Chapter Thirteen: The Obedient Disciple (Two-in-One)

Who exactly is Gu Yuye? He is a demon of the heart, a military saint, the feared and powerful Northern Prince whose name commands respect throughout the court. Calculating with flawless precision, his wisdom borders on the uncanny; ruthless and cold-blooded, he always plans before he acts.

No matter who they are, when someone mentions Gu Yuye, a chill runs down their spine. To oppose him is to tread carefully at every step, lest one perish without even knowing how. No one could have imagined what it would be like for Gu Yuye to be outmaneuvered and brought down.

Not even Gu Yuye himself ever considered it.

He never anticipated that the worthless scion he had painstakingly raised—one with ruined meridians and utterly useless—would one day transform into a venomous serpent and sink its fangs deep into him! All day long, he was striking down wild geese, but never thought he would be overthrown by a pig fattened for slaughter!

Relying on his years of habitual caution, Gu Yuye was not killed, but that was all—the narrowest escape. His connection with the war puppet meant that the shock and suddenness of death were the same for both of them.

For Gu Yuye, this was far more unbearable than mere defeat.

Because Gu Fangchen was someone he had watched grow up, every step was supposed to be within his grand design. Yet overnight, the entire chessboard was overturned.

Why?

That was the most shattering blow to Gu Yuye’s pride.

He could not fathom where he had gone wrong!

At what moment had Gu Fangchen hidden himself so deeply that even Gu Yuye could not see through?

Gu Yuye would never allow a speck of dust so easily brushed away to become the cause of his death.

Such a thing was a tremendous disgrace.

He must kill Gu Fangchen, no matter what—even the Military Saint could not stop him!

With a single stride, Gu Yuye closed the distance, his finger poised just before Gu Fangchen’s brow.

If he advanced but a fraction more, Gu Fangchen would be annihilated utterly—body and soul.

Yet Gu Yuye’s expression darkened further.

According to his calculations, his broken void step should have placed his finger squarely atop Gu Fangchen’s head, shattering the entire skull.

But in reality, he fell just short.

Once again, events had deviated from his expectations.

But this time, he quickly grasped the reason.

He had unconsciously used the terrain of the mountain where White Horse Temple once stood as a coordinate in his mind.

But tonight was different—

The entire mountain had shifted one inch to the right!

It was this seemingly inconsequential inch that saved Gu Fangchen’s life once more.

Gu Fangchen was unaware of this slight deviation, but if he knew, he would immediately recognize it as the effect of “Mandated by Heaven.”

It was because Ding Xingfeng, in calming the winds and waves across the lake, had inadvertently shifted the entire mountain one inch to the right.

This caused Gu Yuye’s miscalculation and his failure to kill Gu Fangchen.

At that exact moment—

“Snap!”

A gaunt hand grasped Gu Yuye’s wrist with unyielding precision.

“Tsk.”

An aged voice sounded:

“This kid just called out my name, and you still want to kill him? Do you really think I’m dead?”

Gu Yuye regained his composure, exhaled deeply, and lowered his gaze to meet a pair of murky eyes.

The dark-skinned, lean old fisherman appeared unremarkable, but to Gu Yuye, this face was all too familiar.

One of the seven second-rank masters of the era.

The undefeated Military Saint, Ding Xingfeng!

When Gu Yuye heard Gu Fangchen call out “Old Ding,” he had a premonition.

But Ding Xingfeng had secluded himself for years, even the Celestial Eye Division did not know his whereabouts. Why had he suddenly appeared at White Horse Temple, and how did he know Gu Fangchen?

An inexplicable fury flared within Gu Yuye.

He remained expressionless and said coldly:

“This rebellious son’s attempt to kill his father, I presume, has nothing to do with the Military Saint, senior.”

Ding Xingfeng shot a glance at Gu Fangchen.

Gu Fangchen looked pale, staring at the finger before his brow, but still managed a faint smile, shrugging his shoulders.

The meaning was clear: I’ve shown you once. Whether you keep your promise and ask for my help is up to you.

So young, yet even more ruthless than the roughest rogue on the streets...

Ding Xingfeng snorted coldly and began to slowly bend Gu Yuye’s wrist down:

“Do you even have a blood relationship? Father and son? Who just rushed all the way back from Huangtian City to kick this kid out of the prince’s mansion and make way for your own son?”

“You, the Northern Prince, sure are mighty—your words carry more weight than imperial edicts; whatever you say becomes law.”

“Besides, aren’t you clear on who first had the idea?”

Old Ding had no airs of a senior sage.

After all these years living at this wild ferry crossing, making a living fishing, he was no different than any ordinary old fisherman.

If something displeased him, or if he didn’t like someone, he would curse them out, chase them away, and then laugh heartily.

He lived carefree beyond measure.

Even if he had to return to the martial world, he would no longer play the hypocrite, saying whatever needed to be said.

Gu Yuye never expected the legendary undefeated Military Saint to have such a hooligan personality.

His wrist trembled slightly as they silently grappled.

Yet Gu Yuye felt as if before him stood an abyssal mountain, unfathomable and towering, no matter how much strength he exerted, he was pressed down inch by inch.

Who could withstand a Military Saint with mere physical strength?

Undefeated, indeed truly undefeated.

Naturally, Gu Yuye did not go all out, but tonight was no longer the time to strike.

First effort strong, then waning, then spent—Gu Yuye, a seasoned commander, knew this well.

He had tried three times to kill Gu Fangchen tonight, none successful—already a rare impulse.

Another attempt would be futile.

His plan to resolve everything this night was impossible.

However, the Military Saint’s intervention somewhat quelled Gu Yuye’s rage.

Because it proved that Gu Fangchen’s sudden transformation into a venomous serpent owed nothing to himself, but entirely to the Military Saint’s power.

Such understanding was the only rational one.

Gu Fangchen was still that worthless wretch, merely a pawn in someone else’s hand, fortunate enough to become useful.

To crush him would just require a bit more effort.

Gu Yuye fell silent for a few breaths, then willingly released his grip, stepping back to support Gu Yuandao, saying:

“I, too, was momentarily rash. The demonic cult’s strength is vast; if a spy has been by one’s side for years, anyone would toss and turn, waking in sweat at midnight.”

“Moreover, the situation is still unclear. Though not of blood, the crown prince bestowed by His Majesty has not been revoked. Therefore, Chen’er remains my son.”

He shifted tone:

“But tell me, senior, is it true that you were the one who caused Chen’er to strike at me?”

Gu Fangchen had already ducked behind Ning Caiyong, continuing to play the pitiful card.

Ding Xingfeng sneered and rolled his eyes:

“Yes, it was me. I ordered him.”

He said sarcastically:

“Who else could it be? This kid’s dantian is a puddle of rot, his meridians a tangled mess, he doesn’t even cultivate. How could he possibly kill the Northern Prince?”

Gu Yuye asked:

“Do I have a grudge with you, senior?”

“No.”

“Then did I offend you unknowingly?”

“No.”

Gu Yuye took a deep breath, feeling he had suffered more setbacks today than in his entire life.

He demanded coldly:

“Then may I ask, senior, does attacking a supreme prince of the court without cause mean harboring rebellion against the Great Wei?”

Ding Xingfeng grinned:

“Who says it was without cause?”

He pointed at Gu Fangchen:

“You offended this kid, which means you offended me.”

Gu Yuye fell silent again.

He pondered many reasons, but never considered that Ding Xingfeng truly acted for Gu Fangchen.

In his mind, Ding Xingfeng must be using Gu Fangchen as a pretext to strike at him.

There must be deeper reasons.

Because Gu Fangchen was not worth the Military Saint’s effort!

No, Ding Xingfeng simply did not want to say.

Gu Yuye’s gaze darkened, calm and poised, with a hint of amusement:

“Then, may I ask, senior, why do you protect this boy so? What is the reason? As far as I know, he has hardly ever left Huangtian. How did he come to know you...”

Ding Xingfeng chuckled:

“No need to know him.”

He stepped forward, slapped Gu Fangchen firmly on the shoulder, and declared confidently:

“I was wandering by the lake tonight when I happened upon this kid, and I was startled—he’s a once-in-a-millennium martial prodigy!”

“Immediately, I felt a kinship and took him as my true disciple.”

Gu Yuye’s expression stiffened.

Ning Caiyong: “?”

Gu Yuandao: “???”

Gu Fangchen: “...”

Ding Xingfeng slung an arm around him, smiling brightly:

“Good disciple, come call me ‘master’.”

Damn, the older the ginger, the spicier the bite.

Gu Fangchen twitched the corner of his mouth.

After much effort, he had managed to elevate Ding Xingfeng to an equal footing in conversation, strengthening his own voice.

But with just a few words, this old dog had pushed him back down.

It was hard not to suspect he was getting revenge for Gu Fangchen’s earlier threat to reveal his three most hated conditions for taking disciples.

Now, ironically, Ding Xingfeng had become a shield himself.

Gu Fangchen frowned, reluctantly biting out:

“Master.”

“Eh~”

Ding Xingfeng leisurely dragged out the syllable.

That brat had played a big trick on him; he’d better get some interest in return.

Having a disciple who could instantly kill a third-rank war puppet—even if this one had no cultivation—was not shameful.

Besides, as a grand Military Saint, did he care about talent when taking disciples?

After all, no one was more talented than he was.

Everyone present was stunned.

Martial prodigy? Gu Fangchen?

Those two words might as well be worlds apart.

Even when his dantian was still intact, Gu Fangchen’s talent was at best mediocre; now he was a complete cripple.

Less than an ordinary person!

What right did he have to be a disciple of the Military Saint?

Yet even Gu Yuye was momentarily speechless.

After all, that was the Military Saint.

Even if others didn’t care, could his legacy be dismissed so lightly?

This was a true disciple, not just a named one.

Even if Ding Xingfeng’s reputation was ruined long ago, his status in martial arts remained, and he was not so lost as to give up...

Gu Yuandao clenched his teeth, his chest heaving uncontrollably as he barely swallowed the surging blood.

Why?!

This guy had no cultivation and yet was chosen by the Military Saint as a true disciple.

Shouldn’t the most deserving be his younger sister, Gu Lianqian?

Impossible...

Gu Yuandao’s proudest achievement was becoming a true heir of the sage, inheriting the righteous spirit.

And now some wretched nobody suddenly became the Military Saint’s disciple?!

What was the meaning of all his years of effort?

Among those present, only Ning Caiyong seemed genuinely pleased.

Though she had never met the Military Saint, the leader of the Sword Pavilion had once encountered him and received guidance.

The Sword Pavilion still preserved the portrait of the Military Saint.

She could not comprehend the rapidly shifting situation, nor, even standing before Gu Fangchen, could she halt Gu Yuye’s murderous intent.

But she understood what the Military Saint’s recognition meant.

“Wonderful...”

Ning Caiyong stared blankly, a bitter sweetness rising in her chest.

She looked at Gu Fangchen’s profile, feeling both pride and loss.

The child she had protected all along seemed to have grown up all of a sudden... but she herself felt far less capable than she had imagined.

Ning Caiyong lowered her gaze.

She had vowed to protect Chen’er from Gu Yuye’s grasp, yet in the end, Chen’er had to face everything alone.

Gu Fangchen felt a faint tug at the sleeve he held, as if someone wished to pull him away.

He blinked and turned to see a bowed head.

The atmosphere was heavy, as if rain fell upon that crown of hair.

Gu Fangchen’s expression remained unchanged; he gently released the sleeve.

Ning Caiyong hesitated, her figure wavering slightly.

She instinctively raised a hand but then lowered it in resignation.

At that moment, the young man swiftly reached out and grasped Ning Caiyong’s cold, jade-like fingers.

He held them tightly.

Ning Caiyong was startled at first, then turned shyly away, pursing her lips.

This child...

But the hand that held hers did not loosen; instead, it pressed closer.

“It seems tonight’s matter was a misunderstanding by the Military Saint.”

Gu Yuye clasped his hands behind his back and spoke first, setting the tone.

“I was merely following His Majesty’s orders to investigate whether my son had colluded with the demonic cult. Who would have thought it would provoke the Military Saint’s intervention?”

“The investigation can be conducted with patience. As for tonight, I suggest the Military Saint and my son come to the mansion for a discussion.”

“That may not be possible as the prince wishes.”

Suddenly, a servant shrouded entirely in a black cloak appeared beside them, speaking calmly.

The servant lifted her head; her entire face was wrapped in bandages, save for a pair of golden eyes that blossomed with an ethereal lotus, sacred and solemn.

Everyone’s pupils constricted—Adept Servant of the Divine Sound!

The three Adept Servants of the Divine Sound in the Dharma of Tara were Princess Prajna’s personal attendants and high-ranking members of the Dharma, each with cultivation rank no lower than fourth grade.

How could she be here?

The servant respectfully bowed and said:

“The princess requests the crown prince to visit White Horse Temple as her guest.”