Nuclear-powered Sword Immortal-Chapter 111 - 108: Intimidation

The Star Lord Department was indeed the most formidable combat organization within the Meteor Star Guard.

Below its chief, Cheng Wanli, were six Star Masters, each responsible for suppressing the cultivator forces in four cities, preventing them from committing evil and causing chaos.

Zhang Luu, as a renowned figure among the Star Masters, governed not only four cities but also included Chang County and Baihe, two major cities.

Of course, City Lord Zhao Yuhua of Changjun City was a formidable figure with complex internal forces at play, so much so that even someone as powerful as Zhang Luu was helpless, making the Meteor Star Guard virtually invisible there.

...

"Bang Bang Bang!"

Gu Jinlai led three thousand elite troops, and their imposing arrival quickly triggered a chain reaction in Changjun City.

After a burst of noise and chaos, the normally bustling gates of Changjun City were promptly shut.

Seeing this, it seemed they intended to keep Gu Jinlai outside.

Soon, the city walls were swarming with people.

A figure emerged, escorted by several heavily armored experts.

It was none other than the City Lord of Changjun City, Zhao Yuhua.

Upon seeing this, Gu Jinlai stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said aloud, "City Lord Zhao, it’s been a year. I hope all has been well."

"Elder Star Master Gu."

Zhao Yuhua returned the greeting with a cupped hand salute, then quickly initiated the conversation, "I’m sorry, Elder Star Master Gu. There is a devil causing troubles within Changjun City, and I had no choice but to order the city sealed to prevent the devil from escaping. I regret to say I cannot host you in the city today."

In terms of rank, a Star Master was above a City Lord.

Yet, as the lord of a major city, Zhao Yuhua could sit as an equal to Gu Jinlai.

"Devils causing trouble? The Meteor Star Guard itself has the duty of hunting devils. If there’s trouble, we are certainly obligated to assist,"

Gu Jinlai said.

"My Changjun City is strong, with six thousand elite troops already deployed throughout the region. Any appearance of the devil will undoubtedly lead to its inevitable demise. There’s no need for Elder Star Master Gu to worry,"

Zhao Yuhua declared loudly.

His words were suggestive.

Gu Jinlai understood clearly.

Changjun City had six thousand elite troops.

With these troops, leveraging the advantages of the city, even three or five in the Refining God Realm might be directly surrounded and slain by them.

However, Gu Luochen and others behind Gu Jinlai were equipped with the "Thunder" Gatling Gun. Under its sweep, not just six thousand elite troops, but even ten thousand would be obliterated in an instant.

It must be said, the appearance of this slaughtering weapon instantly suppressed the advantage of numbers to the lowest.

He even had a premonition that while all major forces were still keen on training troops and cultivating elite forces,

with the growing renown of "Thunder," everyone would be forced onto the path of elites.

Allocating resources for training six thousand elite troops into training sixty Qi Refinement warriors.

Facing the sweep of "Thunder," the killing power of sixty Qi Refinement warriors was greater than that of six thousand elite troops.

After all, those wielding the "Thunder" Gatling Gun were experts who had consolidated a Middle-level Demon God Body, and even if they were weighted by hundreds of pounds, ordinary elite troops still could not match their speed.

As long as there were enough bullets available, under the kiting tactic, each of them could take on ten thousand alone.

But for Qi Refinement...

In a complex environment, dozens of people could definitely surround and slay a Divine Demon Martial Artist wielding a "Thunder" Gatling Gun.

Musing over this, Gu Jinlai did not yield verbally, "In terms of hunting devils, I, Gu Jinlai, acknowledge myself as second to none. Over the years, the devils we have surrounded and slain number in the hundreds. This proves the experience my subordinates possess in slaying devils. Therefore, City Lord Zhao, open the gates, and let us lend you a helping hand."

"Elder Star Master Gu..."

Zhao Yuhua appeared somewhat solemn.

However, before he could say much, Gu Jinlai spoke again, "After I assumed the position of the Star Master, Changjun City has also been placed under my jurisdiction. I’m now going to inspect the Meteor Star Guard within the city. So what, City Lord Zhao, do you still intend to stop me?"

"Although you have taken up the role of Star Master, the superiors have only assigned you to oversee Baihe, Lingxiao, and Yuanhua Cities. Changjun City is not within your jurisdiction."

"The position I filled was that of Star Master Zhang Luu, and back then, Changjun City was under his jurisdiction. It’s just that at that time, the Meteor Star Guard was silently oppressed by various local forces."

Speaking, Gu Jinlai became stern, "Speaking of which, the Meteor Star Guard has always struggled to make a mark in Changjun City. Among these oppressive forces, could it be that the City Lord’s Mansion was also involved? Or could it be... that you’ve regarded Changjun City as your private property, requiring my permission to enter or exit as the Star Master?"

Zhao Yuhua recalled Gu Jinlai’s achievement half a year ago at Monument Mountain when he crushed the Heavenly Gang Sect’s forces in combination with the Meteor Star Guard.

Despite having six thousand elite forces, he still had little confidence in stopping Gu Jinlai.

Moreover...

Unlike the last time when they deployed only one hundred and thirty men, this time, there were three thousand elite troops behind him.

After a momentary change in his expression, Zhao Yuhua finally said, "Elder Star Master Gu, you’ve spoken too seriously. I govern Chang County on behalf of the State Governor, and I do so without an ounce of selfishness, as heaven and earth can bear witness... It’s permissible for the Meteor Star Guard under Elder Star Master Gu’s command to enter the city, but..."

He glanced at the several thousand elite troops behind Gu Jinlai: "These men, they’re surely not all from the Lingxiao City Meteor Star Guard, are they?"

Gu Jinlai estimated that allowing him along with a hundred nearby men to enter the city was already at the limit of what this City Lord could tolerate.

However...

The combat power in his hands amounted to just over a hundred Divine Demon Body Refining Martial Artists.

The real function of three thousand elite troops was more akin to clearing the battlefield and stationing the city.

Immediately, he made a concession: "Then I will bring only the Meteor Star Guard by my side into the city and issue the order for the three thousand armored soldiers to retreat ten miles."

Upon receiving the order, the three thousand troops immediately began to move, slowly withdrawing.

This scene made Zhao Yuhua exhale deeply.

He was well aware that if Gu Jinlai truly decided to launch a fierce attack on Changjun City, he might not be able to hold it off.

Forcing Gu Jinlai’s army of three thousand to retreat was the only dignity he could retain, everything else...

He could no longer care about that.

"Open the city gate."

Zhao Yuhua commanded.

Soon, the city gate reopened with a roar.

Gu Jinlai, leading the way, charged into the city with Gu Chifeng, Gu Chaoyang, and others.

Inside the city walls, the sight that met their eyes was of the ordinary people who had just fled into the city, their eyes filled with fear and awe as they looked at Gu Jinlai.

Gu Jinlai took in this scene.

This was also why he chose not to attack Changjun City forcefully.

As a large city, Changjun had a substantial population, and an assault would easily result in significant casualties among the innocents.

"City Lord Zhao might not be very familiar with what happened in Starlight City. Gu Chaoyang, go and talk to City Lord Zhao. Tell him what changes are waiting for Star State next, and what he plans to choose amidst these changes,"

Gu Jinlai ordered.

"Yes."

Gu Chaoyang complied and broke away from the group.

"To the Demon Refining Hall."

Gu Jinlai waved his hand.

A hundred people moved dramatically towards the direction of the Demon Refining Hall.

Being a core architectural establishment of Changjun City, the Demon Refining Hall was always bustling.

Moreover, with the news of the upheaval in Starlight City not yet arrived, there were many Demon Hunters coming and going in the hall.

As Gu Jinlai and his men approached, a direct member of the Demon Refining Hall shouted, "This is a restricted area of the Demon Refining Hall, no riding is permitted..."

Before he could finish, Nian Buwang had already leapt forward, sending him flying with a palm strike.

Immediately after, numerous tall figures clad in heavy armor appeared.

A sea of darkness emerged, causing the faces of those guarding and passing through the Demon Refining Hall to drastically change.

"The Ancient Demon! It’s the Ancient Demon!"

"What Ancient Demon, it’s the Gu Star Master!"

"Isn’t he supposed to be stationed at Lingxiao City? How did he come to the Demon Refining Hall in Changjun City?"

"I heard that Gu Jinlai and Palace Lord Yun of the Demon Refining Hall had some grievances. I thought it was just baseless talk, but seeing Elder Gu’s menacing arrival... the rumors might not be entirely false."

Murmurs spread among the crowd nearby.

Meanwhile, part of the direct members of the Demon Refining Hall hurriedly went to inform the Hall Master, while another part continually retreated as they followed the procession of Gu Jinlai’s group.

By the time Palace Lord Yun, Zhang Xiu, and another Vice Hall Master from the Refining God Realm had rushed to the scene, Gu Jinlai and his companions had already made their way to the great hall where the Heaven and Earth Qiankun Map was located.

During this, although more members of the Demon Refining Hall gathered, none dared to make a move against Gu Jinlai and his group.

"Gu Jinlai..."

Palace Lord Yun looked at Gu Jinlai, who walked decisively surrounded by numerous experts, his expression turning gloomy.

Back when Gu Jinlai was brought down from the Refining God level, he seemed doomed, especially with Lin Xiao, the Vice Sect Master of Purgatory Sect, continually suppressing him, making a comeback unlikely.

Consequently, following a bounty by the Xie Family, he clashed with Gu Jinlai, and later even sent the Golden Seal Team to assassinate him...

The result was not only the total annihilation of the Golden Seal Team but also Gu Jinlai’s spectacular comeback in less than a year, becoming a figure feared by both the Meteor Star Guard and the Purgatory Sect as the ruler of Lingxiao City and Yuanhua City.

This was something he had never anticipated.

In recent months, he had been seeking relations to be transferred to Starlight City, fearing retribution from Gu Jinlai in the autumn. Unexpectedly...

The transfer hadn’t come through, but Gu Jinlai had arrived first.

As thoughts whirled, considering his still official position as the Master of the Demon Refining Hall, Yun managed a slight smile, "It turns out to be Gu Star Master visiting us, such an oversight on my part, please forgive my lack of welcome."

"Since you know you’ve failed in your welcome, why not make amends right now?"

Gu Jinlai stated indifferently.

These straightforward words made Yun’s expression stiffen.

"Hahaha, just kidding."

Gu Jinlai laughed aloud. "I am actually here to invite you, Palace Lord Yun, to my Lingxiao City. In recent years, devils have been causing troubles around Lingxiao City; there’s an urgent need to establish a Demon Refining Hall there to deter these devils with Demon Hunters. I think, Palace Lord Yun, you are a very suitable candidate."

"To establish a Demon Refining Hall in Lingxiao City?"

Yun’s face changed.

Going to Lingxiao City, Gu Jinlai’s territory, wouldn’t his life and death be at the mercy of Gu Jinlai?

In a haste, Yun replied, "Gu Star Master must be joking; establishing a Demon Refining Hall is never a simple matter. Each hall can only be established on a geomantic node, hence only then can it be aided by formations, drawing the strength of the Earth’s veins to activate the Heaven and Earth Qiankun Map. Lingxiao City... lacks such veins, even if I want to go, I have more desire than ability."

"We can start by setting up the structure of the Demon Refining Hall first. Palace Lord Yun, I have already invited you sincerely. If you don’t go, that means you are not giving me face. If you don’t give me face, watch out, I might lose my temper."

Gu Jinlai stepped forward, his gaze filled with a compelling intensity as he stared at Yun: "Now, answer me, will you go, or will you not?"

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(Yun’s answer: I will go, I will not go!)