Chapter 123 The Thorn of Nagano

Outside the dojo.

"Hurry up…"

The Federal Security Committee, holding Shen Li in custody, filed out of Fourth Arbiter Su Yu's dojo.

The head of the Security Committee team stared at the young man in red-silver handcuffs and said coldly, without any courtesy, "Shen Li, if your teacher hadn't vouched for you… you would have been put on the list of Uncontrolled individuals long ago."

Rioting during a containment mission, becoming uncontrollable, and killing four target individuals!

This was a serious mistake!

In this situation, being confined was considered a lenient punishment.

Because of Su Yu's prestige and status in Nagano, the Security Committee decided to trust him… partly because Shen Li was indeed a genius and deserved special treatment. On the other hand, this Arbiter had extremely profound attainments in the mental realm, making him the most suitable person to oversee his disciple.

"I saw everything that happened in the dojo just now."

The team leader lit a cigarette, pushed Shen Li into the vehicle, and said quietly, "If you hadn't been stopped… was the [Iron-Eating Disciple] going to melt other transcendents, just like in the containment mission?"

Shen Li only lowered his head, remaining silent.

Just as the car doors closed and the vehicle was about to start, someone gently knocked on the window.

"Mr. Du Wei."

A young, charming woman with long, wavy hair directly spoke the name of the Security Committee team leader and said with a soft smile, "My teacher asked me to bring you a message…"

Du Wei was taken aback.

Through the dark car window glass, he recognized the smiling woman's identity and frowned… This was Bai Lu, the young mistress of the Bai family, known as the "Thorn of Nagano." Meeting this woman never led to anything good.

And Bai Lu's teacher…

"The Grand Arbiter?"

Du Wei's heart sank. He quickly pushed the door open, but his hand was gently blocked by a jade hand, preventing it from opening.

"My teacher asked me to bring a message… You don't need to get out of the car, just listen."

Bai Lu said calmly, her gaze probing through the crack in the car window, looking at Shen Li, who was handcuffed in the back seat, and said with a smile, "Shen Li is a very important person to the Prison… My teacher hopes that the Security Committee will handle this properly."

Du Wei's expression was somewhat unsightly.

What… did this mean?

These words were spoken without any concealment. Although they were said to Du Wei… in reality, everyone in the car, including the detainee Shen Li, could hear them clearly.

"If Mr. Du Wei doesn't understand, please pass this message to the Security Committee, and above. I believe they will understand." Bai Lu said calmly, "Also… I don't want to see any unnecessary injuries on Shen Li, I believe you all understand."

Hearing this, Shen Li took a deep breath and raised his head.

Bai Lu did not say anything more, smiled softly, and left.

After watching the Federal Security Committee's vehicle leave, she quickly came to the Grand Arbiter's side and clicked her tongue in admiration, "Teacher… you came all the way here just to say those words? Are you so concerned about 'Shen Li'?"

An extremely dignified old man glanced at his disciple, a rare hint of tenderness appearing in his eyes.

The Grand Arbiter explained softly, "Shen Li is not important."

His figure was exceptionally tall, and the Prison's standard robe draped over his shoulders, swaying in the wind, looked like a majestic mountain from afar.

"Shen Li is not important?" Bai Lu raised her eyebrows slightly.

"It's important that Shen Li is not mistreated…" The old man stepped towards the dojo.

…

…

Silence.

Or rather… solemnity would be a more accurate description.

The entire dojo was silent because most of those who came to Fourth Arbiter's dojo today to observe this duel were transcendents from within the Prison. The extremely few external transcendents were all officials within the Three Sanctuaries system. They had almost no chance to see the rumored "Head of the Three Sanctuaries."

Even Bai Chen, a high-ranking figure like Fourth Arbiter, became tense and serious upon hearing the news of the Grand Arbiter's arrival.

The crowd parted.

In fact, only two people walked into the dojo.

One old, one young.

Bai Chen, who was sitting upright, frowned as he watched his sister, who was next to the Grand Arbiter, wave at him with a smile. He immediately returned a stern look, indicating that his sister should not be so impolite.

Clearly, Bai Lu didn't care about that. Her actions didn't diminish in the slightest but became even more unrestrained.

She wasn't the kind of person who cared about the opinions of others.

Realizing that he had done something foolish, Bai Chen could only remain silent. Amidst the gazes that followed the girl's wave, he chose to nod calmly, which was the most polite "response" he could accept—Bai Lu reluctantly accepted her brother's response, stopped waving, and ended her torment of Bai Chen.

"The visitors are not friendly…"

Fatty Luo said in a low voice, staring at the girl next to the Grand Arbiter, and gritted his teeth, "The Bai family's witch has also come."

Gu Nanfeng was thoughtful. He used a strand of Azure Severance to transmit the sound, sending Fatty Luo's voice to Gu Shen's ears, and then asked, "Explain, what is the Bai family's witch?"

"Young Master… you've been away from Nagano for too long."

Fatty Luo's expression was solemn. "The Grand Arbiter took in a closed-door disciple a few years ago, who is Bai Lu from the Bai family. This woman is cunning and has an older brother known as the 'New Unbeatable of Nagano' behind her. Coupled with the Grand Arbiter's support, she can almost do whatever she wants in Nagano… Outsiders have given her a nickname called 'Thorn of Nagano,' but in reality."

At this point, Fatty Luo gave a wry smile.

"Nagano Cactus is a more accurate image… whoever touches her gets pricked."

What an apt metaphor for Nagano Cactus… Gu Shen narrowed his eyes and sized up Bai Lu.

The Bai family's witch happened to look at him as well.

With just one glance.

The Scarlet Blaze actually caused a slight tremor… Gu Shen's expression changed. He could feel a wisp of mental power spreading in the void, not hiding its intentions at all, and directly probing him!

Was this woman crazy?

Probing him in front of so many people?

There were many important figures present… This act of mental probing was probably seen by many of them!

"Buzz!"

Gu Shen didn't hold back and directly activated the Scarlet Blaze in his glabella, giving it a jolt!

The wisp of mental power was instantly burned to ashes…

The Bai family's witch raised her eyebrows.

Not only did she not feel embarrassed, but she also gave Gu Shen a meaningful "friendly" smile.

"Crazy woman."

Gu Shen didn't avoid anything and coldly replied in a very low voice.

The voice was very soft.

But… the voice couldn't be hidden from those who were paying attention.

Some of the important figures sitting in the spectator seats had interesting expressions, and the Bai family's witch, who was originally smiling, couldn't help but raise her eyebrows after hearing this sentence.

A rough hand gently landed on her shoulder.

The Grand Arbiter's voice echoed in the dojo.

"Everyone… why is it so lively today?" He said with a smile, "What exactly is happening?"

Gu Shen and Shen Li's duel had long been a hot topic in Nagano's deep waters.

Everyone knew about it.

The Grand Arbiter's words… were simple in meaning. If he said he didn't know what was happening, then he didn't know what was happening.

"Mr. Shan…"

Similar to Zhou Jiren's [Sky-Reaching Tree] title, the Grand Arbiter was conferred the title of [Immovable Mountain]!

And within the Prison… they generally called him "Mr. Shan."

Fourth Arbiter Su Yu bowed politely and said softly, "There's nothing important… just two juniors having a duel here."

Su Yu's mental power had captured the Grand Arbiter's movements outside the dojo.

He knew very well that there were no coincidences in this world.

The Grand Arbiter's appearance here was definitely not just a casual stroll!

He immediately said in a deep voice, "Perhaps the commotion from the battle just now was a bit too loud… My disciple, Shen Li, was eager to win and used forbidden techniques, which attracted the attention of the Security Committee."

"It's normal for young people to be competitive." Mr. Shan said gently, "Since it's a normal duel, then there's nothing to worry about. The Committee will enforce the law impartially, after all, so many people are watching."

Saying that.

His gaze vaguely turned toward Gu Nanfeng's direction.

Fatty Luo immediately felt a lot of pressure.

Gu Nanfeng calmly transmitted his voice with Azure Severance: "Are you sure the person you called is reliable? It seems that the Security Committee has already been taken care of."

Luo Yu gritted his teeth and said, "Du Wei and I have been friends for many years. He took the team and set off as soon as he received the call, but how could this old guy… react so quickly?"

"After all, there's [Wind Eye] watching from above. Every move can't be hidden from those who are paying attention." Gu Nanfeng smiled mockingly and said, "However, people are truly strange creatures… The more they say they don't care about someone, the more they care than anyone else."

Gu Shen and Shen Li's duel…

This was not only a duel between S-rank and A-rank, but also a duel between the Arbitration Court and the Prison!

No one from the Arbitration Court came forward… because this was Zhou Jiren's disciple. No one in Nagano would stick their neck out for Zhou Jiren. Moreover, Zhu Wang, who coveted the position of "Grand Arbiter," was hoping that Gu Shen would be kicked out of the Snow Forbidden City as soon as possible.

On the other hand, the Prison seemed much more "united."

When a disciple was beaten, the teacher was drawn out.

Even the Grand Arbiter… was alarmed.

There was no doubt that "Shen Li," who was taken away by the Security Committee, would not receive any additional punishment. Under the pressure from the Grand Arbiter… as long as Su Yu's spiritual seal could take effect, ensuring that Shen Li wouldn't lose control, then this young man who liked to eat iron would soon be released by the Committee.

"I just received news… I heard that an extraordinary person has come to Nagano."

The Grand Arbiter looked around, smiled softly, and finally looked at Gu Nanfeng.

The transcendents who came to watch were all stunned.

They subconsciously thought… that the person the Grand Arbiter was talking about was the Arbitration Court's new S-rank, but until Mr. Shan locked his gaze on the young man holding a wooden sword in a remote corner, they realized that things were not so simple.

"The future head of the Gu family…"

Mr. Shan slowly walked towards Gu Nanfeng. He smiled and said, "Nanfeng… long time no see, how long have you been away from Nagano? If I remember correctly, it should be eight years?"

The young man holding the wooden sword did not dodge and stepped forward slowly to meet everyone's gaze.

Gu Nanfeng shook hands with Mr. Shan.

He also smiled, but gave a very precise time: "Mr. Shan… it's been eight years, four months, and thirteen days."

Mr. Shan was taken aback.

He didn't expect Gu Nanfeng to remember the time so accurately… He didn't expect that with this handshake, he couldn't even sense the transcendent aura of the young man in front of him…

He vaguely realized that something was wrong.

Although his ability was not mainly for exploration… there was only one possibility to hide one's own perception.

Also a [Conferred Title]!

"Mr. Shan, please don't mention things like future head of the Gu family… The old things from eight years ago are all in the past." Gu Nanfeng smiled slightly and said, "Besides, today, I'm just an observer."

With just one sentence, he redirected the topic back to the main character of today's duel.

Gu Nanfeng laughed softly, "Mr. Shan… this is the Arbitration Court's S-rank, the closed-door disciple of [Sky-Reaching Tree], Gu Shen."

The name Gu Shen was especially emphasized.

"Oh… I see."

Mr. Shan revealed a look of understanding at this point and said with a smile, "So you're… Little Gu, no wonder you were able to defeat Shen Li."

He came today because of Gu Shen.

But he couldn't make it clear that he came because of Gu Shen…

Now that it was revealed.

Naturally, there was no need to pretend anymore.

Gu Shen was able to understand the Grand Arbiter's "矜持" (jinzhi, reserve/restraint).

After all, there was a clear difference in status between the two… Zhou Jiren was far away, so he couldn't abandon his status and openly say that he had known about Gu Shen for a long time and had been watching him all the time, right?

Today, the Grand Arbiter's appearance made Gu Shen feel even more confident.

He was very certain that at this moment, there were indeed countless eyes in Nagano watching him… it was just that most of them hadn't come forward.

Even Mr. Shan was watching him, so how could others be an exception?

Taking a deep breath, Gu Shen cast a grateful look towards Gu Nanfeng.

Since they weren't pretending anymore.

Then… he had nothing to pretend about either.

"Mr. Shan… I've long admired your name." Gu Shen pretended to be flattered and said with emotion, "You actually know about this junior… This junior is greatly encouraged."

"Your teacher often mentions you." Mr. Shan smiled and said a polite compliment, "In fact, Nagano is more suitable for you than the Grand Capital. Being within the Three Sanctuaries, if you encounter any trouble in the future… you can come to me."

Gu Shen was waiting for this sentence.

"There's actually one thing that I need your help with." He quickly took over the sentence and said bluntly, "To be honest… Mr. Shan, the reason I came to Nagano this time is actually for one thing—"

Gu Shen revealed a harmless and simple smile, and said shyly, "I want to see the Guyu Scroll."

The dojo fell into a true and complete silence.

Everyone was silent.

They looked at Gu Shen, then at the Grand Arbiter… and thought silently, as expected of an S-rank, he really dared to say anything.

…

…

(Double monthly tickets! Asking for monthly tickets! There will be another chapter tonight!)