Chapter 120, Martial Affairs Concluded

Translator: StarReader

 

In the lavishly decorated private room on the third floor, Governor Zhao Juzhen breathed a sigh of relief as he saw the blue-clad figure appear. With Immortal Su’s personal intervention and gold to redeem Fei Xingnu’s contract, there was no need for him to meddle further.

 

He merely dipped his finger in tea and scrawled Immortal Su on the table before quickly wiping it away.

 

Envoy Wang understood immediately. This mysterious blue-clad figure was none other than Immortal Su, who had forced Daoist Han Shan to take his own life, drove Mao Ziyuan to suicide, and compelled Liu Hong to immolate himself, destroying over ten thousand pirate forces on West Cave Mountain Island of the Vastest Lake.

 

Even combined efforts of Gusu County’s constable and Wu Region’s governor, along with Wu Region’s four major factions, various smaller groups, and remnants of Whale Gang, White Lotus Society, and Han Mountain Daoist Temple couldn’t contend with this formidable immortal. They could only keep their distance in reverence.

 

Envoy Wang’s expression grew animated. “He’s the one… the legendary immortal?”

 

Immortal Su, who usually kept his distance from mundane affairs, was unusually close today. Envoy Wang was thrilled at the opportunity.

 

“Yes,” Zhao Juzhen nodded. “I’m drafting a report to inform His Majesty about the Vastest Lake battle and Immortal Su’s merits.”

 

Envoy Wang hastily shook his head. “No, no…”

 

“What is it?” Zhao Juzhen asked, puzzled.

Zhao Juzhen couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, bewildered. Was Wang Shoucheng secretly trying to claim this merit for himself?

 

After the battle, Immortal Su was nowhere to be seen these past two days, not even accepting the court’s reward of silver. It seemed he had no interest in this great service to the court.

 

But Envoy Wang, eyes closed with a smile, said softly, “You think eliminating the Whale Gang will get you noticed by the Emperor? Serving the court is our duty; it’s not such a grand feat. But letting that chance at true greatness slip through your fingers… now that is a mistake.”

 

Zhao Juzhen frowned, more confused than ever. “I don’t understand. What greater achievement are you talking about? How do we rise high in the Emperor’s favor?”

 

Wang chuckled. “You’re not in the capital, so you don’t know. Our Emperor, he’s grown old, his heart set on one thing: immortality. If he knew of Immortal Su in Wu Region… well, imagine his delight! If we could bring Immortal Su to the capital, do you think he wouldn’t name him Imperial Teacher?”

 

He leaned closer, voice lowering. “Think about it, Juzhen. We bring Immortal Su to the Emperor’s court, earn ourselves a great merit. With His Majesty’s favor and Immoral Su’s influence, we’d be untouchable. Half the court would bow to us.”

 

His eyes gleamed with ambition. “We’d be the ones calling the shots, Juzhen. That’s power.

 

“Zhao Juzhen, my friend, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us! A chance to truly make it big!”

 

Governor Zhao was taken aback. The emperor’s recent actions had been far from wise; his whims were unpredictable, and even the imperial censors couldn’t sway him. Even Lord Bai, once deeply favored, was banished to Jiang Province for his repeated advice.

 

It seemed the emperor’s obsession with finding immortals had reached new heights. Yet, stopping this was proving impossible.

 

Zhao Juzhen remained silent, his mind racing. If Immortal Su could tame the emperor’s whims, perhaps they’d finally have peace in the realm. With Wu Region cleansed of its demons, why not invite Immortal Su to court? He could cut down the corrupt officials plaguing the government.

 

Zhao Juzhen smiled, “Your Excellency is wise indeed! We should follow your plan. Let’s invite Immortal Su for a secret meeting and discuss his intentions about coming to the capital and taking up the post of Imperial Teacher.”

 

The two men shared a knowing glance, both pleased with their plans…

 

Mist Terrace’s renowned martial artists, wealthy merchants, and nobles all widened their eyes, watching as a single copper coin drifted through the air before landing in Ah Nu’s hand. No one dared breathe. This wasn’t the power of a Grandmaster’s True Qi; it was an immortal force, godly and mysterious. They had seen Immortal Su demonstrate such power before, but this time, it was over a mere copper coin. Yet, it floated without any True Qi support, surpassing the capabilities of ordinary martial artists and entering the realm of immortal powers.

 

“Su… Immortal!” someone exclaimed.

 

“He truly is Immortal Su… He’s here!”

 

Many martial artists trembled with excitement, recalling the immoral pressure they’d felt that day at Vast Lake’s Northern Swamp. The Immortal Master’s might was unfathomable; he controlled the lives of countless beings.

 

Trembling out of fear for that power.

 

Thrilling in seeing him again.

 

They thought of how he’d turned the tide at Northern Swamp, saving the officialdom and martial alliance from collapse with his immortal arts.

“He’s really the genuine Immortal Su?”

“Immortal Su… It’s him! He saved my brother’s life!”

The girls of Mist Terrace whisper among themselves, guessing the identity of this mysterious figure.

Some even scream, overwhelmed with joy to the point of fainting.

Since the Battle of Vastest Lake, every citizen in Gusu has been singing his praises—the young Immortal Su who turned the tide, crushing the Whale Gang pirates’ leaders and saving Wu Region’s martial groups’ elite warriors.

He not only rescued thousands but also wiped out the gang that had plagued Wu Region for centuries. He helped eliminate the lake’s pirates, bringing peace to the region.

He even killed the Whale Gang’s backer, Wu Region’s former transcendent, Han Mountain’s rogue cultivator.

Whether they’re Gusu citizens, court officials, martial groups, or us courtesans—everyone adores and reveres young Immortal Su.

Yet, since that battle, he was nowhere to be seen. No sign of him in Gusu or Wu Region’s martial world…

 

The blue-clad man didn’t even glance at Mist Terrace’s excited crowd. He waved his hand again.

Four more treasure chests opened, revealing gleaming, dazzling yellow gold inside.

Each chest was filled to the brim with golden treasures.

“Just now, that pouch contained the money for the contract. There are four treasure chests left, one filled with ten thousand taels of gold and jewels, stored in a Gusu bank under Young Miss Ah Nu’s personal control. The other two are split between the Medicine King Group, Caravan Guards, Iron Sword Group, and Heaven Falcon Group. The last chest is evenly divided among the remaining dozens of small groups in the Wu Region. These three chests of gold serve as insurance fees for protecting Young Miss Ah Nu’s peace this lifetime.”

 

The blue-clad man glanced at the crowd inside Mist Terrace, his voice icy. “Her safety will be jointly guaranteed by you four major groups and the smaller ones. But know this: if anything happens to her, every major group in Wu Region, big or small, will pay with their lives!”

 

Mist Terrace’s martial artists gasped in shock.

 

Thirty thousand taels of gold were used to insure Ah Nu’s life across Wu Region. If something happened, everyone involved would be doomed.

 

Wu Region had three Grandmaster Stage experts alone, not counting the countless disciples below them. The lives of thousands hung on Young Miss Ah Nu’s safety.

 

If she was harmed, every group in Wu Region would face annihilation!

 

The young martial artists present felt a chill run down their spines. None dared to object.

 

“As decreed by the Immortal, we dare not disobey!”

 

“As you wish, Immortal!”

 

Inside Mist Terrace, Li Shuo, Han Ya, and Sun Baihong—the three Grandmaster stage experts—emerged from their boxes, bowed respectfully, and took on this insurance personally in their roles as leaders.

 

The blue-clad man finished his business and spared a glance at Wang Fuhao huddled under the table. His eyes were cold.

 

Accidentally, he stepped on Wang Fuhao’s hand.

 

“Ah! It hurts so much, I’m dying! Immortal, please spare me! I didn’t know she was your woman! Rich Uncle~Father~, save me!” Wang Fuhao cried out in agony from under the table. His hand was broken and shaking, his screams like a pig being slaughtered.

 

“Hold up, Immortal Su!” the leader of Soaring Eagle Sect called out. “I wish to take you as my master, please accept me!”

 

“Immortal Su,” the man continued, “you saved my life. From now on, your words are my command, even above the emperor’s second son. If anyone dares to trouble Young Miss Ah Nu in the martial world, I will cut them to pieces!”

 

A burly iron-clad man stepped forward, shouting, “That’s right!”

 

“I am Black Dog Group leader, Black Dog,” another man announced. “Anyone who offends Immortal Su is asking for trouble with me.”

 

“Immortal Su,” a third man declared, “I’m Black Bear Group leader. From now on, I’ll be your personal guard, Black Bear. That Wang Fuhao dared to compete with you over that woman; if he dares to show his face again, I’ll slap him dead!”

 

Previously startled martial artists rushed forward, eager to chase after Su Chen for the chance to serve him loyally.

 

The governor’s officials hurried away but returned soon after, faces pale. “Sir,” they reported, “Immortal Su has left. He moved too fast; we couldn’t keep up, and now he’s gone without a trace.”

 

“What?” Zhao Juzhen exclaimed, panic setting in. Immortal Su held his dreams. If Su Chen agreed to join him in going to Chang’an, gaining the Emperor’s trust and replacing those corrupt officials, Zhao Juzhen might become the savior of Great Tang.

 

But his greatest fear was that Immortal Su had no interest in worldly riches or becoming Imperial Teacher, leaving him uninterested in Zhao Juzhen’s proposal.

 

“I-I had no idea where to even begin looking!”

 

The petty officials stammered in panic.

 

“Useless fools.”

 

Zhao Juzhen snapped, “Immortals don’t just pop out of cracks in the rocks! There are only thirteen counties in Wu Region—if you can’t find a single immortal in that area, what good are you worthless drunks and gluttons for? Magistrate Wang, send out all your constables and able-bodied men! As long as he’s still within Wu Region, we will find him!”

 

…

 

The officials of Wu Region and the martial heroes of the martial world alike were caught off guard—none of them expected Su Chen to simply run off. In a panic, they all rushed out after him.

 

But once outside the Mist Terrace, they froze in shock. Even masters like Li Shuo and Han Ya could not catch so much as a glimpse of Immortal Su’s shadow.

 

He had come suddenly, and left just as cleanly.

 

On the silent, dark streets of Gusu City, there was no trace of him—empty and still, as if such a man had never existed in this world.

 

Only within the Mist Terrace remained five treasure chests, gleaming with golden light—the sole proof that Immortal Su had once been there.