Chapter 188 | The Galgame Martial Saint

Morning light filtered through the window paper, casting warm, dappled gold across the couch.

Yu Wenqiu was curled up under the covers, revealing only half her face and her somewhat messy hair.

Her eyes were still closed, but the corners of her mouth were turned up in a smile she couldn't suppress, looking like a cat that had just stolen a fish and was trying to act calm.

Seeing this, Gu Chengming smiled helplessly. "It's time to wake up, Elder Yu."

A muffled grunt came from under the blankets. "Just let me sleep a little longer..."

Gu Chengming sat by the bed, watching the mound of bedding shift slightly.

Yu Wenqiu finally decided to poke her head out. Her cheeks were flushed, and there was a bit of drool, yet she insisted on putting on a defiant, self-righteous look.

The events of last night's dual cultivation had been swirling in her head all night. Now that she was awake, her sense of shame had belatedly doubled.

But when she saw Gu Chengming's expression—that look of having no choice but to indulge her—a sweet feeling surged in her heart, overshadowing her embarrassment.

—Wasn't this exactly the life she had been looking forward to for years?

In the past, when she read stories about "mutual respect" and "harmonious union," she always thought they were too cheesy, like adding way too much honey to plain water until it coated the throat.

But now, lying here, every breath she took was filled with his scent. Warmth radiated from under the blankets, making even the air feel thick and sweet. It turned out those stories weren't all nonsense after all.

"Are you hungry?" Gu Chengming asked.

"...A little."

"I'll go cook some porridge. You stay here for a bit."

Yu Wenqiu gave a soft, obedient "mm" and burrowed back into the blankets.

The moment Gu Chengming stood up, she secretly opened one eye, watching his back disappear behind the door. Then, she rolled over in the blankets, buried her face in the pillow, and started giggling like an idiot.

By the time the porridge was brought back, Yu Wenqiu had already sat up. The blankets were wrapped around her waist, and her long hair was draped over her shoulders, clearly too lazy to comb it.

She took the bowl and took small sips, her eyes constantly darting toward Gu Chengming's face.

"Why does Elder Yu keep looking at me?"

"I like you."

Yu Wenqiu buried her face in the bowl, the tips of her ears turning so red they looked ready to drip blood.

Seeing that Elder Yu had become much bolder after unlocking that particular "CG," Gu Chengming felt a sudden urge to tease her.

"By the way, Elder Yu, about that outfit from last night...?"

Yu Wenqiu froze mid-motion. Her eyes darted around, and after a long silence, she squeezed a few words out from between her teeth.

"I-It's not important."

"Deducted using the Heavenly Eye?"

"No such thing!"

Looking at her transparent attempt to cover it up, Gu Chengming had a good idea of what happened.

It was likely the pancakes with scallions look. Gu Chengming could even guess how Elder Yu had performed the deduction. He smiled and didn't press further.

Yu Wenqiu breathed a sigh of relief, but then a hint of resentment rose in her—honestly, Little Gu was way too good yesterday. He made her stick her tongue out subconsciously.

How is Little Gu so experienced! Exactly how many times has he done this with other girls?!

Her mind wandered as she stirred the porridge in her bowl into a whirlpool.

Whatever, as long as I got to eat.

Whether the Heavenly Eye's deduction was accurate or not was one thing; at least the result was good.

As for the... trivial details of the process, she would let them rot in her stomach.

Yu Wenqiu downed the porridge in one go and peeked at Gu Chengming. He was holding his own bowl, watching her leisurely. She immediately buried her face back in the bowl, pretending to study the patterns at the bottom.

Gu Chengming found this scene far more appetizing than the porridge itself, but he ultimately swallowed his words. If he teased her any more, Elder Yu might crawl back under the covers and never come out.

He set down his bowl, reached out to ruffle her messy hair, and said softly:

"Go back to sleep for a bit after you're done. There's no rush today."

Yu Wenqiu gave a soft response. Outside the window, the sun climbed higher inch by inch. The wind brushed against the bronze bells on the eaves, making them chime softly in harmony with the sounds of water inside the room.

...

Over the next few days, Gu Chengming lived a very comfortable life.

During the day, he would go out with Yu Wenqiu to practice swordsmanship at the Back Mountain or browse books in the Scripture Repository. Occasionally, he was summoned by Ren Wencai for questioning, which was usually just about his cultivation insights and experiences abroad.

In the evening, he would return to his room where Elder Yu would be waiting with a flushed face. The days flew by.

His Fourth Realm cultivation stabilized quickly as well.

The true essence flowed through his meridians like a river. Every major acupoint was thirty percent clearer than in the Third Realm, and his spiritual energy reserves had more than doubled.

Although there was an imminent map upgrade issue looming, Gu Chengming believed that before the map upgraded, he was a match for anyone below the Sixth Realm.

—Maybe my current level is enough to stand on equal footing with Director Zhou?

Gu Chengming thought to himself with a bit of newfound confidence.

Of course, there was currently no opportunity for him to verify this.

The reply from True Monarch Liuyun Suyu arrived on the evening of the third day.

The jade slip turned into a wisp of moonlight and landed in his palm. The handwriting inside was elegant and orderly:

【To my young friend: Now that the matter of the Jiao is settled, you may rest in your sect for a while. Once you have reported your safety, please find time to visit the Cloud Moon Sect. I have several matters to discuss with you. The stakes are high, so it is best to speak in person. Do not delay.】

He tucked the jade slip into his sleeve, keeping this matter in mind.

During these few days of peace, someone Gu Chengming hadn't expected arrived at the Wenjian Sect.

It was Zhou Qingmu.

Shen Qianqiu took the Director's arrival very seriously. He ordered his disciples to sweep the main paths three days in advance. Gu Chengming thought the Sect Leader's preparations were grand enough until he passed by the mountain gate and looked up—

A banner was hanging perfectly straight between the stone pillars of the mountain gate. It read:

【A Warm Welcome to Director Zhou Qingmu of the Great Qian Night Guard Division for Visiting the Wenjian Sect to Inspect and Guide Our Work】

He turned to look at Shen Qianqiu, who was currently directing disciples to adjust the height of the banner.

Shen Qianqiu felt a bit uncomfortable under his gaze and coughed. "We must be thorough with our etiquette."

Gu Chengming felt a sense of deja vu, as if a high-ranking official from his past life was coming for an inspection.

However, despite the strange vibe of the banner, the Sect Leader's arrangements were indeed flawless.

Gu Chengming complained silently in his heart but didn't show it on his face.

Just then, a wind rose in the distant sky. A blade qi, carrying a moonlight-like coldness, descended from the clouds.

...

The moment Zhou Qingmu stepped into the mountain gate, her gaze lingered on the banner for a moment, and she nodded with satisfaction.

Of course, while Zhou Qingmu officially claimed to represent Great Qian to discuss the Great Tribulation with the various sects, she had clearly come to the Wenjian Sect for Gu Chengming.

After finishing her discussion with Shen Qianqiu, she quickly sought out Gu Chengming and looked at him with quite a bit of resentment.

"You certainly are carefree. Leaving without a word, not even sending a single letter to the capital."

"Please forgive me, Director," Gu Chengming said with a smile and a bow.

Since their parting at the Tianque Secret Realm, she had kept saying he should visit the capital often. She had even pushed through all opposition to finally finalize Gu Chengming's position as a Vice Commander of the Night Guard, intending to give him a surprise.

She hadn't expected that they wouldn't meet again after that.

This gave Zhou Qingmu the feeling of being a "lonely old person."

Now that she heard Gu Chengming had returned to the Wenjian Sect, she finally couldn't hold back and came to find him herself.

The resentful words were only a few sentences. Zhou Qingmu wasn't that kind of person by nature. Compared to Gu Chengming's delay in coming to the capital, she cared more about...

"When did you reach the Fourth Realm?" Zhou Qingmu asked with pleasant surprise, sensing the fluctuations around him.

"I broke through by luck a few days ago."

Seemingly used to Gu Chengming's "luck" excuse, the resentment in Zhou Qingmu's eyes turned into interest and a bit of eagerness.

"How coincidental." She placed her hand on her hilt. "Exchange a few moves with me."

Gu Chengming's heart stirred. Ever since reaching the Fourth Realm, he had wanted to find someone to verify his true level. Within the Wenjian Sect, the elders were hard to spar with, and his peers couldn't last more than a few moves. Director Zhou, with her half-step Sixth Realm cultivation, was almost peerless among those in the Fifth Realm, making her the perfect sparring partner.

He bowed. "I would be honored."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Zhou Qingmu drew her blade. The blade was entirely black and did not reflect sunlight... but it didn't seem to be her usual blade, Night Severance.

Before Gu Chengming could think further, Zhou Qingmu moved.

The wind from the blade rushed at him. There were no feints or probes; she pressed down directly with her Fifth Realm cultivation. Her blade style was like a landscape painting of splashed ink—bold and grand, every strike carrying a powerful aura.

Gu Chengming sidestepped and slid back, his toes barely touching the ground. He was a bit surprised; Zhou Qingmu's blade was faster and sharper than it had been in the Tianque Secret Realm. Perhaps back then she had to focus on the big picture, but now she was fighting with everything she had.

The gap in realms was indeed no joke. In terms of raw stats, Zhou Qingmu's true essence and physical strength were both superior to his.

In a direct clash, his Fourth Realm foundation wouldn't last long. But Gu Chengming never relied on raw stats to fight, at least when fighting across ranks, he relied heavily on various mechanics.

In the next instant, the Tenfold Sword Array spread out. Ten flying swords anchored ten directions, and the Entanglement Sword Intent wove a dense web, constantly seeking opportunities through the array's guidance.

Zhou Qingmu shattered the blockade of three flying swords with a single strike. Without slowing down, she followed up with a backhand horizontal slash.

Gu Chengming ducked under the blade and struck her blade with his sword, using the momentum to bounce away.

"Not bad," Zhou Qingmu praised. She turned her blade and pursued him.

Her style wasn't flashy. There were no complex variations; every strike was direct. Yet, these direct strikes carried a composed elegance that made the heavy seem light.

But after a while, Zhou Qingmu's breathing finally began to falter.

This kid's movement technique was too incredible. Even though his cultivation was lower than hers, every time her blade was about to land, it would always be off by a hair's breadth. And in that tiny gap, there would always be a flying sword in the way. Furthermore, the Entanglement Sword Intent was far more annoying than she had expected.

After another strike missed, Zhou Qingmu used the momentum to spin, her blade back knocking away two ambushing flying swords while she kicked toward Gu Chengming's chest.

Gu Chengming used the force to escape the range of her blade. Three flying swords seized the chance to jab at the spot where Zhou Qingmu would land, forcing her to shift her position.

The two of them retreated several steps at the same time and looked at each other across the platform. There was a thin layer of sweat on Zhou Qingmu's forehead.

She looked at the young man opposite her, and the interest in her eyes finally turned into genuine shock. There was no doubt about it; he was holding his own against her.

Although she hadn't used her trump cards, she felt he hadn't used his either. Even if he didn't have any, this result was shocking enough.

One had to remember she was a half-step Sixth Realm expert, nearly peerless in the Fifth Realm. Setting aside the ceiling of the Dao Thrones, killing enemies above her rank was already a common occurrence for her.

Yet Gu Chengming was even more ridiculous. A Fourth Realm drawing with a half-step Sixth Realm?

After one more exchange, Zhou Qingmu lost by half a move and finally called an end to the spar.

Zhou Qingmu was stunned for a long time before she suddenly started laughing.

"Good!" she said, sheathing her blade, the smile still on her face.

Gu Chengming returned the gesture. His breathing wasn't quite steady either, but he managed to keep his composure.

"The Director was going easy on me."

"Don't give me that." Zhou Qingmu waved her hand, her smile now filled with sincere appreciation. "If you hadn't held back, the outcome of today's fight would have been hard to say."

Without a doubt, she was extremely satisfied with this fight. Zhou Qingmu took this opportunity to state her purpose. "My visit to the Wenjian Sect, besides discussing the Great Tribulation with Sect Leader Shen, is also to ask for your help with something."

"Please speak, Director."

Zhou Qingmu didn't say it directly but asked a question instead: "Did Sect Leader Shen mention the details of the Great Tribulation to you?"

Gu Chengming nodded. "I know a bit. The Great Tribulation isn't a single event but a process involving many things."

"Correct." Zhou Qingmu looked ahead, her voice calm. "Previously, many Sixth Realm experts vanished, claiming they were going to deal with the Great Tribulation. But in reality, 'Great Tribulation' is just a general term. The karma involved is extremely complex."

"The Sixth Realm True Monarchs went to different places to deal with different things. Some went to suppress the spirit tides overflowing from the Heavenly Dao's imbalance, some went to seal off cracked secret realm passages, and some... went to deal with a much more troublesome matter."

She paused. "Have you heard of True Monarch Wangyue?"

Gu Chengming's brow twitched. "True Monarch Wangyue?"

Zhou Qingmu seemed to have expected his confusion. She placed her teacup on a stone stool and turned to face him. "You should already know that once a Fifth Realm cultivator obtains a Dao Throne, they enter the Sixth Realm and become a True Monarch."

"But there are differences in the levels of Dao Thrones. Even within the Sixth Realm, if the Dao Thrones are different, the combat power is worlds apart."

Gu Chengming nodded.

"Then do you know how the Dao Thrones are arranged?" Zhou Qingmu drew a vertical line on the stone stool with her finger, then drew several horizontal branches from both sides. "The order of Dao Thrones is like a tree. There is a main branch and there are branches. What a Sixth Realm True Monarch obtains is a spot on one of the branches."

"And the Seventh Realm..." Her finger returned to the vertical line and made a heavy stroke from bottom to top. "Is to incorporate an entire main branch of this tree into oneself."

Gu Chengming was thoughtful. "So, Sixth Realm True Monarchs on the same main branch are actually in a competitive relationship?"

He used the word "competitive."

To be honest, that was quite an understatement. Obstructing someone's path was an eternal feud. To reach the Seventh Realm, one had to kill all Sixth Realm True Monarchs who held Dao Thrones on the same main branch, allowing those thrones to return to the Heavenly Dao, and then claim them one by one.

When one person achieves the Dao, all those on the same path perish.

Gu Chengming suddenly thought of True Monarch Liuyun Suyu's Moon in the Clouds and that Longevity Sect Perfected Man's Reverse-Flow Gu, both originating from the Unfettered River.

And True Monarch Liuyun Suyu had decapitated Qin Wuwang with one strike on the Cuiping Mountains and personally hunted down the Longevity Sect Perfected Man...

Then the True Monarch—

Zhou Qingmu didn't linger on this topic. She picked up her teacup, took a sip, and continued. "And that True Monarch Wangyue was a Seventh Realm True Monarch."

"He fused all the Dao Thrones on the same main branch into his own body."

Gu Chengming frowned. Fusing Dao Thrones into flesh and blood?

How did he do that? Logically, the physical body has its limits. For example, that Myriad Thief Immortal didn't even dare to try such a thing just to lock down a single Dao Throne. The physical limit would likely cause one to explode from locking down just one throne, let alone all the thrones on an entire "main branch"...

It was like the Myriad Thief Immortal, who spent all his effort just to lock down one Dao Throne to pass on to his descendants, which was already a limit-breaking feat achieved at the cost of his dying body.

"Could his body handle it?"

Zhou Qingmu's answer was unexpected. "No, so he died."

"True Monarch Wangyue was known to the world as the 'Mad Joy Heavenly Venerable,' and also called the 'Master of the Flesh Play.'" Zhou Qingmu set down her teacup and folded her hands over her knees. "There is a saying of his that was widely circulated during his life."

"'The Heavenly Dao is like a play, and Dao Thrones are like the script. If the Heavenly Dao has already decided the actors' parts, why not burn the script and write the final act yourself?'"

"He viewed the Dao Throne system as a cage used by the Heavenly Dao to domesticate all living beings. So, before his body collapsed, he refined himself along with all the Dao Thrones into a dharma treasure."

"A dharma treasure formed from the flesh and blood of a Seventh Realm True Monarch and an entire main branch of Dao Thrones."

"For ten thousand years, this object has been sealed in a secret location overseen jointly by Great Qian and several major sects. But with the start of the Great Tribulation, the seal has begun to loosen."

"The True Monarchs of the various sects have already gone to deal with one round of it." She paused. "Unfortunately, they only succeeded halfway."

"This is why I've come to find you... True Monarch Wangyue's remains are currently the most troublesome known issue in the Great Tribulation."

"I want you to accompany me to True Monarch Wangyue's sealing site... are you willing?"

Gu Chengming pondered for a moment, weighing it carefully before speaking. "I would be honored to accept."

The corners of Zhou Qingmu's mouth curled up. "Then it's settled."

After the agreement was made, Gu Chengming took his leave to prepare for the journey.

He first went to report the matter to Shen Qianqiu. The Sect Leader didn't say much, only nodding and telling him to be careful on the road, while also handing over two life-saving talismans.

He then returned to his own courtyard. When Yu Wenqiu heard he was going to the capital with Director Zhou, she was a bit reluctant, but she was already used to it.

She just puffed out her cheeks and looked at Gu Chengming, saying things like since they wouldn't see each other for several months, they should do several months' worth of lovemaking all at once.

In the end, she fainted before they were even halfway through the night. She was pure talk.

He thought they would just depart with Zhou Qingmu as planned.

However, the day before they were to leave for the capital, another person Gu Chengming hadn't expected returned to the Wenjian Sect.

—Luo Jinyao.

Supposedly, the situation at the northern border had stabilized, and the defense line at Falling Snow Pass was secure again, so she found an excuse to take a leave and headed south.

The official reason was to return to the sect to report her duties and bring back information on the demon threats and the movements of rogue cultivator forces from the past few months, so the Wenjian Sect could prepare in advance.

But Gu Chengming felt that Elder Luo's reason for returning wasn't just that. His hunch was verified half an hour later.

After finishing her business with Shen Qianqiu and Ren Wencai, Luo Jinyao immediately came to find him.

Luo Jinyao stood in the hall, her plain white sword robes reflecting the candlelight, her silver hair cascading down to her waist like a waterfall. She turned her head toward Gu Chengming as he pushed the door open, the coldness in her eyes instantly melting into a gentle smile.

"Little Gu, long time no see."

Gu Chengming bowed. "Senior Luo."

Luo Jinyao's gaze fell on Gu Chengming again, sizing him up.

"Oh? You're in the Fourth Realm?"

Luo Jinyao stood up and walked over to him, reaching out to check his pulse. Her fingertips were slightly cool, and her true essence seeped into his meridians like silk threads to sense them carefully.

"The foundation is solid, but the spiritual energy flow is a bit restless... have you been rushing too much lately?"

"It's alright..."

Luo Jinyao withdrew her hand, her tone carrying the characteristic nagging of an elder. "Cultivation is like leading an army; following the rules is the right way. Your foundation is good, but it was built up too quickly after all. I'll write you a recipe for nourishment later; meditate for two hours every morning according to it."

Saying this, she suddenly remembered something and took a porcelain bottle from her sleeve.

"Take this."

Gu Chengming took it and pulled out the stopper. A crisp, medicinal scent filled his lungs.

"These are Meridian-Guarding Pills I refined at the northern border, specifically for restless spiritual energy. Your foundation is stable, but your meridians are still tender. Taking one less medicine is more effective than taking ten extra."

"...Thank you, Senior Sister Luo."

Luo Jinyao was finally satisfied. Not long after, Zhou Qingmu also came looking for him.

She and Luo Jinyao were old acquaintances. After all, Luo Jinyao had been part of the Night Guard before guarding Falling Snow Pass. Even now, there was a lot of interaction between the Night Guard and Falling Snow Pass, and their northern border military affairs often overlapped.

When the two met, they exchanged a slight nod and a few pleasantries.

Luo Jinyao sized up Zhou Qingmu. "The Night Guard isn't that busy anymore?"

"Very busy," Zhou Qingmu said with a smile. "But I did manage to find time for an external assignment recently." Her gaze swept over Gu Chengming unobtrusively. Luo Jinyao saw this but said nothing.

...

In the evening, everyone dispersed.

Zhou Qingmu had originally planned to talk to Gu Chengming about tomorrow's departure, but the scene she saw at the Back Mountain training ground made her stop in her tracks.

Luo Jinyao was sitting on the stone steps, a peeled snow spirit fruit on her lap. She was breaking it into small pieces and handing them to Gu Chengming beside her. Gu Chengming took them and ate them as naturally as if he were sunbathing in his own yard.

"The northern border produces these too, but the fruit there is a bit astringent and not as sweet." Luo Jinyao unhurriedly broke off a piece and pointed to the subtle patterns on the flesh. "This variety is unique to the Back Mountain of the Wenjian Sect. Didn't you notice before?"

"I haven't eaten them much."

"Then eat more from now on." Luo Jinyao naturally took a handkerchief and wiped the juice from the corner of his mouth.

Gu Chengming: "..."

—Has Senior Sister Luo's maternal instinct grown stronger again?

Zhou Qingmu watched from behind a tree for a long time, an indescribable emotion rising in her heart.

Her relationship with Gu Chengming was, in the end, still between a superior and a subordinate, perhaps a bit closer than others.

Luo Jinyao's effortless intimacy... was truly something to be envied.

So, after nightfall, Zhou Qingmu knocked on the door of Luo Jinyao's guest room.

Luo Jinyao was wiping her sword. She looked up at the sound. "What is it?"

"I wanted to ask about something." Zhou Qingmu sat opposite her, choosing her words for a long time. "How do you and Little Gu... get so naturally close?"

Luo Jinyao's movements paused, and she looked up in confusion.

"Take just now, for example." Zhou Qingmu tilted her chin toward the Back Mountain. "You peeled fruit for him, wiped his mouth, and put on his bracelet—all of it was so fluid and natural. Looking at him, it didn't feel like you were doing it on purpose, but rather... like it was second nature."

Luo Jinyao was stunned for a moment. "Isn't that normal?"

"...Normal?"

"He's a junior of my sect, and he's young. What's strange about me looking after him?" Luo Jinyao tilted her head. "Have you never looked after your own juniors?"

Zhou Qingmu opened her mouth.

Had she looked after her own juniors? Who? Those subordinates in the Night Guard? For those rough men, she didn't look after them; if they could use a blade, she definitely wouldn't use words.

"...Never."

"Then it's no wonder." Luo Jinyao sheathed her sword, her tone sounding like she understood. "It's not hard. Just treat him like your own child."

Your own child? Zhou Qingmu processed the term for a while before understanding.

Coming out of Luo Jinyao's room, Zhou Qingmu stood under the corridor for a while, letting the night breeze hit her.

She tried to recall being looked after when she was young. Unfortunately, her memories were few, only the heavy wooden sword in her master's hand and the few patches of bruise-healing paste slapped on haphazardly after she got hit.

—This experience clearly couldn't be copied and used.

So she tried another way, thinking about the scenes of women with their children on the streets: handing over snacks, wiping corners of mouths, straightening sleeves, asking about their well-being... it didn't sound too complicated.

"That's all it is." Zhou Qingmu gave herself this verdict in her heart and turned back to her room.

The lamp was still lit in the room. She pulled an empty food box from her luggage and sat at the table for a long time—she suddenly wasn't sure which step to start practicing with.

Fine, she would start with the simplest: handing over snacks.

She made a secret resolution, planning to try it first thing tomorrow morning.

As for the subject of the trial, it would naturally be a certain oblivious "child" who had just reached the Fourth Realm.

...

The next morning.

Gu Chengming had just finished a set of sword forms at the Back Mountain when he saw Zhou Qingmu walking toward him, carrying a food box.

Gu Chengming's heart skipped a beat. Zhou Qingmu stopped in front of him, her expression unnatural as she squeezed out a stiff sentence. "Have you eaten?"

"...Yes."

"Eat some more."

Zhou Qingmu opened the food box, which contained several plates of exquisite pastries.

She picked one up and held it to Gu Chengming's mouth. Gu Chengming looked at the pastry, not knowing whether to take it or dodge.

Gu Chengming steeled himself, opened his mouth, and bit into the pastry.

Zhou Qingmu's finger lingered by his lips for a moment before she pulled it back quickly, as if she had been burned.

"Is it good?" she asked.

"...Y-Yes, it's good."

"Oh."

Zhou Qingmu picked up another piece. This time she wanted to change her posture, trying to hand it over as naturally as Luo Jinyao did.

However, halfway through raising her arm, she suddenly didn't know how much to bend her elbow or how much to relax her fingers. She froze right there.