Chapter 442 - 290: Martial World Public Enemy and the Masterplan of the Death Spy
Rong Yichu also took a deep breath and said, "Perhaps the only thing he couldn’t foresee was you, my Lord. Of course, this is not a fault of war. No one could have predicted that a mere Embroidered Uniform Guard in Linjiang City would become such a powerful figure in such a short time!"
Of course, this won’t affect him in any way, because the situation and mission in Yunxi have already ended for him. What he needs is for Yunxi to plunge into chaos again, giving the Astronomical Bureau a legitimate reason to withdraw from Yundong."
Gu Zhan narrowed his eyes and said, "Because the Astronomical Bureau is currently the only force in Yundong that can restrain Marquis Chengyang."
Rong Yichu nodded and said, "Ling Hao has already entered the game. The Ling Family and Dugu Faction behind him are all sharpening their knives, just waiting for the right moment to rebel. Yang Yuzhi is deliberately giving them a chance—this is the real dead man’s plan."
Gu Zhan took a deep breath and sighed, "What a Yang Yuzhi, what a grand dead man’s plan!"
Rong Yichu took a sip of tea and said, "It’s just that, my Lord, you have developed too fast and have already entered this game. In Yang Yuzhi’s dead man’s plan, everyone will be a sacrifice."
Gu Zhan narrowed his eyes.
He understood what Rong Yichu meant. He had now become the Gang Leader of Beidou Bang, one of the greatest powers in the Yunzhou Martial World,
Marquis Chengyang’s rebellion is sweeping across Yunzhou, and as Yang Yuzhi’s dead man’s plan nears its end, no one of any standing in Yunzhou can avoid it—this is a great purge.
And he and Marquis Chengyang were already mortal enemies, it would be impossible to side with him. Of course, knowing about the dead man’s plan, even without enmity, it would be impossible to side with Marquis Chengyang.
In such circumstances,
he would inevitably stand opposite Marquis Chengyang, that is, on the side of the Court,
But, the result of this is,
The Court will completely control Yun, Liang, and Qing—the Three States,
And by then, the Court will no longer allow Yunxi to revive that golden age of the Martial World. After such turmoil, the Yunxi Martial World would naturally be fragmented and powerless to confront the Court again.
At that time, he would have only two choices,
One: drift in the Martial World and bear the Court’s suppression. The other: submit to the Court, and become an enforcer under some military noble, or join one of the Noble Families and Clans as an Honored Guest Elder—regardless, it would be impossible to remain a dominant power as he is now.
Of course, that’s only if he remains an ordinary Supreme Grandmaster.
Gu Zhan smiled faintly, "So, this is the reason you threatened the Court?"
Rong Yichu nodded and said, "At first, I wasn’t certain about the dead man’s plan, so I proposed to Qin You to split Yunxi three ways. As expected, he agreed immediately, so I became convinced of the authenticity of the dead man’s plan. Qin You was too decisive, because it made sense—and would prevent the Ling Family and Dugu Faction from suspecting anything. But he overlooked one thing; he knew my relationship with you, and he agreed too readily, which actually exposed a flaw to me."
The dead man’s plan—they have sacrificed too much, and now it has reached its conclusion. They don’t dare make any mistakes, nor dare gamble with me, so they could only agree to my terms."
Gu Zhan chuckled lightly and said, "You should really think about yourself. By doing this, you’ve basically cut yourself off from the Court—there will never be a chance for you to earn merit and rise to power!"
Rong Yichu poured tea for Gu Zhan and said slowly, "But the reason I went to study in the Capital City was just so I could do something for you, my Lord. I never wanted rank or glory. What I want is to serve by your side as a staff officer, offering advice and strategy!"
Gu Zhan smiled and said, "You’ve actually moved me."
Rong Yichu pressed his lips and smiled, "That is the greatest honor for a student."
With a joke, Rong Yichu continued, "My Lord, now that you hold the titles of Marquis and Grand General of the Army, in this game, you can already stand outside the board and watch as a spectator."
Afterward, when the Court pacifies Yunzhou, with your title and military command, nothing in this world can affect you. You will always be the greatest noble of Xia Kingdom. The Court will eventually try to curb you, but you have already gone beyond the restraints of the Martial World and entered the inner circle of the nobility. No matter how sinister or restraintful their schemes, none can shatter your Golden Body; be it in chaos or peace, you will always remain at ease."
Gu Zhan looked at Rong Yichu,
and felt genuinely moved inside,
Rong Yichu had indeed given up all his great prospects and power, just to secure a place for him—a position that could both ensure his dignity and allow him a safe and stable status in these troubled times,
whereas, Rong Yichu himself,
wanted nothing at all!
Gu Zhan patted Rong Yichu’s shoulder; the two met each other’s eyes,
and exchanged a smile,
No more words were needed,
In this life, everyone has something to hold on to,
This persistence,
Can only be felt, not spoken.
"Will you return to the Capital City?" Gu Zhan asked.
"No, no," Rong Yichu waved his hand and said, "My purpose for coming to the Capital has already been fulfilled—far beyond my expectations. Staying any longer would just mean fighting for power and gain. None of that compares to staying by your side, my Lord."
Gu Zhan smiled and said, "Then don’t go. By the way, who was that girl who was with you today?"
"A direct member of the Gu Family," Rong Yichu said. "On the surface, Miss Gu Qi arranged for her to escort me, but in reality, she has come to see you, my Lord."
"Why would she want to see me?" Gu Zhan asked, confused.
Rong Yichu said, "Ever since the turmoil of the past few years, the Gu Family has been greatly weakened and can’t recover in the short term. Now, with constant upheaval in Xia Kingdom, they too need to seek allies."
Gu Zhan chuckled, "So, she’s here to check whether I’m qualified to be an ally of the Gu Family?"
"That’s basically it," Rong Yichu nodded. "My Lord, what do you think?"
"I’ll just sit and watch," Gu Zhan chuckled. "Gu Chuan and I are bosom friends unto death, but Gu Chuan is Gu Chuan, the Gu Family is the Gu Family. I respect Gu Chuan, but that doesn’t mean I respect the Gu Family."
Rong Yichu said quietly, "I understand, my Lord."
"Mhm," Gu Zhan sipped his tea and said, "Take these next days to get familiar with things. Yunxi might not compare to the Capital, but it has its own flavor. There’s still a grand scene to behold ahead!"
Rong Yichu narrowed his eyes and said in a low voice, "My Lord, toward Yunxi..."
Gu Zhan nodded slightly and stood up. Looking at the peach tree outside the pavilion just sprouting new buds, he said slowly, "What Grand Generals or Marquises—none of that is better than having power of your own."
"I don’t care about the dead man’s plan, but Yunxi—I’ve set my sights on it. What Gu Zhan determines to take, even if the Xia Kingdom’s Court and Southern Jin and Beiwei all come to snatch it together, we’ll just have to see whose fist is tougher!"
Rong Yichu felt a jolt in his heart and said slowly, "My Lord, you don’t think the dead man’s plan will succeed?"
Gu Zhan shook his head slightly and said, "I believe the dead man’s plan will succeed, but history already showed us—no one can alter the fate of a doomed dynasty. Not Yang Yuzhi, not Qin You, not even the Emperor!"