Above all spirits

Chapter 88 Disciple? You're awake?

Not long after, Gu Yun heard a strange voice transmitted through his voice.

Although it's a bit ambiguous, it can still be identified without much problem.

"Demon Envoy Gu, can you hear me?"

Gu Yun responded calmly.

"Go ahead and tell me. I hope you can give me a satisfactory opportunity for cooperation."

Shang Wenqing waved to signal the shadow guards to step back, then continued walking alongside Gu Yun.

“Master Gu, you know I am a businessman, and the most important thing for a businessman is intelligence.”

"I probably don't have that much ability between star systems."

"But as far as the Canglan Empire is concerned, my intelligence sources are undoubtedly top-notch."

"Reliable sources indicate that the Canglan Empire is preparing to launch a starfield war. The reasons are still unknown, but it can be vaguely inferred from the current information that they intend to seize something that each planet uniquely possesses."

"And the first step in the interstellar war, if I were the emperor, would certainly be to unify the numerous internal factions."

"As for the six major families, the first to be integrated will inevitably be the Tang family, which focuses on weapon crafting, and the wealthiest Shang family. The Tang family is originally related to the imperial family, and I feel that they will not even be swallowed up in the end. Therefore, the Shang family will inevitably be the first to be targeted."

Gu Yun suddenly realized.

He said it casually.

"Does your intelligence also include the timing of the integration?"

Shang Wenqing nodded.

"Yes, although I don't know who it's targeting, since it's just my guess that they'll be the first to act. As for when the operation will take place, it should be in three months."

Gu Yun was slightly surprised.

"How can you have such accurate information about the royal family? You even have access to intelligence about wartime events."

Shang Wenqing seemed somewhat proud upon hearing the 'praise'.

"Absolutely. I have quite a few informants even in core positions within the royal family."

However, this newly regained sense of pride was ruthlessly shattered by Gu Yun's next words.

"I advise you not to trust this intelligence too much. Of course, I'm not talking about the overall accuracy of the main intelligence, but some details."

"In all royal families, no matter which planet they are from, the water is always the deepest."

"Your spies are very well planted; the royal family still can't tell which of these arrangements were made by outside forces."

"Is it possible that the royal family deliberately let you obtain this intelligence?"

"They don't need to find out who the mole is."

"They just need to let you know the things they want you to know."

"It's always best to have multiple options, don't you think, Mr. Merchant?"

Shang Wenqing pondered for a moment, as if he had thought of something chilling, and suddenly shivered, sweat pouring down his forehead.

"This... I was indeed a bit arrogant. Thank you for your advice, Master Gu. You, as an outsider, see things more clearly."

"The intelligence I have on the royal family has been almost never wrong since I was placed there. People involved are often blinded by their own perspectives. It's clear that other situations, big and small, cannot be 100% accurate. After all, the situation is always changing rapidly, and occasional errors are normal."

"But intelligence about the royal family has never..."

"At first, I simply believed that the royal family's word was law, and that even if the situation changed, they would force it to be done, so..."

When does the royal family plan to take action?

Two months?

A month?!

today?!!!

Shang Wenqing wiped away his cold sweat and bowed deeply to Gu Yun.

"Thank you for your help, Master Gu. Even if this cooperation fails, as long as my business is still around, I will do my best to help you with your affairs."

Gu Yun waved his hand dismissively.

"It's nothing, there's no need to be so pessimistic. The entrance exam for Wentian Academy is coming up soon, and it's even the centennial celebration. The royal family must have firsthand information about Han Tian's cultivation level, so they're unlikely to cause any trouble during this time."

"Whether it's war, popular support, or some other purpose, going against academies that teach and nurture students will always be a losing proposition."

"As for our cooperation, let's talk about that after the entrance exams are over."

"However, it's fine to start preparing early. And if a star war breaks out, and if the main intelligence about the entire Canglan Star is correct, I feel that the first to strike won't be your Shang family."

He looked at Shang Wenqing's slightly puzzled face.

Gu Yun calmly stated a terrible fact.

"The deepest traps are often the ones that are easiest to imagine."

"If everyone knows this information, or even if everyone thinks that your business was the first to be targeted, then there is a big problem. Having someone to pave the way for you won't protect you from being stabbed in the back."

A red light flashed in Gu Yun's eyes.

Looking towards the royal palace, which was separated by countless buildings, Gu Yun grinned.

Royal family, huh.

royal.

...

"girl?"

"Sister Hong?"

"Disciple?"

...

"you're awake?"

"what--!"

Ji Ning covered her right eye, which was slightly bruised.

Shouting.

"Everyone is calling out to you with concern, so why am I the only one getting beaten up?"

"Damn, it even has the power of life and death attached to it, how ruthless!"

Hongxiu blew on her fist, which was the size of a sandbag, and said unhappily.

"Who is your apprentice?"

He then got up from the bed, looked around, and bowed slightly to the man in black who was sitting to one side drinking tea with a stranger.

"Young master, thank you for your help."

Gu Yun took a sip of tea and smiled.

"How are you feeling? There shouldn't be any lasting effects, right?"

After circulating her inner energy, Hongxiu shook her head and said.

"No, I've never felt this energetic before."

Gu Yun nodded and gestured to the purple-robed man sitting on his right.

"That's good. This is Ji Ning's father, Ji Xiao, who is also the current head of the Ji family."

Hongxiu was stunned for a moment upon hearing this.

Yes, this is the Ji family.

Oh dear, how come I didn't even consider this?

A look of panic welled up in his eyes, and he immediately bowed deeply to Ji Xiao.

"Hello, Uncle Ji."

"Just now I..."

"Hahaha!"

"Miss Hongxiu, there's no need for such formality."

"Just treat it like you're at home."

“Ji Ning is a very disobedient child. It’s okay, I often beat him too. He can take a beating.”

Ji Xiao quickly used his breath to lift Hongxiu up, laughing loudly.

He then glanced at Ji Ning.

"You're already at the sixth level of the Overlord Body, yet you still have no manners. What if I punch you a hundred times with a first-level Mortal Body fist?"

Ji Ning immediately jumped up to explain.

"Dad, that thing carries the Emperor's Will of Life and Death! The Emperor's Will! And it's worth a hundred punches!"

"Then you and Mom should have another one. See you in the next life."

Ji Xiao had just finished dealing with household chores when she arrived.

I didn't know much about the situation, I just heard that Hongxiu had taken the top spot on the ladder ranking.

He is indeed a veteran powerhouse.

Even if it is the Emperor's will.

It is indeed astonishing to hear this.

It won't be too obvious.

"I see."

"Number one on the leaderboard, not bad."

"Such a mindset at such a young age."

"very nice."

Ji Xiao looked Hongxiu over again and a satisfied expression appeared on his face.