Demon Slaying, Gaining 60 Years of Cultivation From the Start

The top level of Bagua Building, Star Gazing platform.

The scope of the Star Gazing platform is vast; the Bagua Building rises from the ground and soars into the clouds. Standing here on the Star Gazing platform, one could overlook the entire city of Tiandu.

At this moment, on the Star Gazing platform, there was an elder sitting cross-legged. His hair and beard were both white, his complexion rosy, and his long, snow-white beard hung down to his chest. With an air of immortal gravitas, his ancient robes were adorned with the patterns of countless stars.

This elder was none other than the Tower Supervisor of the Qintian Monitor. Since the emperor of Da Xia had entered seclusion, the Supervisor had been sitting here on the Star Gazing platform, overseeing the mortal world.

At this time, the Supervisor of the Qintian Monitor suddenly opened his eyes, casting his gaze toward the direction of the imperial palace and lingering there for a moment.

Then, with profound depth in his eyes, he looked past the palace to the mountains behind. In his line of sight stood a divine aura that stretched between heaven and earth, like a pillar stabilizing the seas.

In the faintest glimpse, one could see a trace of grey-black air swirling around the divine aura. Even for the Tower Supervisor, it was extremely difficult to detect without close examination.

To the Supervisor who had mastered the supreme technique "Heavenly Human Gazing Skill," standing upon the Star Gazing platform, he could see the overarching trends of the world without stepping outside.

For twenty-three years since the emperor of Da Xia had been in seclusion, the great trends of the world that should have been thriving were showing signs of decline.

At this moment, the Tower Supervisor of the Qintian Monitor suddenly recalled the words the Human Emperor had said to him before entering seclusion twenty-three years ago.

"Tower Supervisor, since my ascension, how have the great trends of the world fared?"

"Your Majesty's emergence has extended the fortunes of the Da Xia by several decades."

"My emergence has only extended the fortunes of the Da Xia by several decades?"

"Yes."

"And what about after those decades?"

"The world will be in chaos, the nine provinces will crumble and disperse, becoming a hell on earth, and not a single soul will be spared."

"Then, what if I break through to the Heavenly Human realm?"

"If the Heavenly Human realm could be achieved, the nine provinces could remain stable for several more centuries."

"Then why did you just say that in a few decades, the nine provinces are bound to fall into chaos?"

"..."

"I cannot achieve the Heavenly Human realm?"

"...Given the current natural environment of the nine provinces, the chances of achieving the Heavenly Human realm are less than one in ten."

"I do not believe in fate, I only believe that man is destined to triumph over heaven. How could one know the outcome of something that has never been attempted?"

"What does Your Majesty wish to do?"

"Starting tomorrow, I will practice seclusion in the mountains behind Tiandu. If I do not achieve the Heavenly Human realm, I shall not emerge from seclusion. In my absence, you will oversee the nine provinces on my behalf, and as for Da Xia, I will have Jing Tian administer the state. Yuan'er is too young; he will stay by Jing Tian's side and learn for a while."

"Your servant obeys."

"Tower Supervisor, watch and see if I can triumph over heaven."

"... Yes."

At this moment, the Tower Supervisor of the Qintian Monitor seemed lost in thought, staring intently at the mountains behind Tiandu. With the current Holy Sovereign's achievements in both civil and military spheres, claiming him as a once-in-eternity emperor would not be an overstatement.

Throughout the dynasties, the nine provinces had never seen an emperor like the current ruler of Da Xia, who could suppress the entire world.

Yet, even so, when the emperor of Da Xia was unifying and stabilizing the nine provinces, the Tower Supervisor, observing the countless stars and the great trends of the nine provinces, still sensed a dark future awaiting.

Thus, since the emperor had gone into seclusion, the Supervisor, sitting on the Star Gazing platform to this day, had been contemplating one thing.

And that was how to change fate, the fate of the nine provinces.

Unfortunately, even after ceaselessly calculating with the Heavenly Human Gazing Skill, simulating the vital qi of the heavens and the earth, and exhausting all possibilities, the eventual outcome was always the same.

But at this moment, a few months earlier, an unprecedented heavy rain in Tiandu brought a slender chance for a turnaround in this world on the brink of ruin.

Sitting cross-legged on the Star Gazing platform, the Supervisor of the Qintian Monitor took a deep glance toward the imperial palace before closing his eyes once again.

At this moment, aside from the whistling winds that passed by, the Star Gazing platform fell back into utter silence.

...

At the final level of Bagua Building, Qi Yu stood at the doorway, waiting for the arrival of someone from the imperial palace.

The guard sent by King Huai was nervous, but as he walked on, he found the Bagua Building growing closer without any unexpected incidents occurring along the way.

This secretly relieved the guard, and before long, he saw a young man at the entrance to the Bagua Building, dressed in white with a delicate and handsome appearance.

Approaching closely, the guard clasped his fists and bowed, respectfully saying, "His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness King Huai have sent this servant to request someone from the Jing Tian Department."

He did not elaborate on what the person from Qintian Monitor was needed for at the imperial palace, as King Huai had told him before his departure that it was enough for him to reach the Jing Tian Department, and the specifics did not need to be detailed.

Because the Supervisor of Qintian Monitor knew everything.

Qi Yu's expression was calm. Upon hearing this, he nodded and said softly, "Lead the way."

"Yes."

...

Imperial Palace, Golden Throne Hall.

The Crown Prince, King Huai, and the hundreds of civil and military officials were all waiting when a voice announced loudly from outside the hall, "Jing Tian Department's Lord Gu, Gu Chen, has arrived."

"Summon him."

Following that, a man dressed in dark robes, tall and slim, with a handsome face, Gu Chen, was escorted into the Jinluan Hall.

The officials of the court—all men of power and position—turned their eyes to the young man whose name had been causing a stir in Tiandu recently, becoming the center of attention in no time.

Gu Chen's expression was composed as he strode confidently towards the front of the great hall, bowed with his hands clasped, and said, "Your Highness, I greet thee."

The Crown Prince, his face stern, nodded and motioned for Gu Chen to stand aside.

Honestly speaking, Gu Chen was still somewhat bewildered by the situation; he was at home when he was suddenly informed that the Crown Prince and King Huai had summoned him to court, and without further ado, he was brought over.

Gu Chen was aware of some of the customs in the court of Da Xia. Even if he had achieved great merit and been ennobled as a viscount, with his status, he wasn't qualified to attend the morning court session, much less stand in the Jinluan Hall.

After all, his title as a viscount was in name only and came with no authority. He certainly did not have the standing to face these dukes and ministers in the Jinluan Hall.

At this moment, Gu Chen stood to one side, head bowed, mulling over his thoughts.

On the other side, Uncle Dingyuan and the Marquis of Wuwei watched Gu Chen with cold eyes.

But at that moment, King Huai suddenly spoke, "Gu Chen."

Gu Chen immediately raised his head, took a step forward, bowed with his hands clasped, and said, "I am here."

King Huai's gaze was profound as he looked at him and spoke calmly, "During the battle in Xu'an County when the Kunyuan Sect was being eradicated and you fell into the ambush set by the demon cult, did Cao Zhen, Liang Xu, and Zhuo Zhibin beg you for help?"

"They did," Gu Chen replied.

King Huai's tone was gentle as he asked, "Some say that you saw them in distress and did nothing to help. Is this true?"

Gu Chen's demeanor remained calm, his voice even and composed, "Lord Marquis, no, it's not true."

He paused, then continued, "Many witnesses were present at the time and saw that I did not ignore their plight. On the contrary, I immediately went to assist Lord Marquis and the other two when they were surrounded by the demon cult's martial artists. However, due to my limited cultivation, I was not their match and was injured in the process. Many can attest to this."

King Huai nodded slightly and turned to Uncle Dingyuan and the Marquis of Wuwei, "What do you think?"

"He's lying!"

Uncle Dingyuan's face turned icy as he stepped forward and said, "It was Gu Chen who deliberately concealed his true strength with dark intent, wanting to harm my son's life. Even before the mission started, he had some altercations with my son at the Duke of the Liang State's Mansion, and he also had conflicts with Lord Marquis and Zhuo Zhibin on the streets of Tiandu.

Many can attest to all of this."

Then, the Marquis of Wuwei also stepped forward, speaking coldly, "In my view, all of this was a premeditated plot by Gu Chen. Because of mere trivial conflicts, he deliberately framed my son. Such a sly and cunning nature, in my opinion, should result in the immediate stripping of Gu Chen's title of nobility, the nullification of his martial skills, and his expulsion from the Jing Tian Department.

This should be proclaimed to all under heaven as a warning to others!"

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince's brow furrowed slightly; the punishment seemed excessively harsh. But he knew that the Marquis of Wuwei was just speaking harshly. This is how the bureaucracy operated: start with extreme demands, so there is room to negotiate downwards.

"I concur," Uncle Dingyuan said coldly.

"I concur," a group of ministers friendly with Uncle Dingyuan and the Marquis of Wuwei echoed in agreement.

Gu Chen stood in his place, following the discipline of "eyes on nose, nose on heart," and did not utter a word. He wasn't accustomed to court politics; it wasn't his forte. The more one speaks, the more likely they are to make a mistake, so it was better to remain silent.

Even so, Gu Chen was already formulating his words, preparing to reveal the situation where Cao Zhen and the others had intended to kill him.

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Seeing Gu Chen remain silent, Uncle Dingyuan snorted coldly, "Your Highness, Gu Chen's silence is equivalent to an admission of guilt. Please, Your Highness, punish him immediately!"

"Please punish him!" echoed the Marquis of Wuwei and other officials in unison.

The Crown Prince found the situation difficult and turned his gaze to King Huai.

There was no helping it; these were seasoned veterans, and without King Huai keeping order, he, though the Crown Prince, could not handle these people on his own.

Seeing the Crown Prince's searching look, King Huai spoke calmly, "There is no need to rush to conclusions about the matter. Look at the time—the people from the Qintian Monitor are almost here. When they arrive, have them take responsibility for this."

Uncle Dingyuan and the Marquis of Wuwei exchanged glances and silently nodded their agreement. The Qintian Monitor had a technique called "Qi Watching Skill," which was derived from the "Heavenly Human Gazing Skill" practiced by the Tower Supervisor of the Qintian Monitor.

However, the Heavenly Human Gazing Skill was an exceedingly profound art, a rare and matchless technique in the nine provinces, complex and obscure, with few capable of mastering it.

Therefore, disciples of the Qintian Monitor were taught the Qi Watching Skill first. Only after achieving a certain level of understanding through gradual practice would they be taught the ultimate Heavenly Human Gazing Skill.

The Heavenly Human Gazing Skill allowed one to perceive all matters and beings, and while its simpler version, the Qi Watching Skill, couldn't predict the future trends of the world, it was unparalleled in scrutinizing individuals.

All humans have a prescribed fate and aura, also known as Qi, and the Qi Watching Skill allows one to observe these. If someone were lying, a practitioner of the Qintian Monitor would see through it instantly.

In essence, a Qintian Monitor disciple who mastered the Qi Watching Skill was like a walking human lie detector. Whenever the court faced complicated cases or uncertainties about the veracity of information, they would call upon someone from the Qintian Monitor to deploy the Qi Watching Skill for verification.

That's why when King Huai suggested bringing in someone from the Qintian Monitor to make the judgment, Uncle Dingyuan and the Marquis of Wuwei did not object and chose to agree.

After all, people from the Qintian Monitor were known for their fairness and impartiality. With their transcendent status, they would be truthful without favoring any side.

Uncle Dingyuan and the Marquis of Wuwei were both eager to see Gu Chen's lies exposed by a member of the Qintian Monitor in front of the assembly of civil and military officials, as well as King Huai and the Crown Prince.

This would undoubtedly result in the Crown Prince and King Huai passing judgment on Gu Chen.

The Duke of the Liang State stood aside with a slightly furrowed brow. He wanted to help Gu Chen, but in the current situation, he truly had no good solution. He could only sigh in resignation.

Even Chen Yu, were he present, would find the current situation just as challenging.

Moreover, if the accusation were true, Uncle Dingyuan and the Marquis of Wuwei would certainly have orchestrated their own maneuvers behind the scenes to ensure that neither the Crown Prince nor King Huai would let Gu Chen off easily.

And the reputation Gu Chen garnered from his actions in Xu'an County would be completely ruined.

Just then, the Jing Tian Department's Qi Yu, dressed in white, who had been dispatched by King Huai, arrived at the Jinluan Hall.