Chapter 233: Chapter 158: Day of the Grand Wedding, Beginning of the Great Chaos

"...So, not only was Gu Zheng not at fault for killing Luo Cheng, he actually performed a meritorious service?" He Zheng remarked, smacking his lips. "That’s just incredible. Luo Cheng betrayed the Zhong Family, and even in death, it’s not over. His reputation is ruined. Jin Pang is probably scrambling to distance himself from it all."

"Yeah."

Jin Yanzi agreed. "Who would have thought Luo Cheng was actually colluding with the ’Celestial God’ organization? No wonder Gu Zheng came to us before to confirm their seal."

"After this, Gu Zheng has earned even more favor with the Zhong Family. According to my sources, Xu Jianzhu gave him the complete All Heaven Jade Void Skill Heroic Body Chapter, and the Zhong Family rewarded him with a high-grade Spiritual Soldier!"

Jiang Hanshan’s expression was calm, but a flash of envy crossed his eyes.

’A high-grade Spiritual Soldier... Even I don’t have one!’

"A high-grade Spiritual Soldier?"

Jin Yanzi exclaimed again, then asked in confusion, "Weren’t they supposed to be exchanged for merit points?"

"They call it an exchange, but isn’t it really just a reward?" He Zheng said dismissively.

"It’s not the same."

Jin Yanzi frowned. "Exchanging with merit points is a trade of equal value, a fair transaction. Gu Zheng..."

"Enough."

Jiang Hanshan raised a hand, cutting her off. "Whatever it is, it’s clear Gu Zheng won’t be joining us. The recruitment plan ends here. There’s no need for us to stay in the Royal Capital any longer. We can set off for the Kang Country. We leave now!"

"Let’s go," He Zheng said, unconcerned.

Jin Yanzi hesitated for a moment before nodding with a soft sigh. "Alright."

...

「Inside an inn.」

"He killed him, just like that?" Qing Yimei’s eyes widened as she looked at Qing Yixiao, who had just shared the news with her. "Luo Cheng sided with the ’Celestial God’ organization, and Gu Zheng led a team to wipe them all out? Isn’t that too much of a coincidence?"

"Whether it’s a coincidence or not doesn’t matter. What matters is that by killing Luo Cheng, Gu Zheng was not only found innocent but also earned Great Merit." Qing Yiran raised an eyebrow. "This Lord Gu... he’s really something else."

"He is impressive, but this has nothing to do with us."

Qing Yichan said coolly, "He’s a Grand General of the Demon Slayer Bureau and a great hero to the Zhong Family. We are here to attend the Zhong Family’s wedding. That is all."

"But..." Qing Yimei opened her mouth to speak.

"Ahem."

Qing Yixiao coughed, shot her a look, and grinned. "That may be so, but Gu is a righteous and loyal man. It wouldn’t be a bad thing to be on good terms with him."

As he spoke, he winked at Qing Yiran. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"...That’s true," Qing Yiran agreed. "It wouldn’t hurt for you all to get to know him. Being friends with him wouldn’t be a bad thing."

Qing Yichan remained silent.

...

...

"Xiao, you and Zuo can rest easy now."

In a restaurant, Nangong Yaoyue relayed the news she’d received to Xiao Xianya and Zuo Lingfeng with a smile. "Luo Cheng was colluding with the ’Celestial God’ organization and was taken down in one fell swoop by a team led by Xu Jianzhu. Not only did Gu get his revenge in the process, but he also earned Great Merit. Right now, he’s cultivating the Heroic Body Chapter of the All Heaven Jade Void Skill."

"Haha, Gu is incredible!"

Xiao Xianya waved her hand excitedly. "As for Luo Cheng, he’s utter scum! I was ashamed to be ranked alongside him as one of the Seven Demon Slayers. It’s a good thing he’s dead!"

"The ’Seven Demon Slayers’ is just a fun little title the people below us came up with," Dongfang He snorted. "In reality, there are more than just the seven of you among the prominent geniuses of Jing Country’s younger generation. The Divine Capture Bureau, the Observatory, and the Dragon Guard all have their own. The Dragon Guard in particular has two people who broke through to the Heroic Body Realm before they even turned thirty."

"So what?"

Xiao Xianya said dismissively, "Those people rarely fight Demon Fiends. Their realms were forcibly achieved purely with the help of Treasure Pills. If their actual combat strength is even thirty percent of ours, it would be considered impressive."

"That’s right," Zuo Lingfeng agreed.

"That is true," Nangong Yaoyue said with a smile. "Without extensive real combat and the tempering of life-and-death battles, no matter how high one’s realm, their actual strength will be limited."

"..." Dongfang He opened his mouth, but it took him a moment to find the words. He retorted defensively, "Anyway, the Seven Demon Slayers are no big deal!"

"Did I say we were a big deal?"

Xiao Xianya glanced at him, her eyes darting about before she asked curiously, "By the way, I forgot to ask. You’re almost thirty. What realm are you at right now?"

Dongfang He was left speechless. "..."

...

...

The news about Luo Cheng’s collusion with the "Celestial God" organization wasn’t publicized. As a result, word that Gu Zheng had discovered the plot and brought in experts from the four great Government Offices to wipe them out reached the various powers a little late.

Once they learned the details, they all marveled at Gu Zheng’s luck.

Then, they turned to watch the show.

To watch the humiliation of Jin Pang, the Commander of the Guangzhou Demon Slayer Bureau.

Jin Pang had offended quite a few people for Luo Cheng’s sake.

And now, with Luo Cheng exposed as a traitor, Jin Pang was utterly disgraced.

When Jin Pang, who was not in the Royal Capital, received the news, his face remained calm, but his eyes blazed with fury.

"Damn him!"

...

...

「Outside Royal Capital City.」

「On a mountaintop.」

Two men stood on the edge of a cliff, just beyond a lush forest.

"Your Highness, are you sure you won’t meet with him before we leave?" Director Fu frowned slightly. "This man, Gu Zheng... if we could win him over, he would be an immense help to our cause..."

"Say no more," the young man snapped. But his voice immediately softened, and he sighed lightly. "I’m sorry. We shouldn’t drag Gu into our affairs. I still haven’t fully repaid my debt to him..."

"But Your Highness, didn’t you already give Gu Zheng the ’Ring of Power’?" Director Fu countered. "That ring alone should be more than enough to repay any debt..."

But before he could finish, the young man spun around, his eyes flashing as they bored into Director Fu. "You’ve been spying on me?" he asked in a low, dangerous voice.

Director Fu immediately dropped to one knee in an ancient salute. "I would never dare! I merely had someone keep watch in Qingshi County for a time, to prevent..."

"Enough!" the young man cut him off sharply. "Uncle, I have told you before: this is my private affair. I don’t want you interfering. This is the last time!"

"...I was wrong," Director Fu said, lowering his head in apology.

"Get up." The young man raised a hand and said in a heavy tone, "From now on, do not make any more unilateral decisions regarding Gu or the Gu Family."