Chapter 450: Chapter 255: Betting on Gu Zheng’s Character
...
The Royal Capital.
Within the Royal Palace.
"What’s going on? Why did Gu Zheng suddenly run off to Hengzhou?" Zhong Yi had just finished with state affairs when he received the latest report on Gu Zheng. His brow furrowed. "Did he go to Hengzhou just to kill Demon Fiends?" he asked in a low voice.
"I’d say he has ulterior motives!" Zhong Zhengxiao snapped.
"What motives could he have?" Xu Jianzhu spoke calmly. "The only person he knew in Hengzhou was Huang Dajin, one of the former Seven Demon Slayers, but Huang Dajin died long ago."
"What are you trying to say, Lord Xu?" Zhong Zhengxiao turned to Xu Jianzhu upon hearing this, his expression unreadable.
"Nothing. I just wish to clarify that Gu Zheng went to Hengzhou solely to kill Demon Fiends. If not for him, half of Hengzhou would have fallen and been plundered by the Devouring Insect Race," Xu Jianzhu replied placidly.
"Hah. So you’re saying we should be grateful to Gu Zheng?" Zhong Zhengxiao sneered.
"Shouldn’t we be?" Xu Jianzhu countered.
"Xu Jianzhu! What is the meaning of this?" Zhong Zhengxiao erupted, roaring, "Are you with my Zhong Family, or are you with Gu Zheng? If you want to betray us and throw in your lot with that Gu, just say so!"
"I am with the people," Xu Jianzhu replied calmly. "As the Grand Director of the Demon Slayer Bureau, it is my duty to slay demons and exterminate fiends. Saving the people from dire straits is my ideal."
"You..."
"Enough!" Zhong Yi’s sharp voice cut them off. "Stop arguing. Lord Xu is right. We should be grateful to Gu Zheng. After all, thanks to him, Hengzhou was saved."
"And you, don’t come to me with your personal affairs for no reason next time. During this Devouring Insect Race crisis, if you hadn’t stirred up trouble, forcing Lord Xu to go clean up your mess, how could the Demon Extermination have been delayed, preventing him from rescuing Hengzhou?"
"..." Zhong Zhengxiao opened his mouth, wanting to argue, but the truth was, the disaster in Hengzhou with the Devouring Insect Race was indeed the reason Xu Jianzhu couldn’t get there in time.
"Hmph!"
With nothing left to say, Zhong Zhengxiao flicked his sleeves and stormed away.
Zhong Yi didn’t stop him, merely sighing.
"Lord Xu, you may go about your duties as well."
Zhong Yi raised a hand, mentally exhausted.
"Yes, sir!"
Xu Jianzhu clasped his hands in a salute and turned to leave.
From beginning to end, his face betrayed no emotion. But deep down, his heart was inexplicably heavy.
...
Fengzhou, Qingshi County.
On a mountaintop outside the city.
WHOOSH!
The mountain wind gusted as Gu Zheng descended from the sky, landing on the ground.
"Gu... Gu King!"
Ten paces away, a young man with long blue hair faced Gu Zheng and bowed nervously.
"Hai, it’s been a long time."
Gu Zheng chuckled. "We’re old acquaintances. Relax, there’s no need to be so formal."
"It’s just... Gu King, your achievements are now so great I can’t even see the top when I look up."
Hai Qingshu gave an awkward smile, but his nervousness began to subside.
Hai Qingshu was the disciple from the Hai Family whom Gu Zheng had met in the Domain. He had once given Gu Zheng a small conch shell.
With Hai Qingshu at the time was his younger sister, Hai Qingmi.
Back then, Gu Zheng had only just broken through to the Super Body realm.
Meeting again now, Gu Zheng was already at the third stage of the King’s Body, his name renowned throughout the world!
It would have been strange if Hai Qingshu wasn’t nervous, given such a massive change in such a short time.
Fortunately, Gu Zheng’s attitude was the same as ever.
Feeling a wave of emotion, Hai Qingshu cupped his fist and said, "Gu King, I’ve taken the liberty of disturbing you today because I have a favor to ask. This is the Patriarch of my Hai Family, Hai Wujang."
Stepping slightly to the side, Hai Qingshu gestured to an old man standing behind him, who had been maintaining a smile without speaking.
The old man also had long blue hair, neatly combed and flowing down his back. A long, blue-and-purple robe was draped over his gaunt shoulders, its hem swaying in the mountain wind.
"Hai Wujang greets the Gu King!"
His mouth remained closed, but a steady and powerful voice was transmitted to Gu Zheng via a Divine Strange Sound Transmission.
"Gu King, our Patriarch has been unable to speak since childhood due to an ailment," Hai Qingshu quickly explained from the side. "But he is exceptionally talented and hardworking. He was chosen as the Patriarch of our Hai Family at the age of forty and has dedicated several hundred years to our family to this day."
’A Patriarch who can’t speak?’
’That’s rather interesting.’
Of course, Hai Wujang’s strength was not to be underestimated. He made little effort to conceal it, revealing the aura of a second-stage King’s Body.
"Patriarch Hai." Gu Zheng returned the greeting, then asked, "May I ask what favor Patriarch Hai seeks from me?"
"I hope that the Gu King can lend the Hai Family a hand."
Hai Wujang transmitted via Divine Strange Sound Transmission, getting straight to the point. "Of course, you could also say you would be helping me attempt to break through to the third stage."
"Oh?" Gu Zheng was curious. "Patriarch Hai, please elaborate."
’Attempting to break through to the third stage of the King’s Body?’
’This is no small matter.’
"To be honest with the Gu King, my clear path to the third stage of the King’s Body is through comprehending the Ice and Fire Dao. As long as I can attain enlightenment in the Ice and Fire Dao, I can complete my Seeking Truth."
Hai Wujang explained via Divine Strange Sound Transmission, "However, enlightenment in the Ice and Fire Dao requires specific conditions. For this reason, since the last Celestial Change, I have been searching everywhere for a suitable location. My efforts were not in vain, and I have finally found one."
"Three thousand li out in the Southeast Sea Realm of Jing Country, there is an island realm. Over many years, undersea volcanic eruptions and converging ocean currents caused glaciers to form beneath the islands, creating the Ice and Fire Island."
"Just half a month ago, while I was inspecting this Ice and Fire Island Realm, I discovered two Divine Weapons in the process of being born."
"Divine Weapons in the process of being born?" Upon hearing this, Gu Zheng couldn’t help but ask via Divine Strange Sound Transmission, "Patriarch Hai, are you certain? New Divine Weapons are being born?"
"I am certain. Absolutely."
Hai Wujang continued to use the Divine Strange Sound Transmission. "Although the Ice and Fire Island Realm was formed only two thousand years ago, its foundation is ancient, dating back to antiquity. It’s not surprising for Divine Weapons to be born there. What I didn’t expect was that two would be born this time. I observed for three days and confirmed that these two emerging Divine Weapons are a pair of swords. The Ice and Fire Dual Swords!"
"If I can obtain the aid of these Ice and Fire Dual Swords, I am seventy percent confident that I can complete my enlightenment of the Ice and Fire Dao and fully achieve Seeking Truth!"
"However, newly born Divine Weapons are difficult to tame. They cannot be subdued by force. Only by pitting a Divine Weapon against a Divine Weapon can the edge of a nascent one be worn down."
"For the Ice and Fire Dual Swords, two Divine Weapons are needed. The Hai Family already possesses one. If we can get help from the Divine Weapon in the Gu King’s possession, we will surely succeed."
"Once the matter is settled, the Ice and Fire Dual Swords will belong to the Gu King!"
"..." Gu Zheng’s sword-like brows shot up. "Patriarch Hai, are you saying that after we subdue the Ice and Fire Dual Swords, both of them will belong to me?"
"Yes."
Hai Wujang nodded, transmitting via Divine Strange Sound Transmission, "After the Gu King obtains the Ice and Fire Dual Swords, I hope you will be willing to lend them to me so I may comprehend the Ice and Fire Dao."
’This...’
"Aren’t you afraid I’ll go back on my word?" Gu Zheng’s brows twitched. "What will Patriarch Hai do if I take the Ice and Fire Dual Swords and then refuse to lend them to you?"
"Then that means I have lost the gamble."
Hai Wujang’s expression didn’t change as he transmitted, "Whether you lend them or not is entirely up to the Gu King’s decision. If you don’t lend them, I will continue to search for another way. If you do, I will have a chance to break through to the third stage of the King’s Body."
’He’s betting on my character!’
’Impressive.’
Gu Zheng himself didn’t know he inspired such trust in others, enough for them to reveal the existence of the nascent Ice and Fire Dual Swords.
These were Divine Weapons, after all!
And two of them at that!
It could be said that the Hai Family was making a huge wager. Of course, even if Gu Zheng went back on his word, the Hai Family wouldn’t lose anything tangible.
"You’ve won."
After a moment of contemplation, Gu Zheng said with a smile, "Alright. If we truly obtain the Divine Weapons, I can lend them to Patriarch Hai for his comprehension. However, I have a condition of my own."
"Please state it, Gu King." Hai Wujang clasped his hands in a salute.
"One day in the future, I will need to borrow the Hai Family’s Divine Weapon for one occasion. When that time comes, the Hai Family must lend it to me," Gu Zheng said seriously. "That is my only condition. Patriarch Hai..."
"Done."
Hai Wujang immediately transmitted via Divine Strange Sound Transmission, nodding in agreement. "Whenever the Gu King needs it, the Hai Family will present our Divine Weapon!"
As for why Gu Zheng would need to borrow someone else’s Divine Weapon when he already had one of his own and was about to acquire the Ice and Fire Dual Swords, Hai Wujang didn’t ask.
The reasons behind it were bound to be complex. It was better not to know.
"Excellent."
Gu Zheng smiled. "Then I look forward to our pleasant cooperation."
"A pleasant cooperation indeed." Hai Wujang also broke into a smile.
"Shall we head to the Ice and Fire Island Realm now?" Gu Zheng inquired.
"If the Gu King has no other business, we can depart immediately," Hai Wujang nodded.
"Then let’s go!"
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