Demon Slaying, Gaining 60 Years of Cultivation From the Start

"Lord Wen, there's no need for such formalities," Gu Chen said, as he handed the reins of his horse to the soldier standing by and helped Wen Ziyun straighten up from his bow.

Gu Chen also felt it, that Wen Ziyun was treating him with an increased level of respect compared to last time. This was the advantage brought about by the improvement of one's strength, Gu Chen mused silently.

Wen Ziyun said with a smile, "Congratulations to Lord Gu on acquiring the Jade Spirit Ice Liquid and achieving great advancement in your cultivation. It must be just a matter of time before you take up the post of Commander."

Gu Chen shook his head and said, "Lord Wen jests, becoming a Commander is not so easy."

For promotions to such high positions within the Jing Tian Department, there are explicit provisions that one must pass the corresponding assessments or perform exceedingly well to be considered.

It's not the case that reaching the Gang Qi Stage or possessing the combat prowess of the Gang Qi Stage would lead directly to a promotion to Commander.

As for becoming a Garrison Commander, that is even more difficult.

Why does Da Xia have only twelve Garrison Commanders?

It is not because Da Xia or, to be precise, the Jing Tian Department, has only twelve martial arts grandmasters above the Innate Realm. If that were the case, Jing Tian Department wouldn't be able to keep the peace throughout the land, for the combined forces of top sects in the jianghu possess more than twelve such grandmasters in the Innate Realm.

It is known that within the Jing Tian Department, there are many veteran Commanders with Innate Realm cultivation, yet they are not Garrison Commanders.

Some of them do not wish for promotion, finding it bothersome, but there are also others whose contributions aren't sufficient.

The responsibilities of a Garrison Commander are far more significant. Each of the twelve Garrison Commanders of Da Xia is stationed in a provincial capital, assisting Da Xia in supervising the entire realm.

In Shen Zhou, while there is no presence of Garrison Commanders, the Jing Tian Department has its Deputy Leaders and the Tower Supervisors from both the court and the Qintian Monitor.

To guard a province is to be responsible for millions of its citizens, a duty not everyone can shoulder.

Therefore, becoming a Garrison Commander is not as simple as some may imagine; it's not something one can attain simply through reaching a certain level of cultivation.

Moreover, the gap between a Commander and a Garrison Commander is immense, not just in terms of martial realm but also in terms of the intricate hierarchy within the Jing Tian Department.

Why did Chen Yu send Gu Chen to the Qiongtian City of Qiongtian Mansion? It was to allow Gu Chen the opportunity to distinguish himself in Qiongtian Mansion, accumulating merit so that once his cultivation was sufficient and he completed the assessment, he could become another one of Jing Tian Department's Commanders.

At this moment, Wen Ziyun said, "Lord Gu, you need not be so modest. With your talent, given time, your appointment as a Commander is as certain as a nailed board."

Upon hearing this, Gu Chen responded with a smile, "If that's the case, then I thank Lord Wen for your auspicious words."

"Not at all, what are you saying, Lord Gu? Come, let's go inside and talk," Wen Ziyun said while extending his arm, gesturing for Gu Chen to walk ahead.

Seeing this, Gu Chen did not demur and naturally walked ahead, with Wen Ziyun intuitively falling half a step behind, following him.

"Lord Gu, you must have had a tiring journey on your way back. I have prepared a celebratory banquet for you. Tonight, we shall drink to our heart's content," said Wen Ziyun, laughing.

Gu Chen nodded. Although he did not enjoy such social events, one does not slap the hand that offers a smile. After all, Wen Ziyun was the lord of the mansion, and the banquet would be attended by prominent families of the city as well as some local dignitaries. It would not be good to offend them.

Furthermore, Wen Ziyun meant well, making it even harder for Gu Chen to decline.

Moreover, Gu Chen had spent his time either in combat or on the journey to battle and had not had a proper rest for a while, so he let Wen Ziyun proceed with the preparations.

The night sky was dotted with stars, and the moonlight was like water, with the moon full and beautiful, hanging in the sky like a silver plate, its bright light cascading down from the horizon, illuminating Gu Chen.

Sitting in his room, Gu Chen gazed through the window at the moon in the sky, and was reminded of a poem he had learned as a child in his previous life.

Since his arrival in this world, nearly a year had passed. He had gone from a critically injured mortal at the first rank of the Covert Breath Stage to a first-rank Metropolitan Procurator of the Jing Tian Department, on par with those at the Gang Qi Stage.

This rate of advancement was unprecedented in the centuries-long history of the Jing Tian Department, even faster than Chen Yu's.

Even Gu Chen had not anticipated his remarkable adaptability. Within less than a year, he felt as though he had lived in this world for over a decade.

Throughout the year, Gu Chen was constantly fighting, either against demons or martial artists. Even the most resilient spirits would feel weary when relaxing after being strung too tightly.

Yet, the situation in the Nine Provinces compelled Gu Chen to keep moving forward.

If possible, he would have preferred to live a peaceful life in this world, being a carefree and content wealthy man.

After all, with the knowledge of his previous life, achieving a moderate level of affluence in this world was more than enough.

Nevertheless, the existence of demons forced Gu Chen to abandon such thoughts, since no one knew when large numbers of high-ranking demons might descend out of the blue.

If that were to happen, the entire Nine Provinces would face annihilation, with no one spared.

This was why countless individuals in Da Xia yearned for the emergence of the current Human Emperor, as everyone believed that as long as the Human Emperor of Da Xia remained, neither demons nor the Six Union God Sect could turn the land upside down.

One could say that on the shoulders of the current sovereign were the hopes of countless people—the numerous citizens of the Nine Provinces, the dignitaries of Da Xia, including the Jing Tian Department, the Mingjing Department, and the Qintian Monitor.

They all believed that the Emperor of Da Xia had the power to maintain peace throughout the land, ensuring a tranquil and prosperous age.

Although Gu Chen had never met the emperor of Da Xia, through rumors and stories, he had developed a degree of confidence in this unprecedented ruler.

Thus, it could be said that the emperor was Da Xia — even the backbone of the Nine Provinces; a fact that, albeit reluctantly, even the various martial factions had to acknowledge.

Gu Chen could not imagine what state the Nine Provinces would descend into if the emperor were gone, especially now with not only demons abounding but also the reappearance of the Six Union God Sect, whose demonic might had overshadowed the world over three hundred years ago.

Had it not been for the fear of the emperor's power, the Six Union God Sect might have already risen up in rebellion.

At the same time, the martial factions within the Nine Provinces would certainly not be as stable as they were now.

Martial artists are naturally proud and unbending, unable to endure oppression. This is why it is said that when a commoner grows angry, blood will be spilled within five steps. The emperor has been suppressing the martial factions of the Nine Provinces for too long, especially those top factions led by grandmasters of martial arts who should be looking down upon the world.

However, due to the emperor's presence, they are regarded on the same level as commoners; if they killed someone, they would have to pay with their lives.

If the emperor were to disappear one day, the myriad factions of the Nine Provinces would surely rebound fiercely, no longer maintaining the low profile they hold now.

By then, the Jing Tian Department would likely find it much more difficult to keep them in check.

At this moment, even Gu Chen found himself looking forward to the emperor successfully breaking through to the Heavenly Man Stage and then leaving seclusion, so that he could peacefully hunt demons and gradually improve his own strength.

When the sky falls, tall people will hold it up, but if the tall one is gone, then it's up to the short ones to step up.

The emperor is the tall one of the Nine Provinces.

Just then, Gu Chen's thoughts were interrupted by the calling of a servant outside.

"Lord Gu, the banquet has begun; Lord Wen asked me to inform you," the young maid said crisply.

"Understood," Gu Chen responded, tidied up a bit, and then exited the room, following the maid to the banquet hall.

Those who came to the banquet this time were the same group of people Gu Chen first encountered upon his arrival in Qiongtian City. By now, they had all heard of Gu Chen's reputation in the Jianghu and were extremely warm towards him.

The women of these dignitaries were dressed in extravagant attire, flaunting their diverse personalities, ages, and figures, varying from plump to slim, all competing in beauty — a lively sight of lively beauty.

Upon seeing this, Gu Chen was momentarily speechless, but relaxation was the order of the day. Soon enough, he let go of all concerns and started to wholeheartedly indulge in food and drink.

Yes, eating and drinking, Gu Chen vowed that this was all he would concern himself with this evening, and absolutely nothing else.

At the banquet, Wen Ziyun, accompanied by the dignitaries of Qiongtian Mansion, began to challenge Gu Chen to a drinking contest, having made him promise beforehand not to use his internal energy to dispel the effects of the alcohol.

Gu Chen readily agreed, and then they began their joint assault on him. However, with Gu Chen's current physique, drinking was no different from drinking water, unless it was some extremely special liquor; otherwise, he could not be intoxicated.

And so, he alone managed to drink a swath of people under the table.

Before long, the night passed in the blink of an eye with the rising sun emerging from the horizon.

The next morning, Gu Chen was practicing in the exclusive garden of the city lord's mansion when a servant reported that there was a visitor outside.

Gu Chen stopped his exercises, took the towel handed to him by the servant to wipe his hands, and inquired, "Who is it?"

"Reporting to you, Lord, it is a young master named Luo Feng," the servant said.

"Oh?"

Upon hearing it was Luo Feng, a hint of a smile appeared on Gu Chen's lips as he said, "Please invite him in quickly."

"Yes, sir."

Shortly after, guided by the servant, Luo Feng entered the city lord's mansion and met Gu Chen.

This time, he had assumed a different appearance again, dressed in lavish clothes with a jade pendant at his waist and a folding fan in his hand, looking every inch the graceful young nobleman.

"Brother Gu, we meet again," Luo Feng said with a beaming smile.

Gu Chen sized him up and down, thinking that even Luo Feng's stature seemed different each time they met, and every time he assumed a completely different face. Luo Feng's Face-Changing Skill was indeed extraordinary.

No wonder he dared to cause trouble wherever he went.

"Brother Gu, this is my first time visiting the city lord's mansion of my own accord. In the past, others dragged me along, but now I've come by myself. You wouldn't believe how much mental preparation I did before coming here," Luo Feng said, clicking his tongue.

Gu Chen glanced at him and said, "Can't you ever change your habit of running your mouth?"

"Hahaha..." Hearing this, Luo Feng laughed heartily and said, "After all, with Brother Gu's current status and identity, how many people dare to talk to you like I do?"

Gu Chen did not engage him further but took a good look at him and asked, "When do you plan to show me your true face?"

Honestly, Gu Chen was genuinely curious about Luo Feng's real appearance.

Luo Feng chuckled awkwardly and said, "Why are you curious about that, Brother Gu? I have come to bring you good news, which, compared to my appearance, is of much greater importance."