Chapter 16: Drifting on a Cold Night
The South City Embroidered Uniform Guard Hundred Households Office suddenly deployed a large group of Embroidered Uniform Guard, arresting people day and night. This news instantly blew up Linjiang City, because this time, the Embroidered Uniform Guard were no longer the weak bullies they used to be—they were taking direct aim at the city’s largest gang, the Celestial Water Gang.
In just a few days,
Many Celestial Water Gang venues were swept clean by the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Lots of brothels and gambling dens were shut down directly, countless shops underwent various inspections, dozens of bosses were arrested.
This event caused a huge uproar,
because those bosses all had legitimate identities, but in reality, they were small and big leaders in the Celestial Water Gang.
For a moment, all sides started moving. All the major gangs in Linjiang Prefecture kept a close watch, and the Government Office was rife with undercurrents. Celestial Water Gang clashed several times with the Embroidered Uniform Guard, with plenty of bloody incidents.
Meanwhile, during this time,
a young Embroidered Uniform Guard named Gu Zhan appeared in front of all the powers in Linjiang City—a previously unknown Small Banner Officer, suddenly emerging, drawing much attention.
The reason? Gu Zhan was the one leading the sweep against all the Celestial Water Gang halls. What got so much attention was his ruthless style—merciless, in just a few days, he’d killed or injured dozens of people. Unlike the old cowardly Embroidered Uniform Guard image.
At dusk, South City Hundred Households Office, East Courtyard.
In the main office hall, a group of Embroidered Uniform Guards were busily sorting documents, all related to the recent sweep of the Celestial Water Gang halls.
Gu Zhan sat in the chair, somewhat fatigued, holding a cup of tea as he checked his system interface—the experience points had accumulated to one hundred.
Still, he wasn’t in a hurry to use them,
His Saber Technique and Qinggong were sufficient for now. What he mainly wanted was to raise his Cultivation Realm.
These days, the conflicts with Celestial Water Gang hadn’t been that fierce,
because all actions were taken in broad daylight, in the name of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, with evidence in hand—apart from the stubborn few, most Celestial Water Gang members dared not resist. The higher-ups had already distanced themselves, without any evidence of crime, firmly sitting above it all.
Most arrested were small or mid-level leaders, so clashes weren’t dramatic.
"Lord!"
Suddenly, a Captain burst in excitedly from outside, saying, "We’ve found clues linking Celestial Water Gang Squad Leader Xing Kuan to the illegal land grab in Mud Bottle Lane!"
Gu Zhan raised his eyebrows.
Celestial Water Gang was South City’s biggest gang, with clearly defined ranks.
The highest was Gang Leader, then two Vice Gang Leaders, below which came the four Squad Leaders, absolute upper management.
And after this round,
The next battle against Celestial Water Gang would need new leadership—Gu Chuan himself would have to step up.
"Lord," Chen Fei said, "Xing Kuan isn’t like the people we’ve been arresting. He’s one of the four Squad Leaders of the Celestial Water Gang. His Cultivation has long hit the Upper Three Grades. He commands three halls, with plenty of experts, a hundred or more Swordsmen. Catching him won’t be easy."
Gu Zhan let out a faint smile. "Doesn’t matter if we catch him. We just need to put on this show. Best if they make a move—then the Garrison Army gets involved. We’re the Embroidered Uniform Guard to arrest, not some Martial World gang out to brawl!"
Chen Fei suddenly understood, "Understood, Lord. If we can catch him, we do. If not, we don’t force it."
Gu Zhan nodded slightly.
"Still, Lord," Chen Fei added, "for safety, let’s call everyone."
𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚
Gu Zhan nodded, "Call in everyone from the East Courtyard. We’ll just bring a small group; the rest can wait outside for backup."
...
After night fell, Linjiang Prefecture was eerily quiet, but there were always some special markets that never slept. At night, they were even livelier than by day. Changning Fang was one such place.
A collection of several sleepless streets, and one of the few money pits in Linjiang City. Every street here was an entertainment venue—brothels, gambling dens, restaurants, underground boxing clubs—every kind of facility you could find in this era.
Once night arrived, this area became dazzlingly busy.
This spot was also where the Changning Sub-Branch—one of the Celestial Water Gang’s four Sub-Branches—had its base.
Outside Changning Fang,
A squad of Embroidered Uniform Guard dashed forward, every face stern and meticulous. Their Flying Fish Robes seemed oppressive in the night. Any passersby seeing them hurriedly ducked aside, afraid to get caught in the fire.
Gu Zhan led the way, bringing three Small Banners, ten Captains, seventy or eighty Embroidered Uniform Guards straight toward Changning Fang.
When they arrived at a major street intersection,
Gu Zhan gestured for everyone to stop, then pointed out seven or eight Embroidered Uniform Guards, saying, "The rest stay here."
A Small Banner Officer immediately said, "Lord Gu, let us go with you. Changning Fang is Celestial Water Gang’s Changning Sub-Branch base—there are usually over a hundred Swordsmen on guard, plus hundreds of other gang affiliates. If things get messy, it’s trouble."
Gu Zhan smiled faintly, saying, "Relax, I’m only there to arrest, not to kill. If we can’t get them, I won’t force it. If anything unexpected happens, I’ll fire a signal flare and you’ll rush in to support me. Too many people will only make it worse!"
Seeing Gu Zhan’s mind was made up, the others stopped persuading and watched warily as Gu Zhan headed for Changning Fang.
The night wind blew cold across the street,
Dozens of Embroidered Uniform Guards held their positions, fully on alert.
Gu Zhan and his group gradually disappeared into the distance.
The wind howled,
Chen Fei kept ready at all times to support Gu Zhan.
...
At that moment, in a nearby alley off the broad street, a group lurked, quietly hidden within the shadows.
The leader was none other than South City Hundred Households Office East Courtyard Commander-in-Chief Lei Yun.
"Lord, Gu Zhan has entered Changning Fang."
Lei Yun suddenly opened his eyes, a cold gleam flashing across them, a hint of smile on his lips. He whispered, "He’s not going to Changning Fang—he’s headed for his own hell-road."
Then Lei Yun turned to the Staff Officer beside him, asking, "You’ve coordinated with Xing Kuan, right?"
The Staff Officer nodded quickly. "It’s all set. As soon as Gu Zhan enters Changning Fang, they’ll move to kill him. All we need to do is block any Embroidered Uniform Guards trying to support."
Lei Yun nodded, sneering, "Exactly. To destroy a man, first make him arrogant. Gu Zhan is inflated now—daring to bring only so few men. He really thinks Celestial Water Gang won’t dare kill him? Afterwards, just hand over a couple scapegoats to take the fall!"
The Staff Officer frowned, "But what if Hundred Households Gu won’t let it go?"
"Hmph," Lei Yun scoffed. "Who’d start a big incident for a dead man? Celestial Water Gang only needs to turn a few people over as an olive branch. As for me, I’ll double back and say Gu Zhan was greedy for merit and acted rashly—we were late with support. It’s only when he survives that things get out of hand. Dead men? Who’s going to make a fuss?"