I Became an Immortal in the Mountains - Chapter 9: The Proposal
This was a True Martial Phenomenon—a mark of high-level True Martial cultivators, formed by nurturing the essence of their martial will using the energy of the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends, condensed within their True Martial repository.
The one who had arrived was Chen Chuanshan, the commander of the Imperial Guards stationed at the foot of Beiquan Mountain. He stood at the scene of the skirmish, glanced around coldly, then let out a snort and turned to leave.
Yet, through Gu Yuanqing’s spiritual perception, he distinctly sensed that Chen Chuanshan’s gaze had fleetingly swept toward the burrow the old man had dug.
That single glance sent a ripple of fear through Gu Yuanqing.
“I’d been wondering why the old man’s been digging all over Beiquan Mountain for months without interference from the guards. Though this place is labeled as forbidden, it might as well be wide open. Now it’s clear—this is a case of ‘the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind’.”
“So when I broke through to True Martial, was I being watched too? Did my aura-concealing technique actually work?”
His brows furrowed with unease, but he quickly composed himself:
“I’ve been imprisoned here for months, yet no one has acted against me. It seems the royal court bears me no malice. Why overthink it? As long as I keep improving, what is there to fear?”
His thoughts shifted back to the old man. At that moment, the old man stood at his window, his firewood cleaver placed within arm’s reach. His eyes were heavy with vigilance—clearly prepared to strike at any moment should he be discovered.
Only after a long time did he finally breathe a sigh of relief, set the cleaver at his bedside, and lay down fully clothed to rest.
In a room not far away, the middle-aged woman was sound asleep, completely unaware of the battle that had taken place earlier on the mountain.
As the curtain closed on this brief chaos, Beiquan Mountain returned to silence—as though nothing had ever happened.
***
Outside the mountain, the two wounded black-clad men suppressed their injuries and fled at high speed. Ten miles out, the smaller of the two coughed up bl00d, faltered, and fell from the treetops.
“Old Seventh!”
The other man immediately doubled back and caught him, his voice filled with alarm.
“That man… he was a high-level True Martial cultivator. His sword qi pierced my heart meridian.”
“Don’t talk. Suppress the sword qi—I’ll get you out of here.”
He hoisted his companion onto his back and sped off again.
Thirty miles out, in a secluded mountain valley, the tall man finally stopped, panting heavily. After glancing around, a figure emerged from the darkness.
Clad in black with jade-like features—it was Qin Bojun.
“Xue Chengyang greets the Young Master,” the tall man said, bowing.
The injured man could no longer speak, his breath faint.
Qin Bojun looked down indifferently and asked,
“How did it go?”
“Forgive our incompetence, Young Master. We didn’t expect there to be hidden sentries atop the cliff. We were detected before we even entered Beiquan Mountain. The man who intercepted us was a high-level True Martial cultivator—we stood no chance.”
Qin Bojun turned his gaze toward Beiquan Mountain.
“That is the forbidden ground of the Daqian Empire. Such defense is understandable. Here—take these two Restoration Pills. Heal yourselves first.”
***
Gu Prince Manor, once a place of grandeur, had grown eerily quiet after being demoted by a noble rank.
Prince Gu had resigned all his military posts, even citing illness to avoid attending court. He now spent his days tending flowers and sipping tea, as though preparing for a peaceful retirement.
The once-mighty Gu clan had begun to decline. Their businesses were being devoured one by one, yet they endured it silently.
At dawn, the white-haired, white-bearded Prince Gu slowly completed a set of fist forms in the courtyard. A servant brought him clean water to wash. After drying his hands, he received a report from the manor steward.
Upon reading it, he waved off all others, leaving only the steward.
“Are you saying… the Princess is with child?”
“The information comes from an imperial kitchen eunuch. He happened to see her abdomen clearly. The news should be reliable.”
“Whose child is it?”
The steward hesitated, then said softly,
“This old servant suspects… it may be one of the Gu family’s.”
“The Gu family? My Gu family?”
Prince Gu was first shocked, then his face turned icy. His eyes burned with rage, and with a squeeze, the report in his hand turned to powder.
“So that’s how it is… that little bastard deserves death!”
The steward waited for a moment, then cautiously asked,
“Then what should we do now, Your Highness? What about Young Master Yuanqing…?”
“Proceed as before. This news… we never heard it. As for the one who leaked it—make sure he takes it to the grave. If he speaks… execute without mercy.”
***
Daqian Imperial Palace, Qingyun Pavilion.
Months ago, this courtyard was declared a restricted area. Officially, it was said that Princess Li Miaoxuan was cultivating in seclusion to break through a realm.
Royal guards stood watch outside. Trespassers would be killed on sight.
Emperor Li Haotian dismissed his attendants at the gate and entered the courtyard alone.
Inside, only a few palace maids remained—none allowed to leave the grounds.
“Daughter greets Father Emperor.”
“Miaoxuan, rise. No need for formalities.”
Li Miaoxuan gently cradled her belly as she stood, smiling.
“Father seems in good spirits today. Has something good happened?”
“Indeed, there is a matter—but it depends on your heart.”
Li Haotian waved the attendants away.
“Please speak, Father.”
“Elder Qin of the Lingxu Sect visited the palace today.”
“Uncle-Master Qin? He hasn’t come out of seclusion in years. Why now?”
Li Haotian paused.
“He came to propose marriage—on behalf of his grandson, Qin Bojun. I’ve met the boy myself—outstanding cultivation and character.”
Li Miaoxuan’s smile vanished.
“And I presume Father declined?”
“Why would I? Miaoxuan, you shouldn’t be so rash.”
“Does Father truly believe… that in my current state, I could marry another?”
Li Haotian frowned, voice low and cold.
“Why not? You are blessed with talent and beauty—who in this world could be unworthy of you? Qin Bojun admires you sincerely. He doesn’t mind your past. All that’s needed is to remove the child in your womb. He even vowed that his firstborn would bear the Li surname.”
Li Miaoxuan replied coolly,
“I have devoted myself to cultivation and have no wish for marriage. Besides… would Father have me be a woman who serves two husbands?”
Bang!
Li Haotian slammed his palm on the nearby table, shattering it to pieces.
“Nonsense! That bastard Gu Yuanqing—a mere illegitimate child—does not deserve to be called a husband! I’ll have him killed immediately to rid myself of this disgrace!”
“If Father wishes to act, I cannot stop you. But regarding marriage, let us not speak further.”
Li Haotian’s voice turned icy and commanding:
“Stop this folly! This matter concerns not just you—it’s for your good, and for Daqian’s future. I have made the decision. I’ll summon the imperial physicians to remove that child.”
Li Miaoxuan remained calm, her gaze unwavering:
“Father, I am now a Grandmaster. In this world, there are many things I cannot control. But if I truly do not wish for something—no one can force me. Not even you.”
What was a Grandmaster?
A peak of the martial path. One who could stand alone against an army. One qualified to establish a sect in Daqian.
“You…”
Li Haotian pointed at her, trembling with fury, but unable to speak. His face twisted in rage as he stormed out.
***
North Chang Street, private residence.
Qin Bojun stood before the main hall, where a white-haired elder sat at the head.
“Grandfather… are you saying His Majesty rejected the marriage proposal?”
Qin Bojun’s face was dark.
“Bojun, I think we should let this matter go. That girl… if this gets out, it would bring shame to our Qin family,” the elder sighed.
Qin Bojun knelt suddenly, his voice resolute:
“Then I beg Grandfather to take action—kill one man for me!”