June 14, Ancient Wind Town, inside the Chen Nation's Hulao Pass: There was a residence in the town known as the Gu Residence.
Banquets were set up in the Gu Residence and the surrounding streets. An endless stream of guests came and went. It was very lively.
However, a group of people in mourning clothes arrived earlier, and the bustle came to a stop. Large numbers of soldiers stood guard in the surroundings, filling the originally festive scene with a somber aura.
"Isn't today Mister Gu's seventieth birthday? The surrounding military camps should have been set up long ago. Why are there so many soldiers? "
"That's not right. That's not right. Although Mister Gu does not involve himself in politics, no one in the government would dare to go against Mister Gu."
"That was the crown prince earlier. The one in mourning clothes is the crown prince. Behind him are the civil and military officials!"
"How can this be?"
"It's true. It's really the crown prince. Why is the crown prince in mourning clothes? It can't be … "
…
…
…
The guests on the streets immediately showed horrified expressions.
The only time the Crown Prince wore mourning clothes was when the current Emperor passed away.
Wasn't the current emperor personally leading the troops at the frontlines? Furthermore, they heard that the current emperor had won many battles.
Everyone showed horrified expressions. Clearly, the news was too late.
Gu Residence:
The guests attended the banquet in the front yard and streets. However, it was rather quiet in the Gu Residence's backyard. There was a seven-story pagoda in the backyard, the tallest building in the Gu Residence or even the entire town. One could see the entire town from the top of the pagoda.
The pagoda was called the Soaring Pagoda.
A large number of solemn Gu Residence people stood under the Soaring Pagoda. They watched as the civil and military officials in mourning clothes followed Crown Prince Chen and knelt before the Soaring Pagoda. All of them showed sorrowful expressions.
Only one person did not kneel. That was Chen Taiji's third grandfather, the white-clad man from the sect.
"Nephew Chen Liangyi requests an audience with Uncle Gu. I beg Uncle Gu to take revenge for Imperial Father!" Crown Prince Chen Liangyi said with a sorrowful expression.
The Chen Nation was about to be destroyed. How long could he remain the crown prince? Once the Chen Nation was destroyed, the Immortal Sect would vent their anger on him. His fate was unknown. His father said that this person could turn the tide. Furthermore, this person was his father's sworn brother.
As long as Chen Liangyi could save the Chen Nation, not to mention kneeling, even if he had to kneel for three days and three nights, he would not frown.
Many of the Gu Residence's people and servants opened their eyes wide.
This, this was the current Crown Prince! Also, are these the civil and military officials? How was that possible? Just to see Master?
"Gu Hai, I am Clear River Sect's Chen Tianshan. Do you still remember me? Crown Prince Chen has already led all the civil and military officials to kneel in front of you. What else do you want? "The man in white standing shouted.
The Gu Residence's people watched with frowns. The leader was an azure-clad, middle-aged man in his thirties. He had a broad face and an ordinary appearance. However, as he stood outside the Soaring Pagoda, everyone in the Gu Residence looked to him as their leader.
"First Young Master? Why don't we …! "A servant seemed to have something to say.
The green-robed middle-aged man coldly glanced over. His glare scared the servant into silence.
The Gu Residence's prestige could not be challenged.
The green-robed Eldest Young Master ignored everyone's request for an audience. Instead, he patiently waited outside the Soaring Pagoda.
"Uncle Gu, it was Imperial Father who told me to come and beg Uncle Gu before he died. He also wanted me to apologize to you on Imperial Father's behalf. Back then, it was Imperial Father who let you down!" Chen Liangyi's entire body trembled as he cried.
"Sigh ~!"
Within the Soaring Tower, a distant sigh could be heard.
Everyone's expression changed.
Then, they heard an old voice coming from the Soaring Pagoda. "Immortal Master Chen, this old man neglected you. Guqin invites Immortal Master Chen to the Soaring Pagoda. Also, let Chen Liangyi come up! "
The First Young Master, Guqin, immediately showed a solemn expression and said, "Yes, Adoptive Father!"
Creak!
Guqin pushed open the Soaring Pagoda's doors and said to Chen Tianshan, "Immortal Master Chen, I neglected you. My father has not received guests in a long time. Please come in!"
Chen Tianshan nodded.
"Crown Prince Chen, please come in!" Guqin said solemnly.
However, Chen Liangyi immediately climbed to his feet with some excitement.
Guqin led Chen Tianshan and Chen Liangyi into the Soaring Pagoda.
Creak!
The Soaring Pagoda's doors closed again.
Outside, the civil and military officials looked at the Soaring Pagoda curiously.
The Soaring Pagoda had seven floors. The two discovered that every floor was filled with bookshelves filled with countless books.
All the way to the sixth floor.
Chen Tianshan and Chen Liangyi finally saw Gu Hai.
It was the window of the Soaring Pagoda. A giant Go board was placed there, but this Go board was different. Normally, a Go board would have nineteen vertical and horizontal lines. However, this Go board had twenty-nine vertical and horizontal lines.
The Go board was filled with Go pieces. The layout of the Go board could not be seen clearly.
An old man in a black outfit stood beside the Go board. He looked to be in his seventies. His hair was white and his face was solemn. Although there were some wrinkles on his face, his eyes were extremely bright. They seemed to be able to see through people's hearts. Chen Liangyi's heart skipped a beat.
This is the richest man in the Six Nations, Gu Hai?
"You are Gu Hai? No, you are not Gu Hai! Your eyebrows … "Chen Tianshan's eyes widened.
The old man smiled and said, "Immortal Master Chen, do you still remember the request under the waterfall? This old man is indeed Gu Hai. However, to avoid unnecessary trouble, I grew my beard and drew my eyebrows. "
Chen Tianshan took a closer look. Indeed, this person was Gu Hai. However, the part that left a deep impression on him was fake. This person was still the same person. His appearance had not changed much. However, if Gu Hai did not decipher this, Chen Tianshan would never think that this person was the Gu Hai that he met before.
"Uncle Gu, my father is already dead. He said that you are his sworn elder brother. Uncle Gu, on account of your brotherhood, please take revenge for my father!" Chen Liangyi knelt again.
Gu Hai narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at Chen Liangyi. After a moment of silence, he said, "Back then, I did indeed become sworn brothers with him. However, back then, he also wanted to kill me. Our brotherhood no longer counts."
"Ah?" Chen Liangyi's expression froze.
Chen Tianshan frowned slightly.
However, Gu Hai looked at Chen Tianshan and said, "I know why you are here. Furthermore, Gao Xianzhi even killed six hundred thousand soldiers from the three passes. The Song Nation is united, and the Chen Nation is on the brink of collapse. At this moment, only one hundred thousand soldiers remain. Do you think it is possible to block the Song Nation's eight hundred thousand ferocious soldiers? "
"What? Gao Xianzhi killed six hundred thousand soldiers? Those are captives! "Chen Liangyi exclaimed.
"Four days ago, at noon," Gu Hai said indifferently.
"You … how do you know?" Chen Liangyi exclaimed.
However, Gu Hai did not say anything.
At the side, the First Young Master Guqin served him. He respectfully poured a cup of tea for Gu Hai. Then, he poured another cup for Chen Tianshan.
Gu Hai gestured slightly to Chen Tianshan before taking a seat.
Chen Tianshan looked at Gu Hai with a strange expression. Ordinary people would treat people from the Immortal Sect as immortals when they saw them. However, Gu Hai appeared so calm.
"Chen Taiji said that you can do it!" Chen Tianshan said sullenly as he sat down.
Gu Hai picked up his tea and took a sip. "After the mountains and rivers shatter, Gao Xianzhi's army will arrive at Hulao Pass in half a month. You know better than me what kind of people the one hundred thousand soldiers at Hulao Pass are. You want this group of people to resist Gao Xianzhi's eight hundred thousand ferocious soldiers? Ha! At that time, not to mention resisting, some of these people will defect to the enemy. Perhaps Gao Xianzhi will not even need to make a move. Hulao Pass will fall on its own! "
Chen Tianshan's and Chen Liangyi's expressions changed. This was not Gu Hai trying to scare them. Instead, it was very likely.
"Uncle Gu, please come out and save the Chen Nation. As long as you save the Chen Nation, you can have anything you want!" Chen Liangyi immediately cried out.
Chen Tianshan, who was at the side, also said with certainty, "That's right! Do you have a solution? "
However, Gu Hai suddenly narrowed his eyes and said, "Oh? Since the Immortal Sect cares so much about the Chen Nation, why does Immortal Master Chen not go personally? I believe that with your strength, it would not be difficult to take the head of a general from an army of ten thousand. Furthermore, the Chen Nation is not the only mundane nation that your Immortal Sect controls. Why don't you ask the other nations to help? Why are you looking for me, an old man reeking of money? "
Chen Tianshan frowned slightly. After a moment of silence, he said, "This time, it can only be a war between two nations. We are not allowed to ask for reinforcements from other nations. Furthermore, the sect's people are not allowed to interfere!"
"Not allowed?" Gu Hai's expression immediately changed, and a light flashed in his eyes.
Although it was only three words, Gu Hai instantly heard a lot of information. Moreover, it was as if he had seen a great opportunity, to the extent that a ripple suddenly appeared in his heart that was as calm as an ancient well.
Suppressing those ripples, Gu Hai took a sip of tea.
"The Chen Nation is already hopeless. I just came to ask. If you can't, then forget it," Chen Tianshan said seriously.
Gu Hai did not say anything. Instead, he looked at Chen Tianshan and Chen Liangyi.
After a while, Gu Hai said solemnly, "I can save the Chen Nation, but …"
"You can save the Chen Nation? How? "Chen Tianshan revealed some shock.
"I have a condition!" Gu Hai did not explain. Solemnly, he said, not bothering to explain.
"Oh?" Chen Tianshan looked at Gu Hai.
"Uncle Gu, what do you want? As long as I have it, I can give it to you!" Chen Liangyi said in pleasant surprise as he climbed to his feet.
Gu Hai ignored Chen Liangyi. Instead, he stared at Chen Tianshan and said, "I need the Clear River Sect's Sect Master to help me with my breakthrough to the Acquired Realm. I need to break through to the Innate Realm. Furthermore, I need to learn an Innate Realm Cultivation Technique in the Clear River Sect. "
"What? You are already at the consummation of the Acquired Realm? "Chen Tianshan immediately stood up in shock.
Solemnly, Gu Hai nodded.
"That's impossible. Back then, I took a look at your constitution. You cannot cultivate internal energy. You only started cultivating after you turned thirty. With such a poor constitution, you can only rely on external cultivation. Furthermore, you will never be able to surpass the fifth layer of the Acquired Realm. However, you said that you are already at the tenth layer of the Acquired Realm? That is impossible! "Chen Tianshan immediately cried out.
"External cultivation? If I still do not break through to the Innate Realm, my external cultivation will scatter. Fortunately, I have already reached the consummation of the Acquired Realm. Even if you are a Golden Core Realm cultivator, you will not be able to help me. Only your Sect Master can. Go and tell him that as long as he agrees to my condition, I will save the Chen Nation, "Gu Hai said seriously.
Chen Tianshan stared at Gu Hai, his eyes filled with shock and doubt.
External cultivation? How laughable. How could one cultivate external cultivation to the consummation of the Acquired Realm? That crude cultivation method completely relied on self-abuse. Even if one exhausted all one's potential, one could not surpass the fifth layer of the Acquired Realm. That had never happened before. Gu Hai actually reached the consummation of the Acquired Realm?
"I only have this one request. What do you think? "Gu Hai stared at Chen Tianshan with anticipation in his eyes.
"Save Chen Nation first. I will tell the Sect Master," Chen Tianshan said seriously.
However, Gu Hai smiled faintly and shook his head. He did not say anything, only looking at Chen Tianshan.
"The Sect Master is not here. How can I help him agree? Save Chen Nation first. I will report to the Sect Master, "Chen Tianshan said seriously.
"Gao Xianzhi's army will arrive at Hulao Pass in at least half a month. Half a month is enough for you to return to the sect and make a round trip. As long as the Clear River Sect Master gives me a decree, I will immediately save Chen Nation. After saving Chen Nation, it will not be too late to fulfill my promise. However, I want your Sect Master's decree!" Gu Hai said firmly as he stared at Chen Tianshan.
"Half a month? Many things can happen in half a month. After half a month, Hulao Pass might fall apart. At that time, what are you going to use to save Chen Nation? Furthermore, the Song Nation's eight hundred thousand-strong ferocious army will arrive in half a month. How are you going to block them with just one hundred thousand inferior soldiers? "Chen Tianshan said unhappily with a frown.
"Half a month? Don't worry. Hulao Pass will not fall apart. How to block them is my problem. The earlier you return, the earlier Chen Nation will be out of danger! "Gu Hai said with determination in his eyes. Without a promise, Gu Hai would not take this risk.
However, Chen Tianshan stared at Gu Hai. His eyes turned cold as he said, "Gu Hai, you are the one who said this. If you cannot save Chen Nation, you know the consequences of lying to us …"
Gu Hai did not care. Instead, he turned his head to look at Chen Liangyi and said, "Since Chen Taiji is dead, let's forget about our past grudges. Although I live in the Chen Nation, I pay a lot of taxes to the Chen Nation every year. It is not that I am under your Chen Nation's protection. Right now, among the six nations, as long as I want to move, any nation will welcome me. I stayed in the Chen Nation all these years because I missed you. If you want me to save Chen Keyi, wait for news from Immortal Master Chen! "
"Yes. Many thanks, Uncle Gu!" Chen Liangyi immediately said respectfully.
"Go back first. My residence has many guests today, so I will not entertain you any further!" Gu Hai sent Chen Liangyi off.
"Yes!" Chen Liangyi nodded.
Chen Tianshan stared at Gu Hai for a while. "I'll return to the sect immediately and ask the Sect Master for a decree. I hope what you said is true. Otherwise … humph!"
Chen Tianshan turned around and quickly left with Chen Liangyi.
At the side, Guqin looked at Gu Hai and frowned slightly. "Adoptive Father, there is no solution for Chen Nation this time. How can we save Chen Nation? Could it be …?! "
However, Gu Hai looked at the Go board on the table again. Then, he took a deep breath and said, "I know that there is no solution. Furthermore, from what they said, the sect is not allowed to interfere. Only the secular forces are allowed to fight. It is no different from a remnant Nascent Soul fighting a murderer! However, this is Father's last chance. The difference between the Acquired Realm and the Innate Realm is just one realm, but the difference is huge. If I enter the Innate Realm, I can become younger and return to my prime! I only lack this chance. I need to become younger! Hence, no matter how difficult it is, I have to resolve it! "
"Yes!" Guqin nodded worriedly.
"I need to think of a solution. Don't disturb me. You may leave," Gu Hai said seriously.
"Adoptive Father, today is your birthday. Do you want to …?"
"There's no need. I already received the best birthday gift. Go on …" Gu Hai waved his hand.
Guqin nodded and left.
Gu Hai leaned against the window and watched the army retreat below. He played with a black Go stone in his hand as he frowned deeply. "On my thirtieth birthday, I collected one hundred thousand Go puzzles and found this black Go stone in the library's cellar. Unexpectedly, you brought me from Earth to this world. In the blink of an eye, it has been forty years. What secrets are you hiding? Is it just for those one hundred thousand Go puzzles? After studying them for several decades, I am almost done. However, you have not done anything in the past few years. How do you want me to figure you out? "
Gu Hai sighed softly and placed the black Go stone on his forehead.
"Buzz!"
The black Go stone strangely penetrated Gu Hai's skin and entered his forehead.
Gu Hai sank his consciousness into his forehead. It was a space in his forehead. Below the space were one hundred thousand Go boards with many Go puzzles on them. The one hundred thousand Go puzzles seemed to be in constant motion. As the Go stones changed, the black Go stone floated above the one hundred thousand Go puzzles, looking down on them like a monarch.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
