It wasn't surprising that Yang Qing's reaction was even greater than his son's.
When Yang Zheng spoke those words, the other immortals from the sects all changed expression at once.
Those cultivators, all at Fifth Rank or above, immediately stopped arranging the great formation and flew before Yang Zheng.
"Yang Zheng, nephew, are your words true?!"
The first speaker was a burly man with a stern face, a massive, pitch-black sword forged in one piece strapped across his back.
He was Bai Feiying, Fourth-Rank cultivator and leader of the Sinking Sand Gang.
The Sinking Sand Gang and the Sun River Sword Sect both belonged to Sun River Circuit. The gang's strength was weaker, long relying on the Sword Sect's protection. After years of intermarriage between their disciples, the two sects were closely bound.
Bai Feiying and Yang He were sworn brothers from their youth, both Martial Dao Fourth Rank, and thus he could naturally address Yang Zheng as "nephew."
As for the other two sects present, Nine Sword Gate of Liuhua Province and Lone Cliff Peak of Stone Gate Circuit, their power was far below the two of Sun River Circuit, with leaders only at Fifth Rank.
However, since both sects specialized in Divine Dao cultivation and possessed capable formation masters, they were qualified to participate in this "Seven-Sect Rebellion." They were not mere hangers-on.
Yang Qing strode before his son and demanded gravely,
"Where did this information come from? Speak carefully! This matter is of grave importance, you must not speak recklessly!"
Yang Zheng shook his head hurriedly.
"Father, I swear, how could I lie about such a thing?!
"I disguised myself to test whether Gu Fangchen's coming to Dragon Hollow Commandery was on Gu Yuye's orders. But as soon as I met him, I heard him say that when Gu Yuandao arrived, he'd destroy our 'Dragon-Serpent Rising from Land' formation!"
Yang Qing frowned.
"Gu Fangchen said this himself?"
Yang Zheng nodded, repeating Gu Fangchen's words and emphasizing Gu Yuandao's name and his talk about flattening the dragon and serpent.
The phrase "dragon and serpent" was unusual to begin with. Given Gu Fangchen's temperament, arrogant and domineering even under the Son of Heaven's nose, he would never politely call anyone a "local snake," a phrase that carried flattery.
In his eyes, he had always been the only boss.
Moreover, the true "local snake" of Dragon Hollow Commandery was, as he himself said, his mother's family, the Sword Pavilion!
And since Gu Yuye had sent him here to "watch the dragon and serpent," if one considered Gu Yuye's tone, it clearly couldn't have referred to people.
And what a coincidence, they were right now arranging the "Dragon-Serpent Rising from Land" formation!
The more Bai Feiying listened, the darker his expression became. He said heavily,
"If that's true, then Gu Fangchen really knows about it!"
And the only one who could have told Gu Yuye and Gu Fangchen... was Gu Yuandao, connected both to the Confucian order and the Gu family.
Had they not heard? That Gu Fangchen, who should have been sworn enemies with Gu Yuandao, had actually addressed him directly as "Yuandao"?
Could enemies speak like that?
As for why Gu Yuandao would do this, it was easy to guess.
He might have been a Confucian disciple, but he had returned to his family and reunited with his own mother.
As the saying went, blood is thicker than water.
If he had grown soft-hearted, unwilling to see the Sword Pavilion destroyed, that was understandable.
Or, from another angle, out of self-interest, he couldn't bear to lose the power the Pavilion's support gave him.
That, too, made sense.
Yang Qing took a deep breath and patted his son's shoulder.
"Zheng'er, you've done great merit this time!"
"I'll send word to the other sects. We must intercept Gu Yuandao, under no circumstances can he approach the formation's nodes!"
The Peak Lord of Lone Cliff Peak hesitated.
"Chief Yang, isn't this too hasty?"
"What if... what if Gu Fangchen was only pretending? To make a judgment from two or three lines of conversation, it's too rash."
"If it was Gu Yuye who sent him, the 'Saint of War' is famed for flawless calculation, how could he let something slip?"
"Wouldn't it be better to observe a little longer?"
Yang Qing waved a hand, exchanging a glance with Bai Feiying, both smiling faintly.
"Stone Gate truly is a fine place to retreat from the world, so fine that Lord Xu of Lone Cliff Peak doesn't even know the Northern Garrison Prince's heir by reputation."
"Gu Fangchen is infamous for being both stupid and malicious, he hasn't the wits for scheming."
"If he let it slip, it must be something he overheard by accident from Gu Yuye. Gu Yuye himself would never have told him."
Bai Feiying nodded.
"That's my thought as well."
"Gu Yuye always counts the unthinking, but what's to fear if the unthinking one is also brainless?"
The Nine Sword Gate's master stroked his goatee and nodded.
"Lord Xu worries too much! I've met that wastrel several times in the Sword Pavilion myself, and he's even worse than the rumors say!"
Seeing everyone so decided, Lord Xu could only drop his doubts and murmur,
"In that case... merely keeping Gu Yuandao outside Dragon Hollow Commandery is easy enough. We'll reason with him, ask him to wait outside until the Dragon-Serpent formation is complete. If it's all a misunderstanding, then we'll invite him in."
The other three nodded.
"Good!"
Yang Qing immediately ordered the Sun River Sword Sect disciples,
"Stay here and continue setting up the array!"
"Yes, sir!"
Then he asked,
"Where is Gu Yuandao now?"
A disciple answered,
"Within a thousand miles, Chief. In less than three hours he should pass this way."
Yang Qing frowned again and looked at the others.
"Though Gu Yuandao is only Fifth Rank in Divine Dao, he's still a true disciple of a Sage, he mustn't be underestimated."
"We're to block him without harming him, harder still. Let's wait for reinforcements, then strike first."
Bai Feiying said gravely,
"Agreed. As long as we make him retreat, that will suffice."
....
A thousand miles from Dragon Hollow Commandery.
Two streaks of light flashed across the sky, swift as lightning.
They were Gu Yuandao, racing nonstop toward Liuhua Province, and Master Juehui of Garan Temple, who had come to verify Gu Fangchen's identity.
To prevent Gu Fangchen from realizing their true intent and preparing counter-measures for the blood-and-soul verification ritual, Gu Yuandao had announced that he was traveling alone, without attendants, even to the seven sects.
His caution was well earned. In the past few days, Gu Fangchen had tricked him so many times that he was developing trauma.
At this point, Gu Yuandao had a reflexive instinct: never let Gu Fangchen know you're plotting, or you'll fail for sure.
So he asked Master Juehui to conceal both his aura and his presence, making it seem he traveled alone.
As a Third-Rank Divine Dao cultivator, Juehui could easily hide himself; until they entered Dragon Hollow's borders, none in the region could detect him.
Across the entire Southwestern Four Circuits, only the Sword Saint Ning Songjun reached Second Rank.
Once inside Dragon Hollow, exposure no longer mattered, if Gu Fangchen tried to flee, that would prove guilt!
The plan was simple: first eliminate Gu Fangchen, then wait until the Seven Sects and the Sword Pavilion weakened each other. Afterwards, he'd use his uncle's trust to mediate and enter beneath the Dragon Hollow Lake, completing his teacher's mission.
The title of heir, it was his by right, and his alone.
Gu Yuandao sneered inwardly, eyes fixed on the distant mountains of Dragon Hollow Commandery. He was just about to accelerate when his brows twitched. His expression darkened.
Within his spiritual sense, several auras, each at least Fifth Rank, were rapidly approaching!
Juehui halted mid-air, frowning.
"Three Fifth-Ranks, two Fourth-Ranks! The Seven Sects, are they truly this impatient?"
Having accompanied Gu Yuandao, Juehui knew he carried the imperial edict to contest Gu Fangchen for the title of heir.
In his view, the emperor's decision was entirely reasonable.
The Seven Sects' plot against the Sword Pavilion represented a major upheaval in Great Wei's balance of power.
Emperor Yong'an would certainly send someone to suppress the unrest before it grew uncontrollable, if the Southwest dissolved into chaos, the other Circuits would be affected as well.
Whomever was sent to settle the matter would thus be crucial.
Neither Gu Yuandao nor Gu Fangchen held an official post; they were only half within the court's sphere but both tied deeply to the Sword Pavilion.
Letting the two of them handle it, and decide the heir between them, was a compromise everyone could accept.
But Juehui's impression of the Seven Sects was foul.
They merely sought opportunity to seize the Pavilion's place and rule the Southwest.
Moreover, during the Sword Pavilion's old civil strife, all seven had taken the wrong side.
Under Ning Songjun's leadership, they'd since been living poorly, brooding and resentful.
Now, for selfish greed, they were stirring turmoil again, utterly detestable.
As a Buddhist disciple, Juehui hated nothing more than sects turning on each other, spilling blood and bringing suffering to the world.
He had come hoping this disciple of the Sage could calm such a disaster.
Yet the Seven Sects had appeared suddenly, five and four ranks strong, a sizable force.
Clearly, they came with ill intent.
Juehui's fingers rolled his prayer beads, his expression turning cold.
He didn't reveal himself, however, for when the Seven Sects' cultivators came within a hundred yards, they slowed and descended before Gu Yuandao.
Gu Yuandao kept a calm face, though his confusion ran deeper than Juehui's.
Strange... The Seven Sects shouldn't be seeking me now.
In his plan, he was to appear entirely neutral, even leaning toward the Sword Pavilion, to earn Ning Songjun's trust.
Why would the Seven Sects approach now, could this be part of some elaborate act, pretending to block him so he'd get injured and gain the Pavilion's sympathy later?
But events quickly veered far from his expectations.
Seeing him alone, Yang Qing put on a warm smile, clasped his fists respectfully, and said,
"The Seven Sects are here to welcome the heir apparent."
He knew how to flatter; though Gu Yuandao's status was awkward, he addressed him directly as "heir."
Gu Yuandao frowned harder, uncertain of their motives.
"You arrive in such force, is this your way of greeting a guest?"
Yang Qing's tone softened even further, showing complete deference.
"Of course we wouldn't violate our agreement, Your Highness. We merely ask that you remain outside Dragon Hollow Commandery for a few days. Once our preparations are complete, we will invite you to continue this fine play."
In his mind, his courtesy was flawless, impossible to misunderstand as hostility.
One doesn't strike a smiling man.
With the proper tone, all could be discussed.
Even if it later proved a misunderstanding, Gu Yuandao surely wouldn't be too offended.
Water-tight. The diplomacy of a true sect master.
But, unable to sense Juehui's hidden presence, Yang Qing had no idea his words were like tossing a thunderbolt at Gu Yuandao.
Gu Yuandao's face froze. A chill spread from head to toe.
Juehui, about to reveal himself, paused and turned to him in confusion.
"Scholar Gu, what is this 'agreement' they speak of? And... what 'play'?"
Gu Yuandao was utterly bewildered. He hadn't even entered Dragon Hollow yet, and those Seven Sects who were supposed to coordinate the formation were suddenly here spouting nonsense?
If they had simply attacked him, that would have been fine,
but to fawn on him so openly, exposing their supposed "recognition" of him?
And worse, he had brought Juehui, who knew nothing of the secret plan!
Gu Yuandao's expression hardened instantly. He barked coldly,
"Nonsense! When have I ever made any agreement with you?!"
"I came to uphold justice and uncover the truth, do you think to fabricate tales and claim kinship to frame me?!"
"I tell you, right and wrong will be judged by facts alone! Stand aside! I'll enter Dragon Hollow today, let's see who dares block me!"
At his words, Yang Qing and the others froze, faces changing drastically.
They looked at one another, something's wrong. Terribly wrong!
...
At that same time, Ning Songjun was thinking of finding a chance to lecture Gu Fangchen again, only to discover the boy had vanished. On inquiry, he'd gone wandering through the pleasure districts.
Utterly hopeless. When that brat returned, he would double his drills!
Back in his own courtyard, Ning Songjun narrowed his eyes and snorted coldly.
"What? Not keeping company with your maids? What are you doing here?"
Gu Fangchen trudged up the mountain path, grinning sheepishly.
He raised a hand and produced his final jar of Drunken Spring Breeze wine.
Ning Songjun's nose twitched at once.