Stronger by Killing

Chapter 181 - 180: Anyone Who Dares to Stop Us Will Be Executed

Gu Shanyun took the intel with a puzzled look and began to read it. Gradually, his expression grew grave.

The Patriarch Gu spoke slowly, "I just received this intel myself, and was about to inform you."

Gu Shanyun’s face darkened as he said, "Patriarch, regardless of the family’s interests, Gu Zhan is the only bloodline left of my elder brother Gu Shanjiang in this world, and he’s my nephew. I must save him!"

"I’m afraid it’s too late. No one expected the Lingxi Sword Sect to lose patience so quickly and act this soon," Patriarch Gu shook his head. "This intel is from three days ago. At this moment, Gu Zhan has likely already reached Youyang County. Not only can we not make it in time, even if we could, Lingxi Sword Sect won’t let Gu Zhan off.

The reestablishment of the Embroidered Uniform Guard represents the power struggles between the Sixth Young Master and various factions of Pingyang Prefecture. Gu Zhan is merely a blade in the Sixth Young Master’s hand. If the major powers want to restrain him, they must break that blade.

Over this period, the Embroidered Uniform Guard has pressed forward relentlessly, probing the bottom line of every faction. A true clash of sabers was destined—Lingxi Sword Sect was the first to strike, and Gu Zhan is the sharpest blade in the Sixth Young Master’s grasp. So when Lingxi Sword Sect moves, it’s a kill strike.

Though Gu Zhan’s talent is indeed rare—even among the elite in all of Yunzhou—he’s still young, and his cultivation is only at the Innate stage. While the Lingxi Sword Sect has declined over the years, it’s still a top-tier force, with several Great Cultivators. If a Great Cultivator makes a move, Gu Zhan has little chance to turn the tables!"

Gu Shanyun’s face was ashen. "I don’t care. I’m going to Youyang regardless."

Patriarch Gu took a deep breath and said, "Second Brother, you must think carefully. If our Gu Family intervenes, we may be ostracized from the Martial World of Pingyang."

"I care not," Gu Shanyun said coldly. "He’s a Gu Family heir. Patriarch, I request permission to go to Youyang!"

Patriarch Gu was silent for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Alright. Second Brother, take Gu Mo with you. If you’re in time, even if it means making enemies of Lingxi Sword Sect, bring Gu Zhan back. At worst, let him withdraw from the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Though our resources are thin, we can still afford to nurture one more genius!"

Gu Shanyun nodded, "Understood."

Watching Gu Shanyun depart,

an Elder of the Gu Family voiced his concern, "Patriarch, the Second Branch already has Gu Mo—if Gu Zhan, whose talent exceeds his, joins them, our Main Branch may be completely suppressed in a few years. Are you really going to let Gu Zhan return to the Gu Family?"

Patriarch Gu tossed the intel onto the table, looked at the elder, and spoke calmly, "Sixth Uncle, I know ever since Gu Mo rose up, there’s been tension between the Main and Second Branches these past years. But internal squabbles should stay within closed doors, not go too far."

No matter how things play out, we are all one family. Whether it’s the Second Branch rising or the Main Branch growing stronger, both strengthen the Gu Family as a whole. This time, it truly was our mistake. Had we known the Lingxi Sword Sect would act so rashly, we should have brought Gu Zhan home sooner."

The elder frowned. "But if Gu Zhan returns, not only will we offend Lingxi Sword Sect, he’ll join the Second Branch..."

"Sixth Uncle," Patriarch Gu said, displeased. "Only within the clan do we speak of Main and Second Branches. To outsiders, we are simply the Gu Family. Gu Zhan’s return, regardless of branch, makes him our prodigy. If his talent is sufficient, why shouldn’t we devote our resources to him?"

A twenty-year-old Innate Peak, who’s likely to become a Third Realm Great Cultivator in the future—our Gu Family could leap to the top in Pingyang. Isn’t this worth offending Lingxi Sword Sect for?"

Notify the clan to prepare. If Second Brother and his men save Gu Zhan in time, we’ll mobilize the whole family and take on Lingxi Sword Sect. Suffering a loss is nothing—at worst, ten or twenty years from now, Gu Zhan will repay what we lose!"

...

Youyang City, on the long street.

Gu Zhan led nearly a dozen Embroidered Uniform Guards on horseback, heading straight for the Dong Family’s ancestral home.

The sound of hooves thundered, uniforms unified in Flying Fish Robes and Brocade Spring Sabers, an imposing sight that drew many stares.

At the forefront was Gu Zhan in black, with two Horizontal Sabers sheathed at his saddle, one hand on the reins, the other gripping a riding whip, eyes cold as steel.

Beside him rode Zuo Yang, who spoke as he urged his horse, "My lord, the Dong Family is considered a second-tier force in Pingyang Prefecture. There are quite a few Innate Martial Artists among them; I hear there are four or five Great Innate Martial Artists."

Gu Zhan nodded slightly.

Zuo Yang continued, "With your strength, my lord, the Dong Family alone poses no threat. However, Youyang sits at the junction of several prefectures, so the local powers are always united against outsiders. Their ties are complex—intermarried, mostly related by blood, and fiercely insular. If we move against the Dong Family, the other powers are unlikely to stand idly by."

Gu Zhan replied calmly, "If they don’t come, I’ll go to them myself. Now, what’s the situation with Lingxi Sword Sect?"

Zuo Yang answered, "Lingxi Sword Sect is one of the seven top-tier forces in Pingyang Prefecture, though it ranks at the bottom. Still, a top-tier force—despite some decline these years—retains several Great Cultivators, including three.

The strongest is the Supreme Elder, previous Sect Leader of Lingxi Sword Sect, a Second Realm Great Cultivator who’s been in closed-door cultivation for years and rarely seen. The other two are the current Sect Leader and the Punishment Elder, both First Realm Great Cultivators."

In recent years, Lingxi Sword Sect has opened its gates, and many forces in Youyang have sent their disciples to them, forging alliances. Lingxi Sword Sect uses this to win over factions, and so their relations are close-knit. My lord, we must be careful, lest Lingxi Sword Sect makes a move!"

Gu Zhan gave a faint laugh and said nothing.

Soon, the party arrived outside the Dong Family manor.

At this moment, the gates of the Dong Family were tightly shut.

Gu Zhan ordered men to knock. The doors slowly opened and several people emerged. At their head was a portly middle-aged man, who cupped his fists, "So it’s the Embroidered Uniform Guard. What brings you all to our Dong Family?"

Zuo Yang said sternly, "Gu Zhan, Embroidered Uniform Guard Thousand Households, has come to investigate a case. Alert the Patriarch Dong and bring him out at once!"

The middle-aged man smiled slightly, giving Gu Zhan a look, and spoke coolly, "What bad luck, sirs. Our patriarch is resting. If you wish to meet him, you’ll have to wait outside. When he wakes, you’ll be informed."

The Embroidered Uniform Guards were all furious.

Zuo Yang snapped, "How dare you! You would make my lord wait out here?"

The middle-aged man answered unhurriedly, "If you don’t want to wait, you don’t have to come. The Dong Family didn’t invite you..."

"Enough nonsense!"

At that moment, Gu Zhan gave a cold snort and swung his whip. With a sharp crack, it struck the middle-aged man’s face, knocking him to the ground and leaving a vivid red mark.

Gu Zhan gently tugged his reins and slowly advanced, his voice cold, "Break down the door. Whoever dares to stop you, kill without mercy!"

At once, several Embroidered Uniform Guards drew their sabers.

The middle-aged man scrambled to his feet, shouting, "Stop! If you dare break down the door, this is the Dong Family ancestral home, you..."

His words were abruptly cut off.

Gu Zhan’s whip suddenly wrapped around the man’s neck. With a gentle pull, his neck twisted a full circle; his eyes bulged, and he collapsed backwards onto the ground.

Gu Zhan pointed at the Dong Family gate, coldly, "Break down the door. Whoever dares to hinder, kill them."