Dao Equaling the Heavens
Chapter 70 - 70 62 Gathering from All Sides Request for First Subscription

70: Chapter 62: Gathering from All Sides (Request for First Subscription) 70: Chapter 62: Gathering from All Sides (Request for First Subscription) On the ninth of the first month, a grand royal ceremony took place in the palace, followed by a visit to the Imperial Temple to worship the ancestors.

Today is the sixth of July, with three days left.

Gu Wen noted the time, took a sip of his tea, and asked, “Qin Mian, do you have any family in the capital?”

This person might not be entirely loyal; he was there to cling to Gu Wen’s power, yet actions spoke louder than intentions.

Gu Wen himself was consciously and unconsciously trying to win him over, using him to gather information from within the palace.

Qin Mian had at least been of help, though not as significant as when Jiang Fugui had once provided crucial help during a desperate time with just a few copper coins, it was still an added bonus.

Soon, Bianjing would descend into chaos, and many might die.

As a member of the imperial guard and Zhao Feng’s trusted aide, Qin Mian undoubtedly stood in the most dangerous position, very likely to confront Gu Wen in battle.

Qin Mian replied, “My parents were killed by barbarians; I have not yet married.”

Gu Wen said, “Bianjing is not peaceful these days; would you be willing to take some money to Nanshui for me?”

“But Your Highness, you are the Crown Prince, and I, as a trusted aide, how can I abandon my post?” Qin Mian appeared puzzled but was also tactfully declining.

He hoped to rise to power through Gu Wen, and now that opportunity was before him, leaving would mean giving up tremendous wealth.

“I’m just suggesting; it’s up to you whether or not to go.”

Gu Wen placed a paper that listed a ship’s location and a token on the table; he had already sold all his properties, preparing to send everything to Nanshui in one go.

Including the gift money from yesterday and all his assets, totaling fifteen thousand taels, enough for Jiang Fugui to establish himself there.

Qin Mian looked troubled and said, “It’s difficult for me to leave my duties.”

“Then forget it.”

Gu Wen did not insist; it was natural for the other to distrust him.

He wasn’t a destined ruler, able to inspire extreme loyalty with a mere shudder.

Qin Mian bowed and left.

Whether he would betray Gu Wen was of no concern to him; he had lost interest in playing games, and the Zhao family would not change the royal ceremony over this matter.

Now, it only depended on whether Zhao Feng would leave the palace with his left foot or right foot first, considering which would be a capital offense.

—————–

On the seventh,

Gu Wen polished his mana tirelessly day and night; the number of guards in front of the Gu Residence had increased to fifty, and the patrols became more frequent, subtly suggesting house arrest.

A carriage stopped outside the Gu Residence, Yang Shanyu stepped down, and the guards at the door approached her.

“Lady, is there something you need at Marquis Wen’s residence?”

“I’m looking for Marquis Wen.”

“Please wait; I will notify him.”

“No need, I will go in myself.”

“Alright…”

Yang Shanyu walked past the guard, who, unbeknownst to when, had taken on a bewildered look in his eyes.

She entered the residence, leaving a trace of faint fragrance; the patrolling guards appeared dazed, and in the silent moments, the entire residence fell into quiet.

Yang Shanyu walked directly into Gu Wen’s room and pushed the door open, surprised to find Gu Wen not caught in illusions, she said, “It seems Marquis Wen has some skills, it seems Zhao Feng treats you well.”

The other had interacted with Qianfeng Tower on behalf of Zhao Feng and was not entirely a commoner.

She had also just learned that Gu Wen’s background was not simple.

Gu Wen looked down at the map of Bianjing, his head not lifting as he spoke, “Mrs.

Yang, what brings you to my home?”

She had not yet stepped into the residence when Gu Wen sensed her presence, his Third Level fulfilled cultivation not only enhanced his physical body but also significantly strengthened his Divine Soul, allowing him to sense any entity within a mile radius.

At the same time, he could finally discern the opponent’s cultivation—Yang Shanyu’s Second Level foundation.

In theory, it was impossible to directly sense the level of one’s foundation.

This was unrelated to the level of cultivation; the essence of a foundation was intrinsic and naturally aligned with the universe, so one could only judge by the amount of Mana.

However, this was a change brought about by a Third Level fulfilled foundation.

One aspect was that the Spirit Form could carry the Divine Soul, allowing Divine Thoughts to project outward without being crushed by Fate.

Another was that in front of a fulfilled foundation, all other foundations were low-quality, and any flaws could naturally reveal their hierarchical differences.

Fate was like water pressure, omnipresent, with everyone bearing its immense force at all times.

What mattered was never the depth of one’s background or cultivation level, but rather one’s talent.

To Gu Wen, Yang Shanyu, ranked twenty-first on the People’s List, was merely a mediocre talent.

“I’m here to offer Marquis Wen a grand opportunity.”

Yang Shanyu stepped closer, within three steps, and seated herself in a chair with a relaxed demeanour, saying, “Marquis Wen, I’ve recently heard that five years ago, you sold a Jade Pendant to the Zhao family.”

“Just trading for food,” Gu Wen did not avoid her gaze as he replied, “Why, do you want to buy it?”

“I do not have such fortune, nor do I have the capability to design a trap for the Guardian of The Three Pure Ones.

The Gu family, with over a hundred members, perished in the civil unrest, all plans rendered useless, leaving only a distant relative from a collateral branch.”

With a soft, tender voice, Yang Shanyu revealed Gu Wen’s origins, her eyes inevitably showing a hint of sympathy.

“Eventually, you ended up begging on the streets and even became a servant in the Zhao family.

I wonder if Marquis Wen still thinks the Zhao family brought you wealth and honor?”

Gu Wen remained unmoved and said, “Mrs.

Yang, please speak plainly.”

“Now that Zhao Feng’s foundation has been damaged, the Lord Emperor will surely use you to nourish him, at the least leaving you disabled, at worst dead.”

“I have a foundation?” Gu Wen countered, expressing his curiosity as he did not even know about his own foundation yet everyone seemed adamant he would be used as a “blood bag” for Zhao Feng.

If Yang Shanyu knew his true identity, she would not be calling him ‘Marquis Wen’ but would tenderly address him as ‘Brother.’

Yang Shanyu answered, “Using your fate to help Zhao Feng refine the Jade Pendant, which is a Taoist Soldier, would sufficiently replenish his foundation.

Given his talent, even if his foundation were not damaged, he would likely need you.”

“So he fundamentally can’t refine the Jade Pendant himself?”

A hint of disdain appeared in Gu Wen’s eyes; he knew Zhao Feng was incompetent, but he hadn’t realized just how much so.

And such a worthless person had suppressed him for five years.

Without any rationale, simply because the person’s surname was Zhao, even a fool would be praised as having saintly qualities.

“A Taoist Soldier, ordinary geniuses cannot refine it, it would at least require talents from the top ten of the Earth List.

Zhao Feng is clearly not such a genius, but who would expect less from the son of a Lord Emperor?

You naturally fall victim.”

Yang Shanyu took out a Pill and revealed her true intent, saying, “This is a Sealing Vein Pill; it can spare you the agony of having your blood drained, making it tougher for Zhao Feng to consume your essence and reducing his chances of success.”

Gu Wen paused for a moment, then chuckled, “I thought you were going to use me to kill him.”

Expecting only to obstruct Zhao Feng, he found this scheme from Qianfeng Tower rather petty.

Yang Shanyu solemnly spoke, “Still, he has a True Monarch father.

It’s not wise to completely tear our relationship apart.

Marquis Wen, if you survive this ordeal, the head of Qianfeng Tower says they can offer you an opportunity.

Take care.”

With that, she stood up and left.

Gu Wen looked at the Pill and gazed up at the ceiling.

After a long time, he smiled and said, “Yes, who can blame him for having a Lord Emperor as a father.”

Because of that, he enjoyed abundant resources, monopolizing the Jade Pendant for five long years, yet still boasting none of his own talent.

But the world never assigns fortune based on morality, doesn’t differentiate high from low based on talent, nor does it assign worth based on intelligence.

The coronation ceremony was just two days away.