Demon Slaying, Gaining 60 Years of Cultivation From the Start

Moreover, the transformation of his temperament solidified Gu Chen's will and belief, making him more resolute than ever, unyielding to any setback, and unshakeable by heaven and earth.

"It's time to leave seclusion. I've been closed off for so long, I just hope the world hasn't descended into chaos," he said.

As Gu Chen spoke, he immediately stood up. Of course, he was also aware that if anything significant had happened during this period, the Tower Supervisor would have found a way to inform him.

"Lord Gu, you've finally come out of seclusion?!"

At the entrance to the secret chamber, there stood a celestial-ranked commander of the Jing Tian Department on guard. Upon seeing Gu Chen, he was filled with immense surprise and joy.

At the same time, he felt something odd — previously, even when Gu Chen concealed his aura, the commander would still feel a strong oppressive force emanating from him, a kind of life essence suppression that couldn't be mitigated by simply concealing one's energy.

But now, upon seeing Gu Chen again, that feeling was gone. The celestial-ranked commander could only feel that the Gu Chen before him was just like any ordinary person, although his temperament was still outstanding, the oppressive aura had disappeared.

"After reaching the Divine Intent Realm, Lord Gu truly seems more refined and back to the essence," thought the celestial-ranked commander, although his own realm was not enough to fully grasp this change.

"Where is Commander Qin?" Gu Chen asked, wanting to consult with Qin Wu about the current state of the world.

"Lord Gu, Commander Qin is preparing for the morning court. He would be very happy to know that you have come out of seclusion," came the reply.

"The morning court?"

Then, Gu Chen looked up and gazed at the sky, only to realize that it was not yet fully bright, the time for Da Xia's morning court.

However, he was somewhat puzzled. Why would Qin Wu, the vice-commander of the Jing Tian Department, join the morning court without any apparent reason?

At that moment, the celestial-ranked commander spoke, "Lord Gu, would you like to meet with Commander Qin?"

"Lead the way," Gu Chen nodded.

Soon after, he quickly met with Qin Wu, and seeing Gu Chen come out of seclusion, Qin Wu was indeed very happy and started to pull him to attend the morning court.

Gu Chen was puzzled, but Qin Wu was mysteriously smiling, hinting that Gu Chen would understand once he got there.

Quickly, Ji Yuan, who was also preparing for the morning court, learned of Gu Chen's emergence. A rich smile spread across his face.

This morning court session had a grand award ceremony scheduled for Gu Chen, and it was only better that he could attend in person.

Soon, the morning court began, and Gu Chen, pulled along by Qin Wu, arrived at the Golden Throne Hall, where he listened to the various state affairs for a long period.

Although he did not participate, merely standing there, he became the focus of the entire hall, attracting countless gazes.

In the Golden Throne Hall, many high officials were people Gu Chen was seeing for the first time, as the layout of the court had changed significantly after King Huai's death. The civil and military officials had become younger, and it was these people who were now stealthily sizing up Gu Chen, the current guardian deity of Da Xia.

Soon, time passed, and the morning court approached its end.

Just when everyone thought the court would be dismissed, Eunuch Huang suddenly took out a decree and stood up to read it aloud.

"By the mandate of heaven, the Emperor decrees that Marquis Wuan has contributed greatly to Da Xia, to our nation's altars of soil and grain, and even to the entire Nine Provinces. He has defended home and country, brought peace to the world, expelled barbarian tribes, slain King Huai, quelled disturbances, exterminated the Great Yuan, and protected Da Xia's reign for more than five hundred years, unharmed. He has helped Da Xia achieve unification, perfected our national altars, and initiated a change unpreceded in history. He is indeed an unparalleled hero like no other, unique in the Nine Provinces, with peerless achievements."

"Therefore, we bestow on Marquis Wuan a Royal Dragon Jade Pendant, fine silks and satins... corals... sixty million taels of gold, fifty chests of pearls and jadeite, and confer upon him the titles of Protector of the Nation Grand General and Chief Pillar of the State!"

"Marquis Wuan's second uncle, Gu Chengfeng, who has contributed through his teachings, is granted the title of First-Class Loyal Duke, along with a reward of two million taels of gold!"

"Marquis Wuan's aunt, Xu Qinge, who has contributed through her teachings, is granted the title of First-Class Imperial Wife, along with a reward of one million taels of gold, fifty thousand pieces of fine silks and satins, and a Phoenix Feather Rainbow Garment!"

"Marquis Wuan's cousin, Gu Qingyan, is bestowed the title of Clear Spirit County Princess, along with a reward of five hundred thousand taels of gold and ten thousand pieces of fine silks and satins!"

This grant of titles took Gu Chen by surprise; even though he had some suspicion when Qin Wu brought him here, he never anticipated that Ji Yuan would offer such a generous reward. Not only his second uncle and aunt but also his cousin Gu Qingyan received awards, which was extremely rare in the history of Da Xia.

Moreover, Gu Chen's second uncle, Gu Chengfeng, had previously been only a seventh-ranked captain of the Royal Sword Guard. Although his rank had increased somewhat due to Gu Chen's influence, attaining the status of a first-class duke was a pipe dream, something virtually impossible to achieve in ten lifetimes.

Should this news be spread back, the entire Gu Mansion would likely be turned upside down.

But Qin Wu still stood by, unflinching. He knew that the reward for Gu Chen couldn't possibly be just these.

Indeed, after Huang Eunuch paused for a moment, he continued to read the decree.

"Additionally, Marquis Wuan has risked life and death for the ultimate merit to Da Xia, contributing overwhelmingly to the entire Nine Provinces. With selfless devotion and without seeking recompense, he has established unparalleled heavenly merits. After deep consideration, I hereby confer on Marquis Wuan, Gu Chen, the title of King Wu, bestowing him the rank of king, rewarding him with countless pearls and agates, a palace in Tiandu, and shall proclaim this to all under heaven!"

Boom!

The moment this reward was announced, even Gu Chen himself was shaken; Ji Yuan had actually made him a king?

It wasn't just him; the entire Golden Throne Hall erupted in a tumultuous shock, leaving all the civil and military officials in disbelief.

It wasn't that they felt Gu Chen didn't deserve the title, but rather, in over five hundred years of Da Xia's history, there had never been an incident of granting a king's title to someone of a different surname!

Gu Chen set a precedent, but this wasn't the end of the surprises.

"...Furthermore, in recognition of King Wu, Gu Chen's, significant contributions to pacifying the world and eradicating countless heresies, I appoint King Wu, Gu Chen, as the grand commander of the Jing Tian Department, and Tower Supervisor of the Mingjing Department. He shall be the guardian deity of Da Xia, oversee Da Xia on my behalf, with the authority to execute before reporting, equal in standing to me. From this day forth, to see King Wu is to see me!"

Thunderous applause!

As Eunuch Huang finished reading the content of the decree, everyone in the Golden Throne Hall was dumbfounded, as if struck by lightning, and Gu Chen was no different.

Qin Wu was equally astonished, never having expected that Ji Yuan's reward to Gu Chen would be so magnanimous.

Royal rank, grand commander of the Jing Tian Department, Tower Supervisor of the Mingjing Department—all these positions signified supremacy in Da Xia, and now they were all bestowed upon Gu Chen alone.

Moreover, especially that last sentence from the decree - "equal in standing, to see King Wu is to see me" - was astonishing.

It can be said that except for the title, there was virtually no difference between Gu Chen and Ji Yuan, an action inconceivable for an emperor to take.

And from this, one could see how much trust Ji Yuan had in Gu Chen because he knew with Gu Chen's strength, it would be all too easy to turn the world upside down. As an emperor, Ji Yuan admitted there were many things he could not accomplish that paled in comparison to Gu Chen, hence after careful deliberation, he presented such a reward.

At this moment, those in the Golden Throne Hall suddenly heard from outside the imperial palace a tumultuous roar like a tsunami.

It turned out that at the same time the awards began, Ji Yuan had already ordered the news to be proclaimed throughout the kingdom.

Now, outside the imperial palace, countless commoners were in an uproar. They cheered, they celebrated, millions of people united as one, chanting the name of one man.

"King Wu, Gu Chen!"