Chapter 74: Yang Guo Is Aiming for the King Rank

Zhongnan Mountain was originally the main entrance of the Complete Reality Sect, but now the Chongyang Palace had been reduced to ashes, and the sect’s Daoists, under the leadership of the Complete Reality Masters, had scattered across the land; today, Zhongnan Mountain was silent and desolate.

“This way.”

“Here, here…”

Gu Qing led Cheng Ying effortlessly into the Ancient Tomb, successfully stirring annoyance in Xiaolongnu—her master had entrusted her with the tomb, yet she had failed to hold onto anything.

Following the waterway, the three finally reached the Ancient Tomb.

Xiaolongnu returned to her homeland, her face bright with joy; seeing Gu Qing lead Cheng Ying straight to the Cold Jade Bed, she naturally followed, watching as Gu Qing, like a child presenting a treasure, had Cheng Ying lie upon the Cold Jade Bed to feel its effect.

As soon as Cheng Ying sat down, a chilling cold surged over her.

“This is the Cold Jade Bed of the Ancient Tomb.”

Gu Qing had Cheng Ying sit down and smiled: “Practicing internal energy on this bed allows your qi to circulate even in sleep—one year here equals ten years elsewhere.”

Internal cultivation normally differs from ordinary breathing, and during sleep, breath naturally reverts to its usual state; but the Cold Jade Bed maintains the practitioner’s normal state even in dreams. The Complete Reality Sect’s internal arts already emphasized cultivation in all postures—walking, sitting, lying—but this bed aids in internalizing the qi. Gu Qing had slept on it several times and found it greatly beneficial.

Cheng Ying lay down and felt the icy chill pierce her bones; her internal energy began flowing naturally. She nodded, turned to Xiaolongnu, and said: “This treasure of the Ancient Tomb is unmatched in the world.”

Xiaolongnu nodded slightly; praise for the tomb’s treasures naturally pleased her.

“There’s one more crucial point.”

Gu Qing looked at Cheng Ying and said: “On this Cold Jade Bed, the heart’s fire clears itself—you naturally banish distracting thoughts. Then we can all enter the Yogic Secret’s Four Joys state, gaining boundless advancement.”

Gu Qing revealed his true intent.

The Yogic Secret passed down by the Golden Wheel Lama required both male and female practitioners to eliminate distracting thoughts. Xiaolongnu, raised in the Ancient Tomb, had a pure heart; Gu Qing had the Good Deeds system as an advantage—both could cultivate together. But Cheng Ying kept all her feelings buried inside; in Yogic Secret cultivation, she made half the progress for double the effort, which was why Gu Qing had never consummated their union.

Now, in the Ancient Tomb, with the Cold Jade Bed’s aid, the conditions were ripe.

Cheng Ying’s face flushed crimson—she had never expected Gu Qing to be waiting for her here.

Xiaolongnu could no longer bear it. After permitting Gu Qing and Cheng Ying to be together, Cheng Ying had always been considerate and rarely showed intimacy with Gu Qing in front of her. Thus, though Xiaolongnu had accepted it, she had never been directly confronted with such stimuli—yet now Gu Qing, bringing Cheng Ying into her home, onto her bed, preparing to use the same bed techniques…

The shock pierced her heart with a pang; tears slipped down unbidden.

Seeing this, Gu Qing quickly pulled Xiaolongnu into his arms, soothing her gently—such matters required slow adjustment.

This was also why Gu Qing had never argued with Li Mochou—he had struck directly.

Mindful of Xiaolongnu’s emotions, Gu Qing and Cheng Ying did not consummate their union immediately. Instead, the three first tidied the entire Ancient Tomb, organizing everything neatly. That night, they studied the Nine Yang Divine Art and the Muscle/Marrow Cleansing Sutra together; Gu Qing even spent some Good Deeds points to unlock music, giving him more topics to share with Xiaolongnu and Cheng Ying.

Only when both Xiaolongnu and Cheng Ying were ready did Gu Qing and Cheng Ying finally consummate their union.

Xiaolongnu was pure and shy in such matters; Cheng Ying was tender and accommodating. With the aid of the Yogic Secret, both Gu Qing and Cheng Ying saw tremendous advancement in their internal energy.

Cheng Ying was meticulous—most of the tomb’s food and clothing were her concern. Xiaolongnu had originally felt gloomy, but seeing Cheng Ying’s devoted care, over time and through repeated experience, her old resentment gradually faded, and her relationship with Gu Qing and Cheng Ying returned to its original harmony.

This was precisely the shameless, blissful life Gu Qing had dreamed of. Inside the Ancient Tomb, he found no boredom at all—playing music, contemplating the Yogic Secret—he truly felt this was the greatest joy of mortal life.

Of course, Gu Qing was not idle. In his spare moments, he studied martial arts.

The Primordial Qi Art, the Nine Yin Divine Scripture, the Nine Yang Divine Art, the Muscle/Marrow Cleansing Sutra, the Yogic Secret, the Dragon and Elephant Supreme Power, the Complete Reality Sect’s martial arts, the Ancient Tomb Sect’s martial arts, the Peach Blossom Island’s martial arts…

Gu Qing meticulously refined these supreme arts of the age, encompassing profound Daoist, Buddhist, and Yogic principles. Through the digestion of Good Deeds, he fused them into one. His own progress in internal energy further propelled Xiaolongnu and Cheng Ying’s advancement; Cheng Ying, once weak in cultivation, now rivaled seasoned martial elders.

Xiaolongnu’s Ancient Tomb Swordplay and Cheng Ying’s Peach Blossom Island techniques had originally been the most complex forms—but as their internal energy grew, their sparring refined their movements into ever simpler, ever sharper strikes.

Thus passed a year. One day in spring, Gu Qing, Xiaolongnu, and Cheng Ying left the tomb for a spring outing. Amidst admiring flowers and trees, they suddenly saw white eagles circling the sky—recognizing them as the pair raised by Guo Jing, Gu Qing let out a long, piercing whistle. The Martial Alliance sent out its signal. Soon after, Liu Er of the Beggar’s Sect galloped up on horseback; upon seeing Gu Qing, he nearly wept with joy.

“Great Master Gu, we’ve finally found you after more than half a year.”

Liu Er handed Gu Qing the letter and said: “This is a personal letter from Great Master Guo Jing, entrusted to us to deliver into your hands.”

Gu Qing and Liu Er exchanged greetings. As Gu Qing opened the letter, he asked Liu Er about the state of the war. Liu Er replied that the Martial Alliance had exerted great effort; after months of assassinations, the Mongols had abandoned Nanyang. In their lifetime, they might yet lead Song troops back to Kaifeng and Luoyang.

“They’ve reclaimed Nanyang…”

Gu Qing smiled. This time, Guo Jing and Huang Rong would not die defending a city.

As Gu Qing read the letter, he suddenly exclaimed: “Good for you, Yang Guo—not bad at all!”

“What’s wrong?”

Xiaolongnu, long without news of her disciple, leaned in to ask.

“Yang Guo has become the leader of the Ming Cult.”

Gu Qing said.

The Ming Cult had once rebelled under Liu Sanqiang during the Lizong era, only to be brutally suppressed by the court—its power was already waning. But Yang Guo’s actions differed greatly from those of the imperial army; many enlightened members of the Ming Cult flocked to him, and before long, he became its leader.

In the letter, Guo Jing detailed the dangers of the Ming Cult, urging Gu Qing and Xiaolongnu to go to Yang Guo’s side and persuade him to abandon evil and embrace goodness, lest he be dragged into rebellion.

“Is this good or bad?”

Cheng Ying asked anxiously—Huang Yaoshi was with Yang Guo.

“It should be good.”

Gu Qing said. The Song Dynasty was nearing its end—this was precisely the time for enlightened minds to rise to the top. Yang Guo seizing this opportunity could achieve great things.

“Should we go persuade him?”

Xiaolongnu asked.

Gu Qing looked at Xiaolongnu’s ethereal beauty and shook his head. Yang Guo now held absolute power—if they persuaded him poorly, they might have to face the Yang family spear.

“What the uncle can do is help him clear the external enemies.”

Gu Qing welcomed rebellion.

(End of Chapter)