Light Fortress

Chapter 1740 - 392: Audience Once More

"Gu Shen!"

"Brother Gu!"

"Gu!"

A chorus of voices calling out poured into Gu Shen’s Heart Lake.

Over twenty Northern Continent generals deliberately "blocked" the essential path leading to Central City, just to see Gu Shen.

Among them were comrades who had experienced the Storm War together at the "Gu Castle Fortress."

Also present were battle companions who had braved life and death together in the Duolu River Disaster Realm.

Gu Shen spotted many familiar faces, remembering some who hadn’t been particularly outstanding during the Duolu River Disaster Realm extermination mission. However, now they had become key figures guarding a side of the Northern Continent... He hadn’t expected these people to come; six years had passed, and many had forgotten him.

But these people hadn’t forgotten.

"They told me not to tell you, wanting to give you a surprise."

Mu Wanqiu parked the miniature craft mid-air.

Gu Shen stepped onto the [Truth] iron sword and left the craft cabin, looking toward those former comrades deliberately waiting for him.

Partings and reunions.

Now they were reunited.

Sometimes, there’s no need for many words; "comrades" who have been through life and death together only require a glance to understand each other’s meaning.

The Investigation Corps Second Team members who went northward with him were also present here.

Back then, Li Chen used the [Source Eyes] to link the whole team and opened up a transcendental view, and Mo Hongyi loved betting but always lost; Su He, the quiet one who silently took on the heavy lifting, and Zhang Ning, a fellow native of the East Continent...

These people were all there.

The Second Team’s deputy leader Yuan Yuan was also present.

"Brother Gu, we happened to be passing by."

Yuan Yuan grinned and said, "Xiao Qiu told us you’re coming to Central City, so we came along. It’s been six years since we last met, and I hope all has been well."

"All has been well."

Gu Shen felt deeply touched; seeing these people still safe and sound is the best news.

Guarding the Northern Continent Border often means dealing with "black points."

Since the Duolu River Disaster Realm event broke out, the Frontier Fortress still had to be wary of transcendent creatures from the [Old World], like travellers from this transient transcendent ethnic group...

As for the Investigation Corps, it had become the most dangerous corps in recent years.

They had to frequently go out to explore the [Old World].

"In recent years, thanks to the complete map provided by the ’golden spike flowers,’ the Investigation Corps’ operational territory has greatly expanded."

Mu Wanqiu transmitted, "I chose to make map information public and shared it across the Investigation Corps... the corps’ mortality rate significantly declined, while task completion rate and recruitment rate soared."

The golden spike flowers, single-handedly, had explored the blackened area at the northern edge of the Five Continents World.

With this map in hand.

The Investigation Corps ventured north again, no longer "operating blindly."

"Of course, it was under my name."

Mu Wanqiu whispered, "Yuan Yuan and the others still don’t know the mastermind behind this matter is actually you."

"It’s fine; there’s no need for them to know."

Gu Shen chuckled and said, "There’s no need to reveal the truth; it’s irrelevant who the mastermind is... as long as this map can aid the Investigation Corps, that’s enough."

Mu Wanqiu’s identity was more suitable than his.

As a captain executing solo missions for many years, releasing the relatively safe area map, no one would suspect its authenticity.

With Lu Zhe and the Lord of the Legion vouching.

No one would delve into the secret behind this map.

...

...

"Li Chen, did you... get taller?"

"Su He, congratulations on comprehending the Great Achievement Domain!"

Gu Shen individually sent messages, feeling deeply touched by these old acquaintances who came specifically to welcome him.

Six years since last seen.

These people have changed greatly.

Back then, Li Chen had been an inexperienced newcomer, but now he had matured into a seasoned team member capable of shouldering responsibilities independently and was even being appointed as the Investigation Corps’ newly formed team leader.

Everyone had transformed significantly.

"Gu Shen, all these years, everyone’s been thinking of you!"

Mo Hongyi cheerfully spoke, "Not long ago, Zhang Ning even burned some paper for you!"

"Damn you..."

Zhang Ning, who had been foolishly laughing, suddenly couldn’t laugh anymore, lines of frustration appearing on his forehead, as he gestured angrily at Mo Hongyi.

"It’s true."

Still the Second Team’s deputy leader, Yuan Yuan, smiled helplessly and said, "Actually, every year, our team would... hold a memorial."

The event in the Sangzhou Cave back then shook the Five Continents.

Gu Shen’s supposed death dealt a great blow to this small team.

"Hearing this, I’m actually quite comforted."

Gu Shen wasn’t angry; he softly said, "I’m sincerely honored to be remembered in your hearts."

"You’re here to see Her Majesty the Empress, aren’t you?"

Yuan Yuan shook his head, gathered the team members, and sincerely said, "We’re here to greet you and say hello, just seeing you in person is enough. We won’t delay your important affairs."

"Once I’ve finished my business in Central City, if you’re still around, I’ll treat you all."

Gu Shen said solemnly, "Just like the time at Gu Castle Fortress and the small courtyard on Xuankong Mountain, I’ll treat you all to a drink, we’ll drink until we’re satisfied."

Gu Shen knew well that some things are hard to come by and need to be well-protected.

But the vast majority of people in the world do not cherish them because of this.

Often, once they have them, they let them lie idle and no longer value them.

And only until they lose them will they regret endlessly.

This time returning to the Five Continents, someone came to greet him, these people appeared in Changye and also in Central City. Apart from feeling moved, Gu Shen also felt a weight he had never felt before, a weight called responsibility.

These people placed him in the most important place in their hearts.

He should also protect these people well.

...

...

Mu Wanqiu piloted a small boat, landing in the Empress Manor, and because of the forewarning, the Lin Family’s Imperial Guard did not obstruct her at all.

The water from the statue fountain splashed with a crisp sound.

Under the arch, a multicolored light descended, and at the end of the corridor sat a figure leisurely sipping tea.

"Lord of the Legion."

Mu Wanqiu saluted and then respectfully straightened her back.

The woman drinking tea raised her head, her eyes full of warmth, nodding to invite Mu Wanqiu to sit.

"Aunt Wen."

Gu Shen instead called with a somewhat more familiar term. He was not within the North Continent system, and after multiple dealings with Purple Rain, he discovered that this legendary commander was not as cold and stern as the rumors, at least her attitude towards him was exceptionally kind and gentle.

"Xiao Gu, you’re here, sit down."

As soon as "Aunt Wen" was called, a smile indeed broke out on Purple Rain’s face.

To command an entire army, people like this are, for the most part, required to be "iron-blooded" and "rational."

Mu Wanqiu rarely saw such a smile on the commander’s face.

The last time...

It must have been when she unified her domains, successfully broke through, and earned the "Judge" title.

"It’s been a long time, I brought a small gift."

Gu Shen took out a portion of Black Silver from the Pure Land, having initially brought back 2,700 pounds of Black Silver to show Mr. Bai Shu, he kept some for himself.

Among these, some were specially kept for gifts.

A round, specially-made cabin box was summoned by the wave of his sleeve and placed on the table.

"Oh?"

Purple Rain smiled and reached out to lift it, subconsciously remarking, "It’s quite heavy... is it Mithril?"

The next moment, her spiritual power penetrated into the cabin box, and her entire demeanor subtly changed.

The weight of this special cabin box was about 100 pounds.

One hundred pounds... all of it Black Silver!

The smile on the commander’s face turned to astonishment, and she looked at Gu Shen.

One hundred pounds of Black Silver.

Is this something you just casually bring out?

Is this what you call a small gift?

"This is too precious, I cannot accept it."

The commander set the cabin box down and pushed it back to Gu Shen.

Her first reaction was to refuse.

Gu Shen laughed and started to speak, "Please accept it, upgrade the equipment for the brothers in the Investigation Corps. Although it’s not possible to mass-produce ’Black Silver Bombs’, at least applying it to Transcendent weapons can significantly enhance combat power."

Upon mentioning Black Silver Bombs.

Purple Rain’s demeanor subtly changed once more, recalling Osmond’s report on the Ice Sea Ruins battle.

The Ice Sea Ruins truly did house an ancient civilization and produced the astonishing "Black Silver Bombs," which were terribly destructive.

The battle back then was very intense, and the joint fleet of Changye and Central City was on the verge of being defeated, but the second round of bomb salvos miraculously avoided the fleets of the two continents, focusing their ferocious attack solely on Light City and the Source Tower!

It certainly wasn’t a coincidence!

Inside the Ice Sea Ruins, someone must have been in control... as described by Wei Cheng, a figure wearing an Evil Ghost Mask was identified.

And at this moment, the legendary "evil ghost" and the Gu Shen before her began to form a unified image.

The commander’s eyes were filled with surprise and shock.

"Black Silver Bombs... so are you the one from the Ice Sea Ruins?"

"If I said yes, would you be willing to accept this gift?"

Gu Shen didn’t directly answer but instead smiled and spoke, "To me, this Black Silver is nothing... Lord of the Legion, there is another matter for which I came to the manor this time, I wish to have an audience with Her Majesty."

This time, Purple Rain did not continue to refuse.

She accepted the hundred pounds of Black Silver — for the Investigation Corps, this hundred pounds of Black Silver was an extremely valuable resource, and if used properly, the entire corps’ combat effectiveness could be elevated by a whole level!

After accepting the Black Silver, she laughed and asked in a teasing manner, "You didn’t gift this Black Silver just to grease the skids, did you?"

"I dearly wish to deny it, but there is indeed a little of that intention."

Gu Shen blinked, quickly flattering, "After six years, you’ve grown even more powerful, although I won against Jia Wei at the Red Lake, compared to you... I seem to be still far off."

"Alright, alright, stop with the flattery, enough already."

Upon hearing this, the Purple Rain Commander found her head spinning and hurriedly waved her hand, saying, "If it’s just to have an audience with Her Majesty, gifting or not gifting would result in the same outcome, because Her Majesty also wants to see you."

"Her Majesty has been waiting on the second floor of the attic for a long time..."

She stood up and walked towards the attic.

"Come with me."