Demon Slaying, Gaining 60 Years of Cultivation From the Start

After Gu Chen was appointed as the thirteenth Guardian Envoy of Da Xia, the early morning court session quickly came to an end. Gu Chen left the imperial palace alongside the deputy leader of the Jing Tian Department, Qin Wu.

During this time, Eunuch Huang had quietly approached Gu Chen to convey that Emperor Ji Yuan, in celebration of Gu Chen's promotion to Guardian Envoy, had specially sent Eunuch Huang to deliver a martial arts manual to Gu Chen.

Eunuch Huang whispered to Gu Chen that the new Emperor knew Gu Chen was particularly skilled in physical combat, so he had deliberately searched in the royal treasury for a body refining martial art that was almost of Heavenly Grade and ordered him to give it to Gu Chen.
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Through Eunuch Huang, Gu Chen also expressed his gratitude to Emperor Ji Yuan. It must be said that, after Ji Yuan's ascension to the throne, he indeed took great care of Gu Chen. Nearly half of Gu Chen's martial skills were gifted to him by Ji Yuan.

Especially, the Superior God Weapon Jade Necklace given by the other party was of great help to Gu Chen.

The only regret for Gu Chen was that Ji Yuan had given him Earthly Martial Skills rather than Heavenly Grade. Of course, he also understood Ji Yuan's intentions.

The new Emperor didn't know he had a "panel," which allowed him to improve any rank of martial art, and Ji Yuan also feared that giving Gu Chen Heavenly Grade martial skills might cause him to become possessed by inner demons, so he selected a body refining martial art close to Heavenly Grade from the royal secret treasury to gift to Gu Chen.

Nevertheless, it didn't really matter to Gu Chen, who could deduce Heavenly Martial Skills on his own, thanks to his panel.

"His Majesty is indeed considerate," commented Qin Wu, the deputy leader of the Jing Tian Department, nodding upon learning of this.

"From today onwards, you are the thirteenth Guardian Envoy of Da Xia," Qin Wu said with a smile, patting Gu Chen on the shoulder.

Upon hearing this, Gu Chen seemed to recall something, looked at Qin Wu and asked, "Leader Qin, Guardian Envoys have the authority to govern a province, so now that I have become a Guardian Envoy, must I leave Tiandu to take up a post elsewhere?"

Qin Wu nodded and said, "Normally, that is indeed the case for Guardian Envoys; they need to preside over a province in person. However, you are an exception, and with your current strength, it would be somewhat of a waste to station you in one place. So you will still be based in Tiandu, but should there be issues in other provinces, you might need to provide support."

"No problem," said Gu Chen, nodding in response. He was quite concerned that upon becoming a Guardian Envoy, he would need to leave Tiandu.

After all, Gu Chen's family, including his second uncle Gu Chengfeng, were in Tiandu. If he had to govern a province like other Guardians Envoys, it would mean he would hardly have a chance to return to Tiandu.

Moreover, King Huai was in Tiandu, and Gu Chen was worried that if he went to preside over another province, King Huai might take action against his uncle and the rest of his family.

At this time, Qin Wu smiled and said, "Don't think being a Guardian Envoy is an unpleasant duty. Although the responsibilities are heavy, there are also many benefits. For you, the most important thing is that from now on, the merits needed for exchanging items can be directly halved."

"Is there really such a good deal?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Chen immediately raised his eyebrows with surprise. This was equivalent to getting a fifty percent discount. With this, the number of soul crystals he could exchange for in the future could greatly increase.

More soul crystals meant more merit points, and as a result, Gu Chen's rate of improvement in strength would also increase.

After reaching the level of godly comprehension in martial arts, the number of merit points Gu Chen needed for each breakthrough was enormous, and he had been worried about this for a long time.

If not for this, he wouldn't have been looking forward to the coming of the second anomaly between heaven and earth, eager for the appearance of monsters and ghosts.

Before long, Gu Chen and Qin Wu parted ways, and Gu Chen returned home to find an extra slip of paper in his bedroom with an address written on it.

Gu Chen's eyebrows rose at the familiar handwriting, and in a flash of his figure, he left the Gu Mansion, even left Tiandu, and arrived at a pavilion located eighty miles outside Tiandu.

At this moment, two figures were waiting there.

One was a young man with a tall and slender build, handsome features, and a graceful and elegant demeanor, exuding a familiar aura to Gu Chen.

"Brother Luo!"

Upon seeing this person, Gu Chen's eyes lit up and he immediately recognized the young man as Luo Feng, whom he had not seen for a long time.

"Brother Gu," the dashing Luo Feng smiled broadly as Gu Chen approached.

"And this is?"

At that moment, Gu Chen's gaze shifted to the middle-aged man standing beside Luo Feng.

The man bore a resemblance to Luo Feng, with somewhat long eyebrows and decent features that stood out. Despite his age, he was still very handsome.

"This is my father," Luo Feng introduced.

"Your father?" Gu Chen said, taken aback by the revelation, and at the same time, he realized that Luo Feng must be using his true appearance for their meeting.

With Gu Chen's current discerning eyes, he immediately saw through it and also noticed that Luo Feng's father, the middle-aged man, was a top grandmaster of martial arts with godly comprehension.

"I am Luo Wenzhi, and I have the honor to meet you, Marquis Wu'an," the middle-aged man, Luo Feng's father Luo Wenzhi, greeted Gu Chen with a bow and fist.

Although he was significantly older than Gu Chen, considering Gu Chen's current influence and status in the world, such a gesture was perfectly normal.

There were only so many top grandmasters of martial arts with godly comprehension known in the world, and although Gu Chen was somewhat familiar with most of them, he had never encountered Luo Wenzhi, nor was there any record of him in the Jing Tian Department's archives.

"Could it be that..." Suddenly, a flash of insight crossed Gu Chen's mind as he figured out Luo Wenzhi's true identity.

"Indeed, I am the master of Red Dust Tower," Luo Wenzhi confirmed with a smile and a nod, readily admitting it.

"As I suspected," Gu Chen nodded, somewhat shocked to learn that Luo Feng was the son of the master of Red Dust Tower. No wonder he knew so many secrets.

Red Dust Tower, one of the three external paths, mainly handles various intelligence operations within the martial world; of course, it also undertakes some assassinations, but Red Dust Tower only kills those who deserve it. Before taking action, it will gather intelligence and, after evaluation, decide whether to accept the mission.

Completely different from the other two external paths, Bloody Garment Tower and Solitary Ghost.

These two organizations could be said to be executioners; once they enter the world, bloodshed is inevitable.

"Brother Luo, you've hidden your identity well. I didn't expect you to actually be the Young Master of Red Dust Tower," Gu Chen said with a smile as he looked at Luo Feng.

Upon hearing this, Luo Feng couldn't help but give a wry smile and said, "Brother Gu, don't mock me. In front of you, my identity counts for nothing."

Hearing this, Gu Chen just smiled slightly. That was now, but back when he and Luo Feng had first met, Luo Feng's identity could have easily crushed him. However, at that time, Luo Feng had no airs about him, and it was completely unimaginable that he would have a father who was a top grandmaster in the martial path to godhood.

Furthermore, this man was also the Tower Master of Red Dust Tower, with a cultivation and power that was at least in the late stages of the godhood realm—very impressive indeed.

"I wonder, Tower Master Luo, what has prompted you to contact me this time?" Gu Chen's eyes shifted as he looked towards Luo Wenzhi.

Seeing this, Luo Wenzhi's expression gradually became serious. With a fixed gaze on Gu Chen, he said, "I have come to find Lord Gu for one matter only, which is to pledge Red Dust Tower's allegiance to Da Xia, or rather, to Lord Gu himself."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, a slight smile appeared on Gu Chen's lips. It seemed that like the old celestial master, after much deliberation, Luo Wenzhi had made such a decision.

Of course, it's also possible that Luo Wenzhi had witnessed Gu Chen's current strength and the allegiance of Dragon Tiger Mountain's Celestial Master Sect, which might have sparked this idea.

However, no matter what, as long as Red Dust Tower was willing to pledge allegiance, that was enough. Gu Chen believed that with his own strength and rate of progress, as long as Luo Wenzhi wasn't foolish, he would not betray him or Da Xia.

At this moment, Luo Feng said, "Brother Gu, I recounted every single word you said to me to my father without omission. However, this is no minor matter, so my father took a long time to make this decision."

"I understand," Gu Chen nodded and looked towards Luo Wenzhi, saying, "Both Da Xia and I personally are very pleased with your joining, Tower Master Luo."

Although the other party was pledging allegiance, Gu Chen did not underestimate Red Dust Tower because of this and treated Luo Wenzhi with respect in his words—without using his leverage to press upon him because the other party took the initiative to pledge allegiance.

Not to mention, there was also the relationship with Luo Feng in between.

Upon hearing this, Luo Wenzhi also nodded, cupped his fists, and said solemnly, "From now on, Red Dust Tower is willing to follow Lord Gu's lead unquestionably. With just one word from Lord Gu, Red Dust Tower will go to all lengths to satisfy, without any second words."

Having made up his mind, Luo Wenzhi was not one to dilly-dally. Having decided to entrust everything to Gu Chen, as he said, with just one word from Gu Chen, he and the entire Red Dust Tower would give their all.

Forked tongues and duplicity were not within Luo Wenzhi's capabilities, nor did he dare to indulge in them.

Now, who in the entire realm isn't aware of the ruthlessly efficient methods of the Marquis of Wu'an from the martial world?

"However, I have one request that I hope Lord Gu will grant," Luo Wenzhi spoke up.

"Please speak, Tower Master Luo," Gu Chen nodded.

"It's not a big deal, just that I hope Lord Gu can keep the news of Red Dust Tower's allegiance confidential. We do not wish to be exposed so soon."

"That's not a problem."

After a brief moment of consideration, Gu Chen readily agreed. Sometimes, power need not be flaunted openly. Hidden strength is the true trump card.

Red Dust Tower is unmatched in intelligence gathering and is not much inferior to the Jing Tian Department of Da Xia or the Diancang Pavilion, which relies on the six holy lands. With the addition of Red Dust Tower, Gu Chen would be able to obtain the latest news about the entire realm at the earliest opportunity.

This was an extremely important matter.

Moreover, Luo Wenzhi was also a top grandmaster in the godhood realm. With him included, along with the old celestial master from Dragon Tiger Mountain, as well as Gu Chen and the deputy commander of the Jing Tian Department, Qin Wu, Da Xia now had four martial godhood realm powerhouses, a force comparable to the current Six Union God Sect.

Of course, Gu Chen was unclear whether the Six Union God Sect had other godhood realm martial artists aside from the four great law kings.

After all, they possessed the secret technique of merging with demons and ghosts, capable of rapidly creating godhood realm martial artists upon successful integration.

"Now, the only forces in the martial world that possess godhood realm power are the Beidou Sect and the Da Guangming Sect," Gu Chen pondered.

The rest had basically been eradicated by Gu Chen. Alone, he had slain no less than five top grandmasters in the godhood realm from the martial world.

The title of Manslayer was deserved through and through, without the slightest exaggeration.

Next, Gu Chen planned to personally visit these two forces.

The Beidou Sect could still be okay, but the Da Guangming Sect, with its deep-seated enmity against Da Xia, meant that Gu Chen was also prepared to see whether the sect's actions were righteous or nefarious. If not, Gu Chen was prepared to eliminate them outright.

Just then, the Tower Master of Red Dust Tower, Luo Wenzhi, said solemnly, "Lord Gu, there is something I need to remind you of."

"Please speak, Tower Master Luo." Seeing Luo Wenzhi's solemn expression, Gu Chen also slightly furrowed his brows.

"The Tower Master of Bloody Garment Tower and the leader of Solitary Ghost, they are both preparing to make a move against you!"