Fifteen days ago, Author: Pig Heart Shrimp
Chapter 7: Jade Clear Heart Technique
Lady Yu Hua's slender figure stood straight, solemnly assessing the ordinary young man in front of her for the first time.
Her eyes, as calm as an ancient well, rippled with a hint of astonishment.
If not for the straw hat concealing her face, Gu Wen would see the goddess from beyond the heavens, detached from worldly power, looking at him with a mix of wariness and incredulity.
To show wariness towards a servant, a commoner deprived of opportunities.
As a representative of the Three Clear Sect in the mortal realm, Lady Yu Hua had five True Monarchs standing behind her, representing one of the sacred places in the cultivation world.
If not for the special nature of the Immortal Ascension Ground, any one of them could easily wipe out the entire Bianjing City from existence with a wave of their hand, leaving no trace behind.
In a day, they could destroy a nation.
If all five True Monarchs acted together, they could sever the earth's veins, turning thousands of miles into a barren land.
Conversely, they could protect the common people and bless millions of lives.
Beyond the Great Qian Dynasty, there had never been an emperor; at most, there were kings, which was the highest title a mortal could attain.
The Great Qian Dynasty was a special dynasty, and now was a special time, where it was normal for talented individuals to emerge.
But Gu Wen clearly was just an ordinary commoner, so how could he possess such courage and determination?
'Therefore, when Heaven is about to confer a great responsibility on any man, it will exercise his mind with suffering, subject his sinews and bones to hard work, expose his body to hunger, put him to poverty, place obstacles in the path of his deeds, so as to stimulate his mind, harden his nature, and improve wherever he is incompetent.'
Lady Yu Hua silently recited in her heart.
The more she pondered, the more she connected the dots, the more she understood his situation, the more amazed she became.
This was not a marvelous mantra, but it surpassed millions of cultivation methods.
Even she couldn't fully comprehend the profound meaning in it at that moment.
It likened the heavens and earth to a sharpening stone, revealing the hardships word by word.
If a True Monarch were to transcribe it, it would be an invaluable literary treasure.
These were the words of a great sage, yet they came from the mouth of a commoner.
Could it be that there was a master guiding him from behind?
Lady Yu Hua's thoughts turned, then shook her head in denial.
Those who could escape the scrutiny of divine senses in the world were few and far between, and it was absolutely impossible for Gu Wen to be oppressed by the Zhao family in such a way.
He wouldn't need to endure this much.
Gu Wen's experiences also supported this statement.
The Master had said that the Great Dao was not exclusive to cultivators but inherent in all beings, which was why various sects allowed their disciples to descend the mountains and experience the mortal world.
Even commoners could speak the truth, but only cultivators could comprehend the Great Dao.
Perhaps Gu Wen was the benefit of her worldly experience.
He could be considered a talent, reaping rewards due to his past actions.
With this in mind, Lady Yu Hua gently pulled the reins and approached Gu Wen.
"Lady Yu Hua?"
Beside them, Zhao Feng asked in confusion, but Lady Yu Hua did not answer.
She turned back to face Gu Wen on her own.
After a few encounters, Zhao Feng had already become somewhat accustomed to the independent behavior of this fairy, believing it to be the true demeanor of immortals.
Free-spirited, carefree, detached from the world.
Last night, a royal decree was issued summoning Lady Yu Hua to the palace, but she refused, and even the angel sent by the decree dared not complain, bidding farewell politely.
"I will impart to you a technique to test the descendants of the Gu family."
Lady Yu Hua once again stood before Gu Wen, looking down at him.
She extended her hand from the wide sleeve of her robe, her voice elegant and calm.
"Hold my hand, just for a moment."
Like most commoners, his meridians were blocked, but it didn't mean he couldn't cultivate at all.
It was just highly probable that he would never be able to draw in Qi throughout his life.
Gu Wen hesitated as he looked at the delicate palm before him, experiencing for the first time what it meant to have jade-like bones and icy skin.
Even the most exquisite courtesans in the brothels might not possess such skin texture.
He wasn't so easily swayed by a hand, but out of caution, he refrained from acting rashly.
Lady Yu Hua seemed to sense his hesitation and spoke again, "I won't harm you, not now, not ever."
If she wanted to harm me, she wouldn't need to beat around the bush.
With excellent mental composure, Gu Wen suppressed his doubts, carefully and gently holding the joints of her fingers, not daring to be too presumptuous.
Seeing him so cautious, Lady Yu Hua couldn't help but smile and took the initiative to hold his palm.
The delicate and cool touch was followed by a rush of coldness, as if a fire was ignited from the ice, spreading from his palm to his arm, directly into Gu Wen's mind, where countless azure scriptures appeared.
In an instant, Gu Wen felt as if the world was spinning, the scriptures revolving like stars and constellations in the sky, sometimes like clouds, sometimes like the sea, sometimes like mountains.
He couldn't understand, not at all.
As his vision gradually returned, the distant breeze brushed against his white robe, and the fairy had already departed.
Beside him, Jiang Fugui tugged at his sleeve, bringing Gu Wen back to his senses.
Seeing the respectful gesture, Gu Wen replied, "Sir, you have a discerning eye, I am deeply honored."
"Huh?" Gu Wen looked puzzled.
"No wonder you never visit the brothels, not even when the courtesans invite you. I thought you might prefer the brothel instead, but it turns out you disdain commoners and have eyes only for that celestial lady from the Ninth Heaven. It's a pity." Jiang Fugui shook his head with a sigh, his sly expression making him seem contemptible.
"That lady doesn't even dare to get too close to the Ninth Prince, are you sure you're not falling for her?"
"Get lost."
Gu Wen kicked Jiang Fugui on the buttocks, causing the skinny man to stumble and fall.
"That lady is of noble character, how could I dare to approach her?"
Whether he liked Lady Yu Hua or not was not important; his preferences were not within the scope of consideration.
The focus was on whether such words would spread and cause trouble, including but not limited to Lady Yu Hua and Zhao Feng.
Gossip was fearsome, and the higher one stood, the more cautious one had to be with words and actions.
And as for the femme fatale, with Zhao Feng's sycophantic appearance, he was afraid of being bitten by the dog.
Gu Wen turned to the ten personal guards.
Despite the dark thoughts in his heart, he smiled and had the servants bring in silver ingots, saying, "Brothers, today as I take office at the Gu residence, we must properly welcome and refresh ourselves."
The guards, who had initially been stiff, softened their expressions upon receiving the silver.
"Let's go, let's find a brothel to relax and enjoy ourselves."
That night, at the Longqiao Night Market, the bright moon shone overhead.
Gu Wen sat in a private room of a certain brothel in Longqiao, known for its poor sound insulation.
The sounds of pleasure from men and women constantly drifted into his ears, but it was also the least likely place to be overheard.
Around him, some of the ten guards were drunk, some were half-asleep, and the few who remained sober were captivated by the courtesans Gu Wen had spent a large sum to invite.
Soon, a group of girls entered and led all the guards away.
In the room, only Gu Wen and Jiang Fugui remained.
Jiang Fugui took out a pill to sober up, fuming, "Master, they are here to monitor you. Even though you've been ennobled, that Zhao Feng still dares to treat you like this."
"It's just an empty title. Without land and military power, I'm still a lamb to be slaughtered." Gu Wen sneered, "But Zhao Feng's tricks are limited. He actually sent ten people to monitor if I have any private contact with that celestial lady."
He couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity.
He had already prepared for the worst, thinking that the Zhao family had discovered his fate.
Or it was some mysterious divination, where he was an ill omen, bringing ruin to the Zhao family.
But it turned out that Zhao Feng suspected him of competing for the favor of the celestial lady, fearing that he would gain her approval.
In other words, it was jealousy and insecurity on Zhao Feng's part.
What a foolish move by this Zhao dog! He was so insecure that he had to guard against himself.
"Master, do you think that lady is really interested in you? Otherwise, as a prince, he wouldn't be so guarded against you." Jiang Fugui also found it unbelievable.
It wasn't entirely the case; after all, the name was not right.
Gu Wen glanced at him but didn't say it outright, "Have you been reading too many romance novels? Go rest. Tomorrow morning, go to the brothel and hire ten beautiful girls. Treat them well with good food and wine every day, but go easy on the aphrodisiacs. Make sure not to overdo it."
Lust was a double-edged sword; few could resist its allure.
"Yes, I'll make sure they experience heaven on earth and the dragon bridge on earth." Jiang Fugui revealed a hint of cold smile.
They were not to be trifled with; otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to control the Longqiao, a place of great wealth, without any trouble.
Murder, assassination, imprisonment, poisoning... they had seen it all, experienced it, and used it.
Jiang Fugui had followed Gu Wen step by step, from a beggar to being called "Marquis Wen" by countless people.
Sometimes he even felt that if the Zhao family's rule collapsed completely, Master Wen might achieve even greater things.
Only in chaotic times could one overlook one's origins.
As everyone left the room, the brothel's madam brought in a few young and beautiful courtesans to please Gu Wen.
Gu Wen dismissed them all and pondered the situation alone.
In his deep eyes, he reviewed the events of the day.
"Zhao Feng, you're asking for trouble."
Gu Wen rarely got angry; even when he found out his chance at immortality had been taken, he wasn't as furious.
Because immortality was an external object, it might be crucial, but losing it wouldn't make him useless.
Since his arrival, he had never received help in immortality, yet he had come this far.
But these ten personal guards could directly threaten his life.
Being monitored was inevitable, being threatened by force was normal; who knew how many military officers' families were in Bianjing.
But Zhao Feng underestimated him and overestimated the fools under his command.
Capable people within the court were almost extinct, or else they wouldn't let various feudal lords come in waves to attack one after another.
As for Lady Yu Hua...
An extraordinary figure involuntarily appeared in Gu Wen's mind, perhaps due to the nature of cultivators.
She was indeed different from ordinary women.
Even he sometimes found himself involuntarily captivated, understanding why Zhao Feng was so infatuated in just a few days.
But his intuition told him that Lady Yu Hua was not the type to fall in love at first sight.
Zhao Feng's foolish actions confirmed one thing: Lady Yu Hua might choose him.
Because of that heirloom?
With an illegitimate status, he needed to be on guard at all times, which was in line with his style.
Perhaps he couldn't leave Bianjing now; it was safest to stay under the watchful eyes of the Zhao family.
But what Zhao Feng desired and guarded against was no longer what he needed.
He wasn't the original descendant of the Gu family; he was just Gu Wen.
Gu Wen clenched his fist, then closed his eyes slightly, sinking into his mind.
A blue-green scripture appeared, with lines crisscrossing endlessly, resembling the fate of the universe.
When he first received the technique, he could feel a reaction in his fate, but he didn't dare to act rashly in front of everyone.
Now he urgently needed a means of self-defense, and there was no other technique he could cultivate.
If possible, Gu Wen didn't want something given to him by others, especially something he didn't understand at all.
But now he had no other choice.
The silent fate sent a slight ripple, and a golden light descended, making the previously obscure scripture clear and understandable in an instant.
The fate seemed to transform into a furnace of heaven and earth, with the ten years of celestial essence turning into a blazing fire melting the ancient and hard shell of the scripture, revealing the mysteries flowing into his body like warm soup.
Jade Clear Heart Technique: Path of Cultivation
In cultivating the Dao, one must first observe the heart.
The heart is the master of the spirit, and movement and stillness stem from the heart.
Without stillness in the heart, true cultivation is impossible.
The heart is the root of calamity and the essence of the Dao.
The heart surpasses all things; my will surpasses the heavens.
Moonlight crept into the room like vines, sprinkling starlight around.
The lights of Longqiao spread along the streets like starlight.
Gu Wen's breathing seemed to contain a certain rhythm, and a surge of Qi gathered in his lower abdomen, flowing through his entire body with clarity.
In just one breath, he had taken the first step into the Jade Clear Heart Technique.
Many books are now hard to find, so cherish what you have.