Chapter 49: The Proud Scion of House Qi

At dawn, Gu Pinglin extinguished the signal lamp. Gan Li arrived promptly. Having prepared supplies the night before per Gu Pinglin's instructions, the scene of the collapsed courtyard wall did not surprise him.

Gu Pinglin glanced at the rubble. "This..."

"Master-Uncle, rest assured," Gan Li replied smoothly. "I will have trusted disciples clear it discreetly. No outsiders will know." 

Gu Pinglin nodded. "Summon the Abbot to the main hall."

Abbot Gan Min, anxious for his great-grandson's future, had been awake all night. He rushed to the hall the moment he received the summons. Gu Pinglin first fetched Jiang Ruoxu and Leng Xu before the three joined Gan Min.

Tea was served by a young acolyte, but Gan Li personally poured for the elders before retreating behind Gan Min. Unaware of the previous night's events due to the isolation barrier, Jiang and Leng remained silent as Gu Pinglin observed Gan Min's restraint—clearly coached by Gan Li. Satisfied, Gu Pinglin addressed the abbot: "What realm have you reached, Venerable Abbot?"

Gan Min flushed with shame. "This old one is incompetent. Over a century of cultivation, yet I remain stagnant in the Great Circulation Realm."

Gu Pinglin sipped his tea, pensive.

Seizing the opportunity, Gan Min sighed theatrically. "My talent was always mediocre. Breaking through is hopeless—I've accepted it." He covered his face with a sleeve to wipe imaginary tears. "But as my days dwindle, I worry for this child..." Though calculated, the emotion was genuine. Gan Li lowered his eyes and patted his great-grandfather's back.

Leng Xu nearly interceded, but Jiang Ruoxu silenced him with a glance. Both waited for Gu Pinglin's response.

After a deliberate pause, Gu Pinglin set down his cup. "I propose this: Gan Li shows promise. I will take him to Lingxin Sect. However, the temple requires stewardship..."

Overjoyed, Gan Min waved dismissively. "This old bone can manage a few more years!"

Gu Pinglin raised a hand. "I possess a Meridian Surge Pill. It will aid your breakthrough."

The pill's value stunned Gan Min. "Such generosity is unwarranted—"

"This temple thrives under your care. Our Master, knowing your dedication, commanded me to gift this pill." Gu Pinglin's tone brooked no refusal. "Taking one from you, I return another."

Though forced advancement couldn't rival true cultivation, Gan Min's stalled path made it irrelevant. Reaching the Qi Refining Realm would extend his lifespan, granting time to train a successor. Gan Min bowed deeply. "Our Sect Master's kindness is boundless!"

He immediately pushed Gan Li to kneel and offer a formal apprenticeship.

Gu Pinglin stopped the youth. "I bring you to the sect, but inner-disciple status requires passing the trials. Cleverness serves worldly affairs, but cultivation demands diligence. Should you succeed, I will find you a strict master."

Gan Li kowtowed. "This disciple understands. Thank you, Master-Uncle Gu."

Though disappointed Gu Pinglin wouldn't personally take him as a disciple, Gan Min rejoiced—this far exceeded his hopes. He regaled them with local tales before sending Gan Li to guide the trio through the temple gardens.

Over the following days, Gan Min entered seclusion to attempt his breakthrough. Gu Pinglin used the respite to recuperate and inform Sect Leader Yue Songting of Gan Li's recruitment. In his spare time, he taught Gan Li the revised inner-sect techniques—a rare fortune for the youth, whose talent shone as he broke through to the Fourth Level of Energy Absorption in mere days.

Jiang Ruoxu and Leng Xu scouted for news. The situation grew stranger: more rogue cultivators and disciples from major sects streamed through Night City toward the Eastern Sea. Someone was luring them—a clear trap, though its link to Demon Lord Weifengshi's letter remained unknown.

Duan Qingming became a ghost—leaving at dawn, returning late, or locking himself in his room. Jiang and Leng remained unaware of his presence. Xin Ji, detoxified but despondent over his enslavement, sighed endlessly. Only Gu Pinglin maintained routine: nightly meditation, dawn sword practice, and mentoring Gan Li.

One afternoon, Gu Pinglin sipped tea by the window. Winter birds darted among the bare branches of an ancient tree beyond the wall, amplifying the desolation. Below, Xin Ji paced conspicuously.

After lingering in Gu Pinglin's sightline for hours, Xin Ji finally approached. "Young Master Duan leaves today."

Timing aligned with expectations. Gu Pinglin smiled faintly. "He is your master. Leaking his plans risks him dispersing your soul. Are you unafraid?"

Xin Ji scoffed inwardly—their strained relationship was obvious. Outwardly, he feigned surprise. "You are martial brothers. What secrets exist between you?"

Old fox. Gu Pinglin cut to the chase. "You want the Pupil Painting back?"

Startled his ploy was seen through, Xin Ji whined, "I've betrayed the demon realm! Pursuers will come. Serving you both requires... tools for self-defense. Surely you understand?"

"And your disguise techniques?" Gu Pinglin's sharp gaze pinned him.

Xin Ji paled. How does he know this? "A mere trick! But the Sea Realm is perilous. With the painting, I could better serve you—"

"Not yet," Gu Pinglin interrupted. "When needed, I will return it."

Xin Ji gaped. Had he misjudged their rivalry? He dared not press further, slinking away defeated.

Gu Pinglin wrote a brief note and extinguished a small lantern by the courtyard gate. As Xin Ji predicted, Duan Qingming soon returned. He wore no Taoist robes—elegant in layered blue and white silk, a silver wyrm-hide belt at his waist, jade-adorned boots completing the ensemble. His stride billowed the outer robe, merging refinement with an ethereal grace.

Xin Ji, fearing exposure for his earlier betrayal, intercepted hastily. "Esteemed Gu asked when we depart!"

Duan Qingming paused. "Ah. It seems you spoke out of turn."

Cold sweat beaded on Xin Ji's brow. "I thought—"

"Prepare to leave." Duan Qingming strode past him into his room.

Relieved by the lack of punishment, Xin Ji shuddered. This one's even more inscrutable.

Gan Li arrived moments later. "Your orders, Master-Uncle?"

Gu Pinglin handed him the folded note. "Deliver this to Master Jiang."

As Gan Li hurried off, Duan Qingming emerged. Without acknowledging Gu Pinglin, he walked out. Xin Ji scrambled after him. Gu Pinglin followed leisurely.

At the main gate, Duan Qingming bid farewell to the temple stewards. Several Taoists and even guests gathered to see him off—a testament to his charm. Xin Ji fidgeted impatiently; Gu Pinglin observed calmly, hands clasped behind his back.

Once the crowd dispersed, Duan Qingming descended the steps. Only then did he notice Gu Pinglin trailing him.

"Where are you going, Junior Brother Gu?"

Gu Pinglin remained impassive. "I intend to travel with you."

Duan Qingming feigned surprise. "I recall no invitation."

"Must one wait for an invitation?"

"You misunderstand," Duan Qingming sighed. "My path invites trouble. I'd hate to burden you."

Gu Pinglin arched a brow. "Is trouble not the perfect whetstone?"

Duan Qingming studied him, then smiled. "Of course. I welcome your company."

Gu Pinglin's note instructed Jiang and Leng to guard Gan Min through his breakthrough before escorting Gan Li to the Eastern Sea's market for rendezvous.

The trio reached the city outskirts by dusk.

"Where is this trouble?" Gu Pinglin asked.

"It approaches," Duan Qingming replied. "Listen."

"Duan Qingming! I knew it was you!" a voice rang out.

Unfazed, Gu Pinglin lifted his gaze.

Several cranes descended, riders atop them. Leading them was a young noble barely twenty, clad in crimson brocade, a silver crown binding his ink-black hair. His features were sculpted perfection—full brows, sharp eyes, lips like vermilion—radiating an aura of innate arrogance.

He stood atop his crane, glaring down at Duan Qingming. "Hiding? Has the 'genius' turned coward?"

"My eyes fail me! It's my dear cousin," Duan Qingming beamed.

"Who is your cousin?!" The youth sneered.

"Duan Qinghou is my blood brother. You are his cousin. Thus, you are mine," Duan Qingming reasoned smoothly.

Trapped by logic, the youth refused courtesy. "The Duan elders touted you as a genius. Yet you fled the Heavenly Sword's intent, wounded! How dare they call you genius? No wonder they cast you out in shame!"

Duan Qingming sighed. "My regrets are profound."

"My grandfather said you're cunning, your swordplay... unusual." The youth flicked two fingers. A golden sword materialized behind him. "Thirty moves. Survive, and I'll acknowledge you as kin.*"

"Master..." his attendants tried to intercede. Provoking the eldest son of Duan Pin—backed by the Cheng Clan—risked House Qi's standing.

"Silence!" The youth waved them off. "What harm in sparring with family?"

Duan Qingming smiled. "My skills are crude—your grandfather flatters me. Crossing blades with kin brews discord, does it not... Cousin Qi Wan'er?"

Gu Pinglin stifled a laugh. The crane riders had revealed the youth's identity, but Duan Qingming's deliberate use of the feminine name Wan'er—paired with his mocking tone—was a masterstroke of provocation.

Xin Ji, disguised and hiding behind Gu Pinglin, gaped at the audacity.

The youth's face flushed crimson. "WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?"

"Aren't you Qi Wan'er?" Duan Qingming's smile was spring incarnate. "Apologies. I heard my cousin Wan'er possessed peerless beauty and talent. Clearly, I mistook you for another. Might I ask who you are?"

Golden light flashed as the sword trembled with its master's rage.