Chapter 174: To Win Yao Yue, No Limits

Shen Qinghong looked at Tie Rulong.

After more than a decade apart, Shen Qinghong still saw hatred in Tie Rulong's eyes; he sighed deeply and said, "Back then, in our duel, I accidentally slashed you—I've carried guilt over it ever since. We were once close friends, yet now we've come to this."

Tie Rulong coldly said, "Is that all you have to say?"

"If you want to cut me down, I won't complain."

Shen Qinghong stilled all his emotions and said, "But in my life, I have never betrayed anyone. Back then, the Sanyuan Escort Agency entrusted me with a shipment of red goods, then the Twelve Stars disrupted everything. Myself and Xiangguo Shenjun were trapped on a cliff for a long time—the shipment is now fifteen years overdue. If you'll allow it, I ask for time to deliver those goods to you, then come before you to beg forgiveness with thorns on my back."

"At that time, to kill or to whip me—I'll say nothing."

Every word Shen Qinghong spoke came from his heart.

Tie Rulong stared at Shen Qinghong for a long while, then picked up his golden blade and said, "Shen Qinghong, facing the Twelve Stars head-on shows courage; outwitting me shows wisdom; after all these years, still honoring your duty shows integrity—you were born to be an escort chief."

"Today, I admit I'm convinced."

Tie Rulong bowed to Shen Qinghong.

The two men, after years of enmity, laughed and made peace, becoming brothers once more. Together they went before Gu Qing, sincerely thanking him for giving them a chance to speak—and offering him good merit.

"Hatred brings only pain; love is eternal."

In front of others, Gu Qing pulled out Li Xunhuan's set of ideals and said, "I hope that when you travel the Jianghu, you meet future conflicts with a little mercy and forbearance—then you'll avoid countless pointless fights."

Shen Qinghong and Tie Rulong were not strong cultivators; Gu Qing dared not say, "No matter how evil a man is, always give him a chance to repent"—he feared they'd get killed outright. So he spoke only ceremonial words to build his image before them.

This image was meant chiefly for Yao Yue.

Shen Qinghong and Tie Rulong felt the aura of benevolence and righteousness radiating from Gu Qing, bowed deeply in reverence, and Gu Qing, at that moment, floated lightly back onto the small boat.

"You're quite benevolent."

Yao Yue said coldly.

"The most precious thing a person has is life," Gu Qing said.

Yao Yue sneered at this, studied Gu Qing, then suddenly said, "I see your qinggong can draw power from empty air—remarkable."

"In the Jianghu, one must always have a few secret arts."

Gu Qing smiled, then, with a touch of longing, said, "I've heard the Mistress of Yihua Palace's qinggong is peerless in the world. I've trained my qinggong diligently, just to earn her notice."

The image Gu Qing projected before Yao Yue was that of a man who, years ago, saw her face during one of her travels and became utterly devoted ever since—everything he did was to become worthy of her. Hearing this now, Yao Yue was deeply moved.

"What if the Mistress of Yihua Palace demands your qinggong secret?"

Yao Yue's words carried hidden meaning.

"If she wants it, I'll give it to her without hesitation," Gu Qing said with a smile, not a moment's pause.

Yao Yue fell silent.

The boat reached Huarong. Thunder rumbled, then rain fell; by noon, the sky cleared, and heat rose from earth and sky alike.

Gu Qing suddenly disembarked here, bowed to Yao Yue, and took his leave.

"You're not going to Dongting Lake?"

Yao Yue asked coldly.

Throughout their journey, Gu Qing had remained silent on matters concerning Jiang Xiaoyu. Yao Yue admired his talent, but where Jiang Xiaoyu and Hua Wukui's duel was concerned, she would kill without mercy.

"Of course I'm going to Dongting Lake!" Gu Qing said firmly. "But Wei Wuya, that rat, hides in the shadows and has slandered you. Until I clear away this hidden threat and kill Wei Wuya, I can't face you—I won't let you suffer even a single harm because of me."

Along this journey, Gu Qing kept silent about anything related to Jiang Xiaoyu; although Yao Yue admired Gu Qing's talents, if it came to the duel between Jiang Xiaoyu and Hua Wuxue, Yao Yue would surely kill him.

Yao Yue studied Gu Qing, then suddenly asked, "Didn't you just say life is the most precious thing, that hatred brings pain and love is eternal, and that people should always hold mercy in their hearts?"

Gu Qing hesitated slightly, then said firmly, "Wei Wuya had no right to insult you."

Yao Yue outweighed all of Gu Qing's principles.

Yao Yue let out a soft hum, seemingly dismissive—but beneath her grotesque mask, the corners of her brows and eyes held quiet delight. Since she came to understand the world, people had feared her more than loved her. A loyal follower like Gu Qing, willing to abandon his principles for her, filled her with secret satisfaction.

This new sensation was unprecedented for Yao Yue.

Yao Yue let out a light snort, as if disdainful, but beneath that grotesque mask, the corners of her brows and eyes betrayed quiet delight; since she had come to understand the world, people had feared her more than loved her, and a premium lapdog like Gu Qing, who would abandon his principles for her, made her heart swell with secret satisfaction.

Yao Yue's voice grew lighter as she said, "But the Yihua Palace never delegates its duties. If you kill Wei Wuya before I do, I'll be displeased."

The Yihua Palace always acted personally.

Yao Yue's voice grew light as she said, "But the Flowers' Moon Palace does not like to delegate its tasks to others—if you kill Wei Wuya before I do, I shall be displeased."

Gu Qing hesitated slightly upon hearing this.

"Your task now is to go quietly to Dongting Lake and wait for me. Don't make me wait."

Yao Yue said coolly.

"I still need to go to Huarong County."

Gu Qing said. "Our meeting—I don't want outsiders intruding, watching like spectators."

That was true.

Yao Yue followed Gu Qing as he traveled to Huarong County.

Huarong County belonged to Yueyang, a strategic crossroads where many Jianghu figures passed through. After arriving, Gu Qing wandered the streets, buying supplies, while Yao Yue trailed behind, observing the local cultivators with growing displeasure.

"Most of these people are hunting Jiang Biehe."

Gu Qing looked at the Jianghu figures and said, "I know many of them. Jiang Biehe tricked them, so they've chased him all the way. He's heading toward Dongting Lake, hoping to seek your protection, Mistress."

Yao Yue, hearing this, glanced at Gu Qing, recalling how he had deliberately changed the subject when speaking with Qiu Qingbo and others. She said coldly, "So you disapprove of me protecting Jiang Biehe, that treacherous worm?"

That didn't sound like the act of a goddess from a painting.

Gu Qing didn't hesitate. "Since I love Mistress Yao Yue, I love everything about her. Protecting Jiang Biehe? That's part of your grand strategy."

Yao Yue was even more pleased by this answer. Only such a boundlessly righteous, devoted follower as Gu Qing made her feel the full weight of her allure.

Gu Qing did not hesitate, saying, "Since I love Lady Yao Yue, I love all that she is; as for protecting Jiang Biehe, that is merely Lady Yao Yue playing a grand game."

On the street of Huarong County, a ragged man suddenly knelt before the "Copper Master," beside him.

"You…"

Yao Yue looked at the man, her voice pausing, then shifted from its cold, genderless iron tone into a beautiful, melodic feminine voice, saying calmly, "Jiang Biehe, you've sunk this low."

The man kneeling on the ground was Jiang Biehe. Beside him stood his bastard son, Jiang Yulang.

At that moment, Gu Qing stared at the "Copper Master" in utter shock, his expression almost joyful—as if he had never imagined the Copper Master could be Mistress Yao Yue.

One more chapter of devotion to Yao Yue—and no more.

At that moment, Gu Qing stared at the "Bronze Master" in utter shock, his expression tinged with a hint of happiness—as if he had never imagined the Bronze Master could be Lady Yao Yue.

I won't lick Yueyue any more after this chapter

(End of chapter)