There were only two or three big cats and little kittens in the Mount Zhong Association. Qingqiu was Little Fox, and he had seen Wu Zhiqi, that Water Monkey, himself—a thoroughgoing unlucky bastard. The rest might not even be in Great Liang, and among them, only Gushe could be confirmed as someone from the Great Liang palace.
There were only so many palace women who enjoyed cultivation. Add to that Gushe's mastery of swordsmanship, and after Su Che compared matters against the Imperial Demon Hunters' secret files, he could almost confirm that Gushe of the Mount Zhong Association was the old emperor's beloved daughter, Princess Ning'an.
She was the current emperor's younger sister by the same mother, devoted heart and soul to the Dao, and exceptionally capable in handling state affairs. Back when the emperor had still been crown prince, she had often helped him settle all manner of conflicts.
Now that the new emperor had ascended the throne, Princess Ning'an's status had risen with the tide. Not long after his accession, she had been elevated to Grand Princess. Under Great Liang's official system, a Grand Princess ranked alongside the feudal kings, received rites above all civil and military officials, and stood ahead even of princely dukes and marquises in rank.
So she had been the one behind all this excitement on the Qinhuai River.
Su Che could not help growing even more curious.
"Ah, no good. That little lass is about to suffer."
The wealthy merchant suddenly slapped his palm.
Sure enough, the down-and-out swordsman's broadsword abruptly accelerated. His sword moves became fierce and vicious, black qi winding about him like the shrieks of evil ghosts. He drove the young girl reeling from side to side, until she could only barely defend the space within three feet around herself.