Great Qian's War God

Could you imagine how it felt to have a mosquito buzzing beside your ear all afternoon, yet be unable to swat it?

That was exactly how the two Soldiers before him felt. Had they not been bound by military orders, they would have turned around and given Gu Yuanqing a beating.

"Young Master Gu, you certainly know how to amuse yourself. But why torment two ordinary Soldiers?" Chen Chuanshan's voice suddenly came from outside the courtyard gate.

A glimmer of delight flashed through the two Soldiers' eyes, though they remained standing ramrod straight.

Gu Yuanqing was not surprised in the slightest. What could happen on North Spring Mountain without his knowing? Chen Chuanshan had arrived some seven minutes earlier and had even listened to Gu Yuanqing finish an entire song.

"You jest, General Chen. I'm simply bored out of my mind, confined to this courtyard with no one to talk to, so I thought I'd find someone to chat with. It's rare for you to exchange so many words with me, General. You never said a word when we met before," Gu Yuanqing replied lightly.

"You two may head down the mountain," Chen Chuanshan ordered.

"Yes, sir!" Delighted to receive the order, the two Soldiers bowed and hurried away. From a distance, one could be heard saying through gritted teeth, "If I hadn't spotted the commander coming, I would have taken a swing at him!"

Gu Yuanqing watched them leave with some reluctance. It was rare for him to have the chance to talk so much with anyone. Though they had never answered, their expressions alone had been quite entertaining.

Only after the two had left did Chen Chuanshan say slowly, "You may move freely around North Spring Mountain today. However, tomorrow morning, you must go to the rear mountain and stay there for a few days."

"The North Spring Sword Sect's Repentance Cliff?"

"It used to be Repentance Cliff. Now it's merely somewhere a little quieter."

"What would you do if I refused?"

"Young Master Gu, I'm only following orders. Please don't make things difficult for me." Chen Chuanshan narrowed his eyes slightly. Gu Yuanqing was a wealthy young master who seemed to possess some ability, but that alone did not concern him. The Grandmaster who might be backing him, however, demanded caution.

He had received word from the palace that its Grandmaster Attendant had not been on North Spring Mountain that night. Furthermore, both the Lingxu Sect elder and the young man whose arm had been severed had only been suppressed by the Grandmaster when they attacked Gu Yuanqing. That was enough to give him some idea of the Grandmaster's affiliation.

Gu Yuanqing smiled. "I was only asking casually. It's just a change of lodgings, after all. I must thank you for intervening that night, General. Still, I have a request that I hope you'll consider."

"Please, go ahead."

"I've lived in this courtyard for over a year, so I've grown somewhat attached to it. I may even continue living here in the future. Whatever happens, please don't let anyone else move in. General, that isn't too much to ask, is it?"

Chen Chuanshan hesitated. "I'm not the one in charge of the mountain this time, but I'll do my best to arrange it."

"All right. Thank you, General!"

Chen Chuanshan nodded slightly, then turned and left.

Walking through North Spring Mountain, Gu Yuanqing found that it felt different from before. Seeing it with his own eyes was not quite the same as seeing it through Mountain Observation.

"Judging by this, quite a few people must be coming. Otherwise, there'd be no need to make such a fuss and prepare so many rooms."

Gu Yuanqing suspected it had something to do with the Demon Realm Seal below. He could think of nothing else that would bring about such a sweeping change.

Early the next morning, Gu Yuanqing packed his important belongings into a bundle and carried it in his hand, leaving the rest for the two Old Servants to put away. Under the watch of a group of Soldiers, he went to the rear mountain.

Repentance Cliff lay in the farthest corner of North Spring Mountain, accessible only through a long, narrow passage between the Stone Mountains.

It was a platform roughly a hundred feet across, nestled against a sheer cliff, with just a few newly repaired rooms built along the rock face.

The mountain blocked the view here, leaving the Front Mountain completely out of sight. It felt as though this place had been cut off from the world.

Gu Yuanqing put his luggage in the largest room, then stood at the cliff's edge. He glanced down, gazed at the mountains opposite him, and nodded.

"A change of lodgings isn't so bad, really. A change of scenery, a change of mood. The only thing is, the Wind Dao here really is a little strong."

The Wind Dao swept across the cliff, whipping his robes about and making it difficult to keep his eyes fully open.

In any case, Gu Yuanqing settled in. The two Old Servants also came to Repentance Cliff. Soldiers guarded the entrance to the narrow passage, and everything they needed would be delivered.

That afternoon, through Mountain Observation, he saw a man ascend North Spring Mountain surrounded by a throng of attendants. Gu Yuanqing finally learned who would be presiding here.

"Prince Qing Li Cunguo. To think it would be him."

Gu Yuanqing was genuinely astonished. This was the reigning emperor's own uncle. It was said that Prince Qing's wholehearted support had been one of the reasons the current emperor had succeeded to the throne.

Decades ago, Prince Qing had also borne another title: Great Qian's War God!

He had campaigned north and south for decades. For the Great Qian Dynasty's present territory and peace, Prince Qing deserved the greatest share of credit.

As far as Gu Yuanqing knew, Prince Qing had not involved himself in court affairs for years. He only oversaw the Imperial Clan Court, spending the rest of his time enjoying his twilight years in the Prince's Manor. Gu Yuanqing had never expected the matter of the Demon Realm Seal to draw him out.

The white-haired old man walked unsteadily, his back slightly stooped. At first glance, he looked nothing like the War God he had once been. Yet every member of the Imperial Guard following him, from officers to Soldiers, looked at him with eyes full of reverence.

"Your Highness, this large Courtyard used to be the residence of the North Spring Sword Sect Leader. Is it to your satisfaction?"

"It's only a place to stay. As long as it's habitable, what does satisfaction have to do with it?" Prince Qing looked unperturbed as he led the group inside. As soon as they entered the courtyard, the steward behind him waved a hand, and the servants who had accompanied them immediately went about their duties.

"Then please rest here, Your Highness. Once the members of the various major sects arrive on North Spring Mountain, I will report to you."

Prince Qing said, "Don't be in such a hurry to leave, General Chen. I hear a young fellow named Gu Yuanqing lives on this mountain. Bring him here so I can have a look at him."

"Well..." Chen Chuanshan hesitated. Gu Yuanqing had been confined deep in these mountains by an Imperial Decree conveyed by Eunuch Xu from the Imperial Palace. Everyone was strictly forbidden from communicating with him, and in principle, even Prince Qing fell under that prohibition.

"No need to feel troubled. The emperor knows I intend to see him."

"I'll bring him here at once." Chen Chuanshan cupped his fist and accepted the order. He trusted that Prince Qing would not falsely claim an Imperial Decree over such a matter.

Gu Yuanqing, who had been watching all along, froze for a moment. He wants to see me? Could it be about Miaoxuan? He had never had any dealings with Prince Qing, and that was the only reason he could think of.

Before long, Chen Chuanshan arrived at Repentance Cliff.

"Young Master Gu, an honored personage wishes to see you."

"Then let's go." Gu Yuanqing calmly rose.

A trace of surprise crossed Chen Chuanshan's face, but he said nothing more and led Gu Yuanqing toward Prince Qing's Courtyard.

A steward was waiting outside the gate.

"General, His Highness wishes Young Master Gu to enter alone."

Chen Chuanshan cupped his fist. "Then I shall take my leave for now. The matters at the foot of the mountain are too important for me to remain away from my post for long."

"Please go ahead, General."

Before leaving, Chen Chuanshan instructed his subordinates, "You men are to await orders outside the courtyard. If His Highness needs anything, notify me immediately."

Gu Yuanqing entered the Courtyard alone and made his way to the main hall, where he immediately saw the white-haired old man seated at the head.

"This junior pays his respects to Your Highness." Gu Yuanqing cupped his hands and bowed.

Prince Qing glanced at Gu Yuanqing, raised his tea, and took a sip. Then he suddenly straightened, and his presence changed sharply. A moment earlier, he had been an old man enjoying his twilight years, but as his back straightened, it was as though Great Qian's former War God had returned. A murderous aura born of mountains of corpses and seas of blood surged forward. Leaning slightly toward him, he said slowly, "You're Gu Yuanqing?"