Chapter 283 - 261: Capital City
Gu Haoran is well-connected and has friends in the State City, specifically within the Eight Righteous Sect. The particular sect wasn’t mentioned, and he didn’t ask.
During his stay in the State City, he lived at this friend’s house.
After nightfall, Chen Ming informed Gu Haoran before heading out to find Xia Mudan.
After he left, Gu Haoran’s friend was amazed, "Your nephew seems to have accomplished a lot of extraordinary things in the State City. Surprisingly, he still reports to you when he’s going out."
Gu Haoran smiled somewhat oddly, "Yes, my nephew always does things impeccably."
...
"Young Master Gu, you’ve finally returned."
When Chen Ming knocked on the door of Xia Mudan’s house, a young maid saw him and immediately burst into tears, "Miss was taken away by Madam, who said she’s to be married off to some old man in the palace. Please, go save her..."
Upon hearing this, his heart sank, "What exactly happened? Tell me in detail."
On hearing this, the maid choked with tears as she recounted the events.
On the third day after Chen Ming left the State City, Xia’s mother suddenly appeared and forcibly took Xia Mudan away. In that situation, she only managed to give the maid some hurried instructions.
The maid then stayed here, waiting for his return.
She waited like this for over a month.
After listening, Chen Ming remained calm and asked, "Wasn’t your Madam imprisoned by Gang Master Xia? How did she get out?"
"I’m not sure, it seems someone in the gang let her out."
"And where is Gang Master Xia?"
"I don’t know."
When asked about Xia Mudan’s current whereabouts, she didn’t know either.
Seeing her ignorance, Chen Ming stopped asking questions, instructed her to stay here, and then left.
On the way back, he contemplated, "Living off a woman isn’t as easy as it seems."
It seems like, years ago, the daughter of the Yan King was determined to marry Xia Shaowen, and surely she was passionately in love. Yet, twenty years after marriage, she was equally resolute to marry off their daughter into the palace.
It’s unlikely she never regretted this marriage.
Even if Xia Shaowen has reached First Grade and is starting to approach the Divine Treasure Realm, he still can’t compete with his noble-born wife.
For the Great Jin Emperor, who rules over twenty-seven provinces, what’s a mere Divine Treasure Realm?
...
Two days later, after completing the procedures and making arrangements for his five subordinates, Chen Ming set off for the Capital City together with Gu Haoran’s uncle and nephew.
Traveling north, they first took a boat, then switched to land travel half a month later.
When not in a hurry, Gu Haoran still valued the quality of life. Everything they ate and used had to be of a certain standard, and they rode in a luxurious carriage.
In this manner, they traveled leisurely, stopping and starting along the way, taking nearly a month before finally reaching the Capital City.
From afar, Chen Ming saw majestic towering walls, marked by the passage of time. It exuded an indescribable grand atmosphere.
This was a city rich in historical atmosphere. Reportedly, its population numbered in the millions, a staggering figure for this era.
As they passed through the city gates, Chen Ming noticed that the ordinary guards were all of Third Grade Cultivation.
If one asks where the most experts are in the world, without a doubt, it’s the Capital City of Great Jin. There’s a saying that if you randomly throw a brick and hit ten people, three would be of Third Grade Cultivation.
This is, of course, an exaggerated statement, but the Capital City indeed boasts many experts.
The World’s First Pavilion has built a pavilion in each of the twenty-seven provinces, with the Capital City being the exception.
The Capital City hides dragons and tigers, and one never knows which unremarkable alley might conceal a peerless expert. It is said that the Capital City once had a World’s First Pavilion, but somehow it offended a remarkable expert and was dismantled.
From then on, the World’s First Pavilion retreated from the Capital, never daring to set foot in it again.
The carriage drove slowly through the streets, as Gu Haoran advised Chen Ming, "The depths of the Capital are significant. There are families far more prestigious than our Gu Family. Act with caution. If you offend someone beyond our reach, I won’t be able to save you."
"I will heed Uncle Five’s advice."
Chen Ming understood this was a warning. Outwardly, he agreed solemnly, but what he truly thought was known only to him.
Duke Jingguo’s mansion is located in the inner city, the very core of the Capital City.
If not for Gu Xianyu’s identity, he wouldn’t even be able to enter.
Before entering the mansion, Gu Haoran said, "Once home, focus on your cultivation and ignore other matters. The Mid-Autumn Banquet is in one month; if you can secure the immortal residence slot for the Gu Family, I promise you won’t be mistreated."
"Alright."
Chen Ming responded with apparent submission but didn’t take it to heart.
Gu Haoran might genuinely mean what he said, but Chen Ming would never let others decide his fate.
Until the Mid-Autumn Banquet, he was at least safe.
During this time, he must exert all efforts to enhance his strength.
Thus, Chen Ming made a request, "Uncle Five, I would like to spar with some Second Grade experts to enhance my combat abilities."
Gu Haochuan furrowed his brow and said, "This matter might not be easy. There are only a few Second Grade people in the family, and they are not under my command."
He’s not the Family Head, the major power in the family is in the hands of Gu Xianyu’s biological father.
Chen Ming said, "Uncle Five, you also know I’ve just broken through to Second Grade not long ago. Being able to kill Du Rusong was all thanks to this Taiyue Sword. After that strike, the Taiyue Sword’s power greatly diminished. With my current strength, I might not be able to come out on top at the Mid-Autumn Night Banquet. To advance further, I need to find some Second Grade opponents to hone my martial skills. The more, the better."
Gu Haochuan found some truth in his words and couldn’t help but ponder where to find Second Grade experts to spar with him.
Chen Ming suggested, "Previously, when I was in Xiazhou City, I often sparred with prisoners in the jail. My significant improvement in strength was thanks to this. I wonder if Uncle Five has any connections..."
Gu Haochuan glanced at him, and for some reason, a trace of unease flashed through his mind, instinctively wanting to refuse. But the words caught in his throat and he swallowed them back down.
He thought carefully for a moment and felt there was no harm in this plan, then said, "I’ll consider it."
As he spoke, the carriage passed through the gates of the Duke Jingguo Mansion.
...
"Seventh Brother, you’ll be living with me from now on. We’ll be fellow disciples to outsiders."
Gu Zhengshan led Chen Ming to a courtyard and settled him in a guest room.
Chen Ming had no objections, and after the servants tidied the guest room, he stayed there.
"Seventh Brother!"
Suddenly, an excited voice came from outside, accompanied by a fragrant breeze. Gu Yuyin ran over happily, saying to Chen Ming, "You’ve finally returned. I was worried sick when I heard something happened to you. It’s so good to see you’re okay."
Chen Ming smiled and said, "Thank you, Sister, for your concern."
Gu Zhengshan arrived upon hearing this, "Ah, it’s Yuyin."
Gu Yuyin asked, "Fifth Brother, why is Seventh Brother staying with you here? Doesn’t he have his own courtyard?"
"His courtyard is too far away. By living with me, the master can teach us together, which is more convenient."
Gu Yuyin found this reasonable and said, "With Fifth Brother around, you won’t have to worry about being bullied anymore."
Gu Zhengshan said, "Today is different from the past. With Seventh Brother’s current strength, who could bully him?"
"True," Gu Yuyin said, "Eldest Brother and Fourth Brother have both returned. It’s rare for everyone to be together during this Mid-Autumn Festival."
Gu Zhengshan’s expression became slightly unnatural when Eldest Brother and Fourth Brother were mentioned.
Chen Ming, however, was well aware.
In the current generation of the Gu Family, the only ones eligible to compete for the position of Family Head are the Second and Third Brothers.
The Eldest Brother is of poor aptitude. He’s nearing thirty and hasn’t reached Third Grade, spending his days indulging in pleasure.
The Fourth Brother has decent aptitude but suffered a major blow in the past, becoming quiet and reserved, and stays in a village outside the city, rarely venturing out.
The Sixth Brother is already dead.
As for those behind, like the Eighth and Ninth Brothers, they’re still young and pose no threat to the Second and Third Brothers.
Those sent to assassinate Gu Xianyu were, without surprise, likely backed by either the Second or Third Brother.
The one indulging all of this is the current Family Head Gu Haoran, who is also Gu Xianyu’s biological father.
It’s unknown how Gu Haochuan will report about him to Gu Haoran.
And what reaction will the high echelons of the Gu Family have?
...
Chen Ming returned to the Gu Mansion without causing any stir.
Besides Gu Yuyin coming to visit him, no one else came. The Second and Third Brothers only sent gifts to congratulate him on his breakthrough to Third Grade.
He later found out that Gu Haochuan had spread the word to avoid interrupting his practice.
This was fine too, allowing him some peace.
Chen Ming initially thought Gu Haoran would summon him, but after waiting for two days, this convenient father never called for him.
Instead, he received a piece of good news.
Gu Haochuan helped him obtain a token allowing entry into the imperial prison. With this token, he could enter the prison and interrogate prisoners below Second Grade.
When Gu Haochuan handed the token to him, he felt delighted, cleverly using the enemy’s strength to enhance his own. This maneuver was indeed well-played.
Thus, in the days that followed, he boarded the Gu Family’s carriage each day to the prison, entering with the token, and sparred with Second Grade prisoners through interrogation.
It must be said, the imperial prison in the Capital City is indeed exceptional. Similar in mode to the prison in Xiazhou City, but significantly larger in scale.
There were over twenty Second Grade prisoners alone.
However, nine of them were untouchable for interrogation, being important prisoners.
These prisoners were not just from the Capital City; half were transported from various states of Great Jin to be interrogated and imprisoned in the Capital City.
It was said another area housed over a dozen First Grade prisoners.
Even some Divine Treasure Realm experts were held, but they were imprisoned one layer below. He did not have permission to enter the lower level, and thus could not meet those experts.
From then on, Chen Ming embarked on days of joyful experience grinding. Setting out early in the morning and after sparring with over a dozen Second Grade prisoners, he returned to the Duke Jingguo Mansion only after nightfall.