Chapter 426: Tai Shang Dao, Meng Bingyun

"According to this report, after the Shu Mountain Sword Sect forged the Evil Sword Immortal and launched an assault on the Daoist realm, cooperation among Daoist sects has stalled and declined. Grand Master Gu has faced severe setbacks to his initiative of Daoist Alliance integration. Grand Master Gu emphasized that, in the coexistence of humans and demons, the Daoist Alliance must take human safety as its starting point and ultimate goal, with humans leading the convergence of both races in the mortal world..."

"What does Gu Qing mean by this?"

"Grand Master, don’t you understand? Gu Qing means all responsibility lies with the Shu Mountain Sword Sect."

…

"Goddess Kuiyu, this splendid state of the mortal world today is entirely your doing!"

"Too much, too much. The celestial generals, the Qionghua Sect, the Thirty-Six Grottoes, and the Seventy-Two Blessed Lands—all contributed. Now, every mortal dynasty venerates the Daoist Alliance, nations unite, and warfare has temporarily ceased. In my view, new turmoil is brewing."

"If one renews oneself daily, one renews again and again—such new things are precisely why the mortal world isn’t so dull."

"Since you’re here, let’s spar again. Last time, your three-pronged two-edged blade, the Ruyi Golden Cudgel, and the Fire Tip Spear Technique were all excellent—they greatly inspired me."

"Very well. This time, I shall teach you the Battle Victory Art!"

"…Brother, I’d rather your blade were pressed against my back…"

…

"This ancient town seems like the ancient Jiang State… but why does it bear the name Yang State…?"

"Long ago, a sorcerer here condensed the Soul-Returning Immortal Realm. Over the years, some have accidentally wandered into this place. The townsfolk know what’s happening outside, but they live here in peace and harmony, so they’ve chosen not to change. Xiao Kui, I brought you here to eat Daozhen."

"Mm-hmm, this town is wonderful. I wish I could live here forever."

"You will. You will."

"Ohoho, so this has become your heart’s treasure?"

"Hong Kui, you’re my treasure too."

…

"Hua Ying, you eat so much every day—why do you never grow up?"

"Starting tomorrow, I will grow!"

…

The 30th year of the Great Gan Dynasty, Jade Capital.

An autumn wind, still carrying traces of heat, intensified the clamor within the Sanhua Pavilion.

The Sanhua Pavilion, located in Jade Capital, featured carved railings and jade steps, layered pavilions, and covered dozens of mu of land. Before its gates stood bright carriages and sedan chairs, and the servants outside were all elegantly dressed and robust. The pavilion attracted such a crowd solely because a peerless courtesan named Meng Bingyun had appeared within.

Dreamlike and illusory, with ice-skin and jade-bone, her talent unmatched.

"This pavilion’s courtesan is incredible—she’s registered as a courtesan, yet nobles and officials spend a fortune just to see her once."

"The man who just entered was even a Prince."

"The Great Gan Dynasty is now in grave peril. Yuwen Mu of Yunmeng has pressed against our borders and will soon march on the capital. Who among us can stand against him?"

"When the sky falls, the tall ones hold it up. Such state affairs are not our concern."

Various whispers reached Meng Bingyun’s ears, causing her icy, detached spirit to lower her eyelids further, deepening her indifference. As the Holy Maiden of the Tai Shang Dao and the younger sister of Meng Shenji’s second reincarnation, Meng Bingyun deeply understood the Dao of Supreme Forgetting. These trivial sounds could not disturb her inner stillness.

"But that man…"

Meng Bingyun slightly lifted the curtain behind her, gazing toward the center of the main hall, where a man in green robes sat. His bearing was noble and refined, as if from an ancient, deeply rooted Confucian-Daoist lineage, yet every gesture carried the effortless grace of Daoist transcendence. In this ruthless age of fierce competition, he alone exuded a sense of free and easy ease.

"I am Wang Xuan of Nianzhou, honored to meet you, Young Master."

A Confucian scholar stepped before the green-robed man, bowing respectfully, seeking to make acquaintance.

Nianzhou’s Wang family—this was a mighty clan.

The Great Gan Dynasty comprised ninety-nine provinces; Nianzhou was governed by the Wang family, who had been hereditary Lords of the Sacred Bounty since the dynasty’s founding. At the dawn of the Great Gan, they had rallied martial artists and Daoists to compile the Martial Scripture and the Dao Scripture, and the Wang family of Nianzhou participated in the compilation of the Dao Scripture.

"Gu Qing."

The green-robed man raised his wine cup and spoke with effortless ease.

"Your name is unfamiliar to me."

Wang Xuan’s mind raced through all known information, then casually moved to sit beside Gu Qing—but as he neared, his knees refused to bend; the chair was right behind him, yet he could not sit.

Only Wang Xuan knew this humiliation. Watching Gu Qing calmly sip wine, utterly ignoring him, Wang Xuan’s eyes turned cold. "Brother Gu, are you refusing to honor the Wang family?"

Gu Qing finally looked up, glancing at Wang Xuan with a faint, knowing smile.

Wang Xuan felt his legs loosen—he could move again. He reached to sweep back his robe, bent his knees, and prepared to sit—only to find his waist would not bend. He did not sit. Instead, before all these onlookers, he knelt firmly before Gu Qing.

Gu Qing lifted a cup of wine and poured it over Wang Xuan’s head. The liquid streamed through his hair, down his cheeks and collar, washing away his dignity entirely.

"Now that’s refusing to honor the Wang family."

Gu Qing said casually: "Go away."

At these words, Wang Xuan could lift his feet and move his hands. His thoughts surged—he drew strength from his spine and swung a heavy punch straight at Gu Qing’s face!

"Crack!"

Before his fist reached Gu Qing, Wang Xuan’s arm snapped. In Wang Xuan’s vision, Gu Qing sat calmly, sipping wine and tapping rhythmically—as if listening to the lute’s melody within the pavilion. Suddenly, a black figure flashed forth, striking like a starfall. His fist shifted like the turning heavens, unleashing irresistible force that shattered Wang Xuan’s limbs and sealed his body.

"Southern Dalaopai!"

Struck hard, Wang Xuan spat blood from nose and mouth, glaring at the black-robed man. "Does your Dalaopai intend to oppose the Wang family?"

"Absurd!"

The black-robed man was young, yet his bearing and martial skill were ancient and mature. Hearing this accusation, he replied coldly: "Is it your Wang family that intends to oppose the court?"

The Lord of Sacred Bounty of Nianzhou had long practiced submission. Now, with Yuwen Mu’s Yunmeng army pressing at the border, the Lord’s lineage, sensing danger, had begun secret dealings with Yunmeng.

The black-robed man held moral authority. His sharp rebuke choked Wang Xuan’s blood and withered his spirit.

"I am Hong Xuanji, of the current court…"

Hong Xuanji was about to introduce himself when he saw Gu Qing lightly scratch his ear—as if his name were foul. Hong Xuanji frowned and cut straight to the point: "The Great Gan now faces internal strife and external threat. Your strength is formidable. Why not…"

"Gold and jade buy songs and laughter; one drunken month makes kings and dukes seem light."

Gu Qing spoke calmly, not even glancing at Hong Xuanji: "Step aside. Don’t spoil my mood."

Hong Xuanji’s face darkened.

You may despise me—but you cannot treat kings and dukes lightly!

Though young, Hong Xuanji had fully internalized the Confucian order of ruler-subject, father-son. This disrespectful act made his fist clench. "Arrogant!"

(End of Chapter)