"These people are really in a hurry."

Gu Xu smiled, flipped through these tables at random, memorized the names of the people on them, and then handed them to Luo Chuan.

"They are all Great Qi officials," Luo Chuan said, "These people have never been in the emperor's core decision-making circle, and they have not made much contribution in this battle.

"In their opinion, if they don't take advantage of this opportunity to persuade and show themselves hard in front of the emperor, I'm afraid the emperor will forget about them soon."

It's strange to say.

In the past, if there was a rebellion in the Great Wilderness, they would give themselves an official title, such as "so-and-so general", "so-and-so duke", "so-and-so king", so that they could use this as a banner to recruit talents and build a team.

But now Gu Xu, except for the grassland khan and the leader of the Qingying, there is no serious official and half-position on him.

It's like a bandit king in the mountains, relying on his personal prestige to gather a group of people from different backgrounds.

As for "Emperor", in fact, it was originally the honorific title of the Upper Realm for powerful cultivators above the Eighth Realm Triple Heaven, but after reaching the Lower Realm, it became the name of the god "Shangcang".

The "Lord of the Heavenly Palace" represents the identity and authority of Emperor Ziwei in the upper realm in the past.

And the current rebel army, don't look at the momentum, is actually a grass platform team that has not perfected the rules and regulations.

Like Luo Chuan alone, he is also doing the work of the first assistant of the Great Qi Dynasty, the head of the exorcism division, the imperial history of the left capital of the Imperial Palace, and the eunuch of the master of ceremonies.

Sometimes, seeing Luo Chuan doing so much work without receiving a penny, Gu Xu would feel like a black-hearted capitalist who squeezed his labor force to the death.

Of course, Luo Chuan never complained about this, and even enjoyed it very much.

In his opinion, it is his greatest honor to be a lackey of the emperor's disciples; The more work the emperor asked him to do, the more he proved to be valued for him.

"Wenchang, what do you think?" Gu Xu pondered for a moment and asked.

"The old minister thinks that the time is not yet ripe," Luo Chuan replied, "On the one hand, although the righteous army has won a great victory, its own foundation is not stable, the system is incomplete, and several factions such as the northern border, the grassland, the Qingming, and the Great Qi are secretly competing.

"On the other hand, the Emperor may not care about those false courtesies, but the power of the incense that ascends to the Ninth Realm is extremely important to you.

"Now that you have ascended the throne, you are only the leader of a separatist force, and the incense you have received is really limited, and maybe some ignorant people who are stubborn and stubborn will still regard you as a rebel and thief.

"But after you completely overthrow the rule of Emperor Tianxing, if you announce the coming of a new era to the world with a grand ceremony that attracts the attention of the whole country and is full of rituals and music, then all the beings in the Great Wilderness will join their palms and pay homage to you like a god."

"Just do as you say." Gu Xu nodded, agreeing with his point of view.

"However, Emperor," Luo Chuan paused, and then continued, "Although there is no hurry to ascend the throne and claim the title of emperor, since we have already called Great Qi a 'puppet dynasty' and Xiao Zeyao a 'puppet emperor', even starting from Qi Taizu Xiao Shengyun, we have denied the legitimacy of the Great Qi Dynasty.

"Then we should set a new name as soon as possible, serve as the banner of orthodoxy, recruit people of insight from all over the world, and form a new regime."

"That makes sense," Gu Xu nodded again in agreement, "Does Wenchang have any suggestions for this?" ”

Although Gu Xu had already discussed this matter with Zhao Yan jokingly when he was in the north before, he felt that in this kind of major matter, he should still ask his subordinates more about the sages, and behave more like a good monarch.

"The frontier of the northwest was called Xia in ancient times," Luo Chuan pondered for a while, and replied seriously, "According to the humble opinion of the old minister, the emperor was born in the northwest, and he should take 'Xia' as the name of the country. ”

"Summer."

Gu Xu silently recited this word in his heart, and what he had seen and heard in the "Returning Ruins" before resurfaced in his mind, and remembered the red-robed man who came to look for him on the order of the "Great Xia Emperor".

This made him feel that in the torrent of fate with countless forks, there may always be something that is destined not to change.

After a short silence, Gu Xu asked Luo Chuan about the situation of the Great Qi National Teacher.

"Wenchang really lived up to my expectations, and really captured that Wang Gushi alive."

"Entrusted by the emperor, how dare you slacken?" Luo Chuan said, "It's just that Wang Jian is really obsessed, and he actually wants to ignite Zhenyuan and commit suicide in front of me!" Emperor Tianxing's dog faint monarch can actually make him loyal to death! If I hadn't used the 'Dao Realm in time', I'm afraid he would have succeeded! ”

"You're putting him in a dungeon now, aren't you?"

"That's right. I have combined the ninety-nine 'Lock Yuan Talismans' that you designed earlier, Emperor Jun, into the 'Nine Palace Forbidden Array', which can lock his true yuan power and prevent him from thinking about seeking death again. ”

"Take me to see him." Gu Xu was silent for a moment and said slowly.

In fact, the performance of the national teacher has always made Gu Xu feel a little strange. Gu Xu couldn't understand why Chiyangzi, who was able to create the "Seven Styles of Burning Heaven", could teach an apprentice who was so stupid and loyal to Daqi?

Especially when the national teacher said on the battlefield, 'If you choose to surrender, you will live up to the master's dying will'.

It was even more surprising to Gu Xu.

In his opinion, Chiyangzi gave up his ascension and went mad, undoubtedly seeing through the truth that "the Great Wilderness is a prison", and also saw the true face of Emperor Tianxing.

But in his dying will, he asked the national teacher to be loyal to the emperor.

Why is that?

Could it be that he was worried that his apprentice would do something stupid for revenge?

Or after gaining insight into the truth, he found that the enemy was too strong and invincible, so he chose to use lies to protect his apprentice?

Gu Xu was curious.

He and Luo Chuan's figures quickly disappeared in place.

Moments later, the two appeared in the dimly lit dungeon.

I saw that in the cage, the Great Qi National Master was chained to a pillar by chains condensed by silver-white starlight, and his hands and feet were bound by heavy shackles, so that he had no room for struggle.

In the air around him, dozens of ancient and mysterious runes flew, flickering with a faint light, like fireflies on a summer night.

And his face is more haggard than before.

His eyes were tightly closed, and he didn't seem to notice Gu Xu's arrival at all.

"Untie him, Wenchang." Gu Xu commanded.

"In case he wants to kill himself, or if it's not good for you—" Luo Chuan frowned slightly.

"-With his strength, he can't turn over the palm of my hand," Gu Xu said lightly, "What's more, there are you next to me." ”

Gu Xu's words full of trust in the second half made Luo Chuan feel extremely happy.

Luo Chuan obeyed the command and waved his hand lightly.

With a crisp sound, the shackles and chains instantly split into countless pieces, and the light of the runes gradually dimmed, and soon disappeared completely into the darkness.

Subsequently, Gu Xu's heart moved and exerted the authority of "Qiankun".

The three of them were immediately transferred from the dark cell to the study of the mansion.

Gu Xu sat on the official hat chair behind the desk, and Luo Chuan stood beside him.

The national teacher stood opposite him, his eyes fell on Gu Xu's young face, as if he had thought of something, and his expression was a little dazed.

Luo Chuan was quite dissatisfied with the contemptuous attitude of the national teacher: "The emperor is merciful and released you from prison, not only do you not worship the emperor's kindness, but you also dare to look directly at the emperor——"

"—If the emperor is dissatisfied, kill me directly." The national teacher said in a non-wavering voice, looking like he was putting life and death out of the way.

However, although his face was silent, in the heart of the national teacher, he had seen a lot of Luo Chuan's arrogant and immortal posture in the past, and now he saw him become a sycophant villain, and he was quite unaccustomed to it.

"The prince is a great sage, in front of him, there is no need to abide by these false courtesies," Gu Xu first appeased Luo Chuan, then chuckled, looked at the national teacher and said, "Prince, if I guessed correctly, you should have a lot of questions to ask me now, right?" ”

"What the Emperor said is right," the National Master pondered for a moment and nodded in acknowledgement, "I am indeed very curious about how the Emperor knew the name 'Xiao Changshou'. ”

"Xiao Changshou, ......" Hearing the question of the national teacher, the smile on Gu Xu's face suddenly became a little meaningful, "If I say that I am Xiao Changshou, will you believe me?" ”

"Don't try to trick me." The national teacher looked at Gu Xu's excessively young face, and frowned.

When he asked the question, he felt he was prepared.

Even if Gu Xu told him, "Before I was reincarnated, I was a close friend with your Xiao Changshou ancestor", the national teacher thought that he should be able to accept it.

But the national teacher never expected that Gu Xu would say something like "I am Xiao Changshou".

You must know that last year, when Gu Xu had just emerged in the way of the Fu Seal, the national teacher also fantasized that he would take this talented young monk as his apprentice and inherit his mantle.

But now, Gu Xu is suddenly a "super senior"!

The national teacher only felt very incredible, and for a while he only felt that Gu Xu was deliberately making fun of himself.

"He really didn't believe it," Gu Xu sighed lightly and said to Luo Chuan next to him, "Wenchang, I still have to trouble you to get the evidence for me." ”

Hearing Gu Xu's words, Luo Chuan immediately disappeared in place.

When he reappeared, he had an extra jade pendant in his hand.

The national teacher immediately recognized that this jade pendant was a special magic weapon made by the Great Qi Exorcism Division, and each cultivator in the Exorcism Division had one, which could be used to record the image of the task execution process, which was an indispensable tool for calculating merit and an important material for studying ghosts.

The jade pendant brought by Luo Chuan once belonged to Shi Xiaohan. However, after Shi Xiaohan left Yishui County and went to Luojing City, this jade pendant was left in the Yamen of the Yishui Exorcism Division.

Luo Chuan tapped lightly on the jade pendant twice.

In an instant, the jade pendant shone brightly.

A young woman with her hair combed in a mourning bun, wearing a coarse linen filial piety dress, with a beautiful face and teary eyes, instantly appeared in the image suspended in the air.

"Painted Skin Ghost ......" The national teacher looked at this beautiful young woman and immediately recognized her true face.

"Are these two adults from the Exorcism Division? Dare to ask what the two of you are called? I heard the Paintskin Ghost ask, and his voice was melodious and seductive.

On the opposite side of the painted skin ghost, stood Shi Xiaohan, who was petite, dressed in a Qiyao suit, and carrying a machete, and Gu Xu, who was thin and handsome in a green shirt.

"The Exorcism Division is inspecting, Shi Xiaohan."

"Live a long life in Xia Xiao."

The two replied one after the other.

As Luo Chuan gently knocked on the jade pendant again, the image stopped abruptly.

The national teacher stared at the place where the image disappeared, his mouth grew slightly, his eyes were full of shocked emotions, and the whole person seemed to be petrified, and he stood for a moment before slowly coming back to his senses.

"In Xia Xiao longevity...... He turned out to be really Xiao Changshou......" His voice trembled slightly.

"'Xiao Changshou' is my pseudonym," Gu Xu looked at the national teacher with a look of astonishment on his face, and said with a smile, "Prince, you should know that before I awakened the memory of my previous life, I thought that I had a deficiency in my bones in this life, and it was likely that I would die young.

"So I've been practicing hard every day, just hoping to reach the realm of a saint as soon as possible and reshape my body.

"Living a long life was my greatest wish at that time."

"But," the national teacher took a deep breath and raised his confusion, forgetting to even use the honorific title for a while, "According to what you said, 'Xiao Changshou' is a pseudonym that you only have after you are reincarnated.

"But my master, Chiyoko, passed away decades ago. If what you say is true, then how did you meet him and teach him the Tao? ”

"Has the prince ever been to the end of the East China Sea?" Gu Xu asked.

"Nope." The national teacher shook his head, not knowing why Gu Xu suddenly mentioned this.

Since he became a courtier of Daqi, he has been working day and night for state affairs, mending leaks and wiping his butts for those corrupt officials who are on a vegetarian diet, and it is impossible for him to have the energy to explore the mysterious and dangerous end of the Great Wilderness.

"At the end of the East China Sea, there is a big waterfall," Gu Xu described at a slower pace, "the sea of the world gathers here and falls into a bottomless valley.

"It is called 'Returning to the Ruins', it is the 'fruit of all causes', it is 'the place where all things are one', and it is the end point that all beings will surely reach.

"In the depths of the 'Return to the Ruins', there is a 'chaotic energy', in which time and space are disordered, allowing people to inadvertently return to the past or to the future."

"Return to the Ruins......

The national teacher silently recited the word over and over again.

Ordinary people may not be aware of it.

But in the perception of the national teacher, there seems to be an extremely strong Taoist rhyme hidden in this word, and just hearing it makes his head feel a little painful.

It was as if a pair of invisible hands had torn open the paper that had stuck to the window, and the strong sunlight shone in from the outside, stabbing him so that he couldn't open his eyes.

At the same time, it also allowed the national teacher to really see some of the scenery outside the window.

"You once went back in time through 'Return to the Ruins'?" He stared at Gu Xu and said the bold guess that came to his mind.