Dao Equaling the Heavens
Chapter 68 - 68 60 Enfeoffment of Marquis Wen

68: Chapter 60: Enfeoffment of Marquis Wen 68: Chapter 60: Enfeoffment of Marquis Wen Zhao Feng could not possibly know that I possess the foundation for cultivation.

Gu Wen was certain of this.

Because his ability to stand here, undetected by the Zhao family, already demonstrated this fact.

Considering things from the perspective of the Zhao family, they wouldn’t care what a commoner did daily as long as he moved under their watchful eyes.

In their eyes, Gu Wen was just a servant who could be crushed effortlessly.

But now, Gu Wen had grown into a tiger descending the mountain, standing at the peak of the Second Level foundation, soon to forge a fulfilled Third Level foundation, possessing a complete cultivation technique system that included protection, movement, and healing skills.

Ranked tenth on the human list, fifth on the earth list.

Knowing any of the above would probably make the Zhao family want to send ten thousand Imperial Guards instead of just a few to monitor him—the guards who could still be bribed.

However, upon mentioning sustenance, Gu Wen suddenly remembered something that happened when he first met Yu Hua.

‘Yu Hua gave me a life-saving pill, saying that without it, I might not live past the age of thirty, and before that, my health was always poor…’

The memories of frequent palpitations and fatigue made the chill in his eyes deepen.

It wasn’t enough that they stole my chance at immortality; from the beginning, they did not even plan to spare my life.

He thought his murderous intent toward the Zhao family had reached its limit, as well as his understanding of the Zhao’s monstrous nature, but they always seemed to sink lower.

How could anyone be as nefarious as the Zhao family?

Gu Wen was very good at concealing his emotions, so much so that the two sect prodigies by his side did not notice.

They probably could not understand Gu Wen’s feelings, someone who had struggled up from the mire, the closer he was to a storm, the calmer he became.

An inner calm so deep, even mind-reading could hardly detect anything amiss.

Murong Suyue voiced her doubts, “Lord Emperor is known for his alchemy and once ascended to the first place on earth list through the Alchemy Dao.

He should be able to concoct a pill to mend the cultivation foundation.

Why risk seeking a prodigy with a foundation?

Couldn’t they have their own True Monarchs?”

She was somewhat incredulous, as anyone capable of entering the Immortal Land had some backing.

“My sect has always dealt in intelligence, and we keep thorough records of various matters.

Recently, there was a message within our sect…

Come closer.”

Hee Huan looked around, then pulled the other two closer, Murong Suyue, because of her robust physique, simply sat hugging her knees.

The night wind blew as he lowered his voice to a whisper.

“The original guardian of the Sanqing Taoist Sect’s Yuqing Sect wasn’t surnamed Zhao, it was seized by the Zhao family.”

Murong Suyue’s eyes widened, “How can the guardianship be so ambiguously handled, just changed at will, or even taken by others.”

Hee Huan responded, “The exact process is unknown to us, but it’s not hard to guess, just annihilating the original guardian family and then coercing their only son.

The Zhao family seized the guardianship opportunity, then turned to negotiate with the Daoist Sect, and it was settled.”

“Isn’t the Lord Emperor afraid that the Sanqing Taoist Sect would flip the table?”

Murong Suyue was even more disbelieving.

Hee Huan laughed, “Couldn’t the Lord Emperor bribe the current Three Pure Ones with a great price?

And indeed, the Zhao family has powerful influence in the Immortal Land, so vast that, even dismantled by the major sects, no one could contend against them alone.”

“How does Brother Red Dust see this?”

“Me?”

Gu Wen smiled lightly, “I stand and watch, watching him build his towering pagoda, watching him entertain his guests.”

Then it won’t be watching his building collapse, but the inner treasury burn to splendid ashes, the noble bones under the heaven-paved street tread.

He turned to look at the Dragon Bridge, wondering if a single fire could clean it all.

After chatting idly for a while, the three bade each other farewell.

During the conversation, Gu Wen learned something else; previously, he had given the herbs to Hee Huan, who promised to find an Alchemist to process them into pills.

When he asked again, Hee Huan had delegated the task to Murong Suyue, asking her to find Lu Chan at the Dragon Bridge.

Having just seized someone else’s belongings and then immediately entrusting someone else to find Lu Chan for alchemy, because, aside from the Lord Emperor, she was currently the best Alchemist.

Relying solely on Illusion Techniques would not get one into the top ten of the earth list, many were like Lu Chan, skilled in more than one area.

—————–

The next morning at the Gu Residence, a Saint Envoy arrived, holding an imperial decree.

“By the mandate of heaven, the Emperor decrees!”

“The state practices benevolence and puts nurturing the people first.

You, Gu Wen of Bianjing, a merchant, have demonstrated virtue and generosity extensively, showing kindness and charity.

You have donated generously, helped alleviate famine, and supported the Emperor’s grace beyond measures, aiding the starving populace amidst their scatter.

The provincial governors have reported this, and I truly commend it…”

The Marquis title, which originally required a year-long process, was suddenly delivered into Gu Wen’s hands early.

The granting of a Marquis title was understandable, after all, Gu Wen had no merits, and recently the court officials had been racking their brains to find some for Gu Wen.

There were also issues regarding the fief and its provisions; the current Daqian had no more land to grant.

The local noble families had to be persuaded to give up land, which was a matter that could generate lengthy disputes.

The speedy arrival of the title was also understandable, as long as the Emperor himself personally oversaw and expedited it, any matter could be completed swiftly.

Even if it might cause tremendous damage to the social system, it could be accomplished under the push of imperial power.

Gu Wen accepted the decree, and subsequently, there was a great celebration throughout the residence, and a new plaque was hung high, upgrading the house to a Marquis Residence.

The number of trusted aides also increased to thirty, with guards patrolling almost every area of the residence.

Though thirty people might seem few, they were enough to assign ten shifts to monitor one person.

It was known that even a prince’s personal guards numbered about the same.

To outsiders, this was a sign of immense imperial favor, something ordinary Marquises could not command.

And Gu Wen had no reason to keep a low profile anymore; he had the servants decorate with lights and streamers, and hosted a grand banquet for guests.

Suddenly, the name of Gu Wen was known all over Bianjing—a merchant of low social standing being granted a Marquis title was enough to cause a stir at any time.

Subsequently, countless noble families who heard the news broke his threshold, with carriages lined up for miles in front of Gu Wen’s house.

The gifts piled up like a mountain, among which Gu Wen even found some Spiritual Medicine.

Gu Wen greeted the guests with a smile, when suddenly an old man dressed as a scholar lunged at him, only to be unsurprisingly pinned to the ground by Qin Mian nearby.

The old scholar hysterically screamed, “Where is divine justice, where is the law?

We scholars spend decades studying in the cold window, countless among us achieve nothing.

You merchants, mere profit-seekers and petty people, what virtues or abilities do you have to be granted a Marquis title?”

The atmosphere went silent.

To outsiders, this was undoubtedly an act of sabotage, hitting a sore spot.

In today’s Daqian, distinctions were not made by merit but by favor.

He knew explanations were futile; in the eyes of scholars, he was now on par with treacherous officials, and in the eyes of the common folk, he was utterly reprehensible.

This sufficiently showed how disliked the Zhao family was, and it was a rebuke under the guise of ‘moral teachings’ from their high pedestal.

Being a merchant was inherently seen as vile, and a servant elevated high would only attract scorn, which is why Gu Wen previously disliked fame.

Just because he was not born noble, he was expected to live his life in humble submission.

Even though he consistently helped the people by substituting work for relief without ever committing evil deeds.

Gu Wen said indifferently, “Break his legs and throw him out.”

What virtue did this old scholar possess to criticize him?

The old scholar cried outside the gate, provoking a group of scholars to share his indignation, while the common folk whispered from afar as nobles inside the high wall indulged in dance and song.

The banquet continued into the night, with endless clinking of cups.

Gu Wen returned to his room, drunk, the candlelight casting shadows of the new Imperial Guards at the door.

‘Arrogance is the root of self-destruction.’

Gu Wen extinguished the candlelight, sat in meditation, and felt a slight tremble in his Fate Diagram.

[Heavenly Marrow Nineteen Years]

In one year of refining Heavenly Marrow, he achieved the Third Level of the Moonset Step, Ling Yue, walking as light as a feather, leaping thirty feet.

Thirty feet is thirty-three feet, nearly thirty feet.

With a push of his legs, he could fly over the city walls; barely thirty palace guards could not confine him.

Gu Wen murmured to himself, “I wonder when he will leave the palace?”

At this moment, he missed Zhao Feng more than ever.