Now the question arises.
When you're playing Delta Force and you run into a rat crouching in a corner giving signals, who even goes so far as to kowtow to you twice, do you let them go or not?
This metaphor might be a bit inappropriate. After all, this Near Heaven of the Babbling Branch was competing with Gu Chengming for the Dao Throne not long ago.
Strictly speaking, the relationship between the two could not be described as good.
But there was no doubt that even if their relationship were merely average, expecting him to let her go based on empty words alone was far too fantastical.
She would have to offer up something as tribute, right?
Gu Chengming looked down at Near Heaven of the Babbling Branch kneeling on the ground. After a moment of silence, he said, “I have seen the Dao foundation oath.”
Near Heaven of the Babbling Branch looked up, a glimmer of hope appearing in her eyes. Gu Chengming continued, “But you did act against the Night Guard Division previously, participated in the struggle for the Dao Throne, and even laid many contingency plans in the capital…”
Near Heaven of the Babbling Branch’s heart skipped a beat. Gu Chengming’s attitude allowed her to quickly understand and realize his thoughts. “Lord Gu is right. Empty words are naturally insufficient to gain trust.”
As the saying goes, when one is under another's eaves, one must bow their head.
There were certainly ruthless people in the cultivation world who would rather die than submit, but more often than not, cultivators who could reach the Fifth Realm understood how to judge the situation better than ordinary people. After all, having walked all the way to this realm, who hadn't survived by playing it safe through countless crises?
Near Heaven of the Babbling Branch was very clear right now: whether she lived or not did not depend on whether she was sincere, but on whether Gu Chengming was willing to believe in her sincerity.
And sincerity based on mere words was always the cheapest thing.
She was quite sensible, decisively bringing out the most valuable item she possessed!
—A sword that looked quite ancient.
Gu Chengming looked at the sword, his expression a bit subtle.
Near Heaven of the Babbling Branch hurriedly said, “Lord Gu, do not be deceived by its outward appearance; this sword has a grand origin.”
Gu Chengming waited for her to continue spinning her tale, and then he heard her say, “I obtained this sword years ago in a secret realm. According to the records on a ruined stele in that realm, it is one of the Dharma swords left behind by the Life-Defying Calamity-Slaying True Monarch.”
Eh? The Life-Defying Calamity-Slaying True Monarch again?
Gu Chengming was half-doubting. This Dharma sword didn't look like some peerless divine weapon; instead, it looked like a piece of mortal iron pulled from some random corner.
Storybooks often had such tropes: the more ordinary and broken the scrap metal appeared, the more likely it was to hide the shocking inheritance of an ancient powerhouse.
The problem was that this sword was simply too ordinary.
Shaking his head, Gu Chengming demanded that she open her storage pouch.
Gu Chengming wasn't simply being greedy for wealth.
Mainly, for someone like Near Heaven of the Babbling Branch, who had previously buried so many contingency plans in the capital, there was no telling what deadly things she might still be hiding.
Talismans, Dharma treasures, poisonous pills, occult mediums, or even a karmic anchor that could transmit messages remotely—all could become hidden dangers in the future.
Since she was already kneeling here, there was naturally no reason not to check her storage pouch.
He had originally intended to search for other worthwhile spoils of war in her storage pouch, but after seeing the contents, he revealed a rather disgusted expression.
The things in this storage pouch were far too poor… While not quite at the level of total destitution, it completely lacked the appearance a famous Fifth Realm cultivator should have.
【The Hundred Bones Resonating said excitedly: Emperor Gu, it's dragon blood grass! This person's net worth is actually quite substantial!】
One could realize just how poor this Near Heaven of the Babbling Branch was by looking at Emperor Bai's reaction.
She had even stuffed things like Blood Activating Grass into her storage pouch. Gu Chengming began to suspect if she had some kind of fetish for stuffing trash into her bag.
Gu Chengming looked up at her, and a hint of embarrassment finally surfaced on the latter's face.
“Lord Gu might not know, but since the Babbling Branch split from the Longevity Sect, our situation has always been difficult.”
“The Longevity Sect views us as rebels, and the righteous sects are unwilling to trust us. We've been hiding and running all these years, and the expenses are enormous. Furthermore, as Near Heaven, I must look after the disciples of my sect; many resources have been spent on them.”
He handed the storage pouch back and refocused his gaze on the ancient longsword. “Let me see the sword.”
Near Heaven of the Babbling Branch immediately presented it with both hands. Gu Chengming took the longsword; it felt slightly heavy in his hand, though he couldn't identify the material. The scabbard's surface was rough. He drew the sword half an inch, and the blade was dull and lusterless.
He couldn't help but suspect if Near Heaven of the Babbling Branch had been tricked by a fake in the secret realm. After all, not all secret realms in the cultivation world were legitimate; many owners liked to prank people before they died.
But just as Gu Chengming was about to close the scabbard, the Sword Chess system interface, which had been quiet for a long time, suddenly flashed lightly.
【New Bond Added: Life-Defying Calamity-Slaying】
Gu Chengming was stunned. No way, this thing is actually real?
Gu Chengming looked up at Near Heaven of the Babbling Branch, his tone becoming a bit more serious. “How much do you know about the origin of this sword?”
Seeing the change in Gu Chengming's expression, Near Heaven of the Babbling Branch finally breathed half a sigh of relief. It seemed her life could be preserved for a bit longer.
She hurriedly said, “I don't know much. It's just that when I obtained this sword, the ruined stele in the secret realm had left some records.”
“Rumor has it that the Life-Defying Calamity-Slaying True Monarch practiced a vast variety of sword styles throughout his life, observing and learning almost every sword Dao in the world. Later, he divided his own sword Dao into ten parts, placing them into ten Dharma swords, each containing a different true intent of the sword Dao.”
Gu Chengming looked down at the sword.
“This is one of them?”
“Yes,” Near Heaven of the Babbling Branch said. “Its name is Knight.”
Gu Chengming was slightly startled, thinking to himself that the name didn't quite fit the xianxia style.
Near Heaven of the Babbling Branch was unaware of Gu Chengming's thoughts. “The ruined stele recorded it as such. Besides Knight, there are others: Thunder, Raptors, Warriors, Pacers, Kings, Suns, Nuggets…”
As she said this, even she felt these names were a bit strange, but she braced herself and continued, “In any case, they are all Dharma swords forged by the Life-Defying Calamity-Slaying True Monarch in the past.”
—Wait, what's with names like Thunder? Even the NBA is here?
Gu Chengming complained inwardly, assuming this was just some bad taste from the game developers.
Near Heaven of the Babbling Branch didn't notice Gu Chengming's internal complaint and continued to explain, “Most of these Dharma swords are in a dormant state and are difficult to activate by ordinary means. Only when the wielder performs actions consistent with the sword's true intent can the seals within be gradually unlocked, allowing it to shine again.”
Gu Chengming was thoughtful. “In other words, this Knight sword requires me to perform actions consistent with the Sword Dao of the Knight?”
“That's what the ruined stele said.” Near Heaven of the Babbling Branch added, “However, I've had this sword for many years and have never been able to make it budge in the slightest, so I don't know what the specific so-called true intent of the Knight refers to.”
Gu Chengming looked at her and thought that was only natural. After all, she didn't look like a good person, let alone someone with a knightly spirit.
He put the Dharma sword away. “I'll take this sword.”
Near Heaven of the Babbling Branch immediately bowed her head. “Thank you, Lord Gu.”
Gu Chengming added, “As for you, come with me to the Night Guard Division to register first. Since you've made a Dao foundation oath, I'll spare your life for now, but if you dare to play any tricks, the consequences need not be said.”
Near Heaven of the Babbling Branch felt as if a great weight had been lifted.
...
After registering Near Heaven of the Babbling Branch at the Night Guard Division, Zhou Qingmu came to arrange the subsequent matters for her.
Feeling momentarily relaxed, Gu Chengming also put aside the matter of Near Heaven of the Babbling Branch for the time being and began to study the Dharma sword named Knight in his hand, as well as the strategy for the Love version of the Zhou Rites Heavenly Rectifying Art. Unfortunately, the latter still showed no progress.
In comparison, the Knight sword seemed easier to figure out.
Gu Chengming sat in the courtyard with the ancient longsword placed horizontally across his lap. The Sword Chess system interface quietly surfaced at the bottom of his vision.
【Life-Defying Calamity-Slaying: Knight】
【Unlock Progress: 0】
【Description: Perform actions consistent with the true intent of the Sword Dao of the Knight to gradually unlock this sword.】
Gu Chengming's first reaction was naturally protection, loyalty, honor, vigilance, and sacrifice.
This stuff sounded quite compatible with him. After all, throughout his journey, slaying demons, protecting the people, killing the Longevity Sect, and fighting evil spirits could be considered performing the duty of protecting the world.
Thus, Gu Chengming began to try grinding the unlock progress. The only problem was that the evil spirits in the capital had already been hunted to extinction by him. Gu Chengming searched for two days without even running into a decent evil spirit, and finally, he could only leave the city.
Thirty miles outside the capital, there was a deserted village where a plague ghost had caused trouble in the early years. Although it had been cleared once by the Night Guard Division, some foul things would occasionally remain.
When Gu Chengming arrived, two evil spirits happened to emerge from a withered well.
Those two evil spirits were quite fierce at first, until they saw Gu Chengming clearly. One of them turned and ran immediately, while the other was half a beat slower, revealing an expression that said, “My brother ran, should I run too?”
Gu Chengming didn't give them a chance to escape. With a flash of sword light, the two evil spirits instantly scattered into gray mist.
As expected, text surfaced at the bottom of his vision.
【Performed an action consistent with the Sword Dao of the Knight, Unlock Progress +1】
【You possess the resolve to protect the world; I acknowledge your will.】
Gu Chengming's spirits were lifted. It was indeed so.
He circled around the outskirts of the capital a few more times and caught several scattered evil spirits, but while the unlock progress moved at first, it became slower and slower later on.
It went from adding one to not moving for half a day. By the time Gu Chengming slew three more vengeful spirits, the system interface only flashed symbolically, not even bothering to give a numerical value.
Gu Chengming frowned, thinking to himself, is there diminishing marginal utility?
【The 《Qingxin Art》 reminds you that the word 'Knight' might not have only one interpretation of protection; perhaps it hides another meaning.】
Gu Chengming felt the Qingxin Art's words made sense, but what was the other meaning?
Riding a horse? Wearing armor? Keeping watch for a princess?
It couldn't be that he had to find a horse and run around the capital, right?
Just as Gu Chengming was completely bewildered, Nuo Tao came to find him for a meal.
This external consultant for the Myriad Thief Sect had been adapting quite well to the Night Guard Division lately.
On one hand, she had indeed helped uncover many false identities and karmic gaps previously arranged by Near Heaven of the Babbling Branch. Her professional abilities had gained unanimous recognition from the Night Guard Division's clerical office.
On the other hand, relying on the Myriad Thief Sect's Dust Merging ability, she had successfully become a legendary figure in the Night Guard Division's canteen who “clearly didn't wait in line but could always get the first hot dish.”
When Gu Chengming arrived at the canteen's side courtyard, Nuo Tao had already secured a spot.
Several small side dishes were placed on the table, along with a plate of freshly made fried dumplings and a bowl of steaming mutton soup.
Nuo Tao sat by the table, her hands cupping her face. Her eyes lit up when she saw Gu Chengming.
“Little Gu, over here, over here!”
After Gu Chengming sat down, he glanced at the dishes on the table. “You certainly know how to pick.”
Nuo Tao snorted proudly. “Of course. For a thief cultivator traveling the world, the most important thing is knowing where the good food is.”
Gu Chengming picked up his chopsticks, but Nuo Tao didn't start eating immediately. Instead, she stared at the plate of fried dumplings for a while, then peeked at Gu Chengming, and suddenly said with blinking eyes, “Little Gu.”
“Hmm?”
“I worked so hard checking the files today.”
Gu Chengming nodded. “You've worked hard.”
Nuo Tao waited for a bit but didn't get a follow-up, so she had to make her hint more obvious. “My hands are also sore.”
Gu Chengming looked at her hands. Nuo Tao immediately tucked them into her sleeves, acting as if she had suffered a great grievance.
“So eating might not be very convenient.”
“You were quite steady when you were carrying the mutton soup just now.”
Nuo Tao's face stiffened, then she said righteously, “That was a Myriad Thief Sect secret technique; carrying soup doesn't count as using hands.”
Gu Chengming was almost amused by her words. “And so?”
Nuo Tao looked at him expectantly. “So, Little Gu, feed me one.”
Looking at her expression—clearly full of anticipation yet trying hard to act pitiful—Gu Chengming felt helpless and picked up a fried dumpling.
Nuo Tao immediately sat up straight, as well-behaved as a top student. “Mm-hmm!”
Gu Chengming brought the fried dumpling to her lips.
“Hot, hot, hot!”
The fried dumpling had just come out of the pan, and the soup inside was scalding. She reflexively shrank back from the heat, and the dumpling landed on the table with a thud.
Nuo Tao covered her mouth, a bit of moisture appearing in her eyes, yet she didn't forget to maintain her cute persona, saying indistinctly, “Little Gu, you're murdering an external consultant.”
Gu Chengming put down his chopsticks and reached out to hand her a water cup. “Who told you to bite so fast?”
Nuo Tao took the cup and had a sip. After recovering, she looked down at the innocent fried dumpling on the table and suddenly felt that although she was in a mess, she had successfully created an interaction, making it a net gain.
She was just about to act pitiful for a while longer when a line of text suddenly popped up before Gu Chengming's eyes.
【Performed an action consistent with the Sword Dao of the Knight, Unlock Progress +15】
Gu Chengming's movements paused. Hmm? How much was added?
Before he could react, the next line of commentary slowly surfaced.
【That's right, this is how you should humiliate Northerners; Northerners can only eat dumplings off the table.】
Gu Chengming: “?”
Nuo Tao, holding the water cup, was a bit confused seeing Gu Chengming suddenly stop moving.
“Little Gu, what's wrong?”
Gu Chengming looked down at the fried dumpling on the table, then at the ancient Dharma sword by his side that still showed no reaction, and finally at that line of unlock progress that had just surged significantly at the bottom of his vision.
So your 'Knight' is a fucking 'Regional Knight'?!
Rate on N.U.
