Chapter 227: Li Qiushui Arrives

Gu Qing traveled by boat along the waterway to Xinyang; before he even disembarked, the Eight Friends of Han Valley had already come to greet him.

In his youth, Wu Yashu had broad interests, and when taking disciples, he wished only to pass on all his arts; the Learned and Eloquent Master Su Xinghe thus devoted himself tirelessly to studying a wide range of skills, and later passed these arts on to eight others—the Eight Friends of Han Valley.

The Mad Musician, the Chess Demon, the Book Fool, the Painting Maniac, the Divine Physician, the Master Craftsman, the Flower Fanatic, the Theater Enthusiast.

Among them, the Mad Musician was named Kang Guangling, also A Bi's master; the Divine Physician was Xue Muhua, one of the organizers of the Gathering Virtue Manor, and many who came to the assembly came specifically for Xue Muhua's reputation; the Flower Fanatic was the only woman among the Eight Friends of Han Valley, obsessed with cultivating flowers and capable of bewitching others with pollen.

These eight came here first to pay respects to the Tianshan Child Witch and Gu Qing; upon seeing Wang Yuyan's beauty, they paused in surprise, their emotions complex, then stepped forward to greet her.

"Li Qiushui is my grandmother."

Wang Yuyan stood by the water's edge, her countenance faintly cold.

The Tianshan Child Witch was capricious: during the day she could discuss martial arts calmly with Gu Qing, but at night she would beat and curse them, forcing Qin Hongmian to join them inside the room, leaving Wang Yuyan and Mu Wanqing—two beauties who had just begun to know pleasure—without any joy.

"So that's how it is."

The Eight Friends of Han Valley looked at Wang Yuyan; they all knew that the Xiaoyao Sect had fallen into this state largely because their former patriarch had married an unworthy wife.

But since Wang Yuyan called Li Qiushui grandmother, Wu Yashu must be her grandfather—the Eight Friends of Han Valley still owed him respect.

A Bi stepped forward and paid her respects to Kang Guangling; her musical skill was exquisite, a true Xiaoyao lineage.

"Little A Bi, you've grown even more beautiful."

Kang Guangling, tears streaming down his face, said: "This time, we can all return to our sect."

Regarding why A Bi was a Xiaoyao disciple and why she was in the Murong household, the serialized version explained that Kang Guangling, while wandering the Jianghu with young A Bi, was pursued and forced to take refuge in the Murong household, where A Bi became a maid for many years.

A Bi lowered her eyes, tears sliding down her peach-blossom cheeks, gazing at the rippling water where Gu Qing's half-smiling face was reflected; their eyes met, and suddenly A Bi's heart tightened: Gu Qing intends to become the Xiaoyao Sect's leader—this return to the sect means she'll be bound to him for life.

The Valley of Deaf and Dumb lies in Shangcai, Henan; after disembarking in Xinyang, the rest of the journey was arranged by the Eight Friends of Han Valley.

"Qiao Feng recently did something major in the Jianghu—he entered Shaolin, killed his own master Xuan Ku, and took away a young novice."

The Eight Friends of Han Valley exchanged rumors from the Jianghu.

They were now in Henan, and news from Shaolin spread quickly.

"Who died?"

Kang Guangling, who had been walking ahead, suddenly froze in shock; he had met Xuan Ku only a few times, but they shared deep musical affinities. Hearing the news confirmed, he broke into heart-wrenching sobs.

"Why did he kill his own master?"

Xue Muhua asked.

"Perhaps because Qiao Feng is a Khitan? Born with a violent nature?"

Wu Lingjun, the Painting Maniac, said.

"Big brother, stop crying."

Xue Muhua, watching Kang Guangling weep uncontrollably, volunteered: "Later, I'll send out Hero Invitations—we'll kill Qiao Feng."

"Pfft…"

Gu Qing suddenly laughed.

Xue Muhua turned his head, puzzled: "Why are you laughing, Master Gu?"

From A Bi's letters, they had learned Gu Qing defeated Ding Chunqiu and thus held him in some respect.

"Why don't you send out Hero Invitations to kill Ding Chunqiu?"

Gu Qing asked with a smile. Ding Chunqiu, since disembarking, had always sat on a stretcher; though his legs were severed, his long beard flowed, still carrying a touch of divine grace. Knowing they were headed to the Valley of Deaf and Dumb to settle accounts, he had been gloomy, convinced his days were numbered—but hearing the mention of Hero Invitations, he couldn't help smiling.

Xue Muhua glanced at Ding Chunqiu, shook his head, and said: "If I could kill Ding Chunqiu that easily, I would have done it long ago."

Ding Chunqiu was too powerful.

"Qiao Feng is stronger than Ding Chunqiu."

Gu Qing said calmly.

At this, Xue Muhua fell silent; Ding Chunqiu sank back into gloom.

"Where has Murong Fu been taken?"

Gu Qing asked.

Wu Lingjun hurriedly replied: "He's been sent to Bianjing. Rumor says a Tibetan lama heard of this and came specially to Bianjing to defend Murong Fu, claiming his family genealogy and imperial edicts are forgeries."

Kumārajīva…

!

Gu Qing asked again: "Was there a Dali princess with Murong Fu?"

Wu Lingjun shook his head vigorously: "They say the Dali princess stayed in Bianjing for two or three days, then vanished—no one knows if she was captured by the Joyless Cave."

The Joyless Cave was Bianjing's sewer system, also called Ghost Fan Tower, a den of filth where many women were secretly held.

"No."

Gu Qing declared firmly: "Ghost Fan Tower has been cleaned up."

Ghost Fan Tower was where Gu Qing had once displayed his martial arts in Bianjing; every level had been purged. A Zhu was always clever—she wouldn't stumble there. Gu Qing suspected the young novice Qiao Feng abducted was more likely A Zhu.

Gu Qing had Xue Muhua spread word that he was practicing medicine in Shangcai; if A Zhu were truly gravely injured, she would have a place to be healed.

After rushing forward at full speed, the Valley of Deaf and Dumb finally came into view.

At the valley's entrance, beneath a vast expanse of emerald waves, stood a white figure, elusive, floating like a spirit.

"Li Qiushui, you vile woman!"

The Tianshan Child Witch spotted the white figure and cried out: "Brother was blind to choose you! You dared to cheat on him with this scoundrel Ding Chunqiu and pushed him off the cliff—you're a slut!"

The white figure turned gracefully, her gaze icy; when she saw Gu Qing, she studied him a moment longer, then glided like walking on ice, mist swirling around her, suddenly appearing before them, laughing lightly: "Sister, you're ninety-five, unwanted by anyone, illiterate—really, you shouldn't be scolding your younger sister."

Li Qiushui's voice was gentle and refined, like spring wind stirring hearts.

Gu Qing studied Li Qiushui; she wore a veil, obscuring her face, but the Wave-Stepping Skill enhanced her posture so profoundly that her movements and stance seemed ethereal.

"Illiterate?"

The Tianshan Child Witch glanced at Gu Qing.

Gu Qing stepped back and shouted: "Ding Chunqiu, you tell her!"

Ding Chunqiu looked at Gu Qing, then met the Tianshan Child Witch's furious glare and Li Qiushui's mocking smile; at his age, he felt like a blushing youth again, embarrassed, and muttered: "She must mean… Ding Ding…"

"Slap!"

The Tianshan Child Witch struck Ding Chunqiu across the face, snarling: "Don't speak nonsense before your auntie!"

Ding Chunqiu spat out a broken tooth, covered his face, and fell silent.

(End of Chapter)