Stronger by Killing

Prince Wu’s Mansion has added ten new Divine Sight Martial Artists. Gu Zhan had already received the news, and it was within his expectations. Moreover, this number will continue to increase,

because many of the experts who joined Prince Wu’s Mansion before were Supreme Grandmasters who had already reached the original peak of Martial Arts. They were only lacking a clear path, so breaking through rapidly after obtaining the Method of Divine Sight is normal. Secondly, it’s also the benefit brought by the Spiritual Qi Revival.

Unlike cultivators who can only absorb spiritual qi, martial arts, though based on heaven and earth primordial qi, are actually more effective with spiritual qi. Back then, Sword One was the first to break through to the Divine Sight Realm because he cultivated using spiritual qi within the Spirit Gathering Array of Sword King City.

During this period, Sword One’s cultivation has already broken through to the Second Realm of Divine Sight. His talent is very strong.

Rong Yichu continued, "However, during this time, many martial artists have left Prince Wu’s Mansion. Many of the martial world influences that moved to Yunzhou have also left one after another."

Gu Zhan chuckled lightly, "I hear that now there’s a trend in the Martial World of ’thanking Gu Zhan for his kindness in refusing’ going around? And some are saying that my reputation as number one under heaven is the biggest joke under heaven?"

"This..." Rong Yichu gave a helpless smile and said, "Most people in this world are just like that, trampling on the low while elevating the high. Even though it doesn’t benefit them in the slightest, they love stepping on others just to make themselves feel superior!"

"Heh," Gu Zhan said coldly, "Make a note of everyone who’s left Prince Wu’s Mansion and departed Yunzhou during this time—these people shouldn’t even think about getting the protection of Prince Wu’s Mansion in the future."

Rong Yichu nodded, "I understand, Teacher."

Gu Zhan shook his head slightly and asked, "What do you think these people are thinking? With cultivation sects descending and a new cultivation system emerging, why do they think there’s anywhere else that can accommodate martial artists?"

Rong Yichu smiled bitterly and said, "The histories never record how a new dynasty slaughters the old regime’s people after taking power. So they don’t understand that when a new mainstream rises, it will never leave any space for the old mainstream."

Gu Zhan nodded, "Martial arts, to the cultivation realm, are nothing but heresy—pure ignorance!"

Rong Yichu nodded as well, then lowered his voice and said, "Lord, there’s another matter I need to report."

"What is it?" Gu Zhan asked.

Rong Yichu lowered his voice, "Recently, the Gu Family has been showing some unusual movements. Over at the Martial Arts Alliance, it looks like someone is in contact with remnants of the Lü Family."

Gu Zhan raised his eyebrow and smiled, "The descent of an immortal sect has really dragged out all the demons and monsters, hasn’t it? Go on, what’s going on specifically?"

Rong Yichu replied softly, "On the Gu Family’s side, it seems they’ve been intentionally or unintentionally meddling in the military lately."

Gu Zhan narrowed his eyes slightly. Prince Wu’s Mansion controlled all of Yunzhou, but within Prince Wu’s Mansion, the Gu Family was mainly responsible for local government offices. The military had always been handled by Yunzhou’s native noble families led by Nangong Weiyang. The Gu Family rarely touched it. Now, without his orders, the Gu Family’s meddling in the military meant overstepping authority and harboring other intentions.

"Does Brother Gu know about this?" Gu Zhan asked.

Rong Yichu shook his head slightly, "Since Gu Chuan arrived in Yunzhou, he’s been indulging in nature and beauty, spending his days traveling with friends and rarely returning to the Gu Family. However, two days ago, he suddenly returned to the Gu Family. It seems suspicious."

Gu Zhan nodded, "What’s going on with the Martial Arts Alliance?"

Rong Yichu answered, "It has nothing to do with Alliance Leader Kou. It’s mainly the Vice Alliance Leader, Lin Zixiu. In his territory, traces of the Lü Family remnants have appeared, but they disappeared very quickly. In fact, this makes it even more certain that it was Lin Zixiu’s doing—otherwise, the trace wouldn’t have vanished so cleanly."

"Lin Zixiu—he broke through to the Divine Sight Realm recently, correct?"

Gu Zhan asked.

This Lin Zixiu was a martial world wanderer who, after the Martial Arts Alliance was founded, came to join voluntarily. At that time, he had offended a top great power of Liangzhou and was already at a dead end before entering the Martial Arts Alliance. He used Gu Zhan’s name as a backing to settle that matter.

He was quite capable, and his cultivation was also at Supreme Grandmaster level. The Martial Arts Alliance was seriously lacking in manpower at the time, so Lin Zixiu was promoted to one of the three Vice Alliance Leaders in the Martial Arts Alliance.

Rong Yichu replied, "Lin Zixiu broke through after Wan Xiu."

Gu Zhan said slowly, "The Gu Family has also had two members break through to the Divine Sight Realm, right?"

"Yes," Rong Yichu nodded. "Those two in the Gu Family broke through on the same day, and now there are three more Supreme Grandmasters who are on the verge of breaking through as well. Their chances are pretty good."

Gu Zhan sneered, "Notify Lin Zixiu and Gai Qingcheng to come see me."

Rong Yichu hesitated, "Lord, should we investigate more thoroughly first..."

Gu Zhan waved his hand, "I don’t have time to play their little power games. If they truly refuse to behave or don’t know their place, then they can just die!"

Rong Yichu bowed slightly, "Understood, Teacher."

...

News of Gu Zhan’s return to Yun City’s Prince Wu’s Mansion quickly spread, causing a great stir across Yunzhou. During this time, the descent of cultivation immortal sects created much chaos and turmoil. Now, with Gu Zhan—the so-called number one under heaven—showing up in person, he drew much attention. Many wanted to know how this number one of martial arts views the cultivation immortal sects.

However, the responses from Yunzhou’s various forces were all different. Many heaved a sigh of relief. After all, although the era had changed, Gu Zhan’s prestige still remained. The unbeaten golden body of the number one under heaven remained unbroken. There are even rumors saying that the reason Yunzhou hasn’t seen the appearance of an immortal sect is because they’re afraid of Gu Zhan. Other rumors insist that actually an immortal sect did appear in Yunzhou, but it was wiped out by Gu Zhan before it could cause a stir.

Most people, however, just treat these rumors as jokes and don’t take them seriously. Nevertheless, with Gu Zhan’s return to Prince Wu’s Mansion, forces across Yunzhou indeed felt much more at ease.

...

Yunzhou, Mingsha County, the Gu Family.

Since the Gu Family moved as a whole from the capital to Yunzhou, Gu Zhan arranged for them to settle in Mingsha County, which is quite close to Yun City. With the Gu Family’s size, and Prince Wu’s Mansion backing them, they quickly established themselves in Mingsha County.

Now, the Gu Family is one of the largest forces in Yunzhou. They are heavily valued by Prince Wu’s Mansion, with a presence in government offices everywhere, and, together with the Martial Arts Alliance, Yunzhou Military Town, Embroidered Uniform Guard, and Beidou Bang, are known as the five great pillars of Prince Wu’s Mansion. In Yunzhou, they are at the height of their power, and are even faintly emerging as the top force under Prince Wu’s Mansion.

There are also rumors downtown that Patriarch Gai Qingcheng may marry into Prince Wu’s Mansion, making the various powers in Yunzhou all view the Gu Family with even more fear and respect.

These days, the Gu Family in Mingsha County sees a steady stream of visitors, since the Gu Family is now greatly favored by Celestial Martial King Gu Zhan.

Ancient Family Manor, in a small courtyard.

July’s sun blazed down like fire, inside the pavilion,

Gu Chuan and Gai Qingcheng, elder brother and younger sister, sat face to face, the atmosphere heavy.

Gai Qingcheng was about to pour tea for Gu Chuan, but he stopped her.

"How could I dare let the patriarch pour tea for me?" Gu Chuan said.

"Big Brother," Gai Qingcheng said gently, "We’re siblings. There’s no need for this between us."

Gu Chuan said solemnly, "Qingcheng, since you still call me brother, then just listen to your brother this once, alright? Stop now, Qingcheng, your brother is begging you. Since childhood, you’ve always been smarter than me, more capable, and more decisive. I’ve never asked you to listen to me before, but today, I’m begging you—just this once, can’t you listen to me?"

"Big Brother!" Gai Qingcheng sighed deeply. "I’m the Patriarch of the Gu Family. Every decision I make must put the family’s interests first."

Gu Chuan gritted his teeth, "The prince has never wronged the Gu Family, Qingcheng. You know what our situation was in the capital back then—powerful and favored, even the Method of Divine Sight was freely given to us. We have to understand righteousness. How can we betray him? How can we be ungrateful?"

Gai Qingcheng shook her head, "Brother, it’s not called ingratitude. We simply know King Wu’s fate, and we’re planning ahead for our family. We haven’t harmed him, nor do we have the power to do so, isn’t that so? We are just seizing some power early, before Yunzhou falls into chaos. By the time we make our move for power, King Wu will already be gone. This can’t be called betrayal or ingratitude!"

Gu Chuan took a deep breath, "If the Gu Family is not ungrateful, then we should warn King Wu of the coming crisis and find a way to stand together with him through it. That is not betrayal!"

Gai Qingcheng said softly, "That’s meaningless. That would only drag the Gu Family down with King Wu!"

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