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

Time passed quickly, and five or six days had already passed since the battle at Nanshan Sect.

In these five or six days,

Gu Guanqi has been recovering from his injury.

In that battle, Mei Ruolian's final palm strike caused him some internal injuries. The injuries were not serious, mainly because Mei Ruolian's internal energy was too lingering and slow to dissipate.

but,

Fortunately, none of them suffered fatal injuries that day, and they gradually recovered after a few days of rest.

That day, early morning.

Gu Guanqi got up early, put on an outer robe, opened the window, and saw that the sun was shining brightly outside. The osmanthus tree in the courtyard was full of golden blossoms, and its fragrance wafted in from all directions.

He stood by the window for a while, then went to the backyard of the inn to stretch his legs.

Less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea was up when the courtyard gate was pushed open, and Shen Qingqiu walked in.

Gu Guanqi asked with some surprise, "Qingqiu, weren't you dealing with the Nanshan Sect's affairs? Are you done?"

Shen Qingqiu sat down in a chair and said, "The case was just closed yesterday. Alas, once the investigation was completed, it was found that dozens of martial arts practitioners in this area had been poisoned by Mei Ruolian and Yan Sihai."

It's likely that within a few days, a huge uproar will erupt in the martial arts world of Qingyang. The recent disturbances caused by Mei Ruolian have been quite significant!

Gu Guanqi said, "Fortunately, Mei Ruolian is already dead, so at least there's some closure."

Shen Qingqiu nodded, took the tea Gu Guanqi offered, took a sip, and then his gaze fell on the osmanthus tree by the window. After a moment of silence, he asked, "So, what are your plans lately?"

Gu Guanqi smiled and said, "What plans could I possibly have? You know I don't have any ambitions or grand aspirations. I just take it one day at a time and see if I can find a chance to settle down. If I can't find the right person, I might go out and travel around, see the beautiful scenery!"

Shen Qingqiu rolled her eyes and said, "Your obsession with the Cheng family... is really deep!"

Gu Guanqi smiled slightly.

If you died on your way to a blind date in your past life, how could you not be deeply attached to it?

"Who wouldn't want a home?" Gu Guanqi said.

Shen Qingqiu was slightly taken aback, and slowly said, "Yes, that's good too. Your martial arts are so high, yet you have such simple thoughts. It's really rare. Your future wife will definitely be very happy with you."

After all,

Shen Qingqiu picked up his teacup, took another sip, pondered for a moment, and said, "By the way, Gu Guanqi, I've also come to say goodbye. I'm leaving soon!"

Gu Guanqi said nonchalantly, "I'll be going back to Qingyang City soon too."

Shen Qingqiu shook his head and said, "What I mean is, I'm leaving Qingyang County."

Gu Guanqi was slightly taken aback and asked, "What do you mean?"

Shen Qingqiu slowly said, "The Six Doors Capital Headquarters recently launched a famous constable program, which specifically selects young constables with sufficient merit from various places to go to the capital for trials, including but not limited to martial arts, murder-catching skills, talent development, and other comprehensive trials."

Because it would take a long time and I would have to give up my current official position, I hadn't originally planned to go. However, after fighting Mei Ruolian at the Nanshan Sect, I realized that I still have many shortcomings, especially in martial arts, which haven't improved much in several years.

As he spoke,

Shen Qingqiu looked up at Gu Guanqi and said, "This departure might last a year, three years, five years, eight years, or even until he returns!"

Gu Guanqi looked at Shen Qingqiu and pondered for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, "I wish you a bright future. I hope that one day I will hear news that the Six Doors has a new governor named Shen Qingqiu!"

A flicker of disappointment crossed Shen Qingqiu's mind, but it vanished in an instant. He smiled and said, "Thank you for your kind words!"

The osmanthus tree in the courtyard rustled in the wind, and a few golden petals drifted down, landing on the stone table, on the bluestone slab, and in Shen Qingqiu's hair.

Gu Guanqi looked up, just as Shen Qingqiu was looking up.

The two looked at each other.

Shen Qingqiu immediately looked away.

"Gu Guanqi, I have to go." She straightened her clothes, adjusted the short sword at her waist, and bowed to Gu Guanqi. "Until we meet again."

Gu Guanqi also stood up, cupped his hands in return, and said, "Until we meet again."

Shen Qingqiu turned and walked out. Sunlight shone in from outside the door, falling on her and making her figure appear somewhat illusory.

She walked to the door, then suddenly stopped.

The sunlight shone on her face, casting a striking contrast of light and shadow on her profile. Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and her lips pursed, as if she were hesitating about something.

Then, she suddenly turned around.

She walked quickly, taking two steps at a time, and before he could react, she reached out and hugged him tightly.

Then, before Gu Guanqi could react, Shen Qingqiu took another step back, looked at him, and said:

"I don't know when we'll meet again. Perhaps you'll be a mother with children and no longer young; perhaps you'll have achieved great success; perhaps... we'll never see each other again!"

Her voice was very soft, as soft as the wind blowing through the osmanthus tree.

"For the fact that we met and got to know each other when we were young, and... well, anyway, let's just hug and say goodbye. Okay, I'm leaving!"

After saying that, she turned around and strode out.

Sunlight streamed in from outside the door, engulfing her figure.

Gu Guanqi stared blankly as the figure disappeared outside the courtyard gate, muttering, "At least let me carry you for a bit before you leave!"

The courtyard gate swayed gently in the wind, and petals from the osmanthus tree drifted down one by one.

……

The story of the Nanshan Sect and Mei Ruolian spread like wildfire throughout the Jianghu of Qingyang County, giving the storytellers in the teahouses another dramatic tale to tell.

Previously, the battle at Qingfeng Temple caused a great uproar.

At the time, Gu Guanqi originally thought that after keeping a low profile for a while, the martial arts world would gradually forget about him. However, the battle with the Nanshan Sect once again put him at the center of the storm in the martial arts world of Qingyang County.

Fortunately, Gu Guanqi was still hiding in Zhenwu County, and the turmoil in the martial arts world had not affected him for the time being.

Because Fang Cunxin needed to help deal with the affairs of the Nanshan Sect, he stayed in Zhenwu County and did not return to Qingyang City for the time being.

Four or five days passed in the blink of an eye.

That evening, the setting sun dyed the horizon orange-red, and twilight seeped in through the window, casting a warm glow over the room.

Gu Guanqi was meditating cross-legged on the bed when he suddenly heard footsteps outside the door. He had become familiar with those footsteps over the past few days; they were light and powerful, carrying a whirlwind energy—it was Fang Cunxin.

"Brother Gu!"

The sound arrived before the knock was even made.

Gu Guanqi finished his practice, got up, and went to open the door.

Fang Cunxin stood at the door, holding a long, narrow cloth bag wrapped in blue silk, which looked quite exquisite. A smile graced her face, and the setting sun cast a soft blush on her spirited features.

"What's this?" Gu Guanqi stepped aside to let her in.

Fang Cunxin strode in, placed the long cloth bag on the table, turned to look at him, and said with a smile, "Guess."

Gu Guanqi examined the length and shape of the cloth bag and made a guess, saying, "Is it a xiao (a type of vertical bamboo flute)?"

"Brother Gu, you're so boring, you guessed it right away." Fang Cunxin pouted, then laughed, reached out and untied the ribbon on the cloth bag, and took something out of it.

It is a jade flute.

The entire flute is a vibrant green, smooth and lustrous like jade. Intricate patterns are carved into its surface, the craftsmanship exquisite. A delicate green tassel sways gently at the end. The flute's exquisite workmanship clearly indicates it is no ordinary piece.

Fang Cunxin handed the jade flute to Gu Guanqi and said, "That day at the Nanshan Sect, your flute was broken during your fight with Mei Ruolian, so I went to find you a new one. This jade flute was made by an old craftsman in the city. I specially asked him to work overtime for several days, and it was only finished today."

Gu Guanqi took the jade flute. It felt warm and smooth to the touch, with a weight that was just right for him. He put it to his lips to test the tone. The flute's sound was clear, melodious, and resonant, like a spring in a secluded valley, far superior to the flute he had casually bought before.

"A fine flute." He praised sincerely, put down the flute, looked at Fang Cunxin, and said earnestly, "Cunxin, thank you."

Fang Cunxin grinned, revealing a set of white teeth, and waved her hand, saying, "Oh, Brother Gu, why are you being so polite with me? As long as you like it, that's all that matters!"

Gu Guanqi smiled and said, "I like anything you give me."

Fang Cunxin chuckled, moved a chair to sit down at the table, rested her chin on her hands, and watched Gu Guanqi carefully put the jade flute back into the cloth bag and tie the strap.

"Hey, Cunxin," Gu Guanqi asked, "Have you sorted out your aunt's family's affairs?"

Fang Cunxin nodded and said, "I didn't dare to bury my uncle. I cremated him and took his ashes with me. My aunt and cousin also left Qingyang County with my cousin. What my uncle did was too vicious. If my aunt and her family hadn't left, they would definitely have faced retaliation."

So they went to Qingshan County, where my cousin's family is quite influential. Plus, Qingshan County is quite far from Qingyang County, which suits their current situation perfectly. The only inconvenience is that it will be difficult to see each other again.

Gu Guanqi nodded and said, "That's good. If we stay in Zhenwu County, we will inevitably face retaliation. Not to mention outsiders, even within the Nanshan Sect, it's hard to guarantee that someone will hold a grudge against your aunt and the others."

"Yes!" Fang Cunxin said, "We can only wait many years, until the storm has completely passed, and see if it can come back!"

Fang Cunxin sighed and said, "Ah, let's not talk about this anymore, Brother Gu, let's head back as soon as possible!"

"Okay, when do you plan to leave?" Gu Guanqi asked.

"Let's leave tomorrow," Fang Cunxin said. "Anyway, it's just the two of us now, so we can leave whenever we want."

After the previous battle with the Nanshan Sect,

Gu Guanqi and Fang Cunxin both needed to recuperate, so they sent the caravan back to Qingyang City. After all, it would be too costly for such a large caravan to wait there.

"Okay," Gu Guanqi said, "then we'll set off for the return journey tomorrow morning."

immediately,

After exchanging a few more words, Fang Cunxin prepared to leave.

at this time,

Footsteps sounded outside the door, and the waiter led a young man dressed as a disciple of the Nanshan Sect to the door.

"Liu Lin of the Nanshan Sect greets Hero Gu and Miss Fang!" The Nanshan Sect disciple bowed respectfully, then took out a letter from his robes and said, "Miss Fang, there is a letter for you. It was brought by a friend from the martial arts world who was passing by and heard that you were at the Nanshan Sect, so he delivered the letter to the Nanshan Sect."

Fang Cunxin stood up, took the letter, and bowed, saying, "Thank you very much, Junior Brother Liu!"

"Miss Fang, you're too kind," Liu Lin said, cupping his hands in greeting. "The letter has been delivered; I'll take my leave now!"

"Then take care."

Fang Cunxin cupped her hands in greeting, then opened the letter and began to read it. Her expression then turned serious.

After a while, she finished reading the letter, looked at Gu Guanqi with a troubled expression, and said, "Brother Gu, we can't travel together anymore, but don't worry, I will find a guide to take you back to Qingyang City."

Gu Guanqi quickly asked, "What happened?"

"This is a letter from my father," Fang Cunxin said. "A few days ago, Commander Shen said that my father was injured in Linzhong County. I thought it was just a superficial injury, but who knew that the wound was poisoned. Now the injury is getting more and more serious, and he may be crippled in one leg. I have to get there as soon as possible."

Gu Guanqi frowned and said, "Could this be a trick by the Heavenly Demon Sect?"

Fang Cunxin shook her head and said, "This is my father's handwriting, and there are also special markings in the letter indicating that my father and I communicate. It is unlikely that it was forged by the Heavenly Demon Sect."

Gu Guanqi thought for a moment and said, "I'll go with you. Linzhong County is not peaceful right now. Even Commander Yan has gone there to investigate a case in another region. Moreover, the Heavenly Demon Sect has already attacked you. It would be too dangerous for you to go alone."

Fang Cunxin's eyes lit up, and she asked, "Brother Gu, are you worried about me?"

Gu Guanqi chuckled and said, "Of course I'm worried about you."

In an instant, Fang Cunxin's cheeks flushed slightly, and she said softly, "Brother Gu... you're such a kind person. Well... it's settled then. My... my father will definitely be very happy to see you!"

Gu Guanqi chuckled and said, "I have long admired your father!"

"You two will definitely get along well..."

Fang Cunxin felt a pang of nervousness at the thought of Gu Guanqi meeting her father. She said, "I...I'll go now, Brother Gu. You get some rest. I'm leaving!"

She turned around and almost bumped into the door frame, quickly taking a step back and lowering her head.

"I...I'm leaving now!"

Then he hurriedly went out the door.

Gu Guanqi: "??"

at this time,

A familiar electronic mechanical voice echoed in Gu Guanqi's mind—

[Blind date event concluded]

[Reward: Max level "Purple Cloud Divine Skill" has been issued]

Do you want to claim the reward?

……

Gu Guanqi was slightly taken aback.

"Is that all?"

but,

He thought about it and realized it made sense. The system determined that the matchmaking activity started based on the woman's wishes and ended based on her evaluation.

Immediately,

Gu Guanqi stopped thinking about it and silently recited:

"Claim your reward."

In an instant, the system's mechanical voice sounded:

[Player's current internal skill is detected as "Huashan Baoyuan Jin". Compatibility requirements have been met. Do you wish to continue practicing this skill?]

[Note: Zixia Divine Skill and Baoyuan Jin share the same origin, have similar internal energy attributes, and follow the same meridian pathways, exhibiting no incompatibility or conflict. Once both reach the Perfected state, they can be cultivated simultaneously, with Zixia as the primary focus and Baoyuan as the secondary. Existing internal energy will be entirely transformed into Zixia True Qi, while retaining the Baoyuan Jin's pathways and true qi characteristics.]