novelraw Chapter 113
Chapter 113
Chapter 113
After hearing Gu Yang’s words, Emperor Chu looked at him in astonishment.
“Are you certain you want to leave the city now?” the emperor asked sternly.
Gu Yang nodded slightly.
“Rest assured, Your Majesty. Since I dare to leave now, it means I have enough confidence. Besides, I cannot hide in the imperial city like a turtle for the rest of my life. Grievances must eventually be resolved.”
Gu Yang spoke calmly.
Emperor Chu raised his estimation of Gu Yang. He hadn’t expected such boldness. Originally, he had planned to converse with Gu Yang further, then let Chu Ling’er get to know him better. Unexpectedly, before the plan even began, Gu Yang was already leaving.
Though surprised, Emperor Chu saw the determination in Gu Yang’s eyes. That made him value Gu Yang even more.
“I respect your decision. However… the strength of White Spirit Sect is not weak. Once you leave the city, it may be difficult to escape. Let me send escorts to accompany you back to Haonan Prefecture,” Emperor Chu said after some thought.
He worried deeply about Gu Yang’s safety. Gu Yang’s talent was extraordinary—something even Emperor Chu had never seen before. If such a prodigy perished midway through his growth, it would be a tragedy.
But Gu Yang only shook his head.
“I appreciate Your Majesty’s kindness, but I must decline.”
Seeing this, Emperor Chu did not press further. He nodded slightly.
“Will you return to the imperial city in the future?”
“Yes.” Gu Yang answered without hesitation.
Haonan Prefecture was merely a stepping stone. His cultivation there already stood at the very peak. Remaining any longer held little meaning. He only returned to resolve lingering troubles. Once finished, he would naturally come back to Chu Kingdom.
Emperor Chu breathed a sigh of relief. He feared Gu Yang might never return.
“In that case, I will say no more. The journey is long—be cautious along the way,” he said solemnly.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Gu Yang cupped his hands.
“Be… be careful on the road. I’ll wait for you to come back!”
At that moment, Chu Ling’er, who had been hiding behind the emperor, suddenly stepped forward. Her face flushed red as she shouted, then fled like a startled rabbit.
Gu Yang froze for a moment. Wait for me to come back?
He didn’t dwell on it. Instead, he cupped his hands toward the distant princess.
“Thank you, Seventh Princess. Then… until we meet again!”
Without hesitation, Gu Yang turned with Elder Li Tianming and boarded the flying vessel.
Swish!
The vessel sped away, vanishing into the horizon.
“What an unconventional young man,” Emperor Chu murmured, watching Gu Yang’s departing figure with deep emotion. Confident yet cautious, neither arrogant nor servile. Such a prodigy was truly admirable. He even considered inviting Gu Yang into the royal family. Of course, whether that could happen… depended on Chu Ling’er.
Thinking of this, he glanced at his daughter, still gazing dreamily at the sky.
“He’s already gone far. Why are you still standing there foolishly?” Emperor Chu shook his head.
“Father… will Gu Yang really… really come back?” Chu Ling’er’s eyes carried sorrow. She regretted her shyness, regretted not speaking more with him. Will he even remember me?
Her melancholy was hers alone.
“Don’t worry. Since Gu Yang said so, he will return to the imperial city,” Emperor Chu reassured her, then turned back to the palace. He had many matters to handle.
Gu Yang had entered the imperial city for less than half a day, yet the entire Chu Kingdom’s situation had already changed dramatically!
First came the Talent Ranking compiled by the Hundred Knowledge Pavilion. It had been updated again—and this time, the changes were far greater than before. Copies spread across every province of Chu Kingdom. Anyone who read the list widened their eyes in shock.
The former number one prodigy, Bai Tianhong… his name had vanished. In his place stood Gu Yang, who had previously ranked eleventh!
Haonan Prefecture.
Flowing Cloud Sect.
Inside the sect master’s hall, Sect Master Chu Liuyun was reading an ancient book for leisure when a sheet of white paper suddenly descended from the sky. His eyes lit up. With a wave of his sleeve, he caught it.
“I wonder how Gu Yang ranks now?”
It was the latest Talent Ranking, the third update this month. He expected some fluctuations.
His gaze fell upon the paper.
Swish!
A familiar name leapt into view:
【Talent Ranking #1: Gu Yang!】
“What!?” Chu Liuyun’s eyes widened. First place? Gu Yang had already risen to the top? So fast?
Shock filled his heart. Yet, considering Gu Yang’s strength and talent, reaching first seemed natural. He read further.
【Gu Yang, only seventeen years old, slew Bai Tianhong in the Purple Moon Secret Realm with thunderous means. His talent is limitless, his aptitude extraordinary. He is without doubt the strongest prodigy within Chu Kingdom!】
Though brief, the description made Chu Liuyun’s expression shift rapidly—from surprise, to doubt, to horror, and finally to stunned disbelief.
At first, he wondered who Bai Tianhong was. Then he remembered—the previous number one on the ranking. Gu Yang had actually killed him!?
This revelation shook Chu Liuyun to the core. Yet worry soon followed.
“Rumor has it Bai Tianhong’s backing is extremely powerful. Will Gu Yang and the elder be safe?”
Unease filled his heart.
Similar reactions erupted across other sects. Northern Snow Sect and Frost Sect were shocked yet envious. Gu Yang’s performance now resounded throughout Chu Kingdom! Flowing Cloud Sect’s prestige rose several levels thanks to him.
At least for now…
The other sects could not compare to Flowing Cloud Sect.
White Yang Sect, Flowing Cloud’s mortal enemy, felt particularly ill at ease.
“This bastard! He actually topped the Talent Ranking!?”
Holding the list, Bai Wuyai’s face flushed a dark liver color. He unleashed a surge of supreme true essence from his hand and shredded the sheet of paper to pieces. Rage flared in his eyes, but he quickly restrained himself.
“No… I must find a way to kill that brat.”
As soon as the thought crossed his mind, he realized something and a trace of excitement appeared on his face.
“No! I don’t need to act myself! That brat is finished! He actually killed Bai Tianhong! Bai Tianhong was the heir-apprentice of White Spirit Sect, the top sect of Chu Kingdom! Hahaha! He’s dead for sure!”
He burst into manic laughter. The nearby disciples exchanged puzzled looks; they did not understand why their sect master rejoiced. Gu Yang becoming number one should not have been bad for them. They dared not ask.
When news of Gu Yang’s rise to the top reached Haonan Prefecture, word of his departure from the imperial city spread at the same time. Gu Yang had not tried to hide his leaving, and scouts from White Spirit Sect and traces of other sects lingered near the imperial city. They received the news immediately and carried it back.