Bestowal of a Sword

Gu Yuanqing did not hurry over. He waited in the room for quite a while, and only left the courtyard after Eunuch Xu had come up the mountain.

After turning several corners, Eunuch Xu and the others came into view. He quickened his pace slightly.

Gu Yuanqing dearly wanted to say, "Eunuch Xu, I missed you to death." But remembering that such words could easily invite misunderstandings in this world, he merely smiled when he reached them and cupped his hands. "This morning, I heard magpies calling in the courtyard. I was wondering what joyous occasion could possibly come to this deep mountain, and it turned out to be Eunuch Xu's arrival. Eunuch Xu, it has been many days since we last met, yet your bearing remains as splendid as ever."

Gu Yuanqing then cupped his hands toward Chen Chuanshan. "General, thank you for last night."

Xu Lianying revealed a faint smile. Holding his whisk, he gave a slight bow. "Young Master Gu, this servant greets you. It has been several months since we last met. Have you been well? Have you grown accustomed to life in these mountains?"

As he spoke, he carefully studied the young man before him. After several months apart, his temperament had become completely different.

More than eight months ago, he had merely been an utterly ordinary young man. Now, his eyes shone brightly and his spirit was vigorous. His long hair fell casually behind his back, and he carried an unrestrained, otherworldly air.

Looking again at his cultivation, it seemed some hidden art concealed his Qi. Yet the flourishing vitality spilling from him, along with the faint convergence of his will with heaven and earth, showed that he had already entered the Profound Martial Realm.

A trace of astonishment flashed through his eyes. He had personally escorted Gu Yuanqing to North Spring Mountain, so he knew his circumstances better than anyone. After more than ten years of cultivation, he had only reached the third layer of the Origin Scholar Realm—yet in just a few short months, he had progressed this far!

Chen Chuanshan merely nodded slightly in response and said nothing.

When Gu Yuanqing finally found someone willing to speak with him, his mood brightened considerably. Eunuch Xu looked even more pleasing to the eye, like a wanderer far from home suddenly encountering a fellow townsman.

Gu Yuanqing smiled. "Even if I had not been used to it, I am now. Thinking about it, life here is actually quite good—no mutual deception and scheming, far from the troubles of the mortal world, with no one to restrain me. When I have leisure, I can admire the mountains and rivers or read a book. Is that not wonderful?"

Seeing that Gu Yuanqing's words came from the heart and did not seem false, Xu Lianying found himself somewhat appreciative of such composure in a young man. He smiled. "It is good that Young Master Gu has adapted. This sort of life is enough to make even this servant a little envious."

Gu Yuanqing laughed heartily. "Then Eunuch Xu should come experience it more often when you have the time. At least I would have someone to talk to. Though speaking of which, there is one thing that is somewhat unsatisfactory."

"Oh? Please, speak."

"There is no fine wine in these mountains. With such beautiful scenery yet no wine to accompany it, it loses three parts of its flavor."

Xu Lianying glanced back at Chen Chuanshan.

Chen Chuanshan said blandly, "Alcohol is forbidden in the camp. There is no wine. That is the Divine Eagle Guard's rule."

"This servant failed to consider the matter thoroughly," Xu Lianying said. "I will have someone send some from outside later."

Gu Yuanqing was overjoyed and repeatedly said, "Thank you, thank you."

Chen Chuanshan cast Xu Lianying a sidelong glance but said nothing, tacitly approving the matter. He only knew a little about Gu Yuanqing. The fact that he was worthy of a second personal visit from Eunuch Xu could not help but make him ponder further.

Of course, given his position and status, he could learn more if he wished to inquire. But as the deputy commander of the Imperial Guard, he knew perfectly well that matters connected to the Imperial Palace were best avoided whenever possible. The more one knew, the less likely it was to be a good thing. Only by understanding that one should do nothing beyond one's duty could one live long!

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Gu Yuanqing finally asked, "Has Eunuch Xu come today for some matter?"

Xu Lianying glanced at Chen Chuanshan.

Chen Chuanshan immediately understood. Turning back, he said, "Leave the carrying pole here. Take the rest to the kitchen." Then he cupped his hands to Xu Lianying. "Eunuch Xu, I will go inspect the mountain."

Xu Lianying nodded. "Please do as you wish, General. Young Master Gu and I still have some matters to discuss."

A short while later, only three people remained in the clearing: Gu Yuanqing, Xu Lianying, and an unfamiliar young eunuch.

Xu Lianying cast a meaningful look behind him, and the young eunuch took two fur-lined coats from a basket.

"The mountain is bitterly cold," Xu Lianying said. "These two fur coats were taken from the inner treasury at His Majesty's command as a reward for you."

Gu Yuanqing was somewhat surprised, but he still turned sideways toward the direction of the Capital City and cupped his hands. "Many thanks to His Majesty."

The young eunuch set the fur coats back down, then removed the sword case from his back and presented it with both hands.

Xu Lianying opened the sword case and took out a three-foot sword. "This sword is named Kunwu. It was forged through a thousand refinements from meteorite iron mixed with all manner of rare treasures. It can sever hair blown against its edge and cut iron as though it were mud. It is a first-rate Precious Sword. His Majesty knows that you cultivate sword arts, so he specially had this servant bring it along."

Gu Yuanqing accepted the sword and drew it from its sheath. The blade was the color of autumn frost, and merely looking upon it sent a chill through one's heart.

At this moment, he was somewhat bewildered. What exactly did this old emperor intend by first sending fur coats and then a Precious Sword? It was as though he were not someone who had committed an offense and been imprisoned here, but a favored minister.

Half an hour later, Eunuch Xu's party descended the mountain. Before leaving, he spoke words laden with meaning.

"Young Master Gu, there are some things this servant should not have said, but after thinking it over, I decided to say them anyway. This servant knows that life in the mountains is harsh, but if you treat yourself well up here, it will be good for you, good for His Majesty, and good for Great Gan. You must endure loneliness and keep matters hidden." He paused before continuing, "In this world, cultivation alone is the foundation. Do not disappoint His Majesty's goodwill."

"Thank you for the reminder, Eunuch," Gu Yuanqing said, cupping his hands. He did not understand what exactly was hidden within those words, but he could still hear the goodwill in them.

By the time Xu Lianying returned to the Imperial Palace, the sun had already set. Even though superior Horned Dragon Horses could travel three thousand li in a day, the journey still required three hours. After all, North Spring Mountain lay six hundred li from the Capital City.

He arrived at the rear garden and knelt. "This old servant greets Your Majesty."

"Rise. How did the matter go?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the rewards have been delivered to Gu Yuanqing."

"And North Spring Mountain?"

"This old servant took a look and found no trace of a Grandmaster. Perhaps he has already left, or perhaps he deliberately concealed his trail after seeing this old servant arrive."

"Has Gu Yuanqing truly comprehended Sword Intent?"

"Commander Chen is at the Profound Martial Seventh Layer, so presumably his senses were not mistaken. According to him, when Gu Yuanqing severed Qin Baijun's arm that day, he held his fingers upright as a sword. Today, this old servant observed the Qi surrounding Gu Yuanqing. He is certainly no ordinary cultivator of the Profound Martial Realm."

Li Haotian nodded faintly, then said, "I understand. Chief Eunuch, go invite Imperial Physician Zhou Yanhuai into the palace. Prepare the midwives as well. By my calculations, Miaoxuan is about to give birth. I will not be at ease leaving this matter to anyone else."

"This old servant will see to it at once."

After Xu Lianying left, Li Haotian frowned, then finally let out a sigh.

At that moment, a eunuch came before him in quick, small steps with his head lowered.

"Your Majesty, Prince Qing requests an audience."

"Uncle Qing? What is he doing here so late? Summon him!"

A short while later, a white-haired old man in magnificent robes entered the rear garden.

"This old minister greets Your Majesty!" the old man said with a bow.

"Uncle Qing, please rise quickly. Someone, bring a seat."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Uncle Qing, what urgent matter brings you here so late at night?"

Prince Qing glanced around. Li Haotian waved his hand, dismissing all the servants.

Only then did Prince Qing slowly speak. "Your Majesty, is Princess Miaoxuan with child?"