Chapter 77: I Have No Interest in Being Number One Under Heaven

After meeting Li Zhichang in Kaifeng, Gu Qing continued wandering with Xiaolongnu and Cheng Ying, their overall goal being Huaixi; along the way, martial heroes were increasingly revered, the common folk embraced martial vigor, and even inn attendants would practice archery to build strength in their spare time.

“The Dragon and Elephant Samadhi Power has spread widely.”

Gu Qing paused at a training ground, watching commoners practicing—the method they used was the first level of the Dragon and Elephant Samadhi Power.

Xiaolongnu and Cheng Ying smiled lightly, knowing these changes all stemmed from Gu Qing.

Gu Qing’s achievements in Mongolia elevated the status of martial heroes significantly, and the origin of the Dragon and Elephant Samadhi Power’s spread also lay with Gu Qing.

Gu Qing found this martial fervor quite pleasing.

As he strolled leisurely, the aura of slaughter on Gu Qing’s person gradually faded; without realizing it, he reached a herbal shop and heard someone calling out for medicine, his forehead bearing a distinct depression—clearly an arrow wound—causing Gu Qing to glance twice.

“Sir.”

The man was sharp-witted, stepping forward to introduce himself: “This dent on my forehead? A high-ranking Mongol official shot an arrow, missed his target, and hit me square in the head. The doctor pulled out the arrow, applied medicine, and I somehow survived.”

In the Song dynasty, land consolidation was severe; many had no land and became idle men in the city. When nobles needed something done, they’d call out, and these idle men would rush to act, earning a portion of the reward. Since the Jingkang Incident, this region has suffered repeated calamities, and idle men have grown scarce.

This man was one of the few remaining idle men.

He intercepted Gu Qing because he saw an opportunity.

Gu Qing examined the man’s head and said, “Old Chinese physicians still know their craft.”

Lincoln was shot in the head and didn’t die immediately; a senior Western doctor traveling with him said nothing, stuck his finger into the wound to dig out the bullet, and began cutting open Lincoln to bleed him out…

“What a coincidence!”

The idle man said, “Today, an old monk arrived here—his medical skill is truly heavenly! Sir, if you have headaches, fevers, kidney weakness, or physical frailty, come with me to see the old monk. He just extends his hand and touches a person here…”

The idle man mimicked the old monk’s finger technique; Gu Qing’s brow twitched slightly as he exchanged a glance with Cheng Ying.

This was the style of the One Finger Zen.

The idle man, unaware, thought his mention of “kidney weakness and physical frailty” had struck a nerve with Gu Qing, hence the glance between husband and wife.

“Very well.”

Cheng Ying pulled out a small piece of silver and tossed it to the idle man.

The idle man, overjoyed, fetched the medicine from the shop and led Gu Qing toward the old monk, describing the monk’s appearance and mentioning a black-robed monk beside him.

When they reached the pavilion where the two monks were, Gu Qing saw a young man lying on the ground, the white-browed monk diagnosing him, while the black-robed monk stood nearby, filled with profound remorse.

“Master, this disciple’s evil nature is hard to eradicate. Today, hearing this man speak, I suddenly became agitated and impatient, and couldn’t help but strike him with a palm. Though I woke up mid-strike and held back, the damage was already done…”

At this moment, the black-robed monk wept in repentance.

“This evil thought within you remains stubbornly persistent.”

The white-browed monk softly chanted sutras to guide him, yet within these sutras, the black-robed monk’s killing intent grew even stronger; he cried out in anguish: “Master, my killing intent has risen again…”

Gu Qing watched the two and immediately recognized their identities: one was Duan Yu, the Southern Emperor among the Five Greats; the other was Qiu Qianren, the weak fifth great.

This master of the Iron Palm Sect, after embracing Buddhism, had not changed his murderous nature—he had injured the young man, and the Southern Emperor was treating him while also trying to counsel the black-robed monk.

Yet during the chanting, the effect seemed reversed; the black-robed monk’s emotions grew increasingly uncontrollable.

“Then strike me with a palm.”

At this moment, Gu Qing spoke to the black-robed monk.

The black-robed monk, already unable to suppress his killing intent, heard Gu Qing’s words and without hesitation raised his Iron Palm to strike Gu Qing… Qiu Qianren’s Iron Palm was second only to the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms in power, unpredictable and deadly—Huang Rong had nearly died from it in her youth.

“Cien!”

Master Yidai’s voice, deep and clear, rang out sharply, jolting Qiu Qianren back to his senses; he hastily retracted his hand, yet the murderous intent flickered again in his eyes.

“Who are you, to mock me?”

Cien barked fiercely—he had once been master of the Iron Palm Sect, and his speech still carried authority.

“I am Gu Qing.”

Gu Qing simply stated his name.

Cien stared at Gu Qing, scanning him up and down; the killing intent in his eyes slowly receded, and after a moment, he returned to the demeanor of a diligent, grounded monk, clasping his hands before Gu Qing and murmuring, “Amitabha.”

His violent nature had met a more violent man—and immediately retreated.

“Amitabha…”

Master Yidai chanted a Buddha’s name, realizing for the first time that even such ferocity could be cowardly toward stronger foes; he rose to his feet, studying Gu Qing intently, and said, “You have crushed the Mongols. This time, at the Mount Hua Sword Forum, you should be the first.”

Given their martial insight, upon hearing Gu Qing’s name, they instantly judged its authenticity.

After studying Gu Qing, Master Yidai recalled his achievements in Mongolia and admitted he was inferior.

Gu Qing shook his head and said, “I have no interest in the Mount Hua Sword Forum or the title of Number One Under Heaven.”

Gu Qing did not need the Mount Hua Sword Forum to prove he was Number One Under Heaven—the Mount Hua Sword Forum needed Gu Qing to prove its worth!

If Gu Qing attended the Mount Hua Sword Forum, he would be lowering himself, elevating the Five Greats.

Master Yidai, unaware of Gu Qing’s subtleties, praised him: “Achieving greatness and withdrawing—your spirit is truly extraordinary. But have you heard? Yang Guo intends to declare himself emperor?”

Yang Guo plans to declare himself emperor?

Gu Qing was genuinely unaware—he had been wandering aimlessly and lost contact with the martial world’s intelligence network.

“I was planning to gradually shift things so Yang Guo could become emperor—never expected him to be so eager.”

Gu Qing said, “Becoming emperor is fine.”

Master Yidai, hearing Gu Qing’s approval, nodded and said, “I was born in Dali; technically, I should not interfere in Song affairs. But Master Guo Jing believes Yang Guo’s imperial ambition is coerced by the Ming Cult—not his true will.”

Gu Qing smiled and asked Master Yidai, “Do you think Emperor Taizu of Song knew about the Chenqiao Mutiny before it happened?”

The Chenqiao Mutiny was said to be forced upon him by his subordinates, yet rumors had already swept the city—Emperor Taizu simply handled it brilliantly, with no bloodshed, winning great public favor.

Master Yidai understood his meaning but sighed sadly: “A hero rising to the pinnacle of renown, a terrestrial immortal—henceforth, his reputation will be mixed.”

Rebellion is never a good reputation.

“It doesn’t matter.”

Gu Qing gently extended his hand and said, “I’ll delete the bad reviews.”

When it comes to action, Gu Qing never hesitates—he deletes criticism physically!

Fifth chapter update





(End of chapter)