Chapter 257 : Using Oneself as Bait
Chapter 257: Using Oneself as Bait
“This Qingfeng City truly lives up to its name—flourishing with merchants and commerce, open and progressive. It's quite different from other places.”
At noon, an uncle and nephew duo strolled down the streets of Qingfeng City. They watched the bustling merchants and listened to the hawking of the vendors by the street. Some young men and women even walked hand in hand openly.
Such scenes were unimaginable in the capital.
The young man kept his gaze straight ahead and asked, “Master, why are you so certain that Seventh will come here?”
“Just a guess.”
These two were members of the Gu Family—Gu Haoran and Gu Zhengshan.
Gu Zhengshan humbly asked for guidance. “I hope Master will enlighten me.”
He knew he lacked experience in the martial world, and this trip was the perfect chance to gain tempering under his master's wing.
Seeing his eagerness to learn, Gu Haoran felt gratified and said, “Do you still remember where Du Rusong last appeared?”
“Outside Jiangzhou City. He was chasing two women but was stopped by that person beside Princess Mingyu.”
“And why do you think Du Rusong wanted to kill those two women?”
“To silence them?”
It had been more than half a month since the incident in Huanshou Mountain. The Six Doors Authority of Xiazhou had already investigated thoroughly.
Four third-grade Gold-Robed Inspectors were dead, a direct descendant of the Gu Family had gone missing, and the first-grade Du Rusong had disappeared. Such losses were a grievous blow to Xiazhou.
Later, Du Rusong reappeared once, which naturally marked him as seriously negligent. Moreover, he had yet to return to report back to the Six Doors Authority, making him a suspected defector.
The court was furious—he was a first-grade, after all! Within the Six Doors, he was already considered high-ranking.
As a result, the court moved quickly and issued a wanted notice across all provinces. If found, he was to be captured immediately.
Gu Haoran said, “He has already defected. Instead of hiding, he risked showing up again—he must have a reason that forced him to kill those women. And that reason is most likely related to his dereliction of duty.”
With Du Rusong’s strength, capturing Xie Jianqiu shouldn’t have been difficult. Yet he ended up losing four third-grade subordinates, one second-grade, and a missing nephew.
Where was he at the time? Why did he stand by as his men were slaughtered?
There couldn’t be many things in this world capable of making him betray the Six Doors Authority.
The answer was already on the verge of emerging.
Gu Zhengshan gasped. “Could it be... for a spot to enter the Secret Realm?”
“Perhaps. Who knows? In any case, as long as we follow those two women, we’ll find Du Rusong. And once we do, we’ll naturally learn where Xiao Qi is.”
Gu Zhengshan nodded. “That girl from the Jiang Family is weak. That secret is most likely with the one surnamed Yuan.”
“This Yuan Ziyi is no ordinary person. So young, yet already a second-grade. She inherited the legacy of a Divine Repository Realm expert, gained acknowledgment from a Peerless Divine Weapon, and became the head of a sect. Even in such a treacherous place, she managed to escape unscathed. Truly impressive.”
Gu Haoran praised Yuan Ziyi lavishly. “It’s a pity none of our Gu Family’s younger generation are worthy of her. Otherwise, if someone could marry her, we might just secure a slot for the Immortal Abode during that palace banquet. If that happened, the Gu Family would have nothing to worry about in terms of prosperity.”
Gu Zhengshan said in surprise, “Master holds this girl in such high regard? But seizing a slot for the Immortal Abode is easier said than done. Those younger freaks—even though they’re just second-grade—already possess first-grade combat strength. As for those three who are first-grade, no need to even mention them. There are only five slots for the Immortal Abode.”
Gu Haoran also knew it was an unlikely dream. He shook his head. “Let’s hope Xiao Qi is safe. Among your generation, only he has a shot at reaching second-grade within the next five years in time for that palace banquet, and seizing that slim hope.”
As he spoke, he couldn’t help but sigh. “Sigh, Second Brother was too reckless. Even if he looked down on that son, he shouldn’t have exiled him to Xiazhou. Now, Xiao Qi’s life or death remains uncertain.”
“Maybe this exile was a blessing in disguise. Perhaps that’s how he broke through to third-grade. It could be his fate.”
“That Du better not have harmed Xiao Qi. Otherwise, hmph!”
“Master, that’s the Chen Residence. According to our informants, the woman surnamed Yuan went there.”
“Hmm. Let’s find somewhere nearby to stay first. Best not to confront Yu Haitang directly—she’s seen me before.”
“Understood.”
…
At the Chen Residence, during the banquet.
Chen Ming finally reunited with his elder brother Chen Rui and his sister-in-law Madam Wei.
His elder brother looked even more composed now, carrying an added air of authority. As Spring Harmony Hall’s business continued to flourish, his entire demeanor had transformed.
Madam Wei, in her gestures and manner, had begun to show the poise of a noblewoman.
Wealth truly nurtures people.
From their attire and lifestyle, it was clear that the Chen Residence was no longer what it used to be.
Much of this was thanks to Yu Haitang. Without her, the Chen Family wouldn’t have today’s fortune. His brother and sister-in-law might even be in prison.
After all, he had been suspected of being possessed by the Undying Demon Venerable and joining the Cult of Eternal Life. The entire family would have been implicated. Collective punishment was no joke.
His nephew Chen Lide had grown into a lanky teenager, nearly up to his shoulders. A shadow of black fuzz lined his upper lip, his face dotted with a few pimples, and his eyes were full of energy.
His niece Chen Lirong had also grown. Standing beside her mother, her jet-black eyes fixed on Chen Ming. Suddenly, she said something shocking.
“Mother, that sister looks a lot like Uncle!”
Madam Wei hurriedly said, “Don’t speak nonsense. This is Master Yuan, the head of a sect. Children speak without thinking—please don’t take offense, Master Yuan.”
Earlier, she had learned from the introductions that this stunning young woman was actually the head of Jin Yutang.
She was no longer the ignorant woman she once was. She now understood the various powers in Jiangzhou.
Jin Yutang was one of the top sects in Jiangzhou. The Chen Family couldn’t afford to offend them. It was only because of her sister-in-law that such an esteemed person had graced their home.
“No worries.”
Chen Ming spoke gently. He took out several small items from his robe and said, “Just some little trinkets for the younger ones, as meeting gifts.”
Chen Lide received a short sword. Upon drawing it, a cold gleam burst forth. He clearly loved it.
Chen Lirong got a porcelain doll, exquisitely crafted. The moment she laid eyes on it, she couldn’t look away and clutched it tightly.
Even the newborn nephew, Chen Lizhi, less than four months old, received a golden lock.
Madam Wei quickly said, “This is too much…”
Yu Haitang chimed in, “These are tokens of Master Yuan’s goodwill. Just accept them.”
Madam Wei quickly expressed her thanks. “Then many thanks to Master Yuan.”
After that, she invited Yuan Ziyi to the seat of honor, and everyone took their places.
Tonight was a family banquet.
Chen Ming not only saw his brother and sister-in-law and their children but also Wu Bofu, Liu Zhongda, and Hong Zilin.
Seeing them all safe and sound finally set his mind at ease.
…
That night, Chen Ming stayed at home.
The next morning, he left Qingfeng City alone.
He knew that the moment he left populated places like Qingfeng City or Jiangzhou City, Du Rusong would show up.
Du Rusong would suspect a trap, of course. But he would still come—because he had no other choice.
If he couldn’t seize that token quickly, become the master of the Secret Realm, and step into the Divine Repository Realm, Du Rusong would face endless pursuit.
The Six Doors Authority had zero tolerance for traitors—especially one of first-grade Purple-Robed rank. The bounties on such traitors were exceptionally high to lure bounty sabers into action.
Top-tier bounty sabers were rare—but there were still a few first-grade among them. These people didn’t want to be tied down by the Six Doors Authority and preferred the freedom of a saber for hire.
Normally, bounty sabers had no chance at gaining slots from the Six Doors Authority.
Unless a traitor like Du Rusong appeared.
Never underestimate their instincts. Unless Du Rusong fled beyond Great Jin’s borders, he would eventually be found.
And when that happened, the pursuit would never end.
Unless he broke into the Divine Repository Realm—then if he “explained himself,” the Six Doors Authority would gladly welcome him back.
The death of a few third-grade wasn’t trivial, but to a Scarlet-Robed expert beyond first-grade, it didn’t matter much.
Thus, Chen Ming was confident—Du Rusong would make a move.
He headed south. In less than a day, he arrived at Gu County, several hundred li away. Since he was back in Jiangzhou, he decided to settle an old matter while he was at it.
That evening, standing atop a hill and gazing at Gu County City in the distance, he suddenly said, “Lord Du is here!”
No words were exchanged—the greeting was a sword bathed in blood-red light.
This sword he had seen before, outside Jiangzhou City.
Back then, had it not been for that Divine Repository Realm expert beside Princess Mingyu, he would’ve been dead or severely injured.
But today was different!
Chen Ming drew his Taiyue Sword, glowing with a gentle yellow light, and met the incoming divine weapon head-on.
A thunderous clang exploded.
He was blasted backward, flying ten zhang before he could dispel the immense force.
Du Rusong’s strength was indeed more formidable than the second elder of Jin Yutang. He must be at the peak of first-grade.
“Well done, brat!”
From across the field, Du Rusong’s towering figure emerged, disbelief on his face.
“In less than a month, you actually broke through to second-grade and even blocked my sword. Who are you really?”
Hadn’t this brat just recently broken into third-grade? It had only been a month or two—how could he already reach second-grade?
This was absurd!
Back when he advanced from third to second-grade, it had taken him five whole years of honing his divine sense. Yet this brat had done it in less than two months?
How could that be?
Did he mistake the person? Was this woman really not Gu Xianyu?
It shattered everything he knew.
Chen Ming, composed and unhurried, said, “Only now you ask who I am? Too late. That day outside Jiangzhou City, you didn't even ask—you just tried to kill me. That debt—I will settle today.”