Chapter 260 : How Many Lives Do You Have?
Chapter 260: How Many Lives Do You Have?
Chen Ming finally understood the key point within — and it indeed fit perfectly with the stereotypical impression he had of the Gu Family.
He straightened his expression and said solemnly, “Since the family is in need, your nephew naturally won’t decline. May I ask, when will the Imperial Palace Night Banquet begin?”
Gu Haochuan, seeing that he had given his stance, smiled faintly. Thinking that this young man was indeed intelligent, his tone softened. “There are still a few days. You may take the time to bid farewell to your friends. Will two days suffice?”
“One day is enough. Then, your nephew will take his leave and return tomorrow to meet Fifth Uncle again.” Chen Ming rose and saluted before departing.
“Oh, right.”
Gu Haochuan reminded him, “That Du Rusong has already been placed on the Six Doors Headquarters’ wanted list — worth two First-Grade merits. You can bring his weapon to Xiazhou and exchange it for merit points. Your Fifth Brother and I will both testify for you.”
Those words made Chen Ming’s gaze tighten slightly. His expression stiffened as he replied, “Many thanks, Fifth Uncle.”
After leaving through the family’s front gate, he felt that even his underclothes were soaked with sweat.
“So he actually knew I killed Du Rusong… He must’ve been present at the scene.”
“No wonder I had that faint sense of unease all along. I thought it was Du Rusong tailing me, but I didn’t expect another person to be shadowing me too.”
“That’s it — Gu Haochuan must not have known I was Gu Xianyu at the start. Otherwise, he would’ve come for me long ago. It must’ve been when I fought Du Rusong and used the ‘Heaven and Earth’s Lone Swan’ sword technique that they guessed I was Gu Xianyu.”
He finally pieced the whole matter together and sighed helplessly in his heart. “Had I known, I would’ve learned another sword art to use as cover.”
Within Way of All Beings, there were two sword techniques even more formidable than Heaven and Earth’s Lone Swan. But because he wanted to save experience points, he hadn’t bothered to learn them.
After stepping into Second Grade, aside from Heaven and Earth’s Lone Swan and Phoenix Dances Through Nine Heavens, other Combat Techniques were no longer of much use. Facing powerful enemies, he naturally could only rely on this sword art to defend himself.
When all was said and done, he had simply leveled up too quickly — to others, it looked as though he had ridden a rocket.
“This trip to the capital… I don’t know how long it will take before I return. I should indeed bid my farewells properly.”
Thinking so, Chen Ming did not return to the Chen Residence but headed straight for the Sea-Calming King’s Mansion.
He wrote several letters — one to Princess Mingyu, one to Yu Haitang, and another to Jiang Yingsnow.
The one for Jiang Yingsnow could only be delivered by someone trustworthy. After thinking for a while, the only person who came to mind was Huo Qianqian — she could handle this for him.
……
When Chen Ming left Qingfeng City, he didn’t inform anyone. If all went as planned, he would never use this identity again.
Let the name “Yuan Ziyi” vanish from the world.
He reverted to his true appearance as Gu Xianyu. Bringing nothing with him — just one man and one sword — he followed his Fifth Uncle Gu Haochuan and Fifth Brother Gu Zhengshan aboard a grand ship bound for the capital.
Onboard, Gu Haochuan clicked his tongue in amazement. “Your disguise technique is truly extraordinary. To masquerade as a woman, and even I couldn’t see through it.”
Beside him, Gu Zhengshan also studied him closely but found no flaws at all.
Chen Ming replied modestly, “Fifth Uncle flatters me. It’s merely a minor trick.”
Gu Haochuan then asked, “Have you ever met Zhong Danyang?”
“Only once.”
“That’s excellent.”
Gu Haochuan was pleased. Since even a Divine Repository Realm expert like Zhong Danyang hadn’t seen through the disguise, there was no need to worry about exposure.
As for what kind of secret technique he used for the disguise, Gu Haochuan did not ask. It was better this way for everyone — no need to lay things bare.
Knowing that this person was skilled in disguise meant he could prepare himself mentally, and thus, would never be deceived again.
After all, once one reached Third Grade, the nature of one’s True Qi could not be altered. Knowing that, it was easy to identify someone by it.
Interestingly, this person’s True Qi was the same as Xiao Qi’s — both were of the ice attribute. If Gu Haochuan hadn’t known Xiao Qi’s condition so well, he might have been fooled too.
Gu Haochuan said, “Your Heaven and Earth’s Lone Swan — did you develop it yourself?”
“Yes.”
“To achieve such mastery in just two months shows your comprehension is truly extraordinary. However, this level alone isn’t enough to seize first place at the Palace Night Banquet. I’ll guide you personally during these days.”
“I would be most grateful, Fifth Uncle.”
And so, during the following days on the ship, Gu Haochuan carefully instructed him in swordsmanship — not only Heaven and Earth’s Lone Swan but also various renowned sword arts from the capital, analyzing their traits and how best to counter them.
Chen Ming could feel that this “Fifth Uncle” truly spared no effort, holding nothing back. He even took out a Visualization Diagram to help him grasp the essence of sword intent.
The Second Grade was the Realm of Divine Intent — the key lay in refining one’s intent. Once Divine Intent was perfected, one could attempt to merge it with True Qi, granting it spiritual awareness — the gateway to First Grade.
In the Gu Family’s Visualization Diagram, the painting depicted a lone figure, standing solitary between heaven and earth.
This illustration perfectly resonated with Heaven and Earth’s Lone Swan. When meditating upon it, he could even transform into the person within the painting, endlessly practicing the sword art.
Each visualization brought immense progress, directly reflected in his proficiency — one meditation could yield over a hundred thousand experience points.
In just a few days, Heaven and Earth’s Lone Swan had already broken through to the fourth level.
Ever since reaching Second Grade, Chen Ming hadn’t spent any more points on that sword art.
The reason was simple: once at the Realm of Divine Intent, one could easily comprehend sword intent. The first three levels of this sword art were purely about sword techniques.
It wasn’t until the fourth level that it began to touch upon the essence of sword intent.
He had thought that through training, he could reach the fourth level on his own, saving a huge amount of experience.
And indeed, just as he expected — after advancing to Second Grade, his mastery surged forward. Within less than a month, it rose from the second level to the fourth, saving him millions of experience points — equivalent to slaying two First-Grade experts.
……
Ten days later, they arrived in Xiazhou City.
After more than a month away, Chen Ming couldn’t help feeling sentimental. In just this short span, so much had happened — and his cultivation had advanced from Third to Second Grade.
Accompanied by Gu Haochuan, he went to the Six Doors Headquarters to report back to Hong Yuze.
Inside Zeshi Hall,
Hong Yuze stared at the divine weapon in his hands, his expression dazed. “You’re saying you killed Du Rusong?”
“Indeed.”
Now dressed in the uniform of a Fifth-Grade Constable, Chen Ming bowed respectfully.
Hong Yuze couldn’t help but swallow hard.
There was no mistaking this — it was Du Rusong’s divine weapon, one he had exchanged for with a First-Grade merit. He had treasured it dearly, never showing it to others lightly.
Yet Du Rusong had been a veteran First-Grade expert, formidable beyond measure. Even if not among the top, he absolutely shouldn’t have died in the hands of a Third-Grade — no, a Second-Grade martial artist.
Wait, wasn’t he just recently promoted to Third Grade? How was he Second Grade already?
At that moment, Gu Haochuan, who sat beside him, suddenly asked, “Lord Hong, do you have any doubts?”
“Oh—”
Hong Yuze snapped out of it and quickly said, “Since it was witnessed personally by the Fifth Lord of the Gu Family, naturally there’s no issue. I will personally request a reward for Xianyu!”
First, there was Du Rusong’s divine weapon as evidence.
Second, there was testimony from a First-Grade noble from a Duke’s household. There could be no falsification.
In any case, such high-level merits would have to be reviewed and granted by the Six Doors Headquarters itself. He simply had to report truthfully.
Hong Yuze’s tone softened even more. “By the way, the court has already verified the matter of you slaying two First-Grade experts earlier. You’ve been specially awarded three First-Grade merits and promoted to Third-Grade Inspector. You are to report to the capital within three months. Congratulations!”
His voice carried deep envy.
He had served in the Six Doors all his life and had only earned a single First-Grade merit — by seniority, no less. Just one in his entire career.
But this young man, barely past twenty, was already a Third-Grade Inspector — and had earned three First-Grade merits.
If Du Rusong’s bounty were confirmed too, that would make five First-Grade merits in hand — enough to exchange for a slot in a Secret Realm.
How could he not be envious?
Comparing people really was infuriating.
“Just in time. Since I intend to return to the capital, let’s complete the handover today.”
“Agreed.”
……
When Chen Ming stepped out of Zeshi Hall, five subordinates were already waiting outside.
“Lord Gu! Seeing you safe really puts our hearts at ease.”
“I told you, Lord Gu has great fortune — nothing could happen to him.”
“Who was it again that wore a long face every day…?”
Hearing their chatter, Chen Ming felt warmth in his heart. “While I was away, no one gave you trouble, did they?”
“We’re nobodies, my lord — who’d bother targeting us?”
“Lord Gu,” Lei Chun spoke bluntly as always, “we heard you’re being promoted. When will you leave?”
Seeing their expectant looks, Chen Ming understood their feelings and said, “I’ll be returning to the capital in a few days. Don’t worry — before I go, I’ll ask Lord Hong to look after you all.”
Given his awkward identity, he couldn’t remain in the Six Doors any longer, nor could he take these five along to the capital. Doing so would only bring trouble upon both sides.
Lei Chun and the others understood immediately, their faces tinged with disappointment.
Sensing the heaviness, Deng Wei said, “Alright, every feast must come to an end. Our lord’s promotion is cause for celebration.”
Zhang Dingce straightened up. “Then allow us to wish you a brilliant future, my lord.”
“Wish Lord Gu a brilliant future!” they echoed together.
Watching his “nephew” interact with his subordinates, Gu Haochuan found the scene rather interesting.
……
Once they exited the Six Doors Headquarters, Gu Haochuan suddenly said, “I heard you held a wedding with the granddaughter of Prince Yan. Shouldn’t you take us to meet her?”
The Prince Yan he referred to was Xia Mudan’s grandfather.
In the martial world, everyone called her the daughter of the Qian Money Gang’s leader.
But among nobility, being Prince Yan’s granddaughter was, of course, the more distinguished title.
Chen Ming’s heart tightened, and he forced a wry smile. “Fifth Uncle jests. That wedding was all just the Gang Leader Xia’s nonsense. Your nephew was coerced — it doesn’t count.”
Gu Haochuan gave him a deep look and said solemnly, “It better not. Do you know the imperial decree conferring Xia Mudan as an imperial consort has already arrived at the Qian Money Gang? How many lives do you have, to dare compete with His Majesty for a woman?”
“What?”
Chen Ming’s heart jolted violently.