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

Chapter 90 A Sudden Realization

Immediately, Gu Guanqi and Yan Wangchuan went to the Chu family.

The two had barely entered when Chu Wuwang and You Jinxiang came out to greet them.

"Brother Yan, Master Gu, please come in, please come in!"

Chu Wuwang smiled and cupped his hands in greeting, leading the two inside. You Jinxiang followed beside them, leaning on her cane.

Upon arriving at the hall, the guests and hosts took their seats, and the servants served tea before leaving.

Gu Guanqi picked up his teacup, took a sip, and without beating around the bush, said directly, "Senior Chu, Senior You, I must leave Qingzhou City tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, both Chu Wuwang and You Jinxiang's expressions changed.

Chu Wuwang quickly asked, "Master Gu, is there something urgent?"

Gu Guanqi said, "I only received the invitation today. The Sword Inquiry Sect is about to hold a martial arts conference. The time is very short!"

""

Then, Gu Guanqi recounted the whole story.

"—Wen Qiuchi specifically asked me to go, saying that she wanted to settle a personal grudge." Gu Guanqi put down his teacup, his tone calm. "Senior Chu should have heard about the grudge between me and Wen Qiuchi. I killed her disciple, and my two senior brothers also died at my hands. I can't avoid the grudge between us, so this trip to Wenjian Mountain is a must."

However, this departure will delay Miss Jiang's treatment. Therefore, I've come today to discuss a plan with you two senior practitioners: should we seek out another more skilled physician? There are still four days until the next acupuncture session. I can wait four more days, administer the second acupuncture treatment to Miss Jiang, and then leave. That will make a total of nine days. With nine days, we should be able to find someone who can treat Miss Jiang.”

You Jinxiang and Chu Wuwang exchanged a glance.

Both of them knew that given Jiang Baili's internal injuries, ordinary people simply couldn't treat him. Nine days seemed like plenty of time, but in reality, it wasn't certain that they could find someone capable of healing him.

Chu Wuwang asked, "Master Gu, when will the martial arts tournament be held?"

"Next month on the fifteenth," Gu Guanqi said, "there are still seventeen days left."

"This—" Chu Wuwang said, "The Sword Inquiry Sect is in Duanjiang County, which is right next to Yunzhou. Seventeen days is not enough time; we must travel at full speed, as a carriage will not be able to make it in time."

As he spoke, he looked at You Jinxiang and said, "Senior Sister, I'm afraid your health can't withstand more than ten days of fast riding!"

Yu Jinxiang looked troubled.

Just then, a clear, cold voice came from outside the door—

"I'll go with Gu Guanqi by myself."

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Jiang Baili standing at the door. She was still wearing a plain white dress, her black hair cascading down her shoulders, and her aloof and ethereal face appeared even whiter and more translucent in the sunlight.

She stood there quietly, as if she had become one with the scenery outside the door.

You Jinxiang was slightly taken aback and said, "Junior Sister, you have never traveled the martial world before, and this is your first time even going down the mountain. How can you go to Duanjiang County? Besides, the martial arts conference is being held there right now, and it's a time when all sorts of people are mixed together. If you get lost, I won't be able to explain it to Master!"

Jiang Baili looked at Gu Guanqi and said, "Wouldn't it be fine if I just followed him? Wherever he goes, I'll go, and I won't get lost."

You Jinxiang quickly shook her head and said, "This is inappropriate—"

Chu Wuwang interrupted You Jinxiang, saying, "Senior Sister, I think—Junior Sister's method is feasible. To be honest, when traveling the martial world, Junior Sister is much safer following Hero Gu than following you!"

"this----"

"Furthermore, Junior Sister's injury is an internal injury, which ordinary doctors simply cannot treat. I am also not confident that I can find a renowned doctor who can heal Junior Sister!"

Yu Jinxiang's eyes held a hint of seriousness. After pondering for a long time, her gaze shifted back and forth between Gu Guanqi and Jiang Baili several times. Finally, she sighed and nodded: "Very well."

She cupped her hands to Gu Guanqi and said, "Great Hero Gu, I'll trouble you to take care of my junior sister along the way."

77

Gu Guanqi quickly replied, "It was no trouble at all!"

Jiang Baili stood still, and seeing that the matter was settled, she said nothing more.

At this moment, Yan Wangchuan stood up, patted Gu Guanqi on the shoulder, and said with a smile, "Alright, alright, since it's settled, let's go back. Gu Guanqi still needs to pack her luggage; we have to travel early tomorrow morning."

Gu Guanqi then bowed to Chu Wuwang and You Jinxiang to take his leave.

The group walked out of the hall, crossed the courtyard, and Gu Guanqi and Yan Wangchuan went out the door.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Baili followed them out the door.

Gu Guanqi asked with a puzzled look, "Miss Jiang, what's going on?"

"We just agreed that I would follow you," Jiang Baili said.

Gu Guanqi quickly replied, "Not now, it starts tomorrow. I'll come find you tomorrow morning, and then you can come with me."

"it is good."

Jiang Baili nodded.

The next day, early morning.

Gu Guanqi packed his belongings, slung his bag over his shoulder, and walked towards the Chu family with Yan Wangchuan.

Upon arriving at the Chu family's gate, Chu Wuwang and You Jinxiang were already waiting outside. Jiang Baili stood beside You Jinxiang, still dressed in a plain white dress, with a blue cloth bundle on her back.

Upon seeing Gu Guanqi arrive, You Jinxiang hurried forward and said to him, "Great Hero Gu, I entrust my junior sister to you. Please take good care of her. My junior sister has never left the mountain and has never had contact with outsiders. If she offends anyone on the way, please don't hold it against her. Remember, when we return, I will apologize on her behalf!"

Jiang Baili stood to the side, her expression calm and revealing no emotion.

Gu Guanqi could sense You Jinxiang's worry. Although she called her "junior sister," she had taken care of her for ten years, practically like his own granddaughter. He cupped his hands and said, "Senior, don't worry, Miss Jiang will be fine with me."

You Jinxiang then took Jiang Baili's hand and began to instruct her, "Junior Sister, listen to Master Gu on the way, don't run around, and don't cause him any trouble—"

Jiang Baili looked at You Jinxiang, her face still expressionless, she just nodded slightly and didn't say anything.

At this moment, Yan Wangchuan walked up to Gu Guanqi, took out a neatly folded map from his pocket, handed it to Gu Guanqi, and said in a low voice, "This is the route map to Wenjian Mountain. I went to the Six Doors specifically to get it last night. It's the most accurate one. Just follow it. And one more thing," he paused, gently patted Gu Guanqi's shoulder, and said, "Gu Guanqi, that Wen Qiuchi is no ordinary person. When you get to Wenjian Mountain, you must act cautiously. If things become unbearable, don't be reckless and come back quickly. With this old man like me in Qingzhou City, no matter how arrogant Wen Qiuchi is, with my identity as a member of the Six Doors, she won't dare to break into my house. I can protect you!"

Gu Guanqi took the map, put it in his pocket, and cupped his hands, saying, "Don't worry, Elder Yan, the thing I'm worst at is showing off!"

'

Yan Wangchuan nodded, put his hand on Gu Guanqi's shoulder, opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything. He just patted him and said, "Be careful!"

Gu Guanqi nodded and mounted his horse.

At the same time, Jiang Baili also rode over on horseback.

Gu Guanqi and Jiang Baili traveled north along the official road.

This departure lasted for several days.

The two traveled day and night without encountering any major problems. Along the way, Gu Guanqi even administered acupuncture to Jiang Baili once.

Over the course of a few days, the initial awkwardness between the two gradually dissipated.

However, they weren't particularly close, because Jiang Baili was aloof and didn't talk much. Occasionally, she would ask a few questions that were unconventional, making Gu Guanqi chuckle.

That afternoon, the two arrived in a county town called Luoxia County.

The county town was rather deserted. Gu Guanqi searched for quite a while before finally finding a small inn.

The inn was quite old, with only three or four guests here and there.

However, being quiet has its advantages; the food is served very quickly.

Gu Guanqi picked up his chopsticks, ready to eat, when he heard the sound of horses' hooves coming from the doorway.

He turned his head to look.

Outside the inn, a man and a woman rode in on two tall horses. Both were dressed as江湖人士 (jianghu figures, people of the martial arts world). The man was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with a strong build, wearing a blue robe and a single-edged sword at his waist. The woman was younger, around twenty-three or twenty-four years old, wearing a light green close-fitting outfit, a short sword at her waist, and had delicate features.

The man dismounted first, then took the woman's hand and helped her down the horse. They then walked into the inn. Gu Guanqi glanced at them and turned back, only to find that Jiang Baili's gaze followed them until they entered the lobby. Only then did she look away and turn to Gu Guanqi.

"Why did that man take that woman's hand and dismount?" Jiang Baili asked, her tone tinged with doubt.

Gu Guanqi said in a low voice, "It's probably because they're in love."

"Affectionate," Jiang Baili blinked, thought for a moment, and then asked, "So, they are husband and wife?"

"It should be."

Gu Guanqi nodded.

The two were not very old, and they were very intimate in these situations without any hesitation. Generally speaking, even if they were not a married couple, they were lovers with a very good relationship.

The man and woman walked in at that moment. As was the custom of people in the martial arts world, they first scanned the inn. When they saw Jiang Baili, they were both slightly stunned, amazed by Jiang Baili's appearance.

"What a beautiful girl!" the woman in green said softly.

The man in blue robes kept his eyes straight ahead and said in a low voice, "Really? I didn't even notice!"

The woman in green rolled her eyes and chuckled.

The two then sat down at a table further inside. The waiter approached them, took their order, and then left.

While eating, Jiang Baili would occasionally glance at the two people.

Gu Guanqi asked疑惑地问道, "Miss Jiang, why have you been spying on them?"

Jiang Baili turned her head to look at Gu Guanqi, her expression serious: "I'm just observing how couples get along."

Gu Guanqi chuckled and said, "What's so interesting about this?"

"some."

Just then, Jiang Baili saw the man in blue pick up his chopsticks, take a piece of meat, and put it into the woman's bowl.

Jiang Baili's gaze darted back and forth between the man and the woman twice before she turned to look at Gu Guanqi and gently pushed the bowl in front of him.

Gu Guanqi asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"

Jiang Baili said, "I'll wait for you to serve me some food."

Gu Guanqi was taken aback for a moment, then asked, "Why?"

Jiang Baili said, "I saw that man putting food on his wife's plate. It seems that's how it is between husband and wife."

Gu Guanqi smiled helplessly and said, "Miss Jiang, that's not certain. Besides, we're not husband and wife."

Jiang Baili looked at him, her gaze clear and earnest: "But we will be together from now on."

Gu Guanqi asked, puzzled, "Miss Jiang, is it really because your senior brothers and sisters did the divination that you are so convinced that we are destined to be together?"

Jiang Baili shook his head slightly and said, "Mainly, I also sensed it myself. I cultivate the Great Dao of Heaven-Man Interaction. When I am with you, I can feel the guidance from the unseen."

"This kind of idealistic cultivation is indeed a powerful reason." Gu Guanqi chuckled lightly, shook his head slightly, and said, "However, no one can predict the future. We're not even familiar with each other yet, are we?"

Jiang Baili asked, puzzled, "Why aren't we familiar with each other? We've been together for so many days already."

Gu Guanqi asked doubtfully, "Do you think we're very close?"

Jiang Baili nodded seriously and said, "We're very familiar. You're the third person I'm familiar with."

17

Gu Guanqi chuckled, "How many people do you even know?"

"Five," Jiang Baili said. "But you're second only to Master and Senior Sister You, so I'm quite familiar with you."

Gu Guanqi chuckled softly, just about to speak.

Suddenly, at the table on the inside, the woman in green, whether intentionally or not, picked up a piece of meat and put it in the man's bowl, then glanced in Jiang Baili's direction with a smile on her lips.

Jiang Baili's gaze lingered on the woman's chopsticks for a moment, then he nodded as if suddenly realizing something.

She turned her head, picked up the chopsticks on the table, took a piece of braised meat from the plate, and carefully put it into Gu Guanqi's bowl.

Then she put down her chopsticks, looked up at Gu Guanqi, and asked, "Is that so?"

Gu Guanqi: "————"

Finally, Gu Guanqi ate the meal with some trepidation, always worried that the two people inside might do something to attract Jiang Baili's attention.

Fortunately, the two did not make any further moves.

The two ate very quickly. Although they arrived a little later than Gu Guanqi and Jiang Baili, they finished eating and left first.

Then, the man in blue helped the woman in green mount her horse.

Upon seeing this action, Jiang Baili's eyes lit up again, and he suddenly realized!