Longevity begins with slaying demons and eliminating demons

Chapter 561 Xiao Changshou

"These people are really anxious."

Gu Xu smiled, looked through the tables at random, remembered the names of the people on them, and then handed them to Luo Chuan's hand.

"They are all demoted from the Qi Dynasty," Luo Chuan said, "These people have never been in the emperor's core decision-making circle, and they have not made much contribution in this battle.

"In their opinion, if they don't take this opportunity to persuade them to come in and show their strength in front of the emperor, I'm afraid the emperor will forget about them soon."

Strange to say.

In the past, when someone rebelled in the wilderness, they would first give themselves official titles, such as "General So-and-so", "Gong So-and-so", and "King So-and-so". In this way, they could use this as a banner to recruit talents. Build a team.

But now Gu Xu, except for the grassland Khan and the leader of Qingming, does not have any serious official position.

Just like the bandit king in the mountains, he gathers a group of people from different backgrounds based solely on his personal reputation.

As for "Emperor", in fact, it was originally the honorific title given by the upper realm to powerful practitioners above the third level of the eighth realm. After arriving in the lower realm, it became the title "God" given to the gods by people.

The "Lord of the Heavenly Palace" represents Emperor Ziwei's past identity and authority in the upper world.

And the current rebel army, despite its huge momentum, is actually a grass-roots team without perfect rules and regulations.

For example, Luo Chuan was the chief assistant of the Qi Dynasty, the chief of the exorcism department, the censor of Zuodu of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and the chief eunuch of the ceremonial department.

Sometimes, seeing Luo Chuan doing so much work but not receiving a single penny of salary, Gu Xu would feel like a black-hearted capitalist who wanted to squeeze the labor force of his subordinates to death.

Of course, Luochuan never complained about this, and even enjoyed it very much.

In his opinion, it was his greatest honor to be the emperor's lackey; the more work the emperor asked him to do, the more he could prove his respect for him.

"Wenchang, what do you think?" Gu Xu pondered for a moment and asked.

"The veteran believes that the time is not yet ripe," Luo Chuan replied. "On the one hand, although the rebel army has won a great victory, its foundation is not stable and its system is incomplete. The Northern Territory, Grassland, Qingming, Daqi, etc. have been demoted. Several factions are secretly competing with each other. If they don't do things like dividing the credit, arranging seats, establishing rules, and determining the superiority and inferiority first, I'm afraid there will be endless troubles.

“On the other hand, the emperor may not care about those false gifts, but the power of incense to ascend to the ninth realm is extremely important to you.

"You are on the throne now, but you are just the leader of a separatist force. The incense you get is really limited. Maybe some ignorant people who stubbornly resist will regard you as a traitor and traitor.

"But after you completely overthrow the rule of Emperor Tianxing, if you announce the coming of a new era to the world with a grand ceremony that attracts the attention of the whole country and is full of etiquette and music, then all the living beings in the wilderness will put their palms together and their foreheads in respect. God."

"Just do as you say." Gu Xu nodded, agreeing with his point of view.

"However, Emperor," Luo Chuan paused and continued, "Although there is no rush to ascend the throne and proclaim himself emperor, since we have already called Da Qi a 'pseudo dynasty' and Xiao Zeyao a 'pseudo emperor', even Starting from Qi Taizu Xiao Shengyun, he denied the legitimacy of the Qi Dynasty.

"Then we should decide on a new country name as soon as possible. As a banner of orthodoxy, we should recruit wise people from all over the world to form a new political power."

"It makes sense," Gu Xu nodded in agreement again, "Does Wenchang have any suggestions on this?"

Although Gu Xu had discussed this matter jokingly with Zhao Yan when he was in the north, he felt that on such a major matter, he should still ask more of his subordinates and behave more like a do-gooding monarch. .

"The northwest territory was called Xia Di in ancient times," Luo Chuan thought for a while and replied seriously, "In my humble opinion, the emperor who made his fortune in the northwest should use 'Xia' as his country name."

"summer."

Gu Xu silently recited this word in his mind, and what he had seen and heard in "Guixu" reappeared in his mind, and he thought of the man in red robe who came to look for him on the order of the "Emperor of Great Xia".

This made him feel that in the torrent of destiny with countless forks, there may always be some things that are destined not to change.

After a brief silence, Gu Xu asked Luo Chuan about the situation of Da Qi's Imperial Master.

"Wenchang really lived up to my expectations and really captured Wang Gushi alive."

"How dare you neglect the emperor's entrustment?" Luo Chuan said, "It's just that Wang Jianzhen is so stubborn that he actually wants to ignite his true energy and commit suicide in front of me! Emperor Tianxing's stupid emperor can actually make him loyal to death! If I hadn't used the 'Tao Principle Domain' in time, I'm afraid he would have succeeded!"

"You've put him in the dungeon now, right?"

"That's right. I combined the ninety-nine 'Yuan Locking Talisman' that you designed before, Emperor, and turned it into the 'Nine Palaces Forbidden Array', which can lock his true power and prevent him from thinking about it again and seeking death."

"Take me to see him." Gu Xu was silent for a moment and said slowly.

In fact, Gu Xu's performance has always made Gu Xu feel a little strange. Gu Xu couldn't understand why Chi Yangzi, who was able to create the "Seven Styles of Burning Heaven", could teach a disciple so foolishly loyal to Da Qi?

Especially what the national master said on the battlefield, 'If you choose to surrender, you will live up to the master's last will and testament.'

Gu Xu was even more surprised.

In his opinion, Chi Yangzi gave up on ascension and became possessed. He undoubtedly saw through the truth that "the wilderness is a prison" and also saw the true face of Emperor Tianxing.

But in his last will and testament, he asked the imperial advisor to be loyal to the emperor.

Why is this?

Is he worried that his apprentice will do something stupid for revenge?

Or after discovering the truth and finding that the enemy is too powerful and invincible, he chooses to use lies to protect his apprentice?

Gu Xu was very curious.

His and Luo Chuan's figures quickly disappeared.

A moment later, the two appeared in the dark dungeon.

In the cage, Grand Master Da Qi was tied to a pillar by chains made of silver starlight. His hands and feet were bound by heavy shackles, leaving him no room to struggle.

In the air around him, dozens of ancient and mysterious runes were flying, flickering with faint light, like fireflies on a summer night.

And his face looked more weathered and haggard than before.

He closed his eyes tightly and seemed not to notice Gu Xu's arrival at all.

"Untie him, Wenchang." Gu Xu ordered.

"In case he wants to commit suicide or is harmful to you-" Luo Chuan frowned slightly.

"——With his strength, he can't turn it out of my palm," Gu Xu said lightly, "What's more, there is still you beside me."

The second half of Gu Xu's words full of trust made Luo Chuan feel particularly happy.

Luochuan obeyed the instructions and waved gently.

With a crisp sound, the shackles and chains instantly broke into countless pieces, and the light of the runes gradually dimmed, and soon completely disappeared into the darkness. Then, with a thought, Gu Xu exerted the power of "Qiankun".

The three of them were immediately transferred from the dark cell to the study of the mansion.

Gu Xu sat on the official hat chair behind the desk, with Luo Chuan standing beside him.

The Imperial Master stood opposite him, his eyes falling on Gu Xu's young face, as if he had thought of something, and his expression was a little dazed.

Luo Chuan was quite dissatisfied with the Imperial Master's dismissive attitude: "The Emperor was kind and released you from prison. Not only did you not thank the Emperor for his kindness, but you also dared to look directly at the Emperor——"

"——If the emperor is dissatisfied, just kill me." The imperial master said in a calm voice, looking like he didn't care about life and death.

However, despite the calm expression on his face, deep down in the Imperial Master's heart, he had seen too much of Luo Chuan's aloof and celestial demeanor in the past, but now he has turned into a flattering villain, and he still It's quite unaccustomed.

"Your Majesty is a virtuous man, and you don't have to abide by these false etiquette in front of him." Gu Xu first comforted Luo Chuan, then chuckled, looked at the Imperial Master and said, "Your Majesty, if I guessed correctly, you should have a lot of money now. You want to ask me a question, right?"

"The emperor is right," the Imperial Master pondered for a moment, then nodded and admitted, "I am indeed very curious about how the emperor knew the name 'Xiao Changshou'."

"Xiao Changshou..." Upon hearing the question from the Imperial Master, the smile on Gu Xu's face suddenly became a little meaningful, "If I said that I am Xiao Changshou, would you believe me?"

"Emperor, don't try to tease me." The Imperial Master looked at Gu Xu's too young face and frowned.

When he asked this question, he felt that he was fully prepared.

Even if Gu Xu told him, "Before I was reincarnated, I was a close friend with your Grandmaster Xiao Changshou," the Imperial Master thought that he should be able to accept it.

But the Imperial Master never expected that Gu Xu would say such words as "I am Xiao Changshou".

You know, last year when Gu Xu had just emerged in the art of talisman and seal script, the national master had imagined that he would take this talented young monk as his apprentice and pass on his mantle.

But now, Gu Xu suddenly became a "super senior"!

The Imperial Master found it very unbelievable, and for a moment he felt that Gu Xu was deliberately making fun of him.

"He really doesn't believe it," Gu Xu sighed softly and said to Luo Chuan next to him, "Wenchang, I still have to trouble you to get the evidence for me."

After hearing Gu Xu's words, Luochuan immediately disappeared.

When he appeared again, there was a small and exquisite jade pendant in his hand.

The Imperial Master immediately recognized that this jade pendant was a magical weapon specially made by the Exorcism Department of Daqi. Every practitioner in the Exorcism Department has one. It can be used to record images of the task execution process. It is an indispensable tool for calculating merit and studying ghosts. important information.

The jade pendant Luo Chuan brought once belonged to Shi Xiaohan. However, after Shi Xiaohan left Yishui County and went to Luojing City, the jade pendant was left in the Yishui Exorcism Department Yamen.

Luo Chuan tapped the jade pendant twice.

In an instant, the jade pendant shone brightly.

A young woman with a mourning bun, a beautiful face and tearful eyes, wearing a coarse linen mourning dress, instantly appeared in the image suspended in the air.

"Painted Skin Ghost..." The Imperial Master looked at this beautiful young woman and immediately recognized her true face.

"Are you two adults from the Exorcist Department? May I ask what your names are?" The Painted Skin Ghost asked in a gentle and pleasant voice, quite alluring.

Opposite the Painted Skin Ghost, stood the petite Shi Xiaohan, wearing a Qiyao suit and carrying a machete on his back, and Gu Xu, a thin and handsome man in a flowing blue shirt.

"The Exorcism Department is inspecting, Shi Xiaohan."

"I'm Xiao Changshou."

The two of them answered one after another.

As Luo Chuan gently tapped the jade pendant again, the image stopped abruptly.

The Imperial Master stared at the place where the image disappeared, his mouth grew slightly, his eyes were full of shock, and his whole body seemed to be petrified. He stood there for a moment, and then slowly came back to his senses.

"My Majesty Xiao Changshou... He is really Xiao Changshou..." His voice trembled slightly.

"'Xiao Changshou' is my pseudonym," Gu Xu looked at the astonished Imperial Master and said with a smile, "My lord, you should know that before I awakened the memory of my previous life, I thought that I If the bones are missing, it is likely to die young.

“So I practice desperately every day, hoping to reach the realm of a saint as soon as possible and reshape my body.

"Longevity was my biggest wish at that time."

"But," the Imperial Master took a deep breath and expressed his confusion. He even forgot to use the honorific for a while, "According to what you said, 'Xiao Changshou' is a pseudonym you acquired after reincarnation.

"But my master Chiyangzi passed away decades ago. If what you said is true, then how did you meet him and teach him the Taoism?"

"Has the prince ever been to the end of the East China Sea?" Gu Xu asked.

"No." The Imperial Master shook his head, wondering why Gu Xu suddenly mentioned this.

Ever since he became a minister of Da Qi, he had been working on state affairs day and night, fixing leaks and wiping the buttocks of corrupt officials who were just doing nothing. It was impossible for him to have the energy to explore the mysterious and dangerous end of the wilderness.

"At the end of the East China Sea, there is a large waterfall," Gu Xu slowed down and described, "The seawater from all over the world gathers here and falls into a bottomless valley.

"That place is called 'Return to the Ruins', which is the 'result of all causes', the 'place where all things return to unity', and the destination that all sentient beings will surely reach.

"In the depths of 'Guixu', there is 'Hunyuan Qi'. The time and space inside are chaotic, allowing people to inadvertently go back to the past or go to the future."

"Return to the ruins..."

The Imperial Master recited this word silently over and over again.

Ordinary people may not notice it.

But in the perception of the Imperial Master, there seemed to be a very strong Taoist charm hidden in this word. Just hearing it made his head feel a little painful.

As if a pair of invisible hands tore open the paper covering the window, strong sunlight shone in from the outside, stinging him so much that he couldn't open his eyes.

At the same time, it also allowed the Imperial Master to really see some of the scenery outside the window.

"Have you ever gone back to the past through 'Return to the Ruins'?" He stared at Gu Xu and spoke out the bold guess that came to his mind.

(End of this chapter)