I Have 10 Equipment Slots-Chapter 152 - 111: The Might of the Heroic Body

Gu Zheng raised an eyebrow.

Guarding a passage was not the mission he wanted.

’Waiting for Demon Fiends to emerge from the passage... Who knows how long that could take?’ 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

For others, it was a safe and stable gig—at least, safer than Demon Extermination.

But Gu Zheng didn’t want it. It was too much of a waste of time.

The Demon Suppression Guard’s members chose their missions freely; there was no such thing as a mandatory assignment.

And now the Command Headquarters was issuing a mandatory assignment...

"I understand."

Gu Zheng nodded calmly.

After a bit more small talk, he bid farewell to Yan Hongxue.

...

Yan Hongxue was indeed lucky.

Gu Zheng had already dealt with most of the threats within the Old Ox Mountain passage.

The Black Sheep Demon Race was very satisfied with the results of their "retaliation" and were now focused on preventing humans from stirring up trouble while they discussed relocating their territory.

As for Beast Demons like the Long-haired Oxen and Two-headed Tigers, Gu Zheng had slaughtered them into submission. They wouldn’t dare venture out of the passage again anytime soon.

Therefore, Yan Hongxue’s post in Mutun County, guarding the Old Ox Mountain passage, was practically a period of rest and recuperation.

Of course, Gu Zheng wouldn’t tell her any of this.

After introducing Yan Hongxue to Guo Zengyuan, Gu Zheng left Mutun County.

Compared to Zhao Fang of Lesheng County, Guo Zengyuan was more pragmatic and truly cared for the common people under his charge.

Gu Zheng had sent the former to meet his ancestors. For the latter, he left behind the Bibo Smoke Mist Technique, instructing Guo Zengyuan to organize people to teach it. Guo Zengyuan immediately fell to his knees and kowtowed on the spot.

With everything arranged, Gu Zheng mounted his horse and departed.

As he rode out of the city gates, countless people rushed to see him off, a vast sea of them kneeling in farewell.

They were grateful not only because Gu Zheng had single-handedly repelled over ten thousand Demon Fiends, but also because he had given away all the Demon Flesh.

Just one bite of the edible Demon Flesh was enough to keep them full for an entire day.

After eating it, some of their minor ailments had even disappeared.

For such a profound act of kindness, anything less than kneeling in farewell felt insufficient to express the depths of their gratitude.

And when Guo Zengyuan announced that Gu Zheng had left behind a True Skill that anyone could cultivate, these feelings soared to their zenith.

A monument!

We must erect a monument!

Carve tablets!

Every household must carve a Longevity Tablet!

"This is insane."

The few Demon Suppression Guards who had accompanied Yan Hongxue watched as the entire city’s populace ran about, cheering for Gu Zheng and kneeling in prayer. They all stood with their mouths agape, shocked and incredulous.

"Teaching a True Skill? Is he handing out True Skills like they’re candy? This Gu Baihu is really something else."

"It’s a True Skill he created himself, so what’s wrong with that? Speaking of which, I’m more interested in what they were saying about Gu Baihu single-handedly repelling over ten thousand Demon Fiends. That sounds unbelievable. We’re talking about ten thousand Beast Demons. Even if they were the lowest of the low, the sheer ferocious momentum of a ten-thousand-beast stampede isn’t something an ordinary Super Body Realm expert could withstand."

"That’s why at our age, he’s already a Hundred Households, and you’re just a newly-promoted Squad Leader."

"Hey, are you taking the scenic route to say I’m not as good as him?"

"Nope. I’m saying it straight to your face, aren’t I?"

"..."

The Demon Suppression Guards joked and laughed, their words a mix of sighs and admiration, with envy clear on every face.

Yan Hongxue remained silent, sighing deeply in her heart.

’Though she talked about wanting to catch up to Gu Zheng, the reality was that she could only watch his back as he grew more distant, his path leading ever higher.’

...

...

「Changying Prefecture, Kai Valley County.」

As soon as Gu Zheng arrived, he sought out the head of the Demon Suppression Guard stationed in the county seat, Commander Ma Jianshan.

"Greetings, My Lord!"

Ma Jianshan was powerfully built with a rugged face. His eyes were sharp and gleaming, like the edge of a blade, daring anyone to meet his gaze.

Facing Gu Zheng, he offered only a brief, perfunctory cupping of his hands before letting them drop. "Lord Wang has passed down an order," he announced. "Regarding all matters at Qingtanshan, once Lord Gu arrives, you are to take over. From this point on, you will have the final say in everything."

"During the transition, if there’s anything you don’t understand, Lord Gu, feel free to ask me at any time. I will remain in the county seat for three days."

"Very well. Thank you, Mr. Ma," Gu Zheng said gratefully.

"It is my duty. No trouble at all," Ma Jianshan said expressionlessly, then took his leave. "Lord Gu, you’ve just arrived. You can rest for a while."

With that, he gave another slight cupping of his hands and turned to leave.

Gu Zheng didn’t seem to mind. He watched the man depart, the corners of his lips curling into a smile.

’Rest?’

’It seems I really do need to "rest" for a bit.’

He sat in his room for a few hours and drank a pot of tea.

Gu Zheng then went out, found Ma Jianshan, and had him lead the way out of the city to tour the area around Qingtanshan.

Ma Jianshan was indeed very diligent, guiding Gu Zheng on a complete tour of the perimeter of the Qingtanshan passage.

Finally, they entered a natural grotto.

The grotto had a wide entrance and a cool interior. Pillars of natural, multicolored crystal stood within, emitting a faint glow that illuminated the cave.

"This cave is very deep. A Demon Fiend that came out of the Qingtanshan passage hid inside. It’s very powerful—peak Tier One. Although I managed to injure it with the Spiritual Soldier Lord Wang gave me, the Demon Fiend is incredibly fast and can create afterimages. I haven’t dared to venture further in."

"Thankfully, Lord Gu, you are here now. With you on the case, this Demon Fiend hiding in the depths of the cave is as good as dead!"

"I’ll do my best. That’s all I can say."

Gu Zheng replied humbly, "The abilities of Demon Fiends are strange and varied. It’s not as if one or two haven’t escaped from me before. Didn’t you just say this one hiding in the cave can create afterimages, Mr. Ma?"

"For that reason, we shouldn’t jump to conclusions before it’s been decisively slain."

"That’s also true," Ma Jianshan nodded. "However, I have faith that you will be able to eliminate it, Lord Gu!"

"I hope so," Gu Zheng said, continuing deeper into the cave. "You don’t need to lead the way any further, Mr. Ma. I’ll go in alone from here."

"This..."

Ma Jianshan hesitated. "Isn’t this a bit too soon? Lord Gu, why don’t you come back tomorrow to go deeper into the cave? We can work out a more detailed plan tonight."