prominent knuckles, clearly the work of someone who had practiced palm techniques for many years.

This person is none other than Yan Sihai, the "Iron Palm" of the Nanshan Sect and the Eleventh Floor of Qingyang.

The woman following behind him was about forty years old, still charming, and her features resembled Fang Cunxin's, but she was more gentle and dignified.

This is Fang Ying, the aunt of Fang Cunxin and the wife of Yan Sihai.

As soon as the two entered, their eyes fell on Gu Guanqi. After looking him up and down, Yan Sihai said, "I am Yan Sihai, and this is my wife, Fang Ying."

Gu Guanqi quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Junior Gu Guanqi greets Sect Leader Yan and Madam Yan."

Yan Sihai laughed heartily, his voice booming like a bell, and returned the greeting with clasped hands: "I consider myself an equal to the Poison Immortal, Brother Poison, so I've taken the liberty of calling you my nephew. Please, have a seat!"

Fang Ying smiled gently: "Young Master Gu, you must be tired from your journey."

The three people took their seats as host and guest.

Yan Sihai sat in the main seat, Fang Ying sat beside him, and Gu Guanqi sat in the guest seat. A disciple came in, served tea again, and then left.

Yan Sihai picked up his teacup, took a sip, and looked at Gu Guanqi. He said with a smile, "Nephew Gu, Brother Du has already made his intentions clear in his letter. I have known Brother Du for many years, and I trust his judgment."

Your reputation is renowned far and wide, and in recent days, you've become a household name in the Qingyang martial arts world. A true young talent, a dragon among men!

Gu Guanqi cupped his hands and said, "Sect Leader Yan, you flatter me."

Yan Sihai stroked his beard and asked, "May I ask who is currently in your household, Nephew Gu?"

"I am all alone."

"..."

Immediately afterwards, Yan Sihai and Fang Ying began their routine inquiry into Gu Guanqi's personal situation. Afterward, Yan Sihai changed the subject and talked about things like martial arts and local government policies.

The main purpose is self-evident:

Learn about Gu Guanqi's family background and observe his speech through conversation.

After chatting for a while,

Yan Sihai and Fang Ying exchanged a glance, and Fang Ying nodded slightly.

Actually, the two of them had discussed it before coming.

Gu Guanqi's martial arts skills and future achievements need no further explanation. However, her speech and personality are difficult to judge. If she feels that the meeting is not suitable, Fang Ying will make an excuse to leave halfway and stop her daughter from coming to meet. If she feels that the meeting is suitable, she will proceed with the plan and let her daughter come to meet.

……

at this time,

In a large courtyard.

Fang Cunxin was walking side by side with a woman, passing through a moon gate and walking along the corridor toward the side hall where guests were received.

The woman was slender with delicate features, but not in a flamboyant or overtly beautiful way. Instead, she possessed a gentle and graceful beauty that brought peace to the heart at first glance, exuding the dignified air of a well-bred lady.

This is Yan Sihai's daughter, Yan Caiwei, who was the blind date that the Poison Immortal introduced to Gu Guanqi.

at this time,

Yan Caiwei and Fang Cunxin walked side by side.

As they walked, Yan Caiwei turned to look at Fang Cunxin and asked softly, "Cousin, since you've spent so much time with that Young Master Gu, you should know him a little. What do you think of him?"

Fang Cunxin's eyes lit up, and she immediately started talking: "That's great! Not to mention his high level of martial arts, he is now recognized as the second best martial artist in Qingyang. Although he is only twenty years old, he is already more powerful than your father and my father."

In the few days I've spent with him, I've discovered that his high level of martial arts skills is just one of his strengths. He's also witty, humorous, good-tempered, always speaks politely, and is quite cultured...

As Fang Cunxin spoke, her eyes were filled with longing, "Being with him makes me feel incredibly safe. He's also very humble, without any of the arrogant attitude of a江湖高大人 (a person with a high and mighty reputation). He can even tell jokes, and he's very polite..."

As Yan Caiwei listened to Fang Cunxin's endless narration, her gaze fell on Fang Cunxin's face. Seeing the longing look on Fang Cunxin's face, she instantly understood something. A slight smile appeared on her lips, and she suddenly asked softly, "Cousin, you like that Young Master Gu, don't you?"

Fang Cunxin was taken aback and said, "Is it that obvious?"

Yan Caiwei covered her mouth and chuckled, "You practically have the word 'I like you' written all over your face. The description you just gave is exactly what someone who likes someone would say. Otherwise, how could anyone be as perfect as you describe?"

Think about it, what you said is contradictory: someone with such high martial arts skills at twenty years old must be a martial arts fanatic, how could he be witty and humorous? He's a江湖人 (jianghu person), a ruthless character who chased and killed more than a hundred people by himself in the battle of Qingfeng Temple, how could he be so refined and gentle?

In conclusion, the virtues you described, such as humility and politeness, are likely misconceptions arising from your admiration and liking for him.

Fang Cunxin scratched her head, puzzled, and asked, "Is that so? No way?"

Yan Caiwei chuckled, "Although I don't like to meddle in the affairs of the martial world, I've heard quite a few rumors about this Young Master Gu lately. He's tall and burly, incredibly strong, cold-blooded, ruthless, and never smiles; he'll draw his sword at the slightest provocation!"

Fang Cunxin frowned and said, "But in the few days I've spent with Brother Gu, I feel that he has a really gentle personality."

Yan Caiwei chuckled and said, "That's because you love the house and its crows. Because you like it, you only see its advantages and not its disadvantages."

"Is that so? Maybe," Fang Cunxin said. "But don't worry, cousin. Although I like Brother Gu, I know in my heart that he's your blind date. I haven't done anything to him and have always kept my distance..."

"Oh dear, cousin, what are you thinking!" Yan Caiwei grabbed Fang Cunxin's hand and said, "We grew up together. Although we are cousins, in my eyes, you are my own sister. How could I compete with you for the person you like?"

Don't worry, although he's my blind date, I don't like shady characters. I prefer a refined and cultured gentleman.

"But I think Brother Gu is a refined and elegant gentleman!" Fang Cunxin said.

Yan Caiwei reached out and gently tapped Fang Cunxin's forehead, saying, "I already told you, that's just your imagination. But as long as you like it, don't worry. When I meet that Young Master Gu later, I'll tell him directly that it's not suitable, and then I'll express my feelings for you!"

"Really? You must be lying to me!" Fang Cunxin said happily.

"Don't worry, I never break my word!"

As they talked, the two walked a little further, crossed a small bridge, and under the bridge was a clear pond with emerald green water, where several koi carp swam leisurely among the lotus leaves.

Fang Cunxin looked up unintentionally, and her gaze suddenly froze.

Not far away stands a hexagonal pavilion, built atop an artificial hill, its eaves upturned and exquisite. A person is sitting inside.

It was a woman.

She wore a plain white long dress, the hem of which trailed to the ground and fluttered gently in the mountain breeze. Her hair was long, jet black, and cascaded over her shoulders.

Her features were exquisitely beautiful, and her eyes held an ethereal, otherworldly air, as if she had stepped out of a painting. She sat quietly in the pavilion, holding a book in her hands, her gaze fixed on the pages, her expression focused, seemingly oblivious to everything around her.

A mountain breeze swept by, lifting her skirt and long hair. In that instant, she seemed to drift away with the wind, transforming into a celestial fairy.

Fang Cunxin was stunned, and couldn't help but feel ashamed of herself.

She turned her head and looked at Yan Caiwei.

She had always thought her cousin Yan Caiwei was the most beautiful person she knew, but compared to the woman in front of her, she seemed quite ordinary.

"Cousin?" Yan Caiwei saw her stop and followed her gaze, seeing the woman in white in the pavilion. Her expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure.

"Caiwei, who is that?" Fang Cunxin withdrew her gaze and asked in a low voice, "What a beautiful woman, how come I've never seen her before?"

Yan Caiwei paused for a moment, then lowered her voice: "That is... the concubine Father took two months ago, named Mu Shuyao."

Fang Cunxin turned her head sharply, her eyes wide with disbelief: "What? My uncle has taken a concubine?"

She could hardly believe her ears. In her memory, her uncle Yan Sihai and aunt Fang Ying had always been loving and respectful, a well-known model couple in the martial arts world. Yan Sihai was an upright man who never strayed, so how could he suddenly take a concubine?

"What... what's going on?" Fang Cunxin asked in a low voice.

Yan Caiwei lowered her eyes, her tone flat, yet tinged with an undisguised bitterness: "Mu Shuyao was brought back by my father two months ago. He said he rescued her from bandits on the road. Her whole family had been killed by the bandits, leaving her destitute, so he took her in. Later... later he took her as a concubine."

Fang Cunxin asked, "Did my aunt agree?"

She paused, then continued, "Mother argued with Father several times about this, but Father's mind was made up, and no one could persuade him otherwise. My eldest brother was so angry that he took his wife and children back to the ancestral home. Anyway, sigh... now the family is in a very tense situation because of this."

Fang Cunxin opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but didn't know what to say. She looked at the woman in white in the pavilion, her heart filled with mixed feelings.

The woman seemed to sense something, slowly raised her head, glanced in their direction, and then smiled slightly.

Just that smile,

Fang Cunxin was so captivated by the sight that she became somewhat mesmerized.

"Let's go, cousin." Yan Caiwei tugged at her sleeve. "Stop looking, Young Master Gu is still waiting."

Fang Cunxin nodded, regained her composure, and quickly left with Yan Caiwei.

Before long, the two arrived at the gate of the side hall.

From a distance, Fang Cunxin stopped and glanced into the doorway. She saw Gu Guanqi sitting in the side hall talking with Yan Sihai and Fang Ying. She slowly turned to Yan Caiwei and said, "Cousin, you go in. I won't go in. I'll wait for you at the martial arts training ground."

Yan Caiwei nodded and said, "Okay, I'll explain your feelings to Young Master Gu in a little while."

"Thank you, cousin!"

Fang Cunxin turned and walked away. After taking two steps, she looked back once more before striding away.

Yan Caiwei straightened her clothes and walked towards the side hall.

In the side hall,

Yan Caiwei entered the room and bowed to Yan Sihai and Fang Ying, saying, "Father, Mother."

Fang Ying smiled and introduced Gu Guanqi to Yan Caiwei, saying, "Caiwei, this is Young Master Gu Guanqi."

Yan Caiwei bowed slightly and called out softly, "Young Master Gu."

Gu Guanqi stood up and returned the greeting with a cupped hand: "Miss Yan."

Yan Caiwei raised her head, her gaze lingering on Gu Guanqi for a moment.

Gu Guanqi was dressed in a blue robe with the Autumn Water Sword hanging at his waist. He had a handsome face with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes. In particular, he had an elegant demeanor and stood there quietly and gracefully.

that moment,

Yan Caiwei's heart skipped a beat, and she thought to herself:

"I'm sorry, cousin, I have to break my promise!"