Chapter Sixteen: Chong Heihu's Death

The northern lands were a spectacle, with a thousand miles frozen over.

It was March, and snow still fell in the North Sea.

Throughout the vast North Sea, sparks of war occasionally ignited.

Poor mountains and harsh waters breed unruly people.

It seemed the conflict in the North Sea wouldn't be settled anytime soon.

Gu Changqing didn't bother with the smaller fry; he went directly to Wen Zhong's Great Camp.

"Wen Zhong greets Junior Martial Uncle."

"Chong Houhu greets Imperial Preceptor."

"Chong Heihu greets Imperial Preceptor."

"Dispense with the formalities."

Gu Changqing looked at Chong Heihu, then gave Wen Zhong a questioning look.

It had been three years; why hadn't this traitor been dealt with yet?

"Wen Zhong, come with me to scout the front lines."

Gu Changqing led Wen Zhong to a secluded spot and asked, "Didn't I tell you to deal with Chong Heihu?"

Wen Zhong smiled wryly, "Chong Heihu has achieved great military feats and is fiercely loyal; he doesn't seem like a treacherous person."

"Doesn't seem like a treacherous person?" Gu Changqing chuckled, "Temporary loyalty doesn't mean lifelong loyalty. He hasn't betrayed us yet because he hasn't met someone who can offer him a good enough reason to betray."

Wen Zhong continued, "The Chong brothers share a deep bond, and Chong Heihu has military achievements. We can't just execute him on trumped-up charges, can we? If we did, it would surely dishearten millions of armored soldiers."

Gu Changqing retorted, "If not executed on trumped-up charges, why can't we give him a glorious death?"

This...

Wen Zhong paused, then added, "Why does Junior Martial Uncle insist on Chong Heihu's death? The North Sea needs all the talent it can get right now."

Condemning someone to death simply because they were born with a rebellious spirit – Wen Zhong felt it wasn't right.

If there were irrefutable evidence, Wen Zhong would chop off his head without hesitation.

But to eliminate a capable general for something that hadn't even happened yet seemed a bit frivolous.

"For the tens of thousands of miles of territory in this North Sea, and for the six hundred-year reign of Great Shang."

Gu Changqing stated resolutely. Chong Heihu would bind Chong Houhu and bring him into the Zhou camp, causing the North Sea to change hands and delivering a fatal blow to Di Xin. In the battle of Golden Rooster Ridge, Chong Heihu would slay Gao Jineng, laying the foundation for the Zhou army's victory.

Why keep such a traitor alive for the New Year instead of getting rid of him sooner?

Seeing Wen Zhong's obvious reluctance, Gu Changqing added, "Do I have to handle such a small matter myself?"

"This... I will make the arrangements."

Wen Zhong saw that Gu Changqing was determined to have Chong Heihu dead, so he could only compromise.

Gu Changqing was not only his Martial Uncle but also the Imperial Preceptor; there was no reason for him to frame Chong Heihu.

If Gu Changqing said Chong Heihu had a problem, then perhaps the man truly did.

Gu Changqing then asked, "The battle has dragged on; why haven't you called for reinforcements?"

In the original timeline, it took Wen Zhong fifteen years to pacify the North Sea. Gu Changqing felt fifteen years was too long, which was why he had come to the North Sea.

Wen Zhong replied, "I have already withdrawn a third of our forces. If we continue to draw strength from the capital, I fear it will undermine the foundation of the royal domain."

Gu Changqing asked again, "Have you sought help from Shi Ji?"

Wen Zhong replied, "Martial Uncle Shi Ji has already arrived in the North Sea, but unfortunately, the Western Sect is too powerful, and Martial Uncle Shi Ji is struggling alone."

"Hmm."

Gu Changqing mused inwardly: If the Western Sect is determined to stir up trouble in the North Sea, it will indeed be difficult for Shi Ji to turn the tide. Wen Zhong can increase the strength of cultivators, and so can the Western Sect.

"Do you know where the Western Sect's main base is?"

Wen Zhong replied, "The Western Sect's experts are entrenched on Vulture Peak Mountain."

Vulture Peak Mountain? Vulture Peak Cave?

Isn't that Ran Deng's dojo?!

Gu Changqing frowned inwardly. Had the Chan Sect and the Western Sect already colluded? Or was this just Ran Deng's personal doing?

Gu Changqing looked back at the Shang army's Great Camp and said, "Have Chong Heihu go to Vulture Peak Mountain to scout the enemy."

"Yes." Wen Zhong nodded helplessly and returned to the camp.

Gu Changqing did not return to the Great Camp but went towards Vulture Peak Mountain.

Shi Ji might also have gone to Vulture Peak Mountain.

The Western Sect did not lack items of Merits, so they might not fear Shi Ji's Merit Saint Garment.

Although the World-Breaking Shuttle was an Innate Supreme Treasure, its main purpose was for escape.

Shi Ji didn't come to the North Sea to escape with her life!

Gu Changqing slowly headed toward Vulture Peak Mountain, and before long, he spotted Chong Heihu following him.

Gu Changqing concealed himself and went in another direction.

With the Merit Saint Attire covering him, let alone Chong Heihu, even Ran Deng would have a hard time detecting his whereabouts.

Within a few days, Gu Changqing arrived at the outskirts of Vulture Peak Mountain.

Chong Heihu also arrived around this time, about a li behind him.

Gu Changqing noticed Chong Heihu's arrival and became even more cautious in his movements.

Soon, he encountered another familiar face.

Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva of the Western Sect!

This...

It was truly like getting a pillow right when you were sleepy.

Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva, a Great Luo Peak cultivator. Killing an Earth Immortal like Chong Heihu was child's play for him.

Chong Heihu, oblivious to his impending doom, approached Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva. Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva turned his head to look in Chong Heihu's direction.

He merely shook his head and turned to head towards Vulture Peak Mountain.

Clearly, this guy didn't even put Chong Heihu in his eyes.

No!

If you leave like this, how will Chong Heihu die gloriously?

Gu Changqing frowned inwardly, then a plan formed in his mind.

Exchanging 100,000 Merits for a Precious Flower, Gu Changqing held the Precious Flower in his hand and smiled to himself.

Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva had five hundred Precious Flowers, and one suddenly going missing didn't even catch his attention.

Gu Changqing raised one hand, and the Precious Flower shot straight towards Chong Heihu's heart.

Poor Chong Heihu, no matter how careful he was, how could he dodge Gu Changqing's sneak attack? He was instantly impaled to the ground, his soul scattered, and a wisp of his True Spirit flew towards Kunlun Mountain.

At this moment, after successfully landing his blow, Gu Changqing swiftly retreated, arriving behind Chong Heihu.

Precious Flower?

Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva sensed that trace of spiritual light and was startled.

Isn't that my magical artifact, the Precious Flower?

He picked up the Precious Flower in his hand and looked at it—sure enough, one was missing.

After a thorough sensing, the lost Precious Flower was indeed stuck in Chong Heihu's chest!

This...

Even Amitabha isn't this miraculous!

A Precious Flower can fly out and kill someone by itself?

Kill an unknown Earth Immortal?

How is this possible!

Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva flashed in front of Chong Heihu, and upon closer inspection...

It really is my damn Precious Flower!

At this time, Chong Heihu's subordinates were panic-stricken, and seeing Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva only chilled them further.

From the opponent's attire, they knew he was a master from the Western Sect.

Grand Tutor had said that this rebellion was related to the Western Sect.

Clang!

Several of them drew their weapons and confronted Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva.

Seeing the Precious Flower in Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva's hand, their faces burned with even more rage.

"Did you sneak attack our Marquis?"

A leading Armored Soldier angrily demanded.

Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva gave a wry smile and said, "If I said it was a misunderstanding, would you believe me?"

Believe?

I'd believe a ghost before I believe you!

The Precious Flower in Chong Heihu's chest is identical to the Precious Flower in your hand, and you're telling me it's a misunderstanding?

The Armored Soldier removed the Precious Flower from Chong Heihu's chest and asked, "Is this object yours?"

Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva nodded.

The Armored Soldier asked again, "Is this object your exclusive magical artifact?"

Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva nodded again.

The Armored Soldier continued, "Is there anyone else in the world who uses this magical artifact?"

Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva shook his head.

The Armored Soldier then said, "Are you still claiming it's a misunderstanding?"

Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva nodded and spoke to someone behind the Armored Soldier, "Junior Disciple Brother Changqing, we meet again."

Gu Changqing walked over, glanced at the corpse on the ground, and asked, "What happened?"