Chapter 108 - 107: The Demeanor of a Gentleman Scholar
"Bang" "Bang" "Bang"...
Signal flares suddenly soared above the Hundred Households Office, and at the same time, steeds galloped out from within the office.
Rong Yichu personally charged out, saber in hand.
In an instant, chaos erupted along the long street, and the fighting commenced at once.
The Lin Family’s guards, still waiting outside the Hundred Households Office for the Patriarch, were caught completely off guard, as a torrential rain of crossbow arrows descended, cries of agony abruptly silenced.
Up in the sky, signal flares continued to explode,
spreading ceaselessly toward all four city gates, east, south, west, and north.
The Hundred Households Offices of all four cities were thrown into fighting at the same instant, and all major Martial World Gangs took action one after another.
Linjiang City, descended into utter tumult.
At this moment,
a carriage slowly rolled out from a small alley outside the Hundred Households Office; a hand emerged from within, gently lifting the curtain, revealing a face of stern authority—it was none other than Yang Yuzhi, the former Magistrate of Linjiang County, thought to be deceased.
"Chaos has erupted!" Yang Yuzhi sighed softly.
Just then, a silhouette descended from above—it was Yuan Xing, Yang Yuzhi’s steward, who bowed and said, "Lord, as you predicted, Rong Yichu actually chose to abandon over a hundred Rong Family members for Gu Zhan."
Yang Yuzhi’s expression remained calm, as he spoke, "The Rong Yichu of today has undergone Transformation. His strategy is still lacking, but he already possesses the temperament of a scholar."
Yuan Xing asked in surprise, "Lord, you have such high hopes for Rong Yichu?"
Yang Yuzhi nodded subtly. "Blessings and disasters intertwine. The fall of the Rong Family is both a calamity and an opportunity for Rong Yichu. To become Patriarch at barely twenty, he must have been forged out of superior ironstone. Their hardship is his tempering, and with Gu Zhan’s final rescue, the ironstone has been finished into a sword. He already holds the bearing of a renowned scholar. As long as he finds another opportunity to sharpen his edge, he will surely become a dazzling sword, and perhaps claim a place among the scholar elites of the world."
Yuan Xing paused, then said, "Gu Zhan cannot be the one to sharpen that sword?"
"He cannot," Yang Yuzhi shook his head. "Gu Zhan’s path is different. He can help Rong Yichu find direction, and forge him to maturity with ease. But truly making Rong Yichu into a treasure blade is another matter entirely."
With that, Yang Yuzhi pointed toward the chaos on the street. "Do you see? Rong Yichu has already found his path. He is now a qualified strategist. After following Gu Zhan, he helped develop Gu Zhan’s personal charisma and brought Gu Zhan’s strengths to a certain realm,
Gu Zhan has only been in charge of the Hundred Households Office for a short time, yet all the Embroidered Uniform Guard bend to his command. So many people are willing to die for him, even assailing the Prefecture Government without hesitation—that is Rong Yichu’s contribution.
However, Rong Yichu’s flaws are glaringly obvious; his thinking still hasn’t broken out of the confines of this small Linjiang County. He lacks guidance from a famed master, so his plots and plans remain petty. That’s why Gu Zhan has ended up in such peril.
He has talent, but it has not been cultivated. If he enters the Three Great Academies, he will surely become a renowned scholar."
Yuan Xing forced a laugh and said, "The Three Great Academies... Lord, you yourself couldn’t get in back then. Rong Yichu..."
Yang Yuzhi chuckled. "Previously, Rong Yichu didn’t qualify. But after meeting Gu Zhan and undergoing that transformation, he should have a chance—if only he meets a mentor to guide him!"
After these words, Yang Yuzhi paused briefly and said, "Well, the time has come. Let’s go meet Rong Yichu!"
...
On the long street,
Rong Yichu pulled at the reins with one hand, his other hand gripping a saber, leading his men on horseback toward the Prefecture Government.
As they charged to an intersection,
they suddenly saw a group burst out from an alley—it was Rong Family members, led by Rong Wanshan, whose hand was crippled.
Rong Yichu was startled and rejoiced; he dismounted in haste and ran over, exclaiming in shock, "Third Granduncle, Seventh Uncle... you... you’re unharmed?"
Rong Wanshan glanced at his bandaged hand wrapped in white cloth and medicine, smiled faintly, and said, "Yichu, we were set up by the Lin Family, but at the critical moment, someone came to our aid so we escaped disaster!"
As he spoke,
The Rong Family members stepped aside,
A carriage slowly emerged from the alley,
The curtain lifted gradually,
Rong Yichu cried in surprise, "Magistrate Yang!"
Yang Yuzhi smiled and asked, "Mr. Rong, you chose to give up everything for Gu Zhan, and now Gu Zhan finds himself in the same predicament as you. What do you think he will choose?"
Rong Yichu replied softly, "If Magistrate Yang were acquainted with our Lord, you wouldn’t be asking this question."
"Why?" Yang Yuzhi asked, puzzled.
Rong Yichu said in a deep voice, "He will never betray his own people!"
...
Prefecture Government, main hall.
At this moment, the atmosphere in the hall was suffocating,
Everyone’s gaze was fixed on Gu Zhan; in public and in secret, many murderous intentions aimed directly at him. Yet, none could deny their wariness of him.
Linjiang’s top martial artist, the God of Slaughter, was the shadow haunting all martial artists in Linjiang.
The hall tension crackled, as if swords and crossbows were drawn,
Gu Zhan’s guards were all on full alert, ready to fight to the death at any moment.
"Lord Gu, we don’t have much time. You must decide quickly!" Wu Yang said with a light laugh.
Gu Zhan calmly poured a cup of wine, speaking slowly, "Your conditions sound excellent, but you don’t trust me. So, even if I agree, you’ll still eliminate my closest allies."
"Lord Gu, to accomplish great things one must ignore the trivial!" Wu Yang said. "Your future is limitless—why bother over a few gains and losses here? Allies can always be cultivated again. Lord Gu, surely you’re not so irrational as to let a few subordinates cloud your judgment?"
"Knowing the times... hahaha! What a joke!"
Gu Zhan suddenly slammed his cup against the table, rose, and swept his gaze across the noble families, saying, "Today, I, Gu Zhan, will teach you a truth!
If you know what’s good for you—never become my enemy. In this world, whoever stands against me are fools deceiving themselves. So after today,
Your entire clan will be wiped out!"
Before the words faded,
Gu Zhan suddenly drew his blade and slashed fiercely at Wu Yang, boundless True Qi crashing towards Wu Yang in saber shadows, howling wildly.
In a flash, the hall was like a hurricane sweeping through,
Tables and chairs shattering amid the storm.
Yet,
As the ferocious Saber Qi surged toward Wu Yang,
Several figures abruptly appeared before Wu Yang,
All were Innate Martial Artists, their joint efforts dispersing the overwhelming Saber Qi into nothing instantly.
At the same moment, two Innate Martial Artists appeared in the shadows, charging straight into Gu Zhan’s guard ranks and snatching away his bow and quiver.
Gu Zhan’s face instantly darkened.
Wu Yang smiled lightly, "Lord Gu, you’re recognized as Linjiang Prefecture’s greatest expert. If I’m to deal with you, how could I fail to make all necessary preparations?"