NOVPUB
Chapter 139: Chapter 136: Rule
"Is it possible that Elder Tan Qingquan was not killed by Elder Gu? Instead... could it have been Ye Yiren’s doing? Was Elder Sha perhaps deceived by others unknowingly?"
Qin Li’s voice echoed throughout the hall.
"Oh, go on."
Lu Dengxian spoke indifferently.
"Yes."
Qin Li, gathering his spirit, stood up straight.
He organized his words and said with a deep voice, "Over the years, Elder Gu has diligently guarded Lingxiao, Yuanhua, Chang County, and Sunset City for our Purgatory Sect. With Baihe City right at his flank, he has almost come to occupy everything south of Star State. Under these circumstances, it’s entirely reasonable that someone would want to drive a wedge between Elder Gu and our Purgatory Sect."
"Oh? Like what happened with Elder Yang Kan?"
Lu Dengxian pondered, seemingly deep in thought.
At the same time, he gave Qin Li an encouraging look.
"Exactly like that."
Qin Li’s eyes gleamed, "Since ancient times, when a great general is stationed away from home, the last thing they need is for their superiors to grow suspicious of them. Countless elders who have been falsely accused have seen their superiors lose trust in them, consequently squandering great opportunities handed to them. Now, it seems that the same scenario is about to happen to Elder Gu."
He quickly continued, "According to the information I’ve gathered, the person who truly killed Elder Tan wasn’t Elder Gu, but Ye Yiren from Taihe Sword Sect. Ye Yiren plotted cunningly, seducing Elder Tan, lowering his guard by poisoning his drink. Their goal was to harm Elder Tan first and then target Elder Sha, eventually expanding Taihe Sword Sect’s territory to include Baihe City. After all, Taihe City, occupied by Taihe Sword Sect, is just 400 li from Baihe City and would naturally be their first choice for expansion."
Taihe Sword Sect’s Ye Yiren seducing Purgatory Sect’s Elder Tan Qingquan?
What a story indeed.
Lu Dengxian’s gaze was somewhat peculiar.
Not just for Lu Dengxian, but the other hall masters also turned their curious and pensive looks upon Qin Li.
"Elder Tan lived a life of integrity. It is unlikely that he would fall for Ye Yiren’s trap. He realized at once that Ye Yiren had poisoned him. However, when Ye Yiren saw his scheme exposed, he suddenly launched a sneak attack, gravely injuring Elder Tan and drastically worsening the situation. In the end, despite being stronger than Ye Yiren, Elder Tan chose to fight him to death."
As Qin Li spoke, he added, "As for Elder Sha Wuji... there may be some misunderstanding with Elder Gu."
"Oh, a misunderstanding?"
Lu Dengxian nodded, "Continue."
"From what I know, after Elder Tan was grievously injured by Ye Yiren’s sneak attack and knowing death was imminent, Elder Gu arrived. Realizing that Elder Gu possessed a Slaughter Spirit Artifact capable of killing a Divinity Transformation Cultivator, he, ignoring the indiscriminate nature of the artifact’s strike, desperately clung to Ye Yiren, willing to sacrifice himself heroically to provide Elder Gu with a chance to make a killing blow."
Qin Li paused, sighing deeply, "In the end... Elder Gu activated the Slaughter Spirit Artifact with a heavy heart, killing Ye Yiren but also leading to Elder Tan’s death—thus causing the misunderstanding with Elder Sha Wuji..."
"Is that so?"
Lu Dengxian looked surprised.
"From what I see, all this was Elder Tan’s own choice, and moreover, it was the most correct choice!"
Qin Li’s somber, mournful tone paused for a moment then grew passionate, "Knowing full well that Elder Gu’s Slaughter Spirit Artifact did not discriminate between friend and foe, Elder Tan still chose without hesitation to fight to the death holding Ye Yiren to provide Elder Gu the opportunity for a decisive kill. His death was brave, generous, and heroic. It was because of his sacrifice that the plot of Taihe Sword Sect was foiled, and our Purgatory Sect’s reputation safeguarded, enhancing our majesty, letting everyone know that our Purgatory Sect’s elders, even ensnared in treachery, would rather die unyielding, fighting to the last moment! His death was glorious and magnificent!"
"Well said! A glorious and magnificent death indeed."
Lu Dengxian spoke aloud, "Whether Elder Sha or Elder Gu is right or wrong, I have a simple way to understand it."
He brought forward some intelligence, "This is an urgent letter sent to our Purgatory Sect by Elder Gu overnight. He explained the mutual demise of Elder Tan and Ye Yiren and to prove his innocence, he personally led an assault into Taihe City, uprooting Taihe Sword Sect completely. Moreover, he is even willing to hand over Taihe City to us, for our Purgatory Sect to send someone to take charge."
At last, he said slowly, "Judge by deeds, not intentions."
"So, is everything as Sect Master Qin’s information claims and this is just another misunderstanding? Otherwise, it’s inexplicable why Elder Gu, having killed Elder Tan, would still offer Taihe City to our Purgatory Sect."
Elder Hall Master Huo Changqing had already grasped the intention of Sect Master Lu Dengxian and was the first to voice his agreement.
"Elder Gu has indeed easily become vulnerable to attacks in Star State, leading to disaffection with the sect."
"With history as our guide, we must keep our eyes wide open, discern right from wrong, and not be the ones to make hasty decisions that lead to both loved ones’ grief and enemies’ delight, becoming sinners cursed throughout history."
The other hall masters quickly caught on and followed suit.
Suddenly...
The previously oppressive atmosphere in the room shifted to one of amiability and harmony.
However...
It was very strange.
Even Qin Li, who had staunchly spoken on behalf of Gu Jinlai, found it all very odd, let alone others.
Meanwhile, Deputy Sect Master Dongfang Xue shook her head internally.
It didn’t make sense.
She, as Deputy Sect Master, could not grasp the situation of the Purgatory Sect.
Perhaps feeling the whole thing too bizarre, the enthusiastic outpour of speeches from various hall masters only lasted a moment before the atmosphere bizarrely settled down again.
As if the heated scene just now was an illusion.
"Let’s settle this matter then. When Elder Sha returns, I will have someone comfort him properly, clarify the misunderstanding to prevent further deception by villains. As for the guardian selection for Taihe City..."
Lu Dengxian paused.
"I recommend Elder Zhao Qian."
Elder Hall’s Huo Changqing said.
"Elder Zhao?"
Lu Dengxian seemed to ponder, "Then let it be him. However, his status as a Black-clothed Elder seems insufficient to govern a city... let’s promote him to a Golden Robed Elder, in charge of Taihe City and overseeing matters throughout Star State."
The situation in Star State, with Gu Jinlai present, probably wouldn’t see any other Elder wanting to go there, as for elders...
As long as they are not Divinity Transformation Cultivators, sending a Red Robed Elder or a Black-clothed Elder wouldn’t make a difference.
After much thought, indeed only Zhao Qian was the most suitable.
"Sect Master, since the misunderstandings with Elder Gu and Elder Tan have been resolved, what about the contribution of Taihe City... should we or should we not..."
At this moment, Elder Situ Yi from the Punishment Hall carefully chose his words to inquire.
"Taihe City..."
Lu Dengxian rubbed his brow.
It was a while before he spoke again, "Then bestow another scroll of the Heavenly Master’s Secret Technique."
The Hall Masters exchanged glances, then bowed in unison, "Sect Master is wise."
As for Baihe City...
Everyone seemed to tacitly forget about it at the same time.
Who would still think of reclaiming something that had fallen into Gu Jinlai’s hands?
They would wait until after the Divine Sword Conference at Canglang Mountain had concluded.
By then, when the Supreme Elders had time to spare, what belonged to them would inevitably be theirs.
...
Baihe City.
Gu Jinlai had already returned from Taihe City.
He had never intended to occupy Taihe City; he swept clean the city’s resources and craftsmen and, after Gu Chaoyang had taken over the city’s defenses with three thousand troops, he then returned to Baihe City to take charge.
Compared to Taihe City, which could be neglected, Baihe City was the one they truly wished to expand and occupy.
At this moment, the one in charge of the large and small affairs of Baihe City was Gu Xiangyang, who had hurried over from Lingxiao City with four thousand troops to provide support.
His prized disciple.
"After our recent census of Baihe City and the subordinate counties, the total population of the five cities we control—Lingxiao City, Changjun City, Yuanhua City, Sunset City—has reached eleven million four hundred and ninety thousand. In other words, one-fifth of Star State is now in our hands," Gu Xiangyang reported energetically to Gu Jinlai. 𝖓𝔬𝔳𝔭𝖚𝖇.𝔠𝔬𝖒
"If we were also holding onto Taihe City..."
"Taihe City."
Gu Jinlai shook his head, "We don’t have the strength for it anymore."
Gu Xiangyang felt a bit regretful and continued, "To ensure the safety of these cities, on top of our existing twenty thousand elites and fifty thousand soldiers, we have initiated a new round of troop expansion, amounting to thirty thousand. When it is complete, we will have a total of one hundred thousand troops, with the number of elite increasing to thirty thousand..."
Gu Jinlai listened quietly.
And he felt somewhat emotional.
Unknowingly, he had acquired such a vast estate.
Governing five cities and dozens of counties, totaling eleven million four hundred and ninety thousand people.
With one hundred thousand troops at his command.
Plus, they were not lacking in powerful experts either.
If the Short Range Defense Cannons were considered equivalents to Divinity Transformation and the Gatling Thunder as Refining God, when it comes to comprehensive strength...
Looking over the Qiantian World, they were already a force to be reckoned with.
Compared to the Blue Star countries...
It was somewhat equivalent to those with composite strength rankings around the fiftieth place, like Portugal, Holland, or Iraq.
And he, as the absolute dominator of this land, held power that was even greater than the kings, prime ministers, or presidents of those nations.
He truly possessed the sovereign right to determine the life or death of an entire nation.
"Order must be quickly restored in Baihe City, and as for the counties below... have the intelligence department swiftly compile a list. I’ll make time to go there, remove some thorns to facilitate your quick control over these counties," Gu Jinlai said.
"Yes," Gu Xiangyang responded solemnly.
"Also... has my mount been brought here?"
"It has," Gu Xiangyang replied promptly.
"Good."
Gu Jinlai stood up and quickly made his way towards the Battle Pet Institute.
There, a ferocious-looking Swift Dragon lay quietly resting on the ground.
During the action in Baihe City and Taihe City, he had fully realized the disadvantages of being immobile.
Add to that the Small Achievement of the Eternal Furnace, deriving the transmission characteristic.
He wanted to test if using this trait to enhance his mount would allow it to evolve rapidly from a Swift Dragon into a T-Rex.
