Chapter 482: Never Fail Each Other

The Guanxing Ge is located within Shenyun Prefecture; it is not a separately established Ya Men, but rather sits in a remote corner at the southeast of the Prefectural Office, a place where few people usually come.

Furthermore, it was already night, and the entire Guanxing Ge was submerged in pitch-black darkness.

At this moment, a black streak of light was seen flashing out from within the Guanxing Ge, flickering past, and shooting into the flower hall in the back courtyard of the Prefectural Office.

Inside this flower hall, a candle lamp was lit, the main door was tightly shut, and there was a Guard standing watch at the entrance.

Prefecture Master Wang Maochun, wearing casual clothes, and another middle-aged man wearing a green gown, had already been standing respectfully inside the flower hall.

Zhu He arrived suddenly, like a ghost, and stopped in front of the two men.

The two felt a blur before their eyes, and then saw Zhu He, who was wearing a Daoist robe, had already landed in the flower hall; the two immediately knelt.

Zhu He said, "Stop with these useless formalities, speak directly to the point."

As Zhu He spoke, he sat straight down on a grand armchair not far away, picked up the ginseng tea on the side table, and took two sips.

The two men stood up immediately upon hearing this.

Wang Maochun hunched his waist and said, "I just received a document issued by the Sect's Elder Council, ordering this subordinate to pack the materials recorded in Taihe Tower regarding the officials and Gentry into boxes and carts, and to mobilize the Privy Council's iron cavalry to escort them to the Sect."

Zhu He nodded and said, "Mm, just follow the instructions."

Wang Maochun hesitated slightly and said, "It's just that..."

"Speak!" Zhu He frowned slightly; he hated people who were hesitant and long-winded the most.

"Yes!" Wang Maochun said, "After this subordinate took over the defense of Taihe Tower, I took inventory of the materials there and discovered that the records for officials of the third rank and above were missing."

Zhu He's expression shifted. "Missing the ones for third rank and above?"

"Correct!" Wang Maochun said, "This subordinate surmises that the records for officials of the third rank and above were likely collected by Lord Duan."

Zhu He nodded. Duan Rong did not know that Wang Maochun was one of their people; collecting the records of officials of the third rank and above before handing over the defense was indeed a wise move.

Zhu He said, "Since Duan Rong collected them, he will handle them himself; you don't need to worry about it."

"Yes!" Wang Maochun cupped his hands and took a step back.

Zhu He turned his head to look at the person beside Wang Maochun and said, "You speak!"

That person's expression shifted, and he stepped forward.

This person was none other than the Attendant from the Inner History Department who had entered Shenyun Prefecture together with Duan Rong.

This was not the first time Zhu He had seen them, and both knew Zhu He's temperament; speaking with him was always swift and decisive, only stating the key points.

Not long after, the two had finished their report; Zhu He did not even offer a greeting, stood up, and left. Before the two could even offer a respectful send-off, Zhu He's figure had already vanished from the flower hall.

High above Shenyun Prefecture, Zhu He once again transformed into a black streak of light, which traced a steep curve and landed on a certain rooftop.

That roof was not high, just an elegant residence, and on the large bluestone in the courtyard, a person was sitting there drinking.

This was the Separate Courtyard of Zhu Zhengfu, the place where Duan Rong lived.

Before Zhu He had even landed, his Divine Sense had already swept through the house; Duan Rong had not yet returned.

A journey of over thirty miles was merely a blink of an eye for Zhu He and Gu Daoling, but it was not that fast for Duan Rong. Although he had achieved the Qi Refining Realm, he still needed landing points to borrow force when executing his movement techniques.

Since Duan Rong had not yet returned, Zhu He stood on the roof and waited for a while; it was not long before a figure walked into the gate of the Separate Courtyard in the night.

Duan Rong walked into the gate of the Separate Courtyard, and Chou Luan was sitting on the large bluestone drinking sullen wine.

Duan Rong walked in slowly, and Chou Luan did not speak, just kept pouring wine down his throat.

Just at this moment, a cough suddenly came from the roof of the Separate Courtyard. "Ahem!"

Duan Rong and Chou Luan both felt their hearts jump, and almost simultaneously, they looked up toward the roof. They saw that under the flowing light of the stars and moon, an old man wearing a loose Daoist robe stood against the wind; the night breeze gently lifted his hair, beard, and the edges of his robe, giving him quite a bit of an immortal, transcendent air.

Chou Luan jumped up with a start and shouted, "Who is it?!"

Chou Luan was the Guard of this Separate Courtyard, yet he had not noticed how long that person had been standing on the roof; he had been completely unaware. If not for that person's light cough, he would not have even discovered him at this moment. How could he not be shocked?!

While Chou Luan was shocked, he heard Duan Rong beside him call out, "Master!"

Zhu He drifted down from the roof, landed in the open space before the house door, and glanced at Chou Luan with an unkind expression before looking at Duan Rong and saying, "What? Your master has been drinking the wind on the roof waiting for you for a long time, and you won't even invite me inside to sit."

Duan Rong said, "This disciple did not know Master would come, and returned late. Master, please enter!"

Duan Rong ushered Zhu He into the house, used a Fire Folder to light the candle lamp, and said, "The serving maid is not here, and no one has prepared tea. Master, please wait a moment, I will go boil some tea."

Zhu He said, "No need, just pour me a cup of the clear water in that pot."

Upon hearing this, Duan Rong took the porcelain pot and poured a cup of clear water, presenting it respectfully before Zhu He. Zhu He took a sip, looked at Duan Rong, and said, "Sit there, I have something to tell you."

Duan Rong then sat on a chair below.

Zhu He said, "This chess game to topple Ge Rusong was actually played by the two of us, master and disciple, together."

Duan Rong said, "This disciple would not dare; this disciple was trapped within it and has always only had a partial understanding."

Zhu He smiled and said, "No need to be overly modest. Although this chess game was deduced by me, the process was carried out on your shoulders. In any step of it, as long as you collapsed, this chess game would have collapsed!"

Duan Rong's expression tightened upon hearing this. Zhu He was right. Although this chess game was exquisite, without a key piece capable of swaying the entire situation, it would have been nothing more than a dead game. And he was that key piece.

As Zhu He spoke, his expression suddenly dimmed, and he said, "However, even a wise man makes a mistake. That Ge Rusong possessed a treasure like the Mani Bead was something I did not anticipate. Therefore, tonight, I let you face life-threatening danger."

When Zhu He reached this point, he looked deeply at Duan Rong.

Duan Rong's heart stirred slightly; if he had any resentment toward Zhu He, it was precisely on this point—tonight, he had truly almost died.

Duan Rong said, "It was dangerous but ultimately safe, so Master need not worry. Everything always has risks."

Zhu He said, "However, even if that Mani Bead had truly isolated you, Ge Rusong still could not have killed you. I had already instructed Gu Daoling, who was lurking in the dense forest, that if you were in danger, he would intervene."

In truth, Zhu He was lying about this; he had never instructed Gu Daoling to intervene to save Duan Rong, because he and Chu Qiushan were not far from Duan Rong, and not knowing that Ge Rusong had the Mani Bead, he felt that Duan Rong was very safe.

He had Gu Daoling lie in ambush to prevent Ge Rusong from escaping; he was worried that Chu Qiushan would be angry and refuse to act, and in a one-on-one situation, he might not be able to stop Ge Rusong.

Duan Rong's eyes flashed, and he said in a deep voice, "Master first gifted me the Yinlu Cicada for self-protection, and then instructed Uncle-Master to protect me; what virtue or ability does this disciple have to deserve this?!"

Duan Rong knew that these words of Zhu He were half-true and half-false; the original words Gu Daoling said to Chu Qiushan were to act according to the situation. As for whether his being in danger counted as a situation, that would depend on Gu Daoling's judgment at that time.

However, that Zhu He was willing to tell him these things meant he was still considering the bond between master and disciple, and was guiding him because he feared he would be unable to let it go. Duan Rong was still moved in his heart.

Zhu He's eyes suddenly flashed with a strange light as he looked at Duan Rong and said, "Duan Rong! Although Fan Hongjiao and Wu Shidao have their respective strengths, not one of them can inherit my mantle. I say this because I don't want you to belittle yourself. The burden on your shoulders is not as light as you think!"

Duan Rong's heart skipped a beat, not knowing why Zhu He suddenly said this.

Zhu He said, "Do you still remember the Attendant from the Inner History Department who came with you when you entered Shenyun Prefecture this time?"

Duan Rong's eyes flickered, and he said, "This disciple remembers!"

Zhu He said, "For these many years, I have also built a vast intelligence network in this secular world. If not for this, it would have been impossible to stay one step ahead of Ge Rusong at every turn."

Duan Rong echoed, "Master, your foresight is profound; it is indeed as it should be!"

Zhu He said, "Do you know who that Attendant from the Inner History Department who entered Shenyun Prefecture with you is?"

Duan Rong's expression startled, and he looked at Zhu He. Zhu He kept mentioning that Attendant, so clearly this person's identity was of great significance. Originally, Duan Rong thought that person had only come with a certain mission, but now it seemed he had likely underestimated him.

Zhu He said, "He is the head of that intelligence network I have in the secular world."

Duan Rong let out an "ah," a flash of astonishment crossing his face.

Zhu He said, "This person's identity is secret. Neither Fan Hongjiao nor Wu Shidao has ever met him. I had him enter Shenyun Prefecture with you as a deliberate arrangement. Because, sooner or later, you two were bound to meet."

"Sooner or later bound to meet?!" Duan Rong repeated Zhu He's words, savoring the deep meaning within them.

"Correct!" Zhu He said, "I am determined to become the next Sect Master. After I become Sect Master, the only person who can assist me is you! At that time, I will hand this vast intelligence network over to you."

"Hand it over to me?" Duan Rong's heart trembled. This vast intelligence network was undoubtedly one of the greatest trump cards in Zhu He's hands; he was actually willing to hand it over to him.

Duan Rong stared blankly at Zhu He; it was still that familiar face, but at this moment, he felt he could no longer quite understand Zhu He.

Zhu He sighed and said, "If not for the matter of the Mani Bead tonight, which threatened your life, I would not have been prepared to tell you this now. When you see that Attendant again in the future, you will naturally understand my intentions."

Duan Rong immediately knelt on the ground, cupped his hands, and said, "Master, the matter of the Mani Bead is already in the past; this disciple has no more burdens in his heart!"

What Duan Rong said at this moment was sincere. Zhu He had told him so much precisely because he feared he would harbor resentment; how could he not know that? Behind Zhu He's words lay such deep affection—people are not made of wood or stone, how could they be unfeeling? How could Duan Rong not be moved?

"Good!" Zhu He stood up, looked at Duan Rong with clear eyes, and pulled him up with one hand.

At this moment, the master and disciple looked into each other's eyes, their hearts in accord, with no more shadows or grudges.

Zhu He squeezed Duan Rong's shoulder and said, "You handled the errand at Shenyun Prefecture extremely well. From now on, not only must you handle affairs, but you must also intensify your cultivation! I will spur you on! And I will support you!"

"Many thanks, Master!" Duan Rong said, cupping his hands.

"Between us master and disciple, there is no need for thanks!" Zhu He laughed, "I have other matters, so I am leaving now!"

"This disciple will see you off, Master!"

"No need to be so long-winded!" Zhu He said, already stepping outside the door.

He stood at the doorway, his eyes flickering as he looked at Chou Luan, who was sitting cross-legged on a large bluestone, pouring wine down his throat. He shouted, "Drink less! Were you brought here to be a Guard, or were you brought here to drink? I was standing on the roof, and you kept drinking, and you're still drinking now?!"

After finishing, Zhu He shot a glare at Chou Luan before suddenly transforming into a streak of black light, shooting off into the pitch-black night sky.

Duan Rong stood there, cupping his hands toward the night sky, his eyes flickering.

Chou Luan had been drinking, and being suddenly shouted at by Zhu He, he almost choked. He grinned and said, "This old man is really overbearing!? Lord Duan didn't say anything, yet he starts shouting!"

Duan Rong stared blankly at the night sky, remaining motionless for a long time.

A scholar dies for one who understands him!

The words from this night allowed him to see something in Zhu He—something called leadership charisma.

One who has thunder in his chest but a face like a calm lake can be worshipped as a great general. A face like a calm lake does not mean having a paralyzed face in front of everyone, but rather being able to live normally—smiling warmly, laughing, or scolding—just like Zhu He had just shouted at Chou Luan.

This conversation was very important to Duan Rong. He knew Zhu He's cultivation was high and his thoughts were profound; it was possible this conversation contained some half-true and half-false information.

This conversation was important to him tonight because it confirmed one thing: Zhu He was a person worth following. This was already vastly different from his previous idea of just "hugging a thigh." A feeling of wholehearted devotion, he knew not why, was already spreading within Duan Rong's chest...

Having lived two lives, he would actually have such feelings; even Duan Rong himself was startled.

It seems his blood had not yet completely cooled... Because of a game of chess and a conversation, the master and disciple were already devoted to one another.

High above, Zhu He was also in a great mood.

At this moment, strange light flickered in Zhu He's eyes, and he muttered, "Duan Rong, I hope that between us master and disciple, we will not fail one another!"

Although Wang Maochun had said in the back parlor of the Prefectural Office that Duan Rong had organized the records for officials of the third rank and above, Zhu He had not mentioned a single word about this matter when he saw Duan Rong.

Since he had handed it to Duan Rong to manage, he would not ask about it again. He believed Duan Rong would naturally handle it well.

Zhu He transformed into a streak of black light and landed inside Guanxing Ge.

He walked slowly into the room, which was lit by a bean-sized flame. Gu Daoling said, "The tea has been brewed for a long time; why have you only just arrived?"

"I was delayed by something." Zhu He walked to a chair not far from Gu Daoling and sat down.

Gu Daoling lifted the pot to pour him a cup of tea and said, "Taste it."

Zhu He picked up the teacup, took two casual sips, and set it down; he hadn't come to find Gu Daoling to drink tea in the first place.

Zhu He said, "Junior Brother, you have also advanced to the late stage of the Dongming Realm. As Sect Master Chu said, it is time to return to the mountain to see the Ancestor."

Gu Daoling, however, sipped his tea with an air of detachment and said, "In a while!"

Zhu He glanced sideways at Gu Daoling; he felt this Junior Brother was stalling him again, so he said, "How long is 'in a while'?"

Gu Daoling said, "I haven't seen the Ancestor for decades; if I visit suddenly, I must prepare some gifts."

Zhu He was startled. Hearing his tone, it seemed this kid really wanted to go, so he said, "If you really want to go, leave the matter of the gifts to your Senior Brother!"

Gu Daoling smiled slightly and said, "Then I won't stand on ceremony!"

Zhu He laughed, "As if there were ever a time you stood on ceremony with me?"

Gu Daoling also knew that Zhu He had many connections, unlike himself, who was empty-handed. "Between fellow disciples, it should be like this!"

Zhu He said, "When you need me, it's 'it should be like this.' When I need you, it's all this nonsense."

"Senior Brother, aren't you holding a grudge against me too much?!"

"Enough, I'm leaving; I don't have time to chat with you. Get the gifts ready, and I will have someone notify you."

As Zhu He said this, he prepared to stand up.

Gu Daoling suddenly said, "Wait a moment, Senior Brother. You said on the mountain in the suburbs that that kid Duan Rong has already grasped an Artistic Conception! Is that really the case?"

Gu Daoling was brooding over this matter because he himself had grasped an Artistic Conception when he was just at the Great Perfection of the Qi Refining Realm, which had caused a sensation at the time. One must know that the embryo of an Artistic Conception, that is, the sprout, cannot condense Blade Radiance; only when it has a prototype can one begin to condense Blade Radiance.

As the Artistic Conception becomes Round and Harmonious and deepens, the Blade Radiance will also become increasingly solid.

This point is also the main axis of cultivation in the Qi Cyclone Realm.

Gu Daoling knew better than anyone the events he had personally experienced; he knew how he had stumbled into condensing Blade Radiance at the time, and upon reviewing it himself, he believed it was fundamentally impossible to replicate. Even if he were to turn back time himself, it would be impossible to condense Blade Radiance again, so when he heard Zhu He say that Duan Rong had comprehended Artistic Conception and condensed Blade Radiance at the Origin Qi Realm Fourth Layer, he was naturally greatly shocked and found it hard to let go.

Zhu He was slightly stunned, looked at Gu Daoling, and said, "Do you know of the Kongming Realm?"

"The Kongming Realm?!" Gu Daoling was startled in his heart.

(End of this chapter)