Chapter 257: The Strongest in Raw Power

Zhu Wushi didn't want to speak.

Since Zhu Wushi descended from Tianchi after learning the Absorbing Power Great Art, he had never suffered such humiliation—but now, Zhu Wushi had been knocked to his knees by Gu Qing.

"Father…"

Shangguan Haitang hurried over, supporting Iron Dan Divine Marquis, and upon sensing poison in his body, quickly retrieved medicine, saying: "These are my master Wuhen Young Master's Poison-Repelling Pills—take them at once."

Wuhen Young Master had profound expertise in poison and medicine; in the original plot, it was these Poison-Repelling Pills that saved Iron Dan Divine Marquis when Cao Zhengchun tortured him with poison in prison.

As soon as the pill entered Zhu Wushi's mouth, his internal qi gradually stabilized, and his complexion improved.

Duan Tianya and Guihai Yidao stood silently beside him; they had watched the battle clearly and never imagined their randomly chosen master could topple Iron Dan Divine Marquis.

"Gu Daxia, your poison art is formidable."

Zhu Wushi stood up, his legs still weak, and praised Gu Qing's poison art—implicitly mocking Gu Qing's victory as dishonorable, trying desperately to save face before his three adopted sons.

"If it were Gu Santong, he wouldn't make excuses."

Gu Qing said calmly.

To lose is to lose—even losing by half a move is still a loss. Gu Santong locked himself in the Heavenly Prison over a "promise," yet he could afford to lose far better than Iron Dan Divine Marquis.

Zhu Wushi's face darkened further. He could lose to anyone—but never to Gu Santong. Gu Qing's words struck him deeply.

"Since Gu Daxia has won, there's no need to hide the truth about Yidao anymore."

Zhu Wushi decided to show grace, turning to Guihai Yidao: "But this outcome is cruel for you—Qilinzi acted to protect you…"

After playing the role of a benevolent man, Zhu Wushi finally revealed the truth of the past.

"My mother killed him?"

Guihai Yidao heard the end, unable to believe it, unable to accept it.

"That is the truth."

Zhu Wushi spoke coldly: "Yidao, we all know you were born to avenge your father's death. We never wished for you to go this far."

Guihai Yidao's expression grew dazed.

For years, Guihai Yidao endured any hardship to avenge his father—but after all this, the killer was his mother. The irony was unbearable.

Zhu Wushi turned, watching Yidao tremble, his face calm. He was no longer angry—he knew the final outcome required patience and waiting. And Zhu Wushi's entire plan had always been to eliminate Cao Zhengchun.

Now, Gu Qing had become another variable in this situation.

"Gu Daxia, I came here to invite you to the Number One Manor."

Zhu Wushi bowed to Gu Qing: "Now that everyone has their own path, I take my leave."

Zhu Wushi, humiliated, left without delay. Duan Tianya and Haitang quickly bade Gu Qing farewell and hurried after Zhu Wushi.

"This Iron Dan Divine Marquis seems unwilling to accept defeat."

Liu Sheng Piaoxu watched Iron Dan Divine Marquis's back and sensed his fury.

"He believes he is the strongest in raw power."

Gu Qing smiled: "He resents losing to me."

Zhu Wushi possesses traits similar to Shangguan JinHong—he fully gathers information on his opponents, ensuring absolute safety in battle. This time, facing Gu Qing, Zhu Wushi felt he had been outmaneuvered by a deliberate plan.

Next time, if Zhu Wushi prepares Poison-Repelling Pills and understands Gu Qing's techniques, he believes he won't lose.

Liu Sheng Xueji finally nodded: "Even with ample preparation, it wouldn't help."

Liu Sheng Xueji had seen Gu Qing's battles in Japan—she knew that as long as Gu Qing held a sword, even with all the time in the world, Zhu Wushi couldn't withstand his terrifying sword art. "Still, letting Iron Dan Divine Marquis prepare more wouldn't hurt."

Gu Qing felt that if Iron Dan Divine Marquis absorbed Cao Zhengchun's Heavenly Gang Boy Gong and the Four Ghosts of Xiangxi to enter his ultimate form, he could overturn palaces with a wave of his hand and control dragons. Even now, Gu Qing wasn't certain he could win.

"But if he improves, I will improve too."

Gu Qing said. With the Good Deed System, his advancement speed was naturally extremely fast.

"Master."

Guihai Yidao said: "I want to go to my mother."

After years of searching for his enemy, the truth turned out like this—he didn't want to face it, but he had to.

This matter must come to an end.

Gu Qing's defeat of Iron Dan Divine Marquis was not publicly announced, so the martial world did not know the Number One had changed hands—everything remained quiet. Yet Guihai Yidao rode swiftly toward the hidden dwelling of his mother, Hua Nong.

Gu Qing was riding when suddenly his figure flickered, vanishing into the dense forest. He reappeared, dragging out a drunken man and placing him before his horse's hooves.

"Who is this?"

!

Liu Sheng Piaoxu demanded.

Gu Qing had seized him because the man had been acting suspiciously.

Gu Qing glanced at the drunken man and smiled: "This is Zhang Jinjiu, the Number One Detective in the world."

In the world of the Number One, intelligence networks abound—the Emperor has one, the Iron Dan Manor has one, the Eastern Depot has one—and Zhang Jinjiu built his own, using his reputation as the Number One Detective to roam the martial world freely.

Zhang Jinjiu was pulled out, still drunk, even lifting his wine flask to take a sip.

"Number One Detective?"

Guihai Yidao's gaze was like a blade: "Tell me—do you know who killed my father?"

Zhang Jinjiu turned his face, expression complex.

In the original TV drama, Zhang Jinjiu had apparently uncovered the truth behind Guihai Yidao's father's death, repeatedly becoming emotionally agitated, urging Yidao to give up—but Yidao refused, leaving Zhang Jinjiu only to sigh helplessly.

Zhang Jinjiu turned to Guihai Yidao and said: "Exactly as you thought."

Guihai Yidao's face turned icy.

Hearing it confirmed by the Number One Detective pierced Guihai Yidao's heart once more.

"Guihai Shaoye."

Zhang Jinjiu said: "I was sent by Iron Dan Divine Marquis to track your progress and estimate when you'll return."

"Iron Dan Divine Marquis?"

Guihai Yidao asked coldly.

"Yes—it's him."

Zhang Jinjiu said: "The Marquis fears you might act rashly and commit an irreparable mistake, so he sent me to watch you. He has also written letters to your mother, inviting the Number One Swordsman Jian Jingfeng and Abbot Liaokong of Shaolin Temple—we all hope you will stop here."

Zhu Wushi had not abandoned Guihai Yidao—he was now making overtures of goodwill.

Guihai Yidao nodded slightly at these words.

He needed a way out…

(End of Chapter)