Chapter 444 - 291: Slaughter Beneath the Grotto Heaven (12,000-Word Epic)
"It’s normal," Rong Yichu said. "Although our lord could be considered a major power in Yunzhou now, they seem to think that they are merely a martial rogue."
Tian Yu looked at Rong Yichu and asked, "Then what do you think, sir?"
Rong Yichu smiled lightly and said, "I think Gu Qiao’s view isn’t bad. Our lord indeed hasn’t walked the Kingly Path and seems to be confined within the Martial World, but she made a mistake!"
"What mistake?" Tian Yu asked.
"She hasn’t been in close contact with our lord," Rong Yichu said. "Only by being in close contact can one realize that when tyranny reaches its peak, it transforms into something else, something that transcends the Kingly Path!"
Tian Yu raised his eyebrows and said, "I feel the same way, but I just can’t put it into words."
Rong Yichu laughed softly and slowly said:
"Overlooking the masses, with only myself in the world!"
...
Outside Yu City, the people of the Gu Family were leaving.
Gu Qiao, riding a horse, looked back at Yu City and disdainfully said, "Thanks to that Gu Chuan, who day after day praises Gu Zhan to the heavens, I really thought a hero had risen from obscurity; in the end, he’s just a martial artist of the Jianghu!"
A Gu Family Grandmaster beside Gu Qiao asked in confusion, "Miss, Gu Zhan could be considered an outstanding figure. He rose from humble beginnings to achieve what he has today, which is quite remarkable. Moreover, his martial prowess is truly terrifying. Without a background or resources, to become one of the top martial artists in the world in his early twenties—I think he’s worth befriending!"
Gu Qiao shook her head and said, "If it’s just to make friends, Gu Zhan’s talent in martial arts is worth associating with. However, my purpose this time is to assess whether Gu Zhan is worth our Gu Family investing in, and whether he has the qualifications to compete for supremacy or dominance in the upcoming chaotic times.
Initially, after hearing Gu Chuan’s various praises and seeing Rong Yichu’s loyalty to him, I thought he was a hero. But I am truly disappointed; he’s nothing more than a brawny fool, and Rong Yichu following him is really a pity!"
The Grandmaster puzzledly asked, "Miss, you haven’t met with Gu Zhan these days. How did you come to this judgment?"
Gu Qiao said, "I’ve already thoroughly investigated Gu Zhan’s information; he’s just a blatant martial buffoon. The reason I came to evaluate him was because of Gu Chuan and Rong Yichu.
During my time in Yu City, I’ve been observing Gu Zhan’s reactions. After waiting all these days, it’s impossible for him not to know we were in the city, yet he never took the initiative to visit our Gu Family. This shows that he is very arrogant and lacks foresight.
Rong Yichu couldn’t have failed to tell him our intentions, yet he still maintained that posture, which clearly shows that his vision is limited to the Martial World alone. Otherwise, he wouldn’t regard his status in the Martial World so highly; his perspective is just there.
Moreover, the Yunxi Martial Arts Alliance is approaching, yet you see the reaction of the Beidou Bang, not taking it seriously at all. This also shows that Gu Zhan is too steeped in the Martial World, only thinking of a head-on confrontation, which might be the common problem of those with humble origins.
This matter also shows that Gu Zhan is obstinate, loves to show off, and with countless experts in the Yunxi Martial Arts Alliance, he still does nothing in response. Based on his past style, he must again be thinking of leading his forces into a brutal charge."
The Gu Family Grandmaster thought for a moment and said, "This fits the rumors about Gu Zhan in the Martial World."
Gu Qiao sighed and said, "His achievements in martial arts are high, I do not deny this. If he were willing to marry into our Gu Family, I wouldn’t oppose marrying him. However, his character is immensely proud; he’s unlikely to pledge allegiance to anyone. What’s most suitable for him is to roam the Martial World.
In the past, I wouldn’t have minded befriending him. After all, such a young martial arts master still has at least fifty years at his peak. Although he won’t achieve the status of a Land Immortal, his current strength is worth associating with. But the situation in Yunzhou is too chaotic now. The Gu Family cannot withstand upheaval and doesn’t dare to form connections casually. With one false step, the Gu Family could suffer a severe loss of vitality, so better not to meet!"
The Gu Family Grandmaster nodded and said, "Indeed, the White Lotus Sect is very prominent in Yunzhou now, and it’s hard to say what twists and turns might occur. With Gu Zhan’s character, whatever he might do later is unpredictable. It’s indeed not suitable for the Gu Family to get involved with him."
Gu Qiao sighed and said, "It’s just a pity that someone as talented as Rong Yichu, who could assist a king, debases himself to mingle in the Martial World for Gu Zhan’s sake; what a shame!"
...
On February 17th, the sun was high in the sky.
Outside Yu City, yellow sand was everywhere,
The Martial Arts Alliance’s mighty forces rushed to the outskirts of Yu City, the dense sound of horse hooves stirring up more and more dust, gradually turning into a large cloud of dust, covering the scene in the sunlight.
In front of the Martial Arts Alliance’s ranks, there was a carriage, the only carriage among tens of thousands of members of the Martial Arts Alliance, the only one among hundreds of notable Martial World Influences in Yunxi; even Vice Alliance Leader Jin Zhengfeng rode a horse.
This carriage appeared because,
The two people inside were too special, too senior, too old, second in seniority only to the Elder Celestial Master in the entire Righteous Dao Martial Arts of Yunxi, the two Supreme Elders of Sword King City.
In the Martial World, seniority and ranking are particularly respected,
Not to mention the Elder Celestial Master, who is in a league of his own in the current Martial World; even those a generation younger than him include only these two Supreme Elders of Sword King City,