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

Chapter 87 Fortune Telling and Jiang Baili

Gu Guanqi followed Yan Wangchuan from Tianping County, and it took them a full twenty days to reach Qingzhou City.

The reason it took so long was not because Qingzhou City was really that far from Tianping County, but because Yan Wangchuan harbored resentment and deliberately delayed returning to report, which is why it took so long.

During this period, the turmoil caused by the Guanyin Sect did not diminish at all; on the contrary, it intensified. In particular, after rumors circulated that the Guanyin Sect might establish a branch in Qingzhou, the martial arts world of Qingzhou was thrown into an uproar.

However, Gu Guanqi didn't pay much attention to it.

After arriving in Qingzhou City, he stayed at Yan Wangchuan's house.

Yan Wangchuan has a residence in Qingzhou City, which was prepared for him by the government. However, Yan Wangchuan's family is all in Qingyang City and did not come with him, so the huge residence is occupied by just the two of them.

Gu Guanqi was happy to have some peace and quiet.

After all, he was very familiar with Yan Wangchuan, but he didn't know anyone in Yan Wangchuan's family. If Yan Wangchuan's whole family were here, he really wouldn't feel comfortable living here.

Several days passed in this stay.

Yan Wangchuan has been reporting back and finishing up the events that happened in Tianping County, leaving early and returning late every day.

On the fourth day at noon, while Gu Guanqi was having lunch, Yan Wangchuan returned, walking with a brisk pace, his face beaming with smiles, extremely excited.

Gu Guanqi asked in confusion, "Old Yan, what good thing has happened?"

Yan Wangchuan sat down opposite Gu Guanqi, put the knife on the table, and said, "Today, the Commander of the Garrison summoned all the high-ranking members of the Six Doors for a meeting. I took the opportunity to vent my anger, pointed at the Commander of the Garrison's nose and cursed him. I finally got my revenge."

Gu Guanqi gave a thumbs up and said, "You're really brave! If I remember correctly, the Six Doors' Garrison Commander is none other than Ma Wanli, the Golden Mace Venerable among the Three Venerables and Four Sects, right?"

Yan Wangchuan curled his lip and said, "So what? His martial arts are better than mine, but I just insulted him. Does he dare to hit me? This is the Six Doors, not some underground gang. Besides, he's in the wrong. Since he knew about the Guanyin Sect, he still made me investigate the Heavenly Demon Sect, making me a laughingstock. He's simply not human!"

Gu Guanqi laughed and said, "Aren't you afraid he'll target you later?"

Yan Wangchuan chuckled and said, "What's there to be afraid of? Anyway, I'm already this old. I'd love for him to marginalize me and make me a nobody. I'd like to do nothing and enjoy my leisure time."

As he spoke, Yan Wangchuan poured himself a cup of tea, waved his hand, and said, "Let's not talk about this anymore. You should eat quickly, and after you finish eating, come with me to find Chu Wuwang to tell your fortune."

"Uh—" Gu Guanqi paused for a moment, then said, "You're really going?"

"We have to go," Yan Wangchuan said. "You're a bit strange, kid."

Gu Guanqi chuckled and said, "Alright!" Then he asked, "But, Elder Yan, is this fortune teller you mentioned really reliable?"

Yan Wangchuan chuckled and said, "I don't know if the other fortune tellers are any good, but Chu Wuwang is definitely one."

Gu Guanqi asked疑惑地问道, "Why are you so sure?"

Yan Wangchuan said, "Because Chu Wuwang has a predestined affinity with immortals and has received guidance from an immortal!"

Gu Guanqi asked doubtfully, "Is this true? Or just a legend?"

"I think it's fake, but Chu Wuwang insists he encountered an immortal. I've known him for many years, and he's always firmly believed he met an immortal," Yan Wangchuan said. "You know about Wangchen Mountain, right?"

Gu Guanqi nodded.

Wangchen Mountain is the largest and most mysterious mountain in Qingzhou. Half of the legends about immortals and hermits in Qingzhou are about Wangchen Mountain. Because Wangchen Mountain is boundless and vast, no one can explore it completely, so it inspires endless imagination.

Yan Wangchuan continued, "Chu Wuwang obtained his opportunity in Wangchen Mountain. About forty-five years ago, Chu Wuwang and his friend You Jinxiang were being chased by their enemies in the martial arts world and broke into Wangchen Mountain."

According to his description, the two of them entered the immortal realm in the blink of an eye. Inside, they encountered an immortal who could fly through the clouds, who said that they were destined to be together and could become his disciples.

The two were desperate and, without hesitation, immediately knelt down and begged to become the immortal's disciple. Afterwards, the immortal said that their karmic affinity with the immortals was insufficient, and they could only learn some mortal arts. Finally, he taught them the art of fortune-telling.

Finally, after three years in the secret realm, the immortal said their fate had run its course and let them descend the mountain. In the following years, Chu Wuwang and You Jinxiang became renowned fortune tellers; Chu Wuwang was known as the Golden Fortune Teller, and You Jinxiang as the Silver Fortune Teller, becoming honored guests of countless high-ranking officials and martial arts masters.

Gu Guanqi frowned and said, "Is it really that legendary?"

Yan Wangchuan said, "What Chu Wuwang told me was that he spent three years in the secret realm and witnessed many immortal techniques. According to his descriptions, they were indeed supernatural abilities, such as flying through the clouds, transmitting sound over long distances, and retrieving objects from a distance. Later, he went back many times, but he was unable to find that secret realm again."

Gu Guanqi asked in confusion, "That's not right, why haven't I heard of the Silver Calculator?"

"Oh, that," Yan Wangchuan smiled and said, "After You Jinxiang became famous, she realized one day that her luck had run out. So, at the height of her fame, she married an unknown nobody, and from then on, she devoted herself to her husband and children, retiring from the world of martial arts. She let go of fame and fortune without hesitation!"

"So decisive?" Gu Guanqi asked in surprise.

Yan Wangchuan said, "And Chu Wuwang was no less so. He foresaw that he was destined to suffer a calamity, and in order to avoid it, he did not leave Qingzhou City for a full twenty years."

Gu Guanqi was greatly shocked and said, "That's amazing? I definitely have to go and see for myself!"

He quickly finished his meal and then followed Yan Wangchuan out the door.

After walking for about half an hour, we arrived at a three-courtyard house in a secluded alley.

Yan Wangchuan stepped forward and knocked on the door.

The gatekeeper recognized Yan Wangchuan and quickly invited him and Gu Guanqi inside, while another gatekeeper ran off to announce their arrival.

A moment later, an old man hurried out of the hall to greet them.

The old man was about seventy years old, thin, with white hair and beard, and a gaunt face. He wore a gray Taoist robe and held a whisk in his hand. He looked quite like a Taoist immortal. He was none other than the fortune teller Chu Wuwang.

"Haha, Brother Yan, we've been waiting for you!" Chu Wuwang strode forward and bowed.

Yan Wangchuan quickly returned the greeting with a cupped hand and asked with a smile, "Brother, am I disturbing you?"

Chu Wuwang said with a smile, "What's the bother? Last time you came to see me, you said you were coming to Qingzhou City to take up a post and that you could come to see me for tea often. I was so happy that I specially prepared some good tea. But look at you, it's been more than a month since we last met, and you haven't come at all!"

Yan Wangchuan quickly replied, "Sigh, there's really no other way. I didn't expect to have a mission so soon after taking office. I went to Tianping County and stayed there for so long. I just got back!"

"Sigh, let's not talk about that. It's good that you're here." Chu Wuwang held Yan Wangchuan's arm, then looked at Gu Guanqi and asked, "Which junior member of your family is this? My old eyes are getting blurry, I didn't recognize him!"

"I would like this young man to be a junior in my family, but I don't have that honor," Yan Wangchuan said with a slight smile. "Brother, let me introduce you properly. This is Gu Guanqi, the famous sword immortal of Qingzhou martial arts world. You must have heard rumors about him these days, right?"

Chu Wuwang's eyes were immediately filled with surprise.

Gu Guanqi cupped his hands in greeting and smiled slightly, "Greetings, Senior Chu."

Chu Wuwang took a deep breath and looked Gu Guanqi up and down several times before he came to his senses. He quickly cupped his hands in a salute and said, "Oh dear, it's actually a sword immortal in front of me! I'm truly old and blind, I didn't recognize a great person like you. I'm so sorry for my neglect, please come in, please come in!"

"Please, senior!" Gu Guanqi bowed.

The three then entered the hall, and after they took their seats, Chu Wuwang hurriedly invited people to serve tea.

The servant quickly brought up the tea and then stepped aside.

"Drink tea, drink tea—"

Chu Wuwang quickly invited the two to have some tea.

Afterwards, the group started chatting.

Of course, it was mainly Yan Wangchuan and Chu Wuwang who were talking, while Gu Guanqi listened from the side and occasionally answered a few questions when asked.

After chatting with Chu Wuwang for a long time, Yan Wangchuan finally revealed the purpose of his visit: "By the way, old brother, the main reason I've come to bother you today is to bring Gu Guanqi along. I'd like you to tell my fortune about his marriage. This young man seems to have a rather bumpy road when it comes to marriage. He's been on dates with several girls, but every single one of them turned out to be unlucky. It's quite strange. Would it be convenient for you to tell his fortune today?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Wuwang said, "That's easy. I'll cast a divination for Master Gu. I can't speak for anything else, but when it comes to matters of marriage, I'm pretty sure of it."

Gu Guanqi quickly said, "Thank you very much, Senior Chu!"

"No need to be so polite," Chu Wuwang waved his hand and said, "However, before I begin, I must make things clear to you, Master Gu. So-called fortune telling is simply a matter of an ordinary person finding a little bit of the laws governing the world and then using those laws to try and understand the causes and effects in the unseen world."

To be honest, we're just ordinary people; we can't possibly see things too clearly. Besides, our understanding isn't deep enough, so sometimes what we see is like the blind men and the elephant. Therefore, as for fortune-telling, just listen to it, laugh it off, and don't take it too seriously!

"Alright, thank you for your guidance, senior." Gu Guanqi cupped his hands and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you!"

Chu Wuwang asked again, "Master Gu, could you tell me your birth date and time?"

Gu Guanqi recited his birth date and time.

Chu Wuwang nodded, took out three ancient bronze coins from his sleeve, placed them in his palm, clasped his hands together, closed his eyes and concentrated for a moment, and then gently tossed the coins onto the table.

"Ding ding ding—"

With three crisp sounds, the copper coin bounced twice on the table before settling down.

After looking at the divination results, Chu Wuwang closed his eyes and began to calculate with his fingers.

After a while, he opened his eyes.

Yan Wangchuan quickly asked, "How is it? Has his marriage prospects improved?"

"It's moved, it's moved," Chu Wuwang said with a slight smile, stroking his beard, "Master Gu's marriage has taken a turn for the better—"

However, before he could finish speaking, Chu Wuwang's smile suddenly froze.

His brows furrowed sharply, his eyes fixed on the divination chart on the table. He calculated with his fingers for a moment, then let out a soft "Huh?" "Something's not right—why is it moving again?"

Yan Wangchuan and Gu Guanqi exchanged a glance, both seeing confusion in each other's eyes.

"No, brother, what do you mean by 'moved and moved again'?" Yan Wangchuan couldn't help but ask.

Chu Wuwang frowned, pondered for a long while, and then said, "Master Gu, this divination is a bit strange!"

Yan Wangchuan quickly asked, "What's wrong?"

Chu Wuwang looked at Gu Guanqi with some suspicion and said, "The divination shows that Master Gu's marriages are already complete. And not just complete, but several marriages have already occurred!"

Gu Guanqi: "??"

Yan Wangchuan frowned and said, "Brother, you must be mistaken. I know Gu Guanqi's situation. He has been asked to have a match several times, but it has never worked out."

Chu Wuwang took a deep breath and said, "Let me do another divination."

After saying that, he picked up the copper coins again and began to divine the future.

When the hexagram was finalized, Chu Wuwang exclaimed "Eh!" and muttered, "Strange!"

Yan Wangchuan asked, "What's wrong now?"

Chu Wuwang looked up blankly and said, "The divination indicates—Master Gu's marriage prospects are starting to change again!"

Yan Wangchuan said helplessly, "Brother, what are you looking at? Look carefully!"

"it is good."

Chu Wuwang cast the divination again. This time, his brows furrowed deeply, and he let out another "Eh."

"What's wrong?" Yan Wangchuan asked.

"This marriage is just around the corner, but there aren't any eligible women in my family!"

Just then, a servant entered, cupped his hands, and said, "Master, someone has come to visit. She claims to be your senior sister, surnamed You, and she has brought a young lady with her!"

Yan Wangchuan and Chu Wuwang both looked at Gu Guanqi instantly.

Gu Guanqi: "??"

Just then, Chu Wuwang suddenly stood up abruptly, his expression somewhat excited, and looked at the servant, asking, "Who did you just say? My senior sister?"

"Yes," the servant replied, "his surname is You!"

Chu Wuwang took a deep breath and quickly bowed to Yan Wangchuan and Gu Guanqi, saying, "Brother Yan, Hero Gu, I must excuse myself. I haven't seen my senior sister for ten years!"

Yan Wangchuan asked, "Is it You Jinxiang, who was once known as one of the 'Silver Calculators' alongside you?"

Chu Wuwang said, "I only have this one senior sister! Please have a seat, I'll excuse myself for a moment!"

After saying that, Chu Wuwang hurriedly walked out.

Watching Chu Wuwang leave in a hurry, Gu Guanqi whispered, "Is that the one Senior Chu encountered with by chance at the Immortal Realm back then?"

Yan Wangchuan nodded and said, "It can only be that one!"

Chu Wuwang hurriedly walked to the front yard.

Upon entering the courtyard, I saw an elderly woman with a full head of white hair standing there. She was thin and dressed in a gray cloth dress, leaning on a black cane with a shiny, worn tip. Her face was covered with wrinkles, and her skin was loose and sagging.

Although they hadn't seen each other for many years, Chu Wuwang recognized her at a glance; it was none other than his senior sister, You Jinxiang.

Beside Eugene stood a woman in white.

The woman wore a plain white long dress, the hem of which reached her feet and swayed gently in the breeze like ripples on the water. A white silk sash was tied around her waist, perfectly outlining her slender waist.

She wore a bamboo hat with a white veil hanging from the edge. The veil was so thin that a hazy outline could be vaguely seen through it, but it was never clear.

She stood there, utterly still, like a painting. As the wind blew, her skirt and veil fluttered gently, her figure appearing somewhat ethereal in the light and shadow, as if she might vanish with the wind at any moment, or perhaps like a pristine being emerging from the deep mountains, untouched by the dust of the world.

Even though he couldn't see the face, Chu Wuwang was startled, feeling as if an immortal had descended to earth.

Immediately, Chu Wuwang stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Senior Sister—"

He paused, a hint of emotion in his voice, "I thought I'd never have the chance to see my senior sister again in this lifetime!"

Yu Jinxiang, leaning on her cane, looked up at him, a gentle smile flashing in her clear eyes, and slowly said, "Junior brother, you've gotten old!"

Chu Wuwang gave a wry smile and said, "Senior Sister, I'm over seventy years old. How can I not be old?"

He sighed and quickly asked, "Senior Sister, it's been ten whole years since I last saw you. Ten years ago, you wrote me a letter and left without saying where you went. I went to your house to look for you, but your children only said you went on a long trip; they didn't even know where you were. Where have you been all these years?"

You Jinxiang pondered for a moment and then said, "Junior brother, I have spent the past ten years in Wangchen Mountain."

Chu Wuwang's pupils contracted, and he exclaimed in surprise, "You—you saw Master again?"

You Jinxiang nodded and said, "I did see my master, but—some things might not be what you think. There are no immortals in this world!"

Chu Wuwang paused for a moment, then asked, "What do you mean?"

You Jinxiang said, "Actually, Master was just a martial arts master who also knew some unorthodox techniques. However, we were both young and inexperienced back then. Master was bored in the mountains, so he pretended to be an immortal to amuse us and pass the time. As for the secret realm, it was actually a strange formation that Master set up around it. Neither of us had studied strange formations, so naturally we couldn't figure out the secrets."

Chu Wuwang remained silent for a while, then smiled slightly and said, "I see. Actually, I've basically guessed it over the years. However, regardless of whether he's an immortal or not, Master is still our Master. He saved our lives, and it was he who taught us the Dharma, enabling us to avenge our grievances and gain fame and fortune in this mortal world!"

You Jinxiang smiled slightly and said, "That's why I've stayed in Wangchen Mountain for ten years, without contact with the outside world, to repay my master's kindness."

Chu Wuwang quickly asked, "What are you going there to do?"

You Jinxiang said, "Ten years ago, my master suddenly found me with a little girl."

As she spoke, You Jinxiang pointed to the woman in white beside her and said, "Her surname is Jiang, her name is Jiang Baili, and she is an orphan."

Fifteen years ago, she was found by her master. She was exceptionally talented, and her master, unwilling to let such a gem go to waste, took her in as his last disciple.

However, since she was a girl and my master was a man, it became inconvenient for him to take care of her as she grew older. So, for the past five years, I've been taking care of her in Wangchen Mountain. Because my master dislikes being disturbed, I haven't told anyone. I only ask him to send a letter home every year to let them know I'm safe.

Chu Wuwang nodded and said, "I see. How is Master's health?"

You Jinxiang said, "Although he is not a true immortal, his abilities are extraordinary. Although he is over a hundred years old, he is much healthier than either of us!"

"That's good, that's good," Chu Wuwang nodded, then asked, "So, why have you come down from the mountain now?"

You Jinxiang sighed and said, "It's because my junior sister's cultivation went wrong. A cold energy backfired in her body, directly attacking her heart meridian. My master had just gone down the mountain to travel the day before, and I am old, have mediocre martial arts skills, and do not know any medical skills, so I could only take my junior sister down the mountain."

However, I have been retired from the martial world for many years and cannot find a renowned doctor to treat her. After much thought, I have no choice but to come to Qingzhou City to seek your help.

.

Chu Wuwang quickly asked, "Is the cold energy backlash serious?"

You Jinxiang's expression was grave. "It's very serious," she said. "If I don't get treatment soon, my life may be in danger. Junior brother, please help me find a renowned doctor!"

After saying this, You Jinxiang bowed to Chu Wuwang.

Chu Wuwang quickly took You Jinxiang's arm and said, "Senior Sister, when did things become so distant between us?"

You Jinxiang quickly replied, "Then please hurry, Junior Brother!"

Chu Wuwang frowned and said, "Senior Sister, actually, we have a renowned doctor in our dormitory right now. This person has superb medical skills and is also a martial arts grandmaster. He is definitely better than ordinary famous doctors at treating internal injuries!"

Upon hearing this, You Jinxiang was overjoyed and quickly asked, "Then could you please ask him to treat me?"

"It should be possible, but—" Chu Wuwang looked troubled.

Seeing this, You Jinxiang quickly asked, "Junior brother, is there something troubling you?"

Chu Wuwang frowned and said, "It's not that it's difficult, it's just that—"

Chu Wuwang thought for a moment and said, "Senior sister, to tell you the truth, just moments before you arrived, I cast a divination for that grandmaster to predict his marriage."

The divination indicated that his marriage was imminent, and coming soon. I was wondering why, since there were no eligible unmarried women in my household, you arrived with your junior sister!

You Jinxiang was taken aback at first, then said, "Junior brother, have you been so blinded by fame and fortune these past years that you've even lost your skills? Junior sister is only eighteen, while the one in your household, since she's a grandmaster, must be at least forty or fifty years old. What are you talking about marriage with here?"

Chu Wuwang shook his head slightly and said, "Senior Sister, the Grandmaster in my dormitory is only twenty years old!"

You Jinxiang was shocked and said, "I've only been away for ten years, and the level of martial arts in Qingzhou has reached this level?"

"That's not it," Chu Wuwang said. "He's the only one who has emerged. It's just that he hasn't been around for very long. I'm afraid that in a few years, the level of martial arts in Qingzhou might be raised because of him."

You Jinxiang breathed a slight sigh of relief and said, "Such a prodigy is understandable, but... Junior Sister—"

I simply cannot imagine how she could have gotten married!

Chu Wuwang asked in confusion, "Why do you say that?"

You Jinxiang sighed and said, "Since she can remember, she has always lived in Wangchen Mountain and has never had contact with outsiders. She is ignorant of the ways of the world—to be specific, I don't know how to describe it. You'll find out when the time comes. Hmm, why don't you introduce us to that grandmaster now and see if he can heal our junior sister's injuries?"

"Alright," Chu Wuwang nodded, gesturing, "Senior Sister, please; Junior Sister, please."

You Jinxiang turned to Jiang Baili, who had been standing there motionless without saying a word the whole time, and said, "Junior Sister, let's go."

""

"it is good."

Jiang Baili's voice was clear and gentle, like the sound of a jade chime, yet it also seemed to carry a hint of coldness.

She walked straight ahead.

She had only taken two steps when she suddenly stopped and asked, "Senior sister, what is fate?"

You Jinxiang was slightly taken aback, and explained, "It's the destiny that leads to marriage, um—marriage is husband and wife, a man and a woman living together."

"Oh," Jiang Baili said in a flat, emotionless voice, "It's like the couple we stayed with yesterday; they sleep in the same room at night."

"This—" Eugenia hesitated for a moment, then said, "Yes—right!"

Jiang Baili slowly raised her hand and pointed to the inner courtyard. Her fingers were slender, and her skin was as white as jade. She slowly asked, "So, will I be sleeping in the same room as the people inside from now on?"

You Jinxiang quickly said, "Junior Sister, you can't understand it like that. You—" She pointed at Chu Wuwang and said, "The marriage that your Senior Brother Chu calculated may not necessarily be you."

"Oh, I see." Jiang Baili then said, "Then, Senior Sister You, would you like to have your fortune told?"

You Jinxiang hesitated for a moment, then said, "Alright, Junior Sister, you are indeed at the age where you should be thinking about marriage."

.

After saying that, You Jinxiang took out a few copper coins, turned her head to Chu Wuwang and said, "Junior brother, tell me that person's birthday."

Immediately, Chu Wuwang informed Gu Guanqi of her birthday.

You Jinxiang immediately began casting a divination.

Then, she looked at the divination results and fell silent.

Jiang Baili asked, "How is it?"

You Jinxiang was silent for a moment, then said, "There is indeed a predestined relationship!"

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