Chapter 110: The Prince of Pingnan Wept

Temples across the land are divided into Northern and Southern sects.

The Southern sect traces back to Master Zhang, while the Northern sect is the White Cloud Abbey.

The abbot of the White Cloud Abbey is Gu Qingfeng, a man of power, influence, and strength; many nobles in the imperial court have taken refuge under his gate, making it a sacred site of Daoism.

Gu Qing stood outside the White Cloud Abbey, gazing at the gilded halls.

In the novel *Before and After the Duel*, Gu Qingfeng, Du Tongxuan, and the Prince of Pingnan are all allies; Li Yanbei, who gambled against Du Tongxuan, was fully ensnared in the scheme—both sides raised their bets, then Ye Gucheng appeared and shattered Li Yanbei’s confidence with his Skyward Flying Immortal technique, after which Gu Qingfeng seized Li Yanbei’s assets and took full control of the capital’s underworld.

Even after Li Yanbei received the banknotes, he was immediately killed by the “Thirteenth Concubine”; Ximen Chuixue spared her life, seeing her as a pitiful woman, but this “Thirteenth Concubine” might also be allied with Du Tongxuan.

In his mind, Gu Qing ran through the possible forces of the Prince of Pingnan, then shouted: “Gu Qing seeks entry!”

His voice reverberated in layers, causing many candles inside the White Cloud Abbey to dim.

In Gu Long’s world, news always moves faster than men.

The White Cloud Abbey had already prepared its defenses; after Gu Qing’s sharp cry, many Daoists leapt out, swords gleaming in hand.

Beneath the moon, swordlight shone bright.

Gu Qingfeng, elegant and immaculate, approached with graceful steps, his smile warm and affable.

“Gu Qingfeng of the White Cloud Abbey greets Grandmaster Gu.”

Gu Qingfeng said politely: “We share the same surname, and our names are so alike—we may have been one family eight hundred years ago.”

“Even if we went back eighteen thousand years, we still wouldn’t be related!”

Gu Qing said coldly.

Same surname, yet separated by worlds!

Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng’s eyes flickered with slight regret and asked: “What have we done to offend Grandmaster Gu? Please tell me—White Cloud Abbey will correct it.”

“I’ve come to demand one thing.”

“What thing?”

“Justice!”

“Whose justice?”

“Ye Gucheng’s justice!”

Gu Qing had come here specifically to provoke, to sever Ye Gucheng’s ties with the Prince of Pingnan; with words spoken, he lunged forward, grabbing at Gu Qingfeng, demanding: “Where is the Prince of Pingnan?”

Gu Qingfeng’s face changed instantly; he retreated sharply, and at the same moment, seven swords appeared around Gu Qing!

The Complete Reality Sect’s Seven Stars Formation!

The seven swords converged on Gu Qing as if seventy blades struck at once, weaving a net of piercing light.

For a moment, Gu Qing felt as if he had returned to the Complete Reality Sect, training the Golden Goose Skill, seizing formation positions—but now, Gu Qing was worlds apart from that man.

Gu Qing circled his hands, empty-handed seizing blades, using their force against them, striking in a chain of impacts—*clash! clatter-clash!*—the swords of the Seven Stars Formation flew into the air; Gu Qing seized one, clashed with the charging Daoists, and as they cried out “Ouch!” and “No good!”, their own swords spun back and wounded them.

“Is this a method of force?”

Shengtong Monk watched Gu Qing’s moves, utterly baffled.

“It’s swordplay.”

Lu Xiaofeng said: “Pure swordplay!”

This swordplay was strict in form, majestic in presence, steeped in Daoist grace—but Lu Xiaofeng had never seen it, nor even heard of it.

Nearby, Ye Gucheng’s eyes were like cold stars, observing Gu Qing’s technique; though the sword path appeared complex, its execution yielded astonishing results—after the series of clashing sounds, the entire Seven Stars Formation was utterly shattered by Gu Qing.

“Your formation is a mess! Pathetic!”

After breaking the formation, Gu Qing sneered, twirled his sword, and charged at Gu Qingfeng: “Tell me where the Prince of Pingnan is—I’ll spare your life!”

Two Daoists in yellow crowns instantly stepped forward, raising their swords to shield Gu Qingfeng.

“Gu Qing, according to Great Ming law, leaving your fief without imperial decree—what crime is that?”

Gu Qingfeng said coldly: “Even if the Prince of Pingnan arrived in the capital under imperial summons, his residence would be arranged by the Emperor himself—why would he come to me?”

“Don’t come here causing trouble just because you heard a rumor!” Gu Qingfeng was respected both in court and in the Jianghu.

“Moreover, if the White Cloud Abbey truly held justice, it would come to claim it itself.”

Gu Qingfeng added.

The current situation was this: Gu Qing had pinned Ye Gucheng, stripping him of all autonomy, making him a mere puppet of Gu Qing.

*Clang!* *Clang!*

Gu Qing’s sword seemed possessed—he swept once, and the two swords flew from their wielders’ hands; then he seized one of the yellow-crowned Daoists, activated the Soul-Shifting Technique and the Throat Wheel, and roared: “Where is the Prince of Pingnan?”

The Daoist, still dazed from the sword’s strike, answered automatically: “The Prince of Pingnan has left the mountain.”

Gu Qing released the Daoist and turned his gaze to Gu Qingfeng.

Seeing how stubborn Gu Qing was, Gu Qingfeng grew furious—his carefully laid plan had been thrown into chaos by Gu Qing’s arrival, and now it had come right to his doorstep… Gu Qingfeng thrust his sword forward.

As leader of the Northern Daoist sect and a figure of the Complete Reality Sect, Gu Qingfeng held his position through strength; since becoming abbot, he had rarely fought.

Now, with this single thrust, his long-suppressed sword art revealed itself—azure light shimmered, empty yet full of substance; anyone who saw it would call it superb!

!

But his opponent was Gu Qing.

A swift sword thrust came—its light subtle, sealing off multiple vital points in an instant, freezing Gu Qingfeng’s technique.

*Whoosh!*

Gu Qing’s sword pierced his throat!

“What kind of trash dares share a name so similar to mine?”

Gu Qing sheathed his sword with ease, then questioned the Daoists to trace the Prince of Pingnan’s route, preparing to continue the pursuit.

“No need to pursue.”

Ye Gucheng suddenly spoke, calmly: “I owe him nothing.”

As a peerless swordsman, Ye Gucheng saw far; when Gu Qing and Lu Xiaofeng set out to seek justice from the Prince of Pingnan, he sensed the plan had veered off course and become unworkable—now that the Prince’s presence in the capital was exposed, if Gu Qing and Lu Xiaofeng continued their investigation, the Prince wouldn’t just lose his plan—he’d lose his life in the capital.

So Ye Gucheng gave him cover.

The plot to assassinate the Emperor was effectively over.

“How are you?”

Gu Qing looked at Ye Gucheng.

Ye Gucheng’s lips were already purple and swollen—the poison Gu Qing had fed him was taking effect—but he smiled and said: “I need rest, but on the night of the fifteenth of September, I will appear.”

“Alright…”

Gu Qing replied. Ye Gucheng’s mute point had been unsealed—he would respect Ye Gucheng’s wishes… the Prince of Pingnan would be dealt with another way.

Ye Gucheng gradually moved his limbs, regaining his strength, nodded to Gu Qing, and floated down the mountain.

Shengtong Monk was left behind.

Below the White Cloud Abbey.

Ye Gucheng followed the trail and signs, finding the Prince of Pingnan hiding at the foot of the mountain, and said: “Your presence in the capital has been exposed—the Emperor will know soon. Your only option now is to return quickly, receive the imperial edict, and claim this is all baseless rumor.”

“But time is running out!”

The Prince of Pingnan cried urgently.

He had prepared too long, spent too much—only by making his son emperor could he turn the tide.

Ye Gucheng shook his head; in his view, the plan was no longer feasible.

“Your sudden appearance has directed every case in the capital toward the Prince of Pingnan’s mansion.”

Ye Gucheng said: “Staying here only brings risk.”

Seeing Ye Gucheng seem defeated, the Prince of Pingnan choked back tears: “How did our perfect plan… end up like this?”

(End of Chapter)