Chapter 51: The Last Ray of Light
Changling Town, located over three hundred li from Linjiang City, is a prosperous commercial hub, serving as the trade center for several surrounding counties. Merchants and Martial World people constantly come and go.
Because of the particular nature of this place, it could barely be counted as a zone outside of authorities’ control, filled with all sorts of people from every walk of life—a mixed lot, truly. It is also the largest black market in Linjiang County, where the law’s constraints are extremely weak.
These past days, Changling Town has been especially lively, with several Martial World fights breaking out. The main reason was the chain reaction triggered by the Embroidered Uniform Guard from Linjiang City hunting down the upper ranks of the Celestial Water Gang.
Normally, when Embroidered Uniform Guard come here to investigate, they’re quite restrained, generally not causing much commotion. But this time is different—the team is personally led by the renowned Nine Hundred Households, Gu Chuan.
After arriving, he completely disregarded the local rules of Changling Town. Everywhere he went it was chaos; chickens flying, dogs running, chasing the upper echelons of the Celestial Water Gang until they were miserable, forced into hiding.
But two nights ago, something happened that shocked everyone,
The upper echelons of the Celestial Water Gang, who had only been fleeing for days, unexpectedly fought back for the first time. While all the Martial World People watching thought they’d been cornered into a desperate struggle, suddenly a masked squad appeared in Changling Town, charging at the Embroidered Uniform Guard with wild ferocity.
Last night’s battle sent shocks through Changling Town,
The most notable part was, Gu Chuan alone was besieged by three Innate Experts. Though he still had the upper hand, he was entangled with them relentlessly, causing severe losses among his Embroidered Uniform Guard.
However, Nine Hundred Households, after all, is Nine Hundred Households,
Though outnumbered, he still ended the fight with a ferocious record—seriously wounding two Innate Experts and beheading two First Grade Martial Artists. But it also let the Celestial Water Gang’s upper ranks escape once again.
After a brief rest,
Gu Chuan once more led the Embroidered Uniform Guard in a sweeping manhunt across Changling Town. The commotion was so great it heavily impacted local commerce. But facing complaints from all sides, the major influences based in Changling Town could only smile bitterly,
At such a time, none of them dared risk provoking Gu Chuan—so they could only try to appease him as best they could.
Changling Town is vast. Though classified as a town, it gathers many Martial World Influences, expanding this black market, its territory now rivaling a small county.
At this moment,
In a large courtyard,
Gu Chuan was walking out of the infirmary. After days of battle, his losses were heavy, nearly half his forces gone. By now, he had no choices left—only risking it all, win or lose. Unlike three years ago, where he could still retreat.
Now, retreat was no longer possible.
"My Lord!"
Just then, a Chief Banner rushed in from outside, cupped his hands and said, "We’ve tracked the Celestial Water Gang’s people. They’re hiding in a brothel on Qinghua Street Market—really well hidden. If it weren’t for one of our men having a lover there, we’d never imagine they’d hide in a brothel running normal business."
Gu Chuan’s face was calm. "Any reply from Linjiang City?"
"Not yet," the Chief Banner replied, "It’s too soon. Even if they do reply, it won’t be this quick. Our former base here was destroyed, the carrier pigeons can’t find their way, so news transmission isn’t timely."
Gu Chuan said slowly, "Delayed news doesn’t matter as long as we can send messages. What I fear is trouble in Linjiang City. Linjiang is definitely more dangerous now—either it’s all been cleared or reinforcements are coming!"
The Chief Banner wondered aloud, "But it’s still in the city, shouldn’t be that bad..."
Gu Chuan shook his head slightly, "Two days ago, those two Innate Experts who came at me alongside Yao Chen were Luo Bingsheng and Luo Family’s patriarch Luo Fang. That masked squad was also Luo Family people.
Luo Bingsheng is going all in, pulling the entire Luo Family into this. He’d only do that for one reason—he’s already clashed with Gu Zhan in Linjiang City, and he couldn’t beat Gu Zhan.
He’s a Thousand Households, too obvious a target. As long as Gu Zhan leaves no evidence, he wouldn’t dare act in the city. So he must have left his trusted aides to assist the Celestial Water Gang in attacking Gu Zhan, while he personally led the Luo Family against me.
By his plan, the timing should be just about right. So he intentionally let you find his location. Tonight, either Gu Zhan leads the Embroidered Uniform Guard to support us, or the Celestial Water Gang closes in to counterattack us!"
The Chief Banner was startled, "Sir, you mean, them revealing their hiding place to us—it was intentional?"
Gu Chuan nodded. "The Celestial Water Gang has roots here in Changling Town. It wouldn’t be so easy to find them."
"So... now?"
Gu Chuan’s voice turned grim. "No matter who comes tonight, this battle must be fought. Either Luo Bingsheng falls, or I fall. There’s no third outcome!"
With that,
Gu Chuan waved his hand. "Call the men. Head for Qinghua Street Market!"
...
Changling Town never sleeps. In fact, at night, it’s even livelier than by day. Even with the turmoil of the past few days, nightfall still brought bustle.
Qinghua Street Market is one of the larger marketplaces,
From dusk onward, all sorts of night vendors appeared.
But,
Just as the night market started,
Suddenly the Embroidered Uniform Guard appeared outside Qinghua Street Market in force, the countless Flying Fish Robes and Brocade Spring Sabers glinting under the night’s lanterns—so wild and oppressive,
The stamping footsteps and the sound of sabers being drawn sent chills through people’s hearts.
In an instant,
The once noisy, lively night market emptied out.
At the same moment,
Masked Martial World toughs appeared all over the alleys and streets, all with solemn faces, none speaking—a silence broken only by the howling wind and crackling of torches.
Meanwhile,
Inside a brothel,
The Celestial Water Gang’s Gang Leader Yao Chen gripped a long sword, leaping from the rooftop, and at the same time, two masked figures stepped down onto snowy tiles from the roof of a street-side building.
Gu Chuan stormed into the street with the Embroidered Uniform Guard,
He sized up Yao Chen, then looked at the two masked men, laughed coldly without speaking,
Though masked, they were all old acquaintances.
One was Thousand Households Luo Bingsheng, the other was Luo Family’s patriarch Luo Fang.
"Lord Gu!"
At that moment, masked Luo Bingsheng suddenly said, "Why persist so? You have bright prospects ahead, no need to waste them fighting to the bitter end in this tiny Linjiang County. You too come from a Noble Family, you should understand—your path means opposing all Noble Families. Even if you succeed here, elsewhere those powerful Noble Families and Clans won’t tolerate your ideals!"
Gu Chuan slowly gripped his sword hilt, his voice heavy, "I, Gu Chuan, have enjoyed the privileges of the nobles; I have no reason to shake their foundations, nor did I ever intend to oppose the noble families. But... this world is so vast, so much profit, why can’t we leave a last bit of light for the common people?
I’m not trying to fight the noble families. I only wish to hold onto the last shred of decency in this filthy world!"
Luo Bingsheng’s voice deepened, "But the Embroidered Uniform Guard have never been that last shred of decency!"
"I know."
Gu Chuan replied quietly, "But my Embroidered Uniform Guard absolutely are the last light of this world!"
A roar echoed through the darkness,
Gu Chuan, sword drawn!