Chapter 50: The First Game

Qi Wan'er, scion of the prestigious Northern Qi Clan, was the youngest grandson of Elder Qi Zhen. Ranked thirteenth in his generation, his talent was exceptional—he entered the Great Circulation Realm (周天境) directly from the Eighth Level of Energy Absorption (纳元八重), earning the clan's fervent regard. Coddled and flattered since childhood, his pride surpassed even his grandfather's.

This "Thirteenth Young Master" lived a charmed life: achieving External Elixir, then Internal Elixir, ultimately becoming the North's foremost sword cultivator. Yet he never set foot in the southern realms—a mystery Gu Pinglin now understood.

The flaw in his perfection? His name. Qi Wan'er (齐婉儿), a deliberately feminine appellation. At his first birthday, he fell gravely ill three times. The diviner Ming Qingzi decreed: "This child's fate is too yang, too violent. A yin-soft name must balance it." His sickly elder sister happened to be present—Qi Yanfeng (齐砚峰). Ming Qingzi laughed: "Simply swap their names!" The infant boy became "Wan'er"; the girl, "Yanfeng."

As an adult, the name was a humiliation. Enemies mocked him as "Thirteenth Madame" (十三娘). He loathed Ming Qingzi but could not find him. Thus, he insisted on being called "Qi Thirteen" (齐十三).

Facing Duan Qingming's taunt—"Aren't you Qi Wan'er?"—Qi Thirteen's forehead vein throbbed. "I am Qi Thirteen!"

Duan Qingming feigned confusion. "Qi Thirteen… isn't that Qi Wan'er?"

"Enough nonsense! Draw your sword!"

"What reward for defeating you?"

"Fail to best me in thirty moves, and I'll retreat to seclusion for twenty years!"

Duan Qingming shook his head. "Your terms offer me no gain. Why indulge you?"

Qi Thirteen stared, baffled. "Sword cultivators seek battle to prove their Dao! You haggle like a merchant—vulgar! You disgrace the sword!"

"True, I disgrace it," Duan Qingming conceded mildly. "Since I failed to claim the Heavenly Sword, defeating me proves nothing. Why not challenge its holder, Li Moqing?"

"He hides in Divine Craftsman Valley! Had I not been in seclusion, I would hold that sword!" Qi Thirteen flushed, adding stiffly, "My grandfather and third uncle said your swordsmanship is… passable."

Gu Pinglin hid a smile. After their failed ambush, Qi Zhen and Qi Peng had witnessed Duan Qingming's "Wild Goose in the Clouds" (云中雁影)—a glimpse of the unfinished Guying Sword Art. Their praise was surely greater than "passable," sparking Qi Thirteen's obsession.

Duan Qingming sighed. "Wan'er, I'm crafting a peerless sword technique. Once perfected, I'll face you properly. How could an imperfect art honor your challenge?"

Qi Thirteen's eyes lit up. "What technique?"

"Still incomplete. Wouldn't perfection befit you best?"

As Qi Thirteen wavered, Gu Pinglin intervened: "Senior Brother, when will this 'peerless technique' be ready?"

Qi Thirteen jolted awake. "You dare trick me?! If you never finish it, must I wait centuries? No wonder Grandfather called you cunning!"

Duan Qingming's gaze sharpened at Gu Pinglin. "You claimed my swordsmanship was unfinished."

Qi Thirteen noticed Gu Pinglin. "Who is this?"

"My junior brother—quite clingy," Duan Qingming smiled. "But he's our Sect Master's closed-door disciple. His swordsmanship is… unique. My only worthy rival."

"Your rival?" Qi Thirteen's interest piqued.

"Defeat him," Duan Qingming said, "and I'll face you."

Gu Pinglin shot skyward—only to be blocked by four sword energies. Qi Thirteen's Jade Emperor Sword (玉皇剑) gleamed gold. "Since you're a swordsman, indulge me!"

As Duan Qingming vanished with Xin Ji, Gu Pinglin stood firm. "I concede."

Qi Thirteen froze, then flushed with rage. The Jade Emperor Sword hummed, its aura regal and domineering. The tip halted an inch from Gu Pinglin's throat—masterful control.

"What game are you playing?"

"A warning," Gu Pinglin said calmly. "Duan Qingming is evading you. He used me as a decoy. Will you waste time on me while he escapes?"

"CURSE HIM!" Qi Thirteen vanished in a streak of gold, seven guards scrambling after him.

"Master Gu is formidable," Xin Ji materialized, impressed.

Duan Qingming landed gracefully from a treetop. "Three sentences dispersed a storm. Worthy of my junior brother."

Gu Pinglin accepted the praise. "Is this a 'trouble'? Did I overestimate you, or you underestimate me?"

"You're always merciless with me."

"Did I expose you to Qi Thirteen? That was mercy."

"Then I hope for more mercy." Duan Qingming's smile held knives.

"Aren't you afraid the Qi Clan will send more assassins?"

"Two Internal Elixir experts failed. Why fear?"

"Overconfident."

In the Eastern Sea's bustling market, Gu Pinglin chartered a fishback vessel (鱼脊船)—ugly but swift, warded against storms and spells.

"1,000 plume-coins?" Gu Pinglin frowned.

The broker grinned. "Demand's high for the Sea Realm passage! Our ship bypasses Chess Rock Reefs (棋子礁)—now under Penglai Isle's control after they reclaimed it from Mistspirit Island last year. A bargain!"

Gu Pinglin probed: "Penglai's young master governs now?"

"The old island master's gone. Affairs rest with Sixth-Guard Lord Guo Feng (六御公郭逢)—the real power behind the throne." A turtle minister steering a young dragon, Gu Pinglin mused. Penglai's future overlord, Nan Zhu (南珠), still battled his court's wolves.

Back at the inn, Jiang Ruoxu and Leng Xu arrived with Gan Li. Gan Li bowed deeply to Duan Qingming, who appraised him: "Notable talent."

"Become my disciple," Duan Qingming offered.

Gan Li glanced at Gu Pinglin. "This humble one is unworthy…"

"Afraid I'll neglect your training?"

Gan Li stammered, "Master-Uncle Gu said… I need a strict teacher…"

"Am I not strict enough?"

"Stop tormenting the junior," Gu Pinglin cut in.

Duan Qingming sighed. "Rules breed dullness."

Jiang Ruoxu laughed. "What would amuse you?"

"Waiting."

"For whom?" Leng Xu puzzled.

Gu Pinglin's gaze snapped to Duan Qingming—just as Xin Ji ushered in a boisterous figure.

"Junior Brothers! Why send a stranger to fetch—"

Gu Pinglin shot up. "Senior Brother Bu?"

Jiang Ruoxu gaped. "Bu Shuihan?!"

Duan Qingming smiled at Gu Pinglin: "Surprise."