Chapter 325 - 134: What? I Can Do It in Front of You, Too?

Chapter 325: Chapter 134: What? I Can Do It in Front of You, Too?

Had they not leveraged the Four Elders to express their willingness to risk it all, they truly weren’t confident they could rein in Gu Xiangzhu’s wild nature.

Fortunately.

Judging by Gu Xiangzhu’s silence, it seemed they had succeeded in reining her in.

Gu Xiangzhu: "..."

Truth be told, Shuimo’s words had struck a nerve.

The possibility that her only two mainstays had converged into one truly put her in an incredibly passive position.

Besides.

Zhao Ci’s perilous situation was indeed not something she could resolve on her own.

As for the danger of being framed by Zhao Huan, she could handle it, though it would mean a complete falling-out. It wasn’t an entirely unsolvable problem.

But the ensuing estate feud...

In four months at most, once these people all broke through to the Physical Body Realm.

Zhao Ci would face immense pressure.

And in that feud, she wouldn’t even be able to interfere.

She felt frustrated.

But she had already calmed down. "So, what do you all plan to do?"

"Haaa..."

Seeing Gu Xiangzhu give in, the group finally let out a collective sigh of relief.

Shuimo’s expression grew gentler, and she sighed softly, "This is my fault, too. If I hadn’t been so wary of you, we might have already succeeded by now.

Right now, the Lingge Sub-Branch has suffered devastating losses, and the other sub-branches are too far away to be of any immediate help. Even if we were to force a transfer of manpower, it would inevitably attract unwanted attention.

So... we can only rely on you, Xiangzhu!"

Heh...

’You want *me* to handle it?’

Gu Xiangzhu suddenly gave a derisive laugh. "I don’t see why it has to be so complicated. Just give me the Divine Cocoon Silk, and I’ll test Zhao Ci myself. If he’s the one, great. If not, you can all go find another solution!"

"Absolutely not!"

Shuimo shot her down immediately. "If Zhao Ci isn’t the one, then how are we supposed to find the Saint Monarch?"

Gu Xiangzhu scoffed. "In that case, we’ll just have to rely on distant aid to solve an immediate crisis. This whole predicament is a direct result of you doubting me. Why should I be the one to foot the bill? Wouldn’t you agree, Elders?"

"This..."

The four Elders exchanged glances, their expressions grim.

But none of them dared to refute her.

After all, Gu Xiangzhu now held all the cards. It had taken a combination of threats and placating just to get her to settle down.

If they tried to force her to shoulder the burden and angered her, things would get ugly for everyone.

Gu Xiangzhu said coolly, "I’ll have you Dharma Protectors transfer your trusted men here. At that time, I will have unified command. The spring hunt in April will be our perfect opportunity to make a move. Entrust your subordinates to me, and I guarantee their deaths will be meaningful.

Once we’ve narrowed the field sufficiently, we can use the Divine Cocoon Silk for the final confirmation. What do you say?"

The three Elders, with the exception of Huangfu Song, winced. "This..."

Shuimo could no longer stand by. She gave the four a solemn bow and said, "Gentlemen! This concerns the very life of the Lord Saint Monarch. As long as he can reclaim his position, no hardship is insurmountable. When that day comes, the Lord Saint Monarch will be mindful of your sacrifices and will undoubtedly reward you generously."

Hearing Shuimo put it that way,

the three Elders finally began to waver.

After whispering amongst themselves for a long while, they finally nodded. "This concerns the Holy Sect’s great undertaking of several centuries. We naturally have no grounds to refuse. However, we must ask the Saintess to honor her promise and ensure our men die a worthy death."

"Of course."

Gu Xiangzhu gave a faint nod, her gaze sweeping over them once more. "Is there anything else to discuss?"

Naturally, they had nothing else to add.

Their entire purpose in gathering at the Main Altar was to pressure Gu Xiangzhu.

Now that Gu Xiangzhu had agreed, what more could they ask for?

Shuimo sighed softly and gently took Gu Xiangzhu’s hand. "Xiangzhu! I’ve wronged you in the past, but this matter concerns our Holy Sect’s ambition of several centuries. I implore you to work together with us as one. I am truly sorry..."

A hint of mockery touched Gu Xiangzhu’s expression. "Just an apology? Isn’t that a little lacking in sincerity?"

"What do you want? As long as it is within my power to give, I will grant it."

"Now that you’ve said that, I’ll have to take you at your word."

Gu Xiangzhu said coolly, "I haven’t thought of anything yet, though. I’ll come to you when I do. Since there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave. If you wish to continue plotting against me, be my guest!"

With that,

she dispelled the sound-dampening ward.

She slowly walked down the steps.

She strode gracefully toward the exit, saying coolly, "Let’s go!"

"Yes!"

The several hundred experts answered in unison, falling in behind Gu Xiangzhu and departing the Demon Sect Headquarters in a disciplined, orderly procession.

After they had gone,

the previously solemn underground palace instantly felt deserted and cold, a sense of decay and desolation materializing out of thin air.

Only then did the sect members permanently stationed there—those from the Lingge Sub-Branch and Shuimo’s own subordinates—dare to breathe a small sigh of relief.

On the high platform,

Shuimo and the four Elders wore complicated expressions.

Gu Xiangzhu had compromised this time.

The tension that had gripped them finally eased somewhat.

But a significant worry still lingered.

Guardian Qi couldn’t help but ask, "Miss Shuimo, do you think Gu Xiangzhu will genuinely be content to welcome the Saint Monarch back?"

Shuimo’s expression grew solemn. "If Zhao Ci is indeed the Saint Monarch’s reincarnation, she will naturally be happy to see it through. But if he is not, no one can guarantee she won’t go on another rampage.

But for now, we don’t need to be overly concerned.

You all saw the price she paid to rescue Zhao Ci.

She must feel that she already has Zhao Ci in the palm of her hand. Now that there’s an opportunity for him to legitimately receive the Holy Sect’s supreme inheritance, she would never work against us during the process of identifying the Saint Monarch.

Even if she decides to turn on us later, it will be, at the very least, after it has been confirmed that Zhao Ci is not the Saint Monarch."