Marquis Wen knew that the Zhao Family could not possibly know that he possessed the Dao Foundation.
Gu Wen was certain of this.
Because the fact that he could stand here at this moment without being discovered by the Zhao Family already spoke volumes.
Putting oneself in the shoes of the Zhao Family, they wouldn't care about what an ordinary person like him did on a daily basis, as long as he moved under their watchful eyes.
In their eyes, Gu Wen was just a servant, easily crushed with a flick of their hand.
But now, Gu Wen had grown into a formidable figure, reaching the peak of the Second Stage of the Dao Foundation and on the verge of forging the Third Stage perfect Dao Foundation.
He had mastered the Military Dao, possessing a complete set of techniques for body protection, agility, and healing.
Ranked tenth on the Human List and fifth on the Earth List.
If the Zhao Family were to find out about any one of these, they would probably dispatch a hundred thousand Forbidden Army soldiers instead of just a few to monitor him.
And even those soldiers could be bribed.
However, when it came to sustenance, Gu Wen suddenly remembered something from the first time he met Yu Hua. "Yu Hua gave me a life-saving pill, saying that if I didn't take it, I might not live past my thirtieth year. And my health had been poor before that..."
Recalling his past of frequent heart palpitations and fatigue, Gu Wen's eyes deepened with a chill.
Not only did they want to snatch his chance at immortality, but they hadn't even planned to spare his life initially.
He thought he had reached the peak of his animosity towards the Zhao Family, that he had understood their despicable nature enough, but they always managed to surpass his expectations.
Could any individual be as despicable as the Zhao Family?
Gu Wen concealed his emotions so well that even the two prodigies from the sect beside him didn't notice.
They probably couldn't comprehend Gu Wen's feelings, like a person struggling to climb out of a quagmire, the closer they got to the storm, the calmer it became.
A genuine calmness from within, making it difficult to detect any anomalies.
Mu Rong Suyue asked in confusion, "Dao Emperor is renowned for alchemy, having once ranked first in the Alchemy Dao on the Earth List. He should be able to refine pills to supplement the Dao Foundation. Why take the risk of seeking out a prodigy with the Dao Foundation? Do they really have True Immortals among them?"
She found it hard to believe that anyone who could ascend to the Immortal Realm didn't have some background.
"We have always trafficked in intelligence in our sect, recording various matters very clearly. Recently, there have been rumors within the sect... come closer."
He Huan looked around, then pulled the two closer.
Due to Mu Rong Suyue's sturdy physique, she simply sat cross-legged.
Under the night breeze, his voice was barely audible. "Originally, the Guardian of the Yuqing Sect of the Three Pure Daoist Sects was not surnamed Zhao; the Zhao Family seized it."
Mu Rong Suyue widened her eyes, "How could the matter of the Guardian be so vague, changing hands so easily, being seized by others?"
He Huan replied, "We do not know the specific process, but it's not hard to guess. It's nothing more than wiping out the original Guardian family, then leaving behind a lone son to coerce and entice. The Zhao Family seized the opportunity of the Guardian, then turned to negotiate with the Daoist Sect, reaching a deal."
"Isn't Dao Emperor afraid that the Three Pure Daoist Sects will overturn the table?"
Mu Rong Suyue became even more incredulous.
He Huan smiled, "Can't Dao Emperor pay a hefty price to bribe the current head of the Three Pure Daoist Sects? And indeed, the Zhao Family's power in the Immortal Realm is significant. Even if they are dismantled by various sects, no one can stand alone against them."
"What does Brother Hongchen think?"
"Me?"
Gu Wen chuckled, "I'll just watch as he builds his vermilion tower, watch as he entertains his guests."
And then it won't be watching as his tower collapses, but watching as his inner treasury turns to ashes, and the streets are paved with the bones of officials and nobles.
He glanced at the Long Bridge, wondering if a single fire could burn everything clean.
After chatting for a while, the three bid farewell to each other.
During this time, Gu Wen learned another thing.
He had handed over the medicinal materials to He Huan before, who promised to help him find an alchemist to refine the pills.
But when he inquired, He Huan had passed the matter on to Mu Rong Suyue, asking her to go to Long Bridge and find Lu Chan to refine the pills.
Because she was currently the best alchemist besides the Dao Emperor.
Relying solely on illusions was not enough to make it into the top ten of the Earth List.
Many people, like Lu Chan, excelled in both areas.
The next morning, a royal envoy arrived at the Gu Residence, bearing an imperial decree.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees!"
"The country practices benevolence, with the well-being of the people as the top priority. Gu Wen, a merchant in the capital of Bianjing, has shown great virtue, generosity, and compassion. He has donated to the treasury, provided relief to the famine-stricken, and assisted in the emperor's benevolence beyond measure. The provincial governor has reported this, and I truly commend it..."
The title of marquis, which originally would have taken a year to process, suddenly landed in Gu Wen's hands ahead of schedule.
The matter of enfeoffment was understandable, considering that Gu Wen had no achievements to his name.
The court officials had been racking their brains to come up with accomplishments for Gu Wen during this period.
As for the issue of land and fiefdoms, there was no land left in Da Gan to bestow.
They could only have local aristocratic families give up their land, which would be a drawn-out affair.
The swift arrival of the title could also be understood.
As long as the Emperor personally supervised and urged, any matter could be swiftly completed.
Even if it would cause significant disruption to the social system, under the push of imperial authority, it could still be accomplished.
Gu Wen received the decree, and soon, there was jubilation throughout the residence.
A new plaque was hung high, and the residence was upgraded to a marquisate.
The personal guards were increased to thirty, with almost every corner of the residence patrolled.
While thirty people might not seem like many, when used to monitor one person, they could be divided into ten shifts.
It was known that even the personal guards of the imperial prince numbered the same, making it seem like a great favor from the emperor.
Where would an ordinary marquis have such a guard of Forbidden Army soldiers?
There was no reason for Gu Wen to remain low-key.
He had the servants decorate the residence, organize feasts, and entertain guests.
In no time, the name of Gu Wen spread throughout Bianjing City.
A merchant of low social status being enfeoffed as a marquis was enough to cause a sensation at any time.
Subsequently, countless aristocratic families flocked to his doorstep, with carriages lining up for miles in front of Gu Wen's residence.
The congratulatory gifts piled up, and Gu Wen even found some spiritual herbs among them, though not as good as the ones he had snatched from the Ministry of Imperial Affairs.
Gu Wen welcomed the guests with a smile, but suddenly, an old man dressed as a scholar lunged towards him, only to be promptly subdued by Qin Mian nearby.
The old scholar shouted hysterically, "Where is the justice? Where is the law? We scholars have toiled in the cold study for a decade, countless of us are frustrated and unfulfilled. And you, a mere merchant, a profiteer, what virtue and ability do you have to be enfeoffed as a marquis?"
The atmosphere fell silent, as to outsiders, this was undoubtedly causing a scene, hitting people where it hurt.
In the present Da Gan, one's status was not determined by achievements but by favor.
Gu Wen knew that explanations were futile.
Presently, he was seen as a traitor in the eyes of scholars and as unforgivable in the eyes of the common people.
This was enough to show how unpopular the Zhao Family was and how the revered 'rites and morals' deity reprimanded him.
Being a merchant was inherently evil, and standing high as a servant would only invite insults.
That's why Gu Wen had avoided the limelight before.
Just because he was not born noble, he had to bow and scrape all his life, even though he always acted with integrity, often helping the people in need.
Gu Wen said calmly, "Break his legs and throw him out."
What virtues did this old scholar have to criticize him?
The old scholar wailed outside, attracting a group of scholars who shared his sentiments, while the common people pointed and gossiped from afar, and within the high walls, the nobles enjoyed their revelry.
The banquet continued into the night with the clinking of cups still echoing.
Gu Wen, overwhelmed by alcohol, returned to his room, where the candlelight cast the shadow of the new guards outside the door.
'Arrogance is the source of self-destruction.'
Gu Wen extinguished the candle, sat down in meditation, and felt a slight vibration in his destiny.
Nineteen years of Heavenly Essence.
In one year of Heavenly Essence, he refined the Falling Moon Step to the Third Stage, Lingyue, where the practitioner moves as lightly as a feather, leaping three zhang in a single bound.
One zhang is three meters three centimeters, so three zhang is nine meters nine centimeters.
With a leap, he could fly over the city walls with just a push of his feet, and thirty palace guards couldn't hold him back.
Gu Wen muttered to himself, "I wonder when he will leave the palace?"
At this moment, he had never missed Zhao Feng so much.
Many books are now hard to find, so cherish them while you can.