The Great Martial Saint!

Chapter 715 Old Rumors, Riding Together (Thanks to Captain Dragonfly for the donation to Xiao Gu)

Walking through the city of Thunder, Chen Ping'an felt a sense of familiarity he hadn't experienced in a long time.

It's been only a few months since he stepped down from Leiming, but quite a few things have happened in between.

After being transferred from Leiming and returning to Canglong Prefecture, he met with Zhang Tianyuan, the powerful deputy commander and master of the Xuanhuang Absolute Sword, and Wu Xifu, the special envoy of the Northern Territory, and learned some secrets of the Northern Territory. He met with the elders of the Gu family and attempted to meet his fiancée, Gu Qingcheng, but failed. However, he was given the Guanghan Sword Technique as a gift.

The line, "You gave me a hairpin, now I give you a sword," is truly thought-provoking.

Through this opportunity, I learned the name Xiyue, witnessed the misty rain and dreamlike clouds, and resolved a past karmic debt.

During his journey through Xuanling, he encountered the Devouring Demon Old Monster of the Great Banner Sect, met Shen Linyuan of the Heart-Questioning Sword Pavilion, and the Golden-Haired Old Monster, a rogue cultivator from Xuanling. At a small gathering in the bamboo forest, he met Hua Danshi, the number one alchemist in Xuanling.

It wouldn't be accurate to say he was recognized; to the pseudo-celestial beings at the Bamboo Grove Gathering, he was practically invisible at that time. Only he recognized others; no one else recognized him.

Taking advantage of the small meeting, they exchanged simple divination information and learned about the items in the hands of the Yokoyama Sect and the Black Rock Monster.

He changed his identity to Yougu and met with the Black Rock Monster at Xuanling Mountain to trade for a top-grade mutated bloodline, Xuan Turtle True Blood, and some Xuan Turtle Blood and shell fragments.

Despite suffering some losses and being swindled by Black Rock Monster, he ultimately achieved his goal.

Yu Xuanling went into seclusion, achieving minor mastery of swordsmanship. On his return journey, he encountered the Blood Demon Venerable, the Deadly Poison Elder, and others, ultimately obtaining half of the spoils. He also acquired items such as the Crimson Diamond and the Guardian Golden Ring.

Healing in the secluded pool, yet another storm arises, leading to encounters with numerous grandmasters, and later, even the appearance of a pseudo-celestial being. Through careful planning, he ultimately emerges as the biggest winner.

then
Chen Pingan glanced at Gu Qingchan.

At this moment, the distance between the two was neither close nor far. Compared to ordinary fellow Daoists, they were closer, but not quite as close as some close friends.

The balance is just right.

But even at such a distance, recalling what had happened before stirred a faint tremor in Chen Ping'an's heart.

Although it was fleeting, it was so real.

Gu Qingchan had bright, starry eyes, a beautiful face, and an ethereal, jade-like appearance—truly a woman of stunning beauty. A light blue long dress further enhanced her radiance, making her impossible to look away from.

Today, Gu Qingchan was dressed somewhat conservatively, surrounded by an icy aura, her expression aloof, dignified, and elegant. Every gesture she made exuded grace.

Noticing Chen Ping'an's gaze, Gu Qingchan's expression remained unchanged, but a hint of unease flashed through her heart.

For some reason, she felt a pang of shame in front of so many people, as if their relationship had been exposed.

The shame was mixed with some taboos of depravity. In their previous discussion, Chen Ping'an's profound skill and variety of techniques had greatly surprised her.

This made her seriously suspect that Chen Ping'an was a seasoned expert in this field. He had probably practiced it many times before, perhaps even...
Gu Qingchan's clear eyes trembled slightly, her heart filled with complex emotions.

Based on past rumors, the reputation of "Wild Blade" is probably not unfounded.

In the important town of Beicang, a beautiful woman was hidden away in a golden house. On a painted boat amidst the mist and rain, a night of romance ensued. The daughter of the Xue family, a fairy from Yunmeng.
Also, there was Mu Wanjun, the eldest daughter of the Mu family in her early years!
In truth, this woman was the first person to guide the Mangdao on his path to advancement, and the one who truly recognized the potential of the Mangdao.

If the other party knew that Mang Dao's achievements had already far exceeded the limits of what she had previously imagined, I wonder what she would think?
Even martial arts grandmasters today must revere and look up to the mighty blade, seeing it is like seeing a celestial being!

Unfortunately.
Only she knew about this.

Mang Dao's combat prowess is unparalleled in the world; even among the current Hidden Dragon Rankings, he would rank among the top three. Considering Mang Dao's age, his exceptional talent is likely beyond the imagination of most people.

It's hard to imagine what level Chen Ping'an will elevate to the pinnacle of the Hidden Dragon Ranking before he turns fifty.
But this matter remained unknown to outsiders; she alone enjoyed it.

Masters are lonely! Even the most talented are lonely!
Gu Qingchan's thoughts shifted, her mind clear and lucid.

Um?and many more!

She suddenly realized something.

She recalled the rumors that had been circulating widely in Thunder. She had previously dismissed them as mere anecdotes, but now, looking back, they seemed more plausible.
Gu Qingchan's starry eyes narrowed, a cold glint appearing within them.

Previously, Lei Ming's siege had resulted in Xue Xiao's surrender, and various factions responded, making Mang Dao's reputation soar. Various versions of rumors emerged as a result.

One version focuses on the romantic escapades that Mang Dao has experienced since he began his training.

Like the legendary tales of Chen Ping'an, the number one prodigy of the Azure Dragon Clan.

The scandalous secrets of the Azure Dragon Giant.

Hiding a beauty in a golden house, discussing the romantic nature of a prodigy. And so on, like meeting in humble beginnings, discussing the first woman in Mangdao's life. In the important town of Beicang, hiding a beauty in a golden house, a pair of lovebirds, who exactly is she, to have captured Mangdao's heart? And then, at the misty ferry crossing, at the banquet of a hundred flowers, Mangdao spent the night on a pleasure boat, enjoying a night of passion with the Fairy of a Hundred Flowers.

These things all have traceable clues.

However, various versions of the story also mention the relationship between Chen Ping'an, the ruthless swordsman, and the Holy Maiden of Tianluo. Their love-hate relationship and conflicting stances have certainly captured the attention of many.

At the time, I thought it was just a rumor, but now that I think about it carefully, it probably is true.
It's not impossible!

In addition to the Heavenly Luo Saintess, there is also the rumored number one beauty of Leiming, Wufang Huanxi, who fell in love with Chen Ping'an at first sight and decided to spend her life with him.

With unparalleled skill and charm, he won the hearts of all, and ultimately won the heart of the beauty.

These incidents, one by one, are not baseless rumors.

If true, upon closer examination, Chen Ping'an is indeed a seasoned player in the game of love!

Thinking of this, a cold glint appeared in Gu Qingchan's starry eyes. She was annoyed, and a chilling aura surrounded her.

However, despite her anger, the two had already made it clear beforehand that there was no reason for her to complain.

This matter was consensual, and there was no coercion involved.

What happened before is already over; now, upon reflection, it was nothing more than self-inflicted trouble.

As Gu Qingchan's anger subsided, a scene flashed through her mind.

When Chen Ping'an first arrived in Leiming, the two had a conversation. The topic was the recent chaos in Long'an and the great battle outside the important town of Long'an.

When she asked about the senior's demeanor, Chen Ping'an avoided the question, only mentioning the Heavenly Luo Saintess under her persistent questioning.

"The Holy Maiden of Tianluo, with her monstrous beauty, fought against the older generation of powerful figures. Her talent and wisdom are truly moving!"

Chen Ping'an's confident expression seemed to still be vivid in Gu Qingchan's mind. It was as if he wasn't the one who had fought the Heavenly Luo Saintess outside the important town of Long'an.

When it comes to evaluations, the words are always those of the Holy Maiden of Heavenly Net.

Most importantly, she once made a promise that if he could ever get in touch with the background of the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Net, she could decide to give him something or grant him a request!
Even now, thinking back on these things still makes me angry.

Upon realizing this, Gu Qingchan couldn't help but reach out, wanting to pinch Chen Ping'an.

Her wide sleeves cascaded down like flowing clouds, bathed in moonlight.

But just as she reached out her hand, it was stopped by a large, hot hand.

"What are you doing?" Chen Ping'an asked in a deep voice, gripping Gu Qingchan's soft hand.

What does it mean to suddenly attack someone while they're walking along peacefully?
What are you trying to do in front of everyone?
Gu Qingchan didn't say anything, but simply pulled her hand away from Chen Ping'an's.

Although their cultivation level allowed them to avoid being seen, they were still in public, so he couldn't easily pull them away and let Gu Qingchan break free.

Gu Qingchan had just broken free when she pinched his waist hard.

Um! ?

Chen Ping'an felt somewhat confused and looked over, only to see Gu Qingchan glare at him before turning her head away, her long skirt swaying as she walked forward.

Chen Ping'an looked slightly taken aback.

What is Gu Qingchan up to?

Why would you pinch him for no reason?
What are you trying to do?

Looking at Gu Qingchan's appearance, it seemed like she was experiencing some kind of emotion, but it was hard to pinpoint exactly what it was.

So much for the mature female master who is supposed to be independent and self-reliant, and who doesn't interfere with or entangle with others!? Well, that's not the case at all.

Chen Ping'an's emotions shifted, but when he thought about how he had pinched her like that before, he suddenly felt at peace. Oh well, consider it repayment.

Once Chen Ping'an made up his mind, he walked forward.

"Welcome, Elder!"

"Greetings, Elder!"

"."

Before they even reached the Gu family's residence, they encountered a welcoming party from the Gu family's residence. A group of people, hurrying along, looking anxious, with carts and carriages ready.

Upon seeing Gu Qingchan, he immediately bowed and greeted her.

"No need for formalities." Gu Qingchan's expression was aloof. Dressed in a light blue dress, she resembled a celestial maiden descending to earth, surrounded by a cool and ethereal aura.

Her skin was as smooth as ice and her bones as white as jade; she was dazzling and captivating.

Beneath that cool and dignified demeanor lay a delicate, sweet, and gentle voice, as fresh as tender green buds and as clear as a spring or a cold pool.

"Yes, Elder." The visitors all stood up.

Only then did someone greet Chen Ping'an and say, "Greetings, son-in-law."

Chen Ping'an nodded slightly in return.

His expression was warm and gentle, with a hint of a smile, and he was quite approachable.

Among the people who came to greet him were high-ranking officials from the Gu family's Leiming base, and he recognized many of them. However, whether it was because Gu Qingchan was present or because the occasion was inappropriate, no one came up to exchange pleasantries or catch up.

The carriage was already prepared. Gu Qingchan, with a dignified expression and elegant posture, boarded the carriage, which was adorned with beautiful jade ornaments.

The crowd stood with a stiff expression, bowing respectfully, their demeanor filled with reverence and awe.

Although Gu Qingchan appears young, she commands great respect in their eyes. Her previous methods were all swift and decisive, without any hesitation.

With the grace of a phoenix and the elegance of a dragon, she possesses a heart as pure as ice in the jade palace.

In such circumstances, they dared not show the slightest disrespect.

"With everyone united, they have the support of the people." Chen Ping'an commented on this scene.

Gu Qingchan's time in charge of Leiming was not long to begin with. Excluding the time spent in seclusion, the actual time she could use to establish her authority and subdue others was not much.

To achieve this situation in such a short time, Gu Qingchan's methods are truly remarkable.

As a family's influence grows over time, various factions inevitably emerge, each with its own interests. In such circumstances, simply occupying a high position within the family does not guarantee the ability to win over those above and below, understand the overall situation, or establish absolute authority.

Even though they already knew each other quite well, Chen Ping'an's understanding of Gu Qingchan was somewhat renewed at this moment.

That's really not bad!

Chen Pingan smiled.

However, looking at the stunningly beautiful woman before him, with her aloof and dignified demeanor and flawless skin, he still found it hard to connect her with the woman he had just pinched not long ago.

These aren't exactly two different people!?
The former held great power and authority, and was dignified and elegant in every gesture, while the latter seemed like a girl in love, feeling a little jealous.

With a free and easy temperament, one naturally exudes charm.

but
Chen Ping'an's gaze shifted, ultimately revealing a lingering sense of wariness.

Life is not a fairy tale, and spiritual practice is not a biography either; there is no such thing as love without a reason.

In this world, there may be people with romantic minds, but it's absolutely impossible for a female grandmaster to be one.

Especially the female grandmaster who has the potential to become a celestial queen.

Weighing the pros and cons and making careful considerations is what the adult world is all about.

When people get along, it's not always full of calculations, but it's impossible for them to be completely free of any ulterior motives.

The world is ultimately realistic; after living together for a long time, everyone will eventually have their own agenda.

Sharing life and death, entrusting one's life to another, asking nothing of oneself but only of one another—such feelings, while not impossible in real life, are undoubtedly extremely rare.

He also longed for pure and beautiful love, but unfortunately, he only experienced such love in his dreams.

Even the joy of youth will eventually fade with changes in status and the passage of time.

Along the way, I've seen many sights I'd never seen before, but I've also lost some precious things I once cherished. It wasn't that I actively abandoned them, but rather that time pushes you forward without leaving any warning or giving you a single word of reminder.

Some things that time cannot take away will eventually fade away for various reasons.

Wanting to buy sweet-scented osmanthus and carry wine together is not like a young man's journey.

Things remain the same, but people are gone; the past is gone, and people are no longer here.

Such flavors are also like this.

Perhaps the only one who could satisfy him was Gu Qingcheng, whom he married through proper channels.

just
Chen Ping'an had deep-set eyes and a calm expression, as if he were lost in thought.

Too much scheming ultimately leads to losing sight of one's original aspirations.

When you yearn for pure and innocent love, ask yourself if your heart is still that of a young person?

Chen Ping'an felt a slight unease, a feeling he couldn't quite describe.

Just then, a delicate, clear voice rang out.

"Ping An, come up here too. I have something to say to you."

Chen Ping'an was startled and suddenly looked up. He saw a bright and beautiful face revealed through the lifted carriage curtain. Her starry eyes were flawless and pure.

"Yes." Chen Ping'an replied respectfully, bowing with his hands clasped.

The Gu family members who came to greet them felt something was amiss, but since it was the elder's opinion, they should make the decision accordingly.

Chen Pingan lifted the curtain and climbed into the exquisitely decorated and magnificent carriage.

The carriage slowly began to move, heading towards the Gu family's residence. Inside the carriage, two people sat upright, looking at each other in silence.

Gu Qingchan wore a light blue dress, her hands folded on her lap, her posture dignified, elegant and quiet, exuding an innate nobility and reserve.

Chen Ping'an looked calmly at Gu Qingchan in front of him.

At this moment, his heart was slightly stirred, and he didn't know how to express it. One moment his thoughts were pure, and the next he was experiencing it firsthand. What he experienced was not Gu Qingchan's words, but those flawless and pure eyes.

Gu Qingchan sat quietly, looking at Chen Ping'an with a strange sense of nervousness.

should
No way.

Gu Qingchan was lost in thought.

There are so many people outside!
Because of his cultivation, Feng Wuhen received the news later than other forces.

Therefore, he did not choose to go out to greet them, but instead chose to wait in front of the Gu family's residence.

He had just arrived at the Gu family's residence when he saw a carriage approaching in the distance, accompanied by members of the Gu family.

"Qingchan!"

His eyes lit up with joy, and he immediately went to meet him.

　What will Mang Dao do in the next chapter?
　　
　
(End of this chapter)