Chapter 285: All for the Child

Song Family Mountain City, pavilions rise majestically.

Song Que stood like a mountain within this city, clad in white robes, long blade in hand, temples streaked with frost; after his duel with Gu Qing, his aura had surged then gradually waned, merging entirely with heaven and earth—fierce yet not sharp. When he gripped his blade, Gu Qing knew this was the strongest long-sword wielder he had ever faced.

"I have seen the Hellish Slash of the Grand Master."

Song Que, calm and composed, said: "A blade of exquisite spirit and intent—but only one slash."

As he spoke, Song Que stepped forward, his blade intent surging forth with effortless grace.

No beginning, no end, constant yet ever-changing, no wind, no blade qi—but it enveloped all.

"Excellent!"

Gu Qing praised the move, drawing Shifanxuan's Sekong Sword and unleashing his Breaking Blade Technique. In past battles, he had faced thousands of sword and blade forms; he understood their transformations intimately. Song Que's slash was extraordinary—but to Gu Qing, it felt like reuniting with an old friend.

Like having solved thousands of practice papers, then seeing a new one with a familiar core problem—flashy on the surface, but the principle was the same, and solvable.

Gu Qing answered with a single sword strike.

Blade met sword in an instant—the world seemed to freeze.

Shifanxuan watched the radiant light blooming on Sekong Sword; this blade, once imbued with compassion in her hands, now revealed its true nature—like drifting clouds, like lightning across the sky, like snow in deep winter…

The two clashed a hundred blows in an instant.

Blade qi and sword qi surged wildly, forcing Shifanxuan and others to retreat, clearing space for the duel—only Yin Hou Zhu Yuyan remained standing at the edge.

In this first round, Shifanxuan, who carried the Cihang Sword Scripture, saw the fundamental difference.

Song Que's long blade brimmed with the mysteries of heaven and earth, flawless and complete; Gu Qing's sword brimmed with human slaughter, exhausting every possible twist of the human heart, all aimed at annihilating his foe.

Song Que's blade was the Dao of Heaven.

Gu Qing's sword was the Dao of Man.

Song Que's swordplay held the essence of heaven and earth's grace—his blade's position and shifts were unpredictable, yet Gu Qing's strikes always met them perfectly, blocking and countering with flawless precision.

"With method, yet without method; without method, yet with method."

After a hundred exchanges, Song Que sighed silently—he now knew Gu Qing's killing of Fu Cailin was no lie. He changed his approach: blade and body merged, drifting and free. With a carefree heart, he turned his heavy-backed blade into any tool needed—each move, each strike, flowed effortlessly.

Phantom Sword!

Immortal Descending from Beyond the Heavens!

Forty-Nine Forms of Returning Phoenix Willow Sword!

Two-Principle Sword Art!

Gu Qing wove his sword techniques freely. Song Que, once so graceful, now felt as if facing multiple swordsmen at once—every advance and retreat was a masterstroke. As Gu Qing unleashed his attacks, Song Que was forced to retreat; his Heaven's Blade slashed downward, meeting Gu Qing's sword in a direct clash.

"Shhh…"

Gu Qing held his sword in one hand; as it clashed with Song Que's blade, under the crushing pressure of the Heaven's Blade, his arm circled—and the blade's edge turned toward his own throat.

As the blade neared his neck, Song Que suddenly withdrew, stepping back, staring at Gu Qing: "The Immortal Seal Technique."

Just now, Song Que thought he was about to win—but he sensed Gu Qing's qi shifting. He realized: at the moment of victory, that seemingly powerless sword would erupt in a brilliant strike—just as Song Que's strength reached its peak and began to exhaust. His own force spent, Gu Qing's still fresh—this would be his worst possible fate.

"Just a small trick."

Gu Qing smiled. Song Que's aura shifted endlessly, fused with heaven and earth's natural flow. Before his Dao Heart Demon Seeding Technique reached full mastery, Gu Qing could not fathom such fluctuations—Doubled Star Shift and Flower Transfer were useless. But the Immortal Seal Technique's qi shifts? He had effortlessly woven them into every technique.

Shifanxuan and Du Gu Feng wielded their swords, watching Gu Qing's movements closely—and from his choices, they gained much.

"To fight the Grand Master to the full—Song Que has no regrets."

Song Que gripped his blade, his aura surging upward—his essence, spirit, and vigor now transcended mortal form, merging with heaven and earth's unfathomable power.

"Dong!"

Song Que slashed.

Gu Qing met it with his sword.

At this moment, Song Que's speed, strength, and true qi all reached their peak—blade and sword became one with heaven and earth, carrying the world's primal energy, compressing air into a blade. When their forces collided, they surged fully toward Gu Qing.

"Dong dong dong dong dong…"

Gu Qing's sword moved like shadow, clashing endlessly with Song Que's blade—both struck with pure force, each blade and sword strike a full collision of essence, spirit, and vigor!

"You've gained a fortune."

Du Gu Feng muttered to Shifanxuan.

Both long blade and long sword can store intent. Sekong Sword, wielded by Gu Qing in this duel with Song Que, had now transcended the mundane. From now on, when Shifanxuan held Sekong Sword, she could sense its spirit and constantly reflect on this clash between two Grand Masters.

At Gu Qing and Song Que's level, all martial arts under heaven were essentially the same.

Song Que slashed; Gu Qing thrust. Their blades crossed—Gu Qing aimed for Song Que's throat, Song Que chopped at Gu Qing's head. As Gu Qing's sword neared its target, Song Que spun his blade, using the hilt to strike the sword aside, avoiding death—and swung the blade toward Gu Qing's neck.

Gu Qing's sword danced—before the blade reached his neck, he stabbed at Song Que's wrist. After several exchanges, they pulled apart, then clashed again!

Vast blade qi, immense blade intent.

Their techniques intertwined, evolving from complexity to simplicity—from intricate forms to the most basic, common martial moves: one sword, one slash—until finally, Gu Qing's body steamed with heat, while Song Que retreated backward, collapsing wearily onto the stone steps.

"Grand Master Gu's sword is invincible. Song Que is in awe."

Song Que sat, focusing—natural heavenly qi flowed effortlessly into his meridians.

In this battle, Song Que could still draw on heavenly qi to sustain himself—but Gu Qing, through sheer raw power, dragged him to defeat.

Yet this duel brought Song Que immense benefit.

"The world has been in chaos for nearly three hundred years. Though the Sui has unified it, Yang Guang has reduced it to ruin."

Gu Qing said: "Now, rebel armies rise everywhere; all factions watch with hungry eyes. When Yang Guang falls, someone must rise to punish the disloyal."

Gu Qing left it there.

Song Que understood. He ordered his Song Clan to prepare a feast immediately—and spread word that Gu Qing had defeated him with his sword, unharmed.

"If the Heaven's Blade does this, his reputation in the Jianghu will plummet."

Du Gu Feng, hearing the news, covered her mouth lightly.

Shifanxuan watched Du Gu Feng's every frown and smile—deliberately mimicking her—and sighed helplessly. "By spreading this news, the Song Clan's patriarch will damage his name—but it will bring unprecedented pressure upon the Cihang Pure Chamber."

"From now on, the Cihang Pure Chamber must abandon targeting Grand Master Gu—and bow to him." Shifanxuan spoke, voice heavy with resignation.

Some in the Jianghu might scoff, thinking Song Que a fraud—but Cihang Pure Chamber, Ning Daoqi, and others knew Song Que's true strength. Now, Song Que fought Gu Qing—and Gu Qing defeated him without a scratch. Such raw power leaves the Cihang Pure Chamber powerless.

If Gu Qing had used the Diamond Unbreakable Divine Skill or others, the Cihang Pure Chamber might still seek a way—but defeating Song Que outright forces them to face reality.

"So that's how it is."

Du Gu Feng finally understood. Her beautiful eyes turned to Gu Qing, who returned Sekong Sword to Shifanxuan.

Shifanxuan lightly flicked the blade, deeply pleased.

This world of The Twin Dragons of Tang, though set in late Sui, had living standards and productivity resembling Ming-Qing. As one of the Four Great Clans, the Song Clan's banquet was excellent. After tasting Guangdong cuisine, Gu Qing quietly slipped toward Song Yuhua's chambers.

Song Yuhua stood by the window. Hearing movement, she turned—and seeing the young man in her room, leaned forward, settling gently into Gu Qing's arms.

"Nothing to say?"

Gu Qing stroked Song Yuhua's smooth chin.

"What's there to say?"

!

Song Yuhua fell silent. "As long as I'm with you, I don't mind."

Seeing how compliant she was, Gu Qing kissed her lightly. They sat down, and began talking—deepening their understanding.

"Sister, are you asleep?"

Outside the room came Song Yuzhi's voice—she knocked eagerly. Song Yuhua had to open the door. But when she turned back, Gu Qing was gone. She stood frozen, heart hollow.

"What's wrong, sister?"

Song Yuzhi, bewildered, hurried to reassure her: "I saw Grand Master Gu's face—he's handsome. Don't worry."

Song Yuzhi had watched Gu Qing's duel with Song Que from afar. She admired him for defeating Song Que.

"Of course I know he's excellent."

Song Yuhua snapped back to herself, tapping Song Yuzhi's head.

When Gu Qing returned to his room, Yin Hou had been waiting. Seeing him return, she asked coldly: "Was Song Yuhua good?"

Gu Qing stepped forward, pulled her close, and used the Soul-Stealing Hand to gently tease her—soon, she forgot her question. Just as they prepared to act, Yin Hou suddenly gripped his hand: "There's one more thing."

"Bian Bufu has arrived!"

Yin Hou said.

On the Yangtze River boat, after Shan Wanjing's request and Gu Qing's inquiry, Yin Hou had judged Bian Bufu useless. She ordered him to the Song Clan's territory. Now he had arrived—and Yin Hou intended to take Gu Qing and kill him.

Gu Qing summoned Shan Wanjing. Since her defiance on the boat, she had constantly clashed with Yin Hou. Now, hearing Bian Bufu had been called, she was unusually quiet as she followed Gu Qing and Zhu Yuyan.

Gu Qing held Shan Wanjing as they left the Song Clan, entering the woods beyond. Using secret signals, Gu Qing, Yin Hou, and Shan Wanjing met the infamous Demon Hermit Bian Bufu in the dense forest.

Bian Bufu was dignified and imposing. Seeing Gu Qing, Yin Hou, and Shan Wanjing together, he was puzzled—but first bowed to Yin Hou, then flattered Gu Qing. He knew well: Gu Qing had crushed Goryeo, slain Fu Cailin, and defeated Song Que in open combat—he was a man everyone sought to curry favor with.

"Grand Master Gu, give your orders."

Bian Bufu felt his own skills were strong—if he could win Gu Qing's favor, he might rise in status.

"Bian Bufu, you will die."

Gu Qing said coldly.

Bian Bufu stared at Gu Qing, stunned—his warm enthusiasm met only this reply. His gaze swept over Gu Qing, Yin Hou, and Shan Wanjing: "Yin Hou, for years I've served you faithfully…"

As a Demon Cult elder, Bian Bufu needed a reason for punishment.

"For the child."

Gu Qing said calmly.

Bian Bufu thought of Shan Meixian from years past, then looked at Shan Wanjing—and sneered: "Yin Hou, are you finally digging up old grudges?"

When the incident happened, Yin Hou never stood by Shan Meixian.

Shan Wanjing snorted: "I don't believe she did it for the child!"

The Yin Mother cast a cold glance at Shan Wanjing.

"You mustn't misunderstand."

Gu Qing said calmly: "The child I mentioned is mine."

My child?

Bian Bufu, a seasoned rake, seeing the expressions on Gu Qing and Zhu Yuyan's faces, knew they were intimate; upon hearing this, he stared intently at Zhu Yuyan's abdomen, his lips twitching as he said, "Sister, you're an old tree blooming again."

At her age, she can still bear a child?

Shan Wanqing also stared at Zhu Yuyan, lost in thought, feeling that to protect the child, she ought to kill Bian Bufu and prevent the child in Zhu Yuyan's womb from following its mother's path.

"What are you talking about?"

Zhu Yuyan, veiled in heavy gauze, frowned sharply and said, "What child?"

Zhu Yuyan's body held only one Devil Seed—she had never conceived.

"No child?"

Gu Qing reached out and smoothed Zhu Yuyan's long hair, smiling as he asked, "Then what do you mean by calling me 'Dad' every night?"

Bian Bufu and Shan Wanjing froze, their eyes darting between Gu Qing and Zhu Yuyan; they had much to say, but found no words.

"You…"

Zhu Yuyan, furious, punched Gu Qing's chest.

Gu Qing laughed heartily, pulling Zhu Yuyan close, and said, "Your martial arts have advanced greatly—many unnecessary attachments are no longer needed. The kinship you once abandoned should be reclaimed; otherwise, this barrier will forever prevent you from reaching the highest level."

Gu Qing truly considered Zhu Yuyan's martial progress.

Zhu Yuyan nodded, accepting his kindness, and turned her gaze toward Bian Bufu.

Then I die?

Bian Bufu felt sick.

(End of Chapter)