Chapter 92: The Bigger Picture—What Does That Have to Do with Me?
In that fleeting moment,
Gu Zhan’s cultivation soared, instantly reaching Innate Third Layer, and at the same time, his Shadow Arrow technique evolved into the second form, Floating Light and Shadow.
Gu Zhan’s Arrow Dao,
was now completely distinct from postnatal archery, unlocking the full potential of the "shadow" aspect. This move allowed a single arrow to transform into nineteen phantom arrows, blurring the line between illusion and reality—making it impossible for opponents to see through it.
Gu Zhan took a deep breath, calmed his heart, glanced at the system page, then filtered out all those Yellow Tier martial arts:
Player: Gu Zhan
Realm: Innate Third Layer
Cultivation Technique: Fierce Sun Skill (Third Floor 0/30,000)
Skills:
Postnatal Fierce Sun Skill (Great Success)
Celestial Inquiry Three Slashes (Great Success)
Frenzied Lion Fist (Not Entry Level 0/1000)
Shadow Arrow Technique (Minor Success 0/10,000)
Experience Points: 736
...
In the darkness, more and more people were gathering,
torches densely clustered,
but Gu Zhan’s sight could pierce through the firelight and night, seeing extremely far.
This was a trait of Arrow Dao masters,
eyes that could disregard night and day.
As the main contingent assembled, nearly a thousand marched toward the Hundred Households Office, so vast even the long night seemed frozen, and the stars above appeared dimmed.
Tonight, the Hundred Households Office was abnormally oppressive.
All the gates were tightly shut, not a single Embroidered Uniform Guard in sight.
The deep night felt like a great beast lurking, waiting for its chance to strike.
Slowly,
from all directions, martial world men quietly appeared, each wielding a weapon—these were all from the Six Great Families.
At a street corner,
Rong Yichu, sword at his waist, stood waiting with closed eyes.
Soon, several leaders from the Six Great Families arrived almost simultaneously, heading straight to Rong Yichu.
"Rong Yichu, Gu Zhan still isn’t here—could it be that he’s chickened out at the last moment?" said a middle-aged man in embroidered uniform with a cold voice.
Rong Yichu slowly opened his eyes, frowned upon seeing the man.
That man was Liu Zifang, Grand Elder of the Liu Family, the highest cultivation in the Liu Family, rumored to have broken through to Innate Fourth Realm ten years ago.
But he had another identity—he was Liu Yijie’s grandfather, the Liu Family prodigy, who had just been killed by Gu Zhan earlier that night.
Rong Yichu hadn’t expected the Liu Family would send Liu Zifang to handle this matter at this time.
He looked at the other leaders,
and his expression darkened,
aside from the Wu Family,
all the representatives were people with direct blood feud against Gu Zhan.
Because tonight,
South City Baihua Building’s bloody battle—Gu Zhan not only killed many from the Six Great Families, but personally slew the young representatives of those families.
This feud, honestly, was not small.
Although noble families prioritized family interests, it didn’t mean they could completely ignore personal enmities.
Rong Yichu glanced at Liu Zifang and said, "Lord Gu is already on his way."
Liu Zifang snorted coldly. "Gu Zhan thinks he’s a big shot? Is he really going to make us noble families wait for him? I doubt he’s that important!"
"Then why wait?" Rong Yichu replied. "Since Elder Liu doesn’t want to wait, your Liu Family is free to attack the Hundred Households Office by yourselves. Lord Gu never told you to stand here and wait!"
"Rong Yichu, what’s your meaning?" Liu Zifang’s face darkened. "You’re the ones begging for an alliance, and now you’re so high and mighty, thinking the rest of us are Gu Zhan’s dogs like your Rong Family?"
Rong Yichu narrowed his eyes, staring at Liu Zifang. "Elder Liu, you’d better get one thing clear. It’s the Six Great Families who need something from Lord Gu. If you don’t agree, then we can just walk away. Do you think Lord Gu actually wants to cooperate with you?"
Seeing the two were about to explode, Second Master Wu—the Wu Family leader—quickly stepped in to mediate. "Grand Elder Liu, nephew Yichu, let’s talk calmly. We’re allies now, and any mistake could ruin everything for us. Don’t start infighting—otherwise the enemy might seize the chance. You two represent your factions; if there’s discord, your men won’t fight as one!"
"Hmph," Liu Zifang snorted coldly, "Looks like the Rong Family are getting too big for their britches, not even willing to stand with us anymore!"
"Elder Liu, how can you say that," Second Master Wu hurriedly interjected, "If Yichu hadn’t worked things out between us, we’d all be walking into Wan Yan’s trap."
Liu Zifang sneered. "I don’t mean anything else, but they proposed the alliance. Now Gu Zhan’s nowhere to be seen—do they expect us to be his dogs? There needs to be an explanation!"
Rong Yichu raised his eyebrows. "Stop with the nonsense. You just want an excuse, right?"
"So what if I do?" Liu Zifang’s voice was cold. "Since Gu Zhan can make us wait for him, he should return the courtesy and wait for us. Tonight, he must make the first move—otherwise..."
"Otherwise what?"
At that moment, a cold, clear voice rang out from the darkness. Amid the blurry night, Gu Zhan walked out, a bow slung over his back and the Horizontal Saber at his side.
His black clothes were soaked in blood, exuding a terrifying murderous aura. With every step, the crowd felt an inexplicable pressure—as if the very air was freezing.
"My lord!"
Rong Yichu hurried forward to bow.
Gu Zhan nodded slightly, glanced at the family leaders, and said coldly, "Looks like you all have a lot of opinions about me. In that case, let’s just break up and return to our own families. Why are you still loitering here?"
"Please don’t be angry, Lord Gu, please don’t be angry!"
Second Master Wu quickly stepped forward and saluted, speaking softly, "Lord Gu, this alliance is imperative. Wan Yan is our common enemy—no need to let a few words sour things between us."
Gu Zhan snorted coldly, saying nothing.
Second Master Wu pressed on, "Lord Gu, the other families sent people...well, nephew Yichu knows—they’re all blood relatives of those you killed tonight. It’s not that they don’t want an alliance; they’re deliberately doing this to make you take the lead. Lord Gu, for the sake of the big picture, there’s no need to fuss. My Wu Family will fight alongside you—what do you think?"
"For the sake of the big picture?"
Gu Zhan sneered, "What does the big picture have to do with me? If I don’t want to fight, then I won’t. Let’s see if you families can handle the losses. If I remember right, your six patriarchs have already gone to the Prefecture Government, haven’t they!"
Second Master Wu paused, "Lord Gu, what do you mean?"
Gu Zhan chuckled, "Let me be blunt. This so-called big picture is your families’ business. If you don’t care about the big picture, why should I, Gu Zhan? Ridiculous!"
With that, Gu Zhan beckoned, "Yichu, call our people. Let’s return to South City and let them play their own games!"
PS: Sacrificing a friend’s little seedling of a book, ’Are you crazy—You call him a God?’
A modern urban novel.
Synopsis: Handsome rich young man—do you have what it takes?
Chen Nan, at his lowest point in life, is suddenly chosen by the Prodigal System, embarking on the relentless path of challenging everyone and everything.
With one shout from the heights, all respond.