Chapter 68: Who Calls the Shots in South City
In an instant, it seemed as if an invisible giant saber emerged in the air, swiftly cutting through the dim night. After a thunderous crash, the stone wall shattered, stone debris violently rolled, carrying white ash and stone fragments fearfully swept to both sides, forming a deep trench several feet long.
The enormous roar alarmed the guards patrolling the Hundred Households Office, who hurried over.
"It’s nothing, I made a breakthrough during practice and couldn’t hold back!"
Gu Zhan emerged from the swirling dust with his saber in hand.
In fact, it wasn’t that he couldn’t hold back, but he had suddenly directly mastered two of the Celestial Inquiry Three Slashes, and couldn’t suppress the surge of emotion within, inadvertently causing such a commotion.
The tense guards breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Gu Zhan, initially suspecting someone had dared to attack the Hundred Households Office.
Seeing Gu Zhan was unharmed, everyone retreated.
Gu Zhan turned to look at the stone wall now with a large hole, then turned and headed towards another building, opening his system page as he walked:
Player: Gu Zhan
Realm: Innate First Layer
Cultivation Technique: Fierce Sun Skill (First Layer 0/15000)
Skills: Wind-Breaking Saber Technique (Great Success)
Big Goose Skill (Great Success)
Mountain-Opening Saber Technique (Great Success)
Jinghong Saber Technique (Great Success)
Cloud Platform Three Falls (Great Success)
Golden Bell Shield (Great Success)
Meteor Arrow Technique (Great Success)
Celestial Inquiry Three Slashes (Minor Success 0/5000)
Experience Points: 123
...
The original four thousand experience points were almost exhausted, but it was worth it. The Celestial Inquiry Three Slashes is a Profound Tier Middle Grade saber technique with immense power, and having directly mastered two slashes, it can even face an ordinary Innate Second Layer in a direct confrontation.
Although Innate experts generally cultivate Profound Tier martial arts, the higher the grade, the more difficult the cultivation. A Profound Tier Middle Grade martial art is quite challenging even for those at the Innate Realm with a cultivation of four or five layers, after all not everyone has a Golden Finger.
Most martial artists are unwilling to cultivate martial arts beyond their tier; it’s not that they don’t want stronger powers, but it’s too difficult to succeed. It requires remarkable talent and perseverance, let alone moving up in tiers.
Innate, like Postnatal, is also divided into three levels,
The Ninth Realm, divided into Lower Three Realms, Middle Three Realms, and Upper Three Realms.
Generally, martial artists like Gu Zhan in the Lower Three Realms cultivate Profound Tier Lower Grade martial arts, as cross-tier martial arts require high talent, demeanor, and will. Therefore, most people choose the standard path, though there are exceptions.
For example, Gu Chuan,
A Lower Three Realms Innate expert, but due to the Gu Family’s resources, he cultivates Profound Tier Middle Grade martial arts, which is why he can singlehandedly take on several experts of the same realm.
...
In the deep of the night,
After changing rooms, Gu Zhan prepared to wash and sleep. Just as he took off his official robes, there was a knock on the door, accompanied by a voice:
"My Lord, subordinate Ma Lang has a matter to report."
Gu Zhan casually put on a robe and walked over to open the door, asking, "What is it?"
Ma Lang saluted and said, "My Lord, Patriarch Rong Yichu of the Rong Family requests to see you."
"Rong Yichu," Gu Zhan muttered under his breath, then asked, "Did he say anything?"
Ma Lang replied, "He said it’s urgent and insists on seeing you. Given his stature as the Patriarch of the Rong Family, it’s unlikely he’d joke around at such an hour, so I didn’t ask further."
Gu Zhan pondered, returned to the room to fetch his Horizontal Saber, and said, "Let’s go meet him."
Soon, Ma Lang led Gu Zhan to a parlor.
Upon entering, Gu Zhan saw a graceful young gentleman sitting in a chair. His demeanor was very proper and his attire well-tailored, looking both delicate and handsome, something anyone would commend — indeed, a scion of a noble family, his cultivation and poise clear at first glance.
Rong Yichu rose immediately upon seeing Gu Zhan, bowed, and said, "Commoner Rong Yichu, greets Lord Gu. Forgive my abrupt visit, it’s out of necessity; I beg your pardon."
Gu Zhan sized up Rong Yichu,
Unable to find any fault in his behavior.
Comparatively, Gu Zhan’s casual attire made the disparity in presence all the more irreconcilable.
"It is an honor that Patriarch Rong visits, my apologies for not welcoming you sooner," Gu Zhan said sitting down slowly, "What urgent matter brings Patriarch Rong here, feel free to speak."
Rong Yichu sighed, saying, "I’m truly ashamed. My abrupt visit tonight is because our Rong Family is in a difficult position, impending conflict with you, my Lord. Yet, as Patriarch, I have title but no real power, unable to stop it, so I come first to apologize, hoping to mitigate tensions."
Gu Zhan slightly squinted,
Though unaware of the full situation, he had some guesses, inwardly sighing at these enduring powers — truly none are simple.
"Feel free to say it."
Then, Rong Yichu briefly outlined the Rong Family collateral line’s dealings with Wan Yan.
Afterward,
Gu Zhan raised an eyebrow, asking, "Since the Rong Family has decided to oppose me, why does Patriarch Rong seek me out now?"
Rong Yichu said, "My Lord, I do not support our collateral line’s decision, yet I can’t stop them, so I came ahead to inform you for two reasons: firstly, to express my stance against enmity with you, and secondly, to hope we lessen our conflict."
Gu Zhan slowly asked, "How do we lessen the conflict?"
Rong Yichu replied, "For the inconvenience brought by the Rong Family, I am willing to compensate afterward. Right now, I hope you can have your close aides hide, so if Rong Hao cannot capture them, he will seek other methods..."
"Ridiculous!" Gu Zhan snorted, "You’re suggesting I flee? Who does Rong Hao think he is? If he’s confident he can capture me, let him try!"
"My Lord," Rong Yichu hurriedly said, "I mean no disrespect, just hope to reduce conflict. In essence, this is Wan Yan’s scheme, and our Rong Family is also a victim."
Gu Zhan squinted, coldly saying, "Your Rong Family is coerced by Wan Yan, yet chooses to target me instead; what’s the logic in that? You think I’m a pushover?"
"My Lord, I am willing to compensate and publicly apologize..."
"No need."
Gu Zhan waved, interrupting Rong Yichu, "My reputation isn’t given by others, it’s carved out by myself."
With that, Gu Zhan got up and headed to the door, stopping to turn back, saying, "Rong Patriarch, I remember your visit tonight. I won’t hold the direct line accountable, but the collateral line, if they dare challenge me, they’ll learn,
in this South City, just who’s in charge!"