Chapter 91: Innate Third Layer
Rong Yichu’s voice rang out powerfully, echoing in the main hall.
As he spoke, he stood up and proclaimed loudly, "The downfall of the Rong Family came first, then the great losses of the Six Great Families in South City followed. Are you still not awake, still lying to yourselves!
Yang Yuzhi and Wan Yan have already declared war against the noble families, the butcher’s knife is already at your throats, yet you still act self-important. Today they are using my lord as the blade, and all the noble families, for a bit of profit, are willing to run straight into it—this is only their first step,
Afterwards, when you all fight to the death with my lord, they will watch from afar, stoking discord, making the Six Great Families tear each other apart. Then, without lifting a finger, they’ll take all the noble families. Don’t think your influence in the Government Office is unshakeable, or that your dealings with the White Lotus Sect are a secret to them.
Right now, they’re only holding back since the noble families have not openly turned against each other. Once you fall step by step into their trap, it will be the moment they raise the blade and wipe out your families!"
A Wu Family senior scoffed, "You’re just making up doomsday tales. I think you’re just worried we’ll go after Gu Zhan for payback?"
"Payback," Rong Yichu sneered, "How utterly laughable. My lord’s battle power is unmatched; South City is like an iron fortress, united from top to bottom. Even if the Six Great Families join forces, who will conquer whom is still uncertain. But—can your alliance be as united as my lord’s in South City? A little provocation, and you’ll be fighting among yourselves!
I came today not out of fear, but because I care about the old alliance and wanted to explain the danger to my lord, to give you noble families one last chance. I really don’t want to be someone else’s knife. But if you insist on your path, my lord won’t hesitate to see it through to the end."
"However..."
Rong Yichu scanned the crowd and said, "My lord can advance and fight you, or retreat and join forces with Wan Yan and Yang Yuzhi. By then, forget the profits of South City—you might not even hold onto your own tiny plots. As for defeat, you know better than I do what it means!"
Once Rong Yichu finished speaking,
the faces of the Wu Family members changed. They all realized Rong Yichu’s words were very likely to come true.
But Wu Yang, seated at the head, showed no change in expression. He studied Rong Yichu with interest and said, "Exactly. Break and then rebuild, like a rebirth. Yichu, it has been a long time. Seeing you again today truly makes me see you in a new light. Congratulations—you have truly become a person worthy to stand on your own, not letting down the Rong Family’s centuries of legacy."
"Lord Wu flatters me," Rong Yichu cupped his hands. "I am just speaking frankly."
Wu Yang smiled lightly. "Then, did you ever consider that if my Wu Family is determined to settle the score with Gu Zhan, your visit today would be a walk straight into death!"
As soon as Wu Yang finished,
the hall instantly burst forth with several murderous auras.
Yet Rong Yichu’s expression did not change. He said, "My lord treasures loyalty and righteousness. Though I have done nothing yet for my lord, I am fortunate enough to be taken in as a confidant. If I die tonight in Wu Family hands, come sunrise, your Wu Family will be awash in blood!"
In that instant, the atmosphere became unbearably oppressive.
After quite a while, Wu Yang let out a light laugh and said, "Good, Yichu, the Rong Family’s centuries of history should be proud of you!"
With that,
Wu Yang stood and looked over the senior members of the Wu Family. "First branch, come with me to the Prefecture Government to meet Magistrate Yang. Second branch, follow Yichu and obey his directions. Also, immediately notify the other families—it’s time to decide absolute victory!"
The Wu Family, after a brief moment of shock, got moving all at once.
Wu Yang came before Rong Yichu, gently patted him and said, "Yichu, you’ve really grown up. When the Rong Family had trouble before and you came to see me, I refused because at that time you could not bring Rong Family back from ruin.
But now, you are already a mature head of your house. In your hands, Rong Family can regain its former glory. After this, I’ll call the other families together to support the Rong Family’s rebuilding with all our strength!"
Rong Yichu cupped his hands. "Thank you, Uncle, but though I appreciate your kindness, I am now under my lord’s command. The Rong Family depends completely on my lord. It’s not fitting to set out independently anymore, so I must decline your good intentions!"
Wu Yang said gravely, "Are you blaming us for ignoring the Rong Family’s troubles back then?"
"No blame," Rong Yichu said, "I just prefer to follow my lord, that’s all!"
"As long as you don’t blame us."
Wu Yang patted Rong Yichu’s shoulder, saying, "If ever you change your mind, come find me anytime. The Seven Great Families of ours are bound together; break the bone and the sinews are still connected!"
"Yes, thank you, Uncle."
Rong Yichu smiled, cupped his hands, and slowly turned around.
At the instant he turned,
the smile on his face vanished, replaced in a flash by murderous intent,
His mind kept replaying that moment when the Rong Family was destroyed—how he begged family after family for help, and how he was insulted by all these so-called kindred noble families,
His lifelong dignity—gone,
His lifelong backbone—broken,
His lifelong hope—shattered!
He could never forget that pain and despair,
He was like a drowning man, sinking to the bottom of the sea,
But even more unforgettable, when he was about to fall into endless darkness,
someone stepped out of that darkness, carrying a thread of light, pulling him up from the sea, and then said something that had no real meaning:
From now on, the Rong Family bears the surname Gu!
...
Tonight in South City, though the starry sky stretched for thousands of miles, everyone felt as if a storm was coming, so unbearably tense.
In streets and alleys,
martial men with weapons appeared everywhere, gathering together.
At the front walked Gu Zhan.
Those beside him were the high-levels of the South City Embroidered Uniform Guard and leaders of local gangs.
They all knew what was about to happen,
Everyone’s hearts wildly anxious and excited,
Last year, when the Celestial Water Gang attacked the Hundred Households Office, countless people were shocked by their audacity. No one expected that record to be broken again so soon,
Someone wanted to attack the Thousand Households Office—
How audacious!
Gu Zhan himself didn’t feel much. Gripping his blade, he strode toward the Thousand Households Office. In the darkness, the sound of weapons was constant, chaotic footsteps spreading everywhere.
As he walked, Gu Zhan summoned his system,
Checking the system page, his Experience Points had already accumulated to more than twenty-five thousand seven hundred.
Immediately, he began allocating points:
[Used 20,000 Experience Points]
[Innate Fierce Sun Skill upgraded to Third Layer]
[Current Realm upgraded to Innate Third Layer]
...
[Used 5,000 Experience Points]
[Shadow Arrow upgraded to Minor Success Level]