Chapter 176 Paying Respects to a Teacher...

"Paying respects to a teacher…"

Gu Shen looked at Xie Zheng and smiled, "You didn't come to Nagano just for this, did you?"

Xie Zheng smiled awkwardly and said, "Of course... not entirely."

He and Mu Qingyang met when they were both insignificant. Mu Qingyang was just an unimportant member of the Mu Clan, and he was equally unknown... Later, Mu Qingyang gradually made a name for himself in the Jiu Ning District. As a loyal and supportive brother, he gave Xie Zheng a lot of resources and help.

Gu Shen understood.

This Xie Zheng carried a very mysterious "forging inheritance."

"Brother Mu invited me after returning to Nagano."

Xie Zheng whispered, "But my arrival was rather ill-timed…"

Qi He had previously looked down on Xie Zheng because he thought Xie Zheng couldn't speak properly.

But that wasn't the case.

It was just that Xie Zheng didn't feel the need to carefully consider his words when speaking to Qi He.

At this moment, he stopped speaking at just the right time.

Because he knew that saying half of what needed to be said was enough.

"I see."

Gu Shen smiled, he already understood what Xie Zheng meant... After arranging the merger, he had hurriedly gone south to carry out the Sang Zhou Abyss mission.

That trip was a "farewell."

Mu Qingyang had managed to latch onto Gu Shen's coattails, but Xie Zheng was a step too late.

Although Xie Zheng had entered the Tribunal and become a Judge under the arrangement of the Mu Clan, the follow-up he had been hoping for... never happened.

Gu Shen died in the Sang Zhou Abyss.

"Little Gu… I have some secrets that are inconvenient to reveal at the moment. I haven't even told Brother Mu much about them."

Xie Zheng lowered his eyes and privately transmitted his voice, "I hope to receive your 'protection.' In this city of Nagano, I find it difficult to trust anyone else other than you."

Gu Shen calmly transmitted his voice: "You seem to know a little about divination?"

Xie Zheng looked up in shock.

But he immediately remembered that the Little Gu in front of him was himself a master of divination.

"Yes…"

Xie Zheng said with emotion, "As expected, nothing can be hidden from you. However, I only know a little about divination and the like, far from being able to compare with you, a true successor."

A true successor?

Gu Shen smiled slightly, hiding his merits and fame, and didn't explain anything.

There were obvious traces of golden threads of fate wrapped around Xie Zheng, which was what Chu Ling had told him through observation. As long as someone had used "fate-related divination techniques," they would leave corresponding traces.

Some things couldn't be hidden.

"I have high expectations for you, but you don't need to call me teacher. You can freely enter and exit Qingzhong Cemetery in the future."

Gu Shen said slowly, "Whether it's divination or anything else... as long as you want to learn, I can teach you."

These words caused an uproar in the entire dojo.

"…"

Zhou E and Qi He were silent.

Wasn't this accepting a disciple? This was definitely accepting a disciple!

Xie Zheng raised his head, looking at Gu Shen in disbelief.

He immediately said in a low voice, "Thank you... Little Gu!"

Gu Shen didn't let him call him teacher, was it because of their similar age?

But the reason he wanted to become a disciple was definitely not to pursue fame.

In other people's mouths, the word *xiansheng* (先生, sir) was just a respectful term... but in Xie Zheng's mouth, these two words meant teacher.

He didn't care what others thought.

"Today's 'recruitment trial' has turned into this, I need to give everyone an explanation—"

Gu Shen turned around, he waved his hand to disperse the Pure Land and Blazing Fire, the two great accomplished Domains that enveloped the dojo dissipated, and the oppressive atmosphere in the entire space disappeared in an instant.

He looked towards the young man not far away who was tightly clutching the black folding knife, transmitting a comforting mental message.

After accepting Xie Zheng.

Gu Shen casually flicked out a wisp of Blazing Fire, which floated to Liu Quan's face. The little guy couldn't believe what had happened today, and still felt like he was dreaming. He not only had a teacher, but also a... teacher's teacher?

Did he have to call him Grandmaster?

Liu Quan nervously grasped the wisp of flame, and his mood instantly calmed down, like a gurgling stream.

"Mr. Du Wei, long time no see."

"I will vouch for this young man Liu Quan, I can guarantee that he will not experience any 'mental breakdown' abnormalities."

Gu Shen turned his head to look at Du Wei, and asked with a smile: "If that's the case, is there still a need for supervision and control? If it's still not possible, I will now apply to the council for a 'pardon'."

"Naturally, there is no need."

Du Wei quickly shook his head, he said sincerely: "With you willing to vouch, where is the need for a pardon?"

He heard the implication of Gu Shen's words.

Back then, Zhou Jiren applied for a "pardon" in order to protect Gu Shen.

Now, time was repeating itself.

The seedling of that year had regrown into a towering tree, and what Gu Shen was doing today was what Tree-xiansheng had done ten years ago.

It was just that Gu Shen's influence was now much greater than Zhou Jiren!

Tree-xiansheng was powerful, and the disciples he cultivated were also very powerful... but he had ordinary relationships with the major families of Nagano, which led to him, a dignified Grand Judge, being squeezed out of the core of power by Zhu Wang. Now, Gu Shen personally promoted the internal merger of East Continent and the powerful alliance of the two continents.

The Five Great Families, including Hua Zhi Nanwan, had to give Gu Shen face.

His words were equivalent to a pardon!

"Good."

Having received the affirmative answer from the Deputy Director of the Security Committee, Gu Shen nodded, and continued: "One thing is one thing, Xie Zheng also used a 'forbidden sealed object' in today's Judge challenge... according to Nagano law, if no one vouches for him, he also needs to accept inspection and supervision, I wonder if I am qualified?"

Liu Quan was at the Initial Realm, but Xie Zheng was at the Fourth Realm.

Vouching for a Judge…

That had to be at least a titled transcendent, and a powerful titled one at that!

But without a doubt, Gu Shen was enough.

"Are you not asking the obvious?"

Du Wei smiled bitterly and said, "The one who is not qualified is me, I am just a Deputy Director, how am I qualified to answer this question... if you really want to go through this procedure, I will now contact Old Man Zhou Wei."

Old Man Zhou Wei was old and currently in retirement.

But the official Director of the East Continent Federal Security Committee had not yet been determined.

Like the Grand Judge of the Tribunal, this position could be left vacant, but the selection of a candidate must not be easily decided.

It could be said that... Du Wei was currently one of the people with the greatest authority in the Security Committee.

"Then I'll have to trouble you."

Gu Shen smiled and said, "It's better to clarify some things now."

If he abused his authority with his current status, it would instead attract criticism.

He wanted to protect Xie Zheng and Liu Quan, and there was no need to use private power.

Now, he would, in front of the entire dojo, follow the regulations of the Security Committee and show Zhou E and Qi He every step of this "guaranteed pardon"!

Du Wei took out a communicator, but before he could actively dial.

The electronic screen above the dojo suddenly changed.

The authority of a great figure had linked to the 【Deep Sea】, projecting onto the 40th floor dojo of the Tribunal headquarters.

"Shasha—"

An image appeared on the screen, the background was the artificial lake of the Gu Clan's ancestral hall, and an electronic eye floated in the air, recording real-time images.

An old man sitting on a long chair spoke, his voice spreading throughout the dojo.

"Du Wei…"

Du Wei put down the communicator, his whole body tensed up.

"Director!"

Although Zhou Wei had retired, he was still used to calling him that.

Old Man Zhou Wei smiled and said, "And Little Gu."

"... Old Man Zhou."

Gu Shen looked at the screen above the dojo and said hello with a smile.

He knew that the moment he removed the 【Ghost Mask】and appeared, the 【Deep Sea】network of the Tribunal headquarters would capture this message and push it out. It was just that he didn't expect the message to spread so quickly, and that Old Man Zhou, who was fishing, would also receive it.

What he didn't expect even more was that the old man would choose to actively connect to the dojo.

"I already understand the general situation."

Zhou Wei said gently, "Don't make things difficult for Du Wei, he's just here to watch the excitement... Xie Zheng and Liu Quan are both good children, you have to take good care of them."

Zhou Wei's words were actually the attitude of the Security Committee.

As soon as these words came out.

Gu Shen looked at Zhou E and Qi He, and asked seriously: "Do you two have any objections?"

Objections?

Where could Zhou E and Qi He have any objections, both of them chose to remain silent.

"Also... I have an old friend here who wants to say a few words."

Zhou Wei waved his hand gently, the electronic eye buzzed and turned its direction, aiming at another old man lying on the chair to rest.

"I'll just say a few words, no need to show me on camera."

Gu Qilin pressed the electronic eye, turning the camera back to Zhou Wei, he was out of the picture, and said slowly.

"Hu Yanbo, you are one of the few young people in Jiu Ning District that I can remember…"

The tall man standing outside the dojo had a very complicated expression.

"After you go back, think carefully about what you used to look like, and look at what you look like now."

Old Man Gu said lightly: "Don't let down the Gu family's cultivation of the Hu Yan family for so many years."

Go back…

Hu Yanbo's whole heart went cold.

He came to Nagano this time in great style. Today, he drank tea with the Deputy Director of the Security Committee, and tomorrow he was going to meet Old Man Gu at the ancestral hall. Once the news was confirmed, his relationship with Judge Zhou E would also improve by leaps and bounds.

But Old Man Gu's words were very clear.

He could go back.

There was no need to talk about the rest.

"Yes…"

Hu Yanbo said in a hoarse voice: "Thank you for your teachings."

"Mm."

Gu Qilin continued: "Little Gu, since you have taken the initiative to come to the Tribunal today, I will take the liberty... to deal with this unresolved matter today."

Gu Shen was stunned for a moment.

Suddenly there were many more voices outside the dojo.

Gu Qilin used his authority to notify every remaining Judge from the Tribunal from One to Eighteen.

Third Judge Wutuo had defected and been executed.

Fourth Judge Zhong Fan was following the Gu Clan's envoy and was on his way back.

Every other Judge had come to the dojo. Now was a time of peace in Nagano, and most of the Judges were near the headquarters.

Of course, the reason why these people were all in Nagano was precisely because of that unresolved matter.

Grand Judge.

These four words weighed a thousand pounds.

"The position of Grand Judge was previously held by your teacher."

Gu Qilin said: "Zhou Jiren left Five Continents, and his whereabouts are still unknown, but the Tribunal, one of the three major departments in Nagano, cannot be without a leader for a day... Over the years, there has been endless debate within the Tribunal for this position, and there has been no good candidate."

"But today, there is."

"Gu Shen, your killing of Jia Wei in Honghu is enough to prove your strength. The merger of the North and South and the alliance of the two continents, the contributions you have made to East Continent over the years are unparalleled in Nagano and no one can match."

"At this moment, in the name of the former Commander of the Command and the Head of the Gu Clan, I formally propose—"

"I nominate Gu Shen to serve as the new 'Grand Judge' of the Tribunal."

Those transcendents who came to the dojo today to observe the recruitment trials were all stunned. They just wanted to see the young men in the Initial Realm fighting on the ring, pay their respects to their teachers, and eat some small melons.

But they didn't expect to eat a super big melon.

From Judges fighting, to Grand Judge elections—

Lao Yu and Xu Fang were even more dumbfounded.

Gu Shen sighed lightly, he really didn't expect Old Man to be so fierce.

Leaving the Shrine and coming to the Tribunal headquarters.

Gu Shen had not told anyone about this.

But when he thought about it carefully, how many minutes had passed since he took off the 【Ghost Mask】and showed himself?

All the Judges of the Tribunal had been called by Gu Qilin!

Obviously, Gu Qilin started calling people as soon as he learned that he had appeared at the headquarters... Pushing Gu Shen to the position of Grand Judge was probably an arrangement that Old Man had planned long ago.

"Everyone, if you have any objections, you can raise them now."

Gu Qilin said slowly: "Those who raise objections can challenge Gu Shen, according to Nagano's custom."

The dojo was silent.

The Judges who were called here by Gu Qilin all had complicated expressions.

The way Old Man said this, who would dare to have any objections?

Even if they really had objections, who could beat Gu Shen?

They could clearly see the scene of Gu Shen's accomplished Domain suppressing Zhou E through the mental network!

Over the years, there has been constant controversy in the Tribunal over the matter of the Grand Judge. The main contradiction revolved around Zhou E, the first-ranked Judge, and Jin Yun, the second-ranked Judge.

These two Judges were of equal strength, and it was a fifty-fifty chance if they fought.

They were both masters of two accomplished Domains and could be promoted and break through to become a titled powerhouse at any time.

Once they broke through and received the title from the East Continent Council, they would be qualified to serve as the Grand Judge—

Behind Zhou E and Jin Yun, there were their respective supporters. Of course, there were also neutrals like "Xie Zheng" who didn't help anyone. In order to win votes and screen allies, factions had re-emerged within the Tribunal in recent years. This was unavoidable. The factions of Tree-xiansheng and Zhu Wang were gone, but new factions would always emerge.

But now.

With Gu Shen standing here, all the factions had lost their meaning.

Because the leaders of these two factions, Zhou E and Jin Yun, were like stars compared to the sun when compared with Gu Shen.

They were really overshadowed.

"I have no objections."

The first to speak was Jin Yun, who had the highest status. He did not hesitate at all, and did not even hide the smile on his face.

When he learned of Gu Shen's "living news," Jin Yun had given up hope for the position of Grand Judge.

What could be more delightful than seeing an opponent suffer?

Now that Old Man Gu spoke and called on all the Judges, he just happened to express his attitude and firmly stand on Gu Shen's side.

"...I have no objections either."

On the other side, Zhou E also said in a hoarse voice.

His expression was very ashamed.

If there hadn't been this disturbance today, he would have been the first to express his approval.

But Gu Shen had heard what he said to Du Wei earlier.

If he didn't want to compete for the Grand Judge, how could there have been so many rumors and gossips in recent years?

With these two speaking, the others also expressed their approval.

In the final stage, Zhong Fan, who had just landed in East Continent from the high seas, learned about the incident in the Nagano dojo through the mental network, and quickly expressed his approval through the 【Deep Sea】.

"In this way... it's a unanimous vote, the nomination is passed."

Gu Qilin's tone was calm, as if he was announcing a trivial matter. A complex look flashed across his eyes, and there was not much congratulatory meaning in the tone that should have expressed congratulations: "Gu Shen, congratulations, you have become the new 'Grand Judge' of the Tribunal."

Everyone looked at the huge screen above the dojo.

Because Gu Qilin refused to allow the electronic eye to record.

So, Zhou Wei was still the one on camera.

Old Man Zhou Wei smiled awkwardly, this feeling was really strange. Gu Qilin was the one who nominated Gu Shen, but he was the one on camera now.

The birth of a Grand Judge was originally an extremely grand event.

But at this moment, it seemed so perfunctory.

However... Gu Shen's election as Grand Judge was originally a matter of course.

Zhou E and Jin Yun were both good candidates, but they were only good. If they were to be compared with Gu Shen... then they were too far behind.

Suddenly, applause and cheers rang out outside the entire dojo.

After the 【Deep Sea】informed about the news here, everyone in the headquarters building poured towards here.

The outside of the 40th floor dojo of the Tribunal was already crowded with people.

The same was true for the grandstand seats.

"Thank you for your love."

Gu Shen bowed slowly, his voice sincere and genuine.

Although there were no waves in his heart, the proper etiquette still had to be done...

In fact, Gu Shen was originally planning to wait and see about the position of Grand Judge, to see what level the young talents in the headquarters had reached. If there were really strong people who were worthy, then Gu Shen would be happy to give way.

Due to his dual identity as the "Heir of the Underworld Fire Seed" and the "Key to the Ancient Text Society."

Gu Shen knew that he might follow the same path as Mr. Gu Changzhi in the future.

He would go to the frontier of North Continent, and he would also go to 【Old World】.

He also wanted to walk the path that Gu Changzhi had taken back then.

Therefore, his time in Nagano would not be too long. From this point of view, he was a qualified protector, but not a qualified guardian.

But now...

His becoming the Grand Judge was a good thing for Nagano and for everyone.

The Tribunal would usher in unprecedented unity. The highest authority, which was originally unable to convince the public, would no longer cause disputes, and the factions led by Zhou E and Jin Yun would also be balanced.

What everyone wanted.

"There is one more thing."

Amidst the warm cheers and support in the dojo, Gu Qilin spoke again.

This time, there was a hint of a smile in his voice.

There was also more meaning of congratulations.

"After discussion, the East Continent Council has decided to grant you an exclusive title that belongs only to you..."

Gu Shen was stunned for a moment.

He never expected that Gu Qilin would have such news to announce at this moment.

Xie Zheng raised his head and held his breath.

Jin Yun, Zhou E, and those Judges who came after hearing the news all held their breath, and a look of astonishment appeared in their eyes.

Today, they received the news from Old Man Gu Qilin and came to the headquarters to eat melons.

In fact, every Judge had a number in their hearts after Old Man Gu's message was transmitted to the mental network. Everyone thought they were eating the melon of the "Grand Judge."

But unexpectedly—

The real big melon was behind!

Gu Qilin spat out two words: "Guang Ming Bi Lei".

The title that the East Continent Federation decided to grant Gu Shen was... 【Guang Ming Bi Lei】!

"All along, 【Guang Ming Bi Lei】has belonged to Gu Changzhi's title. Because Mr. Gu Changzhi achieved the divine position too quickly, this 'title' was shelved and did not have time to be granted."

Gu Qilin said: "During the years when Gu Changzhi was dormant, West Continent proposed more than once to take away the right to 【Guang Ming Bi Lei】, but the Gu Clan has always refuted it. After Gu Changzhi's death, the controversy over the 【Guang Ming Bi Lei】title only stopped for a while. After the Sang Zhou Abyss incident, West Continent unilaterally used 【Guang Ming Bi Lei】to confer Jia Wei, and the Gu Clan has objected more than once... The facts have proved that Jia Wei's actions cannot bear the weight of the 【Guang Ming Bi Lei】title."

After the assassination in Sang Zhou Abyss was exposed, the reputation of this Holy Knight of the City of Light suddenly fell to the bottom.

The cloak worn by the Bright Church was extremely holy.

In any case.

Secretly carrying out assassinations was a despicable act that violated the doctrines of light.

Jia Wei was now dead, and of course the Temple would not admit that the assassination came from the guidance of light.

"The false 【Guang Ming Bi Lei】has collapsed in Honghu."

Gu Qilin said in a deep voice: "The real 【Guang Ming Bi Lei】is you, Gu Shen... you deserve it."

The entire Tribunal headquarters erupted with deafening cheers.

Compared to the position of Grand Judge.

What was really exciting and exciting was the title of 【Guang Ming Bi Lei】!

During the years when Jia Wei was at his peak, countless honors were added to him, and the most dazzling of them was the simplest word 【Guang Ming Bi Lei】.

This was a gift that Gu Changzhi left to future generations.

The one who could bear this weight could bear all the praise and good names in the world.

"Congratulations. Enjoy this moment."

Old Man Gu Qilin said these words in a low voice, and then disconnected the electronic screen.

He sat by the lake, looked at the extinguished electronic eye, and fell into a long period of contemplation.

"When congratulating Gu Shen on becoming the Grand Judge, you seemed a little off."

Zhou Wei saw through Gu Qilin's thoughts.

He should have seriously congratulated him, but Gu Qilin's tone was very calm.

It was not until the announcement of the ownership of the 【Guang Ming Bi Lei】title that Gu Qilin adjusted back.

"I hope he becomes the Grand Judge, and I don't want him to become the Grand Judge."

Gu Qilin sank into the chair, his eyes emptied, and his voice murmured.

The old man stretched out a hand and slowly touched the air by the lake, and smiled: "You should understand what I mean..."

In Gu Qilin's heart, there was only one Grand Judge.

Zhou Jiren.

The older a person gets, the fewer friends they have.

In addition to Zhou Wei, Gu Qilin had no old friends from that year. At the moment when he announced the new Grand Judge, he felt the passage of time, and it was the complete end of an era.

He announced that Gu Shen had become the new Grand Judge.

It was equivalent to... silently acknowledging the fall of "Zhou Jiren" in his heart.

Gu Shen stood in the center of the dojo. This was the first time since he left the Ice Sea and returned to the land that he had a feeling of "恍忽 (h恍惚 - being in a trance/daze)".

He looked at those who stood up.

Looking at the cheering crowd.

The Grand Judge and the 【Guang Ming Bi Lei】were actually weights that he had not expected back then.

What really made him feel恍忽at this moment were the pictures buried deep in his heart a long time ago.

One was a picture of when he had just learned about the world of transcendents and learned about Zhou Jiren's identity as "Grand Judge."

At that time, he was just a small weed.

The position of Grand Judge was too high, like the top of a high mountain.

He looked up, and could not see the end at a glance.

There was also a picture of when Senior Brother Zhong Wei patted him on the shoulder and joked with him, asking him what kind of title he would take in the future when he was in the Qinghe District Trial.

At that time, he thought.

Title... how distant, how distant would that be?

How much suffering and hardship would it take to get to this point?

Title, it was really far away.

To get to this point, you really need to suffer a lot.

But unknowingly, he had already climbed to the top of the mountain.

"Grand Judge" and "Title" were not so far away after all.

……

……

(，There is no cliffhanger today! (Proud face), there will be another single chapter later tonight! 2. I forgot to thank you in the last chapter! Thanks to Shangxian Qitian's silver leader and a bunch of leaders! The boss is generous, the boss is powerful, and the boss is too spicy!)