Nuclear-powered Sword Immortal-Chapter 40 - Lingxiao City

Chapter 40: Chapter 40 Lingxiao City

Compared to Starlight City and Changjun City, Lingxiao City is much smaller in scale.

At best, it is on par with Red Wind City where the Gu family resides.

The smaller the city, the fewer the troubles.

Especially since the Wang Family, the Zhao Family, and the Fang Family in the city are unified as one, other powers find it difficult to intervene.

Under such circumstances, Lingxiao City is unusually peaceful.

Of course, that's under the assumption that people don't disappear from time to time.

Gu Jinlai entered Lingxiao City.

Theoretically, although the city is not large, it was recorded to have a population of three to four hundred thousand.

Yet as the caravan moved along the main streets, one could visibly perceive the quietness of the city.

Many shops on the streets were open, but there were also quite a few that were closed.

Passersby who came and went were mostly in a hurry, with very little interaction.

Compared to the bustling crowds of Changjun City and Starlight City, Lingxiao City was quite desolate.

"Patriarch, something's not right with this city," said Gu Chaoyang.

"Mm."

Gu Jinlai had mostly clarified the information about Lingxiao City, especially that of the Meteor Star Guards in Lingxiao City, which he received from Xuzhen Tower.

The Lingxiao Town Guardian of the Meteor Star Guards, Fang Que, was a Peak of Hugging Pill expert.

Not only was his cultivation profound, but he also possessed a Supreme Treasure Sword called Sky Star.

Additionally, he was a top-notch existence that had entered the Transformation Realm.

With various advantages on his side, he even had the power to confront a Refining God Giant.

This was also why he could secure his position as the Lingxiao Town Guardian of the Meteor Star Guards.

"As for me taking up this Meteor Star Guard, I just want to raise a big flag and exchange for one year... No! Half a year will do! I want to have half a year of peace, to stabilize my footing, and I would rather not concern myself with other matters," declared Gu Jinlai.

He still had a Qingguang.

This Qingguang he planned to use; recalling the refining methods of Os-Ir alloy and high-strength fibers, to compensate for the deficiencies of his War Armor being not heavy enough and lacking sufficient defense.

And for all this, he needed time.

Besides...

If he had a choice, he still preferred to be a good person.

It was a pity that now...

There were simply too many bad people preventing him from being good.

...

Gu Jinlai took four days on the road, and Lingxiao City had already received news of his imminent appointment.

No sooner had he stepped into Lingxiao City than a man dressed in the attire of the Meteor Star Guards came up to greet him, "Mr. Gu, the Lord Guardian has been informed of your arrival today and has prepared a banquet at the garrison to welcome you and purify the dust for Mr. Gu."

"Please lead the way." novelbuddy.cσ๓

"Of course," Gu Jinlai replied.

He wanted to stay in Lingxiao City quietly for a while and naturally needed to establish good relations with his colleagues.

Soon, the Meteor Star Guard had brought him to a rather spacious courtyard; after making brief arrangements for Gu Chaoyang and others, he led Gu Jinlai into the great hall.

In the hall, the Lingxiao Town Guardian, Fang Que, who appeared to be in his early forties and exuded an aura of majesty, was already waiting there.

Beside him stood two middle-aged men dressed similarly, also Vice Garrison Commanders.

In addition to them, there were thirteen others in the hall dressed as High-level Meteor Guards, and from the sharp aura faintly exuding from them, one could tell they were all experts who had accomplished Qi Refining to Gang.

"Gu Jinlai pays his respects to Garrison Commander Fang," he said.

Gu Jinlai carried himself with notable humility.

He showed none of the arrogance one might expect from a former Refining God Giant and Artifact Refiner Master.

Fang Que sized up Gu Jinlai for a moment, quite pleased with his demeanor, "Mr. Gu, you've had a tough journey. Please take a seat."

Once Gu Jinlai was seated, Fang Que smiled and said, "Mr. Gu, as a Refining God Giant, your fame was formidable. To stoop to join us in Lingxiao City as the garrison commander is a fortuitous event for Lingxiao City. I believe that with Mr. Gu's reputation, our already peaceful and prosperous Lingxiao City will become even more stable and flourishing."

"You flatter me, Guardian Fang. I have now shifted to cultivate as a Heavenly Master; both my qi and blood are depleted. How can I compare with you, whose martial arts realm and strength are exceptional?" said Gu Jinlai.

"The fame you left behind in Changjun City months ago is still spoken of here in Lingxiao City," Fang Que continued, pointing to the other two men, "These two are the Vice Garrison Commanders of the north and south of the city, Qin Guichuan and Yang Shengping, respectively. Mr. Gu, you will take over as the West City Guardian, and there will be much interaction between you all in the future. Please get to know one another."

His mention of the east, west, north, and south included not just the urban areas of Lingxiao City but also the counties in those corresponding directions.

The two parties exchanged pleasantries for a while, with Gu Jinlai remaining very courteous throughout.

After the polite conversation, Fang Que hinted with purpose, "Mr. Gu, it hasn't been easy to achieve the current state of tranquility in Lingxiao City. When you're in West City, you should focus on maintaining stability as much as possible."

Gu Jinlai understood, "I understand. I too wish for Lingxiao City to be harmonious and beautiful."

"That's good to hear. The relevant documents have been authenticated and registered, so I won't keep you any longer from assuming your new position," said Fang Que, nodding slightly.

"Thank you, Guardian Fang. I shall take my leave now," said Gu Jinlai as he bowed modestly once again and withdrew.

After Gu Jinlai had left, Fang Que's expression immediately darkened.

"Sir, according to the information we have obtained, Star Master Zhang has sensed something, and his dispatching of this person here is very likely for investigating the truth. However, why does Gu Jinlai seem so polite and understanding... his demeanor completely harmless, as if he is not coming with aggressive intent?" whispered Qin Guichuan.

"Polite and understanding? Harmless? The more he acts this way, the more it proves he has significant ambitions," Fang Que said with narrowed eyes. "Think about it, he was a highly renowned Refining God Giant just six months ago, and now he has to submit to someone on the Hugging Pill level like me. How could he remain calm and composed? Even after I warned him with my words, he still restrained himself. Considering this, along with Star Master Zhang assigning such a former Refining God to our Lingxiao City..."

He scoffed, "He's looking to seize power."

"Seize power!?" Qin Guichuan and Yang Shengping's expressions changed.

"Could it be... that the Red Blood Demon Sect incident has been discovered by the higher-ups?" Yang Shengping asked.

"You let that little brat from the Li Family escape; a leak was inevitable. But what of it?" Fang Que said sharply, flicking his sleeve. "Indeed, we have collaborated with the Red Blood Demon Sect, but all we did was for the prosperity and stability of Lingxiao City. With just a small price, we can keep the Red Blood Demon Sect in line and even help us control devils, so why should we have to resort to violence and bloodshed?"

"Exactly! The neighboring Changjun City has seen the death of nearly ten cultivators at the Hugging Pill level this year alone. How can that compare to our Lingxiao City? All of this has been the work of our families and the Meteor Star Guard!" added Qin Guichuan.

"We are not like Star Master Zhang. He is incredibly strong and can suppress even the top forces and Refining God Giants sent to kill him. Are we supposed to fight desperately against those Demon Sects and major sect masters? We have to think about our own lives and futures," Yang Shengping continued, pausing briefly, "Besides, what we do, in the grand scheme of things, is also for the son..."

"Silence!" Fang Que glared at him sternly.

Realizing his slip, Yang Shengping immediately fell silent.

Fang Que sneered, "Star Master Zhang thinks he can wrest power from me by sending Gu Jinlai? He's seriously underestimating me. I've operated in Lingxiao City for ten whole years. If I were to be overshadowed by a fallen Refining God like Gu Jinlai, then my efforts over these years would have been for nothing."

"So, sir, are you suggesting..."

"The Meteor Star Guard is not like those Demon Sects that respect strength above all. This is a place where rules and abilities matter. If this Gu Jinlai comes here and is unable to accomplish anything, I'd like to see if he can stay in Lingxiao City," said Fang Que with a wave of his hand. "Tell Wang Dongyu, I support his succession as the West City Guardian! How to climb the ranks will depend on his and his Wang Family's capability."