Chapter 445: Chapter 253: If Gu Zheng Became the Sovereign
Hongzhou.
The State City, Demon Slayer Bureau Headquarters.
"Old man, old man!"
Xiao Xianya shouted as she walked briskly.
"What’s all the shouting about!"
Zhao Xiangqian, who was inside the room, snapped irritably, "How many times have I told you? Don’t be so boisterous. How are you ever going to get married acting like this? Who would want to marry..."
"Marry? What’s there to marry about? I have no intention of getting married."
Xiao Xianya interrupted impatiently, stepping into the room and shutting the door behind her. Her voice dropped. "Old man, is the news about Gu true? The royal court didn’t dare to offend Gu, so they went after his two teachers instead? They stripped Commander Meng of his position, and I heard that if Gu hadn’t arrived in time, both Commander Meng and Grand General Xie would have been taken away?"
"How could the royal court be so despicable! They were the ones who proposed the duel, and when they lost, they’re the ones pulling tricks behind his back! Commander Meng and Grand General Xie are Gu’s teachers, so they got implicated. Zuo and I have been on missions with Gu before, and we’re good friends. Does that mean I’m going to be arrested too?"
As Xiao Xianya spoke, her voice couldn’t help but rise.
"Keep your voice down!" Zhao Xiangqian sensed for anyone outside and, confirming they were alone, sighed. "The news is true. This is not something you can get involved in. But don’t worry, the court won’t go so far as to arrest you. As for Zuo Lingfeng, his master is Yuanqian Mountain, so they’d be even less likely to arrest him."
"Hmph."
Xiao Xianya was still indignant. "The Zhong Family is so petty. With that kind of mindset, can they really succeed in the ’Dragon Struggle’ and establish an imperial dynasty? I don’t believe it for a second!"
"..."
Zhao Xiangqian opened his mouth as if to say something, but just sighed again.
"Just don’t go spouting this nonsense outside."
Zhao Xiangqian warned, "And another thing, don’t just casually call him ’Gu’. He has the King’s Body now. You should address him as Gu King!"
"It’s fine. Call me whatever you like," a voice suddenly interjected.
"How can you be so casual about it?" Zhao Xiangqian retorted instinctively. "The King’s Body is... you... you..."
His words died in his throat, and he froze on the spot.
"Gu!"
Xiao Xianya, on the other hand, gasped and turned to see a figure who had suddenly appeared in a seat to her right. "Gu, what are you doing here?" she asked, delighted.
She trotted over to him.
"Xiao!"
Gu Zheng clasped his hands in greeting, then turned to Zhao Xiangqian and did the same. "Elder Zhao, it’s been a long time."
"Long... long time no see."
Zhao Xiangqian replied stiffly. He quickly came to his senses, faced Gu Zheng, and performed a deep bow. "Greetings, Gu King!"
"Elder Zhao, there’s no need for such formalities. We’re old friends. Please, be at ease." Gu Zheng raised his hand, and Zhao Xiangqian immediately straightened up.
"Exactly."
Xiao Xianya chimed in with a hearty laugh. "I told you Gu wouldn’t mind. See? He’s still the same as ever. Those types who get a little bit of power and act all high and mighty, not knowing their own worth, how could they ever break through to the King’s Body?"
"...Could you be a little more tactful with your words?"
Zhao Xiangqian said with resignation, "You’re a grown woman, yet you’re always talking about butts."
"So what?" Xiao Xianya said dismissively.
"Haha, Xiao is true to herself. It’s an admirable quality, and it makes people want to be around her," Gu Zheng laughed. Then, he got straight to the point. "Xiao, Elder Zhao, I came here today to tell you something. Do you know the secret of the Great Sun Armor?"
"The Great Sun Armor?"
Xiao Xianya was puzzled. "Does the Great Sun Armor have a secret?"
She looked up at Zhao Xiangqian.
She saw his expression change slightly, his gaze somewhat evasive.
"Old man, you know the secret of the Great Sun Armor?" Xiao Xianya said quickly. "Hurry up and tell us. What secret is it hiding?"
"Elder Zhao knows?" Gu Zheng asked, also curious.
"..."
Zhao Xiangqian was silent for a moment before sighing. "I know a little, but I’m not clear on the specifics. The Great Sun Armor issued by the court, aside from being a Spiritual Soldier, also has other hidden capabilities. Capabilities that only the Sovereign knows about."
"Hidden capabilities?"
Xiao Xianya was astonished. "What capabilities? Master, you never asked or investigated further?"
"If I had pressed the issue, I wouldn’t be alive today." Zhao Xiangqian gave Xiao Xianya a helpless look. At the same time, he felt a faint sense of unease.
"Gu King, the secret of the Great Sun Armor... I don’t want to know. Please..."
"I’m sorry," Gu Zheng interrupted. "This is a secret I must tell you."
Gu Zheng used his divine power to transmit his voice directly into their minds, giving Zhao Xiangqian no chance to cover his ears.
"The Zhong Family left a back door in the Great Sun Armor. They implemented a very secretive and lethal modification: they integrated Ten Thousand Souls Spider Silk into it. This substance can lock onto a target from a thousand miles away and bind them."
"In other words, Xiao, Elder Zhao, you are here in Hongzhou, but the Zhong Family, all the way in the Royal Capital, knows the exact location of anyone wearing the Great Sun Armor. Whenever they want, they can activate the armor, causing it to contract and bind you!"
"What?" After hearing this, Xiao Xianya exploded. "The Great Sun Armor is a cage? It can bind us at any moment?"
"Yes."
Gu Zheng said with certainty, "I discovered this secret a long time ago. At first, I thought it was an isolated case, targeting only me. Later, I realized that wasn’t true. Every single suit of Great Sun Armor has been tampered with!"
"They can know our whereabouts at all times and even bind us. The Zhong Family’s distrust of us Demon-slaying Grand Generals and Commanders runs incredibly deep..."
"That Zhong family doesn’t trust us!" Furious, Xiao Xianya quickly stripped off her Great Sun Armor. With a CLANG, she threw it to the floor, shattering two floor tiles. "Old man, take yours off too! The Zhong Family are bastards! They actually made us wear a cage this whole time."
Zhao Xiangqian didn’t move. He looked at Gu Zheng with a bitter expression and sighed, "Gu King, why did you have to do this?"
Comments