Chapter 204: Chapter 133: Strolling Leisurely, Slaying Gu Changhe - Part 2
Leading the group was Xiong Shi, followed by several newly appointed Guardians.
Xiong Shi gazed at Gu Changhe and the others, his muscles tense, but he still walked forward without a change in expression. The Guardians felt a tingling on their scalps, but gritted their teeth and followed; having received their lord’s favor, loyalty was required, especially at such crucial moments, retreat was not an option.
"Greetings to Senior Gu, Sect Leader Tang." Xiong Shi was neither humble nor arrogant.
Tang Qiu glared angrily.
Gu Changhe focused his gaze on Xiong Shi, a terrifying pressure assaulted him. Xiong Shi used all his strength to employ a Meditation Technique created by Ning Qi, managing not to reveal any disgrace. The surprise in Gu Changhe’s eyes was fleeting, he spoke indifferently:
"You say the two of them are spies?"
Xiong Shi took a deep breath, without retreat:
"I need Senior Gu to verify this! Perhaps Senior Gu does not recognize them, but Sect Leader Tang surely does."
The people around were stunned.
To think the True Martial Sect’s Punishment Elder was so bold, as he was an unparalleled swordsman ranked fourteenth on the Celestial Being List!
Qin Yun looked at his Second Senior Brother, involuntarily clenching his fists within his sleeves.
Tang Qiu’s eyes were even angrier.
He was about to speak in reprimand.
Gu Changhe expressionlessly spoke:
"Tang Qiu, do you recognize them?"
Tang Qiu’s spirit was shaken, facing the hopeful eyes of the two spies, he decisively shook his head:
"I don’t recognize them."
Gu Changhe looked at Xiong Shi, took a step forward:
"He says he doesn’t recognize them."
Xiong Shi felt the pressure on him increase a bit more, gritting his teeth he replied:
"Just because Sect Leader Tang says so doesn’t mean it’s true. Our True Martial Sect has the Heart Inquiry Platform, capable of verifying these two men openly for all the world to see!"
Gu Changhe merely shook his head indifferently:
"Too troublesome."
As the third word was spoken, a flash was fleeting, and two headless corpses appeared on top of the city gate.
Xiong Shi smelled the pungent scent of blood, his pupils contracted, seeing two heads suspended beside Gu Changhe, everyone felt a tingling on their scalps, only to see Gu Changhe glance lightly, not focusing on any specific person, but everyone felt a chill in their hearts.
Gu Changhe’s cold voice echoed in everyone’s ears:
"I think asking True Man Tianjian might be simpler, he might know these two men’s identities."
Even those from Inquiring Sword Pavilion dared not speak further.
Everyone watched the figures walking slowly towards True Martial Mountain, in absolute silence, their pupils filled with shock.
The Saintess of Southern Border was silent for a long time, finally praising:
"What a Heart Inquiry Sword, directly probing the heart, ask one’s own heart, ask others’ hearts."
Qin Yun remained silent.
Everyone understood.
Clearly, Gu Changhe was not interested in troubling Xiong Shi.
This was to directly clarify without wasting time.
It wasn’t important whether these two were spies from Inquiring Sword Pavilion, if True Man Tianjian says they aren’t, then they aren’t.
If they aren’t.
Then the True Martial Sect must pay the price.
Everyone’s body slightly trembled, knowing something major was about to happen. When the backs of those from Inquiring Sword Pavilion gradually disappeared, only then did everyone shiver and react, hesitating only for a moment, some daring Martial Artists followed.
Heart Inquiry Sword and True Man Tianjian.
Such two unparalleled swordsmen standing at the pinnacle of Great Yan, should they battle, it would certainly be a rare spectacle not seen for decades.
Xiong Shi let out a long breath, circulating Gang Qi within his body repeatedly until the stiffness throughout his body slowly dissipated.
Gu Changhe’s pressure was too great, despite not specifically targeting him, it made him extremely uncomfortable.
His heart felt somewhat anxious, but recalling his Senior Brother’s composed demeanor, he felt slightly reassured.
"Let’s go back to the mountain!"
Silhouettes flashed towards the direction of True Martial Mountain.
...
Gu Changhe walked leisurely up the stone steps of True Martial Mountain, hands behind his back, his hair white as snow, but steps steady, looking much like an elderly farmer in good health—if one ignored the two heads floating beside him.
He strolled as if through his backyard.
"This mountain range isn’t bad, although not comparable to some renowned peaks and rivers within Great Yan, it naturally carries a realm of intent, considering establishing a branch of Inquiring Sword Pavilion here in the future, what do you think?"
He casually commented.
Tang Qiu nodded, with an expression of delight in his eyes:
"Your insight is like a God, some have said True Martial Mountain resembles a natural Divine Sword, now it seems there’s some truth, as a potential site for a branch, it might cultivate many talented swordsmen for Inquiring Sword Pavilion."
The group reached a fork in the path.
The left side remained stone steps, while the right was lit with faint blue light on green stone steps, Song City guarded there with a dozen disciples, they were startled seeing Gu Changhe and the others approaching with two suspended heads beside him.
Gu Changhe ignored Song City and the others entirely, his eyes held divine light flickering, with astonishment:
"Is that the Heaven-Ascending Ladder?"
Tang Qiu nodded repeatedly, explaining its wonders in detail.
Gu Changhe praised:
"Indeed, there’s some subtlety, very useful for training disciples’ mental resilience, the Martial Realm rumors are true, this Heaven-Ascending Ladder could be relocated back."
Song City and the others heard this, all glaring angrily, but the overwhelming pressure rendered them speechless.
Their opponent treated them entirely like air, wantonly commenting on True Martial Mountain as if it was all in his possession.
Gu Changhe ascended the steps.
He had arrived somewhat angry.
But once at True Martial Mountain, his anger dissipated, especially after seeing True Martial Mountain and the Heaven-Ascending Ladder.
Initially, he had no reason to act against the True Martial Sect, but now, the True Martial Sect voluntarily presented the opportunity, everything was justified, even the Imperial Court couldn’t intervene.
Great Yan’s stance on Martial Sect disputes was quite ambiguous, requiring a valid reason for conflict, avoiding excessive chaos, but also not wanting Martial Sects to be too harmonious, needing them to exhaust themselves.