Protect Our Chief

Compared to before, there was now a bear and a person added to the flying chariot.

The Yao Earth Giant Bear was still far from reaching Tier Seven, naturally it had not mastered the Minor Divine Techniques to change its size at will, unlike Wang Lilong who could shrink.

At the moment, its bulky body was curled into a ball, occupying nearly half of the cabin, its plump behind wedged into the cabin’s groove, not daring to move. That innocent-looking bear face showed a flattering expression.

As for the additional person, naturally it was the captured Gu Master.

Most ancestors of the Daqian people had migrated from the Immortal Dynasty to settle the frontier, while the wilderness natives had lived there for generations; hence, the wilderness natives’ appearance slightly differed from the Daqian people.

Compared to others on the flying chariot, the Gu Master’s skin was darker, he was shorter, had a shaved head, and his head and body were covered in tattoos.

Those tattoo patterns were mysterious and complex, made with unusual pigments; although different from the runes popular in the Immortal Dynasty and Daqian, they served similar functions in enhancing physique, speed, and had various other uses.

It is said that among the Southern Border Barbarian Gu Race, tattoos cannot be done casually; patterns and numbers are strictly regulated. Generally speaking, the more tattoos one has, the higher their status. Thus, it is evident this Gu Master should be an important figure in the Southern Border Barbarian Gu Race.

But at the moment, this important figure of the Barbarian Gu Race, was wearing "God-locking Shackles."

The structure of the God-locking Shackles was extremely intricate, extending from the Qi Sea in the abdomen all the way to the top of the head, simultaneously locking the Qi Sea and trapping the Divine Soul.

This artifact creation, the God-locking Shackles, was complex and expensive, meticulously crafted by the Gongye Family’s Celestial Workshop, generally provided only to the government office and army, specifically for imprisoning high-level Black Tortoise Cultivators.

Wang Shouzhe acquired a few God-locking Shackles thanks to Prince Anjun’s connection with the Gongye Family.

And now, they were just being put to use.

As for the three fierce Gu Insects, the Lifebound Spirit Gu Red-tailed Centipede naturally burrowed into the Gu Master’s body to temporarily lie dormant, while the other two Tier Seven insects were transformed into smaller forms and put inside the Insect Bag.

Under the effect of the God-locking Shackles, the Gu Master was unable to use Profound Qi, and naturally couldn’t command them.

After some preliminary interrogation, Wang Shouzhe quickly grasped the basic situation of the Gu Master.

This Gu Master was named "Wabak," a Half-Step Saint Gu Master of the Southern Border Barbarian Gu Race.

After experiencing a failed power struggle, he fled to the Daqian Kingdom and colluded with Prince Dexin, attempting to leverage the Daqian Kingdom’s power to make a comeback.

Prince Dexin’s lineage had plans to conquer the Southern Border Barbarian Gu Race, hoping to secure an advantage for King Kang’s imperial son in the struggle of the imperial sons.

Thus, naturally, the two sides ignited like dry wood and sparked together.

But unfortunately, plans could not keep up with changes; after Wang Shouzhe’s cunning moves, before Prince Kang could even invade the Barbarian Gu Race, he was ousted, losing eligibility in the imperial son competition.

Desperate, Prince Dexin had to activate this hidden piece, intending to eliminate Wang Shouzhe.

However, Prince Dexin was a crafty old fox; in his collusion with Wabak, he managed to absolve himself, leaving no substantial evidence behind.

Trying to use this matter to topple Prince Dexin is quite difficult, moreover, Wang Shouzhe already has a complete set of plans to deal with Prince Dexin, not needing such a chance occurrence.

As for why Wabak confessed the ins and outs honestly, for one, his life was in Wang Shouzhe’s hands; secondly, he had obtained the latest information from Wang Shouzhe.

Prince Dexin and Prince Kang’s lineage had already failed in the struggle of the imperial sons, and the position of the commander-in-chief to invade the Southern Border Barbarian Gu Race fell to Prince Anjun.

Naturally, after cursing Prince Dexin, Wabak began to actively confess, hoping to receive Wang Shouzhe’s forgiveness and join hands with Prince Anjun and Wang Shouzhe.

To this, Wang Shouzhe showed no stance.

The Southern Border Barbarian Gu Race sensibly needs development, but not in a rush. He certainly wouldn’t be as impatient as Prince Dexin~

...

Half a day later.

Prince Dexin’s Mansion.

Prince Dexin’s Mansion was located in the eastern part of the city, less than fifty miles in a straight line from the walls of the Imperial Palace, making it the closest Prince’s Mansion to the Imperial Palace within Gui Long City.

Compared to Prince Kang’s Mansion, Prince Dexin’s level of luxury was another step up, whether it was the construction materials used, or the decoration and furnishing of various rooms within the mansion, all were extremely luxurious, even the spirit flowers and exotic plants in the garden were more precious and rare, only slightly inferior to those in the Imperial Palace.

It’s imaginable that although the previous tax replenishment turmoil impacted Prince Dexin’s Mansion to some extent, it was far from causing any lasting harm.

After all, Prince Dexin was already over a thousand years old, having become a strong Divine Power Realm cultivator for over a thousand years, such accumulation over many years wasn’t easily dismissed.

Despite his lineage’s enormous expenditure, even if each year accumulated a surplus of only several million, over a thousand years it’s a staggering sum.

Though replenishing taxes for twenty years was only a fraction of his actual tax evasion amount, Prince Dexin’s Mansion’s accounts weren’t abundant, but gathering a bit, they could still take care of it.