[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-commanding-the-five-thunders-across-two-worlds":3,"chapter-commanding-the-five-thunders-across-two-worlds-commanding-the-five-thunders-across-two-worlds-chapter-5":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Commanding the Five Thunders Across Two Worlds",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2363133,4620,"Chapter 5: Chapter Five: The Wooden Carving","commanding-the-five-thunders-across-two-worlds-chapter-5",5,"\u003Cp>The silent mountain village, the ground littered with corpses, Gu Zhao standing frozen with a strange smile…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A light breeze stirred, crows cried mournfully; a corner of the green robe lifted, black powder drifted like willow fluff, reflecting dozens of scattered swords and spears…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Zhao looked around; the eyes peering through door and window cracks vanished instantly. A child’s sob surfaced, then was instantly muffled—only faint, indistinct whimpers remained, direction impossible to trace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Zhao, “…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Zhao was speechless. Was this the real-life version of something that could stop children from crying at night?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Squeak—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silence was broken once again by the oldest-looking elder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elder, leaning on the little girl, stepped out shakily, his gaze toward Gu Zhao cautious and careful: “Old man humbly greets the Master. Thank you, Master, for slaying the ghost and saving our lives!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In contrast to the elder’s caution, the little girl’s eyes fixed on Gu Zhao with unreserved admiration and excitement, her clear pupils glowing as if lit from within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Zhao glanced at the pile of black ash, then looked up at the sun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This world actually has ghosts—and they can appear in daylight?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Zhao shifted his gaze, organizing his words: “Though I arrived here by accident, since I happened upon this ghost causing harm, eliminating her was merely a matter of convenience. Old man, no need for thanks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elder glanced at Gu Zhao’s bare feet, then pretended to notice nothing, nodding repeatedly as he bowed and invited: “Master, you’ve labored to slay the ghost. If you don’t mind, please rest inside. Let old man serve you tea.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Zhao wanted to probe this world’s truths. The elder before him clearly knew much, and Gu Zhao had saved their lives—wasn’t he the perfect source of information?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, under the elder’s invitation, Gu Zhao entered the house to rest, chatting casually with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elder’s surname was He, the oldest and most respected man in the village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little girl beside him was He Xiuniang, He’s granddaughter, orphaned of both parents, raised solely by him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Gu Zhao and He chatting amiably, the villagers gradually emerged. The bold ones bowed to Gu Zhao, then went to gather the bandits’ corpses; the timid ones lingered nearby, watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This place is Cuishan Village. The mountain behind us is Cuiluo Mountain. Beyond, mountains stretch endlessly, hiding many mountain strongholds and outlaws.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He explained, “But those outlaws follow rules—they never prey on their own neighbors, and we have nothing of value. This time, I don’t know how it happened…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not far ahead lies the imperial road. Thirty li east is Xiuyue County; over a hundred li west is Wuhe County. If Master wishes to reach Changping Prefecture, head northwest,” He added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Zhao nodded. The mini-map activated, illuminating three towns besides the starting point: Changping Prefecture, Wuhe County, Xiuyue County.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Zhao conversed with He, listening more than speaking, organizing the information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t seem surprised at all, and went out of his way to explain everything he knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A farmer dressed man entered the house cautiously, bowed to Gu Zhao, greeted He, then gently placed a bundle on the table between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, these are the gold and silver taken from the bandits. We haven’t touched a single coin.” The man spoke respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Zhao blinked, then lifted the bundle. Inside lay scattered copper coins, two standard silver ingots, and five or seven crude brass and silver ornaments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm… worth next to nothing in the modern world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering he might need them later, Gu Zhao took two silver ingots and a handful of copper coins, then pushed the rest toward He: “The rest is yours to distribute.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew Gu Zhao had no interest in such trinkets and accepted without protest, handing the bundle back to the farmer: “Give more to families whose homes were smashed hardest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!” The farmer beamed, bowed again to Gu Zhao, then ran out with the bundle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Xiuniang passed the farmer, holding a pair of leather boots, freshly washed, still damp with water droplets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master!” He Xiuniang blinked her bright eyes, hopeful: “I found a pair that fits you. I’ve cleaned them…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough!” He startled, scolding her: “How dare you comment on how the Master dresses?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Xiuniang flinched, startled and at a loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Zhao was equally confused—why had He suddenly become angry?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quickly turned and apologized: “Xiuniang is still young and speaks without thought. Master, please forgive her!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s fine, it’s fine,” Gu Zhao waved his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Gu Zhao’s gentle nature and He Xiuniang’s tear-filled, pitiful expression, He softened. He explained to her: “Master is young, yet he subdues demons and expels ghosts with a single strike, slaying the female ghost effortlessly. In a few days, even fiercer spirits won’t stand against him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Xiuniang half-understood. Gu Zhao suddenly realized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So He thought he’d encountered a powerful ghost, been driven into retreat, stripped to his undergarments, even lost his shoes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm… so little regard for him? Should he give He a little electric therapy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now Gu Zhao understood why He asked nothing and went out of his way to describe the surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Zhao chuckled, offering no explanation. Instead, he took the boots from He Xiuniang and smiled warmly: “Thank you, Xiuniang. Barefoot is indeed less comfortable than wearing shoes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Xiuniang beamed instantly, two dimples appearing on her cheeks: “Master likes them? That’s wonderful!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh! And this too!” He Xiuniang said, reaching into her robe and pulling out a wooden carving, about twenty centimeters tall, offering it to Gu Zhao: “Only this was found on the female ghost’s clothes. Perhaps Master can use it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Zhao took it. The carving depicted a handsome man clad in armor, cloak billowing, a jewel atop his head, standing on clouds, one hand raised, one pressed down, dual swords in hand, majestic and awe-inspiring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carving had a red base with golden patterns. As Gu Zhao examined it, he saw two characters carved on the base: [Jin Feng]. And…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Zhao sensed this carving was no ordinary object—its surface faintly shimmered with energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This energy seems to leak outward, and within, it’s saturated with it—almost spiritual in nature,” Gu Zhao felt his spiritual sense, where the Five Thunder Talisman resided, tremble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He probed gently. The spiritual energy was impure, laced with chilling darkness—similar to the power the green-robed woman had wielded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could this be her magic treasure?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hadn’t even had time to activate it before I obliterated her with a Palm Thunder?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Zhao: (◔◡◔)\u003C\u002Fp>",1094,"2026-06-21T06:19:08.116Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","d56cb7bd847e0147e621d21f9d04f91c1777d71ffaa27bab3812e2ae90298745","commanding-the-five-thunders-across-two-worlds-chapter-6","commanding-the-five-thunders-across-two-worlds-chapter-4",141,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fcommanding-the-five-thunders-across-two-worlds-cover.jpg"]