<h4>Chapter 703: Heavenly Imperial Ghostde, A Jade Pendant, Reminiscing The Past</h4>
Chu Kuangren left the barracks after his enrolment.
As for Emperor Jin Xuan, he had decided to enroll as a royal soldier. This was despite the fact that his Emperor status would have easily made him a deputymander in any orthodoxies within the stronghold.
However, Emperor Jin Xuan insisted on bing a royal soldier and starting from the bottom. Chu Kuangren did not pose further questions about his decision nor exchange many parting words with Emperor Jin Xuan.
After leaving the barracks, Chu Kuangren roamed around the main streets of the stronghold.
He retrieved a jade pendant and muttered, “Right, I’ve nearly forgotten about this pendant by the Seventh Tormentor. Perhaps this might lead to something worthwhile.”
The pendant was the Seventh Tormentor’s gift to Chu Kuangren.
The Seventh Tormentor had close ties with themodore of Stronghold Seventeen. He had told Chu Kuangren he could seek themodore’s help with this pendant in times of need.
Even though Chu Kuangren did not require help, he decided to pay themodore a friendly visit.
He came to themand headquarters, which was located right at the center of Stronghold Seventeen and near to the barracks. Fleets of soldiers were stationed around the perimeter, and they were some of the best cultivators around.
The soldiers immediately assessed Chu Kuangren for threat as he approached the headquarters.
Chu Kuangren did not attempt to hide his intention. “My name’s Chu Kuangren. I’vee to pay themodore a visit. Would you please notify him?”
“Do you have an official invitation?”
“Not really, but I do have this jade pendant here. Themodore will understand once he sees it,” said Chu Kuangren as he revealed his pendant to the guard.
While the guard was hesitant, he still ended up taking the pendant. “Wait here for a moment.”
“Understood.”
The guard then walked into the headquarters with his pendant.
Before the guard could enter the main hall, he was halted by two other royal soldiers. One of them spoke, “Themodore is currently discussing his affairs with hismanders. No one’s allowed to enter for the moment.”
With that, the guard stood aside.
In the main hall of themand headquarters.
A middle-aged man in ck robes was deliberating on several strategies in the war against the Blood Tribe with hismander. He was themodore of Stronghold Seventeen, known to most as… Heavenly Imperial Ghostde.
“The Chaos Emblem on Asteroid Seven of the Extraterritorial Region is almost fully formed. It seems like the Blood Tribe will strike at any moment.”
“Okay. Send forth some men to scout the area by then.”
“Recently, a small army of Blood Tribe soldiers attempted to infiltrate the stronghold but were intercepted by us in time. Their movements have grown stealthier these days.”
“Indeed. We must strengthen our defensive systems…”
Heavenly Imperial Ghostde spent more than an hourbing through their strategies before themanders began to leave in session. It was then when the guard finally entered.
“Commodore, a person who calls himself Chu Kuangren is here to see you. He said you’d understand when you see this pendant.”
The guard showed the pendant to Heavenly Imperial Ghostde.
Themodore was immediately shocked by the sight of the pendant. “How long has he been waiting for?”
“More than an hour.”
“What? D*mn it. Why didn’t youe in earlier?”
“Commodore, you were discussing some crucial matters with themanders. I wouldn’t dare to barge into the room like that,” the guard said helplessly.
Upon hearing that, Heavenly Imperial Ghostde could not stay angry at him. Then, he nervously walked towards the headquarters entrance.
Themanders who had yet to leave were shocked by themodore’s reaction.
“What kind of person could possibly make themodore scurry on his feet?”
“Did the guard say… Chu Kuangren? The infamous Chu Kuangren who turned the Firmament Star upside down?”
“Hm. Even if it was Chu Kuangren, themodore would not react so dramatically. Could there be any other reasons?”
“Is it because of that jade pendant?”
Themanders grew curious and deliberately slowed their footsteps just so they could witness the infamous Chu Kuangren.
Outside the headquarters, Chu Kuangren had been waiting for more than an hour.
He was frowning, his patience already running thin.
“Is themodore refusing to meet me? That’s fine, but he should at least return the pendant to me,” Chu Kuangren murmured.
It was then when Heavenly Imperial Ghostde hastily emerged from the headquarters and apologized. “Brother Chu, my apologies. I was discussing some affairs with mymanders. I’m sorry to have made you wait.”
Heavenly Imperial Ghostde said sincerely.
Chu Kuangren felt it would be rude to react, so he calmed himself and nodded. “No worries,modore. If your schedule is tight, I can return some other day.”
“Hold on, Brother Chu. Nothing takes precedence over you now. Please,e in,” said Heavenly Imperial Ghostde.
The royal soldiers nearby were dumbfounded.
Just like his name, Heavenly Imperial Ghostde was rarely associated with friendliness. In fact, as themodore of this stronghold, Heavenly Imperial Ghostde was stern in his governance and rarely wore a smile on his face. How could the unapproachablemodore be so friendly to a youngster?
The more the guards thought about it, the more clueless they were.
Was theirmodore possessed?
“Well, in that case, I’m happy to oblige.”
Chu Kuangren hesitated for a moment before following themodore’s lead into the headquarters.
He also bumped into severalmanders on his way into the headquarters, including the bearded and brute-lookingmander he met previously.
“Brother Chu, we meet again.”
The bruteughed heartily and said.
“Indeed.”
Chu Kuangren nodded politely. Then, Heavenly Imperial Ghostde introduced Chu Kuangren to themanders of Stronghold Seventeen.
Chu Kuangren took a sweeping nce while the Omniscient Spirit began to analyze themanders.
D*mn it.
All of them were cultivators of the Heavenly Imperial Realm.
“Brother Chu, where did you get this jade pendant from?”
Heavenly Imperial Ghostde took out the jade pendant and asked cautiously.
“It was a gift from the Seventh Tormentor.”
“Ah, my savior. Do you know where he is?”
Heavenly Imperial Ghostdemented and asked.
“He’s guarding the Gods Seal in Firmament Star.”
“I have long heard that the gods are beginning to make a mess. If it weren’t for the constant attacks by the Blood Tribe, I would’ve returned to Firmament Star to fight that battle with him.” Heavenly Imperial Ghostde snorted.
Then, his expression shifted dramatically. “If I recall correctly, the Seventh Tormentor was heavily injured during the Great Panhuman Revolt. Although countless years have passed, what a terrifying injury it was. Is he okay?”
“Judging from the current situation in Firmament Star, he should be able to manage it.”
Chu Kuangren was aware of the Seventh Tormentor’s injury.
It was an injury caused by one of the gods and incurable even by his superior healing techniques. However, with his remarkable abilities, the Seventh Tormentor would be able to suppress his injuries and heal.
Albeit the entire process would take a long time.
Then, Chu Kuangren had a brief exchange with Heavenly Imperial Ghostde. From their conversations, Chu Kuangren learned that Heavenly Imperial Ghostde had participated in the Great Panhuman Revolt too. However, he was not an Emperor back then. Heavenly Imperial Ghostde was just a dispensable infantry.
In one of the attacks against the gods, Heavenly Imperial Ghostde nearly perished on the battlefield. If it were not for the Seventh Tormentor, he would be dead now.
Heavenly Imperial Ghostde would remember that moment for the rest of his life. The jade pendant was an essory that the Seventh Tormentor always carried with him, and it was imbued with his unique aura.
It was the reason why Heavenly Imperial Ghostde was so affectionate towards Chu Kuangren. The pendant was a token of friendship between Chu Kuangren and his savior.