26: Chapter 26 Meridian Opening Pill Obtained, Commander Summons Hidden Cultivation

Among the Zhenwu Guards present, someone recognized him; this person was the Zhenwu Envoy of the Zhenwu Division, Zheng Ren.

Rumor had it that Zheng Ren possessed extraordinary martial talent and was a very powerful Martial Artist.

Behind him were mostly mid-level members of the Zhenwu Guard.

Every one of them was gnashing their teeth, their faces filled with fury.

Zheng Ren remained unmoved, walking calmly to the center of the platform.

"Colleagues, Commander Sun has already explained everything just now."

"This Envoy will not waste words."

"Now that the rebels have infiltrated the Imperial Capital, their goal must be immense."

"The rebels escorted into the Imperial Prison today must be strictly guarded by all of you."

"No mistakes are allowed."

"If a mistake occurs, do not blame This Envoy for showing no mercy."

"Also, in this suppression of the rebels, several of the Heavenly Kings among them escaped."

"These Heavenly Kings are each exceedingly powerful."

"Even This Envoy cannot take them down all at once."

"Everyone, be sure to ensure your own safety."

Upon hearing the words 'Heavenly Kings,' the mid-level Zhenwu Guards who were just filled with fury now looked worried.

Each of them became tight-lipped.

Clearly, the deterrent power of the rebel 'Heavenly Kings' caused these mid-level Zhenwu Guards to feel great fear and trouble.

Afterward, Zheng Ren glanced at the crowd below the platform.

Zheng Ren took a gilded scroll from his robe and slowly unfurled it under everyone's astonished gaze.

"By order of the Chief Guard Master, all reserve Zhenwu Guards are to be officially instated immediately and promoted to Zhenwu Guards."

The square instantly erupted into an uproar.

Gu Han noticed that several reserves standing in the front row were trembling with excitement.

This was the promotion opportunity they had been waiting for so long.

If not for this opportunity, these people would likely have left the Zhenwu Division after completing one full year.

These people would either become constables or join the army.

"Each person may receive three Meridian Connecting Pills."

"To assist you all in achieving a Breakthrough to the Meridian Connecting Realm."

Then, Zheng Ren gave a solemn exhortation.

"Within three days, I want to see all of you Breakthrough to the Meridian Connecting Realm!"

"If you cannot, do not blame This Envoy for being heartless and dismissing you from the Zhenwu Division."

Zheng Ren's voice boomed like thunder, and the square instantly fell silent.

Gu Han stood in the crowd, his fingers unconsciously stroking the handle of the saber at his waist.

Three Meridian Connecting Pills were enough for an ordinary Martial Artist to Breakthrough to the Meridian Connecting Realm.

But for him, it was merely the icing on the cake.

"It seems the Zhenwu Guard's losses in this rebel suppression were heavy."

"Either that, or the situation has already turned dire."

"Forcing the Zhenwu Division to replenish its manpower and break its rules."

Gu Han stared straight ahead, his mind constantly thinking.

Regardless of which situation it was, Gu Han had to consider his next move.

He didn't want to get sucked into this whirlpool and risk his life for that bullshit Great Chu Imperial Family.

He just wanted to see the scenery at the peak of the Martial Dao, and perhaps have a little drink while he was up there.

At this moment, not far away, Zhang Tian was looking at Gu Han with an expression of disbelief.

Clearly, he found it incredible to see Gu Han appearing here perfectly fine.

"That fellow Butcher Zheng didn't kill this Little Beast?"

"It seems Butcher Zheng didn't do his best!"

"I'll have to report this to Master Ma in a bit."

Zhang Tian thought to himself.

And Gu Han also sensed that gaze.

But he didn't turn his head immediately.

Only after the gaze receded did he take a stealthy peek.

At this time, Zhang Tian was standing in the shadows at the edge of the square.

His long, narrow horse-face was set with a pair of triangular eyes, the whites outnumbering the pupils, always carrying a hint of gloom when he looked at people.

He was tall and thin, wearing a deep blue Zhenwu Guard uniform with a silver-inlaid short blade at his waist, which was the mark of a Zhenwu Guard Banneret.

On the square, Zheng Ren's lecture was nearing its end.

Gu Han stood in the ranks of the newly promoted Zhenwu Guards, seemingly listening intently, but in reality, the corner of his eye was constantly locked on Zhang Tian's position.

He could feel that viper-like gaze wandering over him, carrying undisguised malice and killing intent.

"Dismissed!"

"Reserve Zhenwu Guards, line up to receive your Medicinal Pills."

At Zheng Ren's command, the reserve Zhenwu Guards on the square began to line up in an orderly fashion to receive their pills.

Gu Han deliberately slowed his pace, falling to the back of the line.

He needed to think of a strategy; Zhang Tian and Ma Yong behind him wouldn't let him off easily; they were already mortal enemies.

Moreover, it was impossible for Gu Han to let the two of them off either.

He wasn't so kind-hearted as to let bygones be bygones.

To him, that was all nonsense.

Only a dead enemy is a good enemy.

And what he needed most right now was time and opportunity.

At the same time, that batch of rebels newly imprisoned in the Imperial Prison were each a walking life origin crystal.

Zhang Tian's cultivation was only at the fifth level of the Meridian Connecting Realm; in Gu Han's eyes, he was nothing more than an ant.

However, Zhang Tian was after all a Zhenwu Guard Banneret, and Ma Yong was behind him.

Just because he had schemed to kill Ma Yong's brother-in-law Li Yi, he was being hounded.

If he were to kill Zhang Tian directly, Ma Yong would certainly take action against him personally.

And it would be with a perfectly legitimate reason.

At that time, if he wanted to fight back, he would be facing the entire Zhenwu Division.

After all, murdering a colleague was a major taboo within the Zhenwu Division.

Once discovered, one would face endless pursuit from the entire Zhenwu Division.

This was not what Gu Han wanted.

After all, in the Zhenwu Division's Imperial Prison, the risk of obtaining life origin crystals was lowest and the reward highest.

If he were forced to wander the Jianghu, although he could still get life origin crystals...

He wouldn't know if those sinful people had powerful connections behind them.

Or perhaps, some hidden hand of the Righteous Path.

Just as Gu Han was deep in thought.

"Kid Gu!"

Captain Zhang's voice came from behind him.

"Follow me!"

"The Commander wants to see you."

"The Commander wants to see me?"

Gu Han's heart tightened, and his fingers instinctively stroked the hilt of his saber.

He had just been promoted to an official Zhenwu Guard; logically, he shouldn't be at the level to be summoned alone by the Commander.

No emotion could be seen on Captain Zhang's weather-beaten face.

"Don't dawdle, Commander Sun hates waiting for people most."

Gu Han nodded and followed Captain Zhang across the square.

He could feel two cold gazes behind him like maggots on a bone, but he did not look back.

Meanwhile, Zhang Tian had at some point stood next to Ma Yong.

Right now, the most important thing was to deal with the Commander's summons.

One slip-up, and the secret of his hidden cultivation might be exposed.

The Commander's quarters were on the east side of the square, more than three times larger than the Captain's quarters; two guards with steady auras stood at the door, at least at the Middle Stage of the Meridian Connecting Realm.

"Reporting to the Commander, Zhang Qi requests an audience."

Captain Zhang cupped his fists and bowed outside the room.

"Come in."

A low, thick voice came from inside.

Gu Han followed Captain Zhang into the Commander's quarters.

As soon as he entered the room, he saw Zheng Ren and Commander Sun in conversation.

"Reporting, Sirs, Gu Han has been brought."

Captain Zhang cupped his fists and bowed.

Zheng Ren lifted his eyelids, those hawk-like eyes scraping over Gu Han's entire body like a blade.

Gu Han immediately felt an invisible pressure envelop him, as if his entire body was being seen through.

He secretly circulated his Concealment Technique, doing his utmost to suppress his cultivation to the level of the ninth layer of Body Tempering.

"You are Gu Han?"

Zheng Ren's voice was low.

"I heard you have some methods for interrogation?"

"This subordinate Gu Han greets the Zhenwu Envoy and the Commander."

Gu Han cupped his fists and bowed, his posture respectful but not subservient.

He deliberately adjusted his breathing to be slightly rapid, appearing nervous but not panicked.

Zheng Ren set down the teacup in his hand, the porcelain hitting the wooden table with a crisp sound.

"This subordinate's methods are not fit for the stage."

"Last time was just good luck."

"Plus, those rebels were all spineless."

Gu Han answered with his head lowered, but the corner of his eye took in everything in the quarters.

Commander Sun sat in the main seat, his expression inscrutable.

Zheng Ren sat on the left, his fingers rhythmically tapping the tabletop.

Beside Zheng Ren stood two guards with steady auras, at least above the Middle Stage of the Primordial Core Realm.

"Luck?"

Zheng Ren suddenly smiled slightly.

"So many Zhenwu Guards interrogated them, yet none could pry open those rebels' mouths."

"As soon as you took over, you extracted information."

"That can no longer be explained by the word luck."

Zheng Ren suddenly stopped, and the air in the quarters seemed to freeze.

Gu Han could clearly hear his own deliberately controlled heartbeat—thump, thump, thump—each beat precisely controlled at the frequency a Body Tempering Realm Martial Artist should have.