I Have 10 Equipment Slots-Chapter 75 - 69: Eruption

’This bead is an equippable item too?’

Gu Zheng’s sharp eyebrows raised slightly as he declined to equip it.

The reason was simple: its effects were mediocre.

Whether it was the Cauldron Body or the Flame Armor, both were practically useless to Gu Zheng at his current level.

He already had the Bronze Elephant Body to replace the former, and the Fire Demon Techniques for the latter.

Only the Exorcism and Evil Suppression effect had some minor use.

For that reason, even though the bead was heavily cracked, Gu Zheng picked it up and stored it in his Storage Leaf.

He turned and offered a fist and palm salute to a distant mountain peak hundreds of meters away.

During his battle with Xie Bufeng, Gu Zheng had sensed people watching from that distant peak.

Now, peering across the distance with his Dark Vision, he could clearly see Yuan Qianjun, Qing Yixiao, Qing Yimei, and another man and woman.

Without going over to exchange pleasantries, he offered another salute, then leaped into the air.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

He used Triple Jump to glide through the night sky, heading straight back to Daping County Town.

...

In the rear courtyard of the County Magistrate’s Office.

Inside a guest room.

"How are you?"

Gu Zheng looked at Yan Hongxue, who lay on the bed, her face pale and her breathing weak. "Can you hold on?"

"...I won’t die."

Yan Hongxue let out a faint breath. "Magistrate Shi just had a doctor look at me, and I’ve checked myself as well. The flesh wounds are minor. The real problem is the physical toll from using my Secret Technique. This kind of injury can’t be healed overnight; it will take time to recuperate."

"That’s good."

Gu Zheng nodded. "Get some rest. Wait for our people to arrive, then head back with them. I’ll keep an eye on the Thousand Star Lake Domain. By the way, what’s the deal with the Flaming Python Xie Family? Are they a Half-demon Family?"

"Yes, a Half-demon Family." Yan Hongxue caught her breath and spoke slowly. "Due to the influence of the Flaming Python’s Bloodline Power, the men and women of the Xie Family are all lustful fiends. When they set their eyes on someone, they... want them. They’ve even forcefully taken noble youths."

"Then doesn’t the Xie Family have a terrible reputation?" Gu Zheng asked calmly. "Do other Noble Families still dare to associate with them?"

"It’s atrocious, but yes, some do!"

Yan Hongxue closed her eyes, recalling for a moment before continuing, "From what I know of the Noble Families, some are practically no different from Demon Fiends. Compared to those families, the Xie Family is actually considered one of the better ones."

Gu Zheng fell silent.

So far, the noble youths he’d encountered—Nangong Yaoyue, Liangqiu Changkong, Yuan Qianjun, and Qing Yixiao—had all been of decent character. They were even better than some of the children from the powerful, wealthy families Gu Zheng had known in the past.

Of course, Gu Zheng knew this positive impression was due to his own strength, which had earned him their special regard.

Back in Qingshi County, he had even been treated as a member of the Qing King’s family.

However, after tonight’s two battles, Gu Zheng had proven he could earn their respect without even relying on his Bronze Elephant Body.

...

After a moment of silence, Gu Zheng said, "The member of the Xie family who chased you to the County Magistrate’s Office has been severely injured by me. He won’t dare to show his face again anytime soon, so rest easy."

"...Thank you, Mr. Gu." Yan Hongxue opened her eyes, her gaze filled with gratitude.

"There’s no need for thanks. I’d do the same for Zhang."

Gu Zheng gave a slight wave and took his leave.

’The sources of power for the Noble Families are all so different.’

’If you think about it, Half-Demons really do face the most restrictions.’

’Just look at Zhang Meiyuan and Zhang Zanyuan. Their Zhang Family has hated the Yuan Family for centuries.’

...

「The next day.」

As dawn broke, the Daping County Magistrate’s Office was once again bustling with activity. A group of people quickly washed up and ate, preparing to head out to more distant villages to evacuate the residents.

But before they could leave, a tremendous roar suddenly echoed from the southern horizon.

A massive pillar of light shot up, piercing the heavens.

Even from forty li away, the people in the county town could see it.

Following the sound, a black curtain carrying a dense fog surged in from the south. It spread across the land, vast and mighty, submerging forests, rivers, fields, villages, and the entire county town! 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

The sky, which had only just begun to brighten, instantly grew dark and gloomy once more.

Outside the County Magistrate’s Office, gasps of alarm, screams, and cries of despair erupted from every corner, creating an unceasing clamor.

"Wh-what’s happening?"

Shi Huaiying, the County Magistrate, lost his composure and ran nervously to find Gu Zheng.

"The Domain has erupted."

Gu Zheng remained perfectly calm. He set down his empty bowl and chopsticks, stood up, and began walking out as he spoke, "Magistrate Shi, immediately gather all the constables and County Soldiers. Announce to the entire town that a curfew is in effect for the next few days. Everyone is to stay in their homes. Both city gates are to be sealed shut. No one is allowed in or out, no matter who they are."

"...Yes!"

Shi Huaiying took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. "I understand."

"During the curfew, ensure that food and water supplies are guarded and distributed in a timely manner."

"Also, the patrols by the constables and County Soldiers must not cease. Have them carry weapons and torches, and make sure they patrol in teams of at least five."

Gu Zheng’s expression was grim. "During this period, anyone who takes advantage of the chaos to steal, rob, or cause trouble is to be killed without mercy!"

"Yes!" Shi Huaiying replied solemnly.

In such a critical time, lethal measures were necessary.

"Bring all of those wicker baskets from yesterday."

Gu Zheng added, "And get me a map showing the layout of all the villages in the county."

"...Yes!"

Although he didn’t know what Gu Zheng wanted with wicker baskets and a map, Shi Huaiying carried out the order faithfully.

’What were the wicker baskets for?’

’To carry people, of course!’

With the Thousand Star Lake Domain erupting, it would be suicide for Sun Zhenyao and the others to leave the town.

But the residents of the more distant villages had not yet been evacuated.

If left to fend for themselves, every last one of them would die.

Adhering to the principle of saving every life he could, Gu Zheng decided to go himself.

He would use the map to Triple Jump through the air, find them, and then carry them back by jumping and gliding!

It would be troublesome, and the drain on his Divine Wondrous energy would be immense.

But at the moment, it was the only way.

...

Ten wicker baskets were bundled together, and he carried one bundle in each hand.

Following the map’s directions, Gu Zheng descended from the sky with the baskets, finding one village after another to evacuate the panicked residents.

He identified himself as an agent of the imperial court, there to bring them into the town for safety.

Gu Zheng said little else.

Those willing to go were seated in the baskets in batches and airlifted to the town.

Those who were unwilling, Gu Zheng did not force.

As for those who were sarcastic or tried to cause trouble, he cut them down without hesitation.

He worked from morning until night.

Without a moment’s rest, he flew back and forth between the villages and the county town.

He would only stop mid-journey when his Divine Wondrous energy was depleted. At those times, he would swallow a Rejuvenation Pill and circulate his techniques to recover quickly, seizing the chance to rest.

Sun Zhenyao, Shi Huaiying, the County Soldier Captain, and the constables from the magistrate’s office—at first, none of them knew what Gu Zheng was doing.

But after Zhang Boshong explained the situation, everyone was thoroughly impressed, their hearts filled with admiration and reverence for Gu Zheng.

This was no mere righteous act or good deed.

He was a great hero, a savior of the people, worthy of having a memorial tablet erected in his honor to be worshiped day and night.

That included Shi Huaiying, the County Magistrate.

He not only thought it, he did it.

With the disaster having just begun, he was already finding a carpenter to carve Gu Zheng’s likeness for a spirit tablet.

Gu Zheng, busy saving lives, paid it no mind.

After a full day of work, he had finally saved everyone he could reach.

He left Zhang Boshong to guard the county town.

Gu Zheng changed out of his Demon-Suppressing Armor and into his Stretchable Clothing, then rushed to Thousand Star Lake without a moment’s delay.

...

He had assumed that after a full day’s delay, Yuan Qianjun, Qing Yixiao, and the others would have already entered the Domain.

But when he arrived at the outskirts of Thousand Star Lake, he found a crowd of people gathered at the entrance. No one had gone inside.

"Yuan, what’s the situation?"

Approaching Yuan Qianjun and nodding to Qing Yixiao and Qing Yimei, Gu Zheng looked at the Domain entrance, which was connected to a small island under the gloomy sky. "Why haven’t any of you gone in?" he asked, confused.