Chapter 45

"Really? Gu Chensha killed Yin Yang Xiushi again? And he sent the body and the classics over?"

At the Xianzhou imperial envoy station, Lou Bayue stood up immediately upon hearing the news. The station was built grandly and majestically, originally a side hall of the Xian Dynasty's imperial palace. This was also the capital of the Xian Dynasty, and even though it had experienced war and carnage over a decade ago, it was now as prosperous as ever, thanks to the opening of the canal, which made commercial activities ten times more prosperous than during the Xian Dynasty's most prosperous period.

The entire Xianzhou bordered the wilderness, which, besides the barbarian tribes, was also home to countless treasures. Many adventurers ventured into the wilderness to obtain these treasures and then came here to trade. With a bit of luck, a single successful deal could ensure a life of wealth and luxury.

"Yes, the body is now at the governor's office, and the Third Prince is also examining it," Yu Xiang reported.

"Where is Gu Chensha?" Lou Bayue asked as he stood up.

"He is still in Bannan Province, but not in the provincial capital. He is in a small town not far from Taixian County. The town has many residents, and it is currently impossible to evacuate. He is staying there to resist the attacks of the barbarians and the cultists," Yu Xiang reported clearly.

"This guy is so compassionate that he dares to take such risks. It's pitiful that the townspeople can't escape and can only choose to resist, but how long can they hold out?" Lou Bayue shook his head as he walked. "Have you found any connection between the remnants of the Xian Dynasty and him?"

"No, we have an informant among the remnants of the Xian Dynasty. The message we received is that Chen Jianfeng personally met the Nineteenth Prince, but there was no further news. As for other information, there isn't much because our informants find it difficult to get close to the core of the Xian Dynasty remnants," Yu Xiang followed behind, reporting the most important information.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Lou Bayue arrived at the governor's office. As soon as he entered, he heard a voice mocking, "Tenth, you brought a thousand men and demanded Jiaojiao armor and fire talisman guns from the court. You've been here for several days and haven't accomplished anything. The Nineteenth Prince has already killed the Black Bat and Yin Yang Xiushi. Such achievements would be enough to make him a king even if he lost Bannan Province."

"Damn it! Third, are you deliberately trying to anger me!" The roar of the Tenth Prince, Gu Zhensha, shook the palace: "If that's the case, I'll do something earth-shattering to show you."

"Is the Tenth Prince here too? What are you arguing about?" Lou Bayue walked in and saw the body of Yin Yang Xiushi lying on a wooden board.

The Tenth Prince, Gu Zhensha, saw Lou Bayue enter and immediately stopped roaring, his eyes very serious. He knew that Lou Bayue had the "As if the Emperor were present" token, and if he took it out, it would be equivalent to the words of the Heavenly Talisman Emperor. Even if he was as rebellious as he was, he could only kneel and obey.

He didn't understand why the Heavenly Talisman Emperor trusted Lou Bayue so much. Of course, he also knew that Lou Bayue was truly loyal to the Heavenly Talisman Emperor, and the Emperor's favor for her surpassed that of many princes.

"Bayue, come and see. This is Yin Yang Xiushi, a Second Transformation Daoist, who was actually killed by the Nineteenth Prince," the Third Prince, Gu Fansha, said with a smile. "The body will be sent back to the capital shortly. You can appraise it."

"Indeed, it is Yin Yang Xiushi. This 'Joyful Yin-Yang Art' is genuine. This demon must be at least ninety years old but still looks so young, all thanks to this art." Lou Bayue carefully examined it and finally confirmed, "I will write a secret report to the Emperor, and you must also report honestly."

"Of course, I wouldn't dare to deceive the Emperor," the Third Prince, Gu Fansha, said, his smile fading. "These old demons like the Black Bat and Yin Yang Xiushi are highly skilled and cause chaos everywhere. Even provincial governors can't resist them and risk being assassinated. Now that two of them are dead, it saves me a lot of trouble. Tenth, according to my intelligence, there are a few more old demons in those three counties, such as the Hundred Toxins Daoist and the Blood Soul Sect Leader. These two are at the First and Second Transformations, and with your skills, you can definitely kill them. I know you have cultivated a unique art."

The Tenth Prince, Gu Zhensha, looked fierce, his heart cold: "Indeed, after my promotion to the Daoist realm, the First, Second, Third, and Seventh Princes have all taken me seriously and are trying to uncover my secrets. Unfortunately, I have the support of the witchcraft path, and I cultivate the Ancestor Witch Scripture. Even if I have only grasped a fraction of it, it far surpasses your abilities."

"Tenth, I know you want to be a king. This is your chance to earn merit. The Emperor's campaign this time is also a test for the princes. Afterward, the one with the most merit will be rewarded with the Nine Lives Immortal Pill." Lou Bayue said this intentionally: "Currently, the Nineteenth Prince has the most merit."

"Killing two old demons is nothing," Gu Zhensha turned and left: "I will bring back the head of the barbarian god Kukata. I know that the real mastermind behind the chaos in the three counties is this god, who has reached the Seventh Transformation and can fly. That's why the Third Prince is so cautious."

Seeing Gu Zhensha leave, the Third Prince, Gu Fansha, said to Lou Bayue, "The Tenth Prince appears rough, but he is actually very cunning and devious. Don't underestimate him."

"The Tenth Prince has indeed cultivated a unique art. I can sense the survival of the fittest, the strong preying on the weak, and the absence of propriety, righteousness, and morality from him. It's a lost path from the ancient past," Lou Bayue frowned.

"The past is the past; the era does not belong to him," the Third Prince, Gu Fansha, said with deep meaning.

In the town.

Sword shadows flew as Gu Chensha faced five opponents, still handling them with ease. He used an ordinary long sword against five ancient swords that could cut through iron and steel.

"Five seasons bloom, the hot season stretches on."

Suddenly, the five people launched a combined sword energy, with a dazzling light that seemed to bring the continuous spring rain, the thunder of summer, the scorching sun, the frost of autumn, and the ice of winter.

The ancient Five Seasons Dao attacked, the sword formation fierce, with whirlwinds and sword cuts creating cracks all around.

Gu Chensha's sword seemed to disappear and reappear, carrying a majestic aura, striking down from the sky.

This strike seemed to contain myriad changes, like the sky adjusting the seasons, correcting chaos, and being invincible. The sword technique had reached the limits of the heavens, the void, and the mind.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

Five sounds, and all five swords fell to the ground.

"His Highness the Nineteenth Prince truly has unparalleled skills, breaking our Five Seasons Sword Formation with an ordinary long sword," Liu Yu picked up his sword from the ground, pondering the duel.

Gu Chensha left the Taixian County temple and returned to the town, trying to protect the thousands of residents and improve the skills of the five people.

For now, he could only do this, defending the town and improving their skills as much as possible.

The five people were named Liu Yu, Mo Chao, Jia Liang, Qian Zhen, and Zhou Bu.

By killing Yin Yang Xiushi and seizing the treasures from the treasury, Gu Chensha had severely demoralized the barbarians. The key was that the barbarian experts didn't know how the person died, so they would be on high alert, and the town would be safe for a while. This gave him time to find a solution to the current situation.

These five people had encountered a unique opportunity and likely had some good fortune in the future. If discovered by other noble families, they would be eagerly recruited. Gu Chensha naturally spent more time on them.

"After consuming the Heavenly Dew, your meridians have been unblocked, and your primordial energy has been cultivated, equivalent to ten years of hard training. However, it's strange that there is no impurity in your bodies, as pure as jade. What's going on?" Gu Chensha noticed many peculiarities about the five.

"When we discovered the Five Seasons Sword Technique, we were purified by the strange power left by the inheritor. Additionally, our five ancient swords can absorb impurities from our bodies and absorb spiritual energy," Liu Yu didn't hide this: "The inheritor said that if we reach a high level, these five ancient swords can even merge with our bodies and become immortal flying swords."

"Is that so?" Gu Chensha frowned. "Can I see them?"

"Please, His Highness." Liu Yu handed over the sword.

The moment Gu Chensha held the sword, he felt a faint energy flow into his pores, circulating up and down, and then flowing back into the sword, forming a subtle cycle.

Man nurtures the sword, and the sword nurtures man.

The sword, at first glance, had an ancient and sharp design, but nothing else. However, upon holding it, it felt different. The sword seemed to have countless runes surging, absorbing the user's essence and then feeding it back, benefiting both.

"Truly remarkable!" Gu Chensha observed for a while and returned the sword to Liu Yu. "Have you noticed the sword becoming more lively recently?"

"How did you know, His Highness?" Liu Yu was very surprised.

"That's it. After consuming the Heavenly Dew, your essence has become thicker. When you practice, this essence flows into the sword, nourishing it. The sword also sends its energy back into your body, nourishing each other. It's like playing with a piece of jade; man nurtures the jade, and the jade nurtures man. This sword is truly remarkable, enhancing physical strength. A normal person would get tired after a few hours of practice, but with this sword, you can practice for days without tiring, provided you have enough spiritual medicine." Gu Chensha thought for a moment. "It seems your future achievements will be great. Since that's the case, I will help you further. Starting today, increase your practice intensity, and I will give each of you three drops of Heavenly Dew."

Three drops of Heavenly Dew can make a martial arts master practice daily for a year without eating or drinking, with boundless energy.

"Thank you, His Highness!" The five people knelt again, knowing the significance of this. A single drop of Heavenly Dew, in terms of value, might be worth more than the entire town.

"Remember, the more essence you have, the more powerful the sword will become. Your five ancient swords are divine weapons that need to be nourished by human essence. With time, this sword will become even more powerful," Gu Chensha warned solemnly.

He took out the Heavenly Dew and poured three drops for each person.

"You actually have Heavenly Dew." A woman's voice came from the courtyard, and another person appeared.

Liu Yu and the others were greatly surprised and raised their swords in defense.

"Wait, the visitor is a friend." Gu Chensha waved to stop them, recognizing Long Yuyun.

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