Gui Xingfu instantly fell into a life-or-death choice!
Should he choose Suo Lun, or should he choose Zhili?
According to what Zhili had said, after eliminating Suo Lun, the original Linhai City would be reclaimed, while half of Yingzhou Island would be bestowed upon Gui Xingfu as his new Linhai City.
Yingzhou Island spanned a thousand li in length and breadth, fully equivalent in size to a province. Half its area was still more than four times that of Linhai City.
And most importantly, Yingzhou Island stood isolated overseas, four to five thousand li distant from the Raging Wave Kingdom. Whatever Zhili wished to do to him, Gui Xingfu, his whip would be too short to reach.
Then, Gui Xingfu recalled a question and asked: “Then who will the other half of Yingzhou Island be bestowed upon?”
Tu Lingchen said: “It has not yet been decided. It might possibly be my Tu Ling family. At that time, our families connected by marriage can be together once more.”
Gui Xingfu’s heart pounded like thunder. What choice should he make?
If speaking purely of emotion, his previous hatred for Suo Lun had now vanished like clouds and mist. Instead, he was filled with resentment towards Zhili.
But on such a critical matter, Gui Xingfu would absolutely not consider emotion in the slightest.
What he weighed was interest alone!
By comparison, there was no doubt that the benefits of betraying Suo Lun were greater, and vastly so.
Therefore, on the surface, this choice was not difficult at all!
But…
Gui Xingfu thought of the most crucial question: could Zhili win? Would Suo Lun lose?
The moment this question crossed his mind, Gui Xingfu’s heart immediately grew calm!
In the naval battle against Yan Mo, everyone had believed Suo Lun was certain to lose, yet Suo Lun had won, and Yan Mo was dead.
Zhili and Tu Lingduo both believed that the reason for Yan Mo’s great defeat was entirely due to Haigang’s betrayal.
But Gui Xingfu completely disagreed. Drawing a parallel from Haigang to himself, this man was absolutely the sort who would not shed tears until he saw the coffin. He must have been at his wit’s end before surrendering to Suo Lun.
Although Gui Xingfu was currently Suo Lun’s special envoy, the highest civil official of the Southeastern Province, he was equally ignorant of the details of the naval battle.
Therefore, he was equally ignorant of Suo Lun’s secret weapon, the cannon.
But he had an inexplicable intuition that Suo Lun certainly possessed some trump card.
“Foster Father, what are you still waiting for?” Ling Ao said sharply: “This is already the final opportunity. If you miss it, the entire Gui clan will be buried alongside Suo Lun. Could you truly be so loyal to Suo Lun?”
Tu Lingchen said: “Uncle, what is there still to consider? The whole world is besieging Suo Lun. Eight hundred thousand troops attacking Tianshui City, nearly ten times Suo Lun’s strength. Even if Suo Lun had three heads and six arms, he would certainly die!”
Gui Xingfu closed his eyes and entered the deepest contemplation.
Indeed, this was the most critical moment for him, Gui Xingfu. Choose correctly, and there would be glory, wealth, and honour, and the clan would continue. Choose wrongly, and the entire clan would die without a burial place.
Moreover, he believed that Zhili’s hatred for him, Gui Xingfu, had already lessened considerably.
First, Haigang had replaced Gui Xingfu as the greatest betrayer, bearing the brunt of Zhili’s fury.
Second, Zhili was currently at his most glorious and triumphant peak. He undoubtedly viewed previous humiliations with complete indifference. It was only when a man was down on his luck that he bore grudges; when triumphant, he was instead inclined to be magnanimous.
In this great decisive battle, between Zhili and Suo Lun, who would win and who would lose?
This was the most crucial point of all. Gui Xingfu could only stand on the side of the victor. Otherwise, no matter how magnificently the conditions were laid out, they would be useless.
Zhili’s eight hundred thousand troops, the whole world besieging Suo Lun, no matter how one looked at it, Suo Lun seemed certain to lose.
The Tu Lingchen and Ling Ao before him harboured not the slightest doubt about this.
But Gui Xingfu had a faint intuition that things were not so simple!
This intuition came from Suo Lun’s previous record of achievements. Every time Suo Lun appeared certain to die, yet every time Suo Lun completely turned the tables. Moreover, many of these miracles were built upon his, Gui Xingfu’s, failures.
Suo Lun seemed born to be a man who created miracles.
But now…
Gui Xingfu was gambling with his life!
From the perspective of reason, Zhili’s chances of winning exceeded seventy to eighty percent.
From the perspective of intuition, Suo Lun’s chances of winning were fifty percent.
However, combining reason and intuition, Suo Lun would still lose.
Tu Lingchen said coldly: “Uncle, we cannot have unlimited time to wait for your recovery.”
Gui Xingfu suddenly closed his eyes and said: “Please return and convey to Prince Zhili my gratitude for his generous favour. Please forgive me for being unable to comply!”
At these words, both Tu Lingchen and Ling Ao revealed expressions of disbelief.
Faced with such generous conditions, Gui Xingfu still would not betray Suo Lun. Was he truly so loyal? Did he truly intend to be buried alongside Suo Lun?
They had known each other for so long. Gui Xingfu was not this sort of person!
After uttering these words, Gui Xingfu himself nearly collapsed to the ground. He sighed in relief within his heart, and all the strength in his body vanished completely.
It was like a gambler going all-in with his last remaining capital. Win, and there would be glory, wealth, and honour. Lose, and he would have nothing.
In any case, the moment he pushed out all his chips, he was certainly completely relaxed.
Finally, no more torment. Finally, the final choice was made.
From here on, let Heaven decide his fate!
“You are mad, Gui Xingfu, you are mad…” Tu Lingchen hissed.
Gui Xingfu seemed somewhat unable to stand. He sat down, closed his eyes, and said: “I also think I am mad…”
Before he had spoken just now, he had already made his decision in his heart: betray Suo Lun, pledge allegiance to Zhili, and offer up the Southeastern Province. But he had not expected that when the words finally rushed from his mouth, they had become a refusal of Zhili!
It was truly as if guided by ghosts and gods. He did not even know why he had made such a decision.
It was as if a gambler had long since decided to bet big, but at the very moment of placing the bet, had suddenly changed his mind and bet small.
As for the reason, he himself did not know. Perhaps it could be attributed to a momentary inspiration from beyond the nine heavens, or intuition.
But in any case, the words had been spoken and could not be taken back!
Everything, let Heaven decide his fate!
“You are seeking your own death.” Tu Lingchen said coldly.
Gui Xingfu waved his hand and said: “Nephew Tu Ling, could you step out first and let me exchange a few words with Little Ao.”
Tu Lingchen left without so much as a backward glance, extremely dissatisfied with Gui Xingfu’s failure to appreciate his kindness.
…
Only Gui Xingfu and Ling Ao remained in the room.
“Foster Father, why did you do this?” Ling Ao said tremblingly.
Gui Xingfu said: “To tell the truth, I also did not know I would make such a choice. But spilt water cannot be retrieved. Since the decision to continue pledging allegiance to Suo Lun has already been made, the result can only be left to Heaven’s will.”
“But…” Ling Ao was suddenly speechless.
Gui Xingfu said: “Little Ao, tell me what has happened to you? Your temperament has changed greatly, your martial arts have received a tremendous boost, and your broken legs have actually healed so quickly?”
Ling Ao instinctively averted his gaze and said: “I… I have once again become Prince Zhili’s attendant.”
“Oh? That is a good thing.” Gui Xingfu said: “Why is this so? Zhili is not such a broad-minded person.”
Ling Ao took a deep breath, calming his agitated emotions, and said: “I, I became the male consort of Princess Liuling of the Demon Continent!”
Princess Liuling, the aunt of the Demon Continent princess Wanwan.
After suffering emotional wounds, she had taken great revenge upon men, selecting the most outstanding and handsome men as her kept lovers. Every year she would change to a different man, but every single kept lover could obtain tremendous benefits from her.
Therefore, despite the disgrace, many outstanding men still flocked to her like ducks to water.
However, for the proud Ling Ao, this should have been a tremendous humiliation, a humiliation that nearly broke his back.
“After my legs were broken by Suo Lun, I was sent back to the royal city.” Ling Ao said: “Prince Zhili did not even spare me a glance, casually tossing me into a house. As you know, the Demon Continent also has secret cooperation with Prince Zhili. Once, a certain medicine from the Demon Continent needed someone to experiment upon, and it required someone of high martial arts. Thus I went. Then, I was favoured by Liuling and became her male consort. She used secret arts to raise my cultivation and heal my legs. She also made me once again become Prince Zhili’s attendant.”
Gui Xingfu’s face twitched, and he said tremblingly: “It is all because this foster father is useless, causing you to suffer.”
Ling Ao shook his head and said: “No, I now see through everything. Only power held in one’s own hands is real. Everything else is false. Many people in this world have wronged me, but only you, Foster Father, have always treated me so well. Even I do not know why you are like this, treating me better than Qinshao.”
Gui Xingfu patted Ling Ao’s neck affectionately and said: “Little Ao, it is also good that you have become Zhili’s attendant. Next, if Prince Zhili wins the final victory, you too can survive. But if Zhili loses, do you know what you should do?”
“Impossible…” Ling Ao said: “Prince Zhili has obtained the support of the nobles and vassals of the entire world, and behind him stand the Demon Continent, the Hidden Continent, and the Dragon God Temple. It is impossible for him to lose.”
Gui Xingfu said: “But what if he does lose? You also said just now that only the power held in one’s own hands is real. Everything else is illusory.”
Ling Ao was stunned. When he had spoken these words, it was merely a lament for his own former glory.
Gui Xingfu said: “Two months ago, you came to the Southeastern Province to lobby me. As a result, Suo Lun broke your legs but did not kill you. Do you know why?”
Ling Ao did not speak. He knew that Suo Lun could have killed him as easily as crushing an ant at that time, yet he had not.
Gui Xingfu said: “In the event that, if Suo Lun wins by chance, Foster Father’s weight is too light to save you. Qinshao could save you, but she will not. Her heart is now filled entirely with Suo Lun, with no room for anyone else.”
Ling Ao’s handsome face twitched. Gui Qinshao was the deepest pain in his heart. Giving her to Zhili was the thing he most regretted beyond all remedy.
Gui Xingfu continued: “Therefore, in the event that Suo Lun wins and Zhili loses, Little Ao, you must save yourself. Do you know what you should do?”
“Betray Zhili, strike a fatal blow from behind his back!” Ling Ao said.
“Correct!” Gui Xingfu said: “This is the reason Suo Lun spared your life at that time. Of course, he did not hold much hope for you. He merely treated you as a spare piece. In any case, it was empty, so he casually placed you as this spare piece. But it is precisely this casual move of his that has become your only chance of survival!”
“Pah!” Ling Ao exploded in fury: “Who does he think he is? He himself is certain to die, unable even to protect himself! Foster Father, you did not see that when the grand army left the royal city, over a million citizens were shouting Heaven’s Punishment upon Suo Lun. Prince Zhili truly has the hearts of the people. The favourable timing, advantageous terrain, and popular support are all in Zhili’s grasp. Suo Lun is certain to die.”
Then, Ling Ao said indignantly: “Foster Father, I shall lay my words here. If Suo Lun does not die this time, I shall gouge out my own eyes!”
Gui Xingfu was not angered, and said: “Little Ao, I know you hate Suo Lun deeply. But you must remember my words. When the critical moment truly arrives, you must save yourself!”
…
Tu Lingchen and Ling Ao departed, seemingly leaving without a sound.
Although it was already the middle of the night, Gui Xingfu still could not sleep. He simply sat in the darkness, drinking cup after cup of tea.
In truth, he was thinking of nothing at all. He merely sat there.
Suddenly, a knock sounded from outside.
“Who is it?” Gui Xingfu asked.
“Me!” Yan Wuzhi’s voice sounded from outside.
Gui Xingfu was startled, then said: “Come in!”
Yan Wuzhi entered, also not bothering to light a lamp, and directly sat down in a chair beside him.
“My elder brother Yan Wuqi sent someone to lobby me.” Yan Wuzhi said: “He told me to surrender to Zhili, lead the civil officials of the Southeastern Province to collectively turn traitor, and offer up the entire province. Moreover, my previous surrender to Suo Lun would be treated as brave concealment. After Zhili defeats Suo Lun, I would become the governor of the Southeastern Province.”
Gui Xingfu’s heart trembled, and he said: “Then what choice did you make?”
Yan Wuzhi said: “Of course, I refused outright. So my wife has already severed relations with me and returned to the royal city!”
Gui Xingfu was startled and said: “Why did you make such a choice? Are you truly so optimistic about Suo Lun?”
Yan Wuzhi shook his head and said: “I am not optimistic. This time, with the whole world besieging Suo Lun, I feel Suo Lun has at most a twenty percent chance of survival.”
Gui Xingfu said: “Then is your loyalty to Suo Lun truly so high?”
Yan Wuzhi shook his head and said: “Not at all. It is merely that if I surrender to Zhili at this point, from now on I would be utterly worthless, able only to live a mediocre life. Even if he keeps his promise and makes me governor of the Southeastern Province, I would merely be a puppet. But if I firmly stand on Suo Lun’s side, though there is only a twenty percent chance of survival, if I win the gamble by chance, I would become the prime minister of the kingdom.”
This time it was Gui Xingfu’s turn to be greatly startled, and he said: “A twenty percent chance, and you are willing to gamble with your life?”
Yan Wuzhi said: “Do not speak of twenty percent. Even with a ten percent chance, I would gamble. If a man lives a mediocre life, he lives like a walking corpse. What meaning is there in that?”
Then, Yan Wuzhi said: “This time, Zhili has sent out a tremendous lobbying force. He certainly sent people to find you as well. Lord Gui, what choice did you make?”
Gui Xingfu smiled bitterly and said: “The same as you!”
Yan Wuzhi was startled and said: “Why?”
Gui Xingfu said: “I do not know why my brain suddenly grew feverish, and the words refusing Zhili rushed from my mouth. If you insist that I give a reason, then it is intuition!”
Then, Gui Xingfu smiled and said: “You and I, at the critical moment, still pledge allegiance to Suo Lun. I believe from this moment forth, our weight in his heart will greatly increase. He must needs treat us with the courtesy due to a national scholar.”
Yan Wuzhi shook his head with a bitter smile and said: “Lord Gui, you overestimate our weight. Zhili came to lobby us, even the entire civil official group of the Southeastern Province. Do you think Suo Lun does not know? My younger brother entered my residence, and Ling Ao and the others entered your residence. Why did the Shadow Pavilion not obstruct them in the slightest? At this very moment, there is not even half a person monitoring your or my residence.”
Gui Xingfu was truly greatly startled.
Yan Wuzhi said: “Suo Lun simply does not place us in his eyes. He cannot even be bothered to send people to monitor us. His meaning is abundantly clear. If you wish to rebel, then rebel! If you wish to defect to Zhili, then do as you please!”
Instantly, Gui Xingfu was struck speechless with shock!
…
Tianshui City Lord’s residence.
“Husband, I want more…” The naked Gui Qinshao entwined herself around Suo Lun’s body, her voice sweeter than honey.
Because she was pregnant, she felt she had rendered tremendous service, wishing that every sentence she spoke could be a coquettish plea.
Moreover, it had been a full two months since she had been intimate with Suo Lun. Tonight she resolutely monopolised Suo Lun, striving for lingering passion.
“Already twice. You are with child. Strictly speaking, intercourse is not permitted during this period.” Suo Lun gently urged.
“It is permissible…” Gui Qinshao said coquettishly: “My mother said it is permissible, as long as one is careful it will be fine. Husband, I want… I want, I want…”
She coquetted while writhing her snow-white devilish body.
Thus, Suo Lun once again carefully sent this love-to-coquettish woman to her peak, yet he himself still burned like fire.
After all, Gui Qinshao was pregnant. Suo Lun did not dare to ravage her with any force.
The thoroughly satisfied Gui Qinshao finally fell into sweet sleep.
Suo Lun carefully climbed out of bed and came to the outside of the room. At this moment, Zhuang Zhixuan was still sitting cross-legged quietly outside the door.
As Suo Lun’s personal bodyguard, she never left Suo Lun’s side by more than twenty paces at any moment.
Without a word, Suo Lun directly pressed Zhuang Zhixuan to the ground, pulled down her python-skin trousers, and madly possessed her.
Two quarters of an hour later…
Finally, he had extinguished all the flames Gui Qinshao had ignited.
Zhuang Zhixuan swiftly and silently washed Suo Lun’s body, then washed her own body.
“I truly wonder, with Gui Qinshao’s delicate and fragile appearance, how she could endure a month of torture in Zhili’s dungeon without surrendering.” Zhuang Zhixuan said.
“Delicate and fragile is merely her weapon.” Suo Lun smiled.
Just then, a female warrior outside said: “My lord, Young Master Tuli Yang requests an audience. He appears extremely urgent!”
…
Suo Lun left the room and came to the great hall of the city lord’s residence!
Tuli Yang immediately rushed forward, knelt on one knee, and said with boundless excitement: “Lord Suo Lun, the time has come! The moment to expose the ugly faces of Zhili and Tu Lingduo!”
Suo Lun personally poured a cup of tea and handed it to Tuli Yang, saying: “Do not be anxious. Speak slowly!”
Tuli Yang drank it in one gulp. His eyes were bloodshot, his ugly face filled with exhilaration, and he said tremblingly: “Zhili’s hundreds of thousands of troops have already set out. That wretch Tu Lingduo leads ten thousand vengeance soldiers from Luanyang City among them, under the banner of avenging me and my father! All the vassals, all the nobles are present, and hundreds of thousands of troops are present. My father and I shall ride griffons to Zhili’s grand army, and before everyone’s eyes expose Zhili and Tu Lingduo. The scene will certainly be incomparably spectacular!”
When that time truly came, let alone Zhili’s fate.
Tu Lingduo would truly die without a burial place!
Ever since being rescued by Suo Lun several months ago, Tuli Yang had been thinking of revenge. Now the moment of revenge had arrived!