"Governor, with your intelligence and bravery, being a little city governor is such a… waste," Duan Ling Tian could not help but say after listening to Liu Feng Gu's words.
"I wasn't always a City Governor. I used to be the advisor of the County Chief of Nine Specters County… However, I offended the wrong person so I was sent here to become a City Governor." Liu Feng Gu seemed to be lost in his memories when he spoke. His eyes glinted coldly as he said, "During that year, I would've become a ghost because of that wicked man if it were not because of the County Governor's appreciation to me for serving him for so many years!"
"The wicked man you speak of is that person you want to kill?" Duan Ling Tian asked when he recalled the deal Liu Feng Gu wanted to make with him.
"Yes." Liu Feng Gu nodded.
"I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you, governor," Duan Ling Tian said calmly as he shook his head, "Although I've killed many people in the past, those I've killed deserve to die. Asking me to kill someone whom I do not know is akin to asking me to kill an innocent person. Forgive me, but it's not something I can agree to."
Liu Feng Gu was stunned for a moment. He said, "I haven't even told you what I'll give you in return, but you're already rejecting my request?"
"No matter what it is, I'm not interested," Duan Ling Tian said firmly. He had his principles.
"How about I tell you a story?" Upon seeing Duan Ling Tian's firm refusal, Liu Feng Gu did not seem angry. After he spoke, he did not wait for Duan Ling Tian's reply before he began to speak again, "Once upon a time, there was a man in the Nine Specters County who accepted a disciple. He treated his disciple like a son. After many years had passed, the disciple grew up and showed impressive talent. This made the man very proud. At this time, the disciples caught the eyes of the first revered elder of the Nine Specters County who was only second to the County Governor. This elder spoke to the disciples and asked him to denounce his master and join his faction. However, the disciple firmly rejected this. For this reason, the first revered elder, the second strongest person in the county, killed the disciple out of anger."
Liu Feng Gu continued saying, "After learning about what happened to his disciple, the man threw up blood before passing out for three days and three nights. He knew with his strength alone, he wouldn't be able to avenge his beloved disciple so he went to the County Governor in hopes that the City Governor would give him justice. Alas, this is a world where strength is revered. Although the County Governor empathized with his loss, there was nothing the County Governor could do to the elder."
"If that's really the case, then, the elder deserves to die, but..." Duan Ling Tian, naturally, knew the protagonist of the story was Liu Feng Gu. However, who knew if Liu Feng Gu was just making this up? Although Liu Feng Gu's fluctuating emotions seemed genuine when he recounted what happened, there was no way for Duan Ling Tian to ascertain he was telling the truth.
"I know your concern," Liu Feng Gu interjected. He knew what Duan Ling Tian was thinking. He proposed, "How about this? When you go to the County Governor's estate in half a year's time, if you discover I'm lying or if you think that man doesn't deserve to die, you can renege on our deal."
"Go to the County Governor's estate in half a year's time?" Duan Ling Tian asked in confusion.
"About a month ago, I received orders from above. I've been asked to send two of our most talented young men there in half a year's time. Although they didn't state the purpose, I think it has something to do with King Qing's Mansion. At that time, a special guard would be sent to escort you there," Liu Feng Gu said as his eyes flashed coldly.
"King Qing's Mansion?" Duan Ling Tian cocked an eyebrow. This was not his first time hearing about King Qing's mansion. He knew that the Nine Specters County was only one of the many counties under the rule of King Qing.
"Once you get there, you'll know." Liu Feng Gu no longer wanted to waste words on this topic. He looked at Duan Ling Tian and asked bluntly, "I've told you so many things… Are you willing to make a deal with me?"
"Since you say I'm free to renege on the deal if I find that it violates my principles, it'll be rude of me to refuse. However, what do you plan to offer me in return?" Since Liu Feng Gu said Duan Ling Tian could renege on the deal, he did not think it was bad to accept the deal. However, he was curious about what Liu Feng Gu would offer him in return.
"What I can give you is the best cultivation place and resources for the next six months," Liu Feng Gu said.
"So you're allowing me access to your Tranquil Alcove?" Since Liu Feng Gu had promised Duan Ling Tian the best cultivation resources as well, this meant that apart from Celestial Stones, he would probably be given medicinal pills as well. Naturally, the medicinal pills and immortal elixirs in the Devata Realms were far superior to those in the mundane realms. However, he was not certain if a small town like Bloody Specter City had medicinal pills and such.
"Indeed." Liu Feng Gu nodded. "It's well known that the Tranquil Alcove is superior compared to cultivating in the Black Dragon Army and Silverwyrm Army's camps. However, most people think the difference is slight. What many people don't know is that cultivating in the Tranquil Alcove will raise your cultivation speed by almost two times because the Tranquil Alcove attracts the Heaven and Earth Spirit Energy from the two Celestial Stone's veins!"
"Almost two times faster?!" Duan Ling Tian was shocked. It was as Liu Feng Gu said, he had assumed there was only a slight difference between cultivating in the Black Dragon Army's camp and the Tranquil Alcove.
"Apart from that, I'll give you medicinal pills that Heavenly Celestials use to increase their strength. I'll give you high-grade Celestial Stones as well. You won't be able to find these high-grade Celestial Stones even if you were to mine them in the mining sites in Bloody Specter City. These are the things I offer in return. Are you satisfied?" Liu Feng Gu asked.
"Deal!" Duan Ling Tian did not hesitate to accept Liu Feng Gu's deal this time around.
Upon hearing this, Liu Feng Gu smiled.
"City Governor," Duan Ling Tian said, it seemed as though he had thought of something, "You mentioned a special guard would be sent to escort me and another person to the County Governor's estate in half a year's time?"
"Indeed." Liu Feng Gu nodded. "Your journey to the Nine Specter County would take a while… The journey will be fraught with danger. There might even be peak Golden Celestials who would make an attempt on your lives. For this reason, the special guard would be escorting you for your safety..."
"Peak Golden Celestials? There are more than one of them?" Duan Ling Tian was taken aback. He was glad he did not simply roam around as soon as he had ascended to the Spirit Overarching Heaven. Peak Golden Celestials were Violet Sun Golden Celestials!
"Yes. " Liu Feng Gu nodded. "Back in the days, when I left the county to journey to Bloody Specter City, I ran into three peak Golden Celestials who intended to rob me for my belongings. Fortunately, I revealed my identity. Otherwise, they would have tried to kill me."
After all, all the cities in Nine Specter County were controlled by the Nine Specter County. Their power was undeniable. For this reason, even the rogue celestials did not dare to simply provoke the county. After all, if they harmed someone with a high-ranking position, apart from the people of the Nine Specter County, they might even be hunted by King Qing's men. It was for this reason that no one dared to rob the two Celestial Stone ores in Bloody Specter City.
Duan Ling Tian thought to himself, 'With my current strength, it shouldn't be a problem for me to deal with a peak Golden Celestial if I use the Devata Artifact, the Seven Orifices Exquisite Sword!' He knew he was capable of traveling on his own now without having to fear the peak Golden Celestials. However, he was more than glad to stay here for another six months. After all, he would be provided with a good cultivation place and resources. If he were to leave for another place now, those things were not guaranteed.