A marriage proposal

This was a profound martial phenomenon!

The hallmark of a high-level true martial expert, it was nurtured within the Profound Martial Secret Treasure by gathering qi of Heavenly Gang and Earthly Sha around the core of one's own Martial Dao True Intent.

The newcomer was none other than Chen Chuanshan, the Imperial Guard Commander stationed at the foot of the mountain. He stood at the scene of the fight, surveyed his surroundings, then gave a cold snort and turned to leave.

But through Gu Yuanqing's perception, Chen Chuanshan had plainly glanced from the corner of his eye toward the cave the old man had dug.

That single glance filled Gu Yuanqing with apprehension.

I'd been wondering how this old man could spend months digging holes all over North Spring Mountain in search of treasure without the Imperial Court's guards noticing. They called it a forbidden ground, yet the restrictions seemed to exist in name only. Now it seems that wasn't the case. The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind it.

Then did my breakthrough to true martial also happen under someone's eyes? Did the technique I learned to conceal my qi actually fool them?

A trace of unease creased Gu Yuanqing's brow, but he soon thought, I've been imprisoned here for months without anyone asking after me. The Great Qian Imperial Family doesn't seem intent on killing me. Why overthink it? As long as I raise my cultivation, what have I to fear?

His awareness settled on the old man again. At that moment, the old man stood by the window in his room, his Firewood Saber within easy reach. His eyes were full of solemn vigilance, as though he was ready to strike immediately if anyone discovered him.

Only after a long while did he breathe a sigh of relief, set the Firewood Saber by the head of his bed, and lie down without undressing.

In a room nearby, the middle-aged woman slept soundly, utterly unaware of what had just happened on North Spring Mountain.

The music ended and the gathering dispersed. North Spring Mountain returned to its stillness, as though nothing had happened...

Outside the mountain, the two wounded men in black suppressed their injuries and sped away using their movement techniques. Ten li out, the smaller, thinner man coughed up blood, lost his footing, and fell from the treetops.

"Seventh!" The other man hurried back and dropped down to check on him, anxiety evident in his voice.

"That man was a Profound Martial High Rank expert. His sword qi entered my body and damaged the meridians around my heart."

"Don't talk. Suppress the sword qi. I'll get you out of here!" He hoisted his companion onto his back and rushed away again using his movement technique.

In a valley thirty li away, the taller man in black stopped, put his companion down, and looked around while gasping for breath.

A moment later, a figure emerged from the darkness. He, too, wore black, and his face was as fine as polished jade. It was Qin Baijun.

"Xue Chengyang pays his respects, young master."

The other man's breathing was faint; he could no longer speak.

Qin Baijun lowered his eyes for a glance and asked indifferently, "How did it go?"

"Your subordinate was incompetent. We never expected a concealed sentry atop the cliff. We were discovered before we could infiltrate North Spring Mountain. That man was a Profound Martial High Rank expert, and we were no match for him. Please forgive us, young master."

Qin Baijun turned toward North Spring Mountain. "North Spring Mountain is a forbidden ground of Great Qian, after all. That's hardly unexpected. Here are two Rejuvenation Pills. Tend to your wounds first."

At Prince Gu's Manor, Prince Gu, whose title had been demoted by one rank, rarely ventured out.

He had resigned all his military duties and even pleaded illness to avoid morning court. Each day, he tended the flowers and plants in the Prince's Manor, seemingly ready to spend his remaining years in quiet retirement.

The once-glorious Gu Family seemed to be sliding into decline. One business after another was wrested from their hands, yet they swallowed their anger without a word.

Early one morning, the white-haired, white-bearded Prince Gu slowly performed a set of fist techniques in the courtyard. A servant brought clean water for him to wash his hands. Only after drying them with a towel did he slowly accept a booklet from the Prince's Manor's chief steward.

He glanced at it, waved away all the other servants, and asked, "You're saying Her Highness the Princess is with child?"

"The information came from a eunuch in the Imperial Kitchen. He happened to see the swell of Her Highness's belly. I believe the news is reliable."

"Whose child is it?"

The steward hesitated briefly before saying, "This old servant suspects it may belong to... our Gu Family."

"The Gu Family? Our Gu Family?" Prince Gu was startled at first. Then his expression turned cold, anger showing in his eyes. His fist clenched, and the booklet in his hand crumbled to powder.

"So that's what happened. That little beast deserves a thousand deaths!"

After a moment, the steward asked, "Prince, what should we do next? As for Young Master Gu Yuanqing..."

"Everything will proceed as before. Act as though we know nothing of this. Make sure whoever knows takes this secret to his grave. Otherwise... kill without mercy!"

Qingyun Garden, within the Great Qian Imperial Palace.

Several months earlier, this place had been designated a forbidden ground, with the announcement that the Princess of Great Qian was cultivating in seclusion within to break through to the next realm.

An Imperial Venerable guarded the Courtyard outside. Any trespasser was to be killed without exception.

Li Haotian, the emperor of Great Qian, left his retinue of servants waiting outside the courtyard gate and entered alone.

There were only a handful of maids inside the Courtyard, and none was permitted to take even half a step beyond the gate.

"Your daughter pays her respects, Father."

"Rise, Xuan'er, rise. There's no need for such ceremony."

Li Miaoxuan gently supported her belly as she stood, smiling as she asked, "You seem to be in a good mood today, Father. Has something happy happened?"

"There is indeed something, though it depends on your wishes, Xuan'er." Li Haotian waved the servants away.

"Please tell me, Father."

"Elder Qin of the Lingxu Sect came to the Imperial Palace today."

"Grandmaster Qin? He hasn't left his mountain in years. What brought him to the Imperial Palace this time?"

Li Haotian paused before saying, "He came to propose a marriage between you and his grandson, Qin Baijun. I've met the young man. His cultivation and character are both excellent."

Li Miaoxuan's smile faded. "Please decline, Father."

"Why? Xuan'er, I don't think you should be so hasty."

"Do you think your daughter can marry another man in her present condition?"

Li Haotian raised an eyebrow and said gravely, "Why not? My daughter possesses heaven-bestowed talent and beauty that makes fish sink and geese fall from the sky. Who in this world could be beyond your reach? Besides, Qin Baijun is devoted to you and doesn't mind the past. All that's needed is to remove the child in your womb. I believe you two are well matched. He has also promised that your firstborn son will bear the surname Li."

Li Miaoxuan spoke indifferently. "Your daughter is devoted to cultivation and has no wish to marry. Besides, Father, are you asking one woman to serve two husbands?"

Bang! Li Haotian slammed his hand onto the table beside him, shattering the solid wood. "Utter nonsense! Gu Yuanqing is a shameless wretch, a mere concubine-born son. How does he count as a husband? I'll have him killed this instant to vent my anger."

"Your daughter cannot stop you from doing what you wish, Father. But there is no need to discuss marriage again."

Li Haotian's face was icy, his tone brooking no argument. "Stop this foolishness. This is for your own good, and for the good of Great Qian. I will decide the matter. I'll have an Imperial Physician remove the child in your womb."

Li Miaoxuan's expression remained indifferent, her voice composed. "Father, your daughter has already become a grandmaster. There may be many things in this world I cannot accomplish, but if I am unwilling, no one can force me. That includes... you, Father."

What was a grandmaster? It was the crown of the martial dao, a single person capable of matching a thousand soldiers, qualified to establish a sect within Great Qian.

"You..." Li Haotian pointed at Li Miaoxuan, unable to speak. His face livid, he swept his sleeves and left.

In a private residence on North Long Street in the imperial capital.

Qin Baijun stood before the main hall, where an old man with white hair and a white beard occupied the seat of honor.

"Grandfather, are you saying His Majesty refused my marriage proposal?" Qin Baijun's expression was ugly.

"Baijun, I think we should let this matter rest. After all, she... If word of this spread, it would bring no glory to our Qin Family either." The old man sighed.

"Then I beg you, Grandfather, to kill someone for me!" Qin Baijun bowed to the ground.