I Have 10 Equipment Slots-Chapter 103 - 92: Shaking the City

"Alright, alright." An old man with a slightly dark face, a round chin, long, ink-black hair, and a rather large nose waved his hand, cutting them off. "There’s no need to go over this known information again. Tell me something I don’t know."

The secret chamber fell silent.

The few Thousand Households present exchanged glances.

Finally, the one who had spoken first asked softly, "General Meng, are you referring to..."

"This Gu Zheng—is it possible he’s one of *their* people?" the old man asked, raising an eyebrow.

"..."

The Thousand Households fell silent once more.

"General, we are unable to determine," the same Thousand Households who had spoken before replied in a low voice. "According to his file, there are no issues with Gu Zheng’s family background. The Gu Family’s lineage in Qingshi County can be traced back to his great-great-grandfather. Furthermore, based on his actions and performance, Gu Zheng doesn’t seem to be one of their people."

"Oh? And why is that?" The old man stroked his round chin, signaling for him to continue.

"Because Gu Zheng destroyed the Thousand Star Lake Domain the moment he broke through to the Super Body Realm," the Thousand Households answered. "According to our investigation, the Thousand Star Lake Domain had only been active for four days before Gu Zheng destroyed its Rule Array Hub, eliminating it prematurely. If he were one of *their* people..."

"Ah, true."

The old man had a moment of realization. "Breaking through to the Super Body Realm at such a young age, befriending noble youths, and even eliminating a Domain... This Gu Zheng is really something!"

"By the way, what was the guardian Demon Fiend that Gu Zheng eliminated before he destroyed the Rule Array Hub?"

"A Tier 2 Steel Bone Purgatory Bone Demon," the Thousand Households replied. "Speaking of which, this Gu Zheng is truly incredible. He cultivated our *Frenzy Battle Saber Technique* for less than a month and already reached the perfection realm, able to execute the Celestial Blade..."

"What!?"

The old man’s voice suddenly rose, cutting him off. "You’re telling me Gu Zheng perfected the *Frenzy Battle Saber Technique* in less than a month?"

"Ye... Yes, that’s right." The Thousand Households was taken aback, confused. "General Meng, is... is there a problem with that? We said less than a month, but in fact, it seems Gu Zheng took even less time..."

"Where’s Xie Bisheng?"

The old man abruptly changed the subject, looking at the other men. "Where’s that old coot Xie Bisheng? Why isn’t he here for the discussion?"

"..." 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

A heavy silence fell over the secret chamber.

The Thousand Households looked at one another, utterly confused.

"General Xie should be..."

"Oh no!"

The old man cried out in alarm as if remembering something. He shot to his feet and started jogging toward the exit, shouting, "Xie Bisheng must have gone to see Gu Zheng! That despicable, shameless old bastard, launching a sneak attack behind my back again! Argh! I’m so furious I could explode!"

His exasperated shouts echoed through the underground passage as his figure vanished from sight.

Back in the secret chamber, the Thousand Households stared at one another, wondering what on earth had gotten into the Demon-slaying Grand General.

’It seemed to be triggered by the news that Gu Zheng had perfected the *Frenzy Battle Saber Technique* in less than a month, right?’

’Yes, Gu Zheng is a genius, no doubt. But with Source Fruits and Marvels appearing so frequently nowadays, such talents aren’t all that rare.’

’If the problem wasn’t Gu Zheng himself, then was it the *Frenzy Battle Saber Technique*?’

’Could this Lower Grade Saber Technique True Skill, which every member of the Demon Suppression Guard can practice... possibly hold some kind of secret!?’

...

...

「Weapon Foundry」

HISS~ HISS~

Ke Juzhen plunged the newly reforged Celestial Frost Blade into the Cold Pool Water, sending up clusters of bubbles and wisps of white steam.

The steam, a strange mixture of intense heat and biting, frosty cold, seemed to burst apart the moment it formed, drifting away in lazy curls.

"Here, time for the blood."

The bare-chested Ke Juzhen wiped sweat from his brow and stepped aside, motioning for Gu Zheng to come forward.

"Master Ke, you should get some rest. You’ve been up for a full day and night," Gu Zheng said, walking over. He watched Ke Juzhen retrieve the Celestial Frost Blade from the Cold Pool Water, then squeezed out a drop of his Essence Blood.

DRIP.

The viscous drop of blood was instantly absorbed the moment it touched the blade, vanishing without a trace.

A faint luster flashed across the body of the Celestial Frost Blade.

"I’m not in a hurry."

Ke Juzhen said nonchalantly, "I’m in the Alien Body Realm now myself. Even though I’ve only just reached the Xianfeng stage, I have far more energy than before. I could go three days and nights without sleep and be fine. Your Celestial Frost Blade just needs this blood refinement to complete the first stage of its reforging."

Hearing this, Gu Zheng took two steps back and cupped his fists in gratitude. "Thank you for your hard work, Master Ke."

"No need to be so formal. It’s not like I’m doing it for free."

Ke Juzhen waved his hand dismissively, walked over to a table, and picked up a teapot. GULP, GULP. He drank more than half of it before wiping his mouth and walking back. "Heard you got promoted to Hundred Households?"

"I got lucky," Gu Zheng nodded. "Don’t worry, Master Ke. I should be able to bring your grandnephew along on my next mission. This current one doesn’t require a Warrior."

"Hah, that’s not what I was getting at."

Ke Juzhen shook his head. "Of course, it’d be great if you can bring him. What I meant was, now that you’re a Hundred Households, why not just use your merit points to trade for a Middle-Grade Spiritual Soldier? The armory has quite a few Middle-Grade Spiritual Soldiers, and even some upper-grade ones."

"I don’t have enough merit points," Gu Zheng said with a small smile. "Besides, I’ve always used the Celestial Frost Blade. I’ve grown attached to it."

In reality, fifty Great Merits were enough for a Middle-Grade Spiritual Soldier. Gu Zheng had enough, but he had just spent them on three Upper Grade True Skills.

"A familiar weapon is indeed more effective."

Ke Juzhen nodded. "Once the upgrade on your Celestial Frost Blade is complete, it should, if all goes well, possess..."

"Greetings, General!"

"Paying our respects to Grand General Xie!"

"..."

Suddenly, a series of shouts erupted from outside the forging room.

The voices were loud and tinged with excitement.

As Ke Juzhen heard this, he stopped speaking and asked in surprise, "General Xie? What is Grand General Xie doing here?"

"I don’t know," Gu Zheng said, equally puzzled. "Let’s go take a look."

"Alright."

Ke Juzhen nodded.

The two of them strode quickly out of the forging room.

The moment they stepped out, they saw him. A tall, powerfully built old man with white hair bound in a crown, clad in gleaming golden armor. A great sun was emblazoned on his cloak. He walked with the powerful gait of a dragon and the stride of a tiger, his aura majestic and imposing. Amidst the bows of the others, the old man with the indifferent eyes and expressionless face walked steadily until he stood before Gu Zheng and Ke Juzhen.

"You are Gu Zheng? Gu Ping’an?"

The tall old man stared directly at Gu Zheng, a sharp light glinting in his eyes. When he spoke, his voice was magnetic, like the ringing of steel on steel.

"Subordinate Gu Zheng, paying my respects to Grand General Xie!"

Gu Zheng bowed slightly and cupped his fists. "I was not aware General Xie was looking for me..."

"Three words,"

the tall old man said gravely. "Become my disciple."

"I see... wait, what?"

Gu Zheng stared in astonishment, lifting his head to gaze at Xie Bisheng. He looked completely bewildered, certain he must have misheard.

"General Xie, did you just say..."

"Do you want to become my disciple?" Xie Bisheng repeated. "I want to take you as my apprentice and pass on my legacy. If you agree, everything I have learned will be yours, including my treasured collection from two hundred years ago, and..."

"Old Scoundrel Xie! The depths of your shamelessness are vaster than the Celestial Gate River!"

An enraged roar echoed as Meng Taiqi rushed over. The moment he was close enough, he pointed a finger at Xie Bisheng and started yelling, "I knew it! No wonder you vanished! You ran over here early to try and snatch him up, didn’t you?"

Before Xie Bisheng could respond, Meng Taiqi’s gaze snapped to Gu Zheng. A smile bloomed across his slightly dark face like a flower. "Gu Zheng! Gu Ping’an, right? Hello there, young man, hello! I’ve heard all about you. Truly remarkable!"

"I am Meng Taiqi. Two hundred years ago, I was the Manor Master of Canglan Manor, which is right next to Nanyun Prefecture. Perhaps you’ve heard of it. Of course, the past isn’t important. What’s important is that I am now a Demon-slaying Grand General in the Demon Slayer Bureau, at the Heroic Body Realm."

"Ping’an, your talent is astounding, but you lack experience. The path ahead of you will inevitably have its..."

"Two words," Xie Bisheng interrupted coldly. "Shut up."

"You’re at the Heroic Body Realm? You’re a Demon-slaying Grand General? As if I’m not?"

With that, he waved a hand, shoving Meng Taiqi aside. He looked at Gu Zheng and said sternly, "Gu Ping’an, all you have to do is become my disciple..."

"Halt!"

Meng Taiqi roared, cutting him off. "Old Scoundrel Xie, stop your insolence! Gu Ping’an, become my disciple! If you become my disciple, I’ll give you a Middle-Grade Spiritual Soldier!"