Chapter 253: The Plague of Gu in the Martial Kingdom [Seeking Monthly Tickets]
Shen Tang was truly stunned.
What kind of move is Gong Xichou making?
Or is the Gongxi Chou in front of us someone else in disguise?
Shen Tang raised her hand to stop the other party from stepping forward, and questioned the newcomer sternly: "Gong Xichou, how dare you come here at this time? Do you really think our Allied Army is helpless?"
Gong Xichou obediently stopped, but his reply was infuriating: "Those few rotten fish in the Allied Forces... there really aren't many of them. Damn it, I'm the real deal, not some reckless imposter trying to scam you..."
Shen Tang: "..."
Just by listening to the tone of voice, you can tell it's true.
If the Allied forces heard this, wouldn't they be furious?
Shen Tang carefully looked around to make sure the place was safe and no one had noticed, then lowered her voice and questioned Gong Xi Chou: "Are you ill? Is the enmity we made during the day not deep enough? Why come again in the middle of the night? Where are your soldiers? Did you really dare to come alone?"
Gong Xichou: "It's a private matter. Why bring them along?"
Upon hearing that it was a "private matter," Shen Tang couldn't help but become curious.
"Besides me, do you have any other old acquaintances in the Allied Forces?"
Gong Xichou said, "No."
Shen Tang: "Did you need something?"
Gong Xichou said, "I'm not looking for you."
He just happened to run into Shen Tang and the other person, and stopped by to take a look.
Shen Tang was somewhat confused. He hadn't come to see her, and the Allied Forces had no other acquaintances. Nor was he coming for a night raid—so why was Gong Xi Chou taking this risk to come over so late at night? No matter how strong he was, he hadn't fully recovered from the daytime losses. Wasn't he afraid of dying?
Gong Xichou said calmly, "For that young general today."
That young player today is...
Shen Tang frowned: "You mean Shao Chong?"
Gong Xichou nodded.
Shen Tang was shocked: "...How much do you want his life? The battle is over, and you're still thinking about killing him? Shao Chong is Gu Ren's sworn brother, he won't just watch you kill Shao Chong."
Among the allied forces, Gu Ren's troops rank among the top three in overall strength. It would be difficult for him to eliminate Shao Chong silently and escape unscathed. Gong Xi Chou isn't one to hold grudges or be petty; his targeting of Shao Chong suggests there might be something wrong with him.
Shen Tang lowered her hand that was blocking Qi Shan.
"Is there a problem with this short stroke?"
Gong Xichou nodded.
Intuition told Shen Tang that the truth was probably beyond her imagination, but she couldn't resist her curiosity and tentatively asked, "May I know this secret? If it's inconvenient, I'll leave with Yuan Liang and pretend I haven't seen you tonight."
Personally, Gong Xi Chou came for personal matters, and Shen Tang would not expose his whereabouts out of consideration for their past friendship; publicly, as a member of the Allied Forces, Shen Tang would not stand idly by if Gong Xi Chou attacked any of their allies.
Gong Xiqiu frankly admitted, "It's not that I can't talk about it."
Shen Tang listened attentively.
Gong Xiqiu looked indifferently toward the Allied Army camp and said in a cold voice, "That young general is called 'Shaochong'? Does Mama know his identity? He is a 'Gu Mother' and cannot be allowed to live."
Shen Tang was some distance away from Gong Xichou, and his words, carried by the night wind, sounded slightly different to Shen Tang. Shen Tang didn't immediately understand, her mind filled with questions: "Aunt? And an aunt at that? Why can't she be kept?"
Gong Xiqiu said, "It is the Gu Mother! The mother of Gu worms."
Shen Tang clicked her tongue in surprise: "Gu... Gu worm???"
What's going on here?
On the contrary, Qi Shan reacted, his brows furrowing with obvious disgust, and asked, "General Gongxi, the Gu worms you mentioned... could you be referring to the 'Wu Kingdom Gu Calamity' that happened a hundred years ago? Weren't those things extinct? How come they still exist?"
Shen Tang looked at Qi Shan, then at Gong Xi Chou.
Pouting, "Failed to join group chat."
She asked the NPC Qi, "Where is the Wu Kingdom?"
"The Wu Kingdom? The Wu Kingdom was destroyed long ago." After saying that, Qi Shan added, "The Wu Kingdom spent eight years sweeping across the northwest, southwest, and more than half of the northeast, and was only one step away from unifying the continent... It was established quickly, but it was destroyed even faster..."
Shen Tang: "So amazing? How could you have failed halfway through?"
Qi Yuanliang used the word "sweep".
This means that the Wu Kingdom possesses overwhelming strength, and it should not be difficult to annex the remaining territory.
Gong Xichou said, "It's all because of the Gu poison in Shao Chong's body."
Shen Tang felt like there was a cat scratching at her heart.
Gong Xichou succinctly stated: "That kind of thing can grant ordinary people strength comparable to mid-to-high-level Martial Warriors. It's no wonder that the Martial Kingdom could sweep across most of the continent's countries in a short time. Have you ever imagined the spectacle of hundreds of thousands of level seven and eight Martial Warriors launching an attack together? They would be invincible, unstoppable..."
Shen Tang gasped upon hearing this.
"This is... amazing, but..."
She blinked, as if she had thought of something.
Gong Xichou countered with, "But what?"
Shen Tang said, "But what price do they have to pay? Ordinary martial arts practitioners have to cultivate for many years, tempering their Qi and bodies to gradually climb to the peak. They are also limited by their talent and comprehension. They invest not only time and energy, but also a considerable amount of meat they consume every day... Ordinary people only need to plant a Gu worm? Such a small investment, such a large output? Is there such a good thing in the world? I don't believe it."
Gongxi Chou knew that his confidant was very meticulous and intelligent, but unfortunately, people are greedy and can never see through these illusions...
He said, "It's lifespan, potential, and vital energy..."
The reason for the downfall of the Wu Kingdom is quite simple.
The group of "Martial Warriors" who were inspired by Gu worms all died overnight, causing shockwaves across the continent. Countless forces, large and small, seized the opportunity to rise up in rebellion and completely devoured the once-mighty empire in just a few months, beginning a decades-long campaign to eradicate the remnants.
Gong Xichou never expected to see him again.
Shen Tang asked, "Are you sure?"
Gong Xiqiu said in a murmur, "I am certain."
Shen Tang looked into his eyes and chose to believe him.
But Gongxi Chou felt this wasn't convincing enough, so he revealed another secret: "My people also suffered because of this..."
Shen Tang looked at him in astonishment.
Gong Xi Chou didn't elaborate on the reason, but mocked, "Everyone fears its power, yet everyone wants to possess it. There are always those who think they can control their greed, that they won't follow in the footsteps of the Wu Kingdom, that they won't be so greedy as to plant Gu poison in the entire army... They're dreaming! When it comes to the human heart, who is cleaner than whom?"
Shen Tang remained noncommittal.
She only cared about one other question: "So—it's highly likely that Shao Chong was someone else's experimental vessel for raising Gu?"
Gong Xichou said, "That's not necessarily true. As far as I know, the Gu worms of the Wu Kingdom have been completely extinct. However, quite a few descendants want to take this crooked path. They try to revive the Gu worms based on remnants from who-knows-where..."
While not as potent as the Gu worms of the Wu Kingdom, their harm was still considerable. Gong Xi Chou speculated that the Gu worms in Shao Chong's body were likely administered during his childhood. It was unknown what kind of defective product it was, but it directly affected Shao Chong's mental development. In his madness, he resembled a wild beast.
Shen Tang suddenly recalled what she knew about Shao Chong's experiences.
When Shao Chong was a child, his family was robbed by bandits. He suddenly went mad and killed everyone alive, including his family and the bandits. He was the only survivor and was later picked up by Gu Ren who happened to be passing by. Could it have been not long before that?
Shen Tang frowned.
I wonder if Gu Ren is aware of this matter.
She asked, "Can the Gu mother on Shao Chong's body reproduce?"
Gong Xichou shook his head: "I don't know."
Shen Tang asked again, "Can it be taken out?"
Gong Xichou shook his head again: "I don't know."
He paused for a moment: "As long as Shao Chong is killed, the Gu Mother will naturally not survive. This is the simplest, most convenient, and most profitable method."
Shen Tang said, "Gu Ren will not sit idly by."
Gong Xichou didn't care: "If I can kill him, I will. If I can't, I'll go back and rest. It's not like I have to do it. Although that young general is a Gu Mother, the Gu Mother in his body is not growing fast. It is highly likely that the host will die before the body breaks through."
Shen Tang: "..."
I don't quite understand Gong Xichou's logic.
Since he didn't come with the intention of killing Shao Chong, why would he risk going alone to storm the Allied Army camp?
Or perhaps, in his eyes, how weak are the Allied forces?
Qi Shan then joined the conversation: "Compared to the 'Gu' in Shao Chong's body, the person who planted the Gu seed in him is more worthy of attention, isn't he? If General Shao Chong's strength truly originates from 'Gu,' it's clear that this 'Gu' already possesses some of the 'true teachings' of the Gu scourge of the Wu Kingdom..."
There's nothing to be afraid of if there's only one or two.
Gong Xichou was just as capable of pinning people down and beating them.
But if it's hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands...
Even a hundred Gongxi Chous would have no choice but to flee for their lives.
Shen Tang said, "How about we go back and subtly inquire about it? If Gu Ren isn't an insider, and this matter concerns his sworn brother's life, he shouldn't remain indifferent..."
Qi Shan was not optimistic about this.
Shao Chong's entire family was killed, leaving him the only survivor.
Qi Shan said, "Whether it's the Gu scourge of the Wu Kingdom or anything based on it, it's extremely dangerous. As a host for the Gu worms, there's a real possibility that one might succumb to the Gu worms' harm and die suddenly. The case of Shao Chong is definitely not the only one..."
You can follow this example and look further down.
only--
Shen Tang frowned: "How do we investigate now?"
Amidst the chaos of war, if the mastermind targets ordinary people, virtually no one will notice—who cares whether those ordinary people die from hunger, disease, or poisonous insects? With no one paying attention, there's naturally no way to investigate…
Qi Shan guessed, "My lord, there's no need to worry too much. If the person behind this is truly powerful, how could they let him go so easily? They would have taken him away long ago. General Shao Chong's strength is almost comparable to that of a fourteenth-rank Right Attendant, something even the Wu Kingdom's Gu calamity would find difficult to achieve."
I have traveled to various northwestern countries for many years.
Indeed, I have never heard of a similar example.
Otherwise, it wouldn't have been Gong Xichou's turn to expose the truth.
Chen Tang stroked his chin, unable to resist indulging in a conspiracy theory: "Yuan Liang, do you think it's possible that Gu Ren did it?"
Qi Shan said, "It's not impossible."
Meanwhile, at the Allied military camp.
"Ah owe-"
Gu Ren, who had been staying by the sickbed without changing his clothes, sneezed.
Afraid of waking Shao Chong, who had finally fallen asleep, she covered her eyes with her hand halfway through the fight and held it back, her eyes reddening from the effort.
Just then, my sixth brother walked in carrying the medicine.
"Big brother?"
Gu Ren rubbed his nose: "It's nothing, it's nothing. Maybe your sister-in-law was nagging you. Is the medicine ready? Let it cool down a bit..."
The sixth brother examined Shao Chong's pulse carefully.
The pulse has gradually stabilized, unlike the chaotic and frightening pulse during the day. It seems that it will be fully recovered in another day.
He said, "Brother, I'll guard this place."
Gu Ren waved his hand in refusal: "It's more reassuring to keep an eye on things personally."
Having raised Shao Chong single-handedly, and having poured so much attention and patience into him, Gu Ren was quite fond of this sworn brother, never entrusting certain matters to others. The sixth brother said, "I ran into the twelfth brother on the way here. Judging from his expression, he was still blaming himself."
"Qingzhi, what are you blaming yourself for? You should blame yourself, and it should be me, the older brother, who should blame myself..." Gu Ren's feelings were complicated. He felt sorry for his younger brother Shao Chong, but now he couldn't do without this fighting force.
If only it could be completely cured...
The two had different feelings.
After a while of busy work, a soldier came back to report.
Gu Ren asked in bewilderment, "What brings Master Shen to our door so late at night?"
The sixth brother shook his head: "I don't know."
Gu Ren stood up and straightened his appearance: "Go and see. Sixth Brother, you keep an eye on Thirteen. If anything happens, send someone to find me."
The sixth brother said, "Don't worry, eldest brother."
On the way there, Gu Ren guessed several possibilities for why Shen Tang would come to visit, but he never expected that Shen Tang was coming for his sworn brother.
Not only that, they also dropped a huge bombshell!
"Wait, wait—what kind of Gu?"
Gu Ren was so shocked he almost lost his balance.
His face clearly said, "Master Shen, please don't fool me."
Shen Tang secretly observed Gu Ren's emotions, regretting that she hadn't brought Gu Chi along—with Gu Chi there, how could she not see through Gu Ren?
Gu Ren steadied himself, trying to regain some rationality in his empty mind. It took him a while to adjust his broken state of mind.
He nervously licked his dry lips.
He asked, "Master Shen, how confident are you in this matter?"
Shen Tang said, "Nine points."
Gu Ren's expression suddenly turned sharp, and he pressed, "How did you learn this, Lord Shen? Do you know how serious this matter is?"
Qi Shan said, "I was the one who said it."
Gu Ren: "From where did you hear that?"
Qi Shan lied without blinking, calmly saying, "I have traveled to many countries in the Northwest. What haven't I seen?"
Gu Ren pressed on, "Why didn't you say so before?"
Qi Shan said, "I haven't had much contact with General Shao Chong. It was only today, when General Shao Chong was fighting Gong Xi Chou, that he lost control of his martial energy and I noticed a few clues. But I wasn't very sure, so I hesitated again and again... That's why I kept putting it off until now..."
Gu Ren got up and paced back and forth in the tent.
His expression showed struggle; he seemed to be torn between his own mind and his own will.
Shen Tang asked, "Does Master Gu not believe it?"
Gu Ren waved his hand, a hint of dejection on his face.
“It’s not that I don’t believe it, it’s just that I find it hard to accept right now… Lord Shen, Thirteen is a child I raised myself! Do you know that, due to etiquette and rules, I can’t be too close to my own children? But with Thirteen, there are no such restrictions. I am not only Thirteen’s sworn brother, but also his half-father… Now you’re telling me that his madness is not a congenital condition, but rather a result of being murdered in his childhood…”
Powerful military strength comes at the cost of lifespan and energy.
With each battle, Shao Chong loses his life...
(へ╬)
Can I ask for 7,000 monthly votes?
I now have 6106 monthly passes.
I'd like to participate in the lottery again next month, to have an extra 100 yuan guaranteed.
P.S.: No keyboard review today. Oh, by the way, there was a bug with Qin Li's surname before—Xianggu forgot to write Qin Li's surname while writing (it was Ding at first). But it's not a big problem. I asked the editor for permission to change "Brother Ding" and "Minister Ding" in chapters 223 and 224. Hehe, it just sounds a bit strange, because if the surname is Qin, then Alliance Leader Wu Xian's address to Qin Li becomes "Minister Qin"... Ah, this...
(End of this chapter)
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