Chapter 106: Mr. Gu - The Martial Arts Ceiling

As Tan Yibai’s group ascended higher, their astonishment grew.

Access to Cuwei Mountain’s main peak was challenging, as while other areas couldn’t deter them, Duan Wenxuan had specifically designed this region with genuine obstacles.

What amazed Tan Yibai and his team was that despite expecting dense vegetation and tangled vines, they anticipated the mountain path to be damp and difficult to traverse. They also foresaw a suffocating atmosphere common in remote, sun-deprived forests.

However, reality proved quite different. Contrary to their expectations, the forest path was surprisingly easy to navigate. Sunlight dappled through the leaves, casting warm rays below. There was no trace of typical miasma; instead, the air felt slightly cool and infused with a refreshing scent of foliage, creating a remarkably comfortable environment.

Occasionally, small animals would dart across branches, unafraid of humans. They would perch on tree limbs, tilting their heads curiously to observe the newcomers.

After walking for about an hour, Tan Yibai noticed a narrow trail ahead. Judging by its appearance, it seemed worn down over time by regular foot traffic. Surprisingly, there were even hoof prints from cattle visible along the path.

After walking for another ten minutes or so, Tan Yibai unexpectedly spotted a cultivated vegetable garden. It was enclosed by a simple fence, and nearby, a robust ox grazed on some weeds.

Hearing human movement, the large ox lifted its head and let out a low moo.

“Big Ox, I’ve come to visit you and Mr. Gu. Look what I brought?” Still a few steps away, Sword Gentleman raised his wine gourd with a smile, waving it towards Big Ox.

Surprisingly understanding human gestures, Big Ox nudged the fence with its horns, creating an opening, and then rushed straight towards Sword Gentleman.

Sword Gentleman promptly uncorked the gourd and poured half of its contents into Big Ox’s mouth.

“That’s enough, no more! Last time you drank too much and trampled Mr. Gu’s vegetables recklessly. We both ended up working like slaves here, replanting everything.”

Big Ox responded unhappily with a gentle moo and lightly nudged Sword Gentleman’s arm with its horn.

Tan Yibai and the others didn’t interrupt their interaction but took the opportunity to look around, recording the scenery with their equipment.

Suddenly, amidst their playful banter, Big Ox and Sword Gentleman fell silent. The ox even nervously darted back towards the fence.

“Mr. Gu.”

Tan Yibai observed the Sword Gentleman, who appeared humble yet showed no fear despite their peculiar presence. Suddenly, his expression changed, and he respectfully bowed.

“You’ve arrived,” came a calm voice from nearby.

The newcomer seemed to have materialized out of nowhere; they hadn’t noticed any signs of another person earlier. This individual was quite distinctive - Tan Yibai noted that beneath the loose strands of gray-white hair draped behind him, there was no hint of frailty. Instead, it gave the impression that this unique hair color was simply natural for him.

Apart from his hair, the man looked only about twenty-four or twenty-five years old, with vibrant and radiant skin showing no signs of aging. Yet, his gaze held a tranquility and detachment, as if tempered by the passage of time.

Tan Yibai wasn’t particularly skilled at reading people, but Mr. Gu’s appearance still caused her heart to skip a beat. She sensed that this man was not ordinary.

“We also have guests here. Please join us for some tea.” Of course, Mr. Gu was none other than Duan Wenxuan, assuming the role after arriving at this location.

Shortly thereafter, Tan Yibai, along with the Sword Gentleman, followed Mr. Gu to his straw hut nestled on the mountainside.

As they took their seats, the Sword Gentleman attentively served Mr. Gu with disciple-like respect, personally handling tasks such as brewing and serving tea. The contrast between their appearances made Tan Yibai’s group feel that their roles were somehow reversed, creating a slightly odd atmosphere.

“You really don’t need to,” said Mr. Gu.

Sword Gentleman promptly responded, “Although you didn’t formally accept me as your disciple, in my heart, sir, you will always be my savior and teacher.”

“Saving you and having you copy books for years already settled our debt.”

Despite this, Sword Gentleman remained unwaveringly respectful, clearly treating him as his mentor, so Mr. Gu let it be.

Once everyone had been served a cup of tea, Mr. Gu leisurely took a sip and stated directly, “You must be from beyond the heavens. I may not know your intentions, but the disruption you’ve caused on Cuwei Mountain has gone far enough.”

Tan Yibai and her companions did not touch their tea. Being cautious, modern individuals avoid the foolish mistakes often depicted in dramas, even if these two appeared to be honorable gentlemen.

“Mr. Gu knows we’re from beyond the heavens?” Instead of acknowledging the concern, Tan Yibai asked another question.

“Why wouldn’t I know? Approximately twenty years ago, I encountered your kind from beyond the heavens. Unfortunately, my martial skills were not yet proficient at that time, and I was injured by a weapon called ‘firelock’ - it’s the most formidable concealed weapon I’ve ever seen.”

Tan Yibai immediately recognized this as a reference to a handgun.

In fact, Tan Yibai had relied on modern firearms to swiftly pursue the Sword Gentleman earlier. They had also purchased numerous books from nearby towns and, through their encounters with mountain bandits, consistently found truth in the saying “no matter how high one’s martial arts, they fear a handgun.”

After a moment of thought, Tan Yibai spoke again, “Mr. Gu…actually, we could discuss this further. We can cease any further disruption of Cuwei Mountain, but based on my knowledge, there should be similar tokens on the main peak.”

Tan Yibai placed one of the previously collected badges onto the table.

“Regarding these, Mr. Gu, you could entrust them all to us. Additionally, we would like to exchange some of your martial arts manuals with you, preferably those including inner strength cultivation techniques.”

As she spoke, Tan Yibai produced her firearm, a pack of emergency medication she carried, and some rock candy.

“All these items can be used for bartering. Mr. Gu might not know, but these medicines are known as highly effective anti-inflammatory drugs in our world, providing exceptional results against many common ailments. The sugar candies resemble winter snow, also being a specialty from our place. As for the firearm, it too can be appropriately utilized…”

Tan Yibai continued explaining, but Mr. Gu raised his hand to stop her.

“I do not value these things,” he said mildly, taking a sip of tea. “In my life, at a young age, due to my outstanding talent, I apprenticed under Daoist Que De. By sixteen, I had completed my training, after which my master retreated from the jianghu, never again meeting anyone publicly. Later, while traveling through the jianghu, at twenty-five, I visited various sects for exchanges and sparring sessions. At thirty-five, I left Hengshan Sect, finding no one capable of matching me as an opponent.

Then, I encountered beings like yourselves, outsiders from beyond the heavens. I was wounded by your ‘firearms’ - concealed weapons. However, instead of killing me, the outsiders merely shattered the void and departed.”

Before Tan Yibai could respond further, Mr. Gu interrupted with a wave of his hand.

“After that, I have remained secluded here. Now at fifty-five years old, I feel my martial skills have greatly advanced. All I wish for is to encounter someone from beyond once more. I want to test if my abilities can now rival those ‘firecrackers’ and truly understand where this Beyond lies! Thus, your arrival is quite timely; it was also why I had him bring you here.”

With these few words, Mr. Gu succinctly outlined his background, eliciting admiration from Tan Yibai. Anyone who steadfastly adheres to their beliefs deserves respect.

However, on another note, Tan Yibai shook his head. Even in modern society, with the resurgence of spiritual energy, martial arts were considered crucial. Currently, almost every member of the military practiced the Sunflower Heart Sutra and various combat techniques handed down by Zong Cheng.

But fundamentally, these practices were designed to complement modern firearms. Martial arts enhance physical strength, sharpen senses, and significantly improve the accuracy of martial-arts-assisted gunmanship.

Yet, Mr. Gu’s approach was different.

The idea of using pure martial arts against firearms did not seem promising to Tan Yibai.

“Fine, but after the match, I hope Mr. Gu will hand over all the badges from Cuwei Mountain,” Tan Yibai agreed, after a moment of consideration.

In the courtyard,

Mr. Gu stood not far away, appearing as composed as before. However, compared to earlier, his expression now held a hint of increased seriousness.

Tan Yibai unconsciously gripped her gun at the waist; moments ago, Mr. Gu seemed harmless, yet now he exerted immense pressure on her. Tan Yibai was known for her unwavering determination, and it had been a long time since anyone or anything had caused such unease merely by facing her.

Without hesitation, Tan Yibai swiftly raised her firearm with both hands, aiming steady and precise. She then fired directly at Mr. Gu’s location.

Bang!

The bullet, propelled by a gust of wind, hurtled towards Mr. Gu’s forehead. Nearby, Sword Elder broke out in anxious sweat. But in the very next instant, something almost unbelievable occurred that Tan Yibai couldn’t describe.

Mr. Gu moved faster than the bullet itself. With a graceful leap, as if defying gravity, he sidestepped effortlessly. Then, extending his fingers, he astonishingly caught the bullet between his index and middle finger!

Catching a bullet with bare hands.

This wasn’t fiction or television; it was genuinely happening before her eyes.

Jolted back to reality, Tan Yibai swiftly rolled and fired repeatedly, aiming to hinder Mr. Gu’s approach.

Bang! Bang!

The relentless gunfire overwhelmed even Mr. Gu, and finally, a bullet struck his body. However, Tan Yibai observed only a slight wound—half of the bullet lodged in his skin before quickly being expelled as the injury healed at a visible rate.

What kind of person is this?!

Could martial arts truly reach such an inhuman level, allowing resistance against firearms?

Tan Yibai admitted she was now truly panicked. In that brief moment of disorientation, Mr. Gu effortlessly closed the distance between them. With just one forceful strike on her shoulder, despite her robust physical conditioning, Tan Yibai felt excruciating pain, as if her entire body might crumble apart.

Mr. Gu remained impassive, almost cold, “You’ve lost. Now, you outsiders should return to where you belong.”

He intends to kill us!

Tan Yibai felt her heart race uncontrollably, as if it might leap out of her throat. The reality of impending death washed over her. In that instant, the soldiers accompanying her opened fire.

The invisible force generated by Mr. Gu’s movement stirred nearby leaves and dust. His once serene demeanor now seemed possessed with divine madness. Each bullet striking him was effortlessly deflected to the ground.

Tan Yibai instantly realized that the true danger on Cuwei Mountain lay solely with this Mr. Gu, making him their greatest challenge yet.

With a swift strike from his palm…

Tan Yibai’s heart seemed to stop abruptly, plunging her into darkness.

She died… or not quite. When she opened her eyes again, she found herself surrounded by numerous doctors clad in white uniforms rushing towards her. Yang Kai’s frantic voice echoed in her ears, “Tan Yibai, Tan Yibai, what happened? Just now, the Hermit Union announced you were all prematurely disqualified and sent back!”

“Many participants from the Kinda Empire were also returned, but why did it happen on the same day? And even you got sent back! What occurred in that small world?!”