Chapter 335: Chapter 198: A Closer Union?
What an eye-opener!
He knew of the Ying Family’s existence—the royal family of the Wind Kingdom.
He also knew that every member of the Ying Family possessed a "Land Flying Ship."
This ship couldn’t rise more than three hundred zhang off the ground, but it could travel over water, land, and through the air.
He hadn’t yet seen what form it took on land.
While flying, however, it looked no different from any other ship; it didn’t have wings or anything of the sort.
Still, the fact that this thing was a Spirit Beast was shocking.
Weren’t beasts supposed to be made of flesh and blood?
Since when were plant demons classified as...
’No, that’s not right!’
Using his Eyes of Golden Flame, Gu Zheng saw through the Flying Ship’s outer shell to its core.
It was a bizarre entity that seemed part wood, part metal, yet also possessed the aura of flesh and blood.
’Interesting~’
It was a special kind of unusual life form, one that you couldn’t possibly understand without seeing it for yourself.
"Still staring!"
The resonant male voice rang out again, this time with a hint of annoyance.
"What’s wrong, Old Wang?" asked Ying Jiuyue. Clad in resplendent golden armor, he was a tall, heroic figure with bronze skin. He had been greeting Zhong Zhengao, but turned at the sound of the annoyed voice to look quizzically at the Flying Ship hovering in midair. "Our friends from Jing Country are just looking at you. We’ll be relying on you to take us back to the Royal Capital soon."
"I know, I’m not saying they can’t look. But that kid’s stare is just too creepy." The Flying Ship vibrated twice, gathering an invisible stream of qi and launching it at Gu Zheng.
WHOOSH~
The Powerful Qi tore through the air.
Gu Zheng’s figure blurred as he dodged it. He immediately clasped his fists and said apologetically, "My apologies. It is my first time seeing a talking ship that can also fly. I stared for a bit too long out of sheer curiosity. I hope the Prince will forgive me for the disturbance."
Before speaking, Gu Zheng had retracted his Eyes of Golden Flame.
"Haha, no matter, no matter."
Ying Jiuyue raised a hand and chuckled. "Almost everyone who meets Old Wang for the first time has the same reaction."
"What do you mean ’the same reaction’? This kid’s stare is different from everyone else’s!" the Flying Ship "Old Wang" retorted, refusing to back down. It vibrated the air, bellowing, "His gaze just now... it felt like he stripped me naked! It was too... too direct!"
Uh~
"I was not aware of the situation. I am deeply sorry for the offense." Gu Zheng was speechless and could only apologize again.
This Flying Ship was truly petty.
If it were a person, it would just be obnoxious, but for a Flying Ship to shout like this, the others actually found it rather amusing.
"Alright, alright."
Ying Jiuyue placated it. "He said it wasn’t intentional, Old Wang. You’re going too far."
"Hmph~"
The Flying Ship vibrated twice. "I don’t care! Everyone else can come aboard, but not him!"
"You..."
"It is no matter. Since I have disturbed ’Mr. Wang,’ it would be shameless of me to board. I will just follow alongside," Gu Zheng interjected.
"This..." Hearing this, Ying Jiuyue looked ashamed. "Then I must trouble you, Grand General."
"Look at me, I forgot the introductions." Zhong Zhengao spoke up at the right moment. "This is a Grand General of our Jing Country’s Demon Slayer Bureau, and also the Heir of Marquis Qingshi, Gu Zheng."
"This Grand General is Cao Qingsong."
Zhong Zhengao introduced Gu Zheng and Cao Qingsong in turn.
"So it is Grand General Gu and Grand General Cao."
Ying Jiuyue clasped his fists to each of them in turn and said, "I am Ying Jiuyue, here to welcome you all. Thank you for your hard work. Please, come aboard."
"He can’t come aboard!"
The Flying Ship vibrated, once again gathering an invisible burst of Powerful Qi and aiming it straight at Gu Zheng.
WHOOSH~
Gu Zheng dodged, retreating more than ten steps. "’Mr. Wang,’ rest assured. I promise I will not board the ship."
"Hmph~"
"I am ashamed, truly ashamed." Ying Jiuyue shot him an apologetic look.
Gu Zheng just smiled, not minding it at all.
He stepped aside and watched as Cao Qingsong, Zhong Zhengao, Zhong Qishan, and all the others boarded the Flying Ship.
The Flying Ship vibrated violently, then shot forward in a sudden burst of speed, turning into an afterimage as it vanished over the horizon.
"..." Gu Zheng was speechless. The next moment, his figure flickered and disappeared from the spot, chasing after the Flying Ship straight to the west.
In less than ten breaths, he caught up to the wind-cleaving Flying Ship.
The ship sensed him, its body flashing with light as it accelerated again, shaking Gu Zheng off.
This time, Gu Zheng didn’t rush to catch up, but instead followed from a distance.
However, Ying Jiuyue disembarked from the Flying Ship and flew alongside Gu Zheng through the air.
"I’ve made a fool of myself in front of Grand General Gu."
Ying Jiuyue apologized as they flew. "Old Wang is usually very agreeable. He just throws a tantrum and gets petty once in a while. He’ll get over it in a bit."
"...I understand."
Gu Zheng smiled. "A being like ’Mr. Wang’ is truly a rare sight. Your Highness doesn’t need to accompany me; I can just follow behind."
"It’s no trouble." Ying Jiuyue waved his hand and continued to fly beside him. "I have actually heard of Grand General Gu’s great reputation. Seeing you today, you are truly extraordinary. I wonder, is the Grand General married?"
Hm?
Gu Zheng felt a flicker of strangeness and replied, "I am not yet married. My small reputation is nothing to speak of. Your Highness, please do not believe those exaggerated rumors."
"Haha, I have my own ways of judging whether rumors are true or false," Ying Jiuyue laughed. "But for Grand General Gu to be unmarried to this day... I wonder, is it because the choice is too difficult and you cannot decide, or is there someone you are pursuing but cannot be with due to other factors?"
"Well..."
Gu Zheng blinked. "I simply haven’t met the right person yet."
"Is that so." Hearing this, the smile on Ying Jiuyue’s face grew wider. "I can understand that. Grand General Gu has been so focused on cultivation that he has delayed other matters, which is how you’ve achieved so much. However, a lifelong partner is still essential. I wonder, what kind of woman does the Grand General prefer?"
"The gentle and dignified type? The heroic and valiant type? The pure and sweet type? Or the charming and seductive type?"
Gu Zheng was speechless.
’He could be sure of it now. Ying Jiuyue wants to be a matchmaker!’
