The Elixir is for You, The Poison is for Me

#210 - Thousand Years Old

Until the last word was spoken, Gu Zhongling's tone was very gentle, just like a senior chatting with a junior.

Moreover, unlike the others Lu Jing had met before, he seemed very aware that his common sense had been distorted by the Otherworld, but precisely because of this, Lu Jing's heart sank even further.

He had only entered the academy not long ago and didn't know much about the figures from the Department of Celestial Observation thousands of years ago.

Naturally, he had no impression of the name Gu Zhongling, but Lu Jing was very clear that this barefoot, disheveled man in front of him must have been an outstanding figure of his time when he was alive, a very powerful figure in the Department of Celestial Observation.

So much so that the Otherworld that resurrected him couldn't completely control his will.

However, tonight, this man was about to become his enemy.

Gu Zhongling looked at Lu Jing with increasing appreciation, "Very good, it's easy to talk to smart people. My own brother was killed by a strange creature. From that moment on, I vowed to eliminate all the strange creatures in the world and protect the common people.

"After that, I entered the academy at the age of fourteen, studied hard, and entered the Department of Celestial Observation at the age of seventeen, becoming an official supervisor. I also met a group of like-minded friends. Although my brother is no longer in this world, I have had more brothers since then.

"Therefore, I made a vow that anyone who dares to harm a member of my Department of Celestial Observation, no matter where they are in the world, I will surely slay them with my flying sword!

"But I never thought that tonight, it would be Gu himself who would kill a disciple of the academy. It really is… the world is impermanent." As Gu Zhongling spoke, a hint of sarcasm appeared on his lips.

His smile grew stronger and stronger, until finally it turned into a sharp laugh, but there was no joy in that laughter, only endless sorrow and unwillingness.

As soon as he finished speaking, the silver flying sword flew out of his sleeve again, drawing an arc in the air, and then slashed towards its master's right arm without hesitation.

Cutting off his entire arm from the shoulder!

The gushing blood stained the nearby stone mill completely red, and Gu Zhongling's body swayed slightly, but he didn't even frown.

After a few breaths, he reached out and calmly sealed the acupoints on the wound to stop the bleeding.

He then said to Lu Jing, who was already stunned not far away, "This is my self-punishment for violating my oath that day. However, it would be quite unfair to you if I were to kill you afterwards.

"Unfortunately, very few things are more important to a person than their life. I cannot fully repay you, so I can only offer this as a small compensation. Please take a few steps forward."

Gu Zhongling beckoned to Lu Jing.

Although Lu Jing knew that the other party's flying sword was powerful and the closer he got, the more dangerous it would be, he didn't hesitate much upon hearing this and stepped forward.

Gu Zhongling leaned close to Lu Jing's ear and slowly recited three hundred words, then looked into Lu Jing's eyes and asked, "Do you remember them?"

"No," Lu Jing smiled wryly, "Senior Gu, is this swordsmanship a spell? I'm a newbie and haven't learned anything related to it yet. I don't know what some of the words you said mean. I'm afraid I'll remember the words wrong and practice it incorrectly later."

"… … … …"

"Then I'll write it down for you to memorize. If this is the only way to survive, you can return to the academy to practice," Gu Zhongling said. The silver flying sword flew out of his sleeve again and carved a cultivation method on the ground.

It was said to be swordsmanship, but it actually had two parts. The first part was mostly about nurturing the sword, and only the second part was about controlling the sword.

Lu Jing was naturally still confused, but at least this time he memorized everything word for word.

At the same time, he was secretly shocked by Gu Zhongling's swordsmanship.

The cultivation method on the ground was carved in small regular script. The characters were not large, but every stroke was neat and orderly, which showed that Gu Zhongling had trained this flying sword to be as easy to control as his own arm.

After Lu Jing had read everything and memorized it well.

Gu Zhongling waved his sleeve and erased all the three hundred words.

At this moment, a hoarse voice came from the other side, "Brother Gu…"

Jing Xiang, who had been motionless like a sculpture, had somehow regained his ability to move. However, he only opened his mouth to say three words, and tears were already streaming down his face as he looked at Gu Zhongling's severed arm.

Gu Zhongling himself didn't care, he just smiled at Jing Xiang, as if the two of them were still in the Department of Celestial Observation, working on a case together, "Your skills have deteriorated a lot recently. It took you so long to break free from my immobilization technique."

Upon hearing this, Jing Xiang wiped the tears from his cheeks, "Yes, I've been living in this place for too long, and I haven't used a knife in almost ten years…"

"You've seen a lot of joys and sorrows in these ten years, have you figured it out?"

Gu Zhongling's tone was like that of guiding a naughty younger brother.

Jing Xiang was silent upon hearing this.

"We members of the Department of Celestial Observation have dealt with strange creatures our entire lives, so we should know better than anyone else in this world how dangerous they are. You wanted to resurrect me with the Otherworld. That thought was good, and I can feel your good intentions, but in the end… you still made a mistake."

Speaking of this, Gu Zhongling's tone gradually became stern, "People cannot be brought back to life after death. This is the ultimate truth of heaven. You know that I hate strange creatures the most in my life, but you still used strange creatures to forcibly change the laws of heaven and bring me back. Even if it's just in this world, have you ever thought about the resentment in my heart?

"I…" Jing Xiang hadn't even defended himself when Gu Zhongling continued.

"You have been living in the Otherworld for ten years in order to let me live in this ridiculous way. It is both foolish and unjust to me! And you thought you had succeeded, but you didn't think that everything has a cause and effect.

"Since you planted the cause in the past, have you ever thought about the result you would get today? Not only have you harmed you and me, but you have also implicated the disciples of the academy thousands of years later! Jing Xiang, ah, Jing Xiang, have you forgotten your original intention when you joined the Department of Celestial Observation?"

Jing Xiang was speechless from being scolded, his face full of shame. He wanted to say something, but he didn't know where to start.

Gu Zhongling's originally stern expression gradually softened, and he said gently to his former colleague.

"However, no one is perfect. Even saints make mistakes. The important thing is to reflect on yourself and correct yourself in time after doing something wrong. If you still consider yourself a member of the Department of Celestial Observation, then you should know what you should do next."

As he spoke, he turned his gaze to Lu Jing on the side, "You are the same. Although you are only a student of the academy, you are also considered a member of my Department of Celestial Observation. Moreover, if you want to survive, you must do this."

After saying that, he extended his only remaining hand, made a gesture of invitation, and said with a smile, "Please, please kill me."