Chapter 281 - 259: The Deal
"Let’s go."
After seeing "Yuan Ziyi" kill Du Rusong, Gu Haochuan wiped away the tears caused by the intense shock, pulled up his disciple who was nearly blinded, and left the place.
The night passed, and Gu Zhengshan’s vision finally recovered, but his eyes were still bloodshot, and opening them brought a fiery pain. They were quite injured.
He closed and opened his eyes, looking puzzled, and asked Gu Haochuan, "Why didn’t you capture that imposter pretending to be our seventh brother?"
At this moment, they had already returned to Qingfeng City.
Gu Haochuan didn’t answer but instead posed a question, "Xiaowu, let me ask you, what good comes from killing this person?"
"This person pretended to be our seventh brother, stole our Gu Family’s secrets, and harbored ill intentions. We should capture him, interrogate him thoroughly, and see if someone is behind it. What more good is there?"
"Then let me ask you again, what good is there if we don’t kill him?"
"What good—"
Gu Zhengshan suddenly realized, "You mean, let him take the place of our seventh brother at the upcoming court night banquet?"
Gu Haochuan’s eyes showed a hint of satisfaction; this disciple wasn’t too dull after all, "Precisely."
Gu Zhengshan was shocked by his outrageous idea, stuttering, "But... but, this person harbors malicious intent, intending harm to our Gu Family. How can we... how can this be possible?"
"Do you think this person’s strength qualifies to fight for a spot in the Immortal Mansion?"
"..."
Gu Zhengshan fell silent. He had seen the impostor’s abilities firsthand; with such an amazing body technique, he was almost undefeatable.
Unless faced with top-tier First Grade experts like Du Rusong, who had already formed the Sword Domain, he couldn’t think of anyone able to defeat this person.
Even the Second Grade monsters from the Capital City might not win against him.
Seeing that he understood, Gu Haochuan calmly stated, "The Immortal Mansion’s spot is crucial for our Gu Family. The night banquet held in the palace occurs every five years, but the Immortal Mansion opens only once every twenty years. If we can secure a spot this time, your ninth uncle will have the chance to make a breakthrough. This is a matter concerning the future of our Gu Family over the next century.
"This person likely seeks one of our Gu Family’s secret realm spots. If he can win an Immortal Mansion spot and we give it to him, what harm is there? Weighing the lighter and heavier, you should understand!"
Gu Zhengshan’s entire body trembled, his expression turned extremely solemn, and nodded, "Master, I understand."
"Do not tell anyone about this. Not even your father or your wife. Understand?"
"Disciple understands."
"Good, from now on, we’ll wait here for your seventh brother."
...
Meanwhile, the sky was just beginning to brighten.
Chen Ming carried three human heads to a newly built grave outside Qingfeng City, with a freshly carved tombstone that read: Tomb of Liu Fu, my mentor.
Beside it was an old grave that had been renovated, which was the burial place of Liu Fu’s mentor and mentor’s wife.
"Old Liu, I came to see you."
Chen Ming placed the three heads in front of the grave and offered wine to this old friend.
If it weren’t for Liu Fu giving him the Six Yang Breath Forging Technique back then, he wouldn’t be where he is today.
He said, "Back then, it was this He Rui who lured away your junior sister, bringing you a lifetime of misfortune.
"When you went for revenge, you didn’t even get to see his face. Alas, all I could do for you was this. I didn’t kill the others in the He Family, but three of their top experts are dead. Their decline is inevitable, and naturally, those who have a grudge against the He Family will trouble them."
"Your two disciples are doing well, already at Sixth Grade. I’m sure you already know. I’ve had quite an exciting life these past years. I’ll tell you about it if I have the chance."
After paying his respects to his old friend, Chen Ming destroyed the three heads to avoid causing trouble.
He then prepared to return to the Chen Mansion to say goodbye to Yu Haitang and his family.
As he returned to Qingfeng City and just reached his doorstep, suddenly someone called from behind, "Xiaoqi, what are you doing here? I’ve been looking all over for you."
Chen Ming had a strong intuition that the person was calling him. His heart skipped a beat, and he wanted to ignore it, but before he could react, the scene shifted, and two people appeared before him.
Seeing the appearance of the person in front of him, he was shocked to the core.
This tall, dashing man was precisely the one predicted to kill him in the last of the five lethal diagrams indicated by the turtle shell not long ago.
His face showed an apt expression of confusion, "Have you mistaken me for someone else? I don’t know you."
The man before him laughed heartily, "Xiaoqi, do you think just because you disguise as a woman, your Fifth Uncle wouldn’t recognize you?"
Fifth Uncle?
So, this person was Gu Xianyu’s Fifth Uncle, Gu Haochuan.
How did he recognize me?
Chen Ming’s mind was in turmoil, unable to comprehend how this person found Qingfeng City and, coincidentally, was right at his doorstep—
At this moment, he saw the door open and Old Li walked out.
Gu Haochuan looked at him meaningfully and said, "Fifth uncle knows you have misunderstandings about the Gu family. It’s okay, once we talk it out, it’ll be fine. Come, let’s have a good talk, my young martial nephew."
Chen Ming happened to see his brother Chen Rui come out and said, "Okay."
...
Chen Ming followed Gu Haochuan to a courtyard next door, where there was another person inside. His appearance was somewhat similar to Gu Xianyu, but his eyes were covered with a cloth band, possibly due to an injury.
Gu Haochuan introduced, "This is your fifth brother, Gu Zhengshan. Do you still recognize him?"
On the way here, Chen Ming had roughly guessed what was going on.
It was most likely due to Du Rusong previously chasing him and Jiang Yingxue outside Jiangzhou City, which caused the Divine Treasure Realm experts beside Princess Mingyu to make a scene.
That’s why Gu Haochuan had set his sights on him.
Just now, he quietly "asked" the turtle shell and came up with a vague fortune that was difficult to predict.
After Gu Haochuan sat down, he personally brewed tea, sighing, "I did not expect that after you left the Capital City, you would gain such great fortune, breaking through two realms in just a few months; surely you acquired some extraordinary opportunity."
Huh?
Chen Ming felt something strange about the implication of his words. He seemed to have taken the initiative to explain the reasons for his rapid improvement in cultivation.
What exactly does he intend to do?
Gu Haochuan seemed oblivious to his peculiar gaze and continued, "Since you have reached Second Grade, there are things you should know. By now, you should be aware that to break into the Divine Treasure Realm, you must enter a Secret Realm."
"Mm."
Chen Ming vaguely felt that this person did not seem to have any hostility. If he truly intended to kill him, there was no need to say so much; he could’ve taken action already.
Gu Haochuan continued, "The reason is that the heavenly rare treasures capable of unlocking the Divine Treasure in the body are only produced within the Secret Realm. However, the number of these heavenly rare treasures is limited in the Secret Realm. Therefore, the quotas to enter the Secret Realm are so precious.
"But different heavenly rare treasures grant different divine abilities after unlocking the Divine Treasure. Some are strong, some are weak. It depends on which kind of rare treasure you use. After all, heavenly rare treasures are also categorized into ranks.
"To most ordinary martial artists in the world, obtaining a slot, acquiring a heavenly rare treasure to unlock the Divine Treasure, is already fortunate. They do not have the privilege to pick and choose.
"The Gu family, however, is different. Owning three Secret Realms, the heavenly rare treasures produced are all top-grade. After unlocking the Divine Treasure, one can acquire top-grade divine abilities. Moreover, we can also exchange slots with other families, gathering five different kinds of heavenly rare treasures, which is not difficult.
"Of course, for slots this precious, even for direct descendants like you and me, gaining a slot requires making great contributions. Right now, there is an opportunity to contribute to the family; it just depends on whether you are willing to serve the family!"
Gu Haochuan stared at him intensely as he finished speaking.
Chen Ming finally understood; all that was said was for the sake of that last sentence.
If he agreed, he could obtain a slot.
If he didn’t agree, things would likely turn hostile.
So, it seems that this person had already discerned his identity as false, but was impressed by his strength, hence proposing this condition.
He pondered for a moment and asked, "My strength is far beneath fifth uncle’s; what does the family need me to contribute?"
This was an admission that he was Gu Xianyu.
Gu Haochuan smiled and said, "This, you may not know. Since the founding of Great Jin, the Grand Ancestor Emperor seized those Secret Realms previously held by the former imperial family, including two immortal palaces.
"Back then, the Grand Ancestor made an agreement with various families to hold a banquet in the palace every five years to let the younger generations compete. Twenty of the most outstanding youths are chosen and granted access to the top-grade Secret Realm.
"Every twenty years, five slots for the Immortal Palace are even distributed. This year happens to be the twentieth-year period, and families in the Capital City are all sharpening their blades for the Immortal Palace slot.
"There isn’t anyone in the younger generation of the Gu family with the capability to compete for the Immortal Palace slot. Fortunately, now there’s you; there might be a chance. If you can secure the Immortal Palace slot, that would be a great merit for the Gu family. I can decide, when you reach First Grade, to give you five slots."
So that’s the matter.
Chen Ming suddenly realized that they indeed valued his strength and wanted him to compete for the Immortal Palace slot.
Of course, he did not believe a single word of Gu Haochuan’s promise.
But for now, he could only pretend to comply, buy time, and find ways to enhance his strength to potentially reach First Grade.
By then, he would not fear him.
Thinking of this, Chen Ming asked, "What is the Immortal Palace? How does it differ from the Secret Realm?"
Gu Haochuan’s tone became somewhat fervent, "The Immortal Palace, naturally, is the immortal’s dwelling. After unlocking the Five Divine Treasures in the body, the next step is to form the primordial embryo, which requires immortal’s ambrosial nectar and other celestial rare treasures. And these celestial rare treasures can only be acquired in the Immortal Palace."
I see, meaning the Gu family wants to add a practitioner who can form the primordial embryo, thus needing the Immortal Palace slot.
Because there isn’t anyone outstanding in the younger generation of the Gu family.
Therefore, Gu Haochuan noticed him.
As long as he can secure the Immortal Palace slot for the family, it won’t matter if he is truly Gu Xianyu; the Gu family likely won’t care.