Capítulo 1213: Chapter 465: Gu Qing Chooses the Prudent Path
The small pavilion at the mountain top.
Gu Qing stood with his hands hanging down.
In front of the tea table, Zhao Hansheng used Mana to infuse the Jade Slip, revealing a battle scene—a fight between Gu Qing’s portrait clone and Ning Zhuo’s Golden Core Puppet.
Gu Qing pressed his lips tightly, his eyes bloodshot, watching the battle scene in midair, all of which was a painful memory for him!
“Ning Zhuo, this scoundrel, so despicable and shameless!”
“To use such deceit, to trick me!”
“Detestable, hateful to the extreme!”
Gu Qing suffered a great, silent loss. He had originally thought it was a “battle of understanding.” Now, wanting to hold Ning Zhuo accountable for the breach, he didn’t have any contract, not even a verbal or Divine Sense exchange.
Gu Qing looked at the battle scene in front of him and reviewed the entire battle process.
He realized he had fallen into a trap from the very beginning.
“No, more accurately, I was caught in the trap the moment I received Ning Zhuo’s reply!”
“This guy has been acting, making me think he would maintain the same understanding as me.”
“Then at the start of the battle, he even deliberately used only Martial Combat, subtly indicating through sparring that it would be an understanding battle. It was all a trap to lull me!”
But there’s one thing Gu Qing couldn’t understand.
Why?
Why did Ning Zhuo harbor such hostility towards him and deal with him to such an extent?
All along, Gu Qing thought Ning Zhuo would be his potential ally. Because putting himself in his place, he would also be pleased to meet friends like Zhao Hansheng and Gu Qing.
Yet, this battle revealed Ning Zhuo’s identity as an enemy completely.
The Spell played out to the end; Gu Qing saw his portrait clone frozen in a massive ice block again.
“Insidious, truly too insidious.”
Gu Qing was so angry that he trembled slightly, wishing time could be reversed so he could handle it carefully next time and defeat Ning Zhuo completely.
In contrast, Zhao Hansheng watched with great interest.
He even watched the final battle scene over and over again.
This seemingly humiliating act forced Gu Qing’s eyes to fill with bloodshot, and his body trembled more violently. Gradually, however, Gu Qing calmed down miraculously.
Zhao Hansheng took in Gu Qing’s state completely, and only when the time was right did he smile softly: “Qing’er, isn’t this journey and experience of yours meant to teach you such lessons?”
These words were like a bucket of ice water, completely calming Gu Qing down.
Gu Qing’s breathing returned to normal, and he bowed slightly: “Teacher, you are right. I will be extremely cautious when encountering such situations in the future.”
Zhao Hansheng pointed his finger at the final battle scene: “Even if Ning Zhuo hadn’t used tactics, or if his tactics failed, you still might not have won.”
Gu Qing: ?!
He hurried to look carefully at the battle scene in midair.
Zhao Hansheng kindly started to replay it. The replay was brief, only at the final moment of the battle.
After three replays, Gu Qing’s expression changed again, a look of shock appearing on his face.
“At the last critical moment, Ning Zhuo’s Golden Core Puppet burst forth with a mysterious power.”
“This power, compared to before, wasn’t large in scale, but it hid a qualitative change.”
“Therefore, it won in the final battle, freezing my clone completely!”
“He…what means did he use?”
Zhao Hansheng: “From just this Jade Slip, this method has some traces of Divine Skills, almost like the use of Innate abilities.”
Gu Qing frowned: “Is this possible? A Mechanical Puppet isn’t a real living being. Besides, most living beings also lack Innate abilities.”
Zhao Hansheng shook his head slightly: “We can’t see much more at the moment. However, in the present Golden Age of Cultivation, new Cultivation Hundred Skills emerge endlessly. Ning Zhuo’s foundation is obviously extraordinary, having some unique skills is normal.”
Gu Qing showed a look of shame: “Teacher, I lost my reason, and after this battle, I was immersed in hatred, losing even basic judgment.”
Zhao Hansheng: “It’s fine as long as you calm down. Next, how should you respond?”
Gu Qing squinted his eyes, falling into deep thought.
As he analyzed more deeply in his heart, his face grew more somber.
After a long time, he spoke in a hoarse voice: “Teacher, my current situation is very troublesome.”
“Ning Zhuo defeating me with a plan is one thing.
“The key is that, in the end, he used this battle’s achievements as a benchmark, forcing other geniuses to fight against me.”
“This is an open scheme, a development beloved by the masses.”
“I’ve been placed on the fire, this high platform and rack, and it’s very hard for me to come down!”
Zhao Hansheng said nothing, simply watching his student with calm eyes.
Gu Qing gritted his teeth: “The upcoming fight cannot be taken back. It’s not just that the challenge has already been sent out, but also because I’ve publicized my intentions to the masses. If I back down now, my reputation will be completely ruined.”
“Therefore, I must fight with all my strength, show what I’m made of, and prove my prowess to everyone.”
He paused for a moment and continued, “Though this is exactly what Ning Zhuo wants to see, I have no choice but to proceed.”
The thought of having to follow the script laid out by Ning Zhuo made him feel extremely uncomfortable.
This situation is undoubtedly very passive.
But Gu Qing had no other choice as he had fallen into Ning Zhuo’s trap.
Zhao Hansheng deliberately asked, “Have you not considered finding a suitable opponent to reach a tacit understanding with them for staging a fierce and lasting battle? On one hand, proving your strength, and on the other, breaking Ning Zhuo’s time trap?”
Gu Qing nodded: “Teacher, I have considered it.”
“However, I found no suitable counterpart.”
“The ones I sent the challenge to are mostly from the Righteous Path. They all have their own influential backgrounds in Flying Cloud Country. They have too many concerns, and my standing is not enough to make them risk their reputation for a tacit battle with me.”
“As for the few from the Demon Path and Evil Sect, I don’t trust them!”
Zhao Hansheng nodded, feeling satisfied with this small test result. He sighed, “As newcomers, not being familiar with the surroundings puts us at a disadvantage.”
“Our actions are thus constrained.”
“Nevertheless, it’s even more important for us to gain control over the Confucian Cultivator Group here.”
Gu Qing pondered, “We severely lack reliable and effective intelligence. Until now, I still have no idea why Ning Zhuo opposes me. Looking at it now, there might be some hidden story behind the two previous Xingyun Trials hosted by the Confucian Cultivator Group.”
At this thought, a name suddenly popped into Gu Qing’s mind.
His eyes brightened, just about to speak when Zhao Hansheng preempted him, “Are you thinking of obtaining related inside information from Situ Gu?”
Zhao Hansheng shook his head: “I’ve already asked. Situ Gu stated that he couldn’t answer me.”
Gu Qing showed a hint of surprise: “Situ Gu aspires to Huazhang Country and was the first Confucian Cultivator we won over. His very response to you, Teacher, already tells us a lot.”
Gu Qing clapped his fist into his palm: “So that’s it. It is likely that the heads of the two Confucian small trials were built around Ning Zhuo. Thus, when we intercepted the third Xingyun Trial, it triggered Ning Zhuo’s hostility!”
Zhao and Gu, experienced in the Righteous Path, quickly recognized the plot after their analysis.
Even without evidence, they feel this speculation is quite close to the truth!
Zhao Hansheng asked a critical question: “The upcoming fight in the Martial Arts Hall is crucial. Who are you planning to choose?”
Gu Qing once again sank into thought.
After Ning Zhuo’s first reply, several others also replied one after another. Some declined, but more accepted.
“Talents from the Demon and Evil Paths are immediately ruled out. They are not to be trusted and would only seek to step over me, disregarding any rules.”
“Among the Righteous Path… Although rumors say Situ Xing is at odds with Ning Zhuo, it cannot be fully trusted. Ning Zhuo is too cunning; what if it’s a scenario he deliberately set up in advance?”
“In my opinion, Zhu Fenxiang is the most reliable option.”
“On one hand, the Zhu Family is a traditional Righteous Influence, well-versed in the rules and skilled at upholding the Righteous Path’s dignity. On the other hand, the Zhu Family’s foundation is in Divine Summoning Technique and differs from other forces and organizations. They are better at maintaining interpersonal and divine relationships.”
“Lastly, Zhu Fenxiang recently had a fierce battle with Situ Xing, barely winning.”
“Even if Ning Zhuo is at odds with Situ Xing, it’s merely an internal conflict. He understands the bigger picture, which means Zhu Fenxiang must not be on his side!”
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Perhaps I can leverage this to form some sort of alliance with Zhu Fenxiang.”
Zhao Hansheng nodded: “If that’s the case, then go ahead.”
From an analytical standpoint, Gu Qing wasn’t wrong.
The duo suffered from a lack of intelligence. Of course, the relationship between Ning Zhuo and Zhu Fenxiang had already been leaked within the Zhu Family.
In a short while, the duo might very well find out.
While the two were discussing, a female cultivator with her true appearance concealed knocked on the door of Bluestone Cave Mansion.
“What brings this fellow cultivator here?” Chef opened the door.
The female cultivator, her face veiled in a thin gauze, had a full figure exuding nobility and grace. She handed over a visiting card without speaking.
Chef, noticing her extraordinary demeanor and the calm mystery in her actions, dared not neglect, immediately accepted the card, accompanied her for a while, and channelled mana to send the card flying to the depths of the cave mansion.
Ning Zhuo soon received this card.
His eyebrows shot up momentarily: “Zhu Fenxiang’s birth mother, Zhu Guizhi?”
“And specifically instructed me not to inform Zhu Fenxiang. What is the purpose behind this?”
Ning Zhuo immediately sensed something unusual.
“Is it because I learned the Zhu Family’s Divine Summoning Technique?”
“Regardless of the opponent’s purpose, meeting and discussing to inquire about their intentions comes first.”
He immediately halted his mechanical design for Snow-colored Girl·Hui, stood up, exited the cultivation room, and personally went to welcome Zhu Guizhi.
After all, the opponent is Zhu Fenxiang’s mother; by etiquette, he should do so.