Chapter 298: Have You Ever Seen Me at My Peak?

Yang Guang contracted a cold in Daxing City; perhaps due to his severe illness, his conscience returned, and he issued an edict of self-reproach to the realm, proclaimed a general amnesty, and, on his deathbed, abdicated the throne to Gu Qing.

Gu Qing initially refused, but Yang Guang offered the throne three times, and with Gu Qing possessing the He Shi Bi, the people's will was unanimous; after three refusals and three offers, Gu Qing gritted his teeth and ascended the throne, changing the dynasty's name to Tang and renaming Daxing as Chang'an.

The new dynasty heavily employed martial artists from the Jianghu, using the Liù Shàn Mén to control the martial world and oversee the realm, establishing the Tiān Gōng Yuàn, where Lu Miaozǐ invented countless devices for civilian use, and Tian Dao Song Que waged campaigns south and north; within a year, the realm was at peace.

Gu Qing then embarked on a northern tour to Yanmen.

Deep night, cold mist.

A mournful flute melody drifted through the air, prompting Gu Qing, who had been emperor for a year, to leap into the air and follow the sound.

The flute's melody merged with the cool, clear moonlight, sorrowful and exquisite; when Gu Qing stood beside the flutist, the woman remained unchanged, as if pouring out her inner grief—until the piece ended, and all emotion suddenly withdrew inward.

"Gu Qing, you've restored stability to the world in just one year—truly remarkable."

Shi Qingxuan turned slightly, her captivating eyes fixed on Gu Qing's face, saying: "With a few more years of rest and recovery, this world can return to its golden age."

Gu Qing smiled faintly and said: "These achievements belong to Lu Miaozǐ, Song Que, Li Shimin, Kou Zhong, Li Jing—they did the work. I merely connected them and did a little."

Gu Qing was humble.

"I've heard about Master Lu's condition."

Shi Qingxuan stood shoulder to shoulder with Gu Qing and said: "Master Lu had ties with my mother; I'm glad he's recovered."

At these words, Shi Qingxuan's voice grew bleak as she remembered her deceased mother.

Gu Qing stood silently beside Shi Qingxuan, saying nothing.

After a long silence in the mountains, Shi Qingxuan suddenly smiled and said: "Since becoming emperor, you've become unlike yourself."

Gu Qing glanced at Shi Qingxuan's flawless face, which in the quiet mountains seemed like a spirit.

"I heard from Shang Xiufang that you're very good at charming women."

Shi Qingxuan's eyes sparkled like jewels, radiating a mysterious allure.

"Perhaps I'm growing older—I can't keep up anymore."

Gu Qing admitted frankly.

With the Wúshàng Zhì Jīng, Dào Xīn Zhǒng Mó Dà Fǎ, Cí Háng Jiàn Diǎn, Cháng Shēng Jué, Yunmeng Xianzi's bed techniques, Yóu Jiā Mì Chéng, Huáng Tiān Dà Fǎ, and Míng Yù Gōng now widespread among the women around him, each of them had become formidable warriors—the days when Gu Qing could make a woman submit with a mere gesture were gone forever.

State affairs, martial arts, women—twelve hours a day weren't enough.

Hearing this, Shi Qingxuan smiled sweetly and asked: "So which will you give up: state affairs, martial arts, or women?"

"State affairs, of course."

Gu Qing said matter-of-factly: "After this tour, Song Que will retire, and I'll remain emperor for another decade—once the realm is secure, I'll abdicate to someone else."

Abdication?

Shi Qingxuan, startled by the word, asked: "With so many women around you, have you never thought of having children?"

Gu Qing truly had a throne to pass on.

Gu Qing smiled and said: "Having children means taking on responsibility—I haven't had enough fun yet."

In this world, cultivation refines essence into Qi; the higher one's martial skill, the harder it becomes to conceive.

Shi Qingxuan smiled again; a gentle breeze stirred, carrying a faint fragrance. She inhaled deeply and said: "Gu Qing, Yanmen Pass is a trap—you must not go there."

Gu Qing looked at her in surprise.

Shi Qingxuan continued: "Shi Zhixuan is extreme by nature; once he loved my mother, and at the height of their passion, he killed her. Now that the world is stable and peace reigns, when all is improving, Shi Zhixuan will strike to destroy it."

Shi Qingxuan gazed at Gu Qing, her eyes deep and somber: "This journey to Yanmen Pass is a trap—Bi Xuan, one of the Three Great Masters; ten thousand Turkic troops; Gai Suwen of the fallen Goguryeo; Zhao Deyan, the Demon Marshal; Shi Zhixuan; Xu Kaishan of the Great Ming Sect; Qu Ao the Flying Eagle… they will all strike together, determined to destroy you."

"One Great Master, over a dozen experts, and ten thousand soldiers."

Shi Qingxuan said: "They'll come one after another—you cannot withstand them."

Gu Qing chuckled and said: "You make me sound like Aisdes."

Solo combat won't work anymore—they must overwhelm him with numbers and encirclement to wear him down.

Seeing Gu Qing unconcerned, Shi Qingxuan said seriously: "But I've heard Shi Zhixuan stole the Devil Emperor's Core and has regained his full strength—your Golden Immortal Body has its limits…"

If these men conspire and attack in waves, how can Gu Qing alone stand against them?

"Shi Zhixuan has regained his full strength?"

Gu Qing smiled at Shi Qingxuan and asked: "Have you ever seen my peak power?"

Shi Qingxuan's face filled with astonishment.

Beneath the bright moon, the Turkic army suddenly appeared on the horizon, advancing toward Yanmen.

Gu Qing's gaze drifted, his spirit merging with heaven and earth; his vision reached its limit, and the distant black dots became clear as day to him.

"Qingxuan, just watch from here."

Gu Qing glanced at Shi Qingxuan and said: "I can guarantee that today, you are the safest one here."

The safest one?

Shi Qingxuan turned to look at Gu Qing—and in his eyes, she saw Shi Zhixuan's reflection.

"You…"

Shi Qingxuan turned away and saw Shi Zhixuan, elegant and refined, his features tinged with sorrow, studying her from head to toe: "Little Qingxuan has grown up."

This was the first time Shi Zhixuan had spoken to Shi Qingxuan since regaining his sanity; his words made her tremble, yet her expression grew as calm as still water.

"Was this Yanmen siege planned by you and Gu Qing together?"

Shi Qingxuan asked softly.

Shi Zhixuan's voice was hollow: "How I wish you'd call me Father."

Shi Qingxuan remained unmoved; her past experiences had left her with no trust in Shi Zhixuan.

"The Turks have always been a threat to Han lands."

Shi Zhixuan said: "During the recent chaos, many northern factions were eroded by the Turks. Gu Qing wanted to crush them, so he had me act as a liaison to unite them—they already had a secret alliance, which is how this situation arose. The Devil Emperor's Core wasn't stolen by me—it was given to me by Gu Qing."

Shi Zhixuan, now restored, patiently explained to Shi Qingxuan.

"You deliberately left clues so I'd warn Gu Qing?"

Shi Qingxuan gripped her sleeve tightly, realizing Shi Zhixuan had orchestrated this to bring them together.

Shi Zhixuan gazed at Shi Qingxuan's flawless face and thought of Bi Xiuxin from long ago; after a moment's silence, he said: "Qingxuan, this is a celestial fate—I hope you seize it."

Shi Qingxuan usually wore a veil or a false nose, never revealing her true face; to show her true face was to reveal her heart—this time, before Gu Qing, she had unveiled herself, and Shi Zhixuan understood her feelings.

As for this celestial fate…

Even Shi Zhixuan, once ambitious, upon learning of the path to transcendence, had abandoned his grand designs and now placed his hopes in the Dao.

Shi Qingxuan avoided Shi Zhixuan's piercing gaze, lowering her eyes slightly: "But I've walked around—I haven't seen Han troops mobilized, nor Song Que, Ning Daoqi, Zhu Yuyan, or Fan Qinghui…"

Shi Zhixuan said: "Only Gu Qing."

Shi Qingxuan's gaze sharpened.

"This battle will be fought by Gu Qing alone."

Shi Zhixuan said: "Gu Qing must break the Turkic spine, establish an image of invincibility, and crush their will to resist forever…"

Shi Qingxuan turned back and saw the dark tide of troops approaching Yanmen's gates—Gu Qing held a sword in each hand, ready to meet the Turkic cavalry in close combat.

"Gu Qing, you dare show yourself!"

Among the Turkic ranks stood Bi Xuan, the Turkic Martial Sovereign—thirty years old, bronze-skinned, towering and mighty—he roared out:

"You're surrounded!"

The Turkic forces shouted in unison.

Gu Qing raised his swords, leaping forward with a loud laugh: "You're the ones surrounded—by me alone!"

At that moment, Gu Qing's soul fused with heaven and earth; boundless power flooded his body, making him faintly translucent, surrounded by shimmering energy shields.

"Clang!" "Clang!"

Weapons around him clattered to the ground; arrows scattered in all directions.

Gu Qing's twin swords wove together, unleashing countless sword blossoms that surged into the iron tide of cavalry.

(End of Chapter)