"Uncle Fu, what do you think of the current Immortal Chu Dynasty?"
Gu Changge picked up his teacup and gently blew at the white steam rising from it, not bothering with Uncle Fu's question but countering with his own.
Uncle Fu could not fathom Gu Changge's intentions at all. Hearing this, he merely shook his head and said, "The Immortal Chu Dynasty is an immortal nation established by the King. It is flourishing and resplendent. Even when the seas dry up and lightning decays, it still stands firm and unshaken.
"Throughout these epochs, the Immortal Chu Dynasty has enjoyed peace and prosperity, with order and stability. Whether ordinary people or cultivators, everyone must abide by the rules, and all beings are equal. There is no class oppression whatsoever. The King, Chu Gucheng, imparts the Dao teachings—
"He shows compassion for the common folk. Even mountain spirits and demon beasts can learn the Dao methods, shed their mortal shells, and transform into dragons in a single leap."
However, before he could finish, Gu Changge let out an ambiguous chuckle and said, "Uncle Fu, after all, you watched Chu Gucheng reach his current position step by step. Do even you believe the Immortal Chu Dynasty is truly like that?"
Uncle Fu still could not guess Gu Changge's purpose, not even knowing if he was friend or foe.
But when faced with this query, he still had a reply: "Although the Immortal Chu Dynasty has not existed for as long as the other orthodox traditions and powers of the Prime-Origin Civilization, its foundations are profound, as you, Young Master, must have witnessed. The King himself also possesses the sign of the Human Emperor and has made a great vow: that all under heaven shall be as dragons, and all shall become sages."
Gu Changge gave a light laugh. "What a fine sign of the Human Emperor. What fine dragons for all, sages for all. If the opportunity arises, I must pay a proper visit to the King of Chu. Whoever can utter such words is certainly an outstanding figure."
"If the Young Master wishes to visit the King, I could arrange an introduction for you."
Hearing this, Uncle Fu's heart eased slightly. He thought Gu Changge wanted to use him to visit the King, Chu Gucheng.
Although his situation in the Immortal Chu Dynasty had been poor recently, which had even caused him to harbor considerable resentment toward the King, Chu Gucheng,
he was, after all, an old minister of the Immortal Chu Dynasty. He had watched this colossal entity built up step by step. How could he have no feelings for it and casually utter words of slight?
"That won't be necessary. Such matters need not trouble Uncle Fu. In fact, I've already met the King of Chu today. If I wish to visit again in the future, a suitable occasion will be required." Gu Changge took a sip of tea and smiled faintly.
Uncle Fu was puzzled, unsure when Gu Changge had met Chu Gucheng.
"What matter brings you here to seek out this old man, Young Master? There are still some things within my limited power that I can accomplish," he inquired again.
After all, he still owed Gu Changge a life-saving favor. He felt Gu Changge had come today precisely to call in that favor.
Gu Changge smiled and said, "Indeed, there is a matter I happened to want Uncle Fu's help with. But judging from the current situation, I'm afraid this is something you will likely not agree to."
He had originally thought that after the incident in the Southern Wilderness Ancient Domain, Uncle Fu's situation upon returning to the Immortal Chu Dynasty would have worsened.
Combined with Chu Gucheng's estrangement and the countless rumors and gossip, it would inevitably lead him to feel depressed and resentful toward the Immortal Chu Dynasty and Chu Gucheng.
But judging from the probing conversation just now, this old man still held deep feelings for the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
Some time ago, Gu Changge had left the chess piece Chu Bai in the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
Chu Bai, influenced by the artifact spirit of the Sun-Shooting Bow, often whispered treasonous words into Uncle Fu's ear, mentioning the deterioration of Chu Gucheng's character and so on.
Yet, under such instigation, the impact on Uncle Fu was merely negligible.
This was completely outside Gu Changge's expectations.
Back in the Southern Wilderness Ancient Domain, he had clearly sensed Uncle Fu's dissatisfaction with Chu Gucheng's offspring, Chu Xiao, but due to his duties, personal considerations, and various other reasons, he had been unable to say anything.
Although this old man was loyal to Chu Gucheng, he clearly possessed the arrogance of one relying on his seniority and deep experience, looking down somewhat disdainfully on everyone except Chu Gucheng.
Logically, such a person should be very easy to manipulate.
"What matter is the Young Master speaking of?" Hearing Gu Changge's words, Uncle Fu's heart jolted with shock, and his body couldn't help but tense up.
He suddenly had an ominous feeling.
At the same moment, Uncle Fu glanced toward the pavilion, and the shock made him nearly speechless—his very soul almost flew away in terror.
The hand holding the teacup trembled slightly; his scalp went numb, and a chill spread from head to toe.
In that instant, it seemed as if the entire world had suddenly fallen into absolute stillness. The flowing wind outside, the white clouds drifting in the blue sky, the cultivators and beings coming and going on the streets, the cries of hawkers and shouts of vendors—all seemed to abruptly recede, sinking into an invisible, terrifying abyss.
He couldn't even feel his own body anymore; only a sliver of consciousness could still move.
He was, after all, a cultivator of the Dao Realms. Although he was no match for those Supreme Dao Realm existences who had survived four Heavenly Will Tribulations, to find himself plunged into such a state silently and unbeknownst to him was simply incredible, an utterly inconceivable matter.
"Uncle Fu, you need not worry. What you and I discuss today will not be heard by a third person."
Gu Changge was still sipping his tea unhurriedly over there, as if unable to see Uncle Fu's drastically changed expression and his face filled with shock and anger.
"Young Master, your divine powers are truly vast."
Uncle Fu took a deep breath, striving to calm himself.
Although he had always suspected that Gu Changge was even more terrifying than the black-robed elder who had been at his side back then, he had never had proof.
What he saw today could be considered confirmation of his earlier conjecture.
Such an inconceivable method of altering heaven and earth, of modifying rules—Chu Gucheng could never achieve it.
"Just a minor trick, not worth mentioning."
Gu Changge smiled lightly and said, "Since Uncle Fu is someone who has nearly died once, I presume you do not fear death. I do not intend to threaten your life. However, I will still give you a few breaths' time to consider. I want the Immortal Chu Dynasty to be destroyed, and Chu Gucheng to die. If you help me, I will leave you a portion of your autonomous consciousness. If you are unwilling to help me, then I will simply have to trouble myself and borrow your body for a period of time."
As he spoke, a fluctuating mass of black mist swirled into view, undulating like a patch of dark aquatic plants, rising and falling as if breathing, exuding a horrifying aura that made one's heart palpitate.
"Master, why waste so many words on this old man? Just let me devour him outright. Although this physical body is inferior to Jing Tianyun's, it's still a body at the Dao Realm level, barely usable. You need not worry about me damaging his primordial spirit or memories."
This mass of black mist let out a chilling, sneering laugh; the dense black fog seemed capable of devouring all matter in existence.
"If it's not necessary, I don't wish to create unnecessary killing karma. Those who are tactful generally live longer than those who are stubborn and ignorant." Gu Changge shook his head slightly, his tone utterly devoid of fluctuation.
Uncle Fu looked at the scene before him, thoroughly chilled to the bone.
At this moment, he felt immense regret. Why had he come here? If he hadn't left his residence, he imagined, even Gu Changge, with all his vast divine powers and audacity, would not have dared to act against him.
The reason things had come to this was ultimately his own foolish negligence, believing that within the capital of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, there would be no danger.