Chapter 297: You

The capital of Daxing was heavily garrisoned; few civilians dared to venture out.

All of this was because Gu Qing had obtained the He Shi Bi in Luoyang, issued edicts to the Four Great Clans, and clearly intended to establish another court—causing Yang Guang to tremble in fear within Daxing. Yet Gu Qing's personal strength was overwhelming; Yang Guang scanned the entire realm and could find not a single ally, forced only to tighten military guard and shut himself away in the palace.

But Yang Guang's lockdown left one girl in Daxing restless and anxious—she watched soldiers pass by the window while gazing at her mother, barely clinging to life on the bed.

"Mother, the physician won't come anymore."

The girl in pink was a vision of celestial beauty, yet now her brows were furrowed with boundless sorrow.

The woman on the bed possessed equally breathtaking features, but years of illness had left her gaunt and withered. She reached out weakly, placing her hand upon the girl's, and said: "Xiufang, death is the most fair and natural thing in this world—everyone must die eventually…"

The girl in pink was none other than the future legendary courtesan Shang Xiufang.

In the Huangxi world, courtesans were celebrities, honored guests of every faction—Yan Fei's wife Ji Qianqian was a courtesan, Lang Fanyun's wife Ji Xixi was a courtesan; to be loved by a courtesan was a mark of great prestige.

Just as Shang Xiufang, in the ending of Twin Dragons of the Great Tang, married Kou Zhong.

"But Mother, I don't want you to go."

Tears rolled down Shang Xiufang's cheeks as she stared at her mother Mingyue on the sickbed, bitterly blaming: "It's all Gu Qing's fault."

If not for Gu Qing, Daxing wouldn't be in such a state of panic—perhaps we could have gone out to find a physician.

Mingyue held Shang Xiufang's hand, her gaze fixed on the ceiling, thoughts swirling as she felt life slipping away.

"Man in heaven and earth, fleeting as a traveler on a distant road…"

Mingyue sighed in reflection.

Shang Xiufang wept silently.

"All fine things are fragile; colorful clouds scatter, glass shatters."

Someone else in the room also sighed in lamentation—Mingyue and Shang Xiufang were startled, turning together to see that the room's doors and windows were tightly shut, with only a narrow gap beside the bedside window offering a view outside. Yet somehow, a stranger had appeared inside. As they looked, the man radiated golden brilliance and jade purity, his eyes bright as stars, his very presence like a furnace—merely by being in the room, he filled Mingyue and Shang Xiufang with warmth, as if granting them renewed strength.

"Who are you?"

Shang Xiufang exclaimed in surprise.

"My name was just spoken by the maiden's lips."

Gu Qing smiled as he looked at her.

Shang Xiufang stared at the man before her, recalling his earlier words, and gasped: "You're the Imperial Tutor Gu Qing?!"

Gu Qing nodded, stepped closer, and studied Mingyue on the bed: "Yang Guang is cruel and unjust, intolerant of loyal, virtuous, and wise ministers. He has stationed troops throughout the city, ready to ignite war at the slightest provocation. I entered ahead of time to speak with him—and happened to hear you blame me, so I came to take a look."

Gu Qing explained the full context, then placed his hand on Mingyue's wrist, sensing her pulse.

Hearing her own cry of "It's all Gu Qing's fault" had drawn him here, Shang Xiufang's face lit up with joy—this man, the greatest in the world, gave her hope.

"Ah… your condition is worse than Shang Qingya's."

Gu Qing pressed several major acupoints on Mingyue, then turned to Shang Xiufang: "Her vital energy and blood are severely depleted—she needs prolonged nourishment. As for her lifespan…" Gu Qing paused, thought carefully, then said: "It's unlikely she'll last long."

Gu Qing could easily save Mingyue with Yuan Jing—but he said nothing, waiting for Shang Xiufang to beg him again later, thus gaining two acts of virtue from one incident.

"We are already deeply grateful that the Imperial Tutor can save her."

Both Shang Xiufang and Mingyue were moved.

Gu Qing extended his hand, channeled his inner energy to unblock Mingyue's constricted meridians, restoring free flow through the Eight Extraordinary Vessels. Then he wrote out a list of herbs and dietary prescriptions for Shang Xiufang to carefully tend to Mingyue.

Shang Xiufang's eyes sparkled as she studied Gu Qing, watching him arrange everything—she felt a new sense of safety settle within her.

"Imperial Tutor."

Shang Xiufang suddenly asked: "How many women are around you?"

Gu Qing, Gu Qing, how many martial arts girlfriends do you have…

He hadn't really counted…

"It's not how many are around me that matters."

Gu Qing said smoothly: "What matters is that you're the one beside me now."

Hearing such practiced words, Shang Xiufang grew even more intrigued. She leaned close to Gu Qing, asking about all manner of martial world tales—some she'd heard from rumors, some drawn from novels, others from Gu Qing's own experiences—each story left her utterly captivated.

"The Baoling Gang's patron is none other than the current Emperor…"

"Li Jing and Hongfu fled together…"

"Reincarnation truly exists—returning from past lives isn't fantasy…"

Shang Xiufang felt Gu Qing had endless strange tales—some known to her, some unknown—and she felt the world was vast, yet also deeply troubling.

Falling for Gu Qing seemed too easy.

But falling for Gu Qing seemed to lead to no good outcome.

Shang Xiufang gently twirled a strand of hair, yet her gaze grew steadily warmer.

As Mingyue's daughter, Shang Xiufang had her own artistic pursuits. To become a master of the highest rank, she believed she must endure a profound heartbreak—a love lost so painfully it shattered her soul—only then could her art glimpse the Dao.

Gu Qing seemed the perfect candidate.

"After you drive Yang Guang out, what will you do?"

Shang Xiufang blinked and asked: "Imperial Tutor, will you become Emperor?"

"For now, I'll take the throne."

Gu Qing said: "Once the realm is stable, I'll abdicate appropriately."

Gu Qing would make a far better retired Emperor than Li Yuan.

After a while of idle chat, Gu Qing noticed the sky darkening, bid farewell to Shang Xiufang and Mingyue, and flew toward the imperial palace.

Inside the palace, candles blazed brightly. After hearing Gu Qing had seized the He Shi Bi and was coming to Daxing, Yang Guang had withdrawn into himself. Now, music filled the halls; Yang Guang sat upright in the center, surrounded by over fifty beauties. Though clad in the dragon robe, he looked as if he wore a funeral shroud.

Though the courtiers served diligently, many appeared distracted, their minds wandering as if pondering the fate of this dying dynasty.

"Kill them! Kill them! Kill them!"

Yang Guang, drinking wine, noticed the attendants' lack of zeal and flew into a rage.

The courtiers exchanged glances, then fell utterly silent.

"What? Do you not obey Your Majesty?"

Yang Guang sneered.

The courtiers remained rigid.

Yang Guang exploded, smashing his wine bowl, his voice trembling with grief and fury: "I campaigned south and north, undefeated in battle—my military achievements rival Emperor Wu of Han! How did this once-great empire suddenly collapse like this?!"

The courtiers stared at each other, unable to answer.

"I'm curious too."

Gu Qing drifted in, gazing at Yang Guang: "How could the Sui Dynasty, so young, rot so completely?"

Yang Guang's face darkened—he hadn't expected Gu Qing to arrive so swiftly.

"Please, Imperial Tutor, enlighten me."

Yang Guang muttered.

"Because you never treated people as people."

Gu Qing said calmly: "When a ruler regards his ministers as dirt and weeds, his ministers regard him as an enemy."

Yang Guang said nothing in response.

"Do you have anything else to say?"

Gu Qing smiled as he looked at Yang Guang.

Yang Guang glanced around and said: "Being Emperor isn't a matter of one man's strength. You're alone—even if you storm the palace and kill me, you can intimidate some, but not all."

"You can't do without me!"

Morality still favored Yang Guang; in his final struggle, he spoke recklessly.

"Is that so?"

Gu Qing said calmly.

Suddenly, a large force arrived at the palace, followed by a sprite-like girl and a fairy-like maiden who rushed forward and threw themselves into Gu Qing's arms. When Yang Guang saw their faces, he felt a crushing sense of defeat.

Yang Guang had dozens of beauties around him—but none could compare to Wanchun or Shi Feixuan.

After these two girls entered, more troops arrived—causing Yang Guang to turn pale.

In Yang Guang's mind, an army needed to pass through multiple checkpoints to enter—but Gu Qing had breached every one without even trying.

"Imperial Tutor."

Lu Miaozǐ bowed to Gu Qing: "The Yang Gong Treasure Vault has finally served its purpose."

The Yang Gong Treasure Vault was Lu Miaozǐ's greatest masterpiece—and now it was put to vital use.

It had been designed from the start to tunnel from outside the city directly into the palace—for rebellion.

After Yuwen Huaji emerged, seeing Yang Guang unguarded, he rushed forward, seized him, and plunged his Bing Xuan Jing into Yang Guang's meridians—Yang Guang's face turned ashen, his whole body trembling.

"Why has the world grown so cold?"

Gu Qing stretched lazily—the big picture was settled.

"Imperial Tutor."

Li Shimin stepped forward, draping the dragon robe over Gu Qing's shoulders: "The world has grown cold—put on a coat."

Gu Qing looked down at the dragon robe Li Shimin had placed on him, struggled violently, and roared: "You've ruined me! You've ruined me!"

Yet despite his words, a smile began to spread across Gu Qing's face.

Being Emperor… was certainly a first.

As for Yang Guang…

"Write: Died of cold."

In Daxing, the imperial palace.

Lu Miaozǐ placed the Holy Emperor's Relic before Gu Qing for him to examine.

This Holy Emperor's Relic is extraordinary—it can store Yuan Jing. Now that Gu Qing has obtained it, after examining it, he looked at Lu Miaozhi and said, "Lu Miaozhi, your body can be healed."

Upon hearing this, Lu Miaozhi trembled with excitement.

Since Xiang Yutian entrusted him with the Holy Emperor's Relic and Zhu Yuyan began hunting him, Lu Miaozhi had nearly died multiple times; now, with his grudges resolved and his life extended, it was a joy beyond measure for him.

Zhu Yuyan stood to one side, silently watching the Holy Emperor's Relic as Gu Qing activated the Dao Heart Demon Seed Technique, effortlessly drawing out its Yuan Jing, condensing and directing it to flow into Lu Miaozhi's body, restoring vigor to his countenance.

"Your Majesty's life-saving grace—I, Lu Miaozhi, will repay you with my very self!"

Lu Miaozhi bowed to Gu Qing with clasped fists.

Gu Qing not only saved his life but also cured his 【Shang Qingya】's illness; now, Lu Miaozhi was utterly devoted to Gu Qing.

Gu Qing smiled and nodded, holding the Holy Emperor's Relic in hand, instructing Lu Miaozhi to step back, then turned to look at Zhu Yuyan and Fan Qinghui.

Among the women beside Gu Qing, only Zhu Yuyan and Fan Qinghui required Yuan Jing to sustain their lives.

"Sssss!!!"

A faint aura drifted from outside, causing Zhu Yuyan and Fan Qinghui to frown; they stepped before the palace, where, in the dimness, the shadow of Shi Zhixuan reappeared, along with another figure he had thrown down.

"Thud!"

The thrown-down man lay severely wounded, unable to move.

"Old Shi, what's going on?"

Gu Qing glanced at the fallen man, then at Shi Zhixuan.

Shi Zhixuan had clashed twice with Gu Qing—both times ending in crushing defeat—but he knew Gu Qing would not kill him, so he dared appear before Fan Qinghui and Zhu Yuyan. His gaze was dark as he said, "This is my disciple, the Shadow Assassin Yang Xuyan. I no longer need him."

Gu Qing cast a glance at Yang Xuyan—he was beyond saving after being thrown down by Shi Zhixuan.

"Gu Qing."

Shi Zhixuan looked at Gu Qing and said, "If you mean to become emperor, you must be wary of the Turks—they pose the greatest threat to the Central Plains. You burned Fu Junyu alive, triggering many changes and uniting more factions against you."

Hidden in the shadows, Shi Zhixuan understood the movements of all powers under heaven as clearly as if viewing firelight.

Gu Qing smiled and said, "Are you planning to orchestrate a siege at Yanmen Pass, letting the Turkic forces surround me?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Zhixuan was puzzled. "Why would I orchestrate a siege at Yanmen Pass?"

Gu Qing remained silent. In the novel "Tang Dynasty Twin Dragons," according to Shi Feixuan, it was Shi Zhixuan who instigated the Yanmen siege.

"You want the Holy Emperor's Relic, don't you?"

Gu Qing raised his hand, letting Shi Zhixuan see the Holy Emperor's Relic in his grasp.

Shi Zhixuan watched silently. Having suffered repeated defeats at Gu Qing's hands, he was past the age of seizing anything he saw.

"I can give it to you later."

Gu Qing smiled and said, "But you must unite Bi Xuan the Martial Venerable and the steppe forces, gather them all together, and launch a siege at Yanmen Pass."

Gu Qing intended to net them all at once.

Shi Zhixuan stared deeply at Gu Qing, then turned and left.

Inside the palace, only Gu Qing, Fan Qinghui, and Zhu Yuyan remained. Gu Qing ordered the two women to sit cross-legged, held the Holy Emperor's Relic in hand, activated the Dao Heart Demon Seed Technique, and let the Yuan Jing within the relic naturally flow out, gathering into Zhu Yuyan's Demon Seed and Fan Qinghui's Immortal Embryo, granting them immense life energy.

Fan Qinghui murmured softly, tears welling in her eyes; after learning the mystery of the Dao, she felt for the first time that transcendence might be within reach.

At least Fan Qinghui could now live until the time when destiny restored itself.

Zhu Yuyan silently refined the Yuan Jing, replenishing herself; beneath this vast torrent of life energy, the transformations of the Eighteen Stages of Devilish Magic began to emerge faintly.

"Qinghui."

Gu Qing embraced Fan Qinghui and said with a hint of malice, "Has Xie Hui arrived?"

On his first day as emperor, Gu Qing intended to make Xie Hui wait outside.

Fan Qinghui softly replied, "He is waiting outside."

"Good."

Gu Qing's hand moved upward—dogs deserve nothing.

(End of Chapter)