Chapter 105: I Come from Mount Shu, Wishing to Walk the Mount Shu Dao

"That is a madman."

Bordered by the starkly different wild grasses on either side, deep within an unnamed canyon, scorching heat waves rising against the wind whipped up gusts of dust and grit in the wake of the turbulent air pressure.

Here, the temperature was rising imperceptibly; beads of sweat had already appeared on some people's foreheads without them realizing it, yet amidst the increasingly tense atmosphere, few noticed this subtle change.

Passing with the wind, the thick horizon revealed a crimson glow like fire-clouds; as the sun set, the dim light of intertwined afterglows spilled toward the earth.

At this moment, everyone's gaze was fixed upon that incomparably thin figure in the chaotic wilderness.

He just walked step by step toward the end of the wilderness.

And behind him, no one dared to move anymore.

"That Demon Power is coming again!" Following one person's urgent voice, the scorched earth beneath their feet once again transmitted an unusual heat wave.

Clearly, this heat wave was even more terrifying than before; this surging, scorching "Demon Power" eroded everyone who stepped onto the edge of the scorched earth.

It was as if it could devour and ignite the faint thread of energy hidden within everyone's body, harassing them from the inside out.

Soon, a group of people wearing the same robes took their leave; knowing that the current drought was caused by a "demon" was enough, and as for how to deal with a demon of such formidable strength, that was a matter for the Pei Family, the actual rulers of Guanzhong, to ponder.

"This is likely not a mere monster," Zhang Tianze said with a bitter smile. "Seeing these strange phenomena, do you think this is something an ordinary monster could achieve?"

With his dignified Master-level cultivation, he had only managed to hold on for less than five breaths before retreating once again.

Pei Shijie found it hard to imagine how the madman, who had been covered in flames and in a burning state just moments ago, was able to advance deeper into such a painfully unbearable environment.

Among them, demons must obtain Spirit Qi through consuming human flesh and blood to improve their cultivation.

Pei Shijie immediately told the Celestial Master from Celestial Master Mansion before him every detail of the situation here.

With a sound like a cheer, Pei Shijie took a deep breath, squeezed out a smile, and said, "Celestial Master... the people from Celestial Master Mansion have finally arrived."

And now, the Northern Wei Imperial Family was controlled by the Pei Family; the entire Guanzhong was effectively the Pei Family's Guanzhong, and even if it was still in a state of slow encroachment, it would all fall into the Pei Family's hands sooner or later—it was just a matter of time.

Pei Shijie gritted his teeth and tried to step into that scorched earth again, but after just a few steps, he felt endless pain, like the stinging ache of a burn piercing into his bones.

After all, what did the life or death of the Pei Family or trouble in the Pei Family's territory have to do with them?

Pei Shijie's expression was unsightly.

Whether they were noble families or demons, to a certain extent, they all greatly needed ordinary people as labor to secure their livelihoods, so they would do their best to maintain the stability and prosperity of the cities under their rule.

The newcomer stroked his beard lightly, then cupped his hands toward Pei Shijie, "This humble Daoist is Zhang Tianze, here on behalf of Celestial Master Mansion."

The many affairs that the Third Branch was supposed to handle fell upon his shoulders.

Some clever demons understood the logic of being full for one meal versus being full for every meal; they would even deliberately raise humans to breed, satisfying their own cultivation standards or even their appetites.

If Pei Shijie ignored this issue that harmed the foundation of Guanzhong, given his eldest brother's temperament, he would never be let off lightly.

From beginning to end, noble families and demons actually did not care about the life or death of ordinary people; the reason they would not kill them all was simply that they needed these people to live—the value of these people alive was higher than dead, not that they could not be killed.

The pores all over his body felt as if they had been blocked by this Demon Power; his chest felt stifled, unable to release a breath, and his entire physical body felt as if it were being simmered in water.

He was slowly feeling this pain, also wanting to know to what extent this ball of fire could burn in the end.

Then this demon affecting the Pei Family and affecting Guanzhong must be handled properly.

As for the disciples of noble families, they needed ordinary people to dig for "Spirit Stone Remains" and plant some Spiritual Medicine to assist their cultivation; most importantly, they could enjoy a higher status than ordinary people.

"Lord Pei, what is the situation now? Can you describe it to this humble Daoist in detail?" Zhang Tianze asked with narrowed eyes.

Moreover, there were people willing to risk their lives now.

He might not even be willing to risk his own life for the Pei Family, let alone for these incomparably ordinary commoners.

Encountering such an incomparably bizarre situation, they could only be forced to look at each other in dismay while remaining where they were.

"Can you recognize what kind of monster this is?" Pei Shijie asked in a low voice.

But he hadn't expected it to be continuing to act as a dog for his eldest brother.

Facing this constantly spreading scorched earth, these gathered disciples of the Hundred Schools had to retreat outward once again.

At first, Pei Shijie thought it was some heaven-sent fortune falling upon the Second Branch, allowing him to skim some profit from the Third Branch.

Zhang Tianze pondered for a moment; he had already roughly understood the situation. He raised his hand and touched the piece of scorched earth on the ground, and as his hand touched a few withered grasses, they were immediately ignited by the powerful energy contained within them.

Therefore, when encountering such a life-threatening problem, many people were unwilling to bet their own lives to work for some nobodies.

"This is the Pei Family's territory, so we won't get involved."

"The people from Celestial Master Mansion have arrived!"

Because Guanzhong was a piece of fat in the Pei Family's mouth, it was impossible for them to let go at this juncture.

That they could come over to take a look could be called a moment of kindness.

If it really couldn't be solved, at worst, they would just let the idlers of Guanzhong suffer; it was impossible for them, the disciples of noble families, to be affected.

But Zhang Tianze frowned, enduring the pain in his hand.

This was only the outermost, outermost circle!

This matter should have been handled by the Third Branch's younger brother Pei Shihao and their own Red Workshop, but Pei Shihao had died at Qingmu Hall some days ago.

Including that madman who had charged straight into the depths of the wilderness.

If all the ordinary people were to die, then their high and mighty status would cease to exist.

Pei Shijie did not dare to be vague about this matter; he felt that it would be very difficult for him to go deep into this place.

He stood up and paused, "I shouldn't have said these words, but since your Pei Family is currently managing Guanzhong, then I have to say them."

"This strange phenomenon of scorched earth, this style—it is most likely the Drought God from myths and legends. You say she is a monster; she can be, but she is even more so the Drought God."

"My master said that when the Drought God appears in the world, the trend of the world will undergo a heaven-shaking change, and you Pei Family..." Zhang Tianze sighed and said no more.

"I am off—"

As his voice fell, Zhang Tianze's figure had already plunged into the wilderness; the burning scorched earth would bring boundless pain to people.

But it was not fatal.

This was what Zhang Tianze had just tested.

He only found it laughable that these disciples of the Hundred Schools, who vied for the world and thought themselves masters of the fate of millions, were not a single hero among them.

Not even willing to try, they already feel fear in their hearts.

At the same time.

Except for Long Xi, who had fallen asleep again, the attention of both Wang Qinghe and Jiu Jiu had been captured by the events triggered by Gu Jiangming in "Mie Changsheng."

Gu Jiangming is truly risking his life this time, challenging something he shouldn't be challenging.

If this Drought Demon truly has been sleeping for ten thousand years, then the other party is highly likely to be the first-generation Drought Demon, and the time she has existed in this world would only be longer.

Because the Drought Demon from ten thousand years ago had already lived for who knows how many years.

And on the screen.

Gu Jiangming has already met the living creature hinted at in "Mie Changsheng"—the Drought Demon.

She is not the appearance Gu Jiangming had previously imagined; she is not a harbinger of doom shaped like a little ghost, nor is she an image like a zombie from old-fashioned horror movies.

Dressed in green robes with flowing long hair, a faint veil covers her face; although Gu Jiangming cannot see her general features clearly, they are likely beautiful.

"Who are you?"

"Why have you come to see me?"

Her voice is very crisp, light and ethereal like a young girl's.

"I come from Mount Shu, wishing to walk the Mount Shu Dao." Gu Jiangming smiled and took the Wine Gourd hanging from his waist.

"I have come to make friends with you, Miss."

Hearing this, she laughed along, "Does this fire not burn you painfully enough? Are you hoping I will add some strength to it for you?"

"I see that this fire of yours... is not intended to take human life," Gu Jiangming said in a relaxed tone.

And as he said this, the Flame Fire that had been burning Gu Jiangming the entire way suddenly extinguished from his body.

"You are somewhat different from the others; we can indeed chat for a few moments."

Suddenly.

The figure of Zhang Tianze appeared.

He watched the flames on Gu Jiangming's body go from present to absent, and after a moment of hesitation, he immediately knelt down toward the location of the Drought Demon.

"I implore the great Drought Demon to withdraw your divine power and protect the peace of my Human Race—"

A trace of cold displeasure appeared in the Drought Demon's gaze; with just one short sentence, the other party had already committed two of her taboos.

She hates it most when others say such drought conditions are caused by her divine power, and she hates it most when others use the great righteousness of the Human Race to pass judgment.

She has heard such righteous rhetoric countless times.

Because of the nature of her divine office, she has been spurned and cursed by ten thousand people for countless years, but has anyone ever thought that she, too, was a god transformed from a human?

The drought is determined by the heavens; she is merely an executor under that command.

What wrong has she done?

Just because she possesses the power to bring drought to this land, should she be besieged and cursed?

Everything now is divine retribution; it is what these insolent people deserve.

Countless sudden bursts of irritable killing intent, accompanied by violent thoughts, swelled and expanded in her heart.

The Drought Demon forcibly suppressed the resentment in her heart, constantly centering her mind, wanting to calm the anger in her chest.

"I am willing to kneel here for a long time, seeking your forgiveness for the people of this land, great Drought Demon," Zhang Tianze said loudly once more.

"Then you may just kneel there," the Drought Demon said, suppressing her continuously accumulating hatred.

She shifted her gaze to Gu Jiangming and reached out her hand, taking the Wine Gourd that Gu Jiangming had placed on the ground.

"Actually, you are just like him, wanting to persuade me, right?"

"It's just that you are more cunning than him."

Just as the Drought Demon's voice stopped.

Gu Jiangming said with a sincere attitude: "I truly did want to offer some persuasion, but I also genuinely wanted to make friends with you, Miss."

"Because I still want to see the true face beneath this veil."

"I wonder if it is as beautiful as I imagine in my heart."

Such bold words.

The pupils of Zhang Tianze beside him shrank slightly.

Is this person truly not wanting his life anymore?!

The one before them is a Drought Demon!!!

That is a creature from legends, as recorded in myths!!!

It is a being that even the old Celestial Master and his own master are incomparably reverent toward the moment they speak of it!!!

What on earth is he trying to do?!

And at this moment.

The expressions of Wang Qinghe and Jiu Jiu darkened simultaneously.

Only, Jiu Jiu's expression was clearly even more gloomy.

Regarding this, Gu Jiangming had no good way out, because he had not found a better way to close the distance to discuss the matters he wanted to talk about.

With Zhang Tianze having already provided a failed example.

Gu Jiangming was forced to take an unconventional path.

This approach might be a little bit wicked... but not every friend eventually turns into a wife, and fundamentally speaking... this doesn't even count as flirting.

However, if he could truly befriend her, it would be a solid connection.

At this moment, the Drought Demon was also caught off guard by what Gu Jiangming said, although there was not the slightest change in her expression, as indifferent as ever.

But in the Drought Demon's heart, ten thousand waves had already been stirred up.

He... he he he, what kind of things is he saying?

Does he not know that I am a Drought Demon? Does he not know that I am the Drought God? Does he not know that I am the Yellow Emperor's Daughter?

Th-this. How could he dare to say this to my face.

And. And he even wants to see the face beneath my veil?!

(End of this chapter)