Chapter 45: The Scholar Gentleman

Noticing Gu Pinglin's attention to Gan Li, Gan Min's face lit up with hope. "Li'er, thank your Martial Uncle for his praise!"

Gan Li stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Martial Uncle." Though Gan Min's great-grandson, he now followed sect hierarchy, addressing Gu Pinglin as "Martial Uncle" since joining the Lingxin Sect.

Gu Pinglin sipped his tea deliberately before asking, "Have you practiced the sect's techniques?"

Gan Min answered for him: "This old one entered the sect years ago, but limited by aptitude, achieved nothing. Hoping to secure a path for descendants, I found only this great-grandson with passable talent. Five years ago, I begged Manager Zhang to let him join the outer sect. The superiors permitted me to teach him some rudimentary techniques."

Leng Xu wondered aloud, "As your descendant, he should have been sent to the sect for training. His aptitude seems good—joining the inner sect shouldn't be difficult."

Gan Min dared not admit the truth. He forced a bitter smile, hinting vaguely, "The manager promised to arrange it, but the superiors remain occupied... This old one lacked the means to send him back. Blame my incompetence—half a lifetime managing mundane affairs, I leave nothing behind. My descendants failed him."

Leng Xu still looked puzzled, but Gu Pinglin understood. Taoist temples dealt in mortal wealth, worthless to cultivators. Gan Min likely lacked the feather coins (羽币) to bribe the managers—a common issue in sects. Gu Pinglin cut off Leng Xu's further questions and asked Gan Li directly: "Five years of cultivation. What is your realm?"

Though Gu Pinglin seemed his age, an unspoken authority radiated from him. Gan Li answered cautiously, "This disciple is dull-witted. After five years, only the Second Level of Qi Accumulation (纳元二重)."

For an outer disciple practicing the lowest-tier techniques, reaching Qi Accumulation's Second Level was impressive. Gu Pinglin nodded and shifted topics: "Night approaches. We'll speak tomorrow."

Gan Min hurriedly agreed: "This old one was thoughtless. Senior Brother traveled far and should rest. Li'er, escort the three Martial Uncles to their rooms. Later, prepare a banquet to welcome them."

Gan Li bowed. "Martial Uncle, please."

"No banquet," Gu Pinglin waved him off. Through a whispering spell (传音术), he added, "Place me next to the old Daoist who sought lodging earlier. Ensure he remains unaware."

Hearing rumors that this Martial Uncle might become the future sect leader, Gan Li seized the opportunity. "Understood. Rest assured, Martial Uncle."

He called an acolyte outside the screen: "Fetch the registry for the guest quarters. We have visitors arriving soon—I must check room availability."

Gu Pinglin nodded approvingly.

Why focus on Gan Li? In Gu Pinglin's past life, as sect leader, he reviewed missives from all temples. Night City Temple's reports—concise and logical—stood out. Inquiring, he learned they were penned by the late abbot's great-grandson, acting as interim steward. Gu Pinglin overruled the manager's request to replace him, appointing Gan Li as permanent abbot. Today's meeting confirmed his talent. Pity, Gu Pinglin mused. In my past life, I was too consumed with Duan Qingming to notice him fully. Stuck managing this temple, his potential was wasted.

Soon, the acolyte returned with the registry. Gan Li skimmed it and dismissed him, leading the trio to the guest quarters.

The guest courtyard was small, with six or seven rooms. A well stood in the center, and spotless bluestone paving hinted at frequent washing.

Gan Li settled Jiang Ruoxu and Leng Xu first. When he moved to guide Gu Pinglin away, Leng Xu asked, "Will Junior Brother Gu not stay here?"

Gan Li apologized, "This humble temple is short-handed. Many rooms are unprepared. Two clean rooms remain in another courtyard. May I trouble Martial Uncle Gu to move there?" He glanced nervously at Gu Pinglin.

The two believed him. Jiang Ruoxu patted his shoulder reassuringly: "Your Martial Uncle may seem stern, but he isn't picky. No need for nerves."

Gan Li bowed stiffly. "Yes." Leading Gu Pinglin out, he whispered, "That guest resides in the East Courtyard—alone, likely per his request. Staying there directly might draw his attention."

Gu Pinglin surveyed the surroundings. "Your suggestion?"

Seeing no objection, Gan Li ventured, "Martial Uncle might stay in the South Courtyard. It adjoins the East Courtyard—only a wall separates them. Currently, one guest occupies it: a scholar gentleman. Acting discreetly would be easier there."

Prudent indeed. Gu Pinglin nodded. "So be it."

The South Courtyard mirrored the West Courtyard's layout, but an ancient tree stretched its branches over the wall, scattering leaves. The atmosphere was serene.

"Martial Uncle, is this satisfactory?" Gan Li opened a door and stepped back.

As promised, the room neighbored the East Courtyard—ideal for surveillance. Gu Pinglin scanned the interior. "Adequate."

Gan Li exhaled in relief. "I won't disturb your rest. Lamps flank the courtyard gate. Extinguish one if you need me."

Gu Pinglin acknowledged. Suddenly, laughter erupted from the corner room—one voice eerily familiar.

He came after all. Gu Pinglin suppressed a cold snort.

Misinterpreting his silence as displeasure, Gan Li tensed: "That's the scholar gentleman—surnamed Lin. He's lodged here days. Not a Daoist, likely from a noble family. Traveling alone, probably studying. He seldom ventures out—won't be a bother."

Deceived, unsurprisingly. Gu Pinglin didn't correct him, listening as the conversation continued:

"Brother Lin's use of 'conceal' (藏) is masterful!"

"Not at all. Brother Sun's 'lurk' (隐) fits better."

"Modest to a fault, Brother Lin!"

Gu Pinglin frowned. "Who is the other?"

Gan Li listened. "Likely the Fifth Young Master of the Sun family—renowned in Night City for poetry. Brother Lin probably invited him for scholarly discourse."

Inviting pedantic scholars for "discourse"? Gu Pinglin scoffed inwardly. He raised a hand. "Understood. Dismissed."

Relieved, Gan Li bowed and withdrew.

Gu Pinglin stood on the steps momentarily, then descended into the courtyard. From this vantage, he saw into the room through an open window. Two young masters sat facing each other. On the right, a square-jawed man in brocade radiated scholarly arrogance. On the left—dressed in white with a gold-edged ribbon—sat Duan Qingming. All traces of demonic aura vanished, he embodied an elegant noble scholar.

Moments later, Duan Qingming brushed two lines of characters onto paper. The Sun youth applauded. Setting down the brush, Duan Qingming glanced casually toward the courtyard—meeting Gu Pinglin's gaze.

Smiling, those fox-like eyes held mesmerizing charm.

The Sun youth noticed Gu Pinglin and scowled. "A mundane guest trespassing? How disruptive!"

Duan Qingming withdrew his gaze. "Alas, in the mortal realm, one must endure mundane company."

Unfazed, Gu Pinglin calculated silently.

"True," sighed the Sun youth. "The Daoist realms are serene. If only I had the affinity..." He drained his cup, despondent over his lack of spiritual roots.

Duan Qingming refilled it. "Didn't Brother Sun's maternal uncle join a Daoist sect?"

Having spoken freely for hours, the Sun youth confided: "Not formally. He studied under a rogue cultivator years ago. Now he oversees a Sea Market shop—specializing in vessel and mount rentals."

"Renting vessels? Few sail now, surely."

"Sea Market clients aren't ordinary. He rents to powerful Daoist cultivators. Recently, many have sailed—over a hundred orders. Twenty-some sects are involved."

Gu Pinglin, about to leave, froze.

So many sailing? Likely toward the Sea Realm. Yet, by now, only ten copies of the Haijing intelligence should have been sold. Who would share costly secrets? Major sects and families owned mounts and artifacts—renters would be minor factions. If so many knew... someone deliberately spread this information.

Duan Qingming asked no further. Raising his cup, he said, "Night falls. With mundane company here, I shan't detain an elegant guest. Farewell, Brother Sun."

The Sun youth checked the sky. "Indeed. I take my leave."

They drank. The Sun youth departed. Duan Qingming saw him out, then turned to Gu Pinglin with a smile: "Long absent, Junior Brother Gu. All is well?"

Gu Pinglin replied coolly, "All is well with Brother Lin."

Duan Qingming approached. "An alias—nothing unusual."

Gu Pinglin countered, "I only wonder what you've done away from this mundane guest's eyes."

"I hid nothing while gathering intelligence," Duan Qingming replied mildly. "You distrust me. Earlier, you invited me to travel together—wasn't it to monitor me closely? Must I always indulge you?"

As he moved toward his room, Gu Pinglin called, "Wait."

Duan Qingming ignored him, ascending the steps. He entered and began closing the door.

Gu Pinglin followed, bracing the door.

Duan Qingming raised a brow. "Why follow me?"

"To discuss," Gu Pinglin stated impassibly.

"Discuss what?"

"Cooperate."

"A mundane guest truly disrupts the peace," Duan Qingming sighed after a pause. "Enter."