In Emei, start by obtaining golden attributes.

Chapter 436 Sorrow deepens, sorrow intensifies
With these two terms combined with Gu Shaoan's current "Great Shift of Heaven and Earth" and "Invincible Vajra Divine Skill", Gu Shaoan not only has a strong attack, but also a strong defense.

The reason why Gu Shaoan chose to use "Sword Eleven: Flying Immortal" instead of "Sword Nine: One Sword Across the World" and "Sword Moment: Dawn" when he fought Zhang Sanfeng was because the power of "Sword Eleven: Flying Immortal" was currently the limit that Gu Shaoan himself could withstand.

Therefore, as long as Zhu Qiyang, the strongest in the court, does not exceed the limit that Gu Shaoan can withstand, let alone fighting two against one, even if Zhu Houzhao joins in, and all three attack at the same time, Gu Shaoan will be invincible.

Having ascertained the situation, Gu Shaoan spoke up: "Does Master Zhang recall that I previously discussed Zhu Houzhao's next plans with him?"

Zhang Sanfeng nodded and said, "Of course, otherwise, why would I have bothered to make a trip to the palace to investigate in secret?"

Gu Shaoan continued, "During this time, while I was away, I unexpectedly discovered some other things and also learned that Zhu Houzhao's next plan is indeed as we thought. When the Azure Dragon Society re-emerges and the court uses the Azure Dragon Society to take control of the martial arts world of the Great Wei Kingdom, it will begin to prepare for war with the Great Yuan Kingdom."

At this point, Gu Shaoan paused before continuing, "The first step is for the imperial court to join forces with top-tier martial arts masters to launch a surprise attack on the Great Yuan Kingdom, eliminating the Great Yuan Kingdom's Eight Masters Ba and Si Hanfei, two masters at the Celestial Realm, along with a host of other top-tier masters and their backers, thus severing the martial arts tradition of the Great Yuan Kingdom and preparing for the Great Sui Kingdom's subsequent annexation of the Great Yuan Kingdom and the Great Wei Kingdom."

Hearing what Gu Shaoan said, Huang Xuemei and Abbess Miejue felt a chill and involuntarily gasped.

Zhang Sanfeng did not speak. He had already vaguely guessed about Zhu Houzhao's matter when he talked with Gu Shaoan and Gu Santong on Wudang Mountain last year.

While Zhang Sanfeng waited, Gu Shaoan said, "This series of plans against the Great Yuan Kingdom were not initially conceived by Zhu Houzhao, but were secretly influenced and led by another person."

After a pause, under the gazes of the three, Gu Shaoan continued, "This person is Bai Xiaosheng of Bai Xiaoge."

Upon hearing the name "Bai Xiaosheng," the other three people in the pavilion reacted in different ways.

Abbess Miejue and Huang Xuemei looked surprised, clearly not expecting that the mastermind behind these events would be Bai Xiaosheng.

Zhang Sanfeng gently stroked his white beard.

"The All-Knowing Scholar? Back when the All-Knowing Pavilion created a weapon ranking list, I had a feeling that this All-Knowing Scholar was no good. I never expected him to go this far."

Thinking it over, Zhang Sanfeng looked at Gu Shaoan and said, "What benefit does Bai Xiaosheng gain from instigating these things behind the scenes? Does Bai Xiaoge want to pledge allegiance to the imperial court?"

Gu Shaoan shook his head and said, "If this is considered good, then I wouldn't need to go through all this trouble."

After thinking for a moment, Gu Shaoan said, "Currently, Bai Xiaosheng is a person of the Great Sui Kingdom, and his purpose is to provoke the Great Wei Kingdom and the Great Yuan Kingdom to fight each other to the death."

Huang Xuemei narrowed her eyes: "An inside traitor?"

Gu Shaoan nodded in acknowledgment.

Upon learning that Bai Xiaosheng was actually from the Sui Dynasty, Zhang Sanfeng's expression suddenly became serious.

How family members want to have fun is their own business.

If the Great Wei Kingdom were to go to war with the Great Yuan Kingdom and something went wrong, it would be due to the incompetence of the Great Wei court and royal family.

But when an outsider comes to the Great Wei and stirs up trouble, the situation changes.

Zhang Sanfeng asked, "No, the information you just received records that Yang Guang was killed by Yuwen Hua's coup in Jiangdu last April. Now the four major clans in the Sui Dynasty are in conflict. At this time, what is Bai Xiaosheng up to?"

Gu Shaoan was not surprised to hear what Zhang Sanfeng said.

The Great Wei Kingdom, the Great Yuan Kingdom, and the Great Sui Kingdom already had trade relations.

Such a momentous event as the emperor's assassination would take a year for the news to spread throughout the Great Wei Kingdom.

Gu Shaoan said, "If we don't attract the attention of the Yuan and Wei Kingdoms at this time, given the current situation of the Sui Kingdom, it will be a problem for the Sui Kingdom if it attracts their attention."

As soon as the words were spoken, the phrase "driving away wolves to devour tigers" immediately came to mind for the three of them.

Zhang Sanfeng, who had just been speaking, suddenly fell silent.

After a few breaths, Zhang Sanfeng spoke, "What do you plan to do?"

Gu Shaoan replied, "I have already sent a message to Zhu Houzhao through the Imperial Guards of Jiading Prefecture. If nothing unexpected happens, Zhu Houzhao will arrive in a few days to a month. At that time, I will mention the matter of Bai Xiaosheng to Zhu Houzhao."

Zhang Sanfeng asked, "Do you have any evidence to prove that Bai Xiaosheng is a citizen of the Great Sui Dynasty?"

Gu Shaoan shook his head: "No."

Zhang Sanfeng rolled his eyes and said, "Without evidence, do you think that young emperor would abandon his original plan based on your one-sided statement?"

In this world, what is hardest to give up is one's own hard work and dedication.

Zhu Houzhao's ability to orchestrate such a grand strategy against the Yuan Dynasty was not achieved overnight.

Once the Great Wei Kingdom is able to annex the Great Yuan Kingdom, not to mention other places, Zhu Houzhao will definitely be remembered in history.

Although Zhang Sanfeng and Zhu Houzhao had only met a few times, Zhang Sanfeng could see Zhu Houzhao's ambition and that he would never easily change his mind once he made a decision.

Gu Shaoan knew exactly what Zhang Sanfeng had said.

Often, knowing something in advance doesn't guarantee that it will happen.

Because what truly drives things is the human heart and desires.

As long as these two points remain unchanged, things will always move in one direction.

Gu Shaoan said, "I know, so I will only mention it briefly. If I can persuade him to stay and avoid war between the two countries, which would be the best thing. If Zhu Houzhao insists on doing so, I will only discuss some conditions with him."

Zhang Sanfeng raised his eyes and said, "That's it? Did you call this old Taoist priest over just to give you some support?"

Gu Shaoan smiled and said, "If you want to negotiate, you must first understand the details of both parties. Otherwise, how will you know what price to negotiate to?"

"Although I am somewhat confident in my own strength, I can't very well go to the palace and fight with the court officials to judge the situation there. It is most appropriate to ask Master Zhang to examine me."

Gu Shaoan only spoke about his own side, but Zhang Sanfeng also knew that there were no trivial matters involving the two countries.

If Zhang Sanfeng had known Zhu Houzhao's arrangements in advance, he could have made arrangements for Wudang in advance, which would have only benefited Wudang and not harmed it.

Thinking of this, Zhang Sanfeng sighed softly and said, "Disciple is more thoughtful than Master in doing things. With you in the Emei Sect, how can it not prosper?"

After saying that, Zhang Sanfeng looked at Abbess Miejue and asked, "Where does this old Taoist live?"

Zhu Houzhao had not yet arrived, so Zhang Sanfeng could only wait at the Emei Sect for the time being.

Abbess Miejue pointed to a courtyard to the east and said, "The main house in that courtyard is where Shao'an used to live. It will be difficult for Master Zhang to live there for the time being."

Zhang Sanfeng glanced at the courtyard where Gu Shaoan lived, then at the courtyard of Abbess Miejue not far from the pavilion.

After thinking for a moment, Zhang Sanfeng nodded and said, "It must be hard for you to have lived so close to your master and not been affected by his bad temper all these years."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Sanfeng's figure disappeared into the pavilion. Immediately afterward, the three of them clearly heard the creaking sound of the door opening and closing.

The next moment, Abbess Miejue stood up abruptly, glaring angrily at the courtyard in the distance.

Seeing that Zhang Sanfeng had already closed the door, Miejue snorted coldly and sat back down.

After Gu Shaoan refilled Abbess Miejue's cup with tea, Abbess Miejue looked at Huang Xuemei standing to the side.

"Now that you and Shao'an are together, as your master, I need to ask you first: do you have any plans to marry Shao'an?"

When asked by Abbess Miejue, Huang Xuemei turned her head to look at Gu Shaoan and nodded gently: "If Master does not mind, Xuemei is willing."

Abbess Miejue asked, "So, after the marriage, what are your plans regarding the Heavenly Dragon Sect?"

Without hesitation, Huang Xuemei replied, "This disciple is willing to follow Master's arrangements."

Faced with Huang Xuemei's attitude, Abbess Miejue couldn't help but nod inwardly.

After thinking for a moment, Abbess Miejue said, "You heard it clearly just now. The emperor of the court is too ambitious. Wudang and Shaolin are already in Zhu Houzhao's schemes, let alone other first-class forces. I'm afraid the martial world will not be peaceful in the future."

"We'll arrange the marriage after this matter has calmed down. The Heavenly Dragon Sect is not a demonic sect. If you want to continue leading the Heavenly Dragon Sect, I won't object. If you don't want to, you can arrange the necessary matters to go to Emei afterward."

"I have only one requirement for you: always put yourselves first, never join the evil side, and never aid and abet the wicked. As for the rest, you can arrange it yourselves. As long as you are well, that's all that matters."

Huang Xuemei had heard of Abbess Miejue's reputation before.

When Huang Xuemei visited, she thought that Abbess Miejue would be very critical of her, but she never expected that Abbess Miejue's attitude would be so gentle.

Moreover, there were almost no overly strict requirements placed on her, which surprised Huang Xuemei.

But when her gaze fell on Gu Shaoan, Huang Xuemei immediately felt relieved.

The kind of master you have will produce the kind of disciple you become.

In Huang Xuemei's view, how could Abbess Miejue be as unreasonable and domineering as rumored, given that she could teach a disciple like Gu Shaoan?

Those reputations in the martial arts world are likely just malicious slander by some people.

"If Shaoan ever does anything wrong in the future, you can come to me for help. I will always help those in the right, not those in the family."

Hearing Abbess Miejue's last words, Huang Xuemei smiled and said, "Thank you, Master."

Abbess Miejue grunted in agreement, then waved her hand and said, "Alright, go about your business!"

Upon hearing this, Gu Shaoan, along with Huang Xuemei, bowed to Abbess Miejue and then turned to head towards the West Garden.

After the two left, Abbess Miejue glanced at the house where Zhang Sanfeng was and snorted, "With a disciple like this, it's no wonder this humble nun can hold her head high! My Emei Sect has successors, but I don't know who these people are, worrying themselves sick and their hair has turned white, and in the end they can't even find a suitable successor. Sigh~"

As soon as she finished speaking, Abbess Miejue faintly heard a "crack" sound, as if something had broken.

This made Abbess Miejue feel a sense of satisfaction.

Inside the house in the distance, Zhang Sanfeng expressionlessly turned his hand over and crushed the shards of the teacup on the table into powder before suddenly sighing.

When Zhang Sanfeng saw Zhang Wuji and Song Qingshu in Wudang, he would unconsciously think of Gu Shaoan.

After comparing them, I couldn't help but feel a little melancholy.

After arriving at the Emei Sect, Zhang Sanfeng couldn't help but think of Song Qingshu and Zhang Wuji when he looked at Gu Shaoan.

Then, sorrow deepened, and sorrow only intensified.

"So, this old Taoist priest can't stay in Wudang or Emei anymore, is that it?"

A short while later, in the West Garden.

As dusk faded, a thin wisp of sunset lingered on the horizon, like silk being caressed by the mountain breeze.

The West Garden is tranquil and serene. In the distance, layers of mountains rise and fall from the clouds and mist. You can see the texture of the mountain ridges up close, and they look like an unsigned painting from afar.

Gu Shaoan led Huang Xuemei on a slow walk around the garden.

There was no rush to say anything; I simply let my footsteps follow the corridor and stone steps. Occasionally, a breeze would pass through the bamboo forest, lifting the corners of my clothes and making a rustling sound, which seemed to smooth out the turmoil in my heart.

A moment later, the two sat down in the pavilion.

Outside the pavilion, an old pine tree stretches its branches in, and its needles, combed by the wind, release a faint fragrance.

Huang Xuemei sat upright for a moment, her gaze naturally falling on the distant mountain scenery.

The mountain scenery unfolded layer by layer in the twilight, like ink gradually fading from dark to light. Clouds drifted slowly among the peaks, sometimes gathering and sometimes dispersing, making one unconsciously slow down their breathing.

Looking at the scenery in the distance, Huang Xuemei's innate vigilance and tension, which she had felt before stepping into Emei Mountain, quietly eased a little.

After a long while, she softly exclaimed in admiration:
"The Emei Sect is indeed a good place."

Gu Shaoan did not respond immediately, but simply picked up the teapot.

With a slight tilt of the wrist, the clear tea water dripped down gently, making an extremely soft sound, which only made the stillness of the pavilion seem even more pronounced.

When the tea was seven-tenths full, he put down the teapot, pushed the teacup in front of Huang Xuemei, and spoke in a calm tone, as if he had spoken with great composure.

"If the people around you are right, nothing will be bad."

Upon hearing this, Huang Xuemei's eyes flickered slightly.

She turned to look at Gu Shaoan. The twilight outside the pavilion fell on his profile, neither too intense nor too cold, just enough to clearly outline his features.

At this moment, Huang Xuemei suddenly felt that no matter how quiet and open the mountain scenery was, it was nothing more than "external things". What truly put her mind at ease was the unassuming and unpretentious words that echoed in her ears, words that were so certain that no one could doubt them.

Huang Xuemei withdrew her gaze, picked up her teacup, and took a small sip. The tea was slightly bitter with a sweet aftertaste, as if it had suppressed her worries along with it.

She nodded, her voice equally soft, but gentler than before.

"That's right."

A breeze swept past the pavilion, ruffling the corner of their sleeves, and the bamboo shadows swayed, as if silently echoing their words.

(End of this chapter)