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The newcomer had plain clothes and unsurpassed elegance, hair drawn up in a topknot with a jade hairpin, not only Shen Qiao’s attention, but also many of the others present were drawn by the sudden appearance of this mystery woman, and were looking in her direction.
She wore a long sword on her back, her gaze flying upward, her walk was not at all girl-like, and unfazed by other people’s attention, it remained steadfast and spirited, as she walked in behind the Chunyangguan disciple, she scanned the entire area, when she saw Shen Qiao, her face showed shock and delight, and before the disciple could bring her before Yi Bichen, she stepped off one foot and flew towards Shen Qiao.
Shen Qiao also stood up, their eyes met, the young woman flung herself like a swallow towards a forest, and embraced him tightly.
Everyone’s gaze became a bit peculiar.
“Zhangjiao-shixiong!” the young woman was completely unaffected, not caring the least about what others might think, only after a long while, when Shen Qiao patted her on the back, did she let him go.
Hearing the namesake she had used, Zhao Chiying knew that she must be a disciple of Xuandushan, Shen Qiao’s shimei.
As expected, Shen Qiao took her hand and introduced her to Zhao Chiying: “This is my wu-shimei Gu Hengbo, this is Bixia Sect Zhao-zongzhu.”
Zhao Chiying had heard before that Qi Fengge had five disciples, Tan Yuanchun, Shen Qiao, Yu Ai, Yuan Ying, Gu Hengbo, among them was only one woman, it would have to be the one standing before her.
Looking at her, she was like ice and jade, enshrouded by a celestial air, truly a beautiful person.
Gu and Zhao both greeted each other, Gu Hengbo smiled: “I’ve heard of Zhao-zongzhu’s name, but didn’t realize I would meet you here, wu-niang is very fortunate!”
It wasn’t that she wasn’t aware of formalities, just that when she saw Shen Qiao she was so moved, she disregarded everyone else for the moment.
Shen Qiao asked: “Wu-niang, how did you come here, is Yu Ai here too?”
Gu Hengbo shook her head: “No, we had a big argument, I’ve left the mountain for a while now, and wasn’t planning to return.”
Shen Qiao frowned: “What happened? Did he mistreat you?”
Gu Hengbo smiled, as if it was no big matter: “That’s a long story, why don’t I tell it later. I heard this place was hosting shijiandahui, so came up the mountain to check it out, and didn’t expect to meet zhangjiao-shixiong here.”
Shen Qiao hearing the other still refer to him as “zhangjiao-shixiong”, sighed to himself: “Fine, I’ll bring you to greet Yi-guanzhu first.”
Gu Hengbo didn’t object, she became a disciple much later, and there was a large age gap between her and her shixiong, Qi Fengge as the zhangjiao, had many duties to attend, and couldn’t personally train his disciples everyday, Gu Hengbo’s wugong was mostly taught by Tan Yuanchun and Shen Qiao, between the two Shen Qiao spent more time with her, so Gu Hengbo treated this shixiong like a brother or father, their attachment was deep, could not be described as a usual connection between disciples of the same sect.
Gu Hengbo’s appearance was not ordinary, and drew the gaze of many young disciples, everyone saw that she was close to Shen Qiao, and misunderstood, Yi Bichen was not an exception, and only upon hearing Shen Qiao introduce her did he realize: “Qi-zhangjiao was a generation’s pride, even his disciples are so exceptional, to have the luck of meeting you two here, reminds me of Qi-zhangjiao’s colours all those years ago, he has everyone’s admiration.”
His conversational skills were very smooth, seeing Gu Hengbo arrive alone, did not press the matter, after exchanging a few words, knowing that Shen Qiao and Gu Hengbo were meeting after a long parting and must have had lots to catch-up on, he had someone add another seat next to Shen Qiao, so that the two shixiongmei can talk at more length.
Shen Qiao and Gu Hengbo returned to their seats, he noticed the latter’s attention kept drifting, as if distracted, was alarmed: “Wu-niang, what is wrong?”
Gu Hengbo pulled her focus back, shook her head: “Nothing, A-Xiong must have suffered these days? While I was travelling around, I often heard news of you, it’s partially my fault too, that day on Xuandushan, I couldn’t see past Yu Ai’s deception, and subjected A-xiong to this kind of hardship.”
Shen Qiao: “That day, I didn’t understand anything, how could you be to blame, it’s in the past, there’s no meaning to pursuing fault, why did you and Yu Ai have an argument?”
Gu Hengbo: “After you fell into the valley, Xuandushan was leaderless, not only was there no chaos, but everything was settled quickly under Yu Ai’s directions, everything was put to order, several elders recommended, since your survival was ambiguous, and Xuandushan couldn’t not have a zhangjiao, that Yu Ai take up this position.”
“That Xuandushan didn’t fall into chaos, is a good thing.” This was the first time that Shen Qiao had heard from a Xuandushan disciple the events of that day, its many internal forces, he still didn’t understand it too clearly, as Gu Hengbo continued to talk, he had a feeling akin to fog parting.
Gu Hengbo: “At the time I was ordered to keep watch at Xuandushan, so didn’t see it with my own eyes, after I heard the news, it was like thunder striking a clear sky, so anxious I didn’t know what to do, thinking about it later, the events were unusual to the point of evil, zhangjiao-shixiong when that thing happened to you, we, including most of the disciples, were all very sad, only Yu Ai moved swiftly and decisively, although he wore sadness on his face, but there were inconsistencies everywhere.”
“After this event, there was a time you returned to Xuandushan, Yu Ai couldn’t make you stay, and said you were conspiring with people from the demonic sects, Da-shixiong was also present, but I wasn’t, later on I saw that Da-shixiong appeared to be troubled, quite frightened, so found a chance to talk to him, but he spoke in circles, unwilling to tell the truth.”
Tan Yuanchun’s personality was indecisive and hesitant, and was famous among the Xuandushan disciples for being the good guy, even if he sympathized with Shen Qiao, would not have been able to cut off Yu Ai, this kind of behaviour was not unusual.
Gu Hengbo continued carefully: “One time, I heard him speaking with Chai-zhanglao, it was like he had long predicted the outcome in the fight between you and Kunye, my suspicions grew about the inner workings of the whole thing, Yu Ai was surely hiding something from us, much later, when the partnership between Xuandushan and Tujue was announced, I could no longer sit still, so went to ask Yu Ai, I asked him if he had been conspiring with Tujue for a long time, whether your fall was related?”
Shen Qiao shook his head: “If you ask it like this, why would he admit it?”
Gu Hengbo smiled bitterly: “Of course he didn’t admit it, not only that, on the surface he tried to console me, but in the middle of the night he entered my room planning to take decisive action, I realized in time, and after fighting him I escaped down the mountain, after that I haven’t been back.”
Shen Qiao thought at length: “Your wugong isn’t bad, but not on Yu Ai’s level, at that time he had control of Xuandushan, could have fully blocked your route, but still he let you escape, in his heart there must be a tether to your relationship, and so showed you mercy.”
Gu Hengbo: “Even if this were the case, he made you suffer a poisoning and a fall, losing all your wugong, that smidge of compassion, as I see it is just a cat crying over a dead mouse. Da-shixiong may be morally ambiguous, willing to be the accomplice, but I could no longer have a part in it.”
Shen Qiao: “What about Yuan Ying, how is he?”
Gu Hengbo shook her head: “Before I left, I secretly left Si-shixiong a letter explaining things, but I don’t know if he read it, after that I left Xuandushan, and haven’t heard news of him since.”
As the shixiongmei talked, several matches were completed, Wang San-lang was proud and his skills were truly top-notch among the younger generation, after defeating Zhou Yexue, he won several matches in a row, even Su Qiao lost to him by one move, for now his victories were unparalleled.
Gu Hengbo looked several times at the matches going on, then suddenly said: “No tiger in the mountain, a monkey becomes king, I too will go up against him!”
Saying this and not waiting for Shen Qiao to stop her, she stepped out, headed directly for her opponent.
Her beautiful appearance was already dazzling, at this moment she had attracted the attention of the entire crowd, towards others Wang San-lang had no regard, but standing before Gu Hengbo, he look somewhat humbled, but still spoke with the airs of a rich family heir: “The sword is blind, as to not injure you, why don’t we call it a draw?”
Gu Hengbo slowly said: “It turns out you didn’t come here for a martial arts exchange, but to look at people as if they were something to eat?”
Wang San-lang didn’t expect such acerbic words to come from her mouth, and felt embarrassed: “Of course not!”
Gu Hengbo drew her sword: “Then let’s go!”
Zhao Chiying seeing the two fight, was impressed but also felt this was within expectations: “Your shimei is extraordinary: renowned teacher accomplished disciples, just like Shen-daozhang, similarly brilliant!”
“Zhao-zongzhu flatters us.” Shen Qiao murmured, he was thinking that usually Wu-niang was not this impulsive, her actions just now were not like her.
Wang San-lang of course was no match for Gu Hengbo, his long sword was sent flying by Gu Hengbo, and fell into the ground a while away, a Chunyangguan disciple yelled: “Xuandushan Gu Hengbo wins against Kuaiji Wang Zhuo!”
Then everyone knew who Gu Hengbo was, Wang San-lang appeared a bit pale, not only because he lost, but more because he heard that the other was Qi Fengge’s disciple, his heart sank, and he couldn’t focus for a long time.
Gu Hengbo put away her sword and stood still, there was no joy in her expression, she didn’t return to Shen Qiao’s side, but walked up to Yuan Zixiao, who had her head buried in a bunch of books and scrolls.
“Before you were watching Wang San-lang closely, now that I’ve defeated him, why won’t you even look at me?”
Yuan Zixiao didn’t raise her head, her pen continued to move: “You winning against him, isn’t that to be expected?”
Gu Hengbo laughed icily: “Fangzhangzhou Liuligong’s people are pretentious, you didn’t even say goodbye when you left, now when we meet again you pretend to not know me, do I Gu Hengbo make you lose so much face?”
There was no one around Yuan Zixiao, as to not interfere with her work, Yi Bichen had purposefully had them give her some space, the two were not speaking very loudly, others couldn’t overhear it clearly, but seeing their exchange, the two obviously knew each other, but their words and expressions were not happy.
At this moment the other two matches had been decided, the winners were Wang Er-lang and Chixiajianpai disciple Chao Yu.
Wang Er-lang and Chao Yu fought, these days sword style was in vogue, most jianghu people used the sword, and the two of them were no exception.
Chixiajianpai was not a big sect, but Chao Yu had already proven himself against so many others, he must have his strengths, although Wang Er-lang’s movements were domineering and sword skill superb, he still lost to the other within 200 moves.
Wang Er-lang wasn’t willing to let go of the sword in his hand, his whole body was shaken by the other’s inner qi and he retreated several steps, almost fell over, Chao Yu was courteous and flew forward to help him, in case he forced the other into an awkward position, Wang Er-lang still wasn’t satisfied, although he knew there were always more people out there in the world, finally he folded his hands in respect, left unhappily.
The Kuaiji Wang brothers arrived roaring, now had to return crestfallen, to compare their previous disdain in the main hall was like night and day.
In the jianghu where the strong ruled, they who had just ventured from their thatched cottage had not quite adjusted, they had their family background as support, but if they were to rely on wugong, and their wugong wasn’t enough, even if it was the emperor holding up the ceiling, they wouldn’t be able to lift their heads.
Wang Er-lang looked to the side where his brother stood, face pale, then he saw Shen Qiao in the distance sitting very still, composed and at ease, he had an impulse to go up to Shen Qiao and ask, when under the gaze of the crowd he lost to Kunye, that feeling of humiliation, how did bear it.
Apart from the Wang brothers themselves, the crowd’s attention quickly drifted from them, Chao Yu did not seek out Gu Hengbo, but instead in the direction of the Chunyangguan disciples he folded his hands and said: “Chixiajianpai Chao Yu, I don’t know if I have the honour of learning from Li-shaoxia?”
He had challenged Li Qingyu to a fight!
Hearing this, everyone was surprised, and one by one turned to Li Qingyu.
Chao Yu’s target was clear, although Gu Hengbo was young, she was Qi Fengge’s disciple, in the same generation as Shen Qiao, strictly speaking would be in the same generation as Yi Bichen, and Gu Hengbo rarely made an appearance in the jianghu, she wasn’t widely known, even if he won against her, not too many people would be surprised, but this wasn’t the case with Li Qingyu.
Currently, Li Qingyu could be considered the most outstanding of his generation in the jianghu, first he had sought out Xuandushan, losing to Yu Ai by one move, everyone had heard of this, and later in Su Manor, against Hulugu’s disciple Tujue master Duan Wenyang he fought, also similarly losing by a slight margin, and Duan Wenyang was considered among the top ten in the world, so by this one can infer that Li Qingyu’s wugong, if not in the top ten, wasn’t that far behind.
To be challenged by name, Li Qingyu had no reason to decline, he picked up his sword, stood up slowly, stepped out from the crowd.
“Your sword skill is very impressive, but as it stands you cannot hope to win against me within a hundred moves.” He said to Chao Yu.
No matter how good Chao Yu’s manners were, hearing these words he couldn’t help but show his irritation: “I respect Li-shaoxia’s sword skill, but aren’t your words a bit overconfident?”
“He’s not wrong, you truly can’t match him. Many things, even without a match can be seen clearly, Yi-guanzhu was considering your face and didn’t say anything, you need to know your own limitations.” This smiling, dripping voice appeared in the crowd, endlessly charming, making people feel as if their bones softened.
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice, and saw a woman walking up the stone steps, dignified as lotus, exquisite and elegant, her tone carried several parts teasing and condescension in contrast to her appearance, the difference between the two, for the moment most people couldn’t reconcile.
“This is…?” Zhao Chiying rarely stepped off the mountain, naturally did not know this newcomer’s identity.
Shen Qiao said gravely: “Hehuan Sect zongzhu Yuan Xiuxiu.”
Zhao Chiying froze, this name was like a bolt of thunder.
At the same time, Yi Bichen had stood up: “Yuan-zongzhu has graced us with her presence, this poor one is at fault for greeting you from afar, please forgive me.”
Yi Bichen calling the other by her name, many people’s expressions changed.
The demonic sects were notorious, but if it had been Huanyue Sect or Fajing Sect appearing, people wouldn’t have reacted in this manner, but because Hehuan Sect liked extracting yin supplementing yang, using dual cultivation, and in this way caused a lot of wanton deaths, as well their expanding influence to which no one dared interfere, if Hehuan Sect was mentioned at all these days, it was with fear, logically it was not afraid of others.
Yuan Xiuxiu smiled sweetly: “It’s not your fault you didn’t know, since shijiandahui welcomes everyone, Yi-guanzhu wouldn’t decline my attendance?”
The new arrival had no kind intentions, kind people don’t arrive, behind her she had brought numerous disciples, all with names and reputations within Hehuan Sect, even in the jianghu they were known.
Yi Bichen slowly said: “You are guests, welcome.”
Yuan Xiuxiu laughed: “That’s great, I recognize many old friends here, what a coincidence, I heard people complaining that our Hehuan Sect was too domineering, and were trying to work together to deal with us, is this true or false, Yi-guanzhu, what do you think?”
If Yi Bichen were to say it was true, he would fall into the trap, if he were to deny it, it would appear a bit contradictory, others would certainly suspect his abilities.
The other’s purpose was clearly to wreck havoc.
Hearing the question, many people showed their indignation, but because of Hehuan Sect’s threatening demeanour they didn’t dare open their mouths.
At this moment, someone spoke up: “On this matter we shouldn’t tire out Yi-guanzhu by forcing his words, this poor one will reply on his behalf. Yuan-zongzhu your question, surely was asked with a guilty conscience, do you also agree that Hehuan Sect’s actions have been untoward, are you afraid of public resentment, and to prevent a forest fire, you rushed up the mountain to put out the flames?”
The voice was steady and warm, made people feel safe, but was not overly forceful.
Yi Bichen understood, as the host of shijiandahui, and head of Chunyangguan, his various roles made it difficult to reply, Shen Qiao choosing this moment to speak, was not to show off, but to help him, he shot him a grateful glance.
Yuan Xiuxiu laughed coldly: “Shen-daozhang is so brave, you killed two elders from my sect, I haven’t sought you out yet, and you dare approach me first?”
“That is strange, why can’t your Hehuan Sect people be killed? Unfortunately when Shen-daozhang killed them I was not present, otherwise I would have shouted my encouragement and cheered! Everyone here, if you’re really going to make an alliance against Hehuan Sect, you should include us Huanyue Sect, as I see it, Shen-daozhang is held in high regard, and is most suited to be the head of the alliance!”
Again, another person abruptly inserted themselves into the conversation, along with these words, a youth twirling a fan appeared on the stone steps.
And who might be this lordship?
Shen Qiao suddenly had a headache.