Chapter 442: Chapter 251: Who Do You Think You Are?
Gu Zheng wasn’t leaving Jing Country? He was still staying in Qingshi County?
Different people considered the matter from different perspectives.
Ying Jiuxin and the others were astonished by Gu Zheng’s audacity in remaining in Jing Country, unafraid of the Zhong Family’s retaliation.
Zhong Duxiu, however, was furious. He was enraged that Gu Zheng had gone too far!
It wasn’t enough that he had stolen the Crimson Moon Heaven-Covering Blade; he had to stay in Qingshi County like a thorn in their side, a constant slap to the Zhong Family’s face.
’What, does he want to be the king of a state within a state?’
’The third stage of the King’s Body Realm is incredible!’
’But some things can’t be solved by cultivation level alone.’
Zhong Duxiu suppressed his burgeoning rage and left quickly with Zhong Zhengqiong.
If he stayed any longer, he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to stop himself from attacking.
He was at the third stage of the King’s Body Realm, but so was Gu Zheng. Although Gu Zheng had just broken through, he had a Divine Weapon and three great Domains to aid him.
If the two of them fought, the most likely outcome would be a draw.
Neither would be able to defeat the other.
That was not an outcome Zhong Duxiu wanted to see.
...
...
The battle between King’s Bodies was over.
News that Zhong Zhengqiong hadn’t lasted two rounds before his Domain was shattered and he was left heavily injured and unconscious spread throughout the world.
The news of Gu Zheng breaking through to the third stage of the King’s Body Realm caused an even greater sensation.
Compared to Zhong Zhengqiong’s crushing defeat, everyone was even more shocked by the speed of Gu Zheng’s advancement.
How long had it been?
The major Noble Families had repeatedly studied Gu Zheng’s journey dozens of times.
Every time they mentally set a limit for Gu Zheng—the peak of the Heroic Body Realm, or perhaps the King’s Body Realm—he would step into a new, higher level.
This time, he had climbed straight to the very peak.
The third stage of the King’s Body Realm!
This was the strongest realm known to the major Noble Families of the current era.
The third stage of the King’s Body Realm was the pinnacle; only a select few had ever reached this level.
The True Body Realm?
No one had appeared in that realm for several thousand years.
Those who had existed before were all long dead.
But the truth was, those in the True Body Realm still existed.
South of Yue Country.
In the vast and sparsely populated Southern Wilderness.
At the bottom level of a thousand-zhang-tall tower that pierced the clouds.
"Reporting to my lord, yesterday at Lion Peak on the Mian River, the Zhong Family’s Zhong Zhengqiong was defeated at the hands of Gu Zheng. This Gu Zheng is the new King who developed three Domains last year, the most dazzling genius of this Celestial Change."
"During the duel, Gu Zheng revealed the cultivation of a third-stage King’s Body, shattering Zhong Zhengqiong’s Golden Bell Domain in a single strike!"
The sound of clashing metal echoed through the empty, subterranean space.
"..."
The echo lingered, not fading for a long time.
Once it had finally dissipated, the person who had spoken remained kneeling on one knee, perfectly still.
After a long while...
"Continue to monitor Gu Zheng. Record his every move, everything he does!"
An ancient voice vibrated the air, rumbling slowly like muffled thunder.
"Yes!!"
...
...
East of Jing Country, in the vast Sea Realm, on an island a thousand li from the coastline.
The island had tall mountains and flowing streams, with leisurely white clouds drifting overhead. The air was filled with the songs of birds and the fragrance of flowers.
The scenery on the not-so-large island was pleasant, as if it never changed throughout the four seasons.
Even the waves striking the reefs on the shore left no mark.
WHOOSH~ WHOOSH~
A cool wind swept from the sky into the island’s interior.
It finally converged in a valley brimming with clusters of flowers.
In the valley’s southeast corner, green vines clung to several buildings constructed from wood.
Inside one of the wooden houses, a woman with long blue hair was dozing lazily by the window.
Suddenly, on a wooden table not far behind her, a Crystal Ball abruptly burst with light.
The woman’s body jolted. Without even looking back, she immediately stood up, strode to the table, and placed her hand on the Crystal Ball, bathing herself in its shimmering white light.
A moment later, astonishment appeared on the woman’s beautiful, fair face.
"A third-stage King’s Body in his early twenties? Is that for real?"
Muttering to herself, the woman didn’t stop moving. She quickly exited the wooden house and flew gracefully toward the depths of the valley...
...
...
「Fengzhou, State City.」
"Commander Meng, my apologies. We are also acting under orders. I hope you will cooperate."
The middle-aged general, clad in Great Sun Armor, gave Meng Taiqi a slight bow, his expression unchanging.
"..." Meng Taiqi sat steadily, not moving or responding.
"Meng Taiqi!"
Behind the middle-aged general, a young man’s face darkened as he snapped, "Are you going to defy a direct order?"
"Young man, watch your words."
Xie Bisheng, who was beside them, spoke coolly, "The words ’defy a direct order’ are not for you to say, nor can you bear the consequences."
"Hah~"
The young man sneered, turning his head to look at Xie Bisheng. "Grand General Xie, do you think you can avoid this? You and Meng Taiqi are both accomplices with that Gu... You’re all in it together! No one can escape!"
"Make it quick. Hand over your Great Seals, remove your armor, and come with us. You might still keep your lives. But if you don’t know what’s good for you and dare to resist..."
"Silence!" the middle-aged general suddenly barked, cutting the young man off. "Get out. You have no business here!"
"On what grounds? I am the deputy envoy! I have the right to be here to witness Meng Taiqi and Xie Bisheng hand over their Great Seals and remove their armor!" the young man shouted fearlessly.
"Heh heh~"
Meng Taiqi laughed as well. "This Crown Prince, or perhaps Prince, Your Highness... aren’t you afraid of disheartening your subordinates by doing this?"
"Disheartening? Why would anyone be disheartened? If you people knew what was good for you and cooperated obediently, who would be disheartened?" the young man retorted sophistically.
"Fine."
Meng Taiqi sighed. "I can remove my armor and hand over my Great Seal, but..."
"You are in no position to bargain!" the young man interrupted with a cold laugh. "Meng Taiqi, who do you think you are? We give you face, and you’re a Commander! We don’t, and you’re just my Zhong Family’s..."
"SILENCE!!"
The middle-aged general roared in anger, swiftly grabbing the young man by the collar and throwing him out.
"Watch him! If he opens his mouth again, gag him!"
"Yes, sir!!"
Outside, a dozen or so armored, brawny men, dressed differently from the Demon Suppression Guard, responded in unison.
"Commander Meng, Grand General Xie."
Inside the room, the middle-aged general rubbed his face, gave a bitter smile, and sighed. "That fellow just now... he’s clueless. I hope you can forgive his behavior."
"One word," Xie Bisheng said coolly. "If he spouts any more nonsense, I’ll make him shut his mouth."
"Don’t worry, he won’t be able to speak again."
The middle-aged general said gently, "But the Sovereign’s decree is exactly as I said. We did not fabricate it. And Lord Xu... is also aware of this matter."
’Xu Jianzhu knows?’
Meng Taiqi and Xie Bisheng fell silent.
"Did Lord Xu say anything else?" Meng Taiqi asked, taking a deep breath to calm himself.
"...Yes."
The middle-aged general hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "As I was leaving the Royal Capital, Lord Xu stopped me and we spoke for a bit. He hopes that you will cooperate. Only by cooperating can he protect you."
"..."
Meng Taiqi and Xie Bisheng were silent.
After a long moment, Meng Taiqi sighed, took out the Commander’s Seal, and placed it on the table. Then, he stood up and removed his Great Sun Armor.
"Alright."
"..." Xie Bisheng remained silent. Without any unnecessary words, he simply handed over his Demon-Slaying Seal and removed his armor.
The middle-aged general took this in and cupped his fist in a salute. "My thanks to you both, My Lords!"
"Let’s go."
Having removed his armor, Meng Taiqi waved a hand and walked out.
Xie Bisheng followed behind him.
The group of three left the room.
In the courtyard outside, they saw not only the dozen or so men who had come with the middle-aged general, but also a crowd of Hundred Households and Thousand Households from the Demon Slayer Bureau.
Dozens of people stood in silence. Not one of them spoke, merely gazing at Meng Taiqi and Xie Bisheng with complex expressions on their faces.
"Ahem~"
Seeing this, the middle-aged general raised his voice and announced, "By order of the Sovereign! Meng Taiqi and Xie Bisheng, due to their outstanding merits, are hereby transferred to the Royal Capital to assume new positions. The post of Commander of the Fengzhou Demon Slayer Bureau will be filled by Jiang..."
"The men stay. You leave."
A voice suddenly rang out, its tone calm, echoing throughout the entire Demon Slayer Bureau headquarters.
’Hm?’
The interrupted middle-aged general was confused. He looked up, and his body immediately trembled. His legs went weak, and he instinctively dropped to his knees, raising his hands high above his head as he cried out in a quavering voice.
"Gr... Greetings to Gu King!"
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