Chapter 129: I Miss You, Laoying

Eagle's Nest.

Shi Yan from Wudang, Tie Jian from Shaolin, Wang Shidai from the Beggar's Sect, Shuishangfei from the Yangtze, Gao Xingkong from Bashan, Xiao Gu from Bashan, the Eagle-Eyed Seventh of the Twelve Linked Forts, along with Sikong Tixing, Hua Manlou, and Lu Xiaofeng—all sat together, plotting against the Phantom Manor.

"Lu Xiaofeng?"

Xiao Gu from Bashan looked at Lu Xiaofeng and said in surprise, "Why are your eyes red?"

Today, Lu Xiaofeng looked strange—strange in every way.

Lu Xiaofeng's voice was hoarse. "Because I haven't touched a woman in nearly half a year!"

At these words, everyone in the room turned to Lu Xiaofeng, utterly astonished—when had this rogue ever adopted such abstinence?

"I made a bet with Gu Qing."

Lu Xiaofeng, eyes red, said, "If the next time we meet, I've touched a friend's woman, I'll have to kill the friend himself. To guarantee I win, I haven't touched a single woman since."

Lu Xiaofeng must win!

Here, Lu Xiaofeng added, irritated: "But lately, Gu Qing has vanished from the Jianghu. I've raided over seventy Qingyi Lou outposts—still no trace of him… cough… cough…"

For months now, every time Lu Xiaofeng found Gu Qing, he'd win the bet instantly!

Then he could touch women again!

But Lu Xiaofeng couldn't find Gu Qing.

"I suspect Gu Qing is in prison."

Lu Xiaofeng stared straight ahead.

I miss you, Laoying!

At these words, everyone in the Eagle's Nest exchanged glances, each gaze stranger than the last.

They were gathered here to plan a campaign against the Phantom Manor.

The first step: convince Ximen Chuixue to join, and have him hunt down Lu Xiaofeng.

This was the crux—everyone in the Jianghu knew Ximen Chuixue's temperament, knew that anyone he hunted had no chance of survival; only Ximen Chuixue's pursuit could convince others… and the only reason they could think of to make Ximen Chuixue hunt Lu Xiaofeng was that Lu Xiaofeng had slept with a brother's woman, violating Ximen Chuixue's taboo.

If this first step succeeded, Lu Xiaofeng and Gu Qing's bet would be lost without even being contested—Gu Qing would surely seize this chance to mock Lu Xiaofeng.

"Could Gu Qing be inside the Phantom Manor?"

Eagle-Eyed Seventh made a bold guess.

It was said the Phantom Manor harbored elder masters of the Jianghu, unfathomably profound.

"Impossible!"

Hua Manlou declared firmly.

All turned to Hua Manlou, watching him point to his eyes and say, "Though Gu Qing's origins are mysterious and his methods unorthodox, his heart is clear, his actions never strayed from the righteous path—my eyes were healed by someone he sent."

Lu Xiaofeng nodded in agreement. "Gu Qing never craves power."

Without desire for authority, he wouldn't scheme.

"Actually, I know where Gu Qing is."

Shi Yan, the Wudang patriarch, suddenly spoke.

Lu Xiaofeng's eyes snapped to Shi Yan, fixed upon him.

"Gu Qing is in Japan!"

Shi Yan said.

Japan?

Lu Xiaofeng was well aware of Japan—he'd planned to visit after the Phantom Manor affair, sip some sake, and take a few Japanese women for a taste…

Lu Xiaofeng stared at Shi Yan with a long, resentful look.

"I only heard this recently, and it ties into Wudang's maritime expeditions."

Shi Yan, sensing Lu Xiaofeng's irritation, explained.

Since the battle atop the Forbidden City, the current Emperor has considered lifting the sea ban, commissioning massive ships to explore overseas lands, spreading Daoism, and conducting trade—Daoist matters were largely handled by Mu Daoren, who traveled to Wudang Mountain and selected disciples to sail back and forth; the Wudang patriarch thus learned much of the overseas world.

"In Japan, under Toyotomi Hideyoshi's rule, things have improved greatly. Meanwhile, officials of the Great Ming have colluded with pirates to raid the coast. Wudang disciple Chang Jing, traveling with others across the sea, intended to document Japan's conditions in detail—but upon landing, they found Japan heavily guarded. Those on board who spoke Japanese learned that a man from the Central Plains named Gu Qing had issued a challenge."

Shi Yan recounted the events in Japan.

Lu Xiaofeng asked in astonishment, "A challenge?"

"Correct."

Shi Yan said, "Gu Qing killed Toyotomi Hideyoshi's biological son, adopted son, ministers, and others, placing their severed heads before Osaka Castle, declaring he wished to duel Hideyoshi."

At these words, a chorus of sharp intakes of breath filled the Eagle's Nest.

"Is Toyotomi Hideyoshi stronger than Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng?"

Xiao Gu from Bashan asked.

After all, Gu Qing's last duel invitation had been atop the Forbidden City, directly against Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng.

"Of course not."

Shi Yan said. "Toyotomi Hideyoshi calls himself 'Lord of All Under Heaven,' having unified Japan—his strength lies in his political cunning, not personal martial prowess. Gu Qing's duel with him is pure bullying."

The others understood.

But Hideyoshi's rule was masterful—he issued the Sword Hunt Decree, confiscating all weapons in Japan, and along with them, Japan's top martial talent: the Koga, Iga, Kaijō, Genrai, Hei, Takeda, Akiba, Shinkage, and other schools—all now gathered under Hideyoshi's command, stationed in Osaka at his order.

Shi Yan recounted the situation.

Lu Xiaofeng frowned. "Many of these ninja schools are bottom-tier Jianghu sects, specializing in disguise and poison—unpredictable and hard to guard against. And they're masters of patience, capable of hiding in the most impossible places. Provoking them brings endless trouble."

Lu Xiaofeng knew much about Japan.

"Too bad it was Gu Qing who provoked them."

Shi Yan said. "When Chang Jing and the others landed, they were immediately seized and imprisoned in Hideyoshi's mansion for interrogation. That night, chaos erupted in Hideyoshi's residence. Gu Qing, dual swords in hand, came through the main gate. All they heard were 'clank,' 'clank-clank,' alarms, and screams—growing louder, drawing nearer. When they reached Chang Jing's cell, a shadow flashed past them—Gu Qing, dual swords in hand, had already cut down the guards, and the ropes binding them were severed in one stroke…"

Lu Xiaofeng and the others sighed involuntarily—they knew the devastating power of Gu Qing's dual swords.

Ximen Chuixue had once said that if he and Ye Gucheng joined forces, they could cut straight out of the Forbidden City—but Gu Qing's dual swords were even deadlier than their combined might.

Yet Gu Qing had rarely taken lives before; overseas, he had let loose.

"Gu Qing fought his way to Toyotomi Hideyoshi's side."

Shi Yan said. "At the time, Hideyoshi had nine masters at his side—leaders of their respective schools. Seeing Gu Qing's ferocious swordlight, they instinctively formed a shield before him, standing guard."

"Hideyoshi shouted in fury: 'We have no grudge—why draw your blade?' Gu Qing replied only: 'I owe you a slaughter,' and slashed forward."

"The nine Japanese masters immediately joined forces, while ninja and death-soldiers surrounded them…"

Lu Xiaofeng nodded deeply—Japan's martial arts followed a different path from the Central Plains, its treachery and venom making defense nearly impossible.

Some wealthy Chinese families sent their sons to Japan to train in ninja arts and swordsmanship, even breeding death-soldiers there. Merely hearing Shi Yan's account, Lu Xiaofeng knew Gu Qing faced an extraordinarily complex battlefield.

"The Shinkage sword saint drew his blade. Gu Qing cried out: 'Now, the moment of stillness!'—a flash of light, and the sword saint fell dead."

"After killing the Shinkage sword saint, Gu Qing discarded his swords and charged bare-handed into the circle of masters. Shadows flickered—Chang Jing couldn't make out the movements—but within the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Gu Qing stopped. Each of these ninja masters, these emotionless death-soldiers, writhed on the ground, screaming in agony, begging Gu Qing for a quick death."

Shi Yan described the outcome.

Lu Xiaofeng drew a sharp breath. "Ruyi Orchid Palm!"

The Ruyi Orchid Palm of the Ruyi Immortal was the most torturous martial art in the Jianghu—once struck, the victim suffered unbearable agony; even these ninja masters, hardened by endurance, could not withstand its torment.

"Ruyi Orchid Palm?"

"Correct…"

Lu Xiaofeng recounted how he'd encountered the Ruyi Orchid Palm at the Silver Hook Gambling Den—Gu Qing had mastered this intricate art.

Shi Yan nodded. "The most astonishing thing was how Gu Qing killed Hideyoshi—he seized Hideyoshi, leapt several times to the highest tower, and before the eyes of countless Japanese, threw Hideyoshi upward, then struck his chest with one palm. After that blow, the once-heavy Hideyoshi floated down like paper, drifting, tumbling, and finally landing on the ground."

It was nothing short of a miracle!

Lu Xiaofeng's eyes flickered. "That must be the legendary Hua Gu Mian Zhang."

This art could dissolve a man's meridians and bones—once struck, the victim became a limp skin.

Thinking of these two legendary arts, Lu Xiaofeng grimaced.

Gu Qing, floating overseas, has grown even stronger!

(End of Chapter)