Chapter 69: Arrogant and Overbearing
Rong Yichu watched Gu Zhan’s departing back. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but no words came out. After a long moment, all he could do was let out a despondent sigh.
"Patriarch, what do we do now?" the guard asked.
Rong Yichu shook his head and said, "There’s nothing I can do either. Lord Gu’s stance is already very clear. And within the Rong Family, I don’t have the final say. I just hope things don’t get out of hand, but the family is definitely headed for major trouble."
The guard thought for a moment, then said, "It shouldn’t be too serious for now. Though this Lord Gu has a violent temper, facing Young Master Hao and the rest, he may not be able to stir up much trouble."
Rong Yichu shook his head again and said, "If it were just Lord Gu and the South City Hundred Households, honestly, I wouldn’t be too worried. What concerns me is Wan Yan’s backup plan. He can’t possibly want our Rong Family to simply clash with Lord Gu. He must have something else planned—just this small conflict won’t make much of a dent in our family."
The guard nodded and said, "It’s just that this Lord Gu doesn’t seem to know what’s good for him. Maybe he let early success get to his head."
Rong Yichu sighed and said nothing further.
...
Outside the meeting hall,
Ma Lang closely followed Gu Zhan, a trace of worry in his voice. "Sir, we just received word—Rong Hao is bringing a squad of East City Embroidered Uniform Guard and many Rong Family experts. We won’t have time to prepare. I could only notify the brothers to hide for now."
Gu Zhan narrowed his eyes, saying, "Hide? Who’s hiding? If Rong Hao dares to come here and take my men, I’ll let him try. I want to see if he’s really got the guts to walk out of South City with them."
Ma Lang looked confused. "Sir, you mean...?"
Gu Zhan’s voice turned grim. "Go, tell Chen Fei, Ma Long, and the others—everyone Rong Yichu just mentioned, you included, don’t hide."
Ma Lang was still suspicious and a little worried, but out of trust and faith in Gu Zhan, he didn’t hesitate. He immediately turned and went to deliver the message.
Soon,
Seven or eight top members, including Ma Lang and Chen Fei, had all gathered. Without exception, these men were Gu Zhan’s most trusted confidants and key power holders in South City.
Once they’d been notified by Ma Lang, none of them hesitated in coming.
Ma Lang explained things clearly—their actions had been secretly discovered and they’d all be facing prison,
Yet not one of them considered hiding,
Because, as Gu Zhan’s trusted followers, after sticking with him for so long, they all believed in his character. They didn’t believe Gu Zhan would abandon them, nor was he someone who’d sacrifice his men just for himself.
Inside the hall,
Gu Zhan and his men took their seats in turn. No one spoke.
Gu Zhan drank his tea at a leisurely pace,
and this nonchalance gradually calmed even his most nervous lieutenants.
Oddly enough,
These men had originally served Gu Chuan, later left to Gu Zhan. Although Gu Zhan was very young—even younger than some of their sons—the entire Hundred Households Office deeply respected him.
The main reasons were two: Gu Zhan’s God of Slaughter reputation—he’d earned his title in blood, making enemies tremble. Yet to his own men, it was reassurance—if the sky fell, he’d be there to hold it up,
After all, in any organization, a strong leader is the source of real unity.
Even if a herd of sheep is led by a tiger, it’ll dare attack a pack of wolves.
The second reason: Gu Zhan was genuinely generous,
To this day, Gu Zhan had never taken a single cent from his men. He’d often spend his own money on rewards; if a subordinate had a wedding or funeral, even if he didn’t show in person, his gifts would arrive.
Sometimes, the officers wondered,
With Gu Zhan’s generosity, he had fewer cultivation resources for himself. So how did his cultivation reach its current level?
Normally, higher-ups had greater cultivation than their subordinates, mainly because they hoarded more wealth—often by skimming from their own men.
But Gu Zhan was completely different,
Not only did he not take from his people, he’d even give up personal advantage for them at times,
So everyone could only chalk it up to Gu Zhan being a once-in-a-generation genius. After all, he invested so little.
Still, it was undeniable,
Gu Zhan had prestige—his God of Slaughter name inspired awe. None of his men dared overstep. But he acted openly, generously, and looked out for his own, truly winning hearts.
The hall was very quiet,
Before long, someone reported—the East City Hundred Households, Rong Hao, had arrived.
Soon, footsteps sounded outside the door,
Rong Hao entered with his men, displaying Wan Yan’s Identity Token. He said, "Lord Gu, by Thousand Households Wan’s order, I’m here to arrest those Embroidered Uniform Guards from your office who have committed dereliction. Please cooperate."
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly turned oppressive,
Gu Zhan’s men became solemn.
Yet Gu Zhan acted as if he hadn’t seen Rong Hao and his group. He poured himself a cup of tea, grinned at his men, and said, "Drink up, drink up—this tea cost me a fortune! Not everyone gets a taste."
"Thank you, sir."
The South City Embroidered Uniform Guards all saluted, then picked up their cups to drink.
Completely ignoring the East City Embroidered Uniform Guards.
Rong Hao’s face turned livid at the sight, ready to explode at any second.
Just then, the Rong Family Grand Elder placed a hand on Rong Hao’s shoulder, signaling restraint before stepping forward,
Pounding his foot on the floor,
In that instant, True Qi surged,
and every table, chair, and bench in the hall trembled.
The Rong Family Grand Elder clasped his hands and said, "Lord Gu, are you defying a direct order?"
Gu Zhan raised his eyelids and looked at the Grand Elder, replying flatly, "What position do you hold in the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"
The Grand Elder smiled, answering, "I am Rong Wanlin, Grand Elder of the Rong Family, not an officer—just..."
"Bang!"
Before he could finish,
Gu Zhan grabbed the teapot from the table and hurled it at Rong Wanlin,
As the teapot neared him,
A Rong Family Martial Artist behind stepped up, blade flashing to shatter the teapot,
But in that instant,
Gu Zhan slammed the table. His body flashed like a ghost, appearing before the Rong Family group. He clutched the martial artist by the neck and, amid their shock, gave a light squeeze.
With a crisp "crack!",
The Third Grade Martial Artist’s head lolled—dead on the spot.
The sound of blades scraping from their sheaths rang out,
The Rong Family drew their weapons one after another.
"Gu Zhan!" Rong Hao roared, "What’s the meaning of this?"
Gu Zhan tossed the corpse to the ground, gave Rong Hao a contemptuous glance, then swept his gaze across the Rong Family, pointing at Rong Wanlin and saying coldly, "What the hell are you? No office, no rank, and you think you can bark among my Embroidered Uniform Guard? What, are the Rong Family planning a rebellion?"
Rong Wanlin’s face instantly darkened.
Gu Zhan then kicked the corpse toward the Rong Family members, saying, "Drawing your weapons in my Embroidered Uniform Guard’s territory? Are you all blessed with ten heads?"
Men, arrest these traitors! Whoever resists—execute without mercy!"