Demon Slaying, Gaining 60 Years of Cultivation From the Start

Three days later, Gu Chen returned to Tiandu, arriving at the headquarters of the Jing Tian Department in the inner city, where he met with Deputy Commander Qin Wu of the Jing Tian Department.

Gu Chen had thought that after taking over the Arsenal and Mysterious Pill Workshop, this deputy commander of the Jing Tian Department would be all smiles and in good spirits, but to his surprise, Qin Wu was exceedingly solemn today.

This gave Gu Chen a sense of the unusual, as if some major event had occurred in Tiandu.

Gu Chen had no reservations about speaking frankly with Qin Wu and asked directly, "Commander Qin, by the look on your face, it seems that some turn of events has occurred?"

With a grave expression, Qin Wu said, "Three days ago, the new emperor wanted to appoint you as the thirteenth Defender of Da Xia at court, but it was rejected by King Huai, who led a group of courtiers against it."

On hearing this, Gu Chen's eyebrows shot up. He wasn't so much concerned about whether or not he became a Defender; instead, he thought about how the new emperor must have lost face at the Golden Throne Hall as King Huai led the courtiers in denying Emperor Ji Yuan face.

According to Gu Chen's knowledge, King Huai had a gentle personality. Back when the new emperor was still the Crown Prince, King Huai would guide him in handling state affairs, never contradicting him in court but waiting until after the morning assembly to tell Ji Yuan what was done poorly and how certain matters should be handled.

It was the first time for King Huai to publicly oppose the new emperor.

"Could it be because of me?" Gu Chen seemed to have realized something and said so.

Qin Wu nodded slowly, saying in a deep voice, "He said you are too young and impulsive in your actions, not considering the consequences. Therefore, your appointment as a Defender must be postponed."

Hearing this, Gu Chen nodded, not taking it too much to heart.

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However, Qin Wu went on to say, "Not only that, but King Huai also sought me out yesterday, instructing me not to touch anything from the Arsenal and Mysterious Pill Workshop and to return everything to the Six Union God Sect exactly as it was."

"Hmm?"

Gu Chen's brow furrowed as he asked, "Why is that?"

Qin Wu continued gravely, "King Huai believes you have provoked the Six Union God Sect, bringing disaster upon Da Xia. Therefore, he wants to mend the relationship between Da Xia and the Six Union God Sect, and he also wants you to make a public apology to them."

At these words, Gu Chen laughed, his eyes growing colder as he said, "What, should I not resist when people from the Six Union God Sect want to kill me, and instead wait passively for slaughter?"

Qin Wu also seemed puzzled and said, "Indeed, King Huai's behavior has been strange lately, as if he's become a different person. Since the new emperor's accession to the throne, King Huai's voice at court gradually weakened, but recently, for some reason, he has taken charge of the morning court, leaving the new emperor frustrated and furious.

The emperor has even been breaking things in anger these past days."

Gu Chen nodded, imagining Emperor Ji Yuan's predicament, for King Huai was after all the foremost prince of Da Xia, renowned throughout the land with a supreme and towering presence at court, not so easily surpassed.@@novelbin@@

Now, even without Qin Wu's words, Gu Chen was aware that more than eighty percent of the officials at court were King Huai's men, acting in accordance with his wishes.

"The reason I asked you here today is to warn you to be careful. Unless I'm mistaken, King Huai will certainly seek to talk to you," Qin Wu cautioned Gu Chen to be careful with his words and actions, lest King Huai find something to use against him.

Gu Chen nodded, signaling he understood, and then left the place.

As for the matter of the Arsenal and Mysterious Pill Workshop, Qin Wu originally did not agree to King Huai's request. After all, King Huai's reach hadn't extended to the Jing Tian Department yet.

As for Gu Chen, just as he was leaving the Jing Tian Department planning to return to Gu Mansion, he was stopped by someone.

"Lord Wu'an, please wait, our prince summons you."

Gu Chen sized up the man and, after a moment's contemplation, nodded and followed the man to Prince Huai's Mansion.

This was Gu Chen's second visit there.

The first time Gu Chen came to Prince Huai's Mansion, his martial skills were still weak, merely at the External Qi Stage, not even worth being noticed by King Huai.

But now, in just about a year's time, he had become an Innate Realm Grandmaster of Martial Arts, famous throughout Tiandu, with few rivals.

Prince Huai's Mansion was just as Gu Chen had seen it for the first time, decorated everywhere with green glazed tiles, with palaces, pavilions, rockeries, water galleries, courtyards, carved rafters, and painted eaves—all imposing and elegant, luxurious yet not lacking in grandeur.

"Lord Wu'an, this way please."

At this moment, King Huai's personal bodyguard, an Innate Realm Grandmaster by the name of Mr. Gongsun, stood outside the mansion, personally welcoming Gu Chen.

This reception was far superior to that of Gu Chen's first visit to Prince Huai's Mansion.

Gu Chen remembered feeling apprehensive when he first visited Prince Huai's Mansion at the sight of two guards at the entrance, but now he was tranquil, well aware that King Huai's summoning boded no good and yet remaining composed as he entered.

In a grand hall inside the mansion, Gu Chen saw King Huai, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, sitting at the head.

This meeting was different from the last.

The first time Gu Chen met King Huai, the demeanor of this foremost prince of Da Xia was restrained and mild, but this time, Gu Chen felt an extraordinary presence emanating from him, and King Huai's eyes were vastly different too.

At this moment, King Huai sat like a king who held the world in his view, waiting for Gu Chen's audience.

Just then, the Celestial Seed hidden within Gu Chen trembled slightly, and he perceived an extraordinary energy emanating from King Huai. With the help of the Celestial Seed, Gu Chen even sensed danger.

Gu Chen's heart grew cold. Was it not said that King Huai was a commoner without martial expertise, and moreover, in poor health? How could he make Gu Chen, an Innate Realm Grandmaster of Martial Arts, feel threatened? This was most peculiar!

At that moment, King Huai, who was sitting at the head, saw Gu Chen and uttered just one word, "Sit."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Gu Chen nodded, not bothering with formalities, and directly sat to the side.

"You may leave." King Huai looked toward Master Gongsun.

"Yes." Master Gongsun nodded, bowed, and left.

"May I know the purpose of summoning me here, Your Highness?" Gu Chen asked, looking at King Huai, directly to the point.

King Huai fixed his gaze on Gu Chen and said, "Are you aware of the enormous trouble you have caused?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Chen shook his head slightly and said, "I'm not aware."

"Are you playing dumb with me?" King Huai's presence grew heavy and authoritative; an invisible pressure emanated from him, creating a palpable sense of oppression.

But Gu Chen, given his current level of cultivation and his experience in many great battles, had a tempered mind and wasn't weakened by King Huai's imposing manner, maintaining his composure.

"Your Highness, I'm truly unaware."

Although Gu Chen repeatedly addressed him as 'Your Highness,' his tone was different from their first meeting, devoid of any respect.

Clearly, King Huai's behavior had caused Gu Chen to feel dissatisfied.

King Huai huffed, "Have you grown arrogant from favoritism, or are you resting on your laurels?"

Gu Chen spoke indifferently, "If Your Highness summoned me just to say these things, then I must take my leave as I have other matters to attend to."

Having said that, Gu Chen made to rise.

"Sit down! Did I give you permission to leave?" King Huai raised his voice suddenly upon seeing this, instantly tensing the atmosphere in the grand hall.

Gu Chen frowned; he sensed a fleeting qi from King Huai that, despite being very concealed, was detectable to him, whose senses far exceeded those of other Innate Realm martial arts grandmasters due to his heavenly constitution.

"What exactly do you intend, Your Highness?" Gu Chen turned, looking directly at King Huai.

"You have provoked the Six Great Holy Lands and are not far from death. Only I can save you," King Huai said, sitting at the head of the room and looking down on Gu Chen with indifferent eyes.

Gu Chen inwardly sighed at how much King Huai had changed and said, "Are you suggesting that I submit to you?"

"Correct," King Huai nodded and continued, "Don't assume that the Six Great Holy Lands are too preoccupied to deal with you now. Their internal powerhouses are numerous, and what you've seen is just the tip of the iceberg. By provoking them, you've also implicated Da Xia.

Should the Six Great Holy Lands and the Six Union God Sect join forces against Da Xia, do you think the current Da Xia could withstand them?"

Gu Chen remained calm and replied, "So, according to Your Highness, if they want me dead, I should just await my demise?"

"There are many ways to handle a situation," King Huai said. "You, however, have chosen the most confrontational one. Haven't you ever heard 'Too rigid, easily broken'?"

Hearing this, Gu Chen smiled faintly and replied, "Endurance and retreat only embolden your enemies to press you harder. Only by brandishing your sword with unstoppable momentum will they learn fear."

"Nonsense," King Huai shook his head, obviously disagreeing with Gu Chen's view. "Don't think that the Tower Supervisor's words are always right. If he truly were capable of foreseeing the world's great trends and controlling everything, would the Nine Provinces be as they are now? Would Da Xia be as it is?"

"Are you saying you can?" Gu Chen looked at King Huai.

King Huai's expression turned icy as he said, "Only I can save you. If the Six Great Holy Lands wish you dead, you are certain to die!"

Gu Chen shook his head and replied, "I'm afraid I must disappoint you, Your Highness; Gu Chen will not submit to anyone."

After stating this, Gu Chen turned and walked away.

"Gu Chen, I acknowledge that a twenty-two-year-old Innate talent is impressive, but don't delude yourself. You understand nothing about the Six Great Holy Lands or this world, and the Tower Supervisor couldn't possibly have told you much. Do you know what it is that allows the Six Great Holy Lands to suppress the world, do you know what they are doing right now?"

King Huai's rapid questions halted Gu Chen in his tracks, successfully piquing his curiosity.

Seeing Gu Chen stop, King Huai continued, "Do you know the truth about the Nine Provinces? It is but a small corner! Don't you yearn for a broader sky? If you are so inclined, then submit to me. Only I can help you achieve it!"

"The Nine Provinces, just a small corner?" Hearing these words, Gu Chen's heart gave a jolt, shocked that King Huai knew so much.

"So, according to Your Highness, should I submit, do I still need to apologize to the Six Great Holy Lands and face my execution?" Gu Chen asked.

King Huai shook his head, confident in his words, "Don't worry. As long as you truly submit to me, I promise I can save your life. And apologizing would just be a temporary concession to bide time. When the opportunity ripens, I assure you, all that you've lost, I will help you take it back!"

"Your Highness is so confident?" Gu Chen raised an eyebrow as he looked at King Huai.

King Huai smiled lightly, "I never embark on unsure ventures. You are talented, and everyone knows I value and cherish talent. Not just anyone catches my eye. Your conviction in this earnest recruitment should tell you what to do."

Gu Chen shook his head, "Unfortunately, I still hold to my view: I will not submit to anyone. I must decline Your Highness's kindness."

"Gu Chen, must you really oppose me? Think of your family in Tiandu!" At this moment, having been rejected twice consecutively by Gu Chen, King Huai's aura surged powerfully, and the temperature within the grand hall plummeted.

"Is this a threat, Your Highness?" Gu Chen swiftly turned around, his eyes blazing as he fearlessly met King Huai's gaze head-on. At that moment, the two were at loggerheads, the atmosphere in the grand hall instantly tense and confrontational.