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

Chapter 68: The Incident Ends (Please Subscribe)

Gu Guanqi regained his composure, then took two steps forward, bent down and picked up the golden bell that Nangong Yin had dropped, examining it carefully in his palm.

This bell is a good thing; he was tricked by it when he fought Ji Xianyun before.

Fortunately, he now possesses profound internal strength, and his Zixia Divine Skill protects him like a protective shield, making his mind stable. Only then could he react in time to use the Golden Goose Skill to avoid the attack. Otherwise, if he had taken a direct hit from Ji Xianyun's blade, he would have been seriously injured, if not killed.

The sonic attack power of this bell is extraordinary and difficult to defend against.

The bell is only the size of a thumb, and its whole body is golden and shiny. The surface is engraved with fine and intricate patterns. It feels warm to the touch, but it is not light.

He shook it gently.

But there was no sound.

Gu Guanqi shook it a few more times, but there was still no sound, as if the bell was just a solid lump of gold.

"Stop shaking it, you won't make a sound."

Just then, Yan Wangchuan's voice came from behind.

Gu Guanqi turned around and saw Yan Wangchuan standing up from under the tree, patting the dust off his robes. Although his movements were slower than usual, he no longer looked like he had been seriously injured and on the verge of death.

"Commander Yan, you—you recovered from your injury so quickly?" Gu Guanqi asked in surprise.

Yan Wangchuan walked over with a smile. Blood was still seeping from the wound on his left shoulder, but he didn't seem to care. He simply pressed two acupoints to stop the bleeding, and his tone was as relaxed as if he were chatting with someone: "It's a serious injury, but not that serious. I was faking it."

"Pretending?" Gu Guanqi was taken aback.

"Of course," Yan Wangchuan walked to Ji Xianyun's corpse, glanced down at it, and clicked his tongue twice. "Ji Xianyun and Nangong Yin's teamwork was indeed strong. I almost died too, but I wasn't completely powerless. I pretended to be defenseless when I saw the situation was not right, preparing to find an opportunity to ambush them. As a result, before I could even make a move, you killed them all."

Upon hearing this, Gu Guanqi was at a loss for words. Looking at Yan Wangchuan's smiling face, he felt a deep sense of emotion.

Indeed, experience is the best teacher!

"Commander Yan, you are truly—a shrewd and calculating old fox!" Gu Guanqi said sincerely.

Upon hearing this, Yan Wangchuan was not annoyed at all. Instead, he laughed even more heartily, patted Gu Guanqi on the shoulder, and said earnestly, "Master Gu, you are still young and there are some things you don't understand. I'm giving you a reminder today: when you're traveling in the martial world, be extra cautious when you encounter older people."

He paused, then held up a finger and said, word by word, "Those who can live to seventy or eighty in the martial world are either incredibly strong or extremely shrewd and cunning! As for those who are neither strong nor cunning enough, they won't live that long, like the two you just killed!"

Gu Guanqi agreed wholeheartedly and cupped his hands in respect, saying, "I have learned a great deal."

Yan Wangchuan chuckled and said, "However, you have a strong sense of righteousness, so you're definitely the first type." He then clicked his tongue in admiration, "How did you cultivate? How can your martial arts be so high at such a young age? You killed Ji Xianyun and Nangong Yin in just a few moves. You know, one is ranked twenty-third on the Qilin Ranking, and the other seventeenth; they are truly top-tier young talents renowned throughout the martial world. Did you start cultivating from the womb?"

Gu Guanqi smiled but didn't answer. He picked up the bell in his hand and asked, "Commander Yan, why can't I ring this bell?"

Yan Wangchuan said, "Many powerful weapons from major sects are specially made and can only be activated by specific true qi martial arts. These weapons, when used in conjunction with specific techniques, can greatly enhance one's strength. Ji Xianyun, as the Holy Son of the Heavenly Demon Sect, did not hesitate to come here personally to seize the Heavenly Crafting Stone, just to forge his own exclusive divine weapon."

"I see," Gu Guanqi said. "Then these things are just scrap metal in my hands."

"Pretty much," Yan Wangchuan nodded and said, "However, you can take off the soft armor that Nangong Yin and Ji Xianyun are wearing. It's a very useful and valuable item. Given their status, the soft armor they're wearing is definitely top-of-the-line, a truly useful treasure of the martial arts world."

Without hesitation, Gu Guanqi ran quickly to Nangong Yin's body.

He hesitated for a moment, then gently tugged at Nangong Yin's collar. Seeing that there was an inner garment under the gold-threaded soft armor, he no longer hesitated, took off the gold-threaded soft armor, and then put his outer garment back on.

Afterwards, Gu Guanqi carried Nangong Yin's body back and then stripped Ji Xianyun of his precious armor, which was also made of the same material, gold-threaded soft armor.

However, after picking it up and examining it for a while, he realized a problem: he couldn't seem to use it at all.

Because both of these gold-threaded soft armors were custom-made to fit the figures of Nangong Yin and Ji Xianyun, who were both smaller than him, and even Ji Xianyun was much shorter than Gu Guanqi, he had no use for them at all.

Yan Wangchuan saw Gu Guanqi's dilemma and said, "The difficulty of modifying the Golden Silk Soft Armor is even greater than the difficulty of making it."

"Then I can't use it either," Gu Guanqi said.

Yan Wangchuan chuckled and said, "If I'm asking you to get it, of course I have a way. I know a tailor named Hu Cao, who is the chief tailor of Jinxiu Manor in Tianping County. You know Jinxiu Manor, right?"

Gu Guanqi quickly said, "The richest man in Qingzhou, it is said that half of the clothes in Qingzhou are made by Jinxiu Manor." Gu Guanqi pointed to his clothes and said, "These clothes of mine are from Jinxiu Manor."

Yan Wangchuan nodded and said, "That's right, it's that Jinxiu Manor. Hu Cao and I are close friends. I was the one who introduced him to Jinxiu Manor. He has a pair of golden scissors, which is a rare and powerful weapon that can cut through gold-threaded soft armor. His tailoring skills are also superb. Give these two pieces of gold-threaded soft armor to him, and he can quickly make a brand new pair of gold-threaded soft armor for you."

Gu Guanqi's eyes lit up, and he quickly asked, "Are the conditions for asking them to help high?"

Yan Wangchuan waved his hand and laughed, "Why are you thinking about these things? I'll just send him a letter later."

Gu Guanqi quickly cupped his hands and said, "Then thank you very much, Commander Yan."

"Don't thank me, you just saved my life," Yan Wangchuan said. "Although I pretended a little, I could only kill one of them at most, or even none of them. If you hadn't come to save me, my chances of survival would have been slim."

Gu Guanqi's lips curled up, and he said, "Commander Yan, you're putting on an act again. Do you think I'll believe you or not?"

Yan Wangchuan smiled, then suddenly gasped, and quickly said, "If I remember correctly, you're a doctor, right? Come here, ouch, help me stop the bleeding—"

"it is good."

Immediately, Gu Guanqi began to treat Yan Wangchuan's injuries.

Not long after the wound was stitched up, footsteps came from one end of the road again.

Gu Guanqi looked in the direction of the sound and saw Fang Cunxin carrying Fang Shiyang on her back, walking briskly towards them, followed by Xiao Dongshan. Two of the demonic cult members under Lan Yin were chained up and held behind them by the people from the Six Doors.

Fang Cunxin moved very quickly. Although Fang Shiyang on her back was pale and weak, his eyes were open and clear, indicating that he had clearly regained consciousness.

"Brother Gu!"

Fang Cunxin rushed over and asked immediately, "How are you? Are you alright?"

Yan Wangchuan said, "Hey girl, can't you tell? I'm the one who's in trouble. Does he look like he's in trouble?"

""

Gu Guanqi said, "Don't worry, I'm fine."

Fang Cunxin grinned, then put Fang Shiyang down from her back and helped him sit on a rock by the roadside.

Fang Shiyang was pale, but his spirits were not bad.

Fang Cunxin said, "Brother Gu, could you take a look at my father? Although I helped him break the Turtle Breathing Technique, he was already injured, and I don't know his condition now."

"it is good."

Gu Guanqi finished bandaging Yan Wangchuan's wound, stood up, walked to Fang Shiyang's side, and cupped his hands, saying, "Chief镖师 Fang, I am Gu Guanqi!"

Fang Shiyang quickly replied, "I have long heard of Hero Gu's illustrious reputation, but I never expected to have this opportunity to be rescued by you. I will never forget this great kindness!"

"You're too kind!"

Gu Guanqi squatted down, reached out and felt Fang Shiyang's pulse. After a moment of concentration, he nodded: "Although the pulse is weak, it is still relatively stable. There is nothing to worry about. With proper care, he will recover in a few days."

Upon hearing this, Fang Cunxin breathed a long sigh of relief and said, "Brother Gu, thank you so much. If it weren't for you—"

Gu Guanqi waved his hand, about to speak, when he heard the sound of chains dragging on the ground behind him.

Xiao Dongshan, escorted by two constables and with chains on his hands, walked over dejectedly. His face was ashen, and his eyes were full of despair. When he got close, he suddenly stopped, raised his head, and looked at Gu Guanqi.

"Master Gu," his voice was hoarse and deep, "there is something I don't understand."

Gu Guanqi nodded slightly and said, "Go ahead."

Xiao Dongshan swallowed hard and asked, "How did you realize something was wrong?"

Gu Guanqi did not answer, but turned to look at Fang Cunxin. He was also preparing to ask Fang Cunxin how she realized something was wrong at the time, since she was more inclined to believe that Yan Wangchuan had wiped out the Xiao family.

Fang Cunxin pondered for a moment and said, "According to Xiao Bieshan, Nangong Yin is a disciple of the Tianshan Sect who happened to pass by and helped her out of righteousness. However, although you and your father deliberately acted indifferent towards her, you couldn't hide your fear in your bones. After Nangong Yin and Jin Chang appeared, your subtle expressions made me suspicious. That's why I hinted to Brother Gu to interrogate Xiao Bieshan."

Xiao Dongshan opened his mouth, but then fell silent, unsure of what to say. He then turned to Fang Shiyang, his voice tinged with resentment: "Chief镖方, I have one last question for you."

Fang Shiyang leaned against the rock, his face calm, his gaze indifferent as he looked at him.

"The Celestial Crafting Stone—is it still with the Xiao family?"

Fang Shiyang was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "He's not here."

Xiao Dongshan sighed.

Fang Shiyang then said, "Xiao Dongshan, actually, you misunderstood Brother Changliu. You all thought that he used the Heavenly Crafting Stone to exchange for an opportunity to join the Hanyue Sect, but that's not the case."

As one of the eight major sects, why would the Hanyue Sect allow its leader to take on disciples in exchange for external things? The reason why the Hanyue Sect was willing to give Cunxin a chance was mainly because Cunxin had the talent of innate divine strength.

Brother Changliu said the Heavenly Crafting Stone was mine so that Cunxin would receive preferential treatment if she passed the assessment and entered the Hanyue Sect. You and your son have both gotten the order wrong. He was thinking the same thing, hoping that after he's gone, Cunxin could take good care of the Xiao family.

Upon hearing Fang Shiyang's words, Gu Guanqi and Fang Cunxin both looked at Xiao Dongshan.

However, to their surprise, they thought Xiao Dongshan would be distressed and annoyed upon learning of this, but in fact, Xiao Dongshan showed no emotional fluctuations after hearing the news and remained very calm.

Fang Cunxin asked, "Don't you regret it? Because of a misunderstanding, you caused the Xiao family to be wiped out!"

Xiao Dongshan remained silent.

Yan Wangchuan, standing to the side, said, "Cunxin, do you really believe what they say about Xiao Changliu giving you the opportunity and not causing his son any resentment? Xiao Bieshan might be right, but Xiao Dongshan definitely isn't. He should know very well that Xiao Changliu's talent back then was only enough to be an ordinary disciple, not a direct disciple of the sect leader. How could Xiao Bieshan, with his talent, possibly have entered the Hanyue Sect? The real reason he betrayed the Xiao family was simply because he was afraid of death."

Xiao Dongshan did not refute.

Yan Wangchuan continued, "To put it bluntly, the father and son were captured by Nangong Yin and then poisoned on her orders, leading to the extermination of the Xiao family. Afterwards, they dared not face their own cowardice, dared not admit that they were afraid of death, so they just found an excuse to comfort themselves."

Xiao Dongshan lowered his head and remained silent.

The chains made a slight clanging sound in the night wind, crisp yet jarring.

Yan Wangchuan waved his hand and said, "Take him away!"

The constables escorting the prisoners tugged on the iron chains.

Xiao Dongshan staggered after the constable as they walked forward, their figures gradually disappearing into the twilight.

The official road returned to silence.

Afterwards, the group set off back to Changqing County.

Changqing County, the county seat.

After everyone returned to the city, Gu Guanqi, Fang Cunxin, and Fang Shiyang separated from the Six Doors team.

The Six Doors team headed to the county government office, while Gu Guanqi and his two companions returned to the inn where they were staying.

Gu Guanqi stole Ji Xianyun's carriage.

Fang Cunxin is a good driver, and there were basically no bumps along the way.

Along the way, Fang Shiyang leaned against the carriage and chatted with Gu Guanqi. The two became quite familiar with each other.

Soon, the carriage arrived at the inn.

Gu Guanqi asked the innkeeper to book another room, and the three of them went upstairs.

Gu Guanqi returned to his room, while Fang Cunxin helped Fang Shiyang into another room.

"father!"

Fang Cunxin lit the oil lamp and said, "I live next door to you. If you feel unwell, just call me. I can hear you."

"it is good."

Fang Shiyang nodded, looked at Fang Cunxin's haggard face, sighed, and said, "My dear daughter, you've suffered these past few days, and you must have been so worried about me!"

"Father," Fang Cunxin poured Fang Shiyang a cup of tea and said, "Why are you saying all this? As long as you're alright, that's all that matters!"

""

Fang Shiyang laughed and said, "Don't worry, your father is like a tortoise, he won't die that easily. There's a saying, 'Those who survive a great calamity are destined for good fortune.' Your father has even greater good fortune ahead of him. Once you return from the Hanyue Sect, your father will retire and enjoy his old age!"

Fang Cunxin raised her head, looked at Fang Shiyang, her lips moved as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.

Fang Shiyang saw through her thoughts, sighed, and asked, "Daughter, tell your father the truth, do you not really want to go to the Hanyue Sect? Is it because you've fallen for Gu Guanqi?"

Fang Cunxin did not deny it and nodded slightly.

Fang Shiyang then asked, "Have you two settled down?"

Fang Cunxin shook her head.

"Did he promise you anything?" Fang Shiyang asked again.

Fang Cunxin shook her head.

"That settles it then. You two have nothing. Right now, it's just that you like him one-sidedly," Fang Shiyang said. "Girl, Gu Guanqi is highly skilled in martial arts and has become famous in the region at a young age. Well, he's not just famous in the region."

Today, Gu Guanqi single-handedly defeated the combined forces of Nangong Yin and Ji Xianyun. These two are far beyond the likes of Wang Changfeng from Qingyang County; they are renowned young talents throughout the entire Qian Kingdom's martial arts world. Just imagine what kind of figure Gu Guanqi will become next! He will be famous throughout the country, becoming the most dazzling young talent in the entire martial arts world!

He paused, looked into Fang Cunxin's eyes, and said in a very soft voice, "Do you think you are good enough for him?"

Fang Cunxin remained silent.

She lowered her head, her fingers gripping the hem of her clothes.

Fang Shiyang added, "Besides, Gu Guanqi is so young. With his talent, he will only rise higher and higher in the future. Regardless of whether he has that kind of ambition or not, as long as he enters the martial arts world, he will naturally be pushed to the position he should be in."

A grandmaster is someone most of us can never even glimpse in our lifetime, but for Gu Guanqi, becoming a grandmaster is a certainty. And you? The gap between you and him will only widen. Believe it or not, in two months at most, if you both appear in the same place, you won't even have the right to speak to him, let alone anything else!

"Father, I—I know." Fang Cunxin's voice was a little hoarse.

Fang Shiyang reached out and gently patted her shoulder: "Daughter, I'm not trying to discourage you. I just want you to understand that liking outstanding people is instinctive, but we can't just like them. We have to strive to catch up with their excellence as much as possible so that we have the right and opportunity to stand with them."

"My dear daughter, I don't mean to discourage you, but think about it, besides being strong and muscular, what else do you have? You—"

"Alright, my dear father," Fang Cunxin raised her head, interrupting Fang Shiyang, and said, "Dad, I feel like you're just trying to discourage me. Don't say anything more, I'll go, I'll go, okay?"

Fang Shiyang smiled with satisfaction and said, "You have been born with super strength and a strong physique since you were a child. The martial arts of the Hanyue Sect emphasize external skills and the way of physical training. With your strength, you will be like a fish in water if you go to the Hanyue Sect."

Even if you can't reach Gu Guanqi's level in the future, at least you're qualified to express your feelings to him. In other words, as the direct disciple of the leader of the Hanyue Sect, liking someone means no one will laugh at you for being a toad trying to eat a swan!

Fang Cunxin stood up, her face full of resentment, and said, "Father, I see now, you just want to discourage me!"

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