Light Fortress
Chapter 297 - 4: Demanding

Chapter 297: Chapter 4: Demanding

At the summit of Little Barren Hill.

After the memorial ceremony had concluded.

Lu Nanjin was surrounded by many people, as the East Continent Council currently faced considerable external pressure... Fortunately, Huazhi and South Bay had already confirmed their alliance, and today was a rare occasion where both councilors were present.

"Regarding the matter of the legislation... let’s leave it at that for today..."

Seeing a figure approaching, Mrs. Lu quickly reached out to greet, "Gu Shen... your timing is perfect."

The name Gu Shen had become quite well-known in Da Du.

A famous S-rank from the Judgement Institute.

The future star of East Continent.

Beyond that... Since this youth arrived in Da Du District, he had been intricately linked to several major cases. One only needed to review the files to discover that his was a name appearing frequently in the Transcendent cases of Da Du.

The Yuan Dan Street Fog Incident, the Zhou Yu Case, the Freedom Hall Case... Regarding the investigation, takedown, and clean-up of the Changjiu Foundation, and the recent dramatic Angel Envoy assassination... this youth had been involved.

And he had made quite outstanding contributions.

This was still the result of Zhou Jiren and Gu Zhi suppressing news of the Freedom Hall case... such achievements were already astonishing. It was hard to imagine that this was merely a newcomer who had awakened his Extraordinary Ability less than half a year ago.

When Gu Shen’s name spread among the crowd around him, people subconsciously made way for him and observed the appearance of this "genius"... The rumored S-rank was quite handsome, neither tall nor burly, with a demeanor that was reserved, like a flame just beginning to burn, not blinding, but powerful.

Earlier during the memorial.

Gu Shen had not stood directly among the crowd to mourn in silence.

The Judgement Institute needed to maintain order at the scene... He had stood in the most secluded corner of the mountaintop, so not many had noticed this "brilliant star".

The youth, neither humble nor arrogant, passed through one scrutinizing gaze after another to reach Mrs. Lu’s side... Indeed, if Mrs. Lu hadn’t mentioned it, walking among the crowd, his was not a face that would attract much attention.

"It’s getting late, see me off from here..."

Lu Nanjin spoke softly.

"Sorry everyone... I have another important matter to handle." At the same time, she raised her voice slightly, conveying a hint of apology, and spoke to a man named Chen San on the side, "Thank you, I’ll have to trouble you with the rest here."

"No trouble at all."

Chen San smiled and said, "Ladies and gentlemen... let’s continue our earlier topic... about the future development of Da Du District’s economic community..."

Gu Shen blocked for Mrs. Lu through the crowd, clearing the way.

The two left together.

...

...

"Actually, I don’t like dealing with such scenes..."

Lu Nanjin sat in the car, speaking softly, "Old Lu doesn’t like crowds; this was supposed to be a quiet memorial ceremony..."

Zhao Xilai had chosen this Little Barren Hill to be buried, intending to pass away quietly just like Lu Cheng.

Just as he had given up the struggle against Lu Nanjin.

Life’s myriad affairs, like passing clouds.

Upon closing his eyes, gone like smoke in the wind.

Ironically, the change of leadership in Huazhi was too significant, and the news spread too quickly, eventually turning the memorial ceremony into what it had become...

Indeed ironic.

Gu Shen recalled seeing someone at the ceremony wiping tears with a sleeve, their expression filled with grief, appearing profoundly sad, undeniably sincere, only wondering if they could shed the same tear at their own parents’ funeral.

"It doesn’t matter... after today, they won’t come here again."

In the backseat of the extended limousine, two others were already seated.

Having descended the hill early, Lu Nanjin, who had been resting with her eyes closed in the car, now spoke softly.

Gu Nanfeng, holding a wooden sword, looked out the car window at the scenery and quietly remarked, "But that may not be the case... If I were to stay in Da Du for a long time, I would surely visit often, not only to see those two, but also because the scenery of this small hill is actually quite nice."

After the winter rain.

The mountains were bleak.

How could one speak of scenery... But the merit here lies in its authenticity. Although the north wind was bleak, it was at least a "real mountain," in contrast to the artificial hills in Dadu District, which flaunt perpetual spring, meandering streams, and flawless beauty, thus appearing fake.

Real mountain or fake mountain, real person or fake person, just like the bleak wind that sweeps the fields as winter approaches, or that single tear at a memorial service... However well one disguises it, one can never deceive oneself.

"There is indeed only one Gu Nanfeng in this world."

Gu Shen also looked out the window and said indifferently, "The vast majority of these people will not come here again... They did not come for the landscape nor for the memorial, hence they cannot see what is evident."

If there were no accidents... once the two councilors left.

The small barren hill would still be a small barren hill.

Here stood two lonely and mutually dependent wooden steles, weathered by wind, sun, frost, and snow; for those who attended the funeral without a genuine sentiment of mourning... there had been no change in the world, only the absence of an "once towering" soul.

In fact, for those who genuinely mourned, there was no change either... only that the world had gained an "once towering" soul.

"Mrs. Lu... I plan to leave for Changye tomorrow."

Gu Nanfeng hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.

Lu Nanjin slowly opened her eyes and said softly, "I will go with you."

Lu Nanzhi nodded without surprise.

In the past few days, Nanjin had sought Gu Nanfeng dozens of times under the pretext of "exchanging sword skills," each time demanding his full effort... The result goes without saying, as the skill levels of the two Lan Qie users were vastly different.

The wooden sword shattered the steel sword.

It only took one move.

And Lu Nanjin, defeated time and again, had a very clear intention in seeking these matches... She simply wanted to go to Changye together to hone her sword skills.

And the Gu Family Young Master had agreed very readily.

This was the reason he stayed in the Dadu District—

After Mr. Zhao’s lifetime, he waited patiently for the alternate council members’ handover ceremony to be completed.

He was waiting for Lu Nanzhi to officially become a council member of the Dadu District and then take over the Huazhi Building.

"Having spent these days together, I trust madam has come to know Gu’s character, temperament, and sincerity," Gu Nanfeng said euphemistically.

Ever since the day he arrived in Da Du, he had been continuously "giving."

That Divine Throne Token.

And that life-saving sword strike during the Angel Envoy battle.

These were enough to convince Lu Nanzhi that this was an ally worth relying on.

"Indeed so," Lu Nanzhi said, patiently waiting for what was to come.

"This trip going to Changye... is not going to be easy," Gu Nanfeng said softly. "The factional strife within Changye City is no lighter than in Da Du. If I return, it will definitely disrupt the balance."

"So... you need some help," Lu Nanjin said with a smile.

At this point, Gu Nanfeng no longer concealed his thoughts; he smiled and said, "I would like to ask madam for someone."

"Gu Shen?" madam narrowed her phoenix eyes.

"Brother Gu is certainly expected to come... the Tomb Guardian Master specifically asked to see him in person," Gu Nanfeng smiled, "but the person I would like to ask for from madam is..."

He said earnestly, "Tomb Ghost, Xing Yun."