World-Ending Demon Emperor
Chapter 703: Three Four Eight: Suo Lun’s rage, a river of blood!

Chapter 703: Three Four Eight: Suo Lun’s rage, a river of blood!

Note: The previous Chapter’s plot is very crucial, don’t miss it!

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In Donghai City, the capital of the Southeast Province, within the Governor’s Mansion!

Gui Xingfu had initially come to persuade Chancellor Yan Wuzhi, the top civil official of the Southeast Province, to pledge allegiance to Suo Lun, but he had not expected to run into Ling Ao.

His first reaction was indeed quite astonished. Why would Ling Ao be here?

Seeing Gui Xingfu’s surprise, Ling Ao repeated himself, "Zhi Li His Highness said that everything you did was forced by Suo Lun, and not of your own volition. As long as you are willing to come back to the right path, he would surely forgive your past transgressions and continue to value your service."

After speaking, Ling Ao’s gaze fervently fixed on Gui Xingfu.

For Ling Ao, Gui Xingfu was not only a backer but also a pillar of support.

Without Gui Xingfu, Ling Ao felt he would be like driftwood on the surface of the water—helpless and adrift. Therefore, he was extremely eager for Gui Xingfu to rejoin Zhi Li’s ranks.

Originally, as Suo Lun’s envoy, Gui Xingfu came to convince Yan Wuzhi to pledge loyalty to Suo Lun, but he had not expected the other party to send his adopted son to persuade him instead.

Hearing Ling Ao’s words, Gui Xingfu’s heart couldn’t help but be moved.

To say he was unmoved would be a lie; after all, the most painful thing in Gui Xingfu’s life was being captured by Suo Lun and being forced to betray Zhi Li in order to save his own life.

The original Gui Xingfu could be described as Zhi Li’s loyal confidant, ranking first in political status among the many lords of the Rage Wave Kingdom.

In an instant, he had become a prisoner at the feet of Suo Lun, truly a fall from heaven to hell.

Now, Zhi Li had actually sent Ling Ao to persuade him, saying he could be accepted back. How could Gui Xingfu not be moved?

After much deliberation, Gui Xingfu let out a deep sigh.

Seeing this, Chief Historian of the Southeast Governor’s Mansion, Yan Wuzhi, said, "I’ll leave you two to talk, father and son-in-law."

"No need," Gui Xingfu said. "Some things, Chancellor, you might as well hear for yourself."

Then, he turned to Ling Ao and said, "Xia Ao, you need to be mentally prepared for something."

Ling Ao’s expression trembled as he said, "Father-in-law, please speak."

Gui Xingfu said, "From now on, you should call me foster father, not father-in-law. Because Gui Qinshao has already married Suo Lun."

Ling Ao suddenly stood up, his face twitching, but he quickly calmed down again as he had already prepared himself for this outcome.

Nonetheless, when he actually heard the news, Ling Ao still felt an excruciating pain in his heart.

Gui Xingfu said, "Xia Ao, how has your foster father treated you?"

"You have shown me kindness heavier than a mountain," Ling Ao replied.

It truly was kindness as weighty as a mountain. In the scandal of the attempted assassination here, Gui Xingfu took all the vile accusations upon himself, claiming it was his own lust for power that had led to his daughter being offered to Zhi Li and defiled, without mentioning Ling Ao at all, even vaguely portraying him as a victim.

In the original testimony, Gui Xingfu even mentioned that he had drugged Ling Ao first, and then allowed Zhi Li to enter Gui Qinshao’s bridal chamber.

In short, he did everything possible to paint Ling Ao in a positive light.

It was indeed surprising how well Gui Xingfu treated Ling Ao, even to the point of being incomprehensible. He was clearly a man who prized profit above all else, harsh and ungracious. Why then would he be so good to an adopted son? Even to his own biological son, he was not as kind.

After a long thought, Gui Xingfu raised his head and said, "I can never return to Zhi Li’s command."

Ling Ao hastily asked, "Why not?"

Gui Xingfu said, "First, I am of no value to Zhi Li His Highness anymore. The hopes of the Gui Family Clan now rest on the child of Gui Qinshao and Suo Lun."

Ling Ao’s face trembled as he said, "Qin Shu being the Lord of Linhai City doesn’t count, you are the true Lord of Linhai City. Even though Linhai City has been captured by Suo Lun, it’s only temporary. We will take it back one day."

Gui Xingfu said, "Foolish child, do you really think Zhi Li His Highness will send troops to help us retake Linhai City?"

Ling Ao said, "Not now, but once Zhi Li His Highness ascends to the throne, he will surely annihilate Suo Lun, and then Tian Shui City will naturally be reclaimed."

Gui Xingfu said, "Let alone whether Zhi Li His Highness can reclaim Linhai City in the future, even if he can defeat Suo Lun and take back Linhai City, do you think he would return it to the Gui Clan?"

Ling Ao fell silent; by Zhi Li’s nature, it was of course impossible. Once the meat entered his mouth, since when would Zhi Li spit it back out?

Gui Xingfu said, "Also, the child born from the union of Suo Lun and Gui Qinshao carries the Gui surname, and this child will inherit the lordship of Linhai City! Thus, in comparison, pledging my loyalty to Suo Lun is more beneficial for the Gui Clan."

Ling Ao cried out in a shrill voice, "But once Zhi Li His Highness becomes king, he will surely destroy Suo Lun, and if you stand with Suo Lun, the Gui Clan will be doomed."

Gui Xingfu shook his head and said, "That brings me to the second reason. In the struggle between Zhi Li and Suo Lun, Suo Lun has a greater chance of victory than Zhi Li. The one who might end up without a grave in the future is Zhi Li, not Suo Lun."

At these words, Ling Ao’s face quivered, and he looked at Gui Xingfu in disbelief.

Yan Wuzhi also showed a slight surprise, his gaze resting on Gui Xingfu’s face.

Ling Ao said, "How is that possible? Suo Lun has at most taken Rou Ran City, Tian Shui City, and Linhai City. His strength is not even one-tenth of Zhi Li His Highness’s. How could he possibly win? He is bound to lose, doomed to die!"

"Haha..." Gui Xingfu laughed and said, "If all the lords and nobles of the world were completely united, with Zhi Li commanding them as easily as moving his own arm, then of course Suo Lun would be bound to die. But what’s the reality? In this war to exterminate Suo Lun, Zhi Li was completely defeated, and the lords and nobles of the world have already begun to sit on the fence, not to mention Turing Tuo who craftily shrank back. Zhi Li may have an army of a million, but can he command even one of them? Suo Lun will soon have an army of two hundred thousand, and every soldier belongs to him."

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