Yefutidaolu

Chapter 396 I Can't Trust You

Gao Jian's single strike was like a divine punishment descending, not only completely erasing the rampant tide of the dead and the Lin family members who were casting spells, but also cleaving apart the authority of these powerful and domineering families.

The young masters from various passages and barracks who had heard the news later had gathered in no fewer than several dozen people. Among them were many powerful experts who had reached the fifth or sixth level of cultivation, and even two old men with white hair and beards and sinister eyes.

His aura was deep and obscure, indicating that he had already reached the seventh realm of cultivation! Such power, placed in Liangzhou, would make him a powerful figure in the region, enough to support the reputation of a mid-level aristocratic family.

Appearance does not indicate age.

After all, once you've cultivated to this level, you can't be too young. Some people don't care about getting old, so they naturally appear as if they're old.

However, these dozens of elites from powerful families, who possessed considerable cultivation, were now as if blocked by an invisible barrier, gathered together at a distance. Not one of them dared to take another step forward, nor did any of them utter a sound of rebuke. They simply gathered together at a distance, forming a battle formation. The light of their magical treasures flickered, and they stared intently at the figure in green robes standing alone in the ruins as if facing a formidable enemy. Not one of them dared to cross the line!
It's not that I didn't want to stop them, it's just that... I couldn't!

The terrifying blade light that filled the heavens and earth and obliterated everything, the absolute power that instantly widened the cave and shaved the surface of the earth, and the ruthless methods that casually blasted several cultivators of the same or even higher level into bloody foam... must have been passed down from a far-reaching lineage!
They watched as Gao Jian appeared, as the crimson aura of blood and smoke still lingered, as the knife marks on the ground, and as the sharp sword intent that had not yet completely dissipated in the air...

Everyone's face was filled with shock, horror, and disbelief.

Can't stop it!
There's no way to stop it!
A seventh-realm martial artist! And such a young, decisive, and terrifyingly skilled seventh-realm martial artist!

The two strongest seventh-realm experts present knew there was absolutely no way they could have unleashed that strike! They even doubted whether they could survive a single breath under such a blade!
Right now, the top combat power of the aristocratic families, such as the patriarch of the Shui family and the heads and elders of other aristocratic families, are all not here! The remaining people would probably be throwing their lives away if they went up against Gao Jian, this demon god!

Those who stayed behind or were assigned to supervise the "project" were utterly powerless against this suddenly appearing demon!

Gao Jian swept his cold gaze across the group of trembling noblemen, ignoring them completely. He turned to look at the Demon Suppression Division soldiers behind him, who were still in a state of shock and confusion.

"All soldiers of the Demon Suppression Division, listen to my command!" Gao Jian's voice regained its calmness, yet carried an undeniable force. "Immediately lay down all your belongings, leave the underground cave, and assemble in the safe area on the surface to rest and recuperate! Circulate your internal energy to expel the death energy from your bodies and heal your injuries! This is a military order!"

Upon hearing this, the soldiers of the Demon Suppression Division, who were originally exhausted and almost numb, instantly burst into ecstatic joy and gratitude as if they had survived a calamity!

"Order!"

"Thank you, General!"

"Thank you, General, for saving my life!"

Everyone bowed respectfully, their voices trembling with excitement. They recognized his insightful opinion!
Back then, this man stirred up a huge wave in Cangzhou and brought down the arrogant Zuo family. His portrait and deeds had long been spread among the soldiers at the bottom level!

Seeing him now was like a divine intervention, not only swiftly killing the arrogant young masters of the powerful families, but also ordering them to leave this place of certain death and rest. How could they not be moved to tears of gratitude?

The soldiers, supporting each other, with awe and hope, began to retreat in an orderly manner up the stone steps.

However, Gao Jian's brows furrowed slightly.

His gaze passed over the grateful soldiers and landed on the group of aristocratic cultivators in the distance who dared not speak out against their anger.

He keenly noticed that, in addition to fear and anger, the way those people looked at him also carried a sense of... unfamiliarity.

This is very abnormal!
He thought that since he had caused such a commotion in Cangzhou and personally wiped out the Zuo family, who had been entrenched there for many years, his portrait and deeds should have spread to every corner of Cangzhou long ago. In particular, these scions of prominent families should regard him as their number one target of vigilance.

But the people in front of us, including the two elders at the seventh realm, only showed fear of the strong and anger towards those who broke the rules in their eyes. They did not show the deep hatred and familiarity that comes with meeting an enemy.

Deep in their eyes, besides anger and resentment, there was also a sense of... unfamiliarity.

This is not normal.

His reputation for insightful opinions should be widely known among the prominent families of Cangzhou.

He was the absolute protagonist in the destruction of the Zuo family. How could these scions of noble families, especially those with considerable cultivation and advanced age, not recognize him? Even if some didn't, they should have recognized him immediately after he announced his name and activated his general's seal.

But their reaction was more like hearing the name of a completely unfamiliar, suddenly appearing powerful figure.

Not right.

Gao Jian's mind raced, but he remained outwardly calm and composed.

He directed the last batch of Demon Suppression Division soldiers to evacuate the underground cave, and only after ensuring that everyone had gone up did he slowly turn around.

Something's not right... Gao Jian's mind was filled with doubt. How could the prominent families of Cangzhou not recognize me?

Watching the last soldier of the Demon Suppression Division disappear into the passage leading to the ground, Gao Jian pondered for a moment and decided to take the initiative to go forward and find out what was going on.

He strode forward, walking slowly towards the area where the aristocratic cultivators had gathered.

His movement caused a stir among the aristocratic families. The magical artifacts shone even brighter, their formation tightened, and everyone was on edge, as if facing a formidable enemy! Several middle-aged men who appeared to be leaders quickly huddled together, their lips barely moving, clearly discussing countermeasures urgently.

Gao Jian wasn't in a hurry. He maintained a steady pace, approaching step by step, giving them enough time to "discuss".

After walking for about two or three minutes, Gao Jian arrived at the area where the aristocratic cultivators were located.

Although this place is also located in an underground cavity, it has obviously been carefully arranged. The rock walls have been repaired and smoothed, and several stone chambers have even been carved out. There are rune curtains hanging at the door to ward off dust and purify the air, animal skin carpets are laid on the floor, and there are even some tables, chairs and tea sets.

Although it was considered simple by the standards of aristocratic families, it was a world of difference compared to the conditions in which the soldiers of the Demon Suppression Division had to endure wind and rain and were even forced to work in the yellow clouds.

As Gao Jian approached, a middle-aged man in a dark blue brocade robe, with a refined appearance and shrewd, composed eyes, stepped forward from the group of aristocratic cultivators. It seemed that the brief discussion had resulted in the selection of a representative to speak with him.

This person's cultivation is not weak; he has already reached the peak of the sixth realm, and his aura is refined.

He stopped about three zhang in front of Gao Jian, first bowing respectfully with his hands clasped, displaying a very proper posture, before speaking, his voice as steady as possible: "Are you Gao Jian?"

It seems that in this short period of time, they have already selected representatives who can engage in dialogue with insightful opinions.

This person's cultivation level is not weak, and his aura is refined, clearly indicating that he holds a high position in the family.

He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Gao Jian, his manners impeccable, yet his eyes held a scrutinizing and distant gaze. He asked, his voice steady but tinged with doubt, "Your name is Gao Jian?" "Yes," Gao Jian nodded calmly, looking at him with a serene expression.

“Your insight is profound… My surname is Shui, and my given name is Mingshou. I am the foreign affairs manager of the Shui family in Cangzhou.”

The middle-aged man introduced himself, then abruptly changed the subject, getting straight to the point, "I have never heard of a deputy general like you in the Demon Suppression Division. However, the official seal on your waist exudes pure blood and a majestic aura, which cannot be faked. So... General Gao, as a general of the imperial court, why did you obstruct my military affairs and kill your colleagues without authorization?"

He directly defined the act of driving the soldiers of the Demon Suppression Division to their deaths as "military affairs," and characterized Gao Jian's killing of the sons of noble families as "unauthorized killing of colleagues," thus occupying the moral high ground.

Upon hearing this, Gao Jian shook his head: "Military affairs? What kind of military affairs require human lives to be sacrificed? To be sacrificed in this underground cave, to be sacrificed in this deathly aura of the underworld?"

Shui Mingshou's expression remained unchanged, and his tone even carried a hint of matter-of-fact: "Aren't there enough cases of people sacrificing their lives during wartime? Soldiers and soldiers eat the government's salary, practice the military skills bestowed by the government, and serve the country to the death. This is a matter of course. How can we be concerned with gains and losses in everything?"

"To die for the country is to slay demons, protect the common people, and ensure peace in the region!" Gao Jian's voice suddenly turned fierce, his gaze sharp as he stared directly at Shui Mingshou, "not to die needlessly for the selfish interests of a few! The Demon Suppression Division is a public instrument of the nation, not the private army of your aristocratic families!"

Shui Mingshou felt a slight pang of fear at Gao Jian's gaze, but he still forced himself to remain calm and said in a deep voice, "General Gao, you are mistaken! All the arrangements here are carried out with official written orders from the Cangzhou Prefecture. The procedures are in accordance with regulations and are not for personal gain! Today, you disobeyed military orders and killed your colleagues, which is a serious crime! If you repent now and let those soldiers return to continue their military duties, we may be able to plead for you when your patriarchs return from the Yellow Springs. Perhaps there is still a glimmer of hope for you!"

"Returned from the Underworld?" Gao Jian caught the key information and pressed, "They entered the Underworld? What were they doing there? When will they return?"

Shui Mingshou's expression changed slightly, as if he realized he had spoken out of turn. He immediately shut his mouth and shook his head, saying, "This is a confidential matter concerning the safety of Cangzhou and even the entire country. It is not something you should inquire about. General Gao, please be mindful of your words and do not make a mistake!"

“I won’t ask you.” Gao Jian suddenly smiled, a smile that sent a chill down Shui Mingshou’s spine. “I’ll go directly to the underworld and ask them.”

After saying that, Gao Jian actually turned around and walked towards the darker part of the cave, where the deathly aura of the Yellow Springs was most concentrated, seemingly connecting to the Nine Netherworlds!
Shui Mingshou was stunned, then disbelief and...smugness flashed in his eyes?
Is this person... crazy? Or just overconfident?
What a perilous and desolate place that the depths of the Yellow Springs are! Even a figure like the patriarch of the Shui family, who is a tenth-level expert, made thorough preparations for this operation, united experts from various families, and even obtained an extraordinary treasure from the central government for protection before daring to venture deep into it! How could he just walk in alone like that?
Good! Saves us the trouble! Let him go and die on his own!

Shui Mingshou sneered inwardly, as if he could already see Gao Jian being swallowed up by the deathly aura of the Yellow Springs and turning into withered bones.

However, after taking a few steps, Gao Jian suddenly stopped, turned around without looking back, and uttered a chillingly cold sentence:
"I'm letting you know in advance."

"When I emerge from the underworld..."

"If even one soldier of the Demon Suppression Division dies, or even a single hair is missing."

“Every single one of you here will be buried with us.”

His tone was calm, but the chilling killing intent contained in his words sent a shiver down the spines of all the noblemen who heard it.

Shui Mingshou's facial muscles twitched, forcing a stiff smile: "General Gao is joking... How could we..."

He said that, but in his heart he was dismissive.

Even if he were incredibly powerful, could he possibly be a match for the Shui family patriarch? Could he possibly be a match for that precious treasure? To venture alone into the depths of the Yellow Springs was simply courting death!

Good! It saves them from a standoff and unnecessary casualties. Let him die!

Shui Mingshou sneered inwardly, but his face remained impassive. He even turned slightly to the side, making a gesture of "please go ahead."

Get out? You think you can get out?
Gao Jian seemed to sense what he was thinking and slowly turned around.

Looking at Shui Mingshou's forced smile and the barely concealed schadenfreude and malice in the eyes of the group of aristocratic scions, he suddenly sighed softly, a sigh tinged with helplessness.

"Oh, forget it."

"I don't trust you."

"In case……"

"Let me kill you all first, then I'll go in."

After speaking,

"Qiang——!"

That rusty sword was drawn once again!
The chilling light instantly illuminated Shui Mingshou's face, which had suddenly turned terrified.

Shui Mingshou's smile froze instantly, transforming into extreme horror and rage. He abruptly retreated, shouting in a fierce but ultimately weak voice, "You dare! Do you know who I am? In Cangzhou, I, Shui Mingshou—"

"Pfft-"

A soft yet chilling sound of a blade piercing flesh interrupted all his words.

Mizuki Hisashi's voice abruptly stopped.

He looked down in disbelief at the rusty longsword that had appeared out of nowhere and in some unknown way, which had silently pierced through his protective aura and precisely entered his heart.

He was not given any time to react, nor was he made to feel much pain.

next moment--

"Oh!"

An invisible yet extremely domineering force burst forth from the blade!
Shui Mingshou, the steward of the Shui family and a cultivator at the peak of the sixth realm, didn't even leave a last word before his body exploded like a balloon detonated from within!
Flesh, bones, internal organs... instantly shattered into a crimson mist, which scattered and dissipated into the void.

Gao Jian slowly withdrew his rusty knife, flicked away non-existent bloodstains, gazed at the blood foam drifting in the air, and murmured to himself, as if with a hint of regret:
"It seems... your status needs to be elevated further before I dare not kill you."

Then, he raised his head, his calm yet chilling eyes slowly sweeping over the group of aristocratic cultivators in front of him, who were completely terrified and pale.

"All right."

"Now, it's your turn."

(End of this chapter)