NOVPUB
Chapter 73: Chapter 73: The New Garrison Commander
"The standard by which a person or a power’s value is measured is in their overall strength, just like now. If not for strength, would the Purgatory Sect willingly send an elder to speak nicely to me and promote me to a Golden Robed Elder? No!"
Gu Jinlai calmly said, "Just like they had already chosen half a year ago—to let things take their own course, indifferent to whether I live or die."
"Heed the tune, not the announcement."
Gu Chaoyang suddenly realized.
As long as it looked good on the surface, that was enough.
Though the Purgatory Sect was a massive entity, brimming with strong individuals, it also had many cities to guard and powers to check. If they truly wanted to confront Gu Jinlai, the forces he could muster were limited.
Just like now, for attacking a large city like Baihe City, including Gu Jinlai, they could only deploy three elders.
As long as they could maintain this kind of strong, sustained growth, what could the unreachable Purgatory Sect do to them?
"Compared to the Purgatory Sect, the local powers in Star State pose an even bigger threat,"
Gu Jinlai said, adding, "They can mobilize more people at a moment’s notice."
"So, the patriarch means..."
"My garrison commander position is gone, but I’m not upset at all. One step back, seas and skies broad. Why create such bloodshed over such a trivial matter with the Meteor Star Guard?"
Gu Jinlai felt somewhat sentimental, "I still prefer this kind of peaceful and calm life."
Gu Chaoyang looked at him, nodded, and said, "Patriarch speaks rightly."
"You seem disbelieving. If not for the wickedness of the world, who would want to fight and kill all the time?"
Gu Jinlai added.
Gu Chaoyang nodded again: "Everything the patriarch says is correct."
"..."
Gu Jinlai was speechless: "How come you started talking like Su Nanxing?"
"This is a sincere acknowledgment of the patriarch’s truth,"
Gu Chaoyang earnestly said.
Gu Jinlai waved his hand and took a Nourishing God Pill from the desk: "Give this to Su Nanxing."
From Hugging Pill to Refining God, the process itself is about nurturing, sustaining, and concealing.
The sooner one reaches the Peak of Hugging Pill, the easier this realm is to break through.
If supplemented with three to five Nourishing God Pills, the time to break through this realm can be significantly shortened.
Just like in the true Cultivation World where Foundation Establishment Pills are used to break through the Foundation Establishment Realm.
"Brother Su had previously refined one Nourishing God Pill, and through the channel of the Demon Refining Hall, exchanged for two more Nourishing God Pills, and with this one... he is not far from Refining God,"
Gu Chaoyang said.
As you know, a single Nourishing God Pill has a market value of millions, not to mention its additional value.
To cultivate Su Nanxing, they had effectively invested four million.
The annual routine expenses of six thousand elites didn’t even amount to half of this sum.
"It depends on his foundation."
Gu Jinlai said, glancing at him, "You also need to hurry, Qi Refining Pills are not lacking right now; reach Hugging Pill, and cultivate Qi to Perfection as soon as possible, the future may hold the chance to achieve Refining God."
"Yes."
Gu Chaoyang responded gravely.
After Gu Chaoyang left, Gu Jinlai returned to his room and picked up a volume of books to read.
This was a swordsmanship he had Su Nanxing specially exchange from the Demon Refining Hall.
Bold and expansive, it could chop down generals and break formations.
"No matter what, it needs to be optimized, and once there’s Qingguang, proceed directly to entry-level,"
He perused it for a while and was very satisfied with this swordsmanship.
...
In the following time, Gu Jinlai spent his days restoring his depleted spirituality, while waiting for any news from the new garrison commander.
However, the arrival of the new garrison commander was not in three days but half a month later.
She had taken a trip to nearby cities. When she returned, the group accompanying her had grown to include several Qi Refinement and Gang Condensation practitioners, including four Hugging Pill Masters.
This was one thing, but what was crucial was that there was now an elderly person at her side.
According to the intelligence from Star State left by Yun Guantian, this is Yan Xuejian, the Venerable Daoist of the Heavenly Gang Sect.
...
"I originally thought she was here to gain experience. I planned to provide her with food and accommodations, letting her stay in Lingxiao City for a year or two before leaving. But now, it seems... she is not content with just that."
At this time, in the Meteor Star Guard Mansion, Gu Jinlai had already summoned the Gu family.
Since Nian Buwang had brought another group of people from the Gu family, there were now hundreds of Gu Family Disciples around Gu Jinlai.
Of course, the real core of the Gu family wasn’t large.
The generation of "Gu Jinlai" parents were only at the Gang Condensation Realm, which was moderately influential but left only two brothers.
Gu Changfeng, using the influence of Gu Jinlai, had opened up the Gu family. Although he had many children and the inheritance had reached the fifth generation, there were still only a little over a hundred actual Gu surnamed members.
However, the Gu family dominated Red Wind City, and there were numerous affiliated forces attached to the Gu family.
Outsiders like Nian Buwang had also joined this common interest community of the Gu family, making those who could call themselves Gu Family Disciples number about two hundred.
Now, of these more than two hundred people, half had been sent under Gu Jinlai’s command, distributed to various corners of Lingxiao City.
Especially for the training of the newly recruited six thousand soldiers, which took up nearly half of the Gu family’s manpower.
"Yuanhua City, although not one of the six major cities, is larger in scale than Lingxiao City. With the Heavenly Gang Sect as the overlord of Yuanhua City, they have the Sect Leader, three Venerable Daoists, altogether four Refining Gods. They have thousands of disciples beneath them. The Sect Leader’s sister is even married to the Yuanhua City Lord, and the three thousand elite and six thousand soldiers in the city also move together with them."
Gu Chaoyang whispered as he introduced, "At the same time, Su Tong’s mother was also the former Sect Leader of the Heavenly Gang Sect—daughter of Venerable Daoist Su Bieli."
"It looks like the Heavenly Gang Sect is not satisfied with just occupying Yuanhua City; they want to reach into Lingxiao City as well."
Gu Jinlai said.
Lingxiao City is located on a critical path and is adjacent to four cities, namely Yuanhua City, Changjun City, Baihe City, and Sunset City.
Except for Yuanhua City, all these cities are under the jurisdiction of the Star Master Zhang Luu.
Of course, the responsibilities of the Star Guard are limited to suppressing the local forces. In some cities, they completely have no say.
For example, in Changjun City, the city lord’s family is overwhelmingly dominant. The Meteor Star Guard just appoints a Hugging Pill Realm garrison commander to oversee a small territory, virtually not daring to get involved in the conflicts between Zhengyi Dao, Purgatory Sect, Cold Moon Sect, and Yellow Sky Sect, practically like a nobody.
"Patriarch, two days ago a message came from Purgatory Sect. In half a month, Yang Kan’s men will arrive."
Gu Chaoyang added.
"Hmm."
Gu Jinlai responded.
At this time, a burst of commotion came from outside.
"Let’s go, to meet our honored garrison commander."
He said, as he walked out of the courtyard.
Outside, a group of people was approaching with large strides.
However, when they arrived at the scene, their numbers were not just dozens, but hundreds.
Among these hundreds...
were also the Meteor Star Guard from Lingxiao City.
Leading them was none other than Zhao Fan, who had previously issued a directive to him due to the issue with the Three Great Families.
Gu Jinlai’s gaze lingered for a moment on him, then turned to a spirited young woman at the front of the group.
Su Tong.
"Welcome, Lord Guardian, to Lingxiao City."
Gu Jinlai said with a bow and a smile.
Su Tong, riding a beast resembling a horse but with two horns on its head and wearing a set of white soft armor adorned with a glittering treasure sword, sat on her mount, looking down at the bowing Gu Jinlai without saying a word.
Seeing this, Gu Jinlai didn’t mind. He resumed his stance, gestured with an open hand, "Lord Guardian, you have traveled a long way. The journey must have been arduous. Please, enter the Meteor Star Guard Mansion for a brief rest while we prepare to receive and entertain you."
"Gu Jinlai."
Su Tong said, "On my way here, I heard your name more than once. Everyone says you are very capable, having managed Lingxiao City in an orderly manner within just a few months."
"You flatter me, Lord Guardian."
"But I don’t believe it."
Su Tong spoke out loud, "Capability is not proven by words but demonstrated by actions. I’ve heard that you once, single-handedly, invaded the Wang Family, quelled their rebellion, and even overwhelmed the Red Blood Demon Sect..."
She pointed to an elder beside her, "This is an elder from my family, advanced in age, with not much cultivation left. Why don’t you have a match with him? It would also allow me to see for myself if your capabilities truly match your reputation."
