Chapter 386: Someone Must Take the Blame

“Don’t hit! Don’t hit!”

“Who are you people?”

“Let go of my brother!”

Amid a flurry of punches and kicks, amidst chaos and squawking chickens and scurrying dogs, Gu Qing and the lecherous Daoist were pulled apart; the arriving man and woman were unfamiliar faces, but Yang Tianyou, Gu Qing recognized.

……

“So this is Yang Jiao?”

Gu Qing pointed at the round-faced, bearded man.

Yang Tianyou wore a pained expression and said, “When my wife left, she cast a spell to make them mature ahead of time.”

Human and deity fused—against the laws of heaven.

Yang Tianyou and Yaoji abandoned their union, hoping only that the next generation might live safe and healthy.

By then, Yang Jian and Yang Chan had come of age; Yang Jian was naturally upright and handsome, his bearing majestic, while the adult Yang Chan exuded serene grace, her jade bones and flower-soul making her an unparalleled beauty.

“I was just curious what they were saying—they came up and attacked me.”

Yang Jiao clutched his face, deeply aggrieved; he was born with strong bones and loved physical training—this rapid growth and thickening hair was unavoidable, yet it bred prejudice.

He was just a simple young man.

“We weren’t talking about anything.”

Gu Qing and the lecherous Daoist both shook their heads.

“When you brought back my son, your kindness ran deep; we fled in haste back then and never learned your name.”

Yang Tianyou had once been a poor scholar, but after ten years of marriage to Yaoji, his bearing carried a touch of refined elegance—both suave and composed.

“A hermit. Gu Qing.”

Gu Qing gave his hermit’s name.

The lecherous Daoist sized up Gu Qing; his memory was flawless and he had read countless texts, yet nowhere among them was there a record of a hermit named Gu Qing—he suspected the name was false.

“So you are Master Gu.”

Yang Tianyou addressed him, then turned to the lecherous Daoist beside him.

“I am Jade Ding Zhenren of the Golden Cloud Cave on Jade Spring Mountain!”

The lecherous Daoist raised his fan high, announcing his title.

At these words, Yang Jiao, Yang Jian, and Yang Chan’s eyes lit up in unison, and they all cried out: “You are one of the Twelve Supreme Immortals of the Chan Sect!”

Jade Ding Zhenren gently fanned himself, thoroughly pleased that his name could awe them all.

“Please, Master, take us as your disciples!”

Yang Jiao and Yang Jian knelt together, clutching Jade Ding Zhenren’s thighs.

When Yaoji left, she told them all the names of the Twelve Supreme Immortals of the Chan Sect; now the three Yang brothers waited seven years for the immortals to emerge from seclusion and take them as disciples—yet here on Mount Hua, they had stumbled upon a wild one.

“Please, Master, we beg you!”

Yang Jian wept: “My mother went to the Heavenly Realm to ensure our safety—her fate unknown. We are weak in cultivation, powerless to save her. We beg you, Master, to take us as disciples so we may reunite our family.”

“Of course, of course.”

Jade Ding Zhenren lightly fanned himself, appearing utterly composed, then asked Yang Jian his mother’s name, wondering if his own title might aid in rescuing her.

“My mother is Yaoji.”

Yang Jian said.

Jade Ding Zhenren’s fan slipped from his fingers—he felt he’d landed himself in trouble.

The Jade Emperor ruled the Three Realms; Yaoji was his sister. Offending such a deity meant endless trouble. He glanced again at the hopeful eyes of Yang Jiao, Yang Jian, and Yang Chan, sighed, pinched his beard, and said: “If you can walk on foot to the Golden Cloud Cave on Jade Spring Mountain, I will accept you as disciples.”

Upon hearing this, the three Yangs rejoiced and immediately kowtowed to Jade Ding Zhenren.

This foot journey would serve as their first trial of spirit before cultivation.

“Let’s go, let’s go.”

Jade Ding Zhenren fanned himself like a flapping moth and hurried down Mount Hua.

“Master Gu.”

Yang Tianyou’s tone carried a hint of seeking reassurance: “Will they truly learn skills from Jade Ding Zhenren?”

“Rest easy.”

Gu Qing said: In this world of the Treasure Lotus Lamp, Jade Ding Zhenren was among the greatest masters—though before becoming his disciple, Yang Jian must endure great suffering.

Then Gu Qing recalled Yang Jian’s suffering before becoming his disciple, after becoming his disciple, during the Divine War, during the Journey to the West—he could endure suffering endlessly, until he shaped his nephew into greatness and finally escaped the sea of suffering.

With such a devoted uncle, not marrying his sister would be unthinkable!

“A sharp sword is forged through grinding.”

Gu Qing told Yang: “If they pass the trial, your good days are coming.”

The Yang family: Yang Chan wields the Treasure Lotus Lamp, Yang Jian becomes the Heavenly Court’s foremost warrior, Yang Jiao achieves cultivation, and Yaoji stands as a divine female warrior—this is formidable backing. Yang Tianyou’s best days lie ahead.

Gu Qing, recalling Jade Ding Zhenren’s descent, bade farewell to Yang Tianyou, swept his divine perception, leapt once, and turned into light, arriving before Jade Ding Zhenren.

“What are you doing?”

Jade Ding Zhenren, seeing this technique, asked with a hint of fear.

Gu Qing had earlier suspected him of being homosexual, but Jade Ding Zhenren later reflected: Gu Qing first spoke of “protecting men,” then said such things to him—it felt like a test of his orientation.

“I am wholly devoted to the Dao…”

Jade Ding Zhenren had no such chaotic thoughts.

“All the Chan Sect immortals are in seclusion. I’ve barely met one—just wanted to discuss the Dao with you.”

Gu Qing didn’t think that far—he intercepted Jade Ding Zhenren to get his secret manuals.

“Discuss the Dao? Discuss what?”

Jade Ding Zhenren dodged the question even more.

“Just talk about anything.”

Gu Qing looked at Jade Ding Zhenren: “You say something, I say something—perhaps we’ll both gain insight.”

Gu Qing truly wanted to extract something from Jade Ding Zhenren.

“Things from the Jade Virtual Palace aren’t to be spoken of lightly.”

Jade Ding Zhenren said, troubled.

“Then let’s talk about what we can speak of.”

Gu Qing aimed to open Jade Ding Zhenren’s mouth. “What can be spoken of…”

Jade Ding Zhenren sighed: “I only memorize texts—I have no idea what can or cannot be said.”

“Then…”

Gu Qing was about to engage Jade Ding Zhenren in earnest when thunder roared from the Heavenly Court; through the clouds, shadowy figures swarmed. Yang Tianyou’s family below Mount Hua turned pale, certain they were about to be captured—but Gu Qing’s gaze pierced the clouds and saw Nezha clad in armor, standing on the Wind-Fire Wheels, wielding the Fire-Tipped Spear, locked in fierce combat with a fat man.

“Nezha, the Third Prince.”

Gu Qing saw Nezha surrounded; the Heavenly Marshal Tianpeng was entangled with him, while celestial soldiers formed a siege, and no matter how many times Nezha tried to break out, he could not escape.

“You know him? Then go save him!”

Taiyi Zhenren, eager to avoid Dao talk, urged quickly.

Heavenly Marshal Tianpeng…

Gu Qing stared at the fat figure, spoke no further to Jade Ding Zhenren, leapt upward, turned to golden light, and in an instant shot into the heavens. He saw Tianpeng’s Nine-Toothed Rake locked with Nezha’s spear, celestial soldiers closing in, Nezha on the brink—suddenly, Nezha flashed, fists blazing, shattered hundreds of weapons, and unleashed overwhelming force straight at Tianpeng!

Tianpeng was one of the Heavenly Court’s few elite warriors; the siege on Nezha had turned chaotic—he now gave his all, blocking Gu Qing’s fist with his rake.

“CLANG!”

Thunder cracked across the heavens; Gu Qing’s fist moved unseen, its momentum like lightning. Facing Tianpeng, Gu Qing used no flashy techniques—his fist struck straight, hammering repeatedly against the rake. Tianpeng raised his rake to block, felt his opponent’s speed was astonishing, the blows relentless and always targeting the rake—attack like a storm, yet the man seemed without malice.

“Hah!”

Tianpeng swung his rake in a chain, channeling immense power, suddenly reversing his disadvantage and crushing down on Gu Qing.

Where the rake struck, a black-and-white vortex formed. Gu Qing leapt from within it, his hand forming a flame seal, slamming hard into Tianpeng’s belly!

“BOOM—!”

Tianpeng’s massive body staggered backward; Nezha seized the chance, raised his Fire-Tipped Spear, broke free from the encirclement, and stood beside Gu Qing.

Both sides paused. Gu Qing and Nezha stood calmly within the ring of enemies, while Tianpeng and Juanlian, both panting, ordered their troops to re-form the formation to prevent escape—then felt their Nine-Toothed Rake burning hot, nearly slipping from their grasp.

“What’s going on?”

Gu Qing asked Nezha: “Why is Tianpeng arresting you?”

Tianpeng was supposed to descend to capture Yaoji.

“Blame that old dragon.”

Nezha grumbled: “I didn’t lie to him—I just beat him up. But the Golden Crow saw it. They had numbers, so I fled the Heavenly Realm—and now they’ve come chasing me.”

Nezha had insulted the Jade Emperor and stolen the Pantao —grave crimes in the Heavenly Court. Once discovered, as Nezha broke through the Southern Heavenly Gate, war drums sounded, and Tianpeng was recalled to pursue him.

As for the Ten Golden Crows, they would not step beyond the Southern Heavenly Gate until the Houyi Arrow was resolved.

“I see.”

Gu Qing mentally reviewed the chain of events: “Have you decided where to go?”

Nezha nodded eagerly; the disaster was done—he could only seek his master to protect him.

“Good!”

Gu Qing leaned close to Nezha’s ear: “Then bring someone along.” Among the three Yang siblings, Yang Chan’s destiny lay with Taiyi Zhenren; because of Gu Qing, though Nezha hadn’t stormed the execution ground, he could still bring Yang Chan before Taiyi Zhenren.

“Bold demons!”

Tianpeng glared at Gu Qing and Nezha, speaking grandly: “You’ve disrupted the Heavenly Court—your crimes are unforgivable. Declare your names and surrender at once!”

Gu Qing reached out and covered Nezha’s mouth, preventing him from blurting out his secrets; instead, he activated his cultivation method, and in an instant his body blazed like fire, the Sun’s True Yuan spreading outward—the heavenly soldiers and generals forming the array felt a surge of heat, and even Tianpeng Yuan Shuai , facing Gu Qing directly, broke into a sweat.

“Who do you think I am?”

Gu Qing smiled as he asked Tianpeng Yuan Shuai .

Tianpeng Yuan Shuai stared, dumbfounded… How could this be?

At this moment, the battle was not only watched from below; even the Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother stood before the Southern Heavenly Gate, observing the scene. When they saw Gu Qing’s body radiating Sun’s True Fire, their faces turned shocked, and they all turned to look at the Jade Emperor.

All ten Golden Crows of Heaven were present; this sudden emergence could only be traced back to the Jade Emperor himself.

“This is impossible.”

The Jade Emperor stroked his chin, feeling utterly bewildered. “Could some great immortal be playing a trick on me?”

The Seventh Princess behind him shot the Jade Emperor a sidelong glance… Keep pretending!

“Tianpeng Yuan Shuai !”

Gu Qing called out: “Watch my Five Wheels of Fiery Law!” As he channeled his Sun’s True Yuan, sunlight and primal energy surged from the heavens. Tianpeng Yuan Shuai watched as Gu Qing’s fist trembled, revealing shapes of wolf, leopard, lion, tiger, and dragon—then flames coalesced into solid forms, lunging toward him with ferocious bites.

Sun’s True Fire was among the most potent flames in the world; the things coalesced by Gu Qing’s fist made Tianpeng Yuan Shuai unwilling to even touch them, and he and Juanlian Dajiang retreated in haste.

In “The First Under Heaven,” the Absorbing Power Art could manipulate inanimate objects; Gu Qing had refined it into Qi, now transformed into Immortal Yuan—within a single thought, his Yuan flowed with distinct momentum, leaving Tianpeng Yuan Shuai overwhelmed, forcing him and Juanlian Dajiang to defend together. Then, flames coalesced again: Gu Qing himself transformed into golden light and slammed toward Tianpeng Yuan Shuai !

Seeing this, Tianpeng Yuan Shuai gripped his rake tightly, his body suddenly swelling—though in “The Magic Lamp,” he often held back, especially against the Yang family, Gu Qing and Nezha were strangers to him; now, he gave his all.

“Boom!”

Gu Qing’s golden light struck Tianpeng Yuan Shuai ’s body; instantly, clouds scattered, and light erupted in the sky.

“You won’t escape!”

Tianpeng Yuan Shuai glared fiercely at Gu Qing and Nezha—he had descended to capture the Yang family, and if he succeeded here, he might earn forgiveness for Yaoji’s sins; thus, he gave everything.

Gu Qing met Tianpeng Yuan Shuai ’s gaze and could not help but show a flicker of regret.

You’re apologizing?

As Tianpeng Yuan Shuai was still bewildered, his vision exploded—unimaginable, overwhelming force sent his body tumbling helplessly through the clouds. Juanlian Dajiang and all the heavenly soldiers were flung in all directions. In the sky, Tianpeng Yuan Shuai ’s gaze caught only a brilliant golden light—the bursting radiance nearly filled the entire heavens.

“Boom… boom… boom…”

Mount Hua trembled.

The Southern Heavenly Gate swayed.

“Sun Golden Chariot?”

The Jade Emperor’s face darkened like water.

“So it’s him!”

At this moment, Yuding Zhenren clasped his hands together, excitedly exclaiming: “It’s this hermit!”

“Which hermit are you referring to?” asked the fox spirit Fifth Brother, crawling out from beside Yuding Zhenren. He had been broken by Gu Qing’s blows and was now healing, waiting to recover before seeking discipleship under the Jie Jiao. He had witnessed the celestial commotion and heard Yuding Zhenren’s words, sensing some great secret, so he ventured to ask.

Yuding Zhenren shot the fox spirit a dismissive glance. “Of course Lu Ya. Who else could produce such a spectacle?”

Master Yu Ding glanced at the fox spirit with disdain and said casually, “Of course it’s Lu Ya— who else could make such a commotion?”

(End of chapter)