Chapter 27: Guo Jing Is Still Too Conservative

The Dragon and Elephant Mahāprajñā Sūtra is a protective dharma art of the Vajrayāna tradition.

Gu Qing rode his horse as he explained the Dragon and Elephant Mahāprajñā Sūtra to Yang Guo and Xiaolongnu, saying: “Even a fool, once he begins cultivation, can achieve the first level in one or two years; the second level takes three to four years, the third seven to eight, the fourth fifteen to sixteen, and after the fifth level, each requires over thirty years.”

“Generally speaking, if a person has a thousand-year lifespan and cultivates the Dragon and Elephant Mahāprajñā Sūtra at a steady pace, success is inevitable—but due to lifespan limits, most humans can only reach the sixth or seventh level in their lifetime.”

While introducing the Dragon and Elephant Mahāprajñā Sūtra, Gu Qing also described to Yang Guo its internal energy circulation method and cultivation principles.

Yang Guo, whose nature did not suit the nimble arts of the Ancient Tomb Sect, instead found greater resonance with heavy-sword techniques; as he listened to the Dragon and Elephant Mahāprajñā Sūtra’s energy flow, he nodded repeatedly.

Xiaolongnu heard these martial arts and deemed them useless, not absorbing a single word.

After ambushing a group of Mongols at Abao Town, Gu Qing did not know what follow-up actions the Golden Wheel Deva might take, but with ample silver on hand, he and Xiaolongnu and Yang Guo traveled to Dasheng Pass without involving the Beggar’s Sect—and thus avoided Mongol military officers sent to assassinate them, arriving smoothly at Lu Family Manor.

The lord of Lu Family Manor was Lu Guanying and Cheng Yaojia, one the son of Lu Chengfeng, a disciple of the Eastern Heretic Huang Yaoshi, the other a disciple of Sun Bu’er, the Pure and Quiet Recluse of the Quanzhen Sect; when they married, Guo Jing and Huang Rong had been hiding nearby to recover from injuries, overhearing their flirtations and stirring Guo Jing’s desires.

Now Lu Guanying and Cheng Yaojia had moved to Dasheng Pass, and Guo Jing and Huang Rong planned to host the Heroic Banquet—so this couple took full responsibility for organizing it, choosing Lu Family Manor as the venue.

Gu Qing also bore the Quanzhen Sect’s name; when he neared Lu Family Manor, Lu Guanying and Cheng Yaojia came out to greet him, and Guo Jing and Huang Rong joined them.

“Cousin Gu.”

Cheng Yaojia, her cloud-like hair loosely coiled, elegant and graceful, said: “We received a letter from the Quanzhen Sect, informing us you had arrived ahead of us and asking us to treat you well.”

Lu Guanying stood beside her, smiling.

Qiu Chuji of the Quanzhen Sect, knowing Gu Qing was coming for the Heroic Gathering, had sent a letter ahead by swift horse before the Quanzhen Sect even departed, detailing Gu Qing’s temperament to Cheng Yaojia, urging her and others to pay extra attention and avoid conflict before the Quanzhen Sect arrived.

Cheng Yaojia, having read in the letter that Gu Qing had acted boldly and without restraint even within the Quanzhen Sect, naturally took him seriously and treated him with particular courtesy.

The letter stated that Gu Qing responded to courtesy with courtesy, but if treated with disrespect, he would torment his enemies to death—and his deeds against the Quanzhen Sect and the Mongols were all verifiable.

Thus Cheng Yaojia and Lu Guanying paid him extra heed.

Gu Qing, unaware of this, saw Cheng Yaojia and Lu Guanying greet him politely and returned their greetings.

“Young Master Gu, thank you for aiding our daughter.”

Guo Jing, with thick eyebrows and large eyes, broad-shouldered and tall, dressed in coarse linen, radiating solemn dignity, bowed to Gu Qing in thanks.

“Young Master Guo, for your country and people…”

Gu Qing offered a few casual flatteries, his gaze inadvertently sweeping toward Huang Rong.

Huang Rong, now middle-aged, with lightly penciled brows and skin brighter than snow, wore a golden bracelet that accentuated her flesh like white jade; she was dressed in pale purple, and upon meeting Gu Qing’s gaze, she gave a slight nod, her eyes turning to Xiaolongnu.

In the Condor Heroes era, Huang Rong wore white as pure as snow; this style carried over into the original serialization of the novel, but Jin Yong later felt her attire was too similar to Xiaolongnu’s, so he changed Huang Rong’s clothing in Condor Heroes.

After observing Huang Rong, Gu Qing compared her to Xiaolongnu and thought Zhou Botong’s claim that Xiaolongnu was slightly more beautiful than Huang Rong seemed subjective—perhaps Zhou Botong judged by Daoist standards; if judged by Gu Qing’s own standards… it was hard to say which was superior.

In Gu Qing’s assessment, he once felt Huang Rong had more charm, but whenever his judgment tilted, he always recalled one or two admirable qualities of Xiaolongnu, restoring perfect balance.

“Guo’er!”

After exchanging pleasantries with Gu Qing, Guo Jing embraced Yang Guo warmly.

Having learned the truth of his father’s death from Gu Qing, and understanding the true nature of Guo Jing and Huang Rong, Yang Guo held no resentment toward Guo Jing; he returned the embrace, calling out with genuine emotion: “Uncle Guo.”

Huang Rong watched Yang Guo, now a handsome youth, his voice sincere and unfeigned, and silently stood aside.

“This is Xiaolongnu…”

Gu Qing pointed to Xiaolongnu beside him and said: “Neighbor of the Quanzhen Sect, Yang Guo’s master.”

When Guo Jing had once visited the Quanzhen Sect, he had heard of Hu Du’s attempt to marry Xiaolongnu; he had long known her name, and now seeing her, he marveled at her peerless beauty. Xiaolongnu, having cultivated the Ancient Tomb arts, appeared only seventeen or eighteen, yet Guo Jing, with utmost propriety, escorted her into the inner courtyard.

After rooms were arranged, Guo Jing proposed a banquet, but Gu Qing declined each invitation; seeing this, Guo Jing did not press, but took Yang Guo with him as he left.

After many years apart, Guo Jing had much to say and wished to test Yang Guo’s martial skills.

“Young Master Gu.”

Huang Rong lagged behind, studying Gu Qing, and said: “I heard you wish to marry my younger sister?”

Huang Rong had also heard of Gu Qing’s proposal to Cheng Ying.

“Indeed.”

Gu Qing replied frankly: “Her disposition suits me well—I like her very much.”

“The Quanzhen Sect forbids marriage.”

Huang Rong said. As leader of the Beggar’s Sect, she had observed Gu Qing’s many entanglements with her organization and found him intriguing.

“So I petitioned our Ancestor and plan to establish a new sect—its rules will have no prohibition against marriage.”

Gu Qing said dismissively.

Huang Rong, hearing this, grew even more astonished and asked: “What will you name your new sect?”

“Quanxing.”

Gu Qing replied candidly: “The Quanzhen Sect has too many rigid rules; my Quanxing Sect will do whatever it pleases.”

Quanxing preserves authenticity, never harming the self…

Huang Rong nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping once over Gu Qing and Xiaolongnu, then departed.

“Lady Huang.”

Gu Qing suddenly called out to Huang Rong: “Will this Heroic Gathering select a Martial Arts Alliance Leader?”

Huang Rong halted, her eyes flickering with surprise as she looked at Gu Qing.

The purpose of the Heroic Gathering was primarily to resist the Mongols and defend the nation; in Huang Rong’s plan, she intended for Guo Jing to become the Martial Arts Alliance Leader.

“I think Young Master Guo has great influence, but he’s too timid.”

As an extremist, Gu Qing could not bear to see Guo Jing spend his life holed up in Xiangyang, passively defending a single city; he said: “I cast my vote for myself—I’m no soft-spoken Guo Jing; I have plenty of ruthlessness and methods!”

(End of Chapter)