"Despite being of the Yang Transformation stage and possessing a Pure Yang Body, you couldn't even defeat a Fuser like me."
As he sized up Gu Qing before him, Jiang Cheng couldn't help but ask, "Why? Why did you want to kill me?"
"Gu Qing" replied with a smile, "Is it that hard to understand? You're a descendant of a Demigod, and I'm a descendant of the Human Race. We were never the same kind to begin with."
Jiang Cheng said with a hint of despair, "But our family has never betrayed humanity!"
"Gu Qing" said indifferently, "Does it matter? 'Those who are not our kind have different hearts.' Over the years, hasn't the Federation been gradually cutting down the influence of the Demigods?"
What "Gu Qing" said was true, so Jiang Cheng also fell silent for a while. However, after a moment, he couldn't help but ask again, "But why kill me now? It's so sudden."
"Gu Qing" chuckled and said, "Since you're going to die, I might as well let you die knowing the truth."
"First, our Commoner Faction had already planned to get rid of you."
"Second, your grudge with Fang Ze these past few days has caught the attention of many interested parties. Killing you would provide the perfect opportunity to frame him."
"Third… who asked you to run to the Provincial Government? It provides a great opportunity to better frame Fang Ze and gives me an alibi!"
Hearing "Gu Qing's" words, Jiang Cheng felt an immense sadness wash over him. He had never anticipated by trying to avoid Fang Ze, he'd actually walk into an even greater peril!
If he could choose again, he would rather stay in Emerald City and confront Fang Ze!
Thinking this, he looked at "Gu Qing" with a mournful expression and said, "Thank you for answering my questions. Now send me on my way!"
"Gu Qing" smiled slightly, then walked over slowly, long sword in hand.
One step, two steps, three steps…
The distance between them grew shorter and shorter.
And Jiang Cheng, too, slowly closed his eyes, standing relaxed on the spot, as if truly resigned to his fate.
Just as "Gu Qing" finally reached right in front of Jiang Cheng, with only a step's distance between them, suddenly, an unexpected change occurred!
Jiang Cheng roared loudly, summoning all his strength, and then gathered all the Power of Laws he had been condensing while his eyes were closed into his hand, before viciously striking at "Gu Qing"!
He, Jiang Cheng! Although somewhat of a disappointment! But he still had the pride of a noble! Even with just a sliver of a chance, he would not just wait to die!
Moreover, during his conversation with "Gu Qing," he had already confirmed that Gu Qing's body was real and not a manifestation of the Power of Laws.
This indicated that Gu Qing's strength must really be at the Fusion stage, two Great Realms away from his!
The reason he was able to overpower Jiang Cheng now was solely due to this bizarre space.
So as long as he could get "Gu Qing" to let down his guard, he might have a chance for a comeback from this desperate situation!
That's why he pretended to accept his fate, to trick "Gu Qing" into coming closer!
When he saw "Gu Qing" foolishly approach, and when the full-force palm strike was unleashed, Jiang Cheng could almost picture the astonishment and despair on Gu Qing's face!
With this thought, as he struck his palm toward "Gu Qing", Jiang Cheng stared intently at "Gu Qing's" facial expression, wanting to see its remarkable transformation!
To his surprise, when he saw "Gu Qing's" expression, he found only a faint mockery on his face.
And at the same moment that his palm finally hit "Gu Qing," Gu Qing's long sword shot up, executing an unremarkable Sword Drawing Skills, accompanied by a barely audible "Instant Kill!"
Jiang Cheng only felt a blur before his eyes as multiple streaks of lightning-fast cold light flashed by! Then, he found his body seemingly out of control, quickly followed by disintegration, his severed limbs falling to the ground, and he himself collapsed!
By then, "Gu Qing" had already walked over to his side, crouched down, and said softly, "You know why I dared to come out?"
"Because I really didn't expect you to be so weak."
"You, fit to be a noble?"
Upon hearing "Gu Qing's" words, Jiang Cheng glared with bulging eyes, his face flushed with rage, before spurting out a mouthful of blood!
His limbs were severed, but he hadn't fainted yet. It was "Gu Qing's" mockery that caused him to pass out from sheer anger!
At that moment, "Gu Qing" gently nudged him after seeing Jiang Cheng lose consciousness, "Hey, hey, wake up, Jiang Cheng, wake up, hey, Jiang Cheng."
Seeing that Jiang Cheng really had no response, and "inside" there was no voice either, "Gu Qing" touched his chin, then said with a smile, "Done! That's a wrap! Now it's time to reap the rewards!"
After finishing, he stood up straight, then gently touched Jiang Cheng's forehead and whispered, "Personal Deprivation!"
As he spoke, a crimson glow burst forth from his body.
The crimson light seeped into Jiang Cheng's body all over.
Jiang Cheng, already unconscious, trembled as he involuntarily absorbed that power, his body convulsing without control.
After a moment, the ability ended.
"Gu Qing," feeling a faint connection added between his own body and Jiang Cheng's, knew the ability had fully taken effect.
Without any delay, he then deactivated the disguise of the Late-Night Investigation Room, dragged Jiang Cheng, now like a dead dog, down the corridor, and threw him into a cell in the Demigod Prison marked with the character "寅"!