Chapter Sixty: Looking Down on Me

Adjacent to the ethereal sect, beyond the endless deep mountains, lay the Purple Gold Royal Court, a power of moderate strength in the region.

The Purple Gold Royal Court governed twelve prefectures, each with twelve cities. Verdant City was a directly governed city of the Southern Yan Prefecture under the Royal Court.

"Qing, my worthy nephew, from the moment I first met you, I sensed you were no ordinary man. Yet I see now I still underestimated you," said Uncle Cang, his tone warm with admiration.

"Uncle Cang, please, you'll kill me with your praise."

"Haha, very well, I won't flatter you anymore."

...

"The triennial Court Celebration of the Purple Gold Royal Court is nearly upon us—just half a month away."

"The Court Celebration?"

"Yes. Simply put, every three years our Royal Court holds a grand selection ceremony for talents. Those chosen may serve as court officials or be sent out to govern territories with military command."

"These days, the four great families of the Royal Court have grown ever more powerful. Together, they now rival the strength of the court itself."

"Is the Royal Court truly so weak now, or have the four families simply become too mighty?"

"They say that when the Supreme Emperor of the court advanced to mid-stage Soul Transformation, something went awry. He has remained in seclusion for decades, never to emerge. The deterrence of old is now all but gone..."

"So that's how it is."

"Some prefectures and cities have long since been infiltrated by the four families, their garrisons practically their private armies..."

"As for our Southern Yan Prefecture, Prefectural Guardian Song Wuji once owed his life to the present emperor during a moment of life and death. All these years, he has steadfastly supported the Royal Court, which is why the four great families see him as a thorn in their side..."

How complicated! No wonder every sect sends its disciples out into the world—otherwise they'd all end up naïve and ignorant, thought Gu Xiaopang with a sigh. As long as no one provoked him, he was content to let them go their own ways and mind his own path.

In the end, especially under the twin sisters’ sweet pleas, Gu Xiaopang could only agree, albeit reluctantly, to accompany them ten days later.

Ten mornings hence, as Gu Xiaopang sat cross-legged refining his internal true qi, he found that despite his efforts to suppress it, his cultivation had passively advanced to the late Foundation Establishment peak. The amount of liquefied true qi within him had far surpassed two-thirds. If he wished, with his current strength he could break through to perfection, or even force his way into the False Core stage and challenge the barrier to Golden Core.

"Brother Changqing, get up! We're all set to leave!" cried the two girls, dressed in white and green, as they skipped to his door, their voices ringing with excitement.

"The court seeks talents, not brides. Is it worth getting this worked up over?" Gu Xiaopang teased with a grin as he opened the door.

...

"Settle in, everyone. We'll head to the Prefectural Governor's mansion first; it should take about two hours," said Cang Aotian.

Four swift wind horses pulled two carriages in tandem, flanked by a hundred armored guards under Captain Sun Chenghu.

Cang Aotian, riding in the lead carriage, was giving instructions to the three young talents, while in the rear, the two girls chattered incessantly, their laughter filling the air.

Without pause, two hours soon passed.

...

"Verdant City is unlike Southern Yan Prefecture. After years of development, it is a thriving metropolis. If you youngsters grow restless, feel free to explore the markets—just don't get separated."

"I'll go report to the governor first. See you later at the guest manor," said Cang Aotian, before leaving with a burly deputy, whose face could barely conceal his excitement. No doubt, Cang Aotian intended to nominate him as Deputy City Lord.

The seven of them—two girls and five boys—strolled leisurely toward the lively, bustling market.

Having witnessed Gu Xiaopang's power on the night of the ambush, Captain Sun Chenghu, along with the three young talents who had been sternly instructed by their elders, followed respectfully behind Gu Xiaopang and the two girls.

Soon, the two girls flitted about like butterflies, glancing here and rifling through trinkets there, while the four men behind were soon laden with all manner of pretty but mostly useless items.

...

"Well, well, young ladies—would you do me the honor of sharing a drink with me?" drawled a dissipated youth, his powdered face marred by a mole, his steps light and frivolous, and a folding fan flicking idly in his hand.

"Indeed, to catch our young master's eye is a fortune earned in your past lives," another sycophant chimed in.

"Not interested," replied one sister coolly.

"Move aside! A good dog doesn't block the way," snapped the other.

...

"Fiery! I like that, hahaha," the young rake laughed. "Boy, lend me these two beauties for the night and this pouch of spirit stones is yours."

He tossed a bag of spirit stones at Gu Xiaopang with a self-satisfied air.

"Brother Changqing! If you keep acting like a money-grubber, I won't talk to you anymore!" pouted one of the girls.

"Me neither!" added the other, both surprised and indignant as Gu Xiaopang nonchalantly caught the bag, grinning and counting the stones.

"At least this brother knows how things work!" the young fop declared. "Boys, take the young ladies to the Emerald Breeze Pavilion."

"Right away, young lord. After you."

The young master, attended by a silent, expressionless old man, turned to saunter off, his steps exaggerated in self-importance.

Suddenly, cries of pain and shouts of outrage erupted behind him.

"My leg!"

"Let go of me! How dare you—do you know who my young master is?!"

...

Hearing the commotion, the young master turned in surprise, his expression darkening with a cruel smile.

"Old Ge, deal with these brats for me. I want to get back and enjoy my prize," he ordered.

"Young master, my duty is only to protect your safety, not—"

"You dare defy me? Don't forget about your little Chi..."

A heavy sigh escaped the old man as he rose into the air, unleashing the pressure of the False Core stage upon Gu Xiaopang's group.

"Golden Core level?" the three young talents and Captain Sun Chenghu exclaimed in unison, forced back several paces, their faces pale as they looked to Gu Xiaopang, who remained unmoved, calmly counting his money.

"Don't worry. It's only a False Core," Gu Xiaopang said lightly.

"Big talk from a brat!" spat the young fop. "And only twenty-some low-grade spirit stones in your pouch—you insult me! Now I'm angry! The consequences will be severe!"

With a flash of movement, Gu Xiaopang vanished, his ethereal steps bringing him face to face with the young master. Before Old Ge could react, Gu Xiaopang's hand was around the young man's neck, lifting him off the ground.

The youth's terrified eyes darted to Old Ge, pleading for rescue.

"You have my respect, boy," sighed Old Ge. "Let my young master go, and I'll see you and your friends leave unharmed. He won't pursue the matter."

"Are you talking to me?" Gu Xiaopang retorted. "Just now you used your pressure to bully us without a second thought, and now you want to pretend nothing happened?"

"I did not wish to harm you..." Old Ge began, but before he could finish, he darted forward, one hand striking for Gu Xiaopang's chest, the other aiming to break his grip.

With a thunderous crash, Old Ge's body was sent hurtling into a high wall at the edge of the marketplace, leaving a deep indentation as Gu Xiaopang withdrew his leg.

"All of you, get lost!" Gu Xiaopang shouted, suddenly furious at the gawking crowd, whose incessant chatter was beginning to grate on him.

"If anyone knows this brat, go tell his family to come ransom him. I'm sure they'll know where to find me!"