Chapter 249 - 230: Five Omens
Chen Ming stared at Zhang Dingce for a while, with a strange smile on his lips, making Zhang’s scalp tingle, and suddenly he regretted it.
"You all have Fourth Grade cultivation, right? After being Prison Supervisor for so many years, has your martial arts slacked? Let me test you, then."
Upon hearing this, the five were both surprised and delighted. They were working in the prison because they were marginalized, lacking any backing.
After reaching Fourth Grade, they had no one to guide them, relying only on themselves. Their position made it difficult to achieve merit, and without significant opportunity, breaking through to Third Grade was nearly impossible.
Though Lord Gu was young, he was already at Third Grade cultivation. His willingness to guide them was extremely valuable to them.
"How can we trouble you, Lord?"
"Follow me."
Chen Ming led his five subordinates to a spacious courtyard in the backyard, saying, "Let me first look at your strength. You may start."
He pointed to Zhang Dingce.
Zhang Dingce stepped forward, solemnly bowed, "Please, Lord, give your guidance."
"Come, show your best skills."
Chen Ming beckoned with his hand.
Zhang Dingce didn’t hesitate, showing his most hidden skills.
Having the opportunity to be guided by a Third Grade expert, it was an unmissable chance, and he naturally wanted to seize it.
A moment later, when Zhang Dingce used his twentieth move, his body suddenly felt light, and he was hurled into the air, landing in a flower bed.
He stood up, covered in dust but with no trace of resentment on his face.
Next, the other four received similar treatment, ending up in a sorry state, yet none complained because Chen Ming was very measured and didn’t injure them.
In fact, they were secretly pleased, which meant Lord Gu truly considered them his own.
Previously, Lord Gu was polite to them, which kept a distance. Today, with his guidance and a lesson, they felt like true subordinates.
Seeing them smile after being beaten, Chen Ming lost interest, feeling they had a tendency towards masochism.
While he could gain some experience points by disciplining them, the amount was too little, just a few thousand points.
After that, he seriously began to guide them, and how much they could understand depended on their own perception.
...
Late at night, Lei Chun and the others left.
Chen Ming didn’t have them stay overnight here, as it was inconvenient.
"Young Master."
Back in his room, just as he was about to take out the Turtle Shell for research, the maid Xiao He handed him a letter, "This was sent by Miss Yuyin’s people this afternoon."
Gu Yuyin sent a letter?
Chen Ming asked, "Where is the messenger?"
"Settled in. Would you like to see him?"
"Forget it, it’s late. I’ll see him tomorrow. You may leave now."
Chen Ming dismissed her, took out the letter, and quickly read it. The letter mentioned her grandfather’s sixtieth birthday in a few days, inviting him to attend.
The letter also mentioned something that caught his attention.
The Gu family was already aware of Gu Xianyu’s breakthrough to Third Grade, and according to family rules, they would send a senior of Second Grade or above to teach him cultivation and martial arts.
Most likely, it was his closest uncle, who might already be on his way.
At the end of the letter, Gu Yuyin congratulated him, saying that after reaching Third Grade, the family would value him.
"This is troublesome."
After reading, Chen Ming felt a headache.
The "Uncle," responsible for teaching Gu Xianyu martial arts, was essentially half a mentor. He was the only senior in the Gu family, still relatively kind to him.
This person was very familiar with Gu Xianyu’s martial arts. Upon his arrival, as long as he demonstrated his skills, he would expose himself. Their cultivation methods were different, even though both had ice attributes, their Gang Yuan had fundamental differences.
"Looks like this disguise can no longer be used."
Chen Ming rubbed the letter to dust, thinking in his heart.
He had a plan for this long ago, faking death and disappearing silently, the best means to handle this.
But—
What about Xia Mudan?
If she couldn’t bear it and wanted to die with him?
"If Brother Gu suffers any misfortune... I will not live alone—"
Chen Ming thought back to Xia Mudan’s words from the afternoon, feeling a pang of emotion.
"What a silly girl, we’ve known each other for such a short time, yet she’s already willing to die for me..."
Isn’t it just defeating her in a duel?
Isn’t it just marrying her in name?
Isn’t it just saving her once...?
Thinking of this, Chen Ming paused. Though their time together was short, the experiences weren’t few, and it wasn’t surprising she had feelings for him.
A sense of inexplicable irritation stirred inside him. Ever since hearing her decisive words, his heart seemed to be tied by some unclear bond.
Chen Ming took out the black Turtle Shell and murmured, "You guide me back to Xiazhou City, don’t want me to leave any regrets, is it?"
The Turtle Shell, polished to a jade-like texture, shone mysteriously in the lamplight.
"Do you think I should tell her the truth?"
After asking, as he was about to inject a strand of Gang Yuan, a flash of insight struck him.
This turtle shell can be considered a treasure. What would happen if I use the "Artifact Control Technique" to activate it?
As soon as he thought of it, he did it, silently activating the "Artifact Control Technique."
At this moment, he felt a tremendous suction force generated from the turtle shell in his hand, as if it were a bottomless pit, continually absorbing the Gang Yuan from his body.
"What’s happening?"
He felt both astonishment and joy but did not actively break off this connection, allowing the turtle shell to swallow his Gang Yuan.
A moment later, the Gang Yuan within him was nearly depleted, and the turtle shell finally emitted a soft, clear light, an indescribable wave resonating outward.
In that moment, images flashed in Chen Ming’s mind. They were all scenes of him being killed by others, like slides flashing by in rapid succession.
Soon, those images disappeared.
The turtle shell in his hand returned to its original state, only now appearing much dimmer.
"What is this?"
Chen Ming’s pupils slightly contracted.
Among the images, there were five scenarios of him dying. In three of the scenarios, he recognized the people who killed him.
One was the man in black from the "Killing Righteous Sect" he met today.
Another was Zhou Wentao from the "Qingyi Sect," the person who helped Zhu Wanlin injure Xia Mudan.
In another scenario, surprisingly, the person who killed him was Su Zhining!
As for the other two people, he didn’t recognize them; one was a handsome middle-aged man, and the other wore the First Grade Governor’s official uniform of the Six Gates.
It’s needless to mention the first two; they both have reasons to kill him.
As for Su Zhining, according to Lin Qiong’s statement, she also has a motive to kill him.
"So, is this a hint from the turtle shell? A possible future killing disaster?"
Chen Ming looked at the turtle shell in his hand, his expression changing.
If it’s true, then this treasure that can foresee the future is indeed a Divine Artifact!
In those five images, when he died at Su Zhining’s hand, he had returned to Chen Ming’s appearance.
"Which means, I cannot reveal myself to Su Zhining."
As long as he does not revert to Chen Ming’s appearance, this killing disaster can be avoided.
And when he died under the swords of those two from the "Killing Righteous Sect" and "Qingyi Sect," he had the face of his past self. The difference was that the former was when he was alone, and the latter was when he was with Xia Mudan.
He analyzed it, "Does this mean that if I abandon my identity as Gu Xianyu and sneak out of Xiazhou City, I’ll be attacked by the Eight Righteous Sect?"
As for the other two scenes, he preserved his appearance as Gu Xianyu.
Chen Ming felt numb, realizing that whether he stays or leaves, death awaits.
"Oh heavens, what kind of sins have I committed that I must die inevitably?"
...
Chen Ming thought all night until dawn and decided not to think about it anymore.
The intelligence is too sparse; with only a few images, it’s impossible to make a reasonable deduction.
"To forge iron, one must be strong oneself!"
He thought to himself that to resolve these killing disasters, he must rely on himself.
With sufficient strength, any killing disaster can be overcome.
After coming to this realization, Chen Ming suddenly felt enlightened.
Now, the Golden Flame within "Mingfeng Sword" is gone, and the Primordial Spirit of the Immortal Demon Venerable has also dissipated; the most potent weapons are lost.
With his current strength, there are few among the Third Grade who can surpass him.
As for the Second Grade, even if he can’t win, he should be able to escape.
If he encounters the First Grade, then it might be risky.
"So, the urgent task is to quickly break through to the Second Grade."
Chen Ming began to ponder.
Currently, he is two million experience points short of breaking through to the Second Grade.
The question is, where can he gather these two million points?
All the Third Grade and Second Grade prisoners have been killed by him in the prison; at the time, it was the best solution, but now it has led to him losing the most stable experience sources.
"Right, there is a ready experience source at home."
Chen Ming put away the turtle shell, called Xiaolo in to wash up, and went to look for Xia Mudan.
"Good morning, Lord Gu."
Xia Mudan’s complexion looked much better, with joy in the corners of her eyes and eyebrows; her soft and charming gaze could soften even a stubborn stone.
However, Chen Ming, now surrounded by threats, felt a strong sense of urgency and was not in the mood for romance, so he said, "It seems your injuries have improved a lot, sister."
One word of "sister" made Xia Mudan blush, lower her gaze, and say softly, "Thanks to Lord Gu for helping me eliminate that Sword Intent, I have recovered a lot now."
"In that case, let’s spar to help you stretch your muscles and bones."
"If you are interested, my brother, I will of course accompany you."
Thus, the two went to the courtyard.
"Lord Gu, behold the sword." Xia Mudan did not use the "Dragon Abyss Sword"; her movements lacked any killing aura, and her technique contained lingering emotions. Anyone who practiced martial arts could perceive it.
This is the romance of a heroine; others express their feelings through poetry and prose, she writes a love poem with swordsmanship.
Unfortunately, facing Chen Ming, who ruined the romantic mood, she was defeated in just a few moves.
Xia Mudan looked somewhat resentful, "I lost."