Chapter 315: Chapter 188: Slay a Half-King

’The Southern Mountain Tripod was discovered by the Zhong Family and placed in the Royal Palace?’

That news wasn’t so bad.

’As long as it hasn’t been destroyed and I know its location, it’s a good thing.’

Gu Zheng focused, calming his spirit, and continued to sense for the location of the Sword South Tripod.

’The Tripod Cauldron scattered across the Southern Sword Dao... that would be the Sword South Tripod.’

The Southern Sword Dao was territory belonging to the Shang Country.

He sensed for it for a while, but found nothing.

’Has the Human Emperor’s Seal stopped working?’

Gu Zheng carefully inspected it and confirmed that the Human Emperor’s Seal’s Artifact Embryo was fine.

’Is it because the distance is too great?’

’Or is my cultivation not high enough?’

’Of course, there’s another possibility. It might be shielded by some kind of power.’

’For instance, the Shang Country’s royal family—the Yangs—might have placed the Sword South Tripod in their Ancestral Land.’

A Noble Family’s Ancestral Land was a type of Spirit Realm, separated from the mortal world by a spatial barrier.

If the Sword South Tripod was in a Spirit Realm, it might be impossible for him to sense it.

Gu Zheng tried a few more times, but still couldn’t find it.

He immediately switched his focus to a different direction: the southernmost Celestial South Dao, territory occupied by the Yue Country.

This time, he successfully sensed the location of the Celestial South Tripod!

Gu Zheng compared its location to the ancient map in his mind.

’It’s not in the Yue Country’s Royal Capital, but in a large mountain out in the wilderness?’

’Excellent!’

A smile touched Gu Zheng’s lips.

If it were in a Royal Capital or a Royal Palace, he would have to be more cautious.

After all, every country’s Royal Capital was undoubtedly guarded by experts at the King’s Body Realm, and more than one at that.

But out in the wilderness, things were different.

’I’ll get the Celestial South Tripod first!’

Gu Zheng made his decision.

He put away the Human Emperor’s Seal, absorbing it into his body, then turned and left the stone chamber.

He followed the tunnel he came from back to the riverbed.

RUMBLE...

The moment Gu Zheng emerged, the passage behind him and the space containing the spherical stone chamber instantly collapsed.

A torrent of falling rock stirred up the silt, muddying the river water.

WHOOSH!

Gu Zheng swiftly swam upward.

SPLASH!

Water surged up and sprayed in all directions.

Standing above the river’s surface, Gu Zheng faced the river breeze and scanned his surroundings. Just as he confirmed no one was around and was about to head for the Yue Country, the Demon-Slaying General Seal in his robe suddenly began to vibrate.

He took it out and read the message.

It was a communication from Meng Taiqi.

"Urgent matter. Return to headquarters at once!"

’A mission...?’

Gu Zheng understood.

As a Demon-slaying Grand General, he had been his own master for the past few months, going out to hunt for treasure and holing up in Qingshi County to cultivate, completely neglecting his duties for the Demon Slayer Bureau.

If Ji Tianping were still the Commander of the Fenzhou Demon Slayer Bureau, Gu Zheng would have simply ignored this message.

However, now that Meng Taiqi was in charge, he had to make the trip back.

WHOOSH!

Changing direction, Gu Zheng used Wind Manipulation to travel high in the sky, heading straight for the State City.

...

「State City.」

「Demon Slayer Bureau Headquarters.」

"You’re back."

In the Public Office, Meng Taiqi finished signing a document, tossed down his brush, and picked up a cup of tea. He took a sip and said, "A message came from the Royal Capital. In two months, the Ninth Princess will be married off to the Great Feng Country. They need two Escort Generals. One has already been chosen. Are you willing to be the second?"

"I’ve already asked. The reward for a trip to the Great Feng Country is two Earth Pills and an opportunity to enter the Ancestral Land for comprehension. Or, you can exchange it for an equivalent amount of merit."

"The reward is decent. You can think about it. Just give me an answer within three days."

After speaking, Meng Taiqi slowly savored his tea.

"I’ll take it!" Gu Zheng decided after thinking for only a few seconds.

"Hm? You’ll take it just like that? You’re not going to think it over?" Meng Taiqi was taken aback. "This mission isn’t mandatory. I inquired with Lord Xu. If you don’t want to go, there won’t be any repercussions."

"I’ve already thought it through."

Gu Zheng smiled. "Don’t worry, Master Meng, I know my limits. I’m just a little curious—why is the Jing Country arranging a marriage with the Wind Kingdom?"

One is in the east, and the other is in the west.

But both royal families are engaged in the Dragon Struggle!

Gu Zheng had even met that Ninth Princess once before.

He, along with Zuo Lingfeng, Xiao Xianya, and Huang Dajin, had been at the Demon Slayer Bureau headquarters for their promotion ceremony to Demon-slaying Grand General. On their way out, they were provoked and mocked by a group led by the Fifth Prince. The Ninth Princess had been there at the time and was one of the most active participants in the taunting.

’How long has it been, and now she’s been chosen as a tool for a political marriage?’

As for making a trip to the Great Feng Country...

Gu Zheng was planning to go there anyway!

The Great Feng Country was in the Western Celestial Dao. To retrieve the Western Celestial Tripod, he would have to make the trip sooner or later.

"I don’t know the specifics."

Meng Taiqi mused, "On the surface, this political marriage with the Great Feng Country was a decision proposed by the Cabinet and approved by the Sovereign. But the reasons behind it... I’m afraid there are other factors at play."

He paused, then waved his hand with a smile. "Whatever the reason, it has nothing to do with us. Ping’an, you just need to deliver her to the Great Feng capital."

"Understood!"

Gu Zheng clasped his hands in a salute.

"Speaking of which, why would the Royal Capital think of you, Ping’an?" Meng Taiqi asked, puzzled. "The Escort General for a royal wedding party should at least be at the third stage of the Heroic Body Realm, right?"

Hearing this, Gu Zheng asked in return, "You don’t know, Master Meng?"

"Know what?" Meng Taiqi was startled.

"Oh, it’s nothing." Gu Zheng cupped his fist and said, "If there is nothing else, I will take my leave."

"Mm, go on then." Meng Taiqi waved his hand subconsciously.

It was only after Gu Zheng had walked some distance away that Meng Taiqi suddenly realized.

"Wait!"

"That brat reached the third stage so quickly?" Meng Taiqi shot to his feet, his eyes wide with astonishment. "How long has it been, and he’s already condensed a Divine Seed?"

The Royal Capital must have known Gu Zheng’s cultivation level. That would explain why they chose him to escort the wedding party, and why they relayed the inquiry through Meng Taiqi instead of issuing a direct order.

Previously, Meng Taiqi hadn’t thought much of it.

But analyzing it now, the new Commander was shocked to discover that Gu Zheng’s strength had already caught up to his own!

"At this rate, it won’t be long before he surpasses me and that Old Scoundrel Xie!"