I Don't Agree to the Terms
Chapter 484 - 268: Four Sacred Beasts·System (Quarter Version)

Chapter 484: Chapter 268: Four Sacred Beasts·System (Quarter Version)

Six months had flown by in the blink of an eye, and the rebellion in the Dalong Dynasty was officially declared over. There might still be some remnants, but they no longer constituted a threat.

During this period, in addition to quelling the rebellion, a concerted effort was made to capture and execute those who had obtained the "Dragon Tooth Military Technique." Gu Shanhai had managed to avoid capture; he was adept at staying hidden, so after an investigation, he was left untroubled.

For the moment, it seemed that the upper echelon of the Dalong had obtained a copy of the "Dragon Tooth Military Technique," but the likelihood of them using it was slim. More effort was directed towards its destruction.

They certainly didn’t want this military manual to disseminate further, risking another rebellion in the future.

Thanks to Zhan Yan’s machinations, Jiang Lu successfully became the governor of Wen’an City. Zhang He and others also obtained corresponding official positions, albeit all serving under Jiang Lu.

"We’ve come full circle, only to find ourselves back where we started," Gu Shanhai remarked with a sense of irony.

Indeed, Jiang Lu had become the lord of Wen’an City.

The former lord had died during an assault by the rebels, and it was ultimately Jiang Lu who quelled the rebellion and reclaimed the city.

The appointment fell to Jiang Lu for simple reasons: on the one hand, due to strategic maneuvering and, on the other, because of his undeniable contribution. Being a local played a role, mainly because there truly was a shortage of suitable candidates, or he wouldn’t have been assigned to serve in his hometown.

After months of trials and tribulations, Jiang Lu had become much more efficient.

"This is good fortune, at least we don’t have to worry about the Daoist Soldiers’ sustenance," Jiang Lu said. He was quite fond of Wen’an City, especially since the Wang and Xu families had been dealt heavy blows and seemed unable to recover.

With the obstacle of the powerful clans removed, his control over Wen’an City had become much simpler. The next step was to find an opportunity to completely suppress these two families.

Li Yu shared in the sentiment, having thought it unlikely he would return. After all, he was supposed to depart with Jiang Lu.

Yet he had come back so soon, and with a different status. Now a government official, even the two great families he once looked up to would have to smile and bow if he set foot on their doorstep.

’Great opportunities come to those who wait,’ Li Yu mused. This all-in gamble of putting his entire fortune and himself on the line had paid off handsomely.

Entering the city went smoothly, without any attempts at humiliation or provocations from the short-sighted.

They should have seen whom they were dealing with: aside from the five hundred Daoist Soldiers, there were also numerous troops. Any underhanded tricks during the transfer of control would have been met with immediate execution.

Jiang Lu and his colleagues, with their military backgrounds, weren’t interested in playing political games.

What’s more, with the two powerful families that could have engaged in such games now in ruins, who else was there to challenge Jiang Lu?

The day was busy, but Gu Shanhai wasn’t deeply involved. If anyone was truly swamped with tasks, it was Zhan Yan. As the only civilian official, he had been busy from the moment they entered the city in the morning until late at night, rushing to settle some pressing matters before the second day.

However, that was only the start. Subsequent tasks included taking inventory and balancing accounts. Fortunately, Li Yu was also quite versed in these matters. Moreover, he had recalled some of the previously dismissed staff, so with their help, the work proceeded more efficiently.

"Master, take a look... maybe you could lend us a hand? We really can’t cope anymore," Jiang Lu said fawningly, as he had nearly reached his limit with all the government affairs. It wasn’t shameful to flatter one’s own teacher, he reasoned.

"Huh? What did you say? I can’t hear you," Gu Shanhai feigned the attitude of an elder who had grown hard of hearing.

"I was asking what you’d like to eat tonight, Teacher."

"I’m easy, I’m not picky."

This time, Jiang Lu was truly speechless. He had never seen someone so shamelessly feign ignorance.

"In that case, I’ll summon another SSR for you," Gu Shanhai pondered, believing there must be one nearby.

"No, no, please rest, Teacher. I think we can handle it. In ten years’ time, I don’t think I’d even get the chance to take care of you in your old age," Jiang Lu immediately countered, understanding Gu Shanhai’s implication.

Talented people could be slowly recruited, but there was only one teacher. If lost, he would be irreplaceable.

"It might not necessarily be ten years. You could be scattered to the winds in a hundred years," Gu Shanhai knew. If Zhan Yan hadn’t been the sort to die young, there wouldn’t have been such an opportunity to snatch up such talent.

"Aren’t you afraid that in a hundred years, you’ll be no more, Teacher?" Jiang Lu was genuinely concerned upon hearing this, thinking that he should keep a closer eye on Gu Shanhai, lest one day he returned to find his teacher had perished.

"That shouldn’t happen, look at how robust I am," Gu Shanhai hesitated before replying. Forget a hundred years; even a thousand years would be trivial.

"You may be robust, but that won’t be enough..." Jiang Lu thought to himself that even a newborn wouldn’t likely survive having a hundred years of life drained away.

"Alright then, whatever makes you happy," Gu Shanhai figured that was fine since they didn’t really need that much manpower at the moment.

"What do you mean ’whatever makes me happy’... Forget it, tomorrow I’ll find some physicians in the city, see if they can restore the lifespan you’re missing," Jiang Lu sighed. Gu Shanhai might not care, but as his disciple, he had to.

"Isn’t it possible that I’m actually the best physician in the whole city?" Gu Shanhai offered helpfully.

"..." Jiang Lu felt a profound weariness.

"Teacher, why don’t you rest? I’ll go attend to my duties," Jiang Lu decided he shouldn’t have sought Gu Shanhai’s help. This entire episode was more exhausting than dealing with his official duties.