Chapter 24: Impending Danger

Gu Qingyi rode hard toward the outer gates of Xuanwu City, urging his horse onward.

Before long, he left the city behind, passing through the gates of Xuanwu City.

Once outside, Gu Qingyi was planning to hurry home to Sky Sword City when a sharp pain suddenly struck his chest. His vision went black and he tumbled heavily off his horse.

He had no idea how much time passed before he slowly opened his eyes. Staring at the unfamiliar surroundings, confusion filled him.

With effort, he parted his lips. His voice was hoarse as he asked, “Where am I? What is this place?”

“Oh, you’re finally awake, young man!” came an elderly woman’s voice.

Soon, an old woman walked over to Gu Qingyi.

She was short, but stood ramrod straight with a back that hadn’t bent with age.

Her skin was weathered like the bark of an old tree, every line telling stories of a long life and unique charm.

Gu Qingyi gazed at the elderly woman before him, his heart full of questions.

Seeing the dazed look on his face, her eyes turned kind. “Young man, this is my home. I found you collapsed by the roadside when I came back from the market today. You were out cold, right next to your horse. So I brought you back with me out of kindness.”

“Come now, drink this while it’s hot—freshly brewed medicine.” She held a steaming bowl in her hands. “Let me tell you, this concoction works wonders, whether it’s dizziness or passing out. Trust me, you’ll be as good as new after a bowl of this.”

“Drink up, quickly! It loses its effect if it gets cold,” she urged, holding the bowl in front of Gu Qingyi.

He stared at the bowl of inky black medicine, still steaming, a deep hesitation in his eyes.

In the end, under her persistent urging, he took the bowl with both hands and gulped it down.

An intense bitterness instantly filled his throat, as if he’d swallowed a mouthful of raw herbs. It was a taste he had no words for.

Gu Qingyi looked up at the old woman and asked, “Grandma, does this medicine really work?”

She frowned impatiently. “Oh come now, young man! Would I lie to you? How do you feel—any better? Planning to leave now, or do you want to stay for a meal?”

Gu Qingyi checked his body. Apart from a few scrapes, he was fine. Eager to hurry home, he politely replied, “Grandma, I should really get back, so I’ll skip the meal. Thank you for everything. If you ever need anything, you can find me at the Gu family in Sky Sword City. My name is Gu Qingyi. May I ask what should I call you?”

Her smile deepened. “Just call me Liu Yuemei.”

He nodded in gratitude. “Grandma Yuemei, I’ll take my leave then. Maybe we’ll meet again someday.”

Liu Yuemei tried once more to persuade him. “Are you sure you don’t want to eat before you go?”

Gu Qingyi shook his head. “No need, I really have to get home soon.”

Seeing this, Liu Yuemei finally gave up. “Well, I won’t keep you then. Safe travels, young man, and watch yourself out there—don’t go taking another fall.”

Liu Yuemei waved as he left.

Gu Qingyi mounted his horse and galloped off without looking back.

No sooner had Gu Qingyi disappeared than several shadows slipped from the trees nearby. Each of them was a third-tier Sword Emperor Realm expert.

It turned out these people had been sent by the same factions that once tried to assassinate Gu Qingyi.

After hearing the rumors that Gu Qingyi had become a cripple, they still weren’t satisfied and secretly investigated him for half a year.

Yet this investigation turned up a shocking truth: Gu Qingyi’s strength had not only recovered—it had soared even higher than before.

They all suspected he had some rare treasure. How else could someone thought crippled make such rapid progress, surpassing even his past self?

Fearing more surprises down the road, each power dispatched their elders.

The plan was twofold: first, kill Gu Qingyi and wipe out the Gu family; second, seize whatever artifact allowed a cripple to cultivate again and grow even stronger. No force would let such a prize slip by, so they all wanted to strike first.

But Gu Qingyi had holed up in Xuanwu City this whole time, and none dared provoke Nangong Wentian.

So night after night, they waited outside the gates, hoping to be the first to claim Gu Qingyi’s head.

Their patience finally paid off after half a year—Gu Qingyi had left the city, alone.

This was the perfect chance. Greed flickered in every eye, the air crackling with murderous intent as they all vied to be first.

Wang Laosan narrowed his eyes, watching as Gu Qingyi vanished into the distance. His voice came out cold and low, “Keh keh keh… Gu Qingyi is mine! Hands off, the rest of you!”

“Bull! He’s mine, Wang Laosan!” Wang Lin barked.

Wang Laosan flashed a sinister grin. “We’ll see about that… Whoever strikes first, gets him.”

“Then let’s see who has more guts!” Wang Lin shot back. “Enough talk—let’s move, or he’ll get away.”

With a flurry of motion, the figures melted into the night, giving chase, determined not to let Gu Qingyi escape.