Dao Equaling the Heavens
Chapter 216 - 156: Obtaining the Earth Soul, Losing the Sense of Taste

Chapter 216: Chapter 156: Obtaining the Earth Soul, Losing the Sense of Taste

In the military tent, swords were drawn and crossbows tensed as over a dozen armored and weaponed guards burst in.

The Jiang family’s youths stood back to back, protecting Jiang Jucai in their midst. In the ancient clan society, these kinsmen were the most loyal.

With an unchanging expression, Jiang Jucai replied, "My father’s enemy shall not share the sky with me. Since he dares to speak thus, then I dare to act."

"Very well, very well, I didn’t expect Captain Jiang to be such a filial son."

Song Ziyi was furiously incensed, his heart set on murder.

Originally, he didn’t want to proactively damage the reputation that the Nanchun Army—that peasant army supported by landlords and aristocrats from all regions—was building. Outsiders couldn’t see the brilliance and divine might of their great commander and only heard of Jiang Jucai’s renown.

Now someone had even started calling out the title of the Demon Suppression General.

In Song Ziyi’s view, this was courting death. Should the notable figures of the Devil Clan take notice, death was certain. One could say Jiang Jucai was already a dead man.

Yet, this dead man dared to leap above his head.

If I don’t kill you today, where shall I place my face as a commander?

Song Ziyi sat back in his seat and said indifferently, "Captain Jiang is possessed by a demon and murdered in public. After a long, bloody battle, we slayed the demon to avenge Captain Jiang. Strike."

A dozen armored and sword-bearing guards raised their blades, and a streak of white light flashed by, heads fell to the ground with a sound.

One by one, bodies fell. Jiang Jucai saw Song Ziyi’s eyes widen, and the latter also saw his astonished face.

All around was silence, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. Everyone held their breath until a man dressed in plain black hair and white clothes appeared behind Song Ziyi, his bloodstained palm on Song Ziyi’s shoulder, as if thrusting him into the frigid water of March.

"Fourth Level, Third Level fulfilled, still counts as a talent."

The voice carried a hint of praise.

Song Ziyi slowly turned around and saw an unremarkable face, unknown to him, but his own inability to move showed that this man was stronger than him.

Suppressing his horror, he feigned calm and said, "I, Song Ziyi, am a scion of the Yushan Sect, disciple of Master Kongluo. Where does Brother’s tutelage hail from? Perhaps our sects are connected."

Revealing one’s background as such is common practice for cultivators.

Gu Wen said indifferently, "From Sanqing Taoist Sect, the true lineage of the Red Dust."

The moment the words ’Sanqing Taoist Sect’ were spoken, Song Ziyi felt as though his heart had stopped.

The true lineage of the world’s number one sect, more formidable than the heirs of most other sects. The Sanqing Taoist Sect was, in essence, a colossal entity formed by the unification of three top-tier sects, otherwise it wouldn’t have been possible to dominate the entire Human Race in past years.

The tiger might die, but its intimidating presence remains; not to mention the Sanqing Taoist Sect had not ceased its line of succession.

For mediocrities, identity is everything. They don’t care about the efforts behind talents like Chi Yu Zi, they’re more interested in the halo of their sect.

Song Ziyi’s expression became stiff, his mouth trembling involuntarily as he said, "Brother, if there has been any offense, I am willing to apologize."

"No offense, but since grudges are remembered, you may take your leave," Gu Wen said.

With a flicker of his Sword Intent, the light in Song Ziyi’s eyes faded, rendering his countless techniques powerless.

One’s means of survival depend on their level, and Gu Wen could routinely transcend one rank, burst forth to slay those of Fourth Level; Song Ziyi’s foundation at Fourth Third Level stood no chance of stirring any waves under his hand.

Gu Wen then looked up at the other commanders, and before they could panic or beg for mercy, a flash of the sword and heads fell to the ground.

Killing was but a nod away, such was the wondrous power of the Transcendent.

At this time, the surviving members of the Jiang family came to their senses, their faces full of dumbfounded shock.

"Mr. Wen?"

It was Jiang Jucai who was most in disbelief.

That Immortals existed in this world was common knowledge, and that their great commander knew Immortal Techniques was known, and he had even seen the aid of an Immortal by daylight. But in such a dire situation, he couldn’t infer from a mere sentence that it was Gu Wen.

His worldly father is an Immortal?

Then the position of this great commander ought to be mine!

"Jucai, just like your father said, you’re a man meant for great endeavors," Gu Wen praised, though with a hint of helplessness.

Jiang Jucai possessed a broad heart, unlike his father—a man of decisiveness as seen in his unhesitant act of killing earlier and his fearlessness against demons by daylight.

Those destined for great deeds are usually troublemakers, just like how Liu Bang’s family was constantly taken hostage. That was why Gu Wen told Jiang Fugui to stay away.

Jiang Fugui harbored fewer covetous thoughts; he just wanted wealth and honor. Content with the hundred acres of land in the Jiang Family Village, he had no yearning to toil in the fields himself.

But Gu Wen appreciated this spirit all the same.

"I can’t explain in detail, but now I’ve killed all the commanders of the Nanchun Army. If you want their position, go control the situation yourself. Or you can leave now, end this farce, and live well as a wealthy scion," Gu Wen offered.

"I hope you’ll stay put at home, don’t stir up trouble. In the future, I can give your Jiang family what it desires."

While the other members of the Jiang family were still recovering from their stupor, Jiang Jucai had already shifted his gaze from the corpses at Gu Wen’s first word.

He asked, "Mr. Wen, can’t this world be conquered?"

Gu Wen nodded.

Mortals naturally can’t conquer it; at least the might of a Demi Immortal is needed to decide the fate of the world.

"What about Nanshui?"

"Perhaps it can be."

Nanshui clearly wasn’t a place of much importance. If Wenren Wu were dead, taking Nanshui wouldn’t be difficult.

"Then I will take Nanshui first before consulting Mr. Wen," Jiang Jucai declared, his visage no longer youthful, completely devoid of the scholar’s air he bore in Bianjing. Stepping forward, he drew his commander’s sword and raised his head, "Whether I can conquer this world or not."