Chapter 261

"In my day, the late emperor bestowed upon me the Imperial Edict and the Sword of Supreme Authority, and founded the Protecting Dragon Manor, all to defend the imperial family."

Zhu Wushi rode through the streets of Jingcheng, head held high, speaking with great pride, then added: "Alas, today's eunuchs run rampant, and the emperor trusts them blindly—I can only rescue loyal ministers when the eunuchs bring chaos, and even then, there's little I can truly do."

The current court is a balance of power between Zhu Wushi and Cao Zhengchun.

Cao Zhengchun seeks to crush Zhu Wushi and restore the glory of Han and Tang eunuchs.

Zhu Wushi aims to eliminate Cao Zhengchun and emulate the old deeds of Prince Yan.

As for the current emperor, though he appears to play both sides, he holds no real power and can accomplish little.

"Grandmaster Gu, lately your reputation in the Jianghu has been severely tarnished."

Zhu Wushi spoke warmly to Gu Qing: "Though Wan Qiansan has managed to clear the Protecting Dragon Manor's name, Jingcheng remains Cao Zhengchun's stronghold—you'll be constrained walking here, so be ever cautious. Stay the night at my Protecting Dragon Manor."

"Of course, of course."

Gu Qing replied casually.

The capital of the Great Ming was a hundred times more prosperous than Kyoto; the Liu sisters, country girls who had come to the city, gazed in wonder at everything around them. Gu Qing, intending to take them sightseeing, took his leave of Zhu Wushi.

"Very well."

Zhu Wushi said: "Lately I've been reviewing the Protecting Dragon Manor's archives, investigating the whereabouts of the Tianxiang Doukou. If I find anything, I'll notify you immediately, Grandmaster."

Zhu Wushi was a master of patience; now, speaking to Gu Qing, he was unusually gentle.

Gu Qing smiled. The Protecting Dragon Manor and the Eastern Depot were already meddling in each other's affairs. Gu Qing had already revealed that one Tianxiang Doukou was in Cao Zhengchun's hands—this alone would set Zhu Wushi and Cao Zhengchun on a bloody collision course.

"Sir, come quickly!"

Liu Sheng Piaoxu, still young, moved with light steps in this bustling place. Behind her, Gu Qing and Liu Sheng Xueji exchanged a smile, clasped hands, and followed, watching street performances, listening to storytellers, sipping tea, until dusk fell.

"Shall we go to the Protecting Dragon Manor?"

Liu Sheng Xueji asked.

"Not yet."

Gu Qing replied.

Though Gu Qing and Zhu Wushi appeared close, they were merely surface brothers. Gu Qing could not bring the sisters to live inside—it would mean constant surveillance.

"Then where shall we go?"

Liu Sheng Xueji asked.

Gu Qing smiled.

In the imperial palace of Great Ming, Gu Qing held Liu Sheng Piaoxu in one arm and Liu Sheng Xueji's hand in the other, gliding effortlessly through the palace grounds until they reached a certain hall.

"Not a single worthy opponent..."

Inside the hall, a young maid was furious, surrounded by many eunuchs. The girl was peculiar, devising all sorts of tricks to torment them until they cried out in pain, whereupon she dismissed them.

"Boring..."

After tormenting the eunuchs, the girl propped her chin on her hand, utterly bored.

"Very boring?"

A voice came from within the room. The girl spun around and saw three new figures had appeared—the central man had a face like a jade crown, smiling faintly. Clearly, he had spoken.

"Who are you?"

The girl asked Gu Qing, puzzled.

"The one who will educate you."

As he spoke, Gu Qing appeared before her in an instant and lightly tapped her head.

This girl was Princess Yunluo of "The First Under Heaven," aged twelve or thirteen, naturally spirited. At their arrival, she felt only excitement, immediately swinging her fist toward Gu Qing's chest.

Gu Qing's body moved like drifting fluff, letting her punches and kicks land without resistance, gliding effortlessly—Princess Yunluo cried out in delight.

"Want to learn this kind of skill?"

Gu Qing asked with a smile.

Princess Yunluo nodded eagerly.

"Trade me the Mermaid's Little Pearl!"

Gu Qing declared firmly.

There were three Tianxiang Doukou in total, all imperial tributes. When united, they could revive the dead. One was with Iron Dan Divine Marquis, already consumed by Su Xin. Of the remaining two, one was in Cao Zhengchun's possession, and the other was hidden within Princess Yunluo's Mermaid's Little Pearl.

"Why do you want the Mermaid's Little Pearl?"

Princess Yunluo asked, puzzled. She didn't care much for the treasure, but since Gu Qing had named it, it must be important.

"To save a life."

Gu Qing said solemnly.

Princess Yunluo immediately retrieved the Mermaid's Little Pearl and handed it to Gu Qing. Throughout, she never once suspected deception—she was utterly open and trusting.

"Excellent!"

Gu Qing took the Mermaid's Little Pearl and said: "I see your martial arts are terrible. If you wish to become my disciple, you must start from the basics."

"What do you mean by 'I see your martial arts are terrible'?"

Princess Yunluo flew into a rage: "Did I ask you to look?"

"…"

Gu Qing was rarely speechless.

Since Princess Yunluo was female, Gu Qing began teaching her the Nine Yin Manual, first instructing her in Qi cultivation, then techniques.

"Girl, these two are your mistresses."

After teaching her enough, Gu Qing coaxed her: "Tonight, your two mistresses will sleep here. I expect you to serve them well."

Two mistresses?

Princess Yunluo looked at Liu Sheng Piaoxu—she seemed about the same age… Had she already married?

A chill ran down her spine. Even her youth didn't feel safe anymore.

"Then what will you do?"

Princess Yunluo asked.

"I'm going to… cause trouble."

Gu Qing smiled at Princess Yunluo.

Princess Yunluo glanced at Liu Sheng Piaoxu and Liu Sheng Xueji. Since Gu Qing had taught her martial arts, she now considered him one of her own, and held no ill will toward the two mistresses.

Satisfied, Gu Qing leapt away toward the Protecting Dragon Manor.

Protecting Dragon Manor.

Zhu Wushi, Haitang, Tianya, and many of the manor's inner guards were poring over its archives, searching for clues to the Tianxiang Doukou's whereabouts.

Gu Qing slipped quietly into Su Xin's chamber. Seeing her half-asleep, he picked up a brush and left a note: he had found the Tianxiang Doukou's location and had taken Su Xin without permission. He wrote it to prevent Iron Dan Divine Marquis from flying into a rage and killing him outright.

After all, Gu Qing knew Zhu Wushi's true nature—he killed his own men without hesitation.

But now Zhu Wushi showed no signs of cruelty, so Gu Qing said nothing. He entered Jingcheng, brought several plates of duck, beef, and mutton, carried a flask of wine, and, with Su Xin slung over his back, headed toward the ninth level of the Imperial Prison.

Gu Qing had long studied the location of the old man, Gu Santong. Now, he moved with ease. Upon entering the ninth level, he felt a powerful suction. Following it, he arrived before Gu Santong.

"You again, kid..." Gu Santong raised his hand to strike, then froze as his gaze fixed on the woman on Gu Qing's back.

"Su Xin..."

Gu Santong cried out, reaching out to draw her gently into his arms. Seeing her half-dead state and still-youthful face, he burst into tears.

"Su Xin..."

"Su Xin..."

Gu Santong wept uncontrollably.

Yes, yes, just like this—fight Zhu Wushi to the death!

Gu Qing stood aside, quietly watching. When Gu Santong calmed and began tidying his disheveled hair, he spoke.

"Kid, how did you bring Su Xin here?"

Gu Santong studied Gu Qing's expression, listening as he recounted his two battles with Zhu Wushi.

!

"That old pig has improved his martial arts considerably."

Gu Santong murmured after hearing the battle details.

The ninth level of the prison was also a kind of stagnation for Gu Santong.

"You defeated that old pig."

Gu Santong told Gu Qing: "Your martial arts are now the best in the world."

In his youth, Gu Santong had been defeated by Iron Dan Divine Marquis through cunning. Now, hearing how Gu Qing had outmaneuvered and defeated Iron Dan Divine Marquis, he could not help but sigh.

"I don't care about being the best in the world."

Gu Qing smiled, took the Tianxiang Doukou, and placed it before Gu Santong: "Two problems lie before you now..."

One: Su Xin carried a cold poison that required the Absorbing Power Technique to draw out. Two: find the third Tianxiang Doukou as soon as possible.

Upon hearing of the cold poison, Gu Santong immediately activated his technique, drawing the poison into his body. The coldness suppressed his lingering internal injuries slightly, and the rest was dissolved by his Golden Unbreakable Divine Skill.

"San Tong, Wushi—stop fighting!"

"Don't fight anymore—what's the point of this?"

Su Xin's memories returned from the Tianchi battle. She awoke suddenly, seeing Gu Santong's white hair, and wept uncontrollably.

"We're finally reunited."

Gu Santong held Su Xin, weeping bitterly.

Su Xin immediately leaned into his arms, pressing her face against him, tears streaming endlessly.

"Come, come, food and drink are all prepared for you."

Gu Qing placed the meals before the two of them.

Gu San Tong looked at Gu Qing with gratitude and said, "I know your purpose well. Now that you've brought Su Xin here and delivered the Tianxiang Doukou to restore her mind, I have no reason to hide the Golden Invulnerability Divine Art from you."

Gu Qing's act of bringing Su Xin completely moved Gu San Tong, who immediately recited the incantation, transmitting every detail of the Golden Invulnerability Divine Art.

Gu Qing applied his Good Deeds, and these secrets were learned at once; he immediately practiced the internal energy, guiding it along the path of the Golden Invulnerability Divine Art, pondering its exquisite subtleties.

"The greatest strength of the Golden Invulnerability Divine Art is transforming into a golden figure."

Gu San Tong said, "But to transform into a golden body, one must cultivate for a long time."

Gu Qing sat upright, studying every aspect of the Golden Invulnerability Divine Art.

At this moment, Gu San Tong and Su Xin held hands, exchanging heartfelt words; Su Xin's memories stretched back to before the Tianchi Battle, when Gu San Tong had been captured, and neither knew anything of recent Jianghu affairs—they spoke only of past joys.

"Ah..."

Gu Qing let out a long cry; as the internal energy solidified, it shook dust from the surroundings, and his body surged with extraordinary power, spreading through every limb and bone, instantly transforming him into the Small Golden Figure state.

"Dong... dong..."

Gu Qing looked around, then struck his arms together—producing the sound of metal clashing.

In the Small Golden Figure state, Gu Qing's physical defense became nearly invincible; blades and palm strikes could not harm him, and his personal strength surged dramatically.

"The Golden Invulnerability Divine Art can be used only five times in a lifetime."

Gu San Tong said solemnly, "If used more than five times, your meridians will shatter and you will die."

The Gu San Tong of old had lied to Iron Dan Divine Marquis for amusement; the Gu San Tong of now was paving the way for his successor.

"Really?"

Gu Qing said indifferently, "I don't believe it."

These words left Gu San Tong silent for a moment, then he said, "If you don't believe it, then use it as much as you like."

Gu Qing smiled, and the internal energy naturally dissipated; his skin returned to its original state.

"Actually, your injury doesn't necessarily have to be fatal."

Gu Qing studied Gu San Tong and spoke calmly.

In past days, Gu San Tong would have feared neither life nor death—but Su Xin was beside him, and he could not speak recklessly.

"Can you save me?"

Gu San Tong frowned and said, "I know my condition best—my body is growing weaker by the day, and my internal injury will inevitably flare up. Am I still salvageable?"

Gu Qing nodded without hesitation.

"Great Hero, how will you save San Tong?"

Su Xin looked at Gu Qing, her eyes filled with gratitude; she had thought their meeting would bring fewer and fewer days, yet now it promised more.

"We'll wait until we find Cheng Fei Shi."

Gu Qing said.

"Cheng Fei Shi?"

Su Xin did not understand the name—it had been given by a schoolmaster. Though Cheng Fei Shi was a ruffian, during Iron Dan Divine Marquis's usurpation, he had truly awakened to a sense of sacrifice for the nation and grown immensely.

"Cheng Fei Shi is your son."

Gu Qing revealed some of the hidden truths from the past.

Gu San Tong and Su Xin exchanged glances, their eyes brimming with emotion.

"Can my son save me?"

Gu San Tong's eyes filled with tears.

Gu Qing nodded repeatedly, looking at Gu San Tong and saying, "When the time comes, just remember: a filial son is born from the rod."

Gu San Tong shook his head. "I will never strike my son!"

Gu Qing chuckled.

Su Xin and Gu San Tong's reunion lasted until dawn; when Gu Qing took Su Xin away, they parted with deep reluctance. The once fading Gu San Tong, now knowing Cheng Fei Shi could save him, that he had a son, and that Su Xin still lived, radiated renewed vigor—a spark of will to live.

Hu Long Mountain Villa.

Since last night, when Gu Qing had taken Su Xin away, the entire Hu Long Mountain Villa had erupted in chaos; Iron Dan Divine Marquis Zhu Wushi searched nearly madly, and at dawn, upon hearing the outside report, Zhu Wushi rushed out—and saw the woman return...

Su Xin!

(End of Chapter)