Chapter 282 - 260: How Many Lives Do You Have?
Chen Ming understood the intricacies involved, which coincidentally aligned with his stereotypical impression of the Gu Family.
He said sternly, "Since the family is in need, as your nephew, I naturally cannot refuse. When does this royal palace night banquet commence?"
Seeing his response, Gu Haochuan had a slight smile on his face, thinking this person is indeed smart, and his expression became even more amiable, "There is still some time left. You can say goodbye to your friends. Would two days be enough?"
"One day is enough. In that case, I will take my leave and come back to find you tomorrow, Uncle Five." Chen Ming stood up to bid farewell.
"By the way."
Gu Haochuan reminded him, "That Du Rusong has already been wanted by the Six Gates, with a bounty of two First-Grade merits. You can take his weapon to Xiazhou to exchange for merits. Both your Fifth Brother and I will vouch for you."
This statement made Chen Ming’s eyes narrow, and he replied somewhat stiffly, "Thank you, Uncle Five."
After leaving this household’s gate, he felt his undergarments soaked with sweat.
"He actually knows I killed Du Rusong; he must have been at the scene at that time."
"No wonder I always had a vague feeling of unease. I thought it was Du Rusong following me, but it turned out there were others tracking me all the way."
"I see. This Gu Haochuan must not have known I was Gu Xianyu initially; otherwise, he would have confronted me earlier. It must have been when I was fighting Du Rusong and used the ’Lonely Swan of Heaven and Earth’ sword technique that they guessed my identity."
He finally understood the cause and effect and felt somewhat helpless, "If only I had learned another sword technique to use as a backup."
In the ’Dao of All Beings,’ there are two extremely powerful sword techniques, even more advanced than the ’Lonely Swan of Heaven and Earth.’ But he wanted to save experience points, so he didn’t learn them.
After reaching Second Grade, aside from ’Lonely Swan of Heaven and Earth’ and ’Phoenix Dance of Nine Heavens,’ other martial skills were not very useful. When facing a strong enemy, this sword technique was naturally the only one he could use to resist the enemy.
Ultimately, it was because his upgrade speed was too fast. In the eyes of others, it was like riding a rocket.
"This time heading to the Capital City, who knows how long it will be until I return; it’s indeed time to say a proper goodbye."
Chen Ming thought to himself and did not return to the Chen Mansion but headed to Prince Zhenhai’s Mansion instead.
He wrote several letters, one for Princess Mingyu, one for Yu Haitang, and another for Jiang Yingxue.
The letter to Jiang Yingxue could only be entrusted to a trustworthy person to deliver. After thinking it over, only Huo Qianqian could help with this.
...
When Chen Ming left Qingfeng City, he did not tell anyone. If nothing unexpected happened, he would never use this identity again.
Let the identity of Yuan Ziyi disappear from the world.
He reverted to the appearance of Gu Xianyu, taking nothing with him other than a sword. He followed his Uncle Five, Gu Haochuan, and Fifth Brother, Gu Zhengshan, boarding a large ship and leaving.
On the ship, Gu Haochuan clicked his tongue in wonder, "Your Disguise Technique is indeed remarkable, disguising as a woman without even showing a flaw to me."
Gu Zhengshan, who was beside him, also stared at him, unable to detect any flaw.
Chen Ming humbly said, "Uncle Five is too kind. It’s just a minor trick."
Gu Haochuan asked again, "Have you ever met Zhong Danyang?"
"Met once."
"That’s excellent."
Gu Haochuan was satisfied, thinking, even the Divine Treasure Realm expert, Zhong Danyang, didn’t see through it, so there was no need to worry about being exposed.
As for what Secret Technique he used to disguise himself, Gu Haochuan didn’t ask; this was good for everyone now, no need to point it out.
Knowing that this person is proficient in disguise, being prepared beforehand, naturally, he would not be deceived again.
It must be noted that after reaching Third Grade, the nature of Gang Yuan cannot be changed. Recognizing this point ensures it can be identified.
Not to mention, this person’s Gang Yuan is like Xiaoqi’s, both having the ice attribute. If he hadn’t been thoroughly familiar with Xiaoqi’s situation, he might have been deceived too.
Gu Haochuan said, "Did you figure out the ’Lonely Swan of Heaven and Earth’ by yourself?"
"Yes."
"To practice to this extent in just two months shows that your understanding is truly exceptional. However, at this level, wanting to stand out at the palace night banquet is not enough. Fortunately, during this time, I will guide you."
"Then I must trouble Uncle Five."
During the few days on the ship, Gu Haochuan meticulously guided him in swordsmanship, not just the ’Lonely Swan of Heaven and Earth,’ but sometimes explaining the signature swordsmanship of various families in the Capital City, analyzing their characteristics, how to respond, etc.
Chen Ming could feel that this "Uncle Five" indeed taught him without reservation, even producing a visualization map to help him comprehend Sword Intent.
Second Grade is the Divine Realm, primarily about refining Divine Intent. Once Divine Intent is fully refined, one can attempt to meld Divine Intent with Gang Yuan, enabling Gang Yuan to gain spirituality, thus stepping into First Grade.
Within the Gu Family’s visualization map, the depiction is of a person’s silhouette, standing alone between heaven and earth.
This image strongly aligns with the ’Lonely Swan of Heaven and Earth’ sword technique, allowing the visualizer to transform into the person within the image, continually practicing this sword technique.
Each visualization brings tremendous gains, evidenced by the leap in proficiency; each session of visualization could yield over a hundred thousand experience points.
In just a few days, his ’Lonely Swan of Heaven and Earth’ had already advanced to the fourth level.
Since breaking through to Second Grade, Chen Ming had not spent any more points on this sword technique.
The reason is simple: reaching the Divine Realm makes realizing Sword Intent easier. In the first three levels of this sword technique, it’s still at the Sword Technique level.
Only at the fourth level does it touch on the level of Sword Intent.
He thought that through his cultivation, he would soon reach the fourth level, saving a vast amount of experience points.
As he predicted, after reaching Second Grade, his expertise in this sword technique rapidly improved, advancing from the second to the fourth level in less than a month, saving millions of experience points.
Equivalent to having killed two more First-Grade experts.
...
Ten days later, Xiazhou City was reached.
After more than a month, returning here again, Chen Ming felt a thousand emotions. In this month, many things happened, and his cultivation advanced from Third Grade to Second Grade.
Accompanied by Gu Haichuan, he went to the Six Gates to report back to Hong Yuze.
Inside "Zeshi Hall".
Hong Yuze looked at the Divine Weapon in his hand, his expression somewhat dazed, "You mean you killed Du Rusong?"
"Indeed."
Chen Ming, already dressed in a Fifth-Grade Captain’s uniform, respectfully replied.
Hong Yuze couldn’t help but swallow.
This was indeed Du Rusong’s Divine Weapon, which he had exchanged for with a First-Grade merit, treasured greatly, and seldom shown.
However, Du Rusong was a seasoned First Grade, exceptionally mighty, even if not top-tier, he should definitely not have died at the hands of a Third Grade, oh, Second Grade.
No, hadn’t he just broken through to Third Grade not long ago? How did he become Second Grade again?
At this moment, Gu Haichuan sitting beside suddenly asked, "Does Lord Hong have any doubts?"
"Oh."
Hong Yuze awoke from his reverie and hurriedly said, "Since it’s as seen by Lord Gu personally, there is naturally no problem. I will personally report this achievement for you!"
Firstly, with Du Rusong’s personal Divine Weapon as evidence.
Secondly, with the testimony of a First-Grade from the Duke’s family, it should certainly not be false.
Anyway, this level of merit needs to be verified and awarded by the Six Gates headquarters. He just needed to report truthfully.
Hong Yuze’s expression became increasingly amiable, "By the way, regarding your previous event of slaying two First Grades, the court has already verified it and specially awarded you three First-Grade merits. Additionally, they promoted you to Third-Grade Admiral. You must report to the Capital City within three months to fulfill your duties. Congratulations."
His tone was filled with deep envy.
He had served in the Six Gates his entire life, only getting a single First-Grade merit, gained merely through years of experience, only one in a lifetime.
He himself barely twenty-something, not only promoted to Third Grade, but also gained three First-Grade merits.
If Du Rusong’s bounty is verified too, then he would hold five First-Grade merits. Enough to exchange for a place in the Secret Realm.
How could he not be envious?
Comparing oneself to others would indeed drive one mad.
"It just so happens that I plan to return to the Capital City. Why not take care of the handover today?"
"Sure."
...
Chen Ming had just emerged from Zeshi Hall when he saw five subordinates waiting outside.
"Lord Gu, it’s truly fortunate to see you unharmed."
"I said, Lord Gu is blessed, absolutely won’t have any harm."
"Who could be such a worrywart every day..."
Chen Ming, seeing their chatter, felt warmth in his heart and said, "I’ve been away these days, did anyone trouble you?"
"We’re just little transparent ones, who would intentionally trouble us."
"Lord Gu," it was Lei Chun who spoke straightforwardly, "We heard you’re getting promoted, when are you leaving?"
Seeing them all looking at him, he naturally understood their thoughts and said, "In a few days I have to go to report my duties at the Capital City. Don’t worry, before I leave, I’ll ask Lord Hong to look after you."
His position was awkward, he couldn’t remain at the Six Gates forever, nor could he take these five people to the Capital City. That would only burden himself and harm them too.
Lei Chun and the others understood his meaning from his words, and their expressions were somewhat downcast.
Deng Wei noticed the awkward atmosphere and said, "Come now, there’s no feast that doesn’t end in separation. We should be happy for the lord’s promotion."
Zhang Dingce perked up and said, "Then we wish the lord a future as bright as brocade."
"Wish the lord a future as bright as brocade."
Nearby, Gu Haichuan watched the interaction between this fake nephew and his subordinates with great interest.
...
After leaving the government office, Gu Haichuan suddenly said, "I heard you married the granddaughter of the Prince Yan, shouldn’t you introduce us?"
The Prince Yan he referred to is Xia Mudan’s grandfather.
In the martial world, everyone called her the daughter of the Money Gang’s leader.
But in the eyes of nobility, the identity of Prince Yan’s granddaughter was naturally more prominent.
Chen Ming froze, a trace of wry smile appeared on his face, "Uncle, you’re joking. That wedding was just a prank by Gang Master Xia. I was forced, it naturally doesn’t count."
Gu Haichuan gave him a deep look and said, "It better be so. Do you know that the emperor’s decree to make Xia Mudan a concubine has already reached the Money Gang? How many lives do you have to dare snatch a woman from the emperor?"
What?
Chen Ming’s heart trembled.