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

Chapter 93 Brother and Little Fish

Outside Huangshan Village, there is a large mountain.

At that moment, the band of bandits was traveling through the mountains. Dozens of torches illuminated the surroundings.

The leader was a middle-aged man, around forty years old, with a burly and robust build, a full beard, broad shoulders and a thick waist, carrying a giant axe on his back.

A bandit leader rode up on horseback, looking puzzled. He clasped his hands in a fist and asked, "Boss, the brothers are all asking why we turned back after just circling around the village entrance when we clearly did. That village is quite wealthy, and there are several pretty women there!"

The bearded man waved his hand and said, "I have my own plans. Let the brothers rest here for a bit."

The bearded man was very authoritative. After he spoke, the leader dared not say anything more, clasped his hands in acceptance, and turned to greet the others.

In an instant, the bandits dismounted to eat, drink, or urinate.

The bearded man looked around and saw a huge rock, as tall as a person, by the roadside. He climbed up and sat down, where he could see down the mountain.

After a while, the bearded man frowned and whispered, "Why haven't the monk and the Taoist arrived yet? With their martial arts skills, capturing a woman shouldn't cause any problems, right?"

He muttered a few words and looked up at the sky again. The moon was already setting in the west, its silvery light spilling into the mountains and forests, coating the treetops with a layer of cool frost.

suddenly-

He saw a figure flash by in the woods.

Before he could react, the figure had already appeared at the top of an old pine tree in front of him, standing steadily on a horizontal branch no thicker than a thumb.

He wore a moon-white robe with a long sword hanging at his waist. The horizontal branch swayed gently up and down in the night breeze, and his body rose and fell with it, yet remained perfectly still, as if walking on flat ground.

It was Gu Guanqi.

The bearded man quickly picked up his machete and asked loudly, "Who are you, sir?"

As the bearded man shouted, all the bandits not far away looked over. When they saw Gu Guanqi, they all became alert and gripped their weapons.

Gu Guanqi stood on a tree branch and said calmly, "I came to ask you something."

The bearded man gripped his axe tightly, his eyes filled with wariness as he looked at Gu Guanqi.

Although Gu Guanqi didn't make a move, his lightness skill alone gave him the advantage of taking the initiative.

He said in a deep voice, "What would you like to ask?"

Gu Guanqi asked, "What is your purpose in kidnapping Lady Qi?"

The bearded man's pupils contracted slightly as he thought to himself: It seems the monk and the Taoist priest have failed!

He immediately sighed and said, "Since you've asked, I won't hide anything from you. The reason we're going to capture Lady Qi is—"

Before he could finish speaking, the bearded man suddenly turned and leaped onto the horse's back, slamming his axe against the horse's rump and shouting, "Run!"

Caught off guard, the bandits saw their leader had already run off and began preparing to mount their horses.

However, in that instant, Gu Guanqi's figure rose up like smoke, his toes touched the treetops, and he shot out like an arrow.

Under the moonlight, his figure drew a cool arc in the air, arriving first despite being behind, and in an instant he had landed a foot in front of the bearded man's horse.

The bearded man's pupils contracted sharply. He gripped the giant axe with both hands and, using the momentum of the horse's forward charge, swung it down at Gu Guanqi's head.

The axe blade pierced the air, carrying a sharp, powerful wind, with enough force to split a monument and shatter stone.

Gu Guanqi neither dodged nor avoided, but raised his left hand and flicked his finger.

A steel ball shot out from the fingertip, silently and as fast as a shooting star.

"when"

With a deafening clang of metal clashing, the steel ball struck the side of the axe blade with pinpoint accuracy. The massive axe was jolted from its grasp, flying through the air and tumbling several times before crashing heavily onto the rocks beside the road, sending sparks flying and shattering the rock.

The bearded man felt a violent tremor in his hand, and his entire right arm went numb instantly. Before he could react, Gu Guanqi had already closed in. With a light tap of his foot, he appeared in front of the bearded man like a ghost, stepped on the horse's head, and then raised his right foot and kicked out.

"Bang""

The bearded man was kicked squarely in the chest, sending him flying backward off his horse and crashing heavily to the ground several feet away, kicking up a cloud of dust.

He groaned, spitting out a mouthful of blood. He struggled a couple of times, trying to get up but failed.

At the same time, the other bandits had already mounted their horses, drawn their weapons, and charged towards Gu Guanqi with a roar.

Gu Guanqi stepped onto the horse's back, and the Autumn Water Sword was drawn with a clang, its light flashing like a bolt of lightning across the sky.

Immediately, he pushed off the horse's back and his figure darted through the night like a streak of light, rushing towards the bandits in an instant, and then wielding his sword.

His swordsmanship was concise to the extreme, without a single fancy move, yet every strike he delivered resulted in a fatal blow. The tip of his sword always pierced vital points with pinpoint accuracy—sometimes the throat, sometimes the heart, sometimes the brow.

Although the bandits outnumbered and outgunned, they were utterly powerless against Gu Guanqi. The Autumn Water Sword seemed to come alive in his hands, its light flowing, sometimes left, sometimes right, sometimes forward, sometimes backward, each strike precisely hitting a fatal spot.

In a short while, all the dozens of bandits had fallen to the ground.

There were only five survivors. All five had their tendons severed and were paralyzed on the ground, unable to move, only able to let out suppressed screams.

Several stray horses neighed and scattered, torches lay strewn across the ground, burning into leaping flames.

Immediately, Gu Guanqi walked up to the bearded man, raised his Autumn Water Sword, and pressed the tip of the sword against the bearded man's throat.

The bearded man stared at Gu Guanqi, his eyes filled with fear, and stammered, "Your Excellency—who are you? You—"

Just then, by the moonlight, Big Beard saw the two characters "Autumn Water" on the sword gleaming with a cold luster.

His pupils constricted sharply, his face turned deathly pale, his lips trembled violently, and his voice was hoarse and trembling as he said, "Autumn—Autumn Water Sword—you are—you are the Sword Immortal Gu Guanqi!"

Gu Guanqi said calmly, "Since you know me, let's not waste any more words. Tell me, what are you, who ordered this, and where are you planning to take these people?"

The bearded man's Adam's apple bobbed, and cold sweat poured down his forehead. He said, "Master Gu—Master Gu, I've already told you, can you spare my life?"

Gu Guanqi didn't say anything, but directly took out a few silver needles and threw them into the air, unleashing the Thousand Needles and Hundred Holes technique. Moreover, it was an enhanced version of the Thousand Needles and Hundred Holes technique that he had improved after reaching the maximum level of the Medicine King Divine Chapter. It truly made people wish they were dead.

In just a few breaths, the bearded man let out a hysterical scream, begging for mercy repeatedly, and dared not mention the matter of life or death again.

"I'll talk, I'll talk—"

Gu Guanqi took out the needle and said, "Tell me the truth. Of course, you can also try and see if you have the ability to commit suicide in front of me!"

The bearded man pondered for a moment, then said, "I was acting under orders from the Guanyin Sect. My contact was with Lei Ming, the Right Protector of the Guanyin Sect. I—I was forced into it. He fed me Gu worms. If I didn't obey his orders, I would be in a state of wishing for death!"

Gu Guanqi immediately grabbed the bearded man's wrist to take his pulse.

"There really are Gu worms!"

The bearded man hurriedly said, "Master Gu, I was really forced into this! I'm not even from Qingzhou, I'm from Cangzhou, I—"

Gu Guanqi waved his hand and said, "Stop talking nonsense. Judging from your attire, you're not exactly good people."

The bearded man was speechless for a moment, then continued, "The Guanyin Sect has gathered a large group of people like me—unorthodox sects—to do only one thing: kidnap the families of high-ranking members of prestigious sects in Qingzhou's martial arts world, intending to use them to coerce them into agreeing to establish a martial arts alliance at the martial arts conference and to elect the leader of the Wen Sect as the alliance leader."

Gu Guanqi nodded slightly.

This is consistent with his prediction.

"Where were those people taken?" Gu Guanqi asked.

The bearded man said, "My orders are to kidnap Qi Changkong's wife and son and take them to Dongyang Mountain in Chang County. Someone will come to meet me then."

"So, strictly speaking, you're not a member of the Guanyin sect?" Gu Guanqi asked.

"No," the bearded man said.

"What about that Taoist priest and that monk?" Gu Guanqi asked.

"No, not exactly," the bearded man said. "We were all forced by Lei Ming. He planted Gu worms in all of us, so we had no choice but to obey him. The Guanyin Sect certainly wouldn't dare use their own people to do this. If they were exposed, even the Six Doors would have to get involved. That's why even Lei Ming always wears a mask when he meets with us."

The Guanyin Sect cannot be exposed. They are now trying to whitewash themselves and go ashore. They have to do some dirty work, but they cannot do it themselves. Otherwise, if things get out of hand, they will not be able to explain themselves to the imperial court. But it is different if we, the unorthodox sects, do it.

If things really escalate, they can claim ignorance, giving the imperial court and the Six Doors a reason. The Six Doors can then turn a blind eye, since the Guanyin Sect is currently supported by the imperial court. As long as the reason is plausible, the court won't pursue the matter.

Gu Guanqi then asked, "Were all the people sent to Chang County?"

"I don't know," the bearded man said. "I'm in a team with the Taoist priest and the monk. Our mission is the same: to take Qi Changkong's wife and son to Chang County. As for whether the others are in the same situation, I don't know."

After saying that, the bearded man paused, then said, "I know that's really all there is."

"it is good."

Gu Guanqi nodded, then pressed the pressure point on Big Beard's head.

He then went to interrogate the other survivors.

However, those few survivors were just bandits, unaware that they were working for the Guanyin Sect.

This group of people were originally bandits roaming around Cangzhou. Some time ago, their leader, the one with the big beard, suddenly said that he was being watched by the Six Doors and had to go out to avoid trouble, so he brought them to Qingzhou.

Today is their first time doing anything in Qingzhou.

Finally, Gu Guanqi interrogated the bearded man again, and after confirming that he couldn't get anything out of him, he killed them all.

He then returned to Huangshan Village.

When Gu Guanqi returned to Huangshan Village, the moon was already setting in the west, its silvery light bathing the village lanes. A night breeze blew by, carrying the chill of winter, and the lanterns under the eaves of several houses swayed gently in the wind.

Inside the ancestral hall, all the women and children had already left; only Zhu Jing, Zhang Guodong, and Jiang Baili remained.

wait.

Upon seeing Gu Guanqi enter, Zhu Jing and Zhang Guodong quickly stood up to greet him.

"Master Gu, how is the situation?" Zhang Guodong asked anxiously.

"Just as we guessed—"

Gu Guanqi briefly explained the situation.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Guodong's face turned ashen. He slammed his hand on the table and roared, "This Wen Qiuchi is truly a wolf in sheep's clothing! We must not let her succeed!"

Zhu Jing also said indignantly, "Kidnapping the families of high-ranking members of various factions to coerce them into submission—the demonic path is the demonic path. A leopard can't change its spots. They still engage in such demonic acts and yet they dare to try to whitewash themselves as the righteous path!"

Gu Guanqi pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "However, I feel something is not quite right."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Guodong quickly asked, "Master Gu, what's wrong?"

Gu Guanqi said, "Although it is to avoid being unable to explain to the court after being exposed, it seems a bit unreasonable to entrust such an important matter as kidnapping the families of various factions to a group of outsiders without sending anyone to accompany them."

""

Zhang Guodong thought for a moment and said, "Master Gu is right. However, the Guanyin Sect is currently in the eye of the storm and is being closely watched. Sending ordinary disciples is no different from not sending any at all. Sending direct disciples would be immediately noticed as soon as they show up. Therefore, it is understandable that we do not send anyone to accompany them."

Gu Guanqi nodded slightly, not delving further into the matter, and said, "These things aren't important. What's certain now is that the Guanyin Sect has launched a major operation this time, kidnapping many people. I'll head to Chang County as soon as possible to see if I can follow a lead to find the other kidnapped individuals."

Zhu Jing quickly said, "Yes, we must investigate. We can't let the Guanyin Sect's scheme succeed. The biggest advantage of the Qingzhou martial arts world against the Guanyin Sect now lies in its local foundation. Only by having all the major sects join forces to resist can they have a chance of winning. But if the major sects are threatened and hesitate to act, the Guanyin Sect might actually succeed in establishing a martial arts alliance at the martial arts tournament."

Zhang Guodong said, "Once the Martial Alliance is established, the Guanyin Sect will occupy the moral high ground and gradually erode the martial arts world of Qingzhou. No one can stop it, and no one will have the ability to convene all forces of the martial arts world to join forces a second time."

Gu Guanqi nodded slightly.

He had a deep-seated hatred for the Guanyin sect and naturally opposed it.

"I'm leaving for Chang County tomorrow," Gu Guanqi said.

Zhu Jing, who was standing nearby, quickly said, "Master Gu, let me go with you. I have some old friends in Chang County, and we can mobilize the local martial arts forces."

Although you are highly respected and no one dares to disrespect you, revealing your identity would inevitably alert the Guanyin Sect, thus alerting them instead. With me scouting ahead, you can act covertly, achieving twice the result with half the effort.”

Zhang Guodong nodded and said, "Master Gu, Jingmei is right. She has spent quite a bit of time in the Chang County area and knows the situation there very well. It will be much easier for you to investigate if you take her with you."

Gu Guanqi thought about it and felt it made sense, so he cupped his hands and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Miss Zhu."

Zhu Jing quickly waved her hand and said with a smile, "Hero Gu, you're too kind. You are a benefactor of our Tingshan Sect, and besides, this matter is for the righteous cause of the martial world; it is our duty to do so!"

Zhang Guodong said, "My responsibility is to escort my master's wife and junior brother back to the Tingshan Sect. At the same time, I will use the sect's connections to notify all the sects in Qingzhou as soon as possible, so that they can be on guard and not fall into the trap of the Guanyin Sect."

Gu Guanqi nodded slightly and said, "By the way, the bodies of that band of bandits are all on the mountainside outside the village. When the government officials arrive, I'll trouble you two to negotiate with them."

"Leave this to me," Zhang Guodong readily agreed, then added, "Master Gu, you and Miss Jiang have both worked hard today. I've already had two rooms prepared. Jingmei, would you like to take you to rest now?"

Gu Guanqi cupped his hands and said, "Thank you!"

Zhu Jing extended her hand and said, "Master Gu, Miss Jiang, please!"

Then, the three of them left the ancestral hall and walked east along the village lane.

The night wind rustled through the old locust trees in the alley, and moonlight filtered through the branches and leaves.

Jiang Baili walked quietly beside Gu Guanqi.

Zhu Jing walked ahead, occasionally glancing back at the two of them, a slight smile playing on her lips, lost in thought.

Before long, they arrived at a small courtyard. The courtyard wall was made of rammed earth and was not high. The gate was a pair of wooden doors, slightly ajar. Zhu Jing pushed open the door, stepped aside, and said, "Master Gu, Miss Jiang, this is it. There are two rooms in the east wing, one for each of you. The bedding is clean."

Gu Guanqi cupped his hands and said, "Thank you."

Zhu Jing smiled and said, "Then I won't disturb your rest any longer. I'll be going now."

After saying that, she winked at Jiang Baili, then turned and left, closing the courtyard gate behind her.

The moonlight spilled into the courtyard, making the blue brick ground look like it was covered with a thin layer of frost.

Gu Guanqi walked to the door of the east wing and was about to push the door open when his sleeve was pulled.

He turned his head away.

Jiang Baili stood beside him, gently reaching out to grasp his sleeve.

The moonlight shone on Jiang Baili's face, and her aloof and ethereal countenance remained expressionless, but her eyes appeared exceptionally clear in the moonlight.

"Miss Jiang?" Gu Guanqi was slightly taken aback and asked, "What's wrong?"

Jiang Baili didn't let go. She looked up at him and softly called out, "Brother."

Her voice was very soft and gentle, sweet and gentle.

She tilted her head slightly, and the cool moonlight bathed her in a hazy, silvery light.

Gu Guanqi stood there, stunned.

He blinked, thinking he had misheard.

"What?" he asked, puzzled.

"Brother," Jiang Baili called out again, still in that delicate and weak tone.

Gu Guanqi asked in confusion, "Miss Jiang, why are you calling me that?"

Jiang Baili said, "Zhu Jing taught me. She said that to learn how to get along as a couple, you should start by changing how you address each other. You need to have a special name for each other so that you can feel closer."

She paused, as if recalling Zhu Jing's exact words, then continued, "She said, 'I'll call you brother from now on,' and you call me 'Little Fish,' that's fine."

Gu Guanqi chuckled and said, "This Zhu Jing—no wonder she was being so secretive earlier, she's really giving bad advice!"

After making a couple of complaints, Gu Guanqi looked at Jiang Baili and said, "Miss Jiang, there's no need for that. We can just get along normally; there's no need to deliberately change anything."

Jiang Baili looked at him and remained silent for a moment.

Her hand was still gently tugging at Gu Guanqi's sleeve, but her eyes were vacant, as if she had fallen into a daze.

"Miss Jiang?" Gu Guanqi asked in a low voice.

"Wait a minute," Jiang Baili said, "Let me think about how Zhu Jing taught me."

Gu Guanqi: "??"

After about five breaths, Jiang Baili gently tugged at Gu Guanqi's sleeve, slowly raised her head, and stared at Gu Guanqi with her clear eyes, her eyelashes trembling slightly.

"elder brother."

She called out again, her voice softer and gentler than before, then with a delicate, pitiful look, she timidly asked, "Will you call me Little Fish from now on?"

Gu Guanqi laughed and said, "Did Zhu Jing teach you this too?"

"Hmm." Jiang Baili nodded and said, "Zhu Jing said that wives should learn to play the victim to arouse their husbands' protective instincts, so that the two can become closer. This is also a way for couples to get along."

She paused, seemingly recalling Zhu Jing's exact words, and added, "She said men all fall for that."

Gu Guanqi: "————"

He really wanted to find Zhu Jing and have a good talk with her, to ask her what kind of nonsense she had been feeding Jiang Baili.

But when he looked down, Jiang Baili was still holding onto his sleeve, her clear eyes staring at him without blinking, her expression still serious and somewhat stubborn.

Gu Guanqi knew that if he didn't give Jiang Baili an answer tonight, this naive girl would have to follow him all night, so he said, "Alright, Little Fish!"

"Um.

""

Jiang Baili's eyes lit up slightly.

She responded and loosened her grip on Gu Guanqi's sleeve.

Then she turned around, her white skirt fluttering gently in the moonlight. She took two steps, then suddenly stopped, turned back to look at Gu Guanqi, and called out, "Brother."

"Hmm." Gu Guanqi smiled slightly.

Jiang Baili then turned and went into the house, gently closing the door behind her.

"Zhu Jing is such a good person," she said.