Chapter 173 - 173 164 Top 300 of the Hidden Dragon List

Chapter 173: Chapter 164: Top 300 of the Hidden Dragon List (Request for Subscription) Chapter 173: Chapter 164: Top 300 of the Hidden Dragon List (Request for Subscription) “So, that’s why I indulged you in annihilating those families in Cao County, even slaughtering the County Government. You had no idea how happy I was when I heard the news!”

“Actually, I had arrived in Nanling Prefecture long ago but deliberately hid from you until the incident in Cao County occurred, then I ‘coincidentally’ stopped you outside the Nanling Prefecture.” (The previous text mentioned that Gu Hao had arrived in Nanling Prefecture before. You can refer to the chapter that records the conversation between Chen Yuan and Ye Chenbai, which clearly indicates that Gu Hao had been in Nanling Prefecture well in advance.)

“Because I knew that the moment you found out that your father’s killer was in Nanling Prefecture City, you wouldn’t be able to restrain yourself… Hahaha, Junior Brother Liu, oh Junior Brother Liu, you really are foolish!”

“Didn’t you have any suspicions?”

“Really, you didn’t bring me any surprises, but you did show a bit of cleverness, leaving yourself an out, even thinking of suicide to escape,

but you thought too simply. Even if Chen Yuan hadn’t killed you, I would have. After all, you were already dead at the hands of Chen Yuan in the public eye, and it had nothing to do with me, Gu Hao.”

“Even more, Elder Brother through this event, has significantly enhanced his reputation since it’s an Elder Brother who nearly came to blows with the dogs of the Heavenly Patrol Bureau for his Junior Brother’s sake.”

Gu Hao squatted down, gazing at Liu Changkong’s corpse with closed eyes, and continued speaking:

“This time, not only has my reputation greatly improved, but in the future, whether competing for the position of Sect Leader or walking in Jianghu, people will admire my loyalty,

and Junior Sister Xiao will also greatly change her view of me, perhaps even falling in love with me…”

“Tell me, you helped me so much, how should I thank you? Let me tell you another piece of good news then, your younger brother… actually didn’t manage to escape.

My men were monitoring the Liu Family; they were cremated just outside Cao County… Your Liu Family has truly been exterminated!”

“How about it, surprising, isn’t it?”

“Ah… It’s really boring now that you’re dead. If Chen Yuan hadn’t shattered your internal organs and obliterated your heart channels, you could still be alive to hear my heartfelt words.”

Gu Hao felt a bit unfulfilled, the catharsis of this revelation less satisfying because Liu Changkong was dead.

It left him somewhat disinterested…

After speaking for a while, he no longer felt like continuing.

“Junior Brother, this is the burial site I’ve chosen for you. Rest here, and don’t blame your Elder Brother; I simply had no other choice.”

“Who told you to block your Elder Brother’s path?”

After speaking, Gu Hao placed his palm on Liu Changkong’s face and suddenly pressed down, a massive surge of Gang Qi instantly shattered Liu Changkong, bursting into a mist of blood.

Completely disappearing from this world!

Gu Hao’s body remained immaculately clean, protected by his Protective Gang Qi, not tainted in the slightest.

Looking back, Gu Hao turned his gaze towards Nanling Prefecture. Although this time came at some cost, the result was very satisfying to him; Liu Changkong’s death left no trace on him, and he still maintained a good reputation.

As for that Chen Yuan…

Gu Hao was also hesitating whether to kill him to avenge his Junior Brother and earn a better reputation. But after some thought, Gu Hao shook his head,

this time he had already somewhat touched the bottom line of the Heavenly Patrol Bureau. If Chen Yuan died inexplicably, he would lose a lot…

“You’re lucky!”

Gu Hao chuckled softly.

Suddenly, his brow furrowed as a figure flying through the sky appeared in the distance, approaching him rapidly.

Gu Hao focused his mind, used Gang Qi to clean up the blood stains on the ship, and once again restored a serene, contemplative expression, as if mourning for his Junior Brother Liu Shuanghe.

The figure was none other than Ye Chenbai’s old servant, who, upon spotting Gu Hao, halted his movement and slowly landed on the ship:

“Gu Shaohua!”

Regardless of his feelings towards Liu Changkong, he couldn’t help but admire this Elder Brother who had risked himself for his Junior Brother. Such true and sincere brotherly affection had become quite rare.

“May I ask who you are?”

Gu Hao sized up the old servant and asked.

He had noticed him during the fight but had thought he was just some spectating martial artist from the Jianghu, hence not paying much attention. Now, it seemed his strength was at least of the Reach Profound Realm.

“I am surnamed Wang, an old servant of Ye Chenbai, the master of Ascending Immortal Tower in Nanling.”

“Old servant?”

Gu Hao was rather shocked.

What kind of background allows a Reach Profound strong person to serve as a servant?

Even he himself didn’t have such treatment.

As far as he knew, the masters of Ascending Immortal Tower in a prefecture were usually of the Gang Condensation Realm, with very few Reach Profound strong holders at their service, unless it was a central prefecture in a state, or a famously large state prefecture.

Although powerful, White Emperor City couldn’t possibly have that many strong individuals scattered around the world.

It seemed this Ye Master’s identity was indeed extraordinary.

“Are you seeking me, Gu, for some urgent matter?” Gu Hao asked.

“The master would like to invite Gu Shaohua for a cup of Spiritual Tea, hoping to make your acquaintance,” the old servant revealed the purpose of his visit directly.

“Drinking Spiritual Tea…” Gu Hao had been invited for tea when he entered the top hundred of the Hidden Dragon List previously and was not overly enthusiastic, hence he declined, “Junior Brother Liu has just passed away, and I’m truly not in the mood for leisurely drinking tea.”

“Please excuse me and convey my declines to Master Ye.”

“This…” The old servant hesitated.

“After I finish my seclusion, I may visit Nanling Prefecture again if fate allows,” Gu Hao shook his head.

Although he had gained a reputation and secretly killed Liu Changkong this time, he also had to pay a price, and he certainly didn’t think a mere dismissal of apprentice would turn things around.

Did they really think others couldn’t see through it?

It was just not a good time to speak out then.

He speculated that by now, Tao Qingyuan must have already reported today’s events, and both the State Prefecture and the Heavenly Patrol Golden Envoy would definitely put pressure on the Qingyun Sword Sect.

Of course, this time Chen Yuan had not died, but instead, it was Liu Changkong who died, which meant a significant loss for the Qingyun Sword Sect. Even if there were some punishments, they wouldn’t be too severe.

Moreover, his father was still a very powerful elder in the sect. With his protection, at most Gu Hao would be confined for some days, which hardly counted as a serious punishment.

Compared to the gains from this venture, it was still very worthwhile!

To establish oneself in Jianghu, one needed not only strength but also a reputable name, and that was precisely what he lacked. He had not ventured much in Jianghu before and had a weak reputation.

Compared to another powerful contender, he was much lower, so he needed to take a shortcut…

This was his opportunity!

If one were to discuss the fastest way to become famous in Jianghu, the first and foremost way was to slay Demon Dao bandits and earn a name for chivalrous justice, followed by opposing the imperial court.

He was not afraid to kill Demon Dao bandits; it was just too dangerous, and finding the right bandits was also troublesome, far less straightforward than this method.

With this event, perhaps he could also carve out a name for himself as a man of courage and righteousness, unafraid of authority.

“Well, since Gu Shaohua has made up his mind, I won’t persuade further,” Gu Hao declined, and he obviously couldn’t kidnap him; that would look bad.

He could only look for another opportunity then.

“I wonder about your fellow disciple?

The old servant looked around with some doubt.

He had clearly seen Gu Hao seizing Liu Changkong’s corpse and leaving, but now there was no sign of him, which was indeed strange.

Hearing this, Gu Hao turned away and spoke softly:

“Disciple Liu is no longer a member of our Qingyun Sword Sect. It’s not appropriate to bring him back, and it’s even less appropriate since the Liu Family has been eradicated by Chen Yuan. Therefore, I took the liberty to bury Disciple Liu under the waters of Yunjiang.”

“It’s kind of a closure.”

In his words, Gu Hao revealed a sense of sadness, and anyone unaware might truly think their brotherly bond was deep—at least the old servant didn’t see through it,

mainly because he didn’t think in that direction. After all, Gu Hao’s performance had been too convincing, and anyone could sense the camaraderie between him and Liu Changkong.

“Condolences… Your disciple faced defeat and death, which was…” the old servant spoke softly.

Gu Hao chuckled, “No matter, this was Disciple Liu’s own choice. For revenge for his family, he did not hesitate even in the face of death, though it’s a pity he ultimately failed to exact his great revenge.”

“Since Gu Shaohua has no intention of attending the banquet, then I will take my leave first,” the old servant bowed and said.

“Please, feel free!”

Afterward, the old servant’s figure soared into the sky and vanished from Gu Hao’s sight. He gazed for a while, his expression as usual, following the flow of Yunjiang.

…

…

In Nanling Prefecture, inside the Ascending Immortal Tower.

Ye Chenbai raised his eyebrows slightly, asking somewhat surprised:

“He doesn’t want to attend the banquet?”

Ordinarily, at an Ascending Immortal Tower banquet, few would decline the invitation, especially ones among the top hundred on the Hidden Dragon List, who knew that spiritual tea would be served as per tradition.

Although the higher one’s realm, the less effective the spiritual tea, it was still better than harsh cultivation.

Ye Chenbai nodded comprehensively after the old servant’s explanation:

“If he doesn’t come, then let it be; it’s not a big deal.”

He just wanted to make a connection. If it couldn’t be established, he couldn’t force it. There would be other opportunities in the future.

“Gu Hao probably doesn’t have the leisurely mood to attend the banquet considering his disciple Liu Changkong’s death, and he can’t avoid punishment after he returns this time,” the old servant explained.

“The tower master is right…” the old servant laughed.

The imperial court was still the strongest visible authority today, a cloud of strong figures, only dispersed due to its vast territories. Indeed, the Jianghu forces were also powerful.

The top few major forces were not even afraid of clashing with the imperial court.

The present Great Jin was not like the former Great Chu, with external threats from the Northern Barbarians breaching the borders and hundreds of thousands of troops at the frontiers, and internally, vassal kings were amassing power, causing friction with the imperial interests in Jianghu.

In such a situation, the mere ability of the court to maintain stability was already commendable.

Ascending Immortal Tower had a presence all over the world, unparalleled in its intelligence, grasping the clearest picture of the global situation.

Of course, this didn’t mean that the imperial court was weak and could be bullied; at least the Qingyun Sword Sect had no such capability.

“Send a message upstairs that Chen Yuan has greatly increased his strength and potential. Nanling Ascending Immortal Tower believes this person could enter the top three hundred of the Hidden Dragon List…” Ye Chenbai paused, then laughed.

“Yes, I’ll go right away!”

————

Guess what rank he will be this time, somewhere between three hundred and two hundred fifty. Correct guesses will be rewarded! Even the lowest guess gets 1.88 yuan, covering several days’ subscription fee.

(Limited to one guess per person.)

Also, this is limited to Qidian Main Station; I can’t see comments made elsewhere…

Adding some chase reading scenes isn’t easy for me… sob sob.

It seems there isn’t much desire to join the group, so I guess I will have to write some extra spicy scenes…