Chapter 283: Grandma? I

Grandma?

Zhu Yuyan?

Shan Wanjing stared at the woman before her, veiled in heavy gauze—she never imagined she'd face the Yin Hou, and now seeing Zhu Yuyan standing before Gu Qing in a defensive posture, Shan Wanjing found it absurd.

Grandma?

What grandma?

I'm the one who's the grandma!

Shan Wanjing had been dressed as a man, exuding a touch of martial vigor; now she untied her hairpin, and black tresses cascaded down, accentuating her pale skin and rendering her beauty utterly captivating.

This demeanor reminded Gu Qing of that night with Zhu Yuyan.

"Grand Master Gu, how do you like my appearance?"

Shan Wanjing softened her arrogance slightly; her voice, now melodic, became even more alluring.

Zhu Yuyan half-closed her eyes; her killing intent, amplified by spiritual force, spread outward, piercing every pore of Shan Wanjing's body, enveloping her completely—a lethal pressure, yet Shan Wanjing, before Zhu Yuyan, displayed extraordinary resilience, unyielding and unrelenting, locked in direct confrontation.

"How strong is Bian Bufu?"

Gu Qing asked suddenly.

Zhu Yuyan retracted her killing intent, pondered briefly, then said: "He'd rank around twenty to thirty in the Jianghu."

Bian Bufu, the Demon Hermit, had mastered the demonic arts to an exceptional degree; he was greedy for beauty and lustful, arrogant and dismissive in battle—a textbook demonic sect member, and a qualified demonic elder.

"How many moves would it take you to kill him now?"

Gu Qing asked again.

Zhu Yuyan had always been among the top tier of the demonic sect; in the Jianghu's estimation, her strength surpassed Shi Zhixuan's. Now, having obtained the Daoxin Zhemo Dafa and absorbed many of Gu Qing's martial essences, her cultivation had advanced further. After hearing Gu Qing's question, she paused, then said: "I understand."

Bian Bufu is no longer worth a thought.

"Wanjing, I'll kill him."

Zhu Yuyan said coldly: "Go back quietly. Don't be foolish."

This utterly enraged Shan Wanjing. As the daughter of Shan Meixian, the Lady of Dongming, Shan Wanjing had taken it upon herself to avenge her mother after learning of Bian Bufu's crimes against her. But she never expected that Zhu Yuyan, her own grandmother, wanted Bian Bufu dead not out of maternal affection, but simply to keep Shan Wanjing away from Gu Qing.

"Grand Master Gu."

Though suppressed by Zhu Yuyan's spiritual pressure, her eyes bloodshot, Shan Wanjing still fixed her gaze steadily on Gu Qing and said: "I wish to avenge my mother myself—to reclaim justice."

Gu Qing looked at Shan Wanjing's stubborn expression, nodded, and replied: "Fine."

Like Yuan Ziyi, she too sought vengeance for her mother's suffering—but Shan Wanjing was far stronger. Gu Qing wanted to help.

Zhu Yuyan opened her mouth to speak, but Gu Qing stopped her. As he stepped forward and placed his hand on Shan Wanjing's forehead, the True Qi of Changsheng Jue radiated out, purging the influence Zhu Yuyan's Demon Seed had left upon her.

Zhu Yuyan's heart stirred with displeasure, yet she saw Shan Wanjing, barely recovered, immediately wrap her arms around Gu Qing's, pressing her slender curves against him, her gaze laced with defiance.

Shi Feixuan and Wan Wan exchanged glances—they knew Shan Wanjing intended to openly defy the Yin Hou.

At this moment, Gu Qing turned toward Li Shimin and Li Xiuning.

This future Tang Taizong, barely in his twenties, stood on Gu Qing's boat like a mere lackey.

"Grand Master Gu, greetings."

Li Xiuning, radiant and graceful, with a slender figure, smiled at Gu Qing—bright, open, and dignified.

Kou Zhong sought the throne merely to prove himself before Li Xiuning, yet in the end, he achieved nothing. "Grand Master."

Li Shimin said beside him: "When His Majesty launched his second campaign against Goryeo, Yang Xuangan rebelled. My family purchased countless weapons and armor to suppress him. Now Goryeo is pacified, the realm is at peace, yet Yang Guang is investigating everyone, suspecting my family of disloyalty. We've had no recourse—so we've traveled thousands of miles to seek your aid."

Li Shimin spoke with great grievance.

Since he was four, he'd been labeled "the one who will save the world and bring peace." All his life, Li Shimin prepared for great deeds—until Gu Qing swept through Goryeo and doused him with cold water. Now, with Gu Qing's power suppressing all rebellion, Yang Guang was launching purges everywhere, hunting down those he deemed disloyal.

"Today, the people are displaced and rebellions break out everywhere—all because of Yang Guang's calamity."

At this moment, Li Xiuning boldly said: "Grand Master Gu, Yang Guang's cruelty rivals Jie and Zhou. As the Imperial Grand Tutor, you cannot aid the tyrant!"

Gu Qing turned his head toward Shi Feixuan, but she stood at the ship's side, gazing intently at the river, showing no reaction to the Li siblings' words—entirely detached.

"Which do you think is better: forcing Yang Guang to issue a self-censure edict, or a general amnesty edict?"

Gu Qing asked.

Li Shimin's eyes flickered instantly: "The self-censure edict! And it must emphasize how his personal failings caused the land to lie fallow, harvests to fail, famine to spread, and the people to starve—until the nation's strength is utterly drained..."

!

Such a self-censure edict would severely undermine Yang Guang's legitimacy.

"Grand Master Gu."

Li Shimin added: "This edict would be identical to the people's resentment."

If Gu Qing forced Yang Guang to issue such an edict, he would stand shoulder to shoulder with the rebel armies—and the Li family's arms purchases would mean nothing.

Gu Qing looked at Li Shimin with appreciation and said: "When I return to Daxing, I'll make Yang Guang write the self-censure edict."

Gu Qing would never send a letter demanding Yang Guang's apology—that was impossible.

People never repent until they see the coffin. Gu Qing knew his words carried no weight beyond the reach of his fists—he could not yet strike Yang Guang in Daxing.

Li Shimin, overjoyed, bowed deeply to Gu Qing again.

"Grand Master Gu, my family instructed me to accompany you, to travel and enjoy the scenery."

Li Xiuning lowered her head slightly: "When you tire of me, I'll leave on my own."

Gu Qing looked at Li Xiuning—she had handled the marriage alliance well.

"Then come along."

Gu Qing accepted without hesitation. Xu Ziling's goddess was already bound to him; now binding Kou Zhong's goddess too would make for an amusing reunion with his two disciples.

Li Xiuning stepped lightly beside Gu Qing, about to speak again, when Zhu Yuyan shot her a sidelong glance—Li Xiuning fell silent at once.

The famed Yin Hou acting like a jealous girl—Li Xiuning had never imagined it. This made her regard Gu Qing with newfound admiration: this must be the first time the Yin Hou had ever truly fallen.

Gu Qing walked toward Shi Feixuan, but Du Gu Feng blocked his path.

"Master Gu!"

Du Gu Feng's gaze was sharp, her eyes locked on Gu Qing's: "I understand everything you wish to say. Whatever you do, Feng'er supports you!"

Shi Feixuan's body trembled—she never expected Du Gu Feng to speak first!

Du Gu Feng had truly learned during this time!

(End of Chapter)