Gu Zheng listened to the other party's words and felt the other party's hopeful gaze. He didn't say anything, but instead fell silent.
"Senior, we definitely won't lie. We can swear to the heavens that once you help us and remove our restrictions, it means we've betrayed them. They definitely won't let us off."
Seeing that Gu Zheng was still unmoved, Sixth Sister became anxious and hurriedly said to him.
Gu Zheng still didn't reply. He seemed to still be pondering.
"Senior, didn't you say you wanted to know about them? Although we don't know much, we still know some things. We can only tell you if you remove our restrictions," said Second Brother anxiously. He clearly didn't want to give up on this bit of hope.
Gu Zheng glanced at him from the corner of his eyes and sneered in his heart. Gu Zheng disdained to answer such a simple question.
"Second Brother, don't say any more." That big brother immediately interrupted Second Brother with a grave expression.
"Senior, what conditions do you have for you to save us? As long as you can save us from the Goblin and remove our restrictions, we six siblings will sell our lives to you."
Among them, he was considered the oldest, and his experience was more than a bit richer than theirs. He hit the nail on the head.
You can state your conditions and do whatever you want, because they were just captives. How could they have the freedom to talk about conditions? Even if you were loyal to them for a lifetime, they would still have to consider whether or not they wanted you.
"Alright, since you said that earlier, there's no need to beat around the bush." Gu Zheng suddenly clapped his hands.
He naturally had his own thoughts. He didn't want such weak fellows. He couldn't bring them along, so he couldn't agree to their conditions.
"The conditions are very simple. If I can remove the restrictions on your bodies, then not only will you have to tell me everything you know, you will also have to listen to her orders for the next ten years. However, you will have to do whatever she tells you to do. Even if there is a mountain of blades, a sea of flames, or a bottomless abyss, you will have to jump down. How about it?"
At this moment, Gu Zheng pointed at Shuang 'er and raised his eyebrows at them.
Shuang 'Er, who was watching from the side, couldn't help feeling startled when she saw Gu Zheng point at her. How had she been dragged into this? He even wanted them to be loyal to her for ten years.
Gu Zheng naturally had his own ideas about this. Although Shuang 'er's strength was barely enough to protect herself, there were some things that couldn't be done by herself. He would find a few subordinates for her to help her. He estimated that after ten years, she wouldn't need these people anymore.
Gu Zheng was really worried about his friends. He couldn't help it. He couldn't be cruel, especially when it came to his friends.
"But don't worry, she's much more powerful than all of you. All of you combined won't be able to defeat her pinky finger. All of you can do is take care of some things that are inconvenient for her to handle and do some odd jobs. You can also remind her of some things at crucial moments," Gu Zheng said again.
This was because everyone had a bad side that couldn't be eliminated. If you wanted someone to serve you wholeheartedly for the rest of their life, unless there was a great favor to be done to them and the other party's character was absolutely up to standard, it would cause you a lot of losses if they were to give you a little bit of thought along the way.
If you used other methods to restrict them, they would be no different from Goblin. At most, they would listen to you for a while, but they could betray you again at any time.
Ten years was enough to maintain the majority of their loyalty. At the very least, they would have absolute freedom. Only then would they be unswervingly loyal to you.
"We're willing."
Everyone was delighted. This condition was so good that they almost didn't dare to believe it.
"As long as senior can help me remove the restrictions on my body, no matter what method you use, I promise to be unconditionally loyal to this young miss for ten years. I will be her devout servant. If I go back on my oath, my soul will be destroyed." Big Brother immediately faced the Twin Moth Suns and formed a series of hand seals in the air. With a final sound, he turned into a ray of light that shot into Shuang 'er's body.
This was a solemn oath. If he went back on his word, Shuang 'er wouldn't have to do anything. He would be turned into an idiot by the backlash. Of course, the prerequisite was that the restrictions on his body were removed.
He understood that this young miss was stronger than them. Although it was a pity that they couldn't follow Gu Zheng, they didn't have a better choice. They were already very grateful that Gu Zheng didn't kill them.
As soon as he finished speaking, Big Brother Third followed suit. He also sent a ray of light into Shuang 'er's body.
Everyone swore an oath without hesitation. They basically swore that they wouldn't betray Shuang 'er for ten years.
"Very good. Let me examine you."
Seeing this, Gu Zheng quickly took a few steps forward and grabbed the boss's wrist. He slowly transferred his immortal energy into the boss's body and started to slowly circulate it.
But as soon as it entered his body, his relaxed expression gradually disappeared. Now, his expression was very serious and solemn.
The others turned around and looked at Gu Zheng. They didn't know what method he had to remove the restrictions.
After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Gu Zheng put down Big Brother's arm and said with a serious expression.
"It seems that the other party wants you to die. Now, the poison has spread all over your body. I estimate that by tonight at the latest, the restrictions on your body will explode. At that time, even if you don't die, you will die."
"What!"
This news was beyond their expectations. Their expressions changed greatly. They thought that the other party wanted to control them forever. They didn't expect that they would die so quickly. This was simply beyond their expectations.
Didn't this mean that they would be abandoned after they completed this task? They had no value at all. This was too cruel.
Thinking of this, they felt a chill in their hearts. But they immediately rejoiced. If they hadn't met this senior and been captured by him, they would have died without a doubt.
"Sir, save us!" Big Brother said with a trembling voice. Thinking that he wouldn't be able to live until tomorrow, he felt a little scared.
Gu Zheng looked into his eyes and said, "Don't worry. I found that your body is a little strange. When they put the restrictions on you, did they do anything special?"
Before Big Bro could reply, Fourth Bro hastily said, "Yes, yes. When the other party was casting the restriction, he drew a pattern in the air. Although the other party was very fast, I was still able to remember the rough outline of the pattern."
"You draw a rough pattern. Let me have a look." Gu Zheng signaled for him to come out. He wanted to see for himself.
"Like this, like this. I can only remember this much." Big Brother Four reached out his finger and drew a strange pattern in the air. It was like a worm twisting in the air. But after a short while, Big Brother Four's face turned red.
Gu Zheng nodded to show that he understood. He then said to Big Brother, "This is enough. Take off your shirt. I will verify it one last time."
Big Brother didn't say anything. He took off his shirt and revealed his lean body.
Gu Zheng raised his left hand and a white light shot out from his palm. It turned into a ball of white light that enveloped Big Brother Four's abdomen.
As the white light shone, blood-colored patterns slowly appeared in the middle of Big Brother Four's abdomen. A very complicated pattern appeared on it. The strange thing was that the pattern was constantly twisting. It was obvious that there were lines on it. It was as if something was being transported to the center.
When the others saw it, they felt as if there was a wailing demon in front of them. It was begging them to give it some food. They couldn't help but approach it and reach out to comfort it.
"Zha!"
A thunderous voice sounded in everyone's ears. It immediately woke them up from their confused state. They saw that they had unknowingly approached Big Brother Four. Thinking of the strange thing that had just happened, they immediately broke out in cold sweat. They hadn't thought that they would be unable to resist a mere pattern.
They didn't know that Gu Zheng had blocked most of the power from the pattern. Shuang 'er had already held it down. Otherwise, the two of them wouldn't have been able to stop themselves from coming over.
On the other side, the white light on Gu Zheng's hand faded away once again, and the strange blob also disappeared.
Big Brother unconsciously touched his abdomen. There was nothing on it. He felt as if it was his own skin. There was nothing strange. It was as if everything that had just happened was an illusion.
Just now, he had also fallen into the same state. However, he was controlled by Gu Zheng and couldn't move.
"Put on your clothes. I have a general understanding of your situation. If I'm not wrong, when your character started, didn't he treat you to a cup of tea?" Gu Zheng ignored their anxious expressions and slowly took out a few small cups.
There was some emerald green liquid inside. When he took it out, a special wine fragrance filled the air. Everyone couldn't help but take a few breaths.
"Senior, you're right. When I was carrying out the mission, there was indeed a man wearing a bronze mask who gave us a cup of tea to send us off. However, at that time, we didn't feel anything wrong. It was just a cup of ordinary firewood water." Big Brother took out another set of clothes and quickly asked.
"There's nothing wrong with drinking that cup of water alone. However, if it's mixed with some kind of special blood curse, then it means that you've all been sacrificed. At night, your bodies, including all your cultivation, will all be condensed into a blood ball. For people who practice certain cultivation techniques, it's a great supplement." Gu Zheng coldly snorted. His first reaction was to think that the Protector had taken out that blood ball.
However, it definitely wasn't that mysterious Elder who wanted them as a blood sacrifice. Their strength was useless to him. It could only be said that it was his disciple or something like that. They had the same cultivation technique as him, so they needed this thing.
Such a cruel way of dying made the youngest Sixth Sister's face turn pale. She felt that she had been frightened more today than she had in her entire life. Thinking that she would turn into a blood ball in less than a day, she couldn't help but plead, "Senior, we've already sworn an oath. Please save us quickly."
That restriction was also the blood curse that Gu Zheng spoke of. They didn't expect it to be so cruel.
"Don't worry, there's still time. Drink this cup of emerald green wine first. Because this magic is too vicious and the blood curse has been on you for too long, if you don't do some protection, I'm afraid you'll die with the blood curse." The seven cups in front of Gu Zheng automatically floated in front of them.
Sixth Sister didn't hesitate at all and directly drank it. The others followed closely behind and drank it in one gulp.
"Alright, I'll treat you first. Shuang 'er, you protect me. Promise not to let anyone disturb me." Gu Zheng came to the middle of the courtyard and said to them separately.
Seeing Gu Zheng call out to him, the eldest brother took a deep breath and walked over with a serious expression.
"Relax, don't look so heroic. Don't worry, you won't die; it'll just be a bit painful. Don't say that you can't endure it," Gu Zheng said with a smile.
Even though this blood curse was a demonic technique that only the ancient Goblin knew, it was too evil and had been lost for a long time. Even if someone knew how to use it, they wouldn't casually use it because they would be punished by the heavens. That chaotic period couldn't be compared to now.
.....
It was already past noon, but Xu Jing was pacing back and forth in the Xu residence's guest hall.
"Sir, Sir Gu is still in the courtyard, but his disciple is still guarding the door and won't let anyone in." At this moment, a figure hurried in and reported to Xu Jing.
"Understood, you can leave. Pay attention to Sir Xu's movements. If he comes out, immediately report to me." Xu Jing waved his hand in annoyance and said to Xu Wei, who had been serving Gu Zheng.
"Yes, sir!"
Xu Wei didn't waste any words. He had already been there seven or eight times since the morning. It was clear that the family head was in a hurry, but he still had to guard the door and wait for news from Sir Gu.
"Master, don't be so impatient. You haven't eaten anything yet. I've already asked the kitchen to make some chicken soup. Eat a little, don't be so anxious." The first madam, who had just arrived, said gently to Xu Jing.
"I want to eat, but how can I eat now?" Xu Jing paced two more times, then sat down on the chair behind him and put his hand on the table beside him.
"What's the matter? You've been frowning since yesterday. Did something else happen?" The first madam thought of the people who had been coming in and out since morning. It seemed that something big had happened in the imperial court. Otherwise, there wouldn't be so many people gathered here.
"Do you know that Luo Wei was chosen by the Immortal Master as his disciple?" Xu Jing asked.
"Of course I know. When Xu Gu and the others came back, they told many people. Everyone in the estate knows. Even at noon, they got Luo Wei drunk and told him not to forget them in the future." At this point, the first madam thought of Luo Wei, who reeked of alcohol, running into her in a drunken stupor. He wanted to kowtow to her and talk nonsense. She couldn't help but laugh.
"You're still laughing? That Immortal Master has already snuck away. When he left, he left behind everything Emperor Wei gave him. Emperor Wei has already sent people to apologize." Xu Jing looked at his wife, who was still laughing, and couldn't help but rub his eyes.
"Ah, what's going on? Is that Immortal Master angry? Didn't he win yesterday? "Only now did she realize the severity of the matter and couldn't help but ask.
"How would I know? I don't know what Luo Wei will think when he hears. But that's not important. What's important is that we have to deal with the Ye Family. This is going to be a headache." Xu Jing sighed.
The imperial court was tomorrow. At that time, the Ye Family would probably launch an all-out attack. At noon, they had been discussing how to deal with the other party. They had already come to a consensus. They had to gather all their forces as soon as possible and find other ways to deal with them, hoping to buy some time.
Not only did they have to deal with the danger inside, they also had to deal with the danger outside.
"No matter what, your health is still the most important." At this time, a maid outside brought in the chicken soup that the first madam had prepared. She took it and personally delivered it to Xu Jing.
Just as Xu Jing was about to take a sip of the soup, a figure suddenly rushed in and said, "Lord Xu, there's an urgent report from the palace. His Majesty's health is in danger. He wants all the important officials to go to the palace immediately."
"What!" The chicken soup in Xu Jing's hand immediately spilled onto the ground. He was completely stunned.
"Prepare the sedan. We're going to the palace." Xu Jing, who came back to his senses, didn't care about the leftovers on his body and shouted at the servants.
.....
In the courtyard, Gu Zheng sat on one side. Next to him, the six big brothers were tiredly telling him what they knew.
The other five were regulating their breathing. Removing the Blood Curse had almost drained them of all their energy. They wanted nothing more than to faint, but in the end, they pulled through. The Blood Curse in everyone's body had been removed.
"… I'm really ashamed. Because we entered too little, other than recognizing the two Immortal Cultivators who were also held hostage, we haven't even seen the faces of the two Immortal Cultivators who were giving orders. Also, our voices have been altered slightly. Even if we appeared in front of them, we probably wouldn't recognize them," Boss said with an ashamed expression. He had said everything he could, including his own guesses.
"It's nothing. The information you have is enough. At least we know how the other party is hiding. According to what you said, most of the people they capture don't have bloodstains. Moreover, many people were threatened in the past. This is enough. As for the hidden cave you mentioned, I'll definitely take a look at it later and see if I can save a few more people." After Gu Zheng heard everything, he smiled faintly.
"I'm afraid that they will be destroyed in the same way. It's said that there are a few people who were captured by them. They would rather die than submit. They are being tortured alive in there. It's said that they might be executed tonight." The eldest brother sighed. Unfortunately, they couldn't even protect themselves, let alone save them.
It seemed that those two people couldn't even protect themselves. This time, the other party seemed to be abandoning the stronghold. No wonder when he left, there were a lot of people packing up. Other than this reason, they wouldn't have done this.
"You guys rest here first. I have some things to do here and need to leave first. Here's something for you guys to speed up your recovery. There's a lot going on in the next few days, so don't go out and run around." Gu Zheng was about to say something when he suddenly felt that the backup plan he left for Cao Fei had been activated. He hurriedly left a jade bottle behind and said to them.
"Shuang 'er, call Ah Shuai and the others in later. If I don't come back, try not to go out. Remember to be careful."
After Gu Zheng finished instructing them, he immediately dashed out of the courtyard and ran toward the place where Cao Fei was killed.
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