Chapter 200: Princess of the Southern Pacification

From Suzhou to Dali, Gu Qing traveled slowly, stopping frequently each day to ensure Wang Yuyan and Mu Wanjing practiced; after a month, when Gu Qing arrived in Dali, both women finally reached the first level of Mingyu Gong, officially entering the path.

"We've reached Dali now—where do we start?"

Upon entering Dali's borders, Mu Wanjing could not wait to ask, eager to see her parents.

Wang Yuyan turned slightly, her delicate brows lifting, eyes filled with curiosity, watching how Gu Qing would revive someone.

"First, let's go to Wuliang Mountain."

Gu Qing said.

The Beiming Divine Art and Lingbo Microstep must be secured first.

Though Gu Qing's martial skills have reached the pinnacle, the martial arts of the Xiaoyao Sect might help him make broader connections.

In the revised edition, Jin Yong created the Evergreen Valley, described roughly as Shangri-La in Tibet—a legendary pure land where inhabitants live long lives, and Xiaoyaozi brought out a mysterious book from there.

That mysterious book might be the Xiaoyao Yu Feng, or perhaps merely the Heaven-Long Earth-Lasting Evergreen Art; either way, by thoroughly examining all Xiaoyao Sect teachings, even if the book isn't found, he could still grasp most of its essence.

Wuliang Mountain?

Upon hearing Wuliang Mountain, Lady Wang grew distant—it was where she spent her childhood, and after becoming involved with Duan Zhengchun, she once wished to take him to live in the cave of Wuliang Mountain.

As she thought of it, a smile appeared on Lady Wang's face.

"Why go to Wuliang Mountain?"

Mu Wanjing asked, puzzled.

"Of course to meet your female master."

Gu Qing said: "You're about to see your parents—such joyous news should be shared with your master."

Upon hearing "master," Mu Wanjing naturally recalled years spent with the "Cave Guest"—though temperamental, the woman treated her like a daughter; after this month apart, Mu Wanjing truly missed her.

"Then after we meet my master, we'll revive my parents."

Mu Wanjing nodded.

Born in Dali, Lady Wang was revisiting familiar ground on the road to Wuliang Mountain; she knew every detail, so she led the way as they headed toward Wuliang Mountain.

"Mother, why do you hate Dali?"

Wang Yuyan suddenly asked.

Lady Wang paused slightly, then said: "You'll know soon enough."

Wang Yuyan harbored doubts, but Lady Wang's authority in her mind was overwhelming—she dared not press further.

Wuliang Mountain lies east of Dali; Gu Qing's group first entered Dali City, observing its bustling markets and dense crowds. Lady Wang, deeply nostalgic, knew this prosperity owed partly to Duan Zhengchun's efforts. After dining in the city, they exchanged their mounts for several horses and set off toward Wuliang Mountain.

After traveling about fifty to sixty li, Gu Qing suddenly spotted a Daoist temple beside the road, surrounded by green willows and a tranquil small lake, making the temple exceptionally serene. Glancing at the plaque above the gate, it indeed read "Yuxu Temple."

"Yuyan."

Gu Qing suddenly instructed Wang Yuyan: "I'm thirsty—go into that temple and ask for some water for me."

This was the first time in over a month since joining Gu Qing that he had acted like a true master—Wang Yuyan found it novel; she immediately dismounted, bowed respectfully to Gu Qing, then turned gracefully and walked toward Yuxu Temple. "Why didn't you ask me?"

Mu Wanjing suddenly spoke, her tone edged with accusation.

Gu Qing turned to look at Mu Wanjing, veiled entirely in black gauze, and smiled: "How about next time?"

Mu Wanjing sniffed lightly: "My sister has her heart set on her cousin—he's always on her mind." After a brief hesitation, she added: "Once I meet my master, I'll be able to remove my veil—it won't be long now."

"..."

Gu Qing found it hard to comment.

After Duan Yu was drugged, facing Mu Wanjing beside him, he thought the stone statue was ten times more beautiful than Mu Wanjing...

Thus, Gu Qing had low expectations for Mu Wanjing's face beneath the veil; with Wang Yuyan and Lady Wang present, he treated Mu Wanjing with indifference, never attempting to lift her veil.

As they chatted, sudden commotion erupted inside Yuxu Temple. Gu Qing, Mu Wanjing, and Lady Wang heard the noise and hurried to the temple gate, where they saw Wang Yuyan fighting a Daoist nun.

The nun wielded a fly-whisk with sharp precision, each strike ruthless; though Wang Yuyan had trained for barely a month, her martial insight was unmatched in the world—upon the nun's first move, Wang Yuyan could predict the next several strikes, but fear held her back—she dared not counter, relying only on her lightness skill to dart and evade, appearing and vanishing unpredictably.

Seeing Gu Qing arrive, Wang Yuyan's courage grew. As the nun swung her fly-whisk again, Wang Yuyan's slender hand flicked out, brushing against it—the whisk instantly veered toward the nun. Wang Yuyan then swiftly tapped several acupoints on the nun's body, immobilizing her.

!

"Huh..."

With one decisive strike, Wang Yuyan stared at her hands. Before training under Gu Qing, she had merely regarded him as a formidable martial artist—but now, after practicing his arts, she understood their exquisite depth. Having subdued her opponent so easily, a thought arose in her mind: My cousin will never catch up to Gu Qing.

"Dao Baifeng!"

At that moment, Lady Wang recognized the nun's face, stepping forward, trembling, staring at the woman before her.

The nun was nearing middle age, yet her entire figure was pale as snow, her features exquisite, like Guanyin Bodhisattva. When her gaze met Lady Wang's, her eyes brimmed with hatred.

The nun was none other than the Princess of the Southern Pacification, Dao Baifeng.

Having quarreled with Duan Zhengchun, she had long since taken vows here. When Wang Yuyan came to the temple to ask for water, Dao Baifeng instantly recognized her as a Wang family woman; after several sharp questions, she immediately attacked—but she could not defeat Wang Yuyan, and was instead subdued by her.

"Wretch!"

Dao Baifeng snarled.

Among Duan's women, Gan Baobao and Qin Hongmian seemed heartless, yet a single word from him could lure them to bed; the truly difficult ones were Dao Baifeng and Lady Wang.

One gave him a green hat, making him raise Duan Yanqing's child for years; the other was even more devastating—a single ambush directly wiped him out.

Now that the two met, their hatred flared.

"Yuyan, give me your sword!"

Lady Wang prepared to strike.

Wang Yuyan was still stunned, but Mu Wanjing had already handed the sword to Lady Wang.

(End of Chapter)