After weighing his options, Xu Qi’an analysed the current situation and said,
“Have her keep our teacher occupied, let me handle the matter of the Holy Son. What she needs to consider now is not when I’ll be rescuing her, but rather how long she can delay things.”
Master Hengyuan replied, “Understood, this humble monk will relate your words verbatim.”
Xu Qi’an continued, “How has your cultivation been lately?”
Master Hengyuan answered, “I am already studying the Vajra Divine Art. In as little as half a month, or as long as two months, I will be able to cross its threshold.”
This means that Master Hengyuan’s true combat strength is already not weaker than a fourth rank, and with the cultivation of the Vajra Divine Art, he has the foundation to attempt third rank Vajra… Xu Qi’an was delighted.
Before parting, he had passed the Vajra Divine Art on to Master Hengyuan. The cultivation of this technique required certain qualities, but Xu Qi’an believed that Master Hengyuan, who bore an Arhat phala, would certainly succeed.
There was no doubt about it.
Mastering the Vajra Divine Art is a prerequisite for entering the third rank, the Vajra realm. Master Hengyuan will at least be rank three in the future. This means that, one day, I’ll have a Vajra as a strong arm. The investment I made in Master Hengyuan at an early stage is finally beginning to bear fruit.
Xu Qi’an’s mood immediately improved. He then asked, “And what about Chu Yuanzhen?”
“Benefactor Chu has not yet taken a step on his own sword path,” Master Hengyuan replied.
Xu Qi’an heaved a sigh.
Ah, this foolish lad, refusing an ordinary path, and insisting on going the unconventional way.
Was it so easy to blaze a new trail? If Chu Yuanzhen succeeded, he would probably be the most terrifying natural talent among the Heaven and Earth Society members.
Still, he had to admit, the secret technique of nourishing intent really was formidable. Over time, it accumulated strength, and once the duration reached a certain point, even a feeble opponent could erupt with the power to slay a boss.
Back then, Chu Yuanzhen had unleashed a sword intent honed over ten years in a single strike, which directly broke through the physique of a third rank martial artist, causing considerable damage.
After ending the private conversation, Xu Qi’an turned around, put away the Earth Book fragment, and walked out of the cemetery.
Mu Nanzhi was sitting atop the little mare, holding the small white fox in her arms. Xu Qi’an led the horse, walking shoulder to shoulder with Li Lingsu, while the puppet Hengyin went on ahead.
“What’s with the Heaven Sect’s Supreme Detachment from Emotion?”
Xu Qi’an suddenly asked.
Didn’t I already tell you about this in your dream back in Pingzhou… Li Lingsu muttered inwardly and smiled, “Quiet is he unmoved by emotion, like one who has forgotten.”
Speak human language! Xu Qi’an shot him a look.
“To put it simply,” Li Lingsu said, “according to the Heaven Sect canon and my own understanding, the root of Supreme Detachment from Emotion lies in ‘forgetting’. But what is forgetting? Is it simply forgetting? No. Is it being emotionless? Also no.”
He went on, “It is to possess emotion, yet transcend it; to be uninfluenced and untroubled by attachment, reaching a state of lofty detachment. Here’s an example: if one had to choose between saving all living beings or saving one person, what would a senior choose?”
This suddenly got philosophical… Xu Qi’an pondered the question, but did not answer, as he felt any answer would reveal his own character.
Li Lingsu waited, but when he received no reply from Xu Qi’an, he continued on his own,
“A normal person would, of course, choose to save the masses and abandon the individual. But if that one person were a close friend or beloved, they would pick saving the one and abandon the world. Why? Because they are bound by ‘emotion’ in their choice.
“A person of Supreme Detachment from Emotion would save the masses rather than the one, even if that one was their own kin.”
Xu Qi’an considered, “If so, isn’t Li Miaozhen’s upholding of justice and putting the people before all else precisely Supreme Detachment from Emotion?”
“No, no, no!”
Li Lingsu shook his head repeatedly. “She upholds justice and meddles in others’ affairs precisely because she is bound by emotion. It’s her sense of justice driving her to destroy evil. In fact, if our junior sister truly fell in love with a man, I guarantee she would pick saving one and abandon the people.”
“So in that case, you’re walking the right path?” Xu Qi’an asked with a grin.
“Naturally!” Li Lingsu raised his chin.
Then, noticing that Xu Qi’an’s gaze was somewhat off, the Holy Son of Heaven Sect’s heart tightened. “Senior, why are you looking at me like that?”
Xu Qi’an simply smiled and said nothing.
“Senior’s gaze is making me uneasy,” Li Lingsu pressed.
Still, Xu Qi’an only smiled.
If Supreme Detachment from Emotion were a math problem as simple as “What is 1+1,” Li Miaozhen would answer “3,” while the Holy Son would mock her and say,
“Idiot, obviously it’s 9.”
Little did they know, the maths teacher was standing behind them with a cane, wearing a kindly smile.
As for how to rescue Li Miaozhen, Xu Qi’an’s plan was to drag things out, buy time until the Sevenfold Gu advanced another stage, and then consider how to save her.
As long as he kept a tight rein on Li Lingsu and played circles with the Heaven Sect’s experts, all would be well. The Heaven Gu’s “star shifting” ability was an even stronger concealment than blocking heaven’s secrets.
Only when his own strength and prep were sufficient would he toss Li Lingsu out as bait.
“If all goes well, I might even be able to use Heaven Sect’s strength to deal with the Buddhist sect, the Church of the Warlock God, and Xu Pingfeng…”
At that thought, Xu Qi’an asked, “By the way, what is your teacher’s cultivation?”
“Third rank, Yang Spirit,” replied Li Lingsu.
Excellent… Xu Qi’an smiled.
As they walked, he suddenly spotted a huge pit in the distance. While restraining his eagerness, he said,
“I have something to take care of. You all head back to the inn first.”
No one thought much of it and continued on.
The small white fox poked a paw from Mu Nanzhi’s embrace and waved at him.
Watching them vanish into the distance, Xu Qi’an eagerly dived into the pit as if returning home, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.
…
On the border of Qingzhou, in the small city of Guanghan Commandery.
In the best restaurant in the city, “Xiangshanju,” in a private room, Ji Xuan was happily eating a plate of fried silkworm pupae.
“Delicious. They look ugly, but the flavour is uniquely brilliant. Sister Yuanshuang, won’t you try a dish?”
Xu Yuanshuang frowned delicately, not having touched her chopsticks for some time, apparently her appetite affected.
There were seven people in the spacious room: the bright-eyed, white-toothed Xu Yuanshuang; the habitually stern and cold Xu Yuanhuai; and the core member of this team, Ji Xuan.
Beyond these three, the other four, arranged from left to right, included an old Daoist in a faded robe with greying hair and a goatee, deep wrinkles by his eyes, this was Old Daoist Jiaoye, a wandering Daoist skilled in medicine, fortune-telling, and all kinds of side arts, who had spent half his life on these “lesser paths,” and whose cultivation was not especially high.
But in the jianghu, such a versatile and experienced old hand was sometimes more valuable than a Transforming Force martial artist.
Next was a thin, withered looking man in a brilliantly coloured, patchy long robe, named Qihuan Danxiang, a wandering shaman of the Heart Gu tribe. Once, in Yunzhou, he came across a local landed gentry family abusing the common people, and so used his poisonous insects to kill them all.
His extreme character was obvious.
As a result, he became a wanted man in Yunzhou. By fortune, he later joined Qianlong City and became a guest of the City Lord’s residence.
Seated to Qihuan Danxiang’s left was a charming, seductive woman, her face sharp, lips blazing red, with large, alluring eyes that seemed to draw people in. In early winter, she wore a revealing dress showing her shoulders, waist, and calves, displaying all the charm of a mature woman.
Her name was Liu Hongmian, originally from Wanhua Tower in Jianzhou. After a failed struggle for power with her junior, Xiao Yuenu, she angrily left Jianzhou, was taken in by Qianlong City, and became a guest of the City Lord’s residence.
The last member was of unique status; he was not even human. Though appearing as a strong, imposing man, his true form was a white tiger.
He was raised by the National Teacher, Xu Pingfeng, and was one of the four commanders of the Twenty-eight New Mansions organisation: White Tiger of the West.1
Each of these four possessed unique abilities and remarkable skills. With the Arcanist Xu Yuanshuang in addition, the team had virtually no weaknesses.
The Heart Gu Shaman, Qihuan Danxiang, smiled and said,
“The western part of Qingzhou borders the Southern Marches. This way of eating came to us from the Southern Marches. However, people of the Central Plains are more particular. They knew how to use oil-frying and spices to remove the fishy aroma. People from the Southern Marches mostly ate this raw, or just boiled it in boiling water, occasionally at most with a bit of salt.”
Ji Xuan quickly finished a plate, picked up his wine cup and took a sip, sighing,
“Ziyang Jushi truly lives up to the name of Confucian orthodoxy, governing Qingzhou in perfect order. If Qianlong City could gain the support of Confucianists, what achievement would be out of reach? Yuan Huai, why do you think the National Teacher did not seek the Confucianists?”
The stern, cold-faced youth frowned upon hearing this, thought for a moment, then shook his head.
Xu Yuanshuang said coldly, “Because the Great Feng’s fortune has not yet run out. The Confucianists care most about fortune, and also understand it the best. When the Confucianists took action, it meant the dynasty’s fortune was exhausted. For example, in the past, Great Scholar Qian Zhong smashed the Great Zhou’s dragon ley, cutting off its last fortune.
“When Emperor Wuzong plotted rebellion that year, the Confucianists neither helped nor interfered. In truth, this was a good thing, showing that this time too, the Confucianists would stand by and watch. When Uncle ascends the throne to replace the Great Feng, will we still fear the Confucianists cannot be of use to us?”
Ji Xuan gave a thumbs up, “If sister Yuanshuang were a man, becoming Prime Minister would be no issue.”
Xu Yuanshuang’s face remained cold and she did not respond.
Ji Xuan stroked his chin, chuckled awkwardly twice, looked around, and said,
“Yesterday, I received a secret report from the Shadow Guards. The first strand of Dragon Qi appeared in Leizhou’s Sanhua Temple, attached to the Stupa tower. Ten days ago, because of this, local jianghu folk of Leizhou clashed with Sanhua Temple.”
The Shadow Guard was an espionage organisation trained by Qianlong City. They were spread over all thirteen provinces of the Central Plains, specialising in gathering intelligence, their nature akin to the secret agents of the Nightwatchers.
Xu Yuanshuang’s eyes lit up, and she asked, “What was the result?”
Ji Xuan clicked his tongue twice, “According to a Leizhou martial artist who took part, the Dragon Qi was snatched away by Sun Xuanji of the Sitianjian and someone named Xu Qian, together with the Stupa tower itself. Hm, snatched from right under Vajra Du’nan and Irbu’s noses.”
At that time, Sun Xuanji erased the existence of the Stupa tower and everyone within it. Once those martial artists left and “exposed” themselves to public view, the technique shielding Heaven’s secrets was automatically broken.
It was just like when Xu Pingfeng appeared in the capital in full view of the public, the technique shielding Heaven’s secrets immediately became invalid.
Daoist Jiaoye stroked his beard and said,
“Just as we expected, the Sitianjian is collecting Dragon Qi, and progressing faster than us. They have already gained one of the nine major strands. Furthermore, the Buddhist sect is indeed also collecting Dragon Qi. Presumably the Church of the Warlock God will not miss such a rare opportunity either.
“These waters are truly muddy. By the way, who is this Xu Qian?”
Liu Hongmian of Wanhua Tower laughed flirtatiously,
“Muddied waters have their benefits, when the sandpiper and the clam fight, the fisherman profits.”
“Miss Hongmian is quite right,” Ji Xuan nodded in agreement, then answered Daoist Jiaoye,
“The Shadow Guards could not find out this man’s background, only that he is skilled in poison and should be from the shaman clans.”
Everyone immediately looked at Qihuan Danxiang. The Heart Gu Shaman frowned, “That is obviously a Central Plains name. Appearance can be disguised, but to snatch Dragon Qi from the hands of two third ranks, this person could not be simple.”
“So, can you guess who he is?” Ji Xuan asked.
Qihuan Danxiang shook her head,
“Though the Gu techniques of the shaman clans are rarely handed out, there are always exceptions, for example, members of the Desire Gu tribe enjoy entangling with outsiders and forcibly keep them in the clan.
“Those who fall to the Desire Gu, whether willingly or forced, will, after a time, learn the Gu arts. Once they escape, the art spreads throughout the land. Anything below fourth rank is possible. There is no way to determine he is from the shaman clans.”
White Tiger said calmly, “Could it be Xu Qi’an?”
Xu Yuanshuang and Xu Yuanhuai both raised their eyebrows at once.
Ji Xuan frowned, “Groundless speculation will only cloud our judgement.”
Qihuan Danxiang added, “Gu cultivation is difficult and requires one to implant a life Gu from childhood. That Xu Qi’an is a martial artist, it is impossible for him to suddenly change paths overnight and gain such mastery of Gu arts.”
White Tiger nodded.
Liu Hongmian giggled, “What a pity. I hear Xu Qi’an is dashing and a notorious womaniser, the Jiaofangsi in the capital sees him often. If it were him, my beauty trap would be foolproof.”
Xu Yuanshuang sneered, “Foolish. Is he the sort of man who loses his way just seeing a woman?”
Liu Hongmian’s smile did not change, charming and bewitching, “I have no other motives, I just want to sleep with him. Oh? Sister Yuanshuang, you seem a little upset. Big sister understands, you fancy Silver Gong Xu too.”
“Bang!” Xu Yuanshuang slapped the table and rose, snapping, “What did you say!”
These guest retainers did not know Xu Qi’an’s origins.
Ji Xuan teased, smiling, “If Miss Hongmian wants to sleep with Xu Qi’an, she can just go to the capital and find him. But before that, we need to pay a visit to Yongzhou.”
“Yongzhou?”
Daoist Jiaoye asked in reply.
“Yongzhou will soon hold a Martial Assembly. It is said that the local martial clans, the Gongsun Clan and Longshen Castle, are holding it together, establishing a ranking of Yongzhou’s experts. Anyone seeking fame will go to Yongzhou,” said Ji Xuan.
Daoist Jiaoye understood and laughed heartily, stroking his beard, “By then, we might be able to identify those possessed by the Dragon Qi among them.”
…
The Sitianjian, underground.
Yang Qianhuan stood at the door of a certain room, his back of the head facing Zhong Li inside, and said gravely,
“Junior Sister Zhong, I won’t stay with you any longer. Teacher has agreed to let me go out.”
The dishevelled Zhong Li was stunned, and said softly, “Senior Brother Yang, have you given up your intent to regicide?”
Yang Qianhuan snorted, “Let the imperial brat have a few days of triumph for now. Should he repeat Yuanjing’s path in the future, I, Yang Qianhuan, will behead him on the Dragon Throne before the eyes of three million citizens of the capital.”
He would never admit that it was because he gave in that Teacher, the Jianzheng, had shown mercy and let him out.
Yesterday, the Crown Prince had already ascended the throne and taken the reign name “Yongxing”.
“The people in the capital cannot see the Dragon Throne from outside…” Zhong Li muttered under her breath.
“What did you say?” Yang Qianhuan did not catch it.
Zhong Li shook her head and said, “Does that not mean you have lost your aim in life? If you go out, what meaning is there?”
Yang Qianhuan’s back of the head blazed with intensity as he stared at her,
“I have long thought of how to make my name known, and devised a detailed plan. That villain, Xu Qi’an, is not in the capital. This is a rare chance. If I do not rise now, when will I?
“When he returns to the capital one day, he will find that the people have long forgotten Silver Gong Xu. In their hearts, there will be only Yang Qianhuan.”
There was a deep, steady confidence in Senior Brother Yang’s voice.
Zhong Li asked curiously, “A detailed plan?”
…
The Twenty-eight mansions, the 28 constellation houses that the night sky is split up into, alongside the three domains around the north pole. The White Tiger represents the seven constellations of the west. ↩
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