I Have 10 Equipment Slots-Chapter 141 - 105: All of a Sudden

But in an emergency, they would all be subject to conscription.

However, for now, it hadn’t reached that point.

...

Imparting a True Skill naturally required gathering people.

Starting with Xiongying County, Gu Zheng imparted the skill to everyone—the town’s martial arts dojos, the constables, the government constables, the County Soldiers, and even the guards of the various prominent families.

Copies of the *Bibo Smoke Mist Technique* were made one after another.

Everyone in the city who could write was called out and gathered together.

Furthermore, Gu Zheng required the County Magistrate’s Office to establish a department that would be open to all citizens.

This meant that anyone who wanted to learn could do so—even a beggar!

The County Magistrate’s Office naturally agreed without hesitation.

For one, far too many people had received copies of the *Bibo Smoke Mist Technique*. It was bound to circulate; there was no way to keep it a secret.

Second, Gu Zheng was now in the Super Body Realm and a Hundred Households of the Demon Slayer Bureau. There was no telling when he might sneak back to Wulong Mansion for an inspection. They’d have to have nerves of steel to dare disobey him.

Gu Zheng provided the contents of the True Skill, then gathered everyone for a public lecture on how to cultivate it.

The *Bibo Smoke Mist Technique* was based on the fused concepts of water and fire.

Therefore, cultivating near water would allow one to grasp the basics and reach the entry-level more quickly.

From water to fire.

After mastering the basics, one could then try practicing near a bonfire.

Of course, the best place to cultivate was a hot spring!

Gu Zheng didn’t reveal this detail publicly.

He wanted to prevent people from fighting to the death over hot springs.

If clever people figured it out on their own, that was a different matter entirely.

...

He imparted the skill in one county town after another.

After spending another seven days in Wulong Mansion, Gu Zheng finally departed with three hundred Warriors, along with Zhang Ning, An Xiaoxue, and Tao Liu.

When they left, thousands of people came to see them off.

The roadsides were lined with kneeling people.

This included the constables and government constables from the various County Magistrate’s Offices, as well as the prominent families of the cities.

The common folk might not have known the value of a True Skill, but these people had their sources. How could they not understand the magnitude of Gu Zheng’s favor?

It was no exaggeration to say that the *Bibo Smoke Mist Technique* was a life-changing opportunity!

The greatest opportunity of their lives!

"This is more than just erecting a monument. Mr. Gu’s generosity toward the people of Wulong Mansion is worthy of its own memorial tablets."

Aboard his horse, Tao Liu watched the lines of kneeling commoners stretching far into the distance on both sides of the road and couldn’t help but sigh with emotion.

"You think they waited for you to point that out?" An Xiaoxue shot him a look. "They’ve already started carving them. I heard the carpenters have been busy from dawn till dusk these past few days, to say nothing of the master carvers. Of course, none of these artisans are accepting payment. They only ask people to provide their own wood. The poor bring common wood, while the rich find high-grade lumber and even pay to have the tablets waxed to protect them from insects and ants."

"Before long, every single household will have a Longevity Tablet!"

"Daping County, Baishui County, Qingshi County, and now all of Wulong Mansion... the number of people venerating Mr. Gu is growing," Zhang Ning said with a smile. "It’s a good thing he’s a student of Grand General Meng and Grand General Xie. Otherwise, certain people would definitely be scheming against him."

"Well..."

Hearing this, An Xiaoxue froze. Tao Liu’s wistful expression also vanished, replaced by a serious look.

It was true. Gu Zheng’s original intention was to help the people, a motive they all deeply respected.

But to those in power—to the officials in the State City Government Office—it surely left a bad taste in their mouths.

To put it bluntly, Gu Zheng was treading on dangerous ground!

"You’re overthinking it."

Gu Zheng glanced at the three of them and said calmly, "The situation everywhere is growing more chaotic. Who has time for such petty schemes? The most important thing now is to secure your livelihood and survive."

"That’s true."

Zhang Ning nodded and sighed. "Before, only northern Fengzhou was in chaos, with battlefields constantly erupting and countless casualties. The west, south, east, and central regions were all relatively stable. Now, with this incident in Wulong Mansion, the east is about to descend into chaos as well."

Gu Zheng fell silent.

An Xiaoxue and Zhang Ning also said no more.

The reality of the situation was right in front of them; they couldn’t just delude themselves and pretend it wasn’t happening.

For a time, the procession fell into silence.

Only the clatter of hooves and the rustle of the three hundred Warriors’ armor plates echoed along the main road.

They passed through several counties, leaving Wulong Mansion behind.

During a break in their journey, several Warriors suddenly approached Gu Zheng and dropped to their knees.

"...What is the meaning of this?" Gu Zheng’s sharp eyebrows raised. "If you have something to say, you can stand up and say it."

"I... I..."

"This... uh... we..."

"We wish to learn the *Bibo Smoke Mist Technique* as well!"

Among the kneeling men, some hesitated, some looked embarrassed, and some were red-faced. Only one of them, a dark-skinned young man, showed determination in his eyes. He raised his head to look at Gu Zheng and spoke in a firm, resonant voice, "Lord Gu, we want to learn the *Bibo Smoke Mist Technique*. We implore you—"

"You may."

Gu Zheng nodded. His gaze swept over the other Warriors, who were all chewing on dry rations but had their ears pricked, listening to the commotion. He announced in a loud voice, "Anyone who wants to learn the *Bibo Smoke Mist Technique*, go to Tao Liu or Zhang Ning and ask for a copy."

WHOOSH!

At once, all the surrounding Warriors dropped to their knees, cheering with excitement.

"Thank you, Lord Gu!"

"Lord Gu is mighty!"

These men had all been through the Training Camp and taken a secret elixir. They became Warriors precisely because they had failed to awaken a Divine Wondrous ability.

Being unable to cultivate a True Skill was their greatest regret.

Now that Gu Zheng had given them the *Bibo Smoke Mist Technique*, there was a chance they could awaken a Divine Wondrous ability.

If they could awaken a Divine Wondrous ability, they could become members of the Demon Suppression Guard.

Even as a Demon Suppression Guard Small Banner, the lowest rank, they could bring one family member to live at the Demon Slayer Bureau headquarters.

With the outside world in such chaos, only the Demon Slayer Bureau headquarters could guarantee complete safety.

In other words, the *Bibo Smoke Mist Technique* was a life-changing opportunity for the three hundred Warriors as well!

"What is your name?"

Listening to the cheers, Gu Zheng calmly retracted his gaze and turned to the dark-skinned young man.

"I was called Nie Dagou before," the dark-skinned youth replied solemnly. "Now, my name is Nie Yunxiao. I chose the name Yunxiao myself."

"Nie Yunxiao? A fine name." Gu Zheng nodded, showing that he had committed it to memory.

Seeing this, Nie Yunxiao didn’t dare ask any more questions. He gave a fist-and-palm salute and backed away with the others.

"What, has this kid caught your eye, Mr. Gu?" Tao Liu sidled up, raising an eyebrow.

"It’s not a matter of him ’catching my eye.’ I just think he has some courage. If he can awaken a Divine Wondrous ability, he might have a promising future."

As he spoke, Gu Zheng chuckled. "Listen to me, sounding like a wise old man. Alright, break’s over! Let’s get back on the road!"

"Yes, sir!"

Tao Liu gave a fist-and-palm salute in acknowledgment, then raised an eyebrow. "With your current strength, Mr. Gu, what’s wrong with sounding like a wise old man?"

With that, he took off running.

Zhang Ning and An Xiaoxue suppressed their laughter, but their expressions showed that they quite agreed.

Gu Zheng paid them no mind.

...

The procession continued on its way.

As they passed through Cold Yin County and Xuanhe County and entered Mutun County, a sudden wave of heat washed over them.

It was already a sweltering day, with the sun hanging high in the sky.

Gu Zheng didn’t think much of it at first.

But as the procession advanced, drawing ever closer to the town of Mutun County, he realized something was wrong.

Hot!

Too hot!

The farther they walked, the higher the air temperature rose.

Rolling waves of heat battered the group.

By the time they reached the town of Mutun County, the temperature, had there been a thermometer, would have exceeded forty-three or forty-five degrees.

This sudden spike in temperature was definitely a bad sign.

Gu Zheng decisively ordered the procession to halt. He shot into the sky, circled once, and then continued flying west.

To be precise, he flew swiftly toward the source of the heatwave.

It wasn’t far.

After flying just past the town of Mutun County and then less than five li to the northwest, Gu Zheng spotted the source of the scorching heat.

A mountain!

A peak no more than two hundred meters high was engulfed in raging flames. All the trees on the mountain were ablaze.

But the fire itself wasn’t what was so shocking.

What truly astonished Gu Zheng was that he was seeing a familiar sight.

It was the same transparent curtain he had seen at Great Dragon Mountain and Thousand Star Lake just before a Domain had formed.

A thin, airy film that connected heaven and earth, enveloped everything in all directions, and blocked all passage!

’A Domain Wall!?’

’A Domain has actually formed just outside the town of Mutun County!’