Chapter 265: Are You Still a Virgin?

The capital of Great Ming.

The Eastern Depot.

Gu Qing wore a deep blue Daoist robe and a crescent moon crown, appearing the very image of a true immortal, and arrived at the Eastern Depot alongside Zhu Wushi. Cao Zhengchun had already stepped out to greet them, bowing respectfully with clasped fists before inviting the two inside.

"The Eastern Depot is humble, nowhere near the grandeur of the Huilong Villa. Please, Divine Marquis, do not take offense."

Cao Zhengchun led the two with humble demeanor.

"The Eastern Depot spends all its funds internally. They say the place is riddled with traps—so much so that not even a fly could escape."

Zhu Wushi spoke coolly.

Cao Zhengchun smiled faintly. "The Divine Marquis, of course, could fly out."

The remark seemed to equate the Iron-Fisted Divine Marquis with a fly, yet Zhu Wushi showed no reaction. He entered the inner chamber with Cao Zhengchun, and they took their seats—host and guest. Cao Zhengchun then introduced several reclusive martial artists and served tea to Gu Qing and Zhu Wushi.

"Master Gu."

Cao Zhengchun said to Gu Qing: "The pirates along the coast are indeed retreating. Lord Yanagi Tatemasa of Japan has formally petitioned our court, affirming his loyalty. The ninjas who attacked the Eastern Depot have no ties to the Yanagi clan. I was wrong to suspect you…"

Cao Zhengchun apologized to Gu Qing.

Gu Qing sipped his tea and said nothing, leaving the stage to Cao Zhengchun and Zhu Wushi.

"Divine Marquis."

After clearing up the misunderstanding with Gu Qing, Cao Zhengchun turned to the Iron-Fisted Divine Marquis. "I heard the girl Su Xin has awakened. As for the third Tianxiang Doukou… it happens to be in my possession…"

Cao Zhengchun's voice trailed off, lingering meaningfully.

"The third Tianxiang Doukou should be in the imperial treasury."

Zhu Wushi replied coldly: "If His Majesty learns this Tianxiang Doukou is in your hands, Cao Eunuch, I fear you cannot bear the blame."

Zhu Wushi invoked righteousness, seeking to bargain with Cao Zhengchun.

Cao Zhengchun chuckled.

At this point, Zhu Wushi lowered his tone slightly and began negotiating with Cao Zhengchun. What Cao sought was the Huilong Villa's secret intelligence—details concerning court officials, the ten generals who held military command. Whoever possessed this intelligence would control power.

Zhu Wushi claimed to serve the nation and people. Despite Cao Zhengchun's relentless pressure, he refused to yield. They haggled back and forth until Gu Qing had finished two cups of tea.

"Enough."

Gu Qing cut in directly, turning to Cao Zhengchun: "I handled one Tianxiang Doukou. I know what it looks like. Show me yours."

Hearing this, Cao Zhengchun and Zhu Wushi fell silent. Cao Zhengchun chuckled, reached into his robe, and pulled out a pill.

"Shhh!"

In that instant, Gu Qing seized Cao Zhengchun's wrist, gripping the Wai Guan and Lie Que acupoints, channeling his inner energy to wrestle with Cao.

"Master Gu, what are you doing?"

Cao Zhengchun activated the Heavenly Gang Boyhood Skill, forming a circular aura around his body; enraged by Gu Qing's attempt to seize the pill, he resisted.

In The First Under Heaven, Zhu Wushi absorbed Cao Zhengchun's Heavenly Gang Boyhood Skill to counter Cheng Feishi's Golden Body Divine Art; the Heavenly Gang Boyhood Skill is an extremely powerful defensive technique.

"I'm here to take the Tianxiang Doukou."

Gu Qing refused to dally, seizing it outright: "This thing can't see the light. Even if I turn the Eastern Depot upside down, you two will just kick each other's quilts—you won't expose anything."

And even if you did drag it to the Emperor's attention, so what?

Gu Qing didn't care.

Hearing Gu Qing's words, Zhu Wushi felt like a hooked fish suddenly freed. He had always been Cao Zhengchun's mortal enemy. A fight here today would be no problem—as long as he took back the Tianxiang Doukou. His expression turned icy, and he prepared to strike.

"Die!"

"You dare!"

"You dare cause trouble in the Eastern Depot!"

Several reclusive martial artists were already in the room. Seeing Gu Qing strike first, they erupted in fury. Weapons flashed in their hands as they lunged at Gu Qing, who was locked in combat with Cao Zhengchun.

Zhu Wushi should have joined the attack. But now, his gaze grew cold. He watched as the weapons converged upon Gu Qing without moving.

Gu Qing stood firm, unmoving as blades slashed toward him.

Zhu Wushi stared at Gu Qing, preparing to witness his next move—when sudden shock and dread flickered in his eyes.

How could Gu Qing… have the Golden Body Divine Art!

In that instant, Gu Qing's hair turned golden, his skin bronze, his very face gilded like a Buddha enshrined in gold. The blades struck him—and shattered. Gu Qing, at the center, stood utterly unmoved, as if brushed by ants.

Cao Zhengchun stared at Gu Qing's transformed face, preparing to clash with the Heavenly Gang Boyhood Skill—but Gu Qing tightened his grip; the Tianxiang Doukou slipped free and rolled into his palm. "Bang!"

Gu Qing casually swung his hand. The light blow sent Cao Zhengchun crashing through the wall, tumbling to the ground.

The Golden Body Divine Art, the supreme martial art of the world, not only grants near-invulnerability—it also massively enhances the user's strength.

Gu Qing had always been superior to Cao Zhengchun in every skill, but the Heavenly Gang Boyhood Skill had been too formidable, preventing him from gaining the upper hand; now, with the Golden Body Divine Art activated, a single gesture overpowered Cao Zhengchun.

The room's many masters launched a coordinated assault upon Gu Qing.

Gu Qing, transformed into a golden figure, punched and slapped—left fist striking an unknown old man, right hammer crushing an unknown woman. With the Golden Body Divine Art's power, three moves, two strikes, and every one of Cao Zhengchun's men lay sprawled on the floor. The Eastern Depot's guards fled in panic, clearing the entire chamber.

Gu Qing stepped out the door. Inside, Zhu Wushi heard only thudding blows. When he finally gathered his thoughts and stepped outside, he saw Eastern Depot personnel sprawled everywhere—while Gu Qing, his hair now golden, walked toward Cao Zhengchun.

With the Golden Body Divine Art activated, Gu Qing crushed the Eastern Depot's men like cutting grass.

"Heavenly Gang Boyhood Skill!"

Cao Zhengchun struck Gu Qing's heart with a palm. "Thud-thud!" Like hammering iron. Gu Qing showed no damage. Instead, he swung a fist—sending Cao Zhengchun crashing into the wall.

!

Once in the Golden Body state, Gu Qing didn't merely gain strength—he could now freely use techniques that traded damage for damage, life for life, thanks to his invulnerability.

Gu Qing unleashed a flurry of fists and kicks, like a storm of blossoms, raining blows upon Cao Zhengchun.

Cao Zhengchun tried to counter at first—but could not break Gu Qing's defense. He could only cover his head and endure the pounding.

"Thud-thud-thud!!!"

The Eastern Depot had deep reserves. More masters leapt forward—but their strikes landed on Gu Qing with no effect. The recoil sent them sprawling to the ground.

I'm invincible. Do what you will.

"Cao Eunuch."

Gu Qing lifted Cao Zhengchun by the collar, pointed outside, and smiled: "May I leave now?"

This beating would surely teach Cao Zhengchun a lesson.

Yes!

Of course you may!

Cao Zhengchun nodded frantically.

The world had long whispered that the Golden Body Divine Art was supreme. Cao Zhengchun had never believed it—until now.

The Golden Body Divine Art is that powerful!

Gu Qing chuckled. His golden hair darkened back to black. He turned to Zhu Wushi: "Little Zhu, let's go."

Zhu Wushi had just witnessed the true weight of the Golden Body Divine Art. To Gu Qing, calling him "Little Zhu" was perfectly justified.

Zhu Wushi followed Gu Qing, his emotions tangled. He hadn't expected to retrieve the Tianxiang Doukou so easily—or that Gu Qing possessed the Golden Body Divine Art.

But in this moment, many things became clear to Zhu Wushi.

"I never thought you were Gu Santong's disciple."

Zhu Wushi's voice was heavy.

Only because Gu Qing was Gu Santong's disciple could he possess such vast martial knowledge and strength. Only then would he linger in the capital, targeting Zhu Wushi in every matter…

"Who is Gu Santong's disciple?"

Gu Qing replied calmly: "I gave Su Xin to the imperial prison. After she met Gu Santong, he thanked me—and passed the Golden Body Divine Art to me."

So that's how it was…

Zhu Wushi felt the clarity he'd gained begin to blur. A great mystery hung heavy in his heart. He stared at Gu Qing and asked seriously: "Are you still a virgin?"

Zhu Wushi wanted to know if Gu Qing was still chaste.

The Golden Body Divine Art, it was said, could only be cultivated by a virgin. Zhu Wushi himself had abandoned it long ago because he was not a virgin—he chose the Absorb Power Great Art instead.

"I believe I am!"

Gu Qing answered proudly.

You can't be!

Zhu Wushi knew of Gu Qing's relationships with Yanagi Yuki and Yanagi Piaoxu. But seeing Gu Qing's expression, his heart suddenly ached bitterly.

"Gu Santong… how could you…?"

Zhu Wushi felt like vomiting blood. He had always believed he manipulated Gu Santong—only to realize he'd been fooled completely.

At this moment, Zhu Wushi understood what he had lost. And now, he felt he was the one most wounded by Gu Qing's Golden Body Divine Art.

Cao Zhengchun was merely scratched.

(End of Chapter)