Stronger by Killing

As the Great Xia Capital’s Taian City, it goes without saying that it is the most prosperous city in Great Xia. At night, it becomes a city that never sleeps, with thousands of lights illuminating the area, offering a unique charm.

It’s been some days since Gu Zhan arrived in the Capital City,

and it’s the first time he’s experiencing the atmosphere of this sleepless city.

The carriage moved along the long street,

and Gu Zhan couldn’t help but marvel inwardly. Although the times are different, this is a world imbued with immense power. The various magnificent buildings stand tall, with towering structures lining the streets, the crowd is like a sea, the splendor never ending.

Gu Chuan sat across from Gu Zhan, his brows furrowed, his expression very grave.

Gu Zhan, however, remained very calm, asking, "Will the Gu Family be able to withdraw from the Capital City in time?"

Gu Chuan nodded, replying, "Not a big problem. There is no curfew in the Capital City. With the energy of the Gu Family, it’s not a problem to send some people out. Moreover, since the Gu Family fully cooperated with Marquis Yun’s Mansion, my sister has already been preparing.

Additionally, although the Gu Family’s main force is in the Capital City, the ancestral land has always been in Qingzhou, so there aren’t many people in the Capital City. The main reason is because the Gu Family has fallen, despite relying on the Royal Family, our energy isn’t vast. Me being the Vice Minister is already the most successful position within the Gu Family operations, while the others are scattered serving as officials across the lands."

Gu Zhan chuckled lightly, "That’s rather good, being able to withdraw in time."

Gu Chuan sighed, "I’m just afraid of any accidents."

"No worries."

Gu Zhan chuckled without providing further explanation.

...

Outside Taian City, a group of people and horses were gathering in a town, led by the higher-ups of the Gu Family.

Several elders approached Gai Qingcheng’s carriage, gazing towards Taian City, sighing, "With this withdrawal, the foundation the Gu Family planned over the years in the Capital City is gone overnight!"

Gai Qingcheng lifted the carriage curtain, glanced at the elders, and said softly, "Elders, the Gu Family’s endeavors in the Capital City these years were merely trying to survive in a narrow gap. Losing it is not regrettable. Hesitation in the face of decision leads to extermination, which is even less regrettable!"

An elder frowned, "Patriarch, with this departure, the Gu Family is fully betting on Marquis Yun, yet the Marquis’s character is overly domineering and reckless.

Just today’s matter alone—mobilizing the Hu Ben Battalion, such an enormous decision was made in a single word by him, without consulting us. Such a character... sigh, it’s beyond words!"

"I think it’s quite good," Gai Qingcheng said. "Although the Xia Kingdom is temporarily peaceful, that is only for the moment. The forces everywhere have reached a final moment before reshuffling, and with an Iron-Blooded Empress emerging from Southern Jin, the three-nation structure is bound to change.

Chaos is inevitable. In such times, what we need isn’t a wise ruler during peacetime, but a powerful leader who can carve out a realm amidst the chaos. Marquis Yun’s character is not a flaw but an advantage. Only someone unaffected by subordinate factions’ influences can be a true leader in chaotic times."

An elder of the Gu Family said, "But Marquis Yun always acts without considering consequences. Just like today, obtaining the Military Token, mobilizing the Hu Ben Battalion—this matter is truly too great, yet the Marquis doesn’t consider the consequences. If discovered by the Court, or... if it’s a trap, then..."

Gai Qingcheng squinted slightly, saying, "How do you know the Marquis hasn’t considered the consequences? How could you know the Marquis doesn’t have a way to handle the worst outcomes?"

"This..."

Gai Qingcheng waved her hand, saying, "In the future, put away those thoughts. Once you meet the Marquis, you will understand what kind of person he is. Don’t think about influencing the Marquis’s decisions. There’s no one in this world who can sway his decisions, and don’t consider him as merely a martial fanatic. Since the Gu Family has decided to rely on him, then we must be sincere!"

"Patriarch, if we fail..."

Gai Qingcheng squinted slightly, saying, "In the current state of the Gu Family, we have no right to consider failure. If we were to consider it, we should’ve considered the consequences right after the internal strife within the Gu Family. I am now just rectifying the aftermath of the Gu Family’s failures!"

At that moment,

The sound of horse hooves echoed from outside the town.

Gai Qingcheng stepped down from the carriage, adjusted her clothes, and said sternly, "Follow me to greet Marquis Yun!"

The higher-ups immediately followed Gai Qingcheng out of the town.

Upon reaching the town’s entrance,

A group of people and horses approached under the moonlight, slowly coming to a halt.

"Gai Qingcheng and the Gu Family members pay respects to Marquis Yun!"

Gai Qingcheng bent in formal salute, and the higher-ups of the Gu Family quickly followed suit.

Under the moonlight, it was very quiet.

From the carriage, a calm voice slowly emerged, "At ease."

With that voice, Gu Chuan quickly exited the carriage and gradually drew open the curtain.

Gu Zhan stepped out from the carriage,

his black robe swaying slightly in the night, with a Purple Gold Crown on his head, a calm expression, his features somewhat youthful, yet exuding a terrifying aura. The higher-ups of the Gu Family who met Gu Zhan’s gaze involuntarily bowed lower, not daring to make eye contact with him.

Gu Zhan approached Gai Qingcheng and asked, "Have all the Gu Family members come out?"

Gai Qingcheng hurriedly replied, "Thanks to Marquis’s concern, the Gu Family never had a solid foundation in the Capital City. There were never many people, and over this period, many have already been withdrawn gradually, leaving only a small group now, and they have all been withdrawn."

Gu Zhan nodded slightly, "Then arrange two people to take me to Qixia Mountain, and the others should withdraw at the fastest speed."

Gai Qingcheng cupped her hands and said, "Marquis, although we now possess the Hu Ben Battalion’s Military Token, I am not entirely confident. The undercurrents in the Capital City are initially aimed at you, and I worry that this Military Token might be a deliberate setup; it would be better to have more people accompany you..."