Freedom Hall was an important landmark in the Dadu District.
An explosion here was no minor affair... Fortunately, there were no innocent victims at the scene, and there was essentially no harm to the crowd, only some vehicles in close proximity were damaged due to the impact of the explosion.
The conditions and residue of the scene were analyzed.
This was very likely an explosion orchestrated by the Changjiu Foundation—
Deep Sea notified the transcendent of the Judgement Institute immediately.
"Senior sister, teacher..."
Gu Shen clutched his waist as he left the security perimeter.
To his surprise, his teacher and senior sister were nearby.
He was just about to explain the signs of the explosion in the alley and mention his arrangement to meet with the Tomb Ghost at Freedom Hall.
"Don’t worry, get treated first."
The voice of Zhou Jiren was powerful and comforting.
He extended a hand, his palm swirling with gentle, soft light.
Through his clothes, Gu Shen felt his wound enveloped by a warm light, a warm flow moving through, the previous ripping pain dissolving within seconds.
"It’s not too bad, just two broken ribs."
Nan Jin glanced at him, examined his injuries, and comforted him, "Teacher’s ’Holy Wood’ has extremely strong healing capabilities on the physical level, coupled with the diffusion effects of the seal... this minor injury is nothing."
Minor injury... Gu Shen couldn’t help but smile wryly.
However, the ability of Mr. Shu’s "Holy Wood" was indeed too strong; Gu Shen felt as if his broken ribs were slowly being pieced back together, after which there was no discomfort at all.
A shout came from afar.
Crow ran over from a distance. Since madam was meeting Ye Ningqiu at Freedom Hall, he naturally would be nearby... Following the sound of the explosion, he hadn’t expected to come across the injured.
"You lad... are you alright?"
Seeing such concern from this guy, Gu Shen felt a touch of emotion inside.
But he was already mostly healed by now.
So, Gu Shen spoke with feigned regret, "I was just a bit short... just a bit short..."
"If you had come just a bit later... the wound would have been all healed."
Song Ci gave Gu Shen an annoyed glance, seeing Nan Jin and Mr. Shu there, he instantly understood and felt relieved.
With a Titled Transcendent there.
the situation was definitely under control.
After exchanging glances with Lu Nanjin, Song Ci gave a somewhat awkward smile.
He coughed softly, taking out a cigarette and offering one to Zhou Jiren, who waved his hand to indicate that the cigarette was too low-grade and thus refused, but Song Ci didn’t feel awkward and just kept it in his mouth.
"If it’s all good then."
He patted Gu Shen’s shoulder, "The madam is still waiting for me over there... I better go."
Crow arrived quickly and left even quicker.
He seemed a bit guilty.
Zhou Jiren looked at the lad’s hastily retreating figure, thoughtfully saying, "If I remember correctly, it’s been almost ten years since you two last met, right?"
Lu Nanjin hummed softly in agreement.
"We met once before... in front of Old Lu’s grave."
"Actually," Mr. Shu smiled, "if you don’t think too much about it, this kid is pretty good."
Nan Jin was somewhat annoyed, "Teacher, what are you talking about?"
"I didn’t say anything... just that this kid is pretty good." Zhou Jiren shrugged his shoulders innocently, "Very young, he became the leader of the Sincere Heart Association’s Beitang on his own strength, competing evenly with Chen Mei without relying on dirty tricks. If nothing unexpected happens, becoming a Titled is almost a certainty. Am I wrong?"
"Ah yes, yes, yes..."
Seeing the look his teacher gave him, Gu Shen hurriedly nodded in agreement, "I agree!"
Nan Jin swallowed a dumb loss and ultimately didn’t explain anything.
"Tomb Ghost wants to find another way out..."
A discrete pure black sedan was slowly driving on the Da Du elevated highway.
Gu Shen was sitting in the backseat, having recounted the earlier events.
Mr. Shu, with a pipe in his mouth, said lightly, "This guy hasn’t been holding in any good farts, his belly is full of bad water, first fleeing to Changye City, then to Da Du, and now he wants to flee to the Judgement Institute... What’s that phrase again...?"
"Are you trying to say... ’a servant of three surnames?’" Gu Shen thought for a moment, carefully going along with the joke.
"Aha..." Zhou Jiren patted Gu Shen’s shoulder hard, smiling approvingly, "Think about it, whether it’s Changye City or Da Du’s Zhao Xilai, those he has sought refuge with, has any had a good end?"
After Qingzhong was established, Changye pursued the Tomb Ghost.
The progress of the Awakening Bill... also saw unexpected changes.
"Tomorrow is the nomination day for the alternative candidates." Zhou Jiren narrowed his eyes, "I really want to see... what kind of storm this little lady, Nanzhi, can stir up in Da Du."
"If I remember correctly, you are a supporter of the bill’s passage."
Gu Shen remembered that night on the riverbank, his teacher’s stance.
"Yes... or no, does it matter?"
Zhou Jiren was driving one-handed, the hand on the steering wheel was steady, his other hand was pinching the pipe, he flicked off some ash and spoke softly, "The opinion of the Judgement Institute can’t influence the Awakening Bill at all... My support, my opposition, neither changes the outcome."
Gu Shen was taken aback.
"So... what you said that night..."
"Talk people’s talk when meeting people, ghost’s talk when meeting ghosts, isn’t this simple truth something I still need to teach you?" Zhou Jiren said expressionlessly. "If I hadn’t said those words, how would Zhao Xilai have arranged for you to enter ’New World’? How would you have met the Tomb Ghost? And how would you have been involved in the legislation process?"
Gu Shen was at a loss for words.
"Tomb Ghost is an unfortunate guy, almost no one involved with him has had a good ending, but he indeed is an important figure." Mr. Shu said softly with a laugh, "This guy should survive... but not work for me. Because I really don’t give a damn about the ’Grand Judge,’ whoever wants it can have it."
At this, he glanced at Gu Shen meaningfully through the rearview mirror.
"In any case... don’t break off contact with him."
"He has requested to meet you..." Gu Shen thought for a moment before saying, "If Tomb Ghost is such an important person, perhaps it would be better if you personally show up."
"Forget it." Zhou Jiren said teasingly, "He’s already invited you to see a romantic concert at Freedom Hall, indicating your relationship is quite stable... Stable acquaintance, stable development, stable warming up. You two are in great momentum, I won’t disturb you."
"Is it because you’re afraid of catching bad luck?" Nan Jin hit the nail on the head.
Mr. Shu chuckled slyly, "It’s rumored outside... that Tomb Ghost is a born jinx, close contact with him has always led to misfortunes..."
"Actually, at first I didn’t believe it... but when I think about how you just met him at Freedom Hall..."
Gu Shen looked somewhat distressed.
Was it a mere coincidence that he was attacked by followers of the Changjiu Foundation just after leaving Freedom Hall?
Or is there really something to this notion of "fate"?