Chapter 899: A Sudden Enlightenment [Seeking Monthly Tickets]
According to the rules of the Pantheon, there are no strict rules for ordinary activities, but masks must be worn for certain meetings as a form of concealment.
Shen Tang and his group naturally put on masks as well.
They were all bought from vendors on short notice. Some masks were blank and could be DIY'd. For example, the design on the mask that Shen Tang was wearing was drawn by Qi Shan in one stroke of his pen. He had no choice but to draw it; if he didn't, his lord would attack, and Qi Shan didn't want to lose face too badly.
Wu Yuan and his group also put on their own masks and veils.
How could they recognize each other at a glance?
Because they hadn't even changed their clothes.
What's the difference between wearing this mask and not wearing it?
"These are our invitations."
Shen Tang, being the most thick-skinned, was the first to react. He nodded to Wu Yuan and his group, then handed the invitation to the gatekeeper guarding the courtyard. Although the gatekeeper was dressed as a servant, the occasional glint of shrewdness in his eyes suggested he was no ordinary person.
The gatekeeper took the invitation and knew it was genuine without even opening it.
The gatekeeper initially assumed the four were just ordinary attendees and would be checked as usual. However, upon seeing the token displayed by Qi Shan, the leader, the gatekeeper's spirits lifted instantly. Without even exchanging the password, he respectfully welcomed them in with clasped hands, allowing them to pass through without inspection.
This detail caught Wu Yuan's attention.
This is not the first time he has participated in activities related to the Pantheon.
Having had more contact with the Gods' Society, he had come to understand some of the organization's unspoken rules—here, no matter if you are a king or a general, you have to follow the rules, and everyone has to honestly verify the authenticity of the invitation and the identity of the person who sent it.
Violating the rules will result in rejection, and may even endanger your life.
Of course, the Gods' Association is just a recruitment website on the surface, and they don't use any dirty tricks in public.
After Shen Tang and the others disappeared, Wu Yuan inquired about their whereabouts.
The gatekeeper didn't want to bother with him.
Not revealing members' identities is a hard and fast rule, but while rules are rigid, people are flexible, and there are some exceptions.
Wu Yuan gave Gong Cheng a wink.
Gong Cheng took out an exquisite object from his pocket.
This is also a token of love.
Upon seeing this, the gatekeeper's wrinkles deepened with a smile.
It resembles a chrysanthemum in full bloom.
"That was the deputy director who just passed by." He cupped his hands in a gesture of reassurance towards Gong Cheng, revealing a bit of inside information because Gong Cheng's identity was revealed. "This deputy director's temperament is quite different from ordinary people. Unless absolutely necessary, I suggest you don't provoke him."
These words were naturally directed at Gong Cheng.
The gatekeeper opened the door and let people in, also without inspection.
Wu Yuan was already wary of Gu Chi and the others, and now, after hearing this, he became even more vigilant. On the way, he turned to the two women and warned them: "This place is not like home. Be more obedient these days and don't cause any more trouble, especially that female general. Most of the female cultivators under Shen Youli have shared hardships with her and can talk to her. If she goes to complain, it might be a bad thing."
They were right about one thing—
Women of the Northern Desert tribe do indeed hold a high status in their families.
They were the strongest ropes connecting various tribes; no one knew where they would marry, whether the tribe they married into would rise to power, or whether they would help their own tribe at crucial moments. Securing a husband's tribe was difficult, but managing one's own daughter's emotions was much simpler. Furthermore, due to the scarcity of female resources, the Northern Desert treated its female relatives with relative warmth.
The two women were spoiled and willful at home, and they never cared about human life. Their father and brother held high positions of power and were strong supporters of the Wuyuan faction, so even he couldn't interfere too much with their behavior. Actually, he hadn't planned to bring them along at first. After all, given their status and the decades-long infiltration of the interior by the Northern Desert, it wouldn't be difficult to get them registered without anyone noticing. However, the Northern Desert hadn't figured out what female cultivators were all about, so just in case, he decided to have the two of them come along.
Offending Bai Su and being targeted was an unexpected surprise, but Wu Yuan managed to stay calm because he had three things to do on this trip: first, to attend the meeting of the Pantheon; second, to use the meeting to contact forces within the pass; and third, to spend money to do business with Shen Youli, not only to buy grain and seeds, but also other large-scale projects, to see if the two places could open a trade route.
Previously, amidst the chaos within the Great Wall, the Northern Desert was able to take advantage of the confusion.
The flow of all sorts of random goods into the Northern Desert was unimpeded, but things became troublesome after Shen Tang took power. She tightened restrictions in this area, and even many stable merchants were arrested. Tax inspections were carried out at breakneck speed, as if she wanted to squeeze four hundred pounds of oil from a two-hundred-pound body. It was thought to be temporary, but who knew that she wouldn't loosen her grip for half a year.
The people in the northern desert couldn't sit still.
Wu Yuan volunteered to handle several tasks at once.
Even if Bei Mo has ambitions, that will be several years from now. He really has no intention of causing trouble now, so he is not afraid of being investigated.
The two women were displeased, but they had no choice but to agree.
I just have a temper inside.
Bai Su pointed her finger at them and called them dogs. When had she ever suffered such humiliation? If she were in the Northern Desert, she would have vented her anger on the spot, personally whipping them until their skin was torn and bleeding, and then slicing off their faces with a dagger: "I understand, I understand. I will stay away from those big, burly monsters in the future."
Another person said, "...It's disgusting for a woman to look like this. Even the horse slaves in the tribe are more charming than her."
Wu Yuan said, "He is a martial artist with great courage."
How could it be a body that would collapse with a single gust of wind?
"Tsk, a scholar with a refined mind wouldn't be like that..." Although they were surrounded by rough and brutish men, they admired refined and elegant scholars much more. Confident in their own good aptitude, they preferred to develop in the direction of the literary mind, avoiding the hardships of hardship and struggle.
Because of their relatively simple diet, the various ethnic groups in the Northern Desert have a strong body odor, which intensifies when they sweat. They certainly don't want to become warriors covered in stench every day.
"Your talents are more inclined towards martial arts. If you insist on abandoning martial arts for literature, you will find it difficult to make progress in the future. Don't regret it later."
Wu Yuan's suggestion came from the bottom of his heart.
The path of a scholar is far from easy. Growth requires guidance from a renowned teacher and places great emphasis on one's intellect—the two women's father and brothers paved the way for them, leaving them with little opportunity to use their brains from childhood. The Northern Desert, a land of martial prowess, is fertile ground for warriors, but barren for scholars. Given their temperament, choosing the path of a scholar will likely result in little achievement in their lives.
"I don't care about being powerful. I just want to have a literary talent that keeps me young forever. What woman doesn't want to stay eighteen forever?" The climate in the Northern Desert is relatively extreme, and women's prime is very short.
Wu Yuan: "..."
If all they wanted was literary talent to nourish their meridians and maintain their youth, even the least gifted person could satisfy their needs, which is a pity.
It's such a waste to give them such talent.
Wu Yuan couldn't help but think of the other women he had brought with him on this trip.
These women came from diverse backgrounds. The lower their status, the greater their ambition and the more determined they were. Unfortunately, none of them were particularly gifted, and the two most gifted were spoiled by their fathers and brothers. They were utterly hopeless and incompetent, utterly useless.
Lin Feng's image reappeared in his mind.
This is the kind of woman he truly desires.
As Wu Yuan turned the corner, he saw Gu Chi and his three companions who had entered the mansion a step ahead of him. They stood there as if waiting for someone.
Gu Chi's eyes were hidden in the shadows cast by the wall, making his already dark eyes appear even more gloomy, which even the gaudy, festive mask couldn't conceal. Wu Yuan was very familiar with this kind of Gu Chi, or rather, this was the Gu Chi he had encountered back then, like a dead snake coiled up in a corner, its wounded body swarming with seven or eight annoying flies.
If passersby assume that the snake is dead and can poke at it with a branch, they will only be met with a sudden attack and a bite.
The snake is dead, but its threat remains.
The best way is to avoid provoking this venomous snake.
Wu Yuan realized that Gu Chi had overheard his words, though he wasn't sure how much. But since this was the Gathering of Gods, he pretended not to know them and led his men past them. Just as they passed each other, Gu Chi raised his hand to stop them.
"My lord, is Gong Yunchi your only reliance?"
Wu Yuan gazed into Gu Chi's eyes and chuckled, "Sir, back then I was powerless and had to hide in Yuehua Tower to escape the chaos. At that time, I still had hundreds of people at my beck and call. Things are different now, and my life is much more precious."
Gu Chi finally put his hand down after a long while.
Wu Yuan bowed and apologized, saying, "My two maids are so outspoken. When I have time, I will definitely come to visit them with a large sum of money."
Gu Chi lowered his eyes: "Get lost."
Wu Yuan's smile froze completely.
He stared blankly at Gu Chi, his smile vanishing, seemingly surprised by Gu Chi's drastic change in attitude, who had even abandoned any pretense of politeness. However, despite his young age, Wu Yuan was more flexible and adaptable than many older, cunning people. He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and hurriedly left, his retreating figure subtly conveying anger.
When Gong Cheng and Gu Chi passed each other, Gong Cheng's eyes were indifferent.
It seems that the person Gu Chi told to "get lost" has nothing to do with him.
After they had all left, Shen Tang flicked her finger and removed the barrier of words, cutting off eavesdropping: "Wang Chao, what's going on with Gong Yunchi? Even if he's exceptionally talented, it's impossible for him to go from a cripple to a sixteenth-level Grand Master in just five or six years, right?"
This speed left Gong Xichou far behind, leaving him unable to see any exhaust fumes.
Gu Chi said, "Because this strength doesn't belong to him."
"Not his?"
Gu Chi asked, "Have you ever heard of 'enlightenment'?"
"I can use that word magic too."
【Enlightenment】is the spiritual power of literary scholars. It can clear one's mind and even bring sudden enlightenment, serving as a buff to aid in the cultivation of spiritual power. Shen Tang personally tested it and found that this spiritual power is extremely efficient for working overtime, even more so than an iced Americano.
However, Gong Cheng is a brave and courageous martial artist.
The same incantation can have different effects in the hands of different people, let alone in two different systems: civil and military. Shen Tang's understanding of "enlightenment" is completely different from what Gu Chi said.
"This [Enlightenment] is a secret technique that a martial artist can only use once in their lifetime. Its effect is to transfer all of their life's cultivation to another person. However, the person receiving the [Enlightenment] will suffer immense pain, with their bones and flesh being reshaped and broken down and started anew... However, this method is too domineering, with an extremely high threshold for use, and the recipient cannot possibly accept it all. This process is not something that can be accomplished overnight; it requires an extremely long time to absorb. And the person who performs this secret technique will die within a hundred days when all their meridians are severed."
"...You mean, the martial artist who uses the [Enlightenment] technique is at a level far above the sixteenth-grade Grand Supreme Realm?"
Gu Chi nodded: "It should be the twentieth rank of Marquis."
This answer surprised everyone.
Twentieth rank... Marquis Che?
Using the forbidden technique of "Enlightenment" to impart all his life's knowledge to another person? No, even an ancestor couldn't do that! As long as one doesn't die in battle, a 20th-rank Marquis has a very long lifespan. The Fiend Star has only been around for a little over two hundred years. Even if we count from the first day the Fiend Star was born, this 20th-rank Marquis is only a little over two hundred years old now. He should have at least several decades or even a hundred more to live, right?
Lin Feng couldn't help but mutter in a daze, "Did this Gong Lang save the ancestors of that 20th-rank Marquis for eighteen generations?"
Gu Chi sighed and said, "Gong Cheng's thoughts don't have many flaws. He seems very unwilling to mention this matter. Wu Yuan, on the other hand, has some flaws. According to the fragmented intelligence, Gong Cheng made some promises to that person when he accepted this power, which should be beneficial to the Northern Desert."
That rank 20 Marquis was probably from the Northern Desert.
Or perhaps there's some other connection.
Otherwise, Gong Cheng might have helped Wu Yuan out of gratitude for saving his life and personal friendship, but not Bei Mo. The Gong clan, to which Gong Cheng belonged, had all risen to power by stepping on Bei Mo. Even Gong Shuwu had participated in the conquest of Bei Mo.
Gong Cheng would not disregard clan precepts.
Shen Tang: "...Gong Cheng has finished absorbing it?"
The so-called "enlightenment" is somewhat similar to the "substitution" Wu Hui experienced back then, but the former is actively controlled by the caster, while the latter involves the caster exchanging one person's heart and soul with another. To what extent has Gong Cheng absorbed the cultivation of that 20th-rank Marquis? Has he fully digested that legacy?
Gu Chi shook his head, and Shen Tang's face darkened.
"Gong Cheng himself has good aptitude, and he's also compatible with that 20th-rank Marquis, so the absorption effect will be much better than normal. He's guaranteed at least a 17th-rank Chief of the Four-Chariot Cavalry, or even an 18th-rank Grand Chief. Once the Northern Desert troops are assembled, he'll most likely fight for the Northern Desert. As for how far he'll go, that depends on what that 20th-rank Marquis asks him to do..."
Shen Tang raised her hand to cover her mask and took a deep breath.
On the surface, she appeared calm, but Gu Chi knew her lord harbored murderous intent and was contemplating whether to kill Gong Cheng now. She didn't care where Gong Cheng's bottom line lay; she only knew this man posed a threat and couldn't be allowed to live and become a major problem. Therefore—
Kill him!
Gu Chi shook his head slightly at her.
We can't kill him now.
The rank 20 Marquis chose to do this, so how could he let Gong Cheng die so easily? If our lord makes a move, he will likely have to deal with the trump card left behind by that rank 20 Marquis, and he will die.
Shen Tang gritted her teeth: "Troublesome."
Various methods were rapidly swirling in his mind.
If the open approach doesn't work, how about trying the covert approach?
Compared to Shen Tang's alarmed state, Gu Chi remained calm, as did Qi Shan: "Why is our lord wary of Gong Yunchi? On the contrary, he should be wary of you. After all, the advancement of other martial arts masters is traceable, but our lord is unreasonable."
Shen Tang: "...I also cultivate."
Qi Shan's words left a bad taste in his mouth.
Gu Chi couldn't help but tease him.
"My lord, please trust your own body."
The sacred object of the Gongxi tribe, even if it doesn't reach the level of a 20th-rank Marquis, should at least surpass the level of a 16th-rank Grand Master, right? Gong Cheng has the extraordinary encounters of a protagonist in a storybook, but his lord is no less remarkable.
Shen Tang: "..."
|ω`)
The next chapter opens a new chapter, a time of diverse perspectives and debate.
(End of this chapter)
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