I Only Stomp on Weaklings

"It should be here."

Outside a not-so-wide alleyway, five people dressed in Six Gates official attire stopped, looking at the household at the innermost part of the alley.

Among the five, there are four men and one woman, two of whom have blood stains on their bodies.

The tallest man said, "Lord Gu lives in that house."

After he finished speaking, no one moved, staying in place.

The capable woman angrily said, "A bunch of cowards, if it weren’t for Lord Gu stepping forward today and holding off those two Third Grade experts, would you and I have survived? Now that Lord Gu is missing, do you not even dare to inform his family?"

These five are Chen Ming’s subordinates, ever since escaping danger, they have searched everywhere for him in vain, fearing he met a mishap. So, after leaving Six Gates, they prepared to go to his home to inform his family of the situation.

Zhang Dingce chuckled bitterly, "How could we forget Lord Gu’s kindness? It’s just that I always feel he probably won’t be in trouble, why make his family worry unnecessarily?"

Lei Chun sneered, "Don’t think I don’t know, you’re afraid of getting scolded. And have you considered, now the government office is in such chaos, who will take the time to look for Lord Gu? The proper way is to quickly tell his family so they can seek help. If you dare not go, I will go myself."

With that, she strode inside.

Deng Wei immediately followed, the other three thought she made a good point, and caught up, saying, "What reason is there to let you go alone? If Lord Gu’s family holds us accountable, we’ll face it together, after all, our lives were saved by Lord Gu. If beaten to death, there will be no resentment."

In noble families, failing to protect their master, leading to danger, only death can atone.

It is similar in Six Gates, when a direct superior meets an incident, as subordinates yet surviving well, this is a great dereliction.

If Lord Gu’s family holds them accountable, how can they be spared?

The five braced themselves and approached that residence, knocked on the door, and once they declared their identity, they were invited inside, coming to a courtyard where through a curtain, they saw a woman.

"What business do several of you have here?" The woman’s voice was pleasant, sounding young, with the demeanor of a noble lady.

Lei Chun asked, "May I know the relationship between Miss and Lord Gu?"

The woman behind the curtain said, "I am his... sister."

"So it is Miss Gu." Lei Chun said with a heavy heart, "Today, Six Gates suffered an upheaval, several thieves broke into the prison, after Lord Gu fought the two Third Grade thieves, he went missing, I’m afraid, he was taken by the bandits—"

Crash!

Something shattered.

"What did you say?" The woman behind the curtain exclaimed in a shrill voice, her tone urgent, then with a swish, the curtain was lifted, the woman flashed into view.

All five were stunned, what an astonishingly beautiful woman, peerless beauty, soul-stirring, yet now her face was pale, breathing hurriedly, trembled, "Where... did the thieves take him?"

Lei Chun couldn’t help but feel a moment of regret for bringing this beautiful lady to such distress, truly a sin.

She bowed her head shamefully, "I don’t know either..."

"When... did it happen...?"

"An hour ago—"

The peerless woman’s body trembled, all color drained from her face, almost unable to stand. A maid at her side stepped forward to support her, casting a fierce glance at them.

"Miss Xia, no need to worry, Lord Gu blessed by heaven... heaven will help him..."

By now, Lei Chun knew exactly the identity of this woman.

With such beauty, naturally she was the famed Money Gang gang leader’s daughter, the captivating Mudan. She was indeed Lord Gu’s wife.

Imagine her deep feelings for Lord Gu.

Rumors said her beloved was the unmatched prince, but now it seems mere nonsense.

Lei Chun felt more saddened, Lord Gu just married a lovely wife, now gone missing, his fate unknown.

"Alas."

She didn’t know how to console this Miss Xia.

The four men beside, dared not say a word, afraid of being abrupt to the lady.

"Qin’er, go... get my sword!"

At this time, Xia Mudan struggled to stand from the maid’s embrace, anxiously said.

Zhiqin pleaded, "Miss, your body has not recovered, you mustn’t!"

Xia Mudan gently said, "I just knew, when he helped me expel the Sword Intent inside me, he must have paid a great price, thus... fallen into enemy hands... I led to his ruin..."

She spoke as tears fell like rain.

Beside, Zhiqin shook her head desperately, crying along, yet unable to speak.

Xia Mudan wiped away tears, her expression gradually calming, "If Brother Gu meets calamity... I won’t live alone—"

Lei Chun was aghast hearing this, seeing her grief-stricken, determination in her eyes, blurting out, "No, absolutely not. Even if Lord Gu is in trouble, heaven forbid, he would never want you to do something foolish—"

She finished speaking, but seeing Xia Mudan’s indifferent expression, a strong regret surged in her heart; she shouldn’t have come.

Xia Mudan merely repeated what she had just said, "Bring the sword."

Zhiqin cried even harder but did not dare to defy her words, went inside, and brought out the "Dragon Abyss Sword."

After Xia Mudan received the sword, the Unparalleled Divine Weapon emitted a humming sound, as if sensing its owner’s will; within this sword’s song, there was a murderous intent.

She said, "Let’s go."

"What should we do?"

The five of them looked at each other, each seeing the other’s anxiety. They feared this Miss Xia would not find anyone and might seek a tragic end; then, they would be beyond redemption.

The five could only follow her lead.

Just as they stepped out of the courtyard, someone suddenly dashed in from outside, shouting, "The young master has returned!"

Everyone instinctively raised their heads and indeed saw the tall and handsome Gu Xianyu come from outside, all overjoyed, "Master, you’re finally back!"

Thank heavens!

The five were so moved they almost cried, previously suffocated by guilt. Now the storm had passed.

Xia Mudan stood frozen, staring intently at the approaching figure, her vision blurred, with only one thought in her mind, "Blessed Goddess!"

He’s alright, that’s wonderful.

Chen Ming walked over, looked at the five subordinates, nodded, and said, "Seeing you all safe, I am relieved. But why have you come to my house?"

The five looked at each other, all embarrassed.

Zhang Dingce, clever as always, quickly changed topics, "Master, where did you go? We thought you were captured by that bandit, we’ve been so worried."

"I’ll tell you all another time," Chen Ming glanced at the sky, saying, "Since you’re here, stay for dinner before leaving."

"This—"

Lei Chun instinctively glanced at Xia Mudan, feeling it inappropriate to stay; surely the master had much to discuss with his wife now.

Chen Ming gave them no chance to refuse, calling the overseer to make arrangements.

Then, he looked at Xia Mudan standing in the back, nodded, and said, "I’ve returned."

Xia Mudan moved slightly, then stopped, words of multitude condensed into a single statement, "It’s good you’re back!"

...

"Have you noticed, there’s something weird between Lord Gu and Miss Xia."

In the front hall, only the five subordinates remained; the maid withdrew after serving tea. Liu Yan spoke softly, seeing no one around.

The other four said nothing; naturally, they also noticed this.

Zhang Dingce glared at him, "You fool, yet you refuse to believe it. Clearly, the master had long returned, heard Miss Xia’s words, then purposely left and re-entered through the main gates, even ordering the servant to announce loudly. You couldn’t see this?"

Liu Yan didn’t believe it, "Then why didn’t the master appear directly? Anyone who hears such words wouldn’t remain indifferent. Alas, if there was a girl who cared for me unto life and death, my life would be worth living even if I died."

Lei Chun added, "Old Zhang, don’t speculate randomly. Quit saying baseless things."

"I wasn’t speaking nonsense; I heard it from the estate’s gatekeeper while visiting the latrines."

"Then why did the master do that?"

"You all don’t know," Zhang Dingce lowered his voice, "I have a sworn brother transferred to the Capital City, as you know. He wrote me a letter recently mentioning Lord Gu. Apparently, our Lord Gu already has a beloved and even rejected a marriage arranged by his family, which was a princess’s proposal."

Liu Yan exclaimed in surprise, "This really happened?"

Zhang Dingce said, "Absolutely true, otherwise, why do you think, with the master’s rare talents, he’d be sent to Xiazhou City? It’s all to account to the Prince for that."

"Bang!"

Suddenly, Lei Chun slammed the table, shocking the four men, her face filled with righteous indignation, "What about Miss Xia? She’s so deeply devoted to the master; could he truly become a heartless man?"

All four were utterly shocked, wishing they could rush forward to cover her mouth.

Zhang Dingce hastily said, "Watch your words, this is the master’s personal affair, not for us to interfere with! Whatever you do, don’t speak of this in front of the master."

"Speak of what in front of me?"

By mere coincidence, Lord Gu’s voice drifted in from the door, startling the five individuals with cold sweat.

They saw Lord Gu walk in, smiling, "What, do you wish to complain to me?"

Zhang Dingce, fearing Lei Chun might spill everything, hurriedly said, "Master, we have sinned."

"What sin have you committed?"

"We assumed you’d been captured by that bandit and worried for your safety. That’s why we came to your house, informing Miss Xia of your disappearance, causing her emotional distress, possibly stirring old wounds. This is entirely our fault, please punish us."