Chapter 3: I Came to Catch the Killer—Really?

‘Thump…’

‘Thump…’

‘Thump…’

The bell within Chongyang Palace rang out, echoing through the valley.

This meant something major had happened within the Quanzhen Sect; once the bell rang, all Daoists within a ten-li radius went on alert. The sound woke Gu Qing, and as he sat up, he knew at once: Zhen Zhibing and Zhao Zhijing had been discovered dead.

These two were among the very top of the Zhi generation in the Quanzhen Sect; essentially, the future of the entire sect rested on their shoulders. Now that both had been suddenly killed, the entire Quanzhen Sect would be shaken to its core.

This uproar had cleared the area outside the confinement cell—clearly, the entire Quanzhen Sect was in emergency meeting. After waking, Gu Qing felt no guilt over causing it and still had the leisure to practice his inner energy.

Gu Qing now possessed the Quanzhen Sect’s inner energy, sword techniques, palm arts, Golden Goose Skill, and had secretly infiltrated the Ancient Tomb Sect to learn the Heaven’s Net and Earth’s Web Formation and the Jade Maiden Swordplay, along with portions of the Nine Yin Manual. His foundational arsenal was roughly equivalent to Yang Guo’s current level, though Gu Qing’s primary focus remained Quanzhen martial arts, distinct from Yang Guo and Xiaolongnu’s Jade Heart Scripture.

Of course, in raw power, Gu Qing could crush Yang Guo.

At noon, Qiu Chuji arrived and opened the door.

Qiu Chuji was now nearing seventy, but with Quanzhen cultivation, he still moved lightly and radiated vigor. Seeing Gu Qing, he nodded and said: “Gu Qing, come with me!”

Has my affair been exposed?

That shouldn’t be.

Gu Qing stepped out of the confinement cell.

“Not bad. Even locked up, your martial arts haven’t slipped.”

Qiu Chuji sized up Gu Qing, approving of his focused training in confinement, and ordered: “You have half an hour to bathe and tidy yourself.”

Gu Qing obediently went to bathe, changed into fresh attire, and stood before Qiu Chuji before speaking: “Grandmaster, I heard Zhen Zhibing and Zhao Zhijing are both dead?”

While bathing, Gu Qing naturally overheard many rumors; now back beside Qiu Chuji, he acted as if he already knew everything.

Qiu Chuji asked casually: “What do you think of Zhibing and Zhijing?”

Zhibing excels in horsemanship and archery; Zhijing is skilled in scheming and usurpation—both are outstanding talents of Quanzhen.

Gu Qing internally assessed the two, then spoke insincerely: “They are rare jewels of our Quanzhen Sect.”

“… ”

Qiu Chuji knew that inside the Three Pure Ones Hall, Zhao Zhijing and Zhen Zhibing had argued, leading to Gu Qing receiving four punches; afterward, Lu Qingdu had been brutally beaten by Gu Qing, and Gu Qing had long-standing grievances against Zhen Zhibing and Zhao Zhijing—he could see through Gu Qing’s evasiveness.

“The position of Quanzhen Sect leader was originally meant for Zhijing, but he is narrow-minded and violent, repeatedly mistreating Yang Guo until Yang Guo defected. That’s why we made Zhibing the chief disciple.”

“Zhibing is capable. Having managed Quanzhen affairs for years, everything ran smoothly—except for your incident. He was an ideal candidate for leader, but then disaster struck…”

Qiu Chuji offered his evaluation of the two.

“As for you, Gu Qing…”

Qiu Chuji looked at Gu Qing and said: “You entered the mountain gate young, gifted and righteous—we all saw it. But as your martial arts deepened, your heart grew narrow. Zhibing and Zhijing are dead. Why can’t you let go of those four punches?”

Actually, I let it go last night.

Gu Qing smiled apologetically and said: “Grandmaster is right.”

Gu Qing’s master was Li Zhichang; Li Zhichang’s master was Qiu Chuji.

“Long ago, I took a disciple named Yang Kang. I spoiled him terribly, yet he took a dark path. Later, Guo Jing brought Yang Guo to our gate. I thought to be strict with him, to keep him from following Yang Kang’s footsteps. But Zhao Zhijing drove him into the Ancient Tomb.”

“So when your extraordinary talent appeared under my care, I truly didn’t know how to nurture you.”

It was neither right to discipline you nor to leave you alone.

Qiu Chuji speaking of this clearly meant he had noticed Gu Qing long ago.

“Thunder, rain, dew—all are Heaven’s grace.”

Gu Qing straightened his chest and said: “To train under Grandmaster’s guidance fills my heart with nothing but gratitude.”

“… ”

Gu Qing’s brazenness left Qiu Chuji speechless.

“In short, the Quanzhen Sect now faces two problems.”

Qiu Chuji bluntly laid it out for Gu Qing: “First, the deaths of Zhen Zhibing and Zhao Zhijing—we need the truth. Second, the succession of the Sect leader.”

“Currently, your master Li Zhichang has strong support within Quanzhen. I’m releasing you to help Li Zhichang resolve the matter of Zhen Zhibing and Zhao Zhijing’s deaths—so Li Zhichang can secure the position of chief disciple and ensure stable succession.”

Gu Qing understood Qiu Chuji’s implication: if Li Zhichang took power, the Quanzhen Sect would smoothly pass into Gu Qing’s hands.

Just send me to catch the killer?

Really?

“I’ll go down the mountain and capture Xiaolongnu right now!”

Gu Qing said.

In The Legend of the Condor Heroes, there are many supreme martial arts—like Jinlun Fawang’s Dragon and Elephant General Wisdom, the Nine Yin Manual, the Nine Yang Manual, the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms—all of immense value. But the Dragon and Elephant General Wisdom is too distant; the full Nine Yin Manual is held by Guo Jing, Huang Rong, and Zhou Botong, who won’t easily pass it on.

The Nine Yang Manual is also in Shaolin Temple; retrieving it would be troublesome.

Gu Qing’s ambitions for those arts were like gazing at distant mountains, so he decided to root himself in Quanzhen and secure the Primordial Qi Skill.

That’s why, after killing Zhen Zhibing and Zhao Zhijing, he framed Xiaolongnu and returned quietly to become Prisoner Qing.

Once Li Zhichang ascends, everything will improve.

Now, Li Zhichang’s chance is within reach, and the Primordial Qi Skill beckons.

Qiu Chuji frowned at Gu Qing and asked: “Do you also believe Xiaolongnu did it?”

In Quanzhen’s rear mountain, Zhen Zhibing and Zhao Zhijing were killed by Ancient Tomb Sect techniques. Yang Guo and Xiaolongnu, who lived nearby in their hut, had vanished. Naturally, Quanzhen pinned the blame on Yang Guo and Xiaolongnu.

But Qiu Chuji’s question made Gu Qing sense his true meaning.

In the opening of The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber, Jin Yong borrowed Qiu Chuji’s poem about pear blossoms and attributed it to Xiaolongnu, claiming it was written by Qiu Chuji upon seeing her.

The content was…

Spring’s journey vast, every year at Hanshi, pear blossoms bloom. White brocade without pattern, fragrant and lavish, jade trees and snow-piled blossoms. Silent night deep, floating light hazy, coldness soaks the melting moon. Between heaven and earth, silver clouds glow through and through.

Like the Immortal of Gushè, naturally gifted, spirit refined and pure. Who understands the myriad transformations? She stands apart from all flowers. Her pure, heroic qi, her celestial talent, unmatched on earth. Returning to the Jade Terrace, she sees the cavern’s clarity.

From this poem, Gu Qing could infer what Xiaolongnu meant to Qiu Chuji.

Pure heroic qi, noble and lofty spirit.

Thus, in Qiu Chuji’s mind, he simply could not fathom how such a Xiaolongnu could suddenly turn violent and kill Zhen Zhibing and Zhao Zhijing.

“Then go pursue Li Mochou!”

Gu Qing didn’t force the blame onto Xiaolongnu—he directly pinned it on Li Mochou.

It seemed Li Mochou was currently chasing Lu Wushuang nearby.

Qiu Chuji shook his head again: “Years ago, we knew Li Mochou was cruel and ambushed her. She wounded your ancestor Sun Bu’er with Ice Bone Silver Needles, then personally came to deliver the antidote. We accepted her gift and since then have avoided conflict with her—nor has she ever troubled Quanzhen.”

This incident occurred during Yang Guo’s defection.

“Then go pursue Yang Guo!”

Gu Qing, hearing Qiu Chuji use elimination, promptly pinned the blame on Yang Guo.

“Yang Guo has trained for how many years? He lacks the ability!”

Qiu Chuji declared firmly, then looked at Gu Qing: “Stop chasing this one, chasing that one—you should chase the real killer!”

Sorry, I can’t chase the real one.

Without some framing, this case won’t close.

Hearing this, Gu Qing thought inwardly… but I must have a target for going down the mountain, something to show for it later. He added: “When I first came up the mountain, I heard Cui Zhifang say Yang Guo carries an extraordinary power within him—that’s why he was so strict when testing Yang Guo. Since you’ve sent me down, I’ll first find Yang Guo and ask what he was doing last night.”

If I can’t frame the Ancient Tomb Sect, I’ll blame Ouyang Feng. That outcome should satisfy everyone.

Investigating a case requires eliminating suspects one by one. Hearing Gu Qing’s reason for targeting Yang Guo, Qiu Chuji warned: “Yang Guo is also a descendant of one of your senior brothers. He suffered greatly in Quanzhen—when you meet him, use gentle methods.”

“By the end of the year, you must return to the mountain and give us an answer.”

Qiu Chuji imposed no strict deadline—he gave Gu Qing time, seeking only the truth.

Gu Qing nodded repeatedly.

In Quanzhen, he had long wanted to go on an assignment. In Gu Qing’s view, being sent out by a major sect was a delightful task: first, expenses were reimbursed; second, lodging was provided everywhere; third, traveling the Jianghu broadened one’s horizons.

Just like the Seven Masters of Quanzhen chasing Li Mochou—after she cured Sun Bu’er’s poison, they all went sightseeing together.

Seeing Gu Qing’s eagerness, Qiu Chuji patted his shoulder and warned: “Remember, this is your chance to redeem yourself. You must make every member of Quanzhen accept your conclusion!”

Gu Qing was still serving his punishment for fighting.

Hearing Qiu Chuji’s warning, Gu Qing nodded again, his mind already racing toward Yang Guo.

I wonder if Yang Guo went down the mountain with Xiaolongnu… if not, he’s probably eating Lu Wushuang’s substitute.

Anyway, the Hero has arrived—Yang Guo must now become a camera.

(End of Chapter)