The Great Seminary

Chapter 254 Failed Modification
On the tenth day of the first lunar month, in Kuroki Town, Giant Snake Head Island, Outer Wilderness Ocean.

On the spacious cobblestone streets, most of the businesses had already finished their New Year's holiday break.

Reopened.

But the streets were still sparsely populated, and business looked extremely bleak.

At noon, the winter wind was howling.

Zhang Gui, dressed in a plain-colored cotton robe, walked alone into the unguarded town.

They leisurely arrived at the former town hall, now the 'Tiangang City Lord's Mansion'.

Unlike the city gate, which warmly welcomes visitors from all directions and is heavily guarded, this place is not like the city gate.

He approached the gatekeeper and slipped him a small gold ingot.
"Sir, I have a long-standing relationship with Guan Xihui, one of the head managers of Baifan Trading Company, which is in charge of purchasing for Prince Zhen's 'temporary residence'."

I came to visit you today.

Please have someone inform them.

The star official brazenly tossed the gold ingot in his hand and put it into his pocket.

But instead of calling for help for Zhang Gui, he slowly and deliberately said:

"This is the location of the 'Tiangang City Lord's Mansion' under the command of Prince Zhen."

"We're guarding the city lord's mansion; it has nothing to do with the Baifan Trading Company."

"Of course I know that."

However, the managers of Baifan Trading Company usually stay in the city lord's mansion, oh well.

You piece of trash, you're clearly insatiable! Go to hell!

As he spoke, Zhang Gui activated the many divine energy within his body, transforming into a giant eighteen feet tall, and slapped the star officer away.

He roared, "Old Guan, you didn't even say goodbye to me before you left!"

I have to come looking for you.

What a great honor."

The guards at the gates of the 'Tiangang City Lord's Mansion' rushed over in a panic.

But when faced with an opponent who was more than three times taller than him and who made him dizzy just looking up at them, he didn't even have the courage to rebuke them.

At this moment, a monster appeared with a huge shrimp head and a body covered in green shrimp shells with whiskers.

Using the wind as waves, it leaped from the city lord's mansion to Zhang Gui's front and hovered in mid-air.

"Dragon Tiger, it's only been three to five months since I last saw you, and you're now running rampant overseas."

"To see you off, we should leave you with a lasting impression so that we can meet again in the future."

"Hahaha, absolutely, absolutely."

But if we're talking about leaving a deeper impression, it would be better to host a farewell banquet.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go now."

Zhang Gui laughed heartily as he activated the "Great Intersection of Celestial Phenomena and Geography" within his body.

He unleashed the "Awakening of Insects" technique, summoning a whirlwind that howled and echoed.

When they dispersed, he and the Shrimp Demon Guan Xihui had both vanished without a trace.

A short while later.

In a private room of a restaurant called 'Huixianju' in Kuroki Town.

Zhang Gui and Guan Xihui, now appearing normal, sat down and downed three glasses of wine before falling silent.

After an unknown amount of time, Zhang Gui asked softly, "Are you leaving soon?"

"Hmm." Guan Xihui poured himself a few more drinks and downed them, his voice low and deep.
"The Mr. Yin whom Yan Laoda relied on in the 'temporary residence' of the Prince of Zhen was outmaneuvered by his junior sister, the Goddess Tao."

Boss Yan then hid.

After Tao Shennu left, he reappeared, intending to continue his fight against the 'enemy who killed his son,' the Qianji Protector General Bojijin Baori'e.

Unexpectedly, that person also went to the 'underground realm'.

As a result, Old Man Yan also went after them.

They discarded the 'White Sail Chamber of Commerce' like trash, leaving it to me and He Kaihai.

Who would have thought that after learning about the wonders of the 'Underground Realm,' this simpleton He Kaihai would become completely captivated. He would spend all his time talking about going down into the underground world, fighting the demons, and striving for 'immortality.'

As they talked, they actually managed to get me interested too.

You may not know this yet.

A few days ago, my most "promising" nephew, Guan Zhenyong, was foolish enough to be misled by the imperial decree of the Prince Zhen's "temporary residence".

He died on the battlefield of Xianrong Island for the sake of his status as a fourth-rank military officer.

So, when you want something, you should never rely on others; you have to rely on yourself.

Because you can't see into someone's heart, no matter how well others know how to behave or what they're capable of.

It could also be that they're just putting on an act to please you.

In reality, he's just a fool who's eager for quick success and instant benefits!

At this point, Kansai Teru's eyes seemed to well up with tears, but he just chuckled nonchalantly.

He wiped his eyes.
"When you get old, your eyes always get oily."

By the way, Dragon Tiger, how did you know I was going to the 'Dungeon Realm'?

Zhang Gui naturally couldn't tell the truth about this issue.
Giant Serpent Head Island was his earthly divine kingdom. He could easily find out everything Kansai Teru did in Kuroki Town on the island, as if he were looking at the palm of his hand.

He gave the reasons he had prepared long ago.

"You secretly divided up the White Sail Chamber of Commerce."

Others might not see anything amiss, but how could I not see the meaning behind those actions?

"Yes, someone like you would naturally be able to tell."

Kansai Teru chuckled to himself:

"Longhu, you are now profiting from chaos in your career, and you are at an age where 'fighting with others is endlessly enjoyable'."

They also have close friends, relatives, and capable subordinates who serve as support.

Even if one can see through all the complexities, one will inevitably be reluctant to abandon the affairs of this mortal world and start anew.

But one day you will realize that everything except the 'self' is nothingness.

Therefore, the underground realm, where one can best achieve 'self,' is humanity's 'reality.'

Suddenly, snowflakes began to fall outside.

Guan Xihui stopped talking and silently drank with Zhang Gui, one cup for you, one cup for me.

Time flows by slowly, and the winter sun eventually sets.

Kansai Teru drank his drink, stood up, and casually flicked his sleeves.

"Longhu, it's time for me to go."

"How about we have another drink? I'll take you home, sir."

Zhang Gui rose, poured the last cup, and presented it to Guan Xihui, reciting:
"The old island is dampened by the evening snow, and the intoxicating atmosphere is fresh and green."

"I urge you to drink another cup of wine, for beyond this mortal realm you will find no old friends."

This style is a favorite among literati.

Guan Xihui's eyes widened immediately, and he took the cup of 'Bamboo Leaf Green' and drank it all in one gulp.

He murmured, “The old island’s evening snow dampens the light dust… I leave the mortal world to the west and find no old friends.”

Walking through the snow, they disappeared into the twilight.

Zhang Gui stared in the direction Guan Xihui had gone for a long time, then suddenly sighed.

"Not only did Lao Tzu hide his fangs while he was alive, but he also took out the immortal masterpiece of the great poet Buddha from his previous life, made a 'magical modification', and sang it."

As a result, that old bastard Kansai Teru remained unmoved and showed me the "Pingbo Strategy" from the "Dragon Palace".

You're truly a despicable person!
They completely lack the spirit of like-minded scholars.

No wonder he's destined to be a bandit his whole life; with that kind of mentality, he wouldn't even amount to anything in the 'underground world'.

Then, with a wave of his hand, he summoned countless soldiers clad in whale-skin armor. His gaze swept over them, and he leisurely gave the order.
“You will all destroy this breakfast.”

(End of this chapter)