116: Chapter 116 Bewitching Dance and Mind-Stealing Array: A Thin Veil Conceals a Soul-Stealing Technique

"Commander Gu is a young talent with extraordinary abilities. It is truly a blessing for the common people that the capital can have Commander Gu stationed here."

"It is also the good fortune of Great Chu."

He downed the drink in one gulp, then set down his wine cup, looking at Gu Han with burning eyes.

"I wonder what Commander Gu's opinion is regarding this recent Blood God Cult disturbance?"

The smile on Gu Han's lips did not fade as his gaze swept past Chu Li and then over those expressionless death soldiers.

He was in no rush to respond, instead slowly placing his wine cup on the table.

The cup made a very faint tapping sound against the table, as if this sound alone were enough to shake one's heart.

"Opinion?"

Gu Han's tone was calm, yet carried a hint of imperceptible depth.

"This Gu has just arrived in the capital and has only recently joined the Zhenwu Division, so I have not yet fully grasped many of the matters here."

"To rashly offer an opinion might be biased."

"However, in my view, the Blood God Cult's actions this time are by no means as simple as they appear on the surface."

"In the battle at the ruins of the City God Temple, the collusion between the Blood God Cult and the Azure Demon Sect is already confirmed with solid evidence, and it even involves secret techniques of the Yao Race. The waters here run very deep."

He changed the subject, his tone carrying a hint of worry.

"The fall of Commander Yang is even more suspicious."

"He was a Commander of the Zhenwu Division with extraordinary strength, yet he still met such a tragic end."

"It shows that the Blood God Cult's methods are treacherous and even worse than before."

"Now that the Division Master and others are away, the Zhenwu Division is in a troubled time."

"But we Martial Artists should take the safety of the nation as our own responsibility, doing our utmost to eradicate the demons and evil, and restore peace to the capital."

Gu Han's words were impeccable.

He not only showed that he was "not very knowledgeable" about the situation in the capital but also cleverly bound himself to the safety of the Zhenwu Division.

He even unnoticeably linked the death of Yang Qianjue to the conspiracy of the Blood God Cult.

He appeared loyal to the sovereign, patriotic, and deeply righteous.

A glint of light flashed in Chu Li's eyes, and his assessment of Gu Han rose once again. This new Commander was far more troublesome than Yang Qianjue.

"Commander Gu's words are absolutely correct."

Chu Li nodded with a smile, then instructed the maidservant.

"Why aren't you quickly filling Commander Gu's cup?"

"You have no sense at all."

The wine cup was filled again, the amber liquid flowing under the lamplight like congealed blood.

Gu Han glanced at the wine cup calmly, a trace of mockery flashing in his eyes.

"This Blood God Cult disturbance, with repeated attacks on the Zhenwu Division and the Imperial City, clearly shows malicious intent."

Chu Li continued, his voice carrying a hint of heaviness.

"I am worried about the safety of the people in the capital, so I specially held this banquet."

"I wish to discuss countermeasures with Commander Gu and fight against the demons and evil together."

"If not for the Restrictions of our ancestral laws and rites,"

"I would even want to join the Zhenwu Division to eliminate harm for the people and safeguard the stability of the nation."

His words were earnest, as if he were truly a prince worried about the country and the people.

However, Gu Han knew clearly that this was nothing more than crocodile tears.

"I also believe that Commander Gu will certainly live up to expectations and eradicate the demons and evil."

Chu Li's smile became even more warm, and he changed the subject, his tone carrying a hint of carelessness.

"However, this Blood God Cult disturbance has also brought up many old matters within the imperial court."

"Has Commander Gu heard that in the capital now, factional strife is rampant, and there are many cliques..."

Gu Han tapped his fingers lightly on the wine cup, the amber liquid sloshing slightly with his movement, reflecting the deep cold light in his eyes.

He raised his eyes, looking straight at Chu Li, his tone as steady as a mountain, yet carrying an unquestionable determination.

"Your Highness is mistaken."

"The Zhenwu Division is only responsible to His Majesty and exists only for the common people."

"Court factional strife is not something we Martial Artists should be involved in."

"Our duty is only to slay demons and eliminate devils, purge the villains, and ensure the peace of the capital."

"To repay His Majesty's holy grace!"

Chu Li's smile stiffened for a moment, and a trace of imperceptible sinister malice flashed in the depths of his eyes.

He did not expect Gu Han to refuse so directly, not even bothering to offer a perfunctory response.

This new Commander was even more impervious than he had imagined.

"Commander Gu, you take it too seriously."

"I was just mentioning it casually and had no other intentions."

"I was just worried about the safety of the capital, which is why I said a few extra words."

Chu Li gave a dry laugh to cover it up and raised his wine cup, signaling to Gu Han.

"Come, I will toast Commander Gu. To the peace of the capital, and to the empire of Great Chu!"

Gu Han picked up his wine cup and downed it in one gulp, his movements clean and decisive, as if he were just drinking a cup of ordinary wine.

He set down the wine cup, his gaze sharp as a knife, sweeping over the twelve death soldiers again.

Their eyes remained cold.

But Gu Han keenly captured that in the depths of the pupils of a few of them, there seemed to be a flicker of an imperceptible blood-colored light.

"Your Highness is too kind."

Gu Han's voice was calm, yet it caused the atmosphere in the hall to suddenly cool down.

Gu Han's nonchalant phrase, "To repay His Majesty's holy grace!", was like an invisible blade that instantly severed all the fake warmth in the banquet hall.

The atmosphere of friendly conversation just a moment ago suddenly stagnated.

Chu Li's smile completely collapsed, and the sinister malice in the depths of his eyes slithered out like a venomous snake, tightly coiling around Gu Han.

The breathing of the twelve Mortal Transformation Realm death soldiers became heavier, and the ghostly blue light on their blades now resembled ghost fire ready to devour people.

"Your Highness."

Just in this suffocating silence, a servant in black robes who had been standing behind Chu Li broke the stalemate.

A smile that looked worse than crying was plastered on his face as he hurried forward and bowed.

"Your Highness, Commander Gu has come from afar and must be a bit tired."

"Why not let the dancing girls come up to liven things up, so as to add some refined interest to this banquet?"

The gloom in Chu Li's eyes receded slightly, and he glanced at the servant.

He then forcibly suppressed the anger in his heart, put on that gentle mask again, and smiled at Gu Han.

"Commander Gu, my servants are ignorant, please do not take offense."

"I also feel the atmosphere is a bit dull. Why not let the dancing girls entertain everyone?"

"If Commander Gu fancies any of them, a romantic night would certainly be a fine tale to tell."

A faint, almost imperceptible mockery curled up on the corner of Gu Han's mouth, and he remained noncommittal.

His gaze swept over the servant, and his pupils contracted imperceptibly.

This servant appeared to be smoothing things over, but was actually observing secretly, and that "Your Highness" just now seemed to carry a special rhythm.

There was a faint fluctuation of True Qi within it, which was very well hidden.

He was clearly a master among masters.

It seems that this Second Prince's residence is indeed full of hidden talents.

Accompanied by crisp string and bamboo music, a dozen or so dancing girls dressed in thin veils filed in.

They had graceful figures and charming faces, dancing lightly in the center of the hall.

Amidst the dancing light veils, a subtle fragrance drifted, making one's heart flutter.

However, Gu Han smelled something unusual from it.

The dance steps of these dancing girls appeared soft and beautiful, but they vaguely contained the trajectories of a Formation, and every step they took echoed with some kind of Restriction beneath the floor tiles of the hall.

Constantly seducing the minds of the viewers.

"What a Second Prince!"

"I'm afraid these dancing girls have all undergone rigorous special training."

Gu Han sneered in his heart, but his face remained calm.

He picked up his wine cup, took a slow sip, and swept his gaze over the guards and attendants who were immersed in the dance.

Only those twelve Mortal Transformation Realm death soldiers remained with cold eyes, not moving a muscle.

"Commander Gu, are the dances of the capital's dancing girls to your liking?"

Chu Li's voice sounded in his ear, carrying a hint of probing.

Chu Li's gaze, like a venomous snake, tightly coiled around Gu Han.

The corners of his lips rose imperceptibly, as if waiting for Gu Han's praise, or perhaps expecting him to be trapped by this tenderness.

However, Gu Han just nonchalantly set down his wine cup, the crisp sound of porcelain colliding appearing exceptionally abrupt amidst this decadent music.

"The dancing girls in the Second Prince's residence certainly each have their own merits."

"For an ordinary person to obtain one, it would be a great honor."

Gu Han's voice was steady, and his eyes were as deep as an ancient well, without the slightest ripple.