The Jianghu Has Always Been This Way

Du Sha then led Gu Mo and the others to Tie Tou's weapon forging workshop. Tie Tou's weapon forging workshop had moved and was now located next to the Six Doors headquarters in Yun Province. Besides the dedicated guards Du Sha had mentioned, its proximity to the headquarters meant that, theoretically, it was highly unlikely anyone could abduct Tie Tou without anyone knowing. "There's a Super-Class Expert over there, and three first-rate experts over there..." Du Sha introduced the workshop's security personnel to Gu Mo and the others. "It's not entirely unacceptable for someone to be able to take Tie Tou from here, but the fact that there wasn't a single trace left behind is truly baffling. We have no idea how such a thing could be accomplished. Right now, we can only consider and investigate the possibility that all thirteen weapon forging masters have gone missing," Du Sha said. After Gu Mo scanned the weapon forging workshop with his mind, he said, "With conventional methods, it's indeed very difficult to take Tie Tou away without anyone knowing and leave no trace. However, it's not impossible. For example, a domain!" Du Sha quickly replied, "That's impossible. While domains are marvelous, they can only exert suppression. They can't take someone away without leaving a trace. Moreover, Tie Tou himself is an expert, so he wouldn't be unable to resist at all." Gu Mo chuckled, "Then, what if you add the power of the Nascent Soul?" Du Sha asked in confusion, "What is the power of the Nascent Soul?" Gu Mo thought for a moment and explained, "It's the power of the Ascension Realm. When the power of the Nascent Soul is attached to a domain, it can be considered a world of its own. If one uses some mental techniques to knock Tie Tou unconscious, they could then openly take him away. Unless your Six Doors' two Grandmasters were here, perhaps they could sense a slight anomaly. Otherwise, no one else would have any reaction at all!" Du Sha's expression turned solemn. "Great Hero Gu, are there such methods in this world? Wouldn't that be like the methods of immortals and gods?" "The Ascension Realm, according to legends, is the realm of Attaining Dao and Becoming Immortal, isn't it?" Gu Mo said. Du Sha asked, "Then... are there many people who possess such abilities?" Gu Mo shook his head. "If there were many, the world would have fallen into chaos long ago. Let me put it this way, even Su Qianqiu cannot do it." As soon as he said this, Du Sha and several Six Doors Blade Catchers looked at Gu Mo with a peculiar gaze. Du Sha seemed to want to speak but hesitated, then asked, "Then... Great Hero Gu, aren't you essentially referring to yourself?" Gu Mo was taken aback for a moment, then immediately understood. Currently, on the Under Heaven Martial Ranking List, he was Number One Under Heaven, while Su Qianqiu was Number Two Under Heaven. Since Su Qianqiu couldn't do it, it meant that only he, Number One Under Heaven, could. After all, very few people in this world knew that the Thirteen Taboos were real and that there were reclusive old monsters. "I am not the only one in this world who can do it," Gu Mo said. "I don't know exactly who else can, but I have already encountered several people who can perform this technique. If Tie Tou was indeed kidnapped by such a person, then you definitely won't find any traces at the scene. However, I cannot be certain that it was such a person who kidnapped Tie Tou. Perhaps there are other ingenious methods of crime." Du Sha nodded. "Currently, the only direction for solving the case is the fact that all thirteen weapon forging masters have gone missing. The perpetrators have abducted the most famous weapon forging masters in Yun Province, which means they must intend to forge weapons, and not ordinary weapons. We can investigate in this direction." Gu Mo chuckled, "When it comes to solving cases, your Six Doors are the professionals. I won't offer unsolicited advice to experts. How about this, I'll temporarily stay in Yun City. If you need any help or find any clues, come and tell me." Du Sha cupped his hands. "With Great Hero Gu here, our Six Doors will be much bolder!" "Master." Just then, Hongyi suddenly spoke, "Actually, I have another direction for searching." "Tell me," Gu Mo said. Du Sha and the others also looked at Hongyi. Hongyi slowly took out a few pieces of tortoise shell from her sleeve. "Master, I am a Qi Refiner and know a bit about divination. In fact, I can try to divine it." Gu Mo suddenly remembered that Hongyi beside him was a master of all techniques. As the best human vessel for White Jade Capital in the previous generation, Hongyi, in her hundreds of years of existence, had learned techniques that encompassed almost all cultivation methods, and she was proficient in them all. Take divination, for instance. Although Hongyi spoke modestly, Gu Mo estimated that her divination skills were at least at the level of the Top Ten Under Heaven. Immediately, Gu Mo instructed, "Hongyi, please try." "As long as no one is hiding heavenly secrets, I should be able to divine something." As she spoke, Hongyi held the tortoise shell in both hands, slowly squatted down, and gently tossed the tortoise shell onto the ground. At that moment, Gu Mo saw wisps of regulated Qi emanating from around Hongyi. Hongyi, however, stared intently at the tortoise shell. After a long while, she slowly raised her head and said, "Master, I see four points from the divination. One, the person you are looking for is alive. Two, he is not in immediate danger. Three, if you head east at the second hour of the Yin period today, you will meet a swordsman dressed in white who will invite you to his home. You should go with him. Four, I saw a flood." Gu Mo chuckled lightly. Another set of cryptic divinations. Last year, on the way to Penglai Island, he had asked the greatest physiognomist under heaven, Ji Wusuan, for a divination, which was also cryptic. However, in the end, what Ji Wusuan had said all came true. At that time, if he hadn't held back and fought with White Jade Capital, he would have indeed run into Jiang Ruoxu on Penglai Island. Then, Gu Mo cupped his hands to Du Sha. "Chief Constable Du, that's how it is. You continue your investigation, and I'll try to follow the divination's instructions. If you find any clues, send someone to notify me. I believe it's quite easy for you to find me within Yun City." Du Sha quickly replied, "I was planning to arrange accommodation for Great Hero Gu..." "No need to trouble yourself." "Then I apologize for my lack of hospitality." Soon, it was the second hour of the Yin period. Gu Mo, along with Gu Chundong and Hongyi, headed east. They walked until they were out of the city, but they didn't encounter anyone dressed in white. However, it wasn't surprising. Jianghu storybooks often featured white-clad heroes, but in reality, very few people who roamed the jianghu wore white clothes – neither men nor women. It wasn't that they couldn't afford white clothes, but rather that jianghu people were often covered in dust and experienced wind and rain. White clothes would get dirty in an instant, and who had the leisure to wash them every day? So, generally, either there was a specific reason to wear white, or it was purely for show. After leaving the city, the crowds thinned, mostly consisting of traveling merchants. About seventeen or eighteen li outside the city, they reached a fork in the road, with no road directly to the east. One path led southeast, and the other led northeast. Just as Gu Mo was about to ask Hongyi which path to take, he suddenly heard the sound of urgent horse hooves approaching from behind. They quickly sped past Gu Mo and the others, and the person riding the horse was indeed someone dressed in white, carrying a sword on his back. But the person sped past without giving Gu Mo and the others a chance to react. Then, he suddenly reined in his horse and stopped, turning his head abruptly. "Brother Gu, Sister Chundong, what are you doing here?" "Brother Shen, what a coincidence!" Gu Chundong was a little surprised because this white-clad swordsman was the renowned expert Shen Bai of the Azure Wave Sword Sect, a direct disciple of Grandmaster Ye Liuyun, and the son-in-law of the previous sect leader, Qi Tianchu. Previously, Shen Bai was a second-generation disciple of the Azure Wave Sword Sect. Now, after the older generation like Qi Tianchu abdicated, his status had risen, and he had taken his master's place as the new Sword-Holding Elder. Gu Mo wasn't surprised that Shen Bai was wearing white. The original Shen Bai, like most young people, wanted to gain fame and be more recognizable, so he deliberately wore white when traveling the jianghu. He endured the hardships that came with it, carrying a large bag of white clothes to change into every time he went out. Every time he attended events with many people, he would find a place to change clothes, acting like a thief, sneakily, afraid of being seen and utterly embarrassed. Later, a white outfit and a white Spotless Sword became the standard for the renowned expert Shen Bai. When he traveled, many people paid attention to him, and he represented the reputation of the Azure Wave Sword Sect. This led to him regretting it later, but there was nothing he could do. He couldn't not wear white. At this moment, on the official road, Shen Bai turned his horse back, excitedly dismounted, and said, "Brother Gu, Sister Chundong, it's been a long time..." As he spoke, he glanced at Hongyi, a flicker of shock in his eyes, but he politely avoided looking further and asked, "Who is this?" "A friend, Hongyi," Gu Mo said. Shen Bai quickly cupped his hands and addressed her as "Miss Hongyi." Introduced by Gu Chundong, Hongyi also paid her respects to Shen Bai. Afterward, Shen Bai asked, "Brother Gu, why are you here?" Gu Mo replied, "Just returned from Chang'an, taking a stroll around." Shen Bai quickly said, "Then why didn't you go to the Azure Wave Sword Sect? My father-in-law and master often mention you. Alas, you're always rushing around, making it so hard to see you. The last time we met was when you sent that girl Xiaobai to Azure Wave Mountain. I arrived late that time and didn't get a chance to have a drink together. It's perfect now. I just finished my business and will be back for a month or two. I have a jar of century-old brew at home, stolen from my father-in-law. Hehe, Brother Gu, you're in for a treat if you come to my place now!" "A toast with good wine cannot be refused." Immediately, Gu Mo mounted his horse. Gu Mo had no reason to hesitate. Hongyi's divination had come true; the white-clad swordsman was undoubtedly Shen Bai. All that was left was to follow Shen Bai honestly. Azure Wave Mountain, where the Azure Wave Sword Sect was located, was not far from Yun City, only about a hundred li away. Gu Mo and his group found a post station to rest for the night along the way, and they arrived at Azure Wave Mountain by noon the next day. Azure Wave Mountain, with its steep peaks reaching into the clouds and sheer cliffs thousands of feet high. From afar, as always, the base and the summit of the mountain seemed to belong to different seasons. Because it was so high, snow fell year-round on the summit, and the accumulated snow was vast. The summit was almost entirely composed of glaciers. Gu Mo specifically instructed Shen Bai not to spread the news of his arrival at Azure Wave Mountain. Therefore, along the way, there wasn't the overwhelming welcome scene they had experienced when they first came to the Azure Wave Sword Sect. The group arrived at the mountain uneventfully and entered the sect gate halfway up the mountain. However, as soon as they entered the sect gate, Shen Bai frowned because he noticed that something was amiss within the sect. There were many more patrolling disciples than he remembered, clearly indicating that something significant was about to happen. Immediately, Shen Bai stopped a few passing disciples and asked, "Why are there so many people from the Law Enforcement Hall suddenly?" The Azure Wave Sword Sect disciple who was stopped quickly bowed and said, "Reporting to Elder Shen, it's because the Sect Master of the Dongli Sect in Qingyang County has sent a challenge to our Old Sect Master, agreeing to a battle on Azure Wave Mountain on the ninth day of this month. The Old Sect Master has accepted the challenge. This matter is already spreading, and people from various sects will be arriving to watch in the coming days. Therefore, the Law Enforcement Hall needs to prepare in advance and has recalled all disciples from outside to prevent any trouble from the mixed crowd." Shen Bai asked in confusion, "When was this challenge sent?" "Almost a month ago," the disciple replied. "Alright, I understand. You may go!" Shen Bai dismissed the disciple and said to Gu Mo, "I didn't expect such a major event to happen while I was away. I was on a mission to Feng Prefecture and was constantly on the move, so I didn't stay in any one place for long and didn't receive any sect letters. On the way back, I was eager to return home, so I didn't hear any rumors." Gu Mo inquired, "Who is this Wang Dongli? How dare he challenge Old Sect Master Qi?" Gu Mo had no impression of the name Wang Dongli, so he was very confused about this matter. He was sure that this person was not famous in the Qian Kingdom. Because Gu Mo had some impression of the Top Ten Under Heaven in the Qian Kingdom and the top one or two of the Heavenly Rankings in each of the eight provinces. As for the Top Ten Under Heaven in Yun Province, Gu Mo knew all of them, and there was no name like Wang Dongli. However, the fact that the other party dared to challenge Qi Tianchu and that Qi Tianchu accepted the challenge clearly indicated that he was not someone seeking attention. After all, although few people in the world knew that Qi Tianchu possessed the strength to be among the Top Ten Under Heaven when using his life-risking techniques, even without knowing that, Qi Tianchu's current reputation as the sixth strongest expert in the Qian Kingdom was undeniable. Shen Bai explained, "Brother Gu, you haven't been in Yun Province much in the past few years, so you wouldn't know. This Wang Dongli is an expert who has become active in recent years. Previously, he was also a well-known expert in Yun Province, considered the top tier below Grandmasters. He founded the Dongli Sect, which has a modest reputation in Qingyang County. A few years ago, the Four Directions Sword Sect in Qingyang County was dismantled due to the resolution of the Cat Demon case. The Dongli Sect suddenly changed its usual non-confrontational stance and began to seize territory everywhere, occupying almost 30% of the Four Directions Sword Sect's territory. The Dongli Sect began to develop from then on, but it was still relatively peaceful. It wasn't until last year that Wang Dongli suddenly began challenging various experts. Within just a few months, he replaced Grandmaster Meng Qingkong, who was tenth on the Yun Province Heavenly Ranking, becoming a new Grandmaster. This year, Wang Dongli has been very prominent in Yun Province. It's just that I didn't expect him to dare to challenge my father-in-law so soon after gaining the title of Grandmaster. I don't know if he truly possesses that strength or if he's been blinded by fame and fortune along the way. However, what truly puzzles me is why my father-in-law would accept the challenge?" "What's so strange about that?" Gu Chundong asked from the side. Shen Bai chuckled, "Sister Chundong, you may not know, but ever since the Righteous-Demonic War that broke out in Dongping County five years ago, my father-in-law has not made a public appearance once in the past five years after his participation in that battle. He has always said that he is old and no longer wants to fight, and he wishes to find an opportunity to gradually fade from the jianghu and withdraw from the Heavenly Ranking. Unless there are unavoidable reasons, he would not make a move." Gu Chundong asked, "Then, could he be using this opportunity to lose and retire?" "Impossible," Shen Bai said. "My father-in-law's sword is very proud. He can be defeated and retire, or be forgotten and gradually fade away, but he would never fake a defeat. He is a pure swordsman; he would never insult his sword or his true intent!" "Why don't we just ask?" Gu Mo said with a smile. Immediately, the group headed towards the mountain peak. The wind howled, and the cold on the summit of Azure Wave Mountain seemed to freeze the marrow. Shen Bai led Gu Mo, Gu Chundong, and Hongyi, stepping through the thick snow, to the mountain peak. From afar, they saw a simple thatched hut buried in the snow. An old man was sitting on the veranda in front of the thatched hut, holding a long, thin fishing rod. A small hole had been chiseled into the ice, and the fishing line was lowered into the dark, icy water. Snowflakes fell silently on his head, accumulating a thin layer. This person was none other than the former sect leader of the Azure Wave Sword Sect, the former number one in Yun Province, and the current number two in Yun Province and sixth strongest expert in the Qian Kingdom, Qi Tianchu. "Father-in-law!" Shen Bai quickly stepped forward and bowed. "I'm back." The straw hat was slightly lifted, revealing Qi Tianchu's somewhat aged face. His gaze swept over Shen Bai, then fell upon Gu Mo and the others behind him. A flicker of surprise flashed in his eyes, which then turned into a gentle smile. "Oh, Gu Mo, little girl Chundong? Did you also receive the news that I'm going to fight someone?" Gu Mo sat down next to Qi Tianchu. "No, we didn't. Your fights aren't that interesting to me. Would I travel a thousand miles to watch?" Qi Tianchu pouted. "You don't give this old man any face at all." Gu Mo smiled and picked up a fishing rod. "Fishing here has a unique artistic conception." He flicked his hook, which landed precisely in the small ice hole Qi Tianchu had chiseled. "It's just that the fish on the summit of Azure Wave Mountain are really hard to catch." "Haha," Qi Tianchu let out a hearty laugh, his voice particularly clear in the wind and snow. "Whether you catch fish or not depends on fate. Sitting here, listening to the wind, watching the snow fall, my heart becomes calm. I'm old now, unlike you young people. I just want to enjoy my twilight years peacefully." Gu Mo pouted. "If I hadn't seen your Sword Intent practically bursting out from afar, I would have truly believed you." Qi Tianchu chuckled, "As expected, I can't hide anything from your eyes. Since returning from Penglai Island, my Sword Dao has advanced another half step. A while ago, when Dharma Master Liansheng sent me a letter with the method to remove the restriction of White Jade Capital, I completely took a full step forward." Gu Mo nodded slightly. "Dharma Master Liansheng is indeed trustworthy." Qi Tianchu nodded. "White Jade Capital placed restrictions within the Nascent Souls of people like us. We didn't know about it, and it was fine. But once we knew, it became like an Inner Demon. Dharma Master Liansheng not only helped us remove the restrictions but also dispelled the demonic obstacles!" Gu Mo nodded slightly. "Tell me about this Wang Dongli, why did you agree to the challenge?" "Wang Dongli..." Qi Tianchu's voice lowered, carrying a hint of distant recollection. "His reason for challenging me is very valid." He slowly raised his gaze, finally settling on the distant, swirling heavy snow, and slowly began to speak, "As you all know, I seized this Azure Wave Mountain from someone else sixty or seventy years ago. At that time, I was only in my early twenties, young and impetuous, and I acted solely on impulse, inevitably making mistakes." The thatched hut fell silent, with only the crackling of the hearth and the howling of the wind and snow outside. "The person who occupied this mountain before me was the senior known as 'Lord of the Clouds,' the former number one expert in Yun Province, named Wang Yunshen," Qi Tianchu said slowly, each word falling like a stone onto the ice. "At that time, I was young and arrogant, my Sword Dao had just begun to take shape, and I was determined to challenge the strongest opponents and make a name for myself. I ascended to the peak of Azure Wave and challenged Senior Wang Yunshen." "That battle..." Qi Tianchu's eyes became complex, filled with nostalgia for his past glory, but also a trace of indescribable shame. "The battle was extremely fierce. Senior Wang's 'Misty Cloud Sword' was superb, the best I had ever seen in my life. We fought intensely for three days and three nights, and in the end... I won by half a move." "But at that time, I was young and arrogant, and I didn't understand the principle of leaving room for others. I only thought that I had won, I was the victor, and he was the loser. So, I made him hand over Azure Wave Mountain and took away his title of number one in Yun Province, without giving him any face. Unexpectedly, after that, he became dejected, eventually dying of grief and regret." Gu Mo frowned. "Jianghu disputes have always been like this. You don't need to blame yourself." Qi Tianchu waved his hand. "I'm not blaming myself, but when I recall that incident, I feel I was too young and impetuous. At that time, I thought that sparing his life was already a great kindness, and I didn't consider the need to save his face. Looking back now, it's a great pity. If I had been a little more restrained back then, perhaps such a martial arts grandmaster with boundless potential wouldn't have died so young." Gu Mo didn't dwell on Qi Tianchu's theories but returned to the main topic, asking, "So, Wang Dongli is a descendant of that Wang Yunshen?" Qi Tianchu nodded. "Wang Dongli is the legitimate grandson of Wang Yunshen. He came with a challenge letter this time, stating with certainty that this mountain rightfully belongs to its former owner, and he wants to seek justice for his grandfather and revive the glory of 'Misty Cloud.' The challenge letter is filled with tearful words and grievances." He looked at Shen Bai. "He carries his ancestor's dying wish, and in the name of his bloodline, he challenges me honorably to reclaim this Azure Wave Mountain. How can I avoid this karma, this obsession? How can I not accept?" He looked at Gu Mo and chuckled, "As you said, the jianghu has always been like this!" Gu Mo smiled and asked, "You should be able to win, right?" Qi Tianchu thought for a moment. "If I fight with my life on the line, I will definitely win, but in a sparring match, it's not certain." Gu Mo was a little surprised. "Without fighting for your life, you're still the sixth in the Qian Kingdom, it shouldn't be that bad, right?" Qi Tianchu fell silent for a moment. "I've investigated his record. His sword is very strange. I don't know if it's strange or fast, because so far, no one has seen his sword, or rather, everyone who has seen his sword has died. But he wasn't strong before. He suddenly changed about a year ago, as if... he was possessed by a ghost!"