Demon Slaying, Gaining 60 Years of Cultivation From the Start

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Cao Zhen heard the words, and his eyebrows suddenly raised. At that moment, the atmosphere in the Gu Mansion seemed to freeze.

He gazed at Gu Chen for quite some time before shifting his attention to Gu Qingyan and said, "No matter what, my feelings for Qingyan are sincere. Regardless of what others say, I won't give up easily."

After saying this, Cao Zhen turned around and left. Seeing this, the servants hurriedly put down their things and closely followed Cao Zhen out of the Gu Mansion in succession.

As Cao Zhen departed, the three members of the Gu Chengfeng family breathed a sigh of relief. Gu Chengfeng looked at the silks and various jewels and said to Gu Chen, "Eldest son, what should we do with these things?"

Gu Chen smiled faintly and replied, "Since they are willing to give them, we might as well accept them."

"But..." Gu Chengfeng hesitated before saying, "Isn't it a bit inappropriate?"

Gu Chen said, "It doesn't matter, Uncle. These things are nothing to the Pingxi Marquis Mansion, just a drop in the bucket. We might as well take them. Why not, when it's free?"

Seeing that Gu Chen had spoken, Gu Chengfeng could only nod in agreement and "reluctantly" accepted the items, ordering the servants to take them away.

After arriving in the study, Gu Chengfeng wore a worried expression and said to Gu Chen with a heavy heart, "Eldest son, since Cao Zhen didn't get his way today, I'm afraid he might harm Qingyan in secret."

Gu Chengfeng, being of advanced age, had only this precious daughter, Gu Qingyan, and naturally did not wish her to suffer any harm.

Gu Chen consoled him, "Don't worry, Uncle. For the time being, that Cao Zhen won't dare to do anything."

With Gu Chen there, he wasn't worried that Cao Zhen would use any means. If worst came to worst, he would simply accompany Gu Qingyan every time she went out.

But if he, who belongs to the Jing Tian Department, were to have a task and thus leave Tiandu, then nobody could guarantee Gu Qingyan's safety, and that was what Gu Chen was concerned about.

Although there were a few people behind Gu Chen that Cao Zhen was wary of, in a fit of desperation, who knows what Cao Zhen might do.

Gu Chen's brow furrowed slightly, not expecting Cao Zhen to actually become such a big nuisance.

...

The following evening, Gu Chen accompanied Chen Yu to the Duke of the Liang State's Mansion in the inner city.

The Duke's Mansion covered hundreds of acres, with countless pavilions, towers, and courtyards. The entire estate was bustling and exquisite, second only to the Prince Huai's Mansion that Gu Chen had visited before.

Today was Duke Lu Sheng's seventy-second birthday, and many of the city's dignitaries, including some senior court officials and nobles, had come to attend the banquet.

The Duke's Mansion was instantly filled to capacity, buzzing with activity and exceptionally lively.

Upon the carriage's arrival at the mansion gate, Chen Yu stepped down with Gu Chen, handing his invitation to a servant at the door, who after receiving it, announced loudly, "Commander Chen Yu of the Jing Tian Department has arrived!"

Duke Lu Sheng, seventy-two years old this year, came from a military background with exceptional leadership skills in his youth. He was one of Da Xia's most talented generals and had earned considerable military merits. After retiring from the army, the emperor granted him the noble title of "Duke" in recognition of his services.

Even the Marquis of Pingxi, who currently excels in leading troops in Da Xia, holds high respect for the Duke of the Liang State. Before the present emperor's ascension, it was the Duke who had sat at the border and helped Da Xia deter foreign invaders.

The Duke was a tall, stalwart old man with a resolute face and white hair and beard, exuding the presence of an old lion, commanding immense authority.

"We pay our respects to the Duke."

Chen Yu led Gu Chen into the hall, and both of them bowed to Duke Lu Sheng seated at the head.

"No need for formalities, please rise."

The Duke, smiling, spoke. He had come to know Chen Yu when he was still the Metropolitan Procurator, and liked Chen Yu's character. During Chen Yu's growth, the Duke had helped him considerably.

Their friendship had been forged during that time.

In truth, Chen Yu himself did not disappoint and quickly became one of Da Xia's youngest commanders within just a few years.

The Duke, being a military man, did not get along too well with the scholarly officials and had a greater appreciation for unruly warriors like Chen Yu. In his eyes, a true man ought to be such.

Of course, as he was now stationed in Tiandu after retiring from the border, he maintained a facade of harmony, despite the daily court assemblies. Therefore, many scholarly officials came to his birthday banquet, but the majority were still military officers.

The other nobles and the various ministers of Da Xia present were also aware of the Duke's favor for Chen Yu. With Chen Yu being the youngest commander of the Jing Tian Department and a man of great promise, they came forward to greet him.

In this great hall, those with the lowest rank were either high-ranking court officials of the fourth rank or various nobles and military officers. Gu Chen, just a small Metropolitan Procurator, was quite unremarkable and not of much interest to the others.

Due to Chen Yu's connection, at this moment, the Duke turned his gaze to Gu Chen and asked, "And who is this?"
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Chen Yu bowed and said loudly, "This is one of the procurators under my command, named Gu Chen. His talent is notable, surpassing even my own during my younger years. Today is the Duke's birthday, so I thought I would bring him here to meet high society."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing that Gu Chen's talent exceeded that of Chen Yu, the Duke became instantly interested and observed Gu Chen carefully. He nodded and said, "Strong and full of vitality, indeed not bad. He is a promising candidate for the martial path. Without any setbacks, he might become another candidate for a commander."

Gu Chen bowed respectfully and said, "The Duke flatters me. Compared to Master Chen, my accomplishments are truly insignificant."

At that moment, Chen Yu smiled slightly and asked, "Lord Duke, where is Miss Xin Lan?"

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Duke of the Liang State chuckled, "She's with the young people in the side hall, not willing to keep company with us older folks."

As he spoke, he laughed again, jesting, "I almost forgot, Master Chen, your age is also not much."

Chen Yu smiled slightly, seeming unconcerned, and said, "Gu Chen is also a young person, and I think that Miss Xin Lan is as well. The two young people together should have plenty to talk about."

The elites and dignitaries present immediately understood that Chen Yu had brought Gu Chen for a matchmaking visit.

Naturally, Duke of the Liang State also picked up on the deeper meaning in Chen Yu's words. He nodded with a smile, "Good, young people indeed should not stick with us, or they'll become too old-fashioned. Fu, call over Xin Lan."

"Yes, my lord."

An elderly man at the side of Duke of the Liang State responded, quietly withdrew, and soon returned with a young woman.

This woman, named Lu Xinlan, was Duke of the Liang State Lu Sheng's granddaughter, beloved by Duke of the Liang State and adored since childhood, yet she had not developed an arrogant and overbearing character.

"Grandfather."

Lu Xinlan greeted Lu Sheng with a bow, her clear eyebrows and white teeth, eyes bright and kind, her nose high and her chin slightly pointed. Her black hair was bound with a jade clasp, without any powder or rouge, yet she was still incredibly beautiful.

"Xin Lan pays her respects to all," she then greeted Chen Yu and the others with a bow, also noticing Gu Chen standing beside Chen Yu.

"Miss Xin Lan grows ever more lovely with time," laughed Uncle Dingyuan from Da Xia.

"Uncle Liang is too kind," Lu Xinlan smiled lightly, speaking in a soft, melodious voice that was as pleasant to the ear as a musical note.

"This is Gu Chen from Jing Tian Department, brought by Master Chen. You two are both young, so you'll probably have a lot to talk about. You can take him around and show him Duke's Mansion," said Duke of the Liang State warmly.

"Yes."

Lu Xinlan responded, approached Gu Chen, and said softly, "Lord Gu, shall we go? Xin Lan will take you on a tour of the mansion."

"I appreciate it, Miss Xin Lan."

Gu Chen nodded, gave a bow to the many powers within the great hall, and then followed close behind Lu Xinlan as they left.

This situation was not suited for his participation; with these high-ups gathered, there were surely important matters to discuss, which were not Gu Chen's to meddle in.

Once outside the great hall, the bright moonlight cascaded from the sky, illuminating the figure of Lu Xinlan walking ahead, making her seem to radiate light.

Not only was she beautiful in appearance, but her figure was also excellent, a woman no less outstanding than his sister, Gu Qingyan.

Unfortunately, Gu Chen really had no such intentions, rendering Chen Yu's thoughtful planning in vain.

"Lord Gu, what are you thinking about?" Lu Xinlan turned back and, noticing Gu Chen seemed somewhat distracted, asked.

Gu Chen snapped back to reality and apologized, "Sorry, I was just pondering some things. Miss Xin Lan needn't call me 'Lord Gu'. Given your status, you may simply call me by my name."

Lu Xinlan nodded, not saying much else, as there was still a certain distance between them, given it was their first meeting.

She understood her grandfather's intention for her to get closer to Gu Chen. After all, at seventeen, she was of age to be married, and it wouldn't sound good if she remained unmarried for too long.

But Lu Xinlan had her own considerations. Influenced by Lu Sheng, the Duke's Mansion was steeped in martial spirit, and even Xin Lan herself had reached the level of circulating her meridians.

She had thought about her own standards for a partner, believing her martial talents to be decent, wanting to find someone with shared aspirations.

However, before achieving certain accomplishments in martial arts, she wasn't really focused on such matters.

Still, as it was Lu Sheng's instruction, she couldn't be too impolite, so she led Gu Chen around the mansion while engaging in intermittent conversation.

Gu Chen could tell that she didn't seem to take a particular liking to him, but he didn't mind much—after all, he knew his place. Although he was not unattractive, he wasn't the kind to make hearts flutter at first sight.

As they walked, they finished touring the Duke's Mansion, and then Lu Xinlan said, "Young Master Gu, there's a gathering of young people in the side hall nearby. Let's join them."

"Alright," Gu Chen nodded.

Together, they arrived at a side hall of the Duke's Mansion, a place with beautiful scenery, a pond at the entrance with babbling water, and delightful blooms all around.

The young people inside were the offspring of those dignitaries from the great hall, socializing and talking.

When Xin Lan entered, she attracted many gazes, prompting everyone to look her way. As she walked through the entry, people also noticed Gu Chen, who followed behind.

"Miss Xin Lan, who is this?" a tall, rugged-looking man asked.

He was Liang Wei's son, Liang Xu, who had long been fond of Xin Lan and pursued her with the permission of his father, Uncle Dingyuan.

At that moment, Gu Chen spotted Cao Zhen, who appeared somewhat surprised to see him.

Then, holding a wine cup, Cao Zhen stepped forward to introduce, "Brother Liang might not be aware, but this is Young Master Gu Chen, currently the most promising Metropolitan Procurator of Tiandu, highly regarded by Commander Chen, and quite renowned in the martial world, ranked first on the List of Stars."