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

Chapter 86 Outer Room

Jinxiu Villa has encountered a sudden misfortune today, and everyone in the villa is in a state of high alert and on high alert, and everyone is busy.

However, Gu Guanqi did not get involved in the subsequent events at Jinxiu Manor. He went to continue treating Lin Changqing's injuries, which were still not fully healed. He spent about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before leaving.

The bright moon hangs high in the sky.

The cool moonlight, like mercury spilling onto the ground, enveloped the entire Jinxiu Manor in a hazy, silvery-white glow.

A gentle night breeze stirred, causing the branches of the old plum trees in the courtyard to sway slightly in the wind, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

Led by a servant, Gu Guanqi arrived at a courtyard to rest.

He had barely lain down when he sensed someone approaching from outside, and he immediately became alert.

Then, Lin Yourong's voice came through: "Guanqi, are you asleep?"

"Yeah, I just lay down," Gu Guanqi replied.

"Can you open the door? I have something I want to tell you," Lin Yourong said.

Gu Guanqi immediately got up and opened the door.

Moonlight streamed in from the courtyard, illuminating the blue brick floor near the entrance with a pale glow. Lin Yourong stood at the entrance, the moonlight pouring down from behind her, outlining her figure as a long, hazy silhouette.

She was dressed in plain white, with a light white outer garment over it. Her long, dark hair cascaded down her shoulders and back, and she wore no makeup. The moonlight shone on her face, making her cheeks flush, and she appeared extremely nervous.

Gu Guanqi asked in confusion, "You Rong, what's going on?"

Lin Yourong said, "Guanqi, listen to me. Grandpa was seriously injured by Zhou Jinyuan, and his true energy is difficult to maintain. If this drags on, his true energy will dissipate, and then he will not be able to use the Enlightenment Technique. I must accept his power transfer as soon as possible."

Gu Guanqi nodded slightly.

Previously, when Lin Huaiyuan was explaining to the Lin family that he did not want to expend his internal energy to help Lin Changqing stabilize his dantian, Gu Guanqi was in the room, but his internal energy was profound and he could hear it. Naturally, he knew that the Lin family could have an enlightening experience after reaching the ninth level of the Great Tribulation Point.

Gu Guanqi nodded and said, "Then you came to find me—"

Lin Yourong said, "However, after receiving the transfer of power, it's a pseudo-realm!"

Gu Guanqi asked in confusion, "What is a pseudo-realm?"

"Emergency has its limitations —"

Then, Lin Yourong explained to Gu Guanqi all the limitations of the pseudo-pure realm.

Finally, she paused, raised her head, and looked directly at Gu Guanqi. "Guanqi, I like you, and I want to marry you, but I can't use marriage to hold you hostage, and I can't abandon the Lin family."

Moonlight filtered through the crack in the door, falling on her profile and outlining her features with a soft yet cool radiance.

Gu Guanqi was silent for a moment before slowly saying, "When I came to treat your seventh uncle's injuries today, the old man was very polite to me. At that time, I guessed that something might have happened between us."

Lin Yourong then lowered her eyes, sighed, and said, "I am reluctant and unwilling."

Gu Guanqi didn't speak, his thoughts drifting far away. He remembered what Yan Wangchuan had said before, and wondered if he should really consider finding a fortune teller to tell his fortune. Why did every blind date end without a result?

In his past life, he was a staunch materialist, but in this life, he has both time travel and a system.

There are some things he has to believe, whether he likes it or not.

At this moment, both of them fell silent.

A night breeze slipped in through the crack in the door, carrying the chill of late autumn and early winter, brushing against the hem of their clothes. The room was quiet, so quiet that they could hear each other breathing.

"Watching the game!"

Suddenly, Lin Yourong called out, then took a step forward and stood very close to Gu Guanqi, so close that they could almost feel each other's warmth. She quickly raised her hands and gently wrapped them around Gu Guanqi's neck.

She leaned close to Gu Guanqi's ear and whispered, "But I—I don't want to have any regrets. I don't want to wait so many years. I want to be your woman now!"

Before Gu Guanqi could react, she stood on tiptoe and kissed the corner of Gu Guanqi's mouth.

It was light and soft, like a petal falling onto the water, creating ripples. Her lips were soft and slightly cool, carrying a faint fragrance, as they touched Gu Guanqi's lips.

Gu Guanqi was slightly taken aback.

At this moment, Lin Yourong's hands slid down, grabbed Gu Guanqi's hands, and wrapped her arms around her waist.

Lin Yourong's body went limp, and she almost pressed herself against Gu Guanqi's chest. Her chest was pressed tightly against Gu Guanqi's chest, and through the thin fabric, they could feel each other's heartbeats, one after another, faster and faster, clearer and clearer.

"Watching chess, loving me—"

Lin Yourong clung to Gu Guanqi, her face flushed.

Gu Guanqi took a deep breath and carried Lin Yourong into the house.

As they walked, the two kissed passionately, and then Gu Guanqi placed Lin Yourong on the bed.

Moonlight filtered through the crack in the door, falling on the two people and casting their intertwined shadows on the wall, so entangled that they were indistinguishable from one another.

Lin Yourong's breathing was rapid and erratic, her cheeks flushed with a faint blush that spread from her ears down to her neck. Her lips were red and glistening with moisture, like flower petals after a rain.

Her eyes were unfocused and dazed, like a pool of spring water ruffled by the wind, shimmering yet carrying a hint of suppressed restraint.

"uh-huh----"

Only heavy breathing remained inside; the night was as still as water, immersing everything in a hazy and ambiguous atmosphere.

After a long while, the room gradually quieted down.

Lin Yourong got up from Gu Guanqi's arms, picked up the clothes scattered on the ground and put them on, and then helped Gu Guanqi put on his clothes.

Finally, she carefully folded the bed sheet stained with blood and held it in her arms.

-

The candlelight illuminated her face, and her usually ethereal features were now flushed with a rosy blush, making her even more alluring than usual.

She said slowly, "Guanqi, once I've cultivated the Pure Realm to its true state, I'll come find you!"

Gu Guanqi looked at her and slowly shook his head: "It's no use you coming to me. Unless the Lin family produces another master capable of handling this task, you can only take a husband as your son-in-law, not marry into another family."

Lin Yourong took a deep breath to calm her inner turmoil before daring to take another step forward and whisper, "I'm destined not to be your legal wife, so I have no intention of getting married."

"Want to be an old maid for life?" Gu Guanqi chuckled.

Lin Yourong leaned close to Gu Guanqi's ear and whispered, "Why be an old maid? How about I be your mistress?"

Gu Guanqi was slightly taken aback and was about to speak when Lin Yourong pressed forward again.

Her lips covered mine once more.

However, this time, she only nodded lightly, then quickly stepped back, saying, "I encountered you at this time of year, when you were just beginning to gain momentum, but I had to let go. I can't let go of watching the game! So, I will definitely come to find you."

I've given myself to you. You'll be the only man in my life. Hmm—anyway, for a man as outstanding as you, having multiple wives and concubines is perfectly normal. One more mistress won't make a difference!

Then she turned around and walked towards the door.

She took a couple of steps, then stopped, turned around, smiled brightly, and said, "Don't worry, I'll take good care of myself. I won't become a haggard old woman!"

Having said that, she stepped over the threshold and into the courtyard.

The moonlight fell on her and gradually faded into the distance.

Gu Guanqi stood at the door for a while, the night wind blowing his robes, bringing the chill of early winter. He looked up at the moon in the sky, which was high in the sky, full and perfect.

He slowly withdrew his gaze, turned and went into the house, gently closing the door behind him.

The courtyard returned to silence, with only the moonlight flowing quietly and the night breeze blowing gently. In the distance, the clock tower of Jinxiu Villa rang out the midnight bell, its deep tolling echoing through the night sky.

The murder of Yue Xiaotian, the crippling of Lin Changqing, the serious injury and retirement of Lin Huaiyuan, and the killing of Zhou Jinyuan by Gu Guanqi—any one of these events could ignite the martial arts world of Qingzhou.

However, this time, the four events collided but did not cause much of a stir. To be precise, they were overshadowed by another event. The Heavenly Demon Sect changed its name to the Guanyin Sect and became a righteous force recognized by the imperial court.

-

Just as Liu Su said, the day after Zhou Jinyuan was killed, local governments issued a unified announcement canceling the arrest warrants for the group of people who were originally members of the Heavenly Demon Sect and are now members of the Guanyin Sect. They also publicly affirmed the righteous spirit of Blood Guanyin Wen Qiuchi!

This caused a huge uproar.

This upheaval affected not only the martial arts world of Qingzhou, but also the martial arts world of the entire Qian Kingdom's thirteen states, as well as several special regions such as the northern frontier and Lingnan.

The Heavenly Demon Sect, which has been hated by everyone for so many years, is recognized as the most hated by both heaven and man among the six demonic sects. Now, it has changed its appearance and instantly become a righteous force recognized by the imperial court.

This was unacceptable to all martial arts factions, naturally causing widespread indignation.

Therefore, Gu Guanqi's killing of Zhou Jinyuan seems rather mundane.

Of course, the story of a newly crowned martial arts master at the age of twenty is not without its share of ups and downs.

However, it did not affect Gu Guanqi in the short term, because he had been staying in Jinxiu Medical House for the past few days.

Although his relationship with Lin Yourong had fallen through, it didn't stop him from continuing to refine medicine. He was preparing to leave Tianping County, but he still had a few more types of pills to refine, so he stayed a little longer.

That noon, Gu Guanqi finished refining the last batch of pills and began packing his things.

Just then, a voice suddenly came from the doorway: "Oh, what a coincidence! If we had come any later, we might have missed meeting Gu Guanqi, the newly crowned Grandmaster and Sword Immortal of Qingzhou!"

Gu Guanqi recognized the voice immediately and turned around, chuckling, "Isn't this Lord Yan Wangchuan, the fourth-rank Assistant Magistrate of the Garrison?"

Yan Wangchuan curled his lips and said, "You're too rude, young man. I'm not teasing you. Who in the Qingzhou martial arts world doesn't respect you as a sword immortal? The Tianji Pavilion's previous assessment of you was that your swordsmanship was profound, ethereal, and elegant, like a banished immortal among swords. Back then, some people called you a sword immortal."

Now, the sword technique you used to kill Zhou Jinyuan is called "Flying Immortal from Beyond the Heavens." According to the Lin family members who were present at the time, that sword strike was truly like an immortal descending to earth. Shouldn't the title of "Sword Immortal" be confirmed?

Gu Guanqi smiled slightly. Although he had been engrossed in refining medicine these past few days, he wasn't completely oblivious to what was happening around him and had heard of this title.

He didn't dwell on the matter, poured Yan Wangchuan a cup of tea, and asked, "Old Yan, aren't you busy with the case? What brings you here to see me?"

"Investigating a case? Investigating a case my ass!" Yan Wangchuan said angrily. "I thought I got a good deal by being promoted six months early, but now I know I was tricked. Damn it, they were waiting for me here. As soon as I took office, this Guanyin Cult showed up. And all that stupid stuff I did was relentlessly investigate the Heavenly Demon Cult. I bet those bastards in the prefectural government are laughing at me behind my back!"

Gu Guanqi understood why Yan Wangchuan was angry.

The Heavenly Demon Sect changed its name to the Guanyin Sect, and local governments must have been notified long ago, which is why they issued a nationwide announcement on the same day.

However, Yan Wangchuan was promoted to the Six Doors of the prefecture at this time, which meant that no one in Qingyang County informed him, and no one in the prefecture told him about his arrival.

The end result was that one day he was still investigating the Heavenly Demon Sect with great enthusiasm, and the next day all his efforts became a joke.

Ironically, he became the laughingstock, yet he was still the one who had to do the work. The task of quelling the martial arts turmoil caused by the Heavenly Demon Sect's transformation into the Guanyin Sect fell right into his jurisdiction as the Assistant Magistrate of Zhenfu.

Gu Guanqi patted Yan Wangchuan on the shoulder and said, "Hey, Old Yan, take it easy. At least you've been promoted!"

Yan Wangchuan waved his hand and said, "Let's not talk about that. Let's talk about you. Where are you planning to go next? I heard that your relationship with Miss Lin broke up."

"It's over," Gu Guanqi said.

Yan Wangchuan sighed and said, "I understand your situation. There's really no other way. Given the current state of the Lin family, Lin Yourong really has no other choice. If she doesn't accept Lin Huaiyuan's transfer of skills, with the current state of the Lin family's martial arts, they can't even handle Zhou Zhiyao."

"I know." Gu Guanqi nodded, then asked, "From what you're saying, Zhou Zhiyao has been dealt with?"

Yan Wangchuan nodded and said, "You really are oblivious to what's going on around you! The day after you killed Zhou Jinyuan, Lin Yourong tracked down Zhou Zhiyao's hiding place and killed this talented man on the Qilin List. It is said that it only took less than three rounds."

The news of the Lin family's great calamity has spread. Now, everyone in the martial arts world knows that although the Lin family has suffered a great upheaval, they have gained another potential grandmaster.

Gu Guanqi immediately understood that this must be a deliberate propaganda by the Lin family to deter those with ulterior motives from outside.

"That's good." Gu Guanqi nodded and said, "I'm also preparing to return to Qingyang County."

"Why go back to Qingyang County?" Yan Wangchuan said with a smile. "Come with me to Qingzhou City. I'll take you to have your fortune told. I always feel that you're a young man with something special in your destiny. Otherwise, why would every fortune teller you have a bad experience with, and why would you be destined to meet someone you're not with? It's really strange!"

"Well----"

Gu Guanqi was taken aback for a moment, then said, "You really want to go to a fortune teller? Isn't that unnecessary?"

"Why wouldn't it be necessary?" Yan Wangchuan said. "I have a niece who is incredibly beautiful, and I'd like to act as your matchmaker. However, I always feel there's something strange about you, so I have to have someone calculate your birth chart first. Only if your birth chart is fine will I dare to act as your matchmaker!"

Gu Guanqi: "————"

That actually makes some sense!

"Are you going or not?" Yan Wangchuan asked. "It'll be snowing soon, and the snow scenery of Tianjun Mountain in Qingzhou City is the most spectacular in Qingzhou. Don't you really want to go see it?"

Gu Guanqi thought for a moment, then said, "Go!"

Yan Wangchuan chuckled and said, "That's right! Don't worry, as long as your destiny is fine, I'll take care of finding you a wife. I may not have much else, but I have plenty of friends. What family doesn't have a few daughters?"

Gu Guanqi smiled slightly and said, "Then I'll leave my marriage to you, Elder Yan!"

"Don't say that so soon," Yan Wangchuan quickly said, "I need to have your fortune told first. If you're destined to never find a wife, then I can't possibly be your matchmaker."

Gu Guanqi pursed his lips and said, "How can you believe in fortune telling for something like this?"

Yan Wangchuan smiled and said, "Others may not believe it, but the person I've found will definitely believe it. He's none other than Chu Wuwang, known as the number one fortune teller in Qingzhou. Countless people have paid exorbitant sums for his divination, and he's never been wrong. He's guaranteed to be accurate!"

"OK.

"6

Gu Guanqi was also quite curious about fortune tellers, and now that he had mastered the I Ching divination methods due to his Lingbo Weibu (a martial arts technique), he could try to see if he could truly see through some of the secrets of heaven.

"When do we depart?" Gu Guanqi asked.

"Tomorrow," Yan Wangchuan said. "I still have some things to finish up at the yamen."

"good!"

The next day, early morning.

As dawn broke, a misty fog enveloped the city of Tianping.

Gu Guanqi packed his belongings and left the inn.

Yan Wangchuan was already waiting at the entrance of the inn, followed by a team of more than twenty constables from the Six Doors, each with a weapon at their waist and looking very spirited.

Gu Guanqi looked around and sighed softly.

"Let's go," Yan Wangchuan said with a smile. "Don't bother looking. Miss Lin isn't here. Sometimes, it's better not to see her."

of. "

Gu Guanqi nodded and mounted his horse.

The group rode their horses along the long street toward the city gate, the clatter of hooves on the bluestone pavement sounding particularly crisp in the morning mist.

After walking for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, we arrived at the city gate.

Just outside the city gate, Gu Guanqi saw a familiar carriage parked by the roadside in the distance. It was Lin Yourong's ebony carriage, with her maid Meihua and a guard standing beside it.

Gu Guanqi was slightly taken aback and pulled on the reins.

Meihua leaned against the carriage window and whispered something.

Immediately, the carriage curtain was lifted slightly, and Lin Yourong peeked out.

She wore a light blue dress today, with a white jade hairpin in her hair, making her look simple and gentle.

The morning light shone from behind her, making her face appear soft and bright.

She looked at Gu Guanqi, a slight smile playing on her lips, and said, "You sent someone yesterday to tell me you were leaving today, but I haven't come to see you off yet. Are you feeling disappointed?"

Gu Guanqi smiled slightly, dismounted, and said, "I am quite disappointed."

Lin Yourong covered her mouth and chuckled softly, her laughter as clear and crisp as a bell, drifting in the morning breeze.

At this moment, Yan Wangchuan rode over, his gaze sweeping over the two of them. He laughed heartily and said to Gu Guanqi, "We'll wait for you up ahead. No rush, you and Miss Lin can chat at your leisure!"

With that, he waved his hand and led the constables onward. The sound of horses' hooves gradually faded into the distance and soon disappeared at the end of the official road.

The city gate fell silent, with only the rustling of the morning breeze through the treetops remaining.

Lin Yourong lifted the car curtain, extended her hand to Gu Guanqi, and said with a smile in her eyes, "Come on, get in the car, I have something to tell you."

Gu Guanqi was slightly taken aback, reached out and grasped her hand, stepped onto the bench, and climbed into the carriage.

The curtains fell, and the light inside the carriage became dim and soft.

Gu Guanqi had barely settled down and hadn't even had a chance to speak when Lin Yourong leaned in on him.

She wrapped one arm around Gu Guanqi's neck and braced the other hand against the car wall behind him, practically pressing her entire body against him.

Her warm breath brushed against Gu Guanqi's cheek, carrying a faint fragrance.

Then, she kissed him directly.

Gu Guanqi: "————"

The air inside the carriage seemed to become scalding hot.

After a long while, Lin Yourong slowly stepped back, her chest heaving and her breathing rapid and disordered. Her cheeks were flushed.

She quickly circulated her internal energy to regulate her breathing and said, "Thank goodness, my darling, you didn't lose control of your emotions!"

Gu Guanqi chuckled and said, "Miss Lin, perhaps this isn't quite appropriate?"

Lin Yourong leaned closer, their noses almost touching. Her eyes sparkled, but her tone held a hint of grievance: "What's wrong with it? I can't be a proper wife anymore, I can only be a mistress now, can't I even take advantage of her a little?"

She gently pressed her finger to Gu Guanqi's lips and said, "From now on, I wonder who will be hugging and kissing me every day. Sigh, what a useless mistress I am!"

Gu Guanqi: "————"

Lin Yourong reached out and tidied her slightly messy hair, then leaned close to Gu Guanqi's ear and whispered, "From now on, every time we meet, let's sneak a kiss like this, okay?"

Gu Guanqi said helplessly, "I refuse to answer such a difficult question."

"It sounds pretty exciting."

Lin Yourong stared at Gu Guanqi with anticipation.

Gu Guanqi immediately changed the subject, asking, "Has everything been settled with the Lin family?"

Lin Yourong sighed and said, "Grandpa has exhausted all his martial arts skills. He is old and recovers slowly. He is also injured and can no longer do anything."

Seventh Uncle—feeling ashamed to face the Lin family, left a few days ago to become a monk at Qingtai Temple. Perhaps some things are destined. A few years ago, Master Xuanbei of Qingtai Temple visited Jinxiu Manor and said that Seventh Uncle had a master-disciple relationship with him. At the time, no one took it seriously, but now it has come true.

Gu Guanqi nodded slightly and then asked, "What about your second uncle's family?"

Lin Yourong shook her head slightly and said, "Second Uncle has locked himself in his house and won't see anyone. Youfeng and Youhui, the brother and sister, have also left, without saying where they're going!"

Gu Guanqi shook his head slightly, unsure of what to say for a moment.

"Let's not talk about that anymore. I've prepared something for you."

Lin Yourong picked up a blue cloth bundle from beside her seat. The bundle was quite large and bulging.

She placed the bundle on her lap, untied the ribbon, and revealed the clothes inside.

"I haven't come to see you these past few days because I was thinking of making a few more clothes for you," she said, handing the clothes to Gu Guanqi. "There are clothes for all four seasons, so please keep them safe."

As Gu Guanqi took the clothes, his gaze inadvertently fell on Lin Yourong's hands.

Those once fair and slender hands were now covered with tiny needle marks on the fingertips and pads, some of which had scabbed over, while others were still faintly red.

He said in a low voice, "There's no need for that."

Lin Yourong smiled and said, "I just need to control my emotions and desires, not cut off all feelings and desires. Knowing we'll be parting soon, I should sew you a few clothes by hand, so you'll have something to remember me by!"

Gu Guanqi remained silent for a moment, then carefully wrapped the bundle and said softly, "Thank you!"

Lin Yourong smiled, a bright and radiant smile, like a ray of warm sunshine in winter.

"Alright, I won't keep you on your way any longer. There are so many people waiting for you."

Gu Guanqi nodded, picked up his bundle, and got off the carriage.

Just as Gu Guanqi was about to mount his horse, "Guanqi!"

Lin Yourong suddenly shouted.

Gu Guanqi turned his head.

Lin Yourong lifted the carriage curtain, revealing a faint smile: "I know it's hard for me to keep up with your pace. But I'll always be here. If you ever get tired, you can always come here to rest."

After a pause, she looked directly at Gu Guanqi and said, "I've always been here!"

The morning breeze ruffled the stray hairs at her temples, which shimmered faintly in the sunlight.

Gu Guanqi looked at her, remained silent for a moment, then smiled slightly. He didn't speak, but simply waved to Lin Yourong, then mounted his horse, spurred it on, and galloped towards the official road.

The clatter of horses' hooves echoed on the dirt road, kicking up fine dust that drifted away in the morning light.

Lin Yourong sat in the carriage, lifting the curtain, her gaze following the departing figure.

The figure grew farther and farther away on the official road, becoming smaller and smaller until it gradually turned into a tiny dot and finally disappeared at the boundary between the morning mist and the sunlight.

She slowly lowered her hand that was holding the carriage curtain, and the curtain fell, obscuring her face in the dimly lit carriage.

"Miss----"

Meihua stood beside the carriage and called out cautiously.

There was a moment of silence in the carriage before Lin Yourong's voice came through, so calm that it revealed no emotion: "Let's go back."

Meihua responded and jumped onto the carriage shaft.

The carriage slowly turned around, its wheels rolling over the dirt road with a dull thud, heading back the way it had come.

The city gate was quiet again, with only the morning breeze still blowing, carrying the chill of late autumn and early winter, swirling up a few withered leaves on the ground.