Chapter Fifty-Four: The Grandmaster of the Martial World

By the time I returned from Lanqing’s Yiyuan, it was already evening. As I entered the house, I saw Huo Qian pacing back and forth in silence at the door, his expression hinting at a troublesome matter.

The moment Huo Qian saw me, he hurried over in a fluster. “Ting, Uncle Gu is here. He’s been waiting for you all evening. I was going to send someone to fetch you, but Uncle Gu said there’s no rush since today is an important day for you—he’d wait.”

I frowned, sensing a storm brewing. “Huo Qian, you’re usually so reliable. Uncle Gu’s here and you let him wait all day? Did he say what this was about?”

“Not a word. He’s just cooling off in the garden. Liu Hao is with him now.”

Seeing me so anxious, you’d know at a glance this visitor was no ordinary man. Just as I was about to head to my room with Xiao Lianshan, you stopped me.

“Yanhui, come with me to meet Uncle Gu. Lianshan, you and Qianling see that Anqi is settled.”

Gu Anqi, technically Lanqing’s niece, had come all the way from Hong Kong. You insisted she wouldn’t stay at the Jinjiang Hotel any longer—there was plenty of space at the house, after all. So, on Lanqing’s repeated request that the daughter of an old friend be well looked after, you brought her home.

If, in front of Lanqing, you appeared cautious out of respect, then in the presence of this so-called Uncle Gu, your demeanor betrayed pure reverence. I’d rarely seen you appear so wary.

“Ting, who exactly is this Uncle Gu?” I asked, trailing behind.

“He’s in his seventies and still can’t sit still. Coming here at this hour can’t be for anything good,” you muttered, as if you hadn’t heard my question.

“Uncle Gu’s full name is Gu Xiaotian,” Huo Qian explained quietly. “In his youth, he was a legend who dominated the world. In our circles, hierarchy is everything, so everyone calls him Uncle Gu.”

“Seventy-something?” I couldn’t help but smile with surprise. “At his age, you’d think he’d be enjoying retirement. Why are you so tense at the mention of his name?”

“No one pays a visit for no reason. Uncle Gu hasn’t meddled in our affairs for over a decade. If he comes tonight and waits all day, it must be something extraordinary. For him to make a move, it won’t be a trivial matter,” you replied, voice low as we made our way forward.

Seated on the bench in the garden was an old man—presumably Gu Xiaotian. At first glance, he seemed quite ordinary: elderly, leaning on a cane, simply dressed, his sparse hair silver-white and his face a little withered with age. Yet, as he sat upright on the bench, his posture was straight as an unsheathed sword, exuding an unspoken authority. His features were high and broad, promising dignity, and the shape of his brow and jaw suggested a life of prosperity in his later years.

His face was stern, his brows sharp as blades—a face that commanded obedience and inspired fear.

“Uncle Gu, if you were coming, you could have given advance notice. I would’ve come to fetch you myself,” you said, standing respectfully and not daring to sit, just like Liu Hao beside you.

“Look at you, your belly’s grown in just a few years,” Gu Xiaotian remarked with a smile. “You’re halfway into your coffin already. Take care of yourself—one morning you might not wake up.”

You bent with a forced grin. “You’re right, sir. I’ve got dozens of people to feed, so I can’t slack even if I wanted to. Unlike you, enjoying your years of leisure—over seventy and still in fine health. If I keep at it for a few more years, perhaps I’ll be like you: retire rich and live in peace.”

“Can’t slack? Money can’t be taken with you, you know. The only thing that’s truly yours is your health. If you want to live a little longer, learn to let go.”

He patted the bench beside him, gesturing for you to sit. I glanced at him—an ordinary old man, even needing a cane to walk, but the respect he commanded was unmistakable.

“I heard you’ve been lucky—found the Ming Thirteen Tombs?” he asked, turning his head nonchalantly.

You froze, lips twitching for a moment before replying with a dry laugh. “Just a rumor—there’s barely a clue. If I really find them, I’ll let you know at once. I haven’t forgotten our rules.”

“Let me know?” Gu Xiaotian scoffed. “Thunder, I’ve always admired you for your ruthlessness, wit, and loyalty. Most of all, you’ve always spoken the truth. Tell me honestly—how long do you think I’ve got left?”

Your expression faltered at his words. “With your health, you’ll easily live to ninety.”

“See? They say the older you get, the craftier you become. Even you can’t speak plainly now,” Gu Xiaotian replied with a wry shake of his head. “I know my own body. Frankly, I had my coffin made last month and picked out my own burial clothes. I found a plot back home. After drifting all my life, it’s time to return to my roots. I don’t want to be cremated and scattered; I’d rather leave my body whole.”

The more you listened, the more uneasy you became. You stood up hastily. “Uncle Gu, if you have anything to say, please speak plainly. You raised me—if you told me the moon was black, I’d believe it. Whatever you say goes.”

“Thunder, I’ve tasted all the riches and glory I could in this life. At my age, none of it interests me anymore.” Gu Xiaotian patted your hand with a gentle smile. “You know, I made my fortune robbing graves. There have always been rumors in our trade about the Ming Thirteen Tombs. In my youth, I heard plenty. With so much treasure, who wouldn’t want a share? But fate wasn’t on my side. You, on the other hand, have been lucky. But do you really think you can keep all that gold and jade for yourself? I’m afraid you’ll lose your life before you ever get to enjoy it.”

“Uncle Gu, I only came upon some clues about the tombs by chance recently. As for their exact location, I truly don’t know yet.”

“What’s the point in telling me this? You know the rules of our world—without rules, there’s chaos. Frankly, a lot of people have heard about the Golden Dragon Tortoise you acquired. They think it’s connected to the Ming Tombs, and they’re all eyeing you.”

“They’re out for me?” you spat in fury. “Those bastards must be tired of living. If they come for me, I’ll make sure they get their coffins and wreaths delivered together.”

“Thunder, you’ve been in this business long enough. Don’t you see? Wealth attracts people, and people gather around wealth. Men die for riches. You’re sitting on a treasure hoard that could rival a nation’s. Everyone wants a share. How many men do you have? Are you planning to take on the entire trade? Soon, you’ll be a target for all. When that day comes, you’ll be like a rat in the street—everyone will want you dead. You won’t even have time to find the Ming Tombs. I might have to lend you my coffin and my burial clothes first.”

Huo Qian brought a cup of tea to Gu Xiaotian, offering humbly, “Uncle Gu, you’ve waited here all day. Ting was raised by you, and you’re the most respected in the circle. Please, show him the way.”

“Yes, Uncle Gu. What should I do now?” you asked.

“Many have come to me, saying you’re trying to take everything for yourself. I’ve held them off for now. I’m old, but my word still counts. Still, the mood is tense—sooner or later, you’ll have to answer to everyone.”

“Uncle Gu, why don’t I invite everyone to a meeting?”

“You think you’re that important? Here, your word still carries weight, but outside, who listens to you?” Gu Xiaotian replied coolly.

“Uncle Gu, I’ll do whatever you say!” you said, sitting obediently back on the bench.

“I’ve already made arrangements. Hand over the Golden Dragon Tortoise. On the seventh of next month, according to our rules, we’ll have a public competition. The winner takes the tortoise—no complaints from the losers. I’ll preside to ensure fairness; no one dares object.”

“A public competition?” you asked, hesitating. “Uncle Gu, what’s the contest?”

“The Ming Thirteen Tombs are a legend among geomancers. So, the contest will follow the five Taoist arts: physiognomy, divination, mountain, destiny, and magic. Whoever proves themselves wins. With Huo Qian by your side, you have a good chance. But the trade is full of hidden masters and serpents. Whether the tombs are yours depends on fate and destiny.”

You nodded without hesitation. “Uncle Gu, I’ll leave everything to you. The Golden Dragon Tortoise—I’ll have it sent to you immediately.”

“No need. Keep it. I know your character better than anyone.” Gu Xiaotian stood, then turned with a heavy sigh. “Thunder, you’re not young anymore. Why keep fighting…? Ah, I’m getting old and rambling. Just remember: wealth is as fleeting as clouds. Even if you’re crippled today, you’ll have enough to live on. Why wade into these troubled waters?”