From a slave to the Great Qian Martial Saint

After resting for a day, Chen Shi returned to the Marquis's residence the next morning.

"What? Second Master is dead!"

I had just arrived at the duty room when I heard the news.

Gu Chengze is dead.

Last night, a message arrived from the border via express courier: Gu Chengze led his troops in a valiant battle against the enemy, beheading more than ten enemy soldiers. On his triumphant return, he was struck by an enemy arrow and died from his wounds!

Chen Shi's eyes widened. Who made up this lie? That's some real talent.

It's not a big deal that Gu Chengze died at the hands of the Fufeng Society. The key issue is that he secretly ran away from the frontier. How is that any different from deserting? Where does that leave the reputation of the Jing'an Marquis's mansion?

By fabricating this reason, not only was Gu Chengze's death explained, but the reputation of the Marquis's mansion was also preserved, achieving the best of both worlds.

"Tsk tsk, those bandits are too brutal."

After he finished speaking, Dongqing clicked his tongue repeatedly, looking quite amazed.

"Indeed brutal."

Chen Shi casually agreed and then got up.

"I'll go to the manor to take a look."

No matter what, Gu Chengze was his former master. Now that his master is dead, how could he, as an old servant, not show his face?

He also wanted to know how Xiao Fengxiao would react!

"Manager Chen, you've come at the right time. The master wants to see you."

Just after passing through the side gate, a servant came towards us.

Master?

If the master summoned him simply to instruct him not to reveal the true cause of Gu Chengze's death, there would be no need for it.

"We'll find out when we get there," Chen Shi thought, too lazy to think too much about it. "In any case, it shouldn't be anything bad."

After all, he had just saved the master's life!

Moreover, even if the master did not summon him, he would still find an opportunity to request an audience.

When they arrived at the study, they saw Gu Tingshu sitting there just as he had last time.

However, his breathing was weak and his face was pale, indicating that he was still very weak. Although the toxins had been cleared, the poisoning was still too deep and had damaged his body. Without some time to recuperate, he would probably not be able to fully recover.

"Greetings, Your Excellency."

Chen Shi stepped forward and bowed in greeting.

Gu Tingshu raised his hand, indicating that he should not stand on ceremony.

"Have you heard about Chengze's death?"

"I've heard about it."

Chen Shi nodded, feigning deep sorrow.

"The enemy launched a treacherous sneak attack; it's such a pity that Second Master died!"

"……Um."

Gu Tingshu glanced at Chen Shi and nodded slightly.

He's definitely a smart person.

The play was just a bit too fake.

Since Chen Shi knew what to say to outsiders, Gu Tingshu didn't need to waste words reminding him and went straight to the point.

"In a few days, Chengze's body will be sent back from the border. At that time, you will assist Zhou Bingzhi in handling the funeral arrangements."

"I?"

Chen Shi's eyes widened, genuinely surprised.

As the eldest son of a marquis, Gu Chengze's funeral was no small matter!

Previously, the funerals of Gu Chengrong and Gu Chengen were handled by several stewards. How could Chen Shi, a mere steward, be entrusted with such an important task?

"Jin Bingren is injured and will need at least a month to recover. Steward Hua has never cared about these things, and now there is only Zhou Bingzhi left. How can he possibly manage?"

Gu Tingshu sighed, seemingly having completely forgotten about Sun Bingyi, without even mentioning him, and then directly gave the order.

"Everything is done according to precedent, so you don't need to worry too much. Just focus on helping Zhou Bingzhi."

"yes!"

Chen Shi accepted the order in a deep voice, his expression serious.

Such funeral arrangements are usually handled by the head steward. The fact that he was asked to assist at this time clearly shows Gu Tingshu's intention to promote him!

Given this, what else can Chen Shi say?

"No matter what, you were promoted by Chengze, so you should handle his funeral properly."

Gu Tingshu sighed again, as if he had aged considerably in an instant.

The tragedy of a parent outliving their child is already a great sorrow in life, let alone the fact that Gu Tingshu has lost two sons in just half a year.

"Sir, please take good care of yourself."

Chen Shi stepped forward and offered a sincere word of comfort.

Gu Tingshu raised his hand to indicate that he was alright, and then quickly recovered, once again becoming the dignified and imposing Marquis of Jing'an.

"After Chengze's funeral is completed, I will bestow upon you the withered wood divine body."

"...Divine body!"

Chen Shi's eyes widened again, his face showing surprise.

There are nine ranks of martial artists, each rank separated by a vast chasm, but only by reaching the sixth rank can one truly begin to enter the realm of transcendence and sainthood.

The root cause is the divine body.

Normally, the formation of a divine body and the advancement to the sixth rank are synchronized, but there are exceptions where a divine body can be obtained first through special means.

For example, Gu Hanying's Xuan Shuang Divine Body.

In fact, Chen Shi's divine power, like an elephant embryo, can be considered half a divine body.

After acquiring a divine body, one can naturally advance to the sixth rank by simply following the prescribed cultivation methods.

Therefore, there are no bottlenecks or constraints.

It should be noted that although the higher the rank, the fewer martial artists there are, the difference between the sixth and seventh ranks is precipitous.

This is because the vast majority of people are unable to condense a divine body.

The divine body has become a bottleneck that many martial artists cannot break through in their entire lives.

Although Chen Shi was confident that he could develop the Elephant King Stance into a Xuan-level martial art, thereby condensing his divine body and advancing to the sixth rank, he dared not guarantee how long it would take.

If one possesses the withered wood divine body, one can advance to the sixth rank first.

A sixth-rank minor master is far superior to a seventh-rank martial artist.

The divine body is not unique. While possessing the withered wood divine body, Chen Shi can still continue to deduce the Elephant King Stake and condense the corresponding divine body.

For example, Shen Bi is meant to condense the two divine bodies, Ning Yu and Ta Yue.

"Thank you for your kind offer, sir!"

If Chen Shi were to obtain the withered wood divine body, it would be a great and harmless thing for him in every respect.

Coming to his senses, Chen Shi quickly bowed and thanked him.

Gu Tingshu simply raised his hand, seemingly unconcerned.

Then his expression suddenly turned serious, and he said in a deep voice.

"Furthermore, I want you to continue infiltrating the Fufeng Society and investigate who else in the manor is a member! And, the true identity of that man wearing the bronze mask!"

"Yes."

Chen Shi accepted the order with a solemn expression.

But in reality, they didn't take it to heart at all.

Who else in the Jing'an Marquis's household is a member of the Fufeng Society? He currently knows two: himself and Li Qinghan. Could he tell Gu Tingshu this? Of course not.

As for investigating the elder's identity, that's only if he's tired of living.

Although Gu Tingshu assigned him the task, he "lacked the ability" and "couldn't complete it," so Gu Tingshu probably wouldn't do anything to him because of it.

"Now that the task has been assigned, cough cough, let's talk about how to reward you."

Gu Tingshu stopped coughing and said calmly.

"You carried me back the night before last, you did a great service. Tell me, what reward do you want?"

"this……"

Chen Shi hesitated for a moment, then his gaze suddenly became resolute.

"I don't seek high office or great wealth, I only wish to ask you, sir, for two women!"

"who."

"Cui Nong and Ting Yu".

"Um?"

Gu Tingshu, who had been all smiles just moments before, suddenly turned grim.

Tingyu was Gu Chengze's concubine, so he naturally knew that. As for Cui Nong, he had also heard about her from the servants.

Both of them are Gu Chengze's women!

"Chen Shi! How dare you!"

Gu Tingshu shouted, a hint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

Women who covet their master, like Sun Bingyi, truly deserve to die!