Gu Xunfeng, using the alias Gu Anqi, stood at the crossroads heading north, taking one last look back at the capital.
That place once held his name as the Carefree Traveler and his past of practicing medicine and helping the world.
Now, it had become a place he had to abandon.
If there was any regret, Gu Xunfeng had felt a little bit of regret, not because he had gotten himself into this trouble, but because he had lost the freedom of being the Carefree Traveler.
But his heart was more at peace with himself.
As a citizen of the Great Zhou, although he had never served as an official in the court, he was still willing to risk his life to protect the safety of the Great Zhou.
Looking at the road in the distance, Gu Anqi was filled with emotion.
His master’s wife’s arrangement was his only way out at this moment.
The commander of the Thirteen Border Alliances, due to the friendship between his mothers from the previous generation, readily agreed to provide protection when his master’s wife secretly requested it in a letter.
This hidden relationship became the safest bond.
To ensure everything went smoothly, his master’s wife had already arranged every detail of Gu Xunfeng’s faked death in the mountains.
From then on, there was no longer the world’s number one carefree traveler, Gu Xunfeng, only the divine physician Gu Anqi.
Gu Anqi pondered, recalling his conversation with his teacher’s wife.
“Xunfeng is willing to follow Master’s wife’s arrangements.” He bowed and agreed, his heart filled with reluctance and bitterness, but he knew in his heart that this was the brightest exit from the dead end.
Master’s wife handed him a bronze token: “When you reach the border, take this to see the commander.
Remember, from now on you are only a healer; do not ask about the court, and do not talk about the past.” This bronze token was a token that Feng Shuai sent along with his promise of protection.
Gu Xunfeng solemnly accepted the bronze token.
He knew that the name Gu Xunfeng was still buried, and the name Gu Anqi was not a disguise but a true rebirth.
The Thirteen Alliances of the Border guarded the northern gateway of the Great Zhou, and the thirteen cities formed an iron defense line, defending against powerful enemies from the outside and stabilizing trade from the inside.
The commander’s prestige was enough to make any force think twice before reaching out.
Gu Anqi weighed the bronze token in his hand; it felt incredibly heavy.
Could he truly remain a recluse in his thatched cottage, detached from the imperial court?
What kind of situation awaited him on the other side?
Everything was uncertain.
Images of the carefree white-robed figure, the miraculous healing, the imperial pursuit, and the inescapable truth revealed flashed through Gu Anqi’s mind.
“It’s all fate,” Gu Anqi said softly, shaking his head with a bitter smile as he tucked the token into his pocket.
Two people accompanied them on this trip: Xie Ciyun, the young master of the Jingtao Sect, whose swordsmanship was superb and who was responsible for escorting them; and Yan Jingchen.
There are reasons why Yan Jingchen went along and why he used the alias “Achen.” That desperate battle to thwart the conspiracy forged an incomprehensible bond between these two unrelated individuals.
When the shadow of the imperial court’s pursuit loomed over them, Yan Jingchen’s Demonic Sect headquarters was no longer an absolutely safe place—he too knew about that secret history and had also become someone who had to be eliminated in the eyes of some.
More importantly, in that final bloody battle, Gu Xunfeng had used acupuncture to prolong the life of the severely injured Yan Jingchen, and Yan Jingchen remembered this kindness.
When Gu Xunfeng decided to head north, Yan Jingchen only said three words: “I’ll go with you.” Gu Xunfeng asked, “Why?” Yan Jingchen was silent for a moment before replying, “There may be even stronger opponents at the border.” The reason is simple yet true: for those who pursue the ultimate in martial arts, the border where the flames of war are most intense may be a new whetstone.
And adopting the alias “Achen,” shedding the halo and burdens of the leader of the demonic sect, is more in line with his current desires—a pure martial artist accompanied by a pure healer, embarking on an unknown road ahead together.
After more than a month of trekking, enduring wind and rain, and deliberately avoiding official roads and towns, Gu Anqi wore a plain robe and always carried a medicine box with him.
Xie Ciyun was vigilant about his surroundings, while Yan Jingchen, who used the alias Achen, remained silent and only took action when necessary.
Those reckless pursuers or bandits often fell to the ground before they could even see the sword light.
On this day, the outline of the first border city finally appeared on the horizon.
The earthen-yellow city walls stood tall like mountains, the banners fluttered in the north wind, and the figures of the sentries on the city towers were like black dots nailed to the top of the walls.
Xie Ciyun reined in his horse and said in a low voice, “Mr.
Gu, the first city of the Thirteen Alliances is just ahead.” Gu Anqi nodded slightly, his fingers unconsciously stroking the bronze token in his bosom.
Gu Anqi looked back at the road he had come from.
Ah Chen, riding his horse, said to Gu Anqi, “Look ahead.” Gu Anqi understood what Achen meant.
The road they came from was blocked, and whether it was heaven or hell ahead, it was the only way for them.
“Ciyun, thank you for accompanying me all this way.
Achen, thank you.” Xie Ciyun smiled sheepishly.
“Don’t thank me.
My father said you are a hero.
Although, although, everyone has said that you did the right thing.
My father also said that although you sacrificed a lot, the martial arts world will never forget Gu Xunfeng, the number one carefree knight in the world.” Gu Anqi was gratified to hear Xie Ciyun’s words.
His efforts had not been in vain.
Although he had offended someone he shouldn’t have, he believed in the importance of righteousness among those in the martial world.
Achen remained expressionless and snorted at Xie Ciyun’s words.
He had no interest in such false politeness and feigned benevolence.
If Gu Anqi hadn’t used the opportunity to challenge the number one expert in the Imperial Court as an excuse, he wouldn’t have agreed to join forces with Gu Anqi.
Although the process wasn’t perfect and he had been seriously injured, he had still completed a challenge.
The result, however, had brought him a lot of trouble.
Although he didn’t care entirely, he was annoyed by the constant pursuit.
He came here with Gu Anqi for two reasons: to repay a debt of gratitude and to see what the legendary border was like and whether he could encounter a strong opponent for another challenge.
At this moment, a long queue of people—merchants, herdsmen, border residents, and all sorts of people—stood at the gate of the first city on the border, waiting to be inspected and pass through.
Gu Anqi and his two companions were already in line waiting to enter.
He will step into this unfamiliar land as Gu Anqi, the world’s number one divine physician, while Yan Jingchen, the former leader of the Demonic Sect, will accompany him as “Achen,” a silent martial artist, together entering the chess game that the border commander has already prepared.
The wind whipped up dust and sand, and a desolate bugle call echoed from the distant city walls.
The first page of a new story is about to unfold amidst the wind and snow of the frontier.