652 Shuddering at the Very Thought of It! (1/2)

For Feng Xiange to have complained so vehemently in his own defense, it looked like he was innocent. He had even presented his exquisite brews much earlier. With Ling Xiaozui and Dugu Chou's experience and knowledge of the world, even they thought that it was a reasonable move – it was exactly what a God of Wine would do.

Heaven's Inquisition Gu Chaliang, on the other hand, had not shown any of his legendary prowess up until now! An expert who was known to be omniscient did not manage to foretell the trap and the moment they were ambushed, he had professed that the astral providence was obscured and he could not see more. Up to now, there was only a verbal argument without any practical actions. He was terribly suspicious, to say the least!

”Let's take a few days' rest here, replenish some energy,” Ling Xiaozui said with a smile, ”We'll head back when it's about time.”

”Go back? Where can we go back to?” asked Feng Xiange.

Ling Xiaozui chuckled. ”Back to Tiantang City of course. We still have matters pending there; we have plenty of things left there as well.”

Heaven's Inquisition nodded and agreed, ”Correct, it's imperative that we return to Tiantang City.”

Dugu Chou smiled faintly and said, ”This incident was really unexpected. When we came so fervently with the intention to bring down the Four Seasons Tower entirely, it was a surprise that the tower actually contained so many pinnacle forces… When we were ambushed earlier, I was truly shocked.”

”For the tower to have gathered such an impressive lineup, it would have taken them a significant amount of time. It looks like the Four Seasons Tower didn't even exert its full strength when they fought me the last time; perhaps they refrained from unleashing their full strength for some reason or other,” Ling Xiaozui sighed.

Dugu Chou chuckled and said, ”There's no need to be so humble. It's not that the Four Seasons Tower held themselves back when they tried to put you down – if the tower actually wanted to kill you, you could reduce the eighteen men today by at least half their numbers; there must be a bigger stratagem behind the Four Seasons Tower's sedulous effort to hide their experts away. How can they possibly lose them just for a personal grudge against you?”

”That sounds rather reasonable,” said Ling Xiaozui after giving what Dugu Chou said some thought.

With or without any intentions, Dugu Chou spoke, ”Heaven's Inquisition, you and Mr. Nian must have had quite the relationship, listening to how the both of you conversed. I wonder if you know anything about the Four Seasons Tower's manpower, or if you're able to foretell anything? You have to know at least something about this, don't you?”

His words, by now, were involuntarily stinging.

Gu Chaliang looked troubled as he said, ”During the many years of being imprisoned by Mr. Nian, my intelligence of the Four Seasons Tower's manpower and resources is actually rather shallow… As for foretelling… I've actually augured just before I woke up earlier. It's certain that those people have gone back, once again hidden in the mountain. I have made mention about the mountain earlier – there's something in there that somehow obscures God's will. My fortune-telling is utterly useless…”

Dugu Chou chuckled and replied, ”You mean… as long as they're in that mountain, you won't be able to augur anything?”

”Yes,” Gu Chaliang answered with a nod after sighing.

He knew that it was preposterous, but it was true. He had never expected the existence of such a phenomenon in this world.

Dugu Chou wore a faint smile but the uplifted corners of his mouth contained a hint of mirth.

Ling Xiaozui frowned and spoke grimly, ”The Four Seasons Tower is really resourceful. We've overlooked the legend's unrivaled tower in this world!”

Feng Xiange, at the side, snorted before he scooted over to Gu Chaliang and said, ”Heaven's Inquisition, please predict when I will die.”

”Feng Xiange, we've just escaped danger, yet you continue to spew gibberish. Don't you have better things to augur?” Gu Chaliang hissed through gritted teeth.

Dugu Chou said, ”How is this nonsense? We should be concerned about our life and death, especially when things are so uncertain now that our futures are bound to change anytime. With you, Heaven's Inquisition, here, when, if not now, should we seize the chance to ask for a prophecy? Augur for Feng Xiange, quickly. I think this fellow's life force is severely damaged. In addition to his previous injury, I don't think he has many years to live.”

”Dugu Chou, you old bastard. You're older than me! Why don't you say that you don't have many years to live as well?” Feng Xiange chided with a chuckle.

Dugu Chou chortled but urged, ”Quickly now. I've long heard about the unparalleled oracle of Heaven's Inquisition but I've never seen it with my own eyes. That has been my deepest regret. If you don't do it today, we won't let this rest!”

Gu Chaliang was helpless, turning to look at Ling Xiaozui pleadingly.

Ling Xiaozui gazed at him for a moment before saying, ”Just don't tell us if it's inconvenient or ill-fated.”

Gu Chaliang chuckled and replied, ”If so, I'll have a look.”

He concentrated, observing Feng Xiange's face, scanning his features. Feng Xiange wore a disdainful smirk as he watched Gu Chaliang with a squint.