Stronger by Killing

When Gu Zhan first heard those love stories with himself as the protagonist, he found them quite amusing. But after hearing them repeatedly, he was left speechless. Apparently, he hadn’t done anything in the past few years but fall in love, and the most absurd thing was the love-hate relationship he supposedly had with the Nan Jin Empress...

Gu Zhan was genuinely amazed. He muttered about the wild imaginations of the people of this era. He could understand creating stories with Gai Qingcheng and Qin Hongyi, these renowned young women, but to connect him with the Nan Jin Empress left him truly shocked.

After all, when the Nan Jin Empress ascended to the throne, he hadn’t even been born yet. And he, someone who had always been in the Xia Kingdom, supposedly had a love story with the Nan Jin Empress. Such an unbelievable thing was still circulated as if it were true.

The carriage slowly traversed the street,

Gu Zhan didn’t get off until he entered the Honglu Temple; only then did he alight from the carriage.

He was ushered into a manor under the escort of numerous Honglu Temple officials.

This manor was extremely luxurious and grand, with no less than a hundred servants solely to serve him.

After everything was arranged, all the officials from Honglu Temple withdrew and left.

A team of guards brought by Gu Zhan immediately began inspecting the manor and implementing security measures. Although Gu Zhan felt it was pointless, it was arranged by Rong Yichu.

Because Rong Yichu was still needed to oversee matters in Yunzhou, he did not accompany Gu Zhan this time to the Capital City. However, Rong Yichu’s managerial nature kicked in, knowing that Gu Zhan was recognized as the greatest martial artist, he still arranged a team of guards, including a Supreme Grandmaster arranged by Kou Baimen. She was her fellow apprentice sister, and before departure, Kou Baimen gave Gu Zhan a knowing look, and through the journey, Gu Zhan indeed understood.

Additionally, there were several Supreme Grandmasters drawn from Yunzhou Military and Martial Arts Alliance. If Gu Zhan’s own situation were disregarded, this protective force was indeed very powerful.

...

At night, under the full moon.

Gu Zhan was eating when a guard entered from outside, cupping his hands and said: "Marquis, there’s someone outside seeking an audience. He says his name is Gu Chuan. He insists that you come to greet him; otherwise, he won’t come in and will keep pestering. Should you meet him or have him driven away?"

A smile appeared on Gu Zhan’s face, as he quickly put down his chopsticks and strode out the door.

Upon reaching the outer courtyard, he heard a voice:

"Oh dear, I say, big brother, can you stop watching me like I’m a thief? I truly am a friend of your Marquis!"

"Oh dear, I say you’re so stubborn!"

"Do you believe I’ll ask your Marquis to dock your wages?"

"..."

Hearing this familiar voice, Gu Zhan’s face unintentionally broke into a smile as he said loudly: "The Gu Chuan I know is all serious and awe-inspiring. How come now you’re so carefree?"

Outside the door,

Gu Chuan, wearing simple clothes, was glaring back at a tall guard.

Upon hearing Gu Zhan’s voice, the guard finally stepped aside, bowing respectfully toward Gu Zhan.

Gu Zhan nodded and walked to the door.

Gu Chuan patted the tall guard’s shoulder, then ran over with arms wide open to give Gu Zhan a big bear hug. He hammered Gu Zhan’s chest and laughed heartily: "Amazing, brother! I couldn’t believe it, the little brother I recognized back in Linjiang City has become the world’s number one, it really boosts my pride. You don’t know, but I’ve been walking with such confidence!"

Gu Zhan smiled and said: "Well, I bragged back in Linjiang, if I didn’t achieve it, wouldn’t it be slapping my own face?"

In that instant, both recalled the scene from their last drink in Linjiang City,

They were quite drunk, with their arms around each other’s shoulders as they went to the brothel,

Gu Chuan generously said: "When you come to Capital City, if you encounter any trouble, just mention my name, Gu Chuan, it works here!"

Back then, Gu Zhan patted Gu Chuan’s name and said:

"When I come to Capital City, if you, Gu Chuan, encounter any trouble nationwide, just mention my name, Gu Zhan, I’ll cover it all!"

In a daze,

Both seemed to return to four years ago,

Back to that little Linjiang City,

During those times, going to the brothel together, fighting together, drinking together, peeing into the wind from a rooftop!

Gu Chuan looked at Gu Zhan in front of him, sizing him up for quite a while, his smile almost splitting his face, yet as he laughed, his nose inexplicably stung, and tears rolled down from his eyes,

He awkwardly wiped them away, hugged Gu Zhan tightly again, choking up slightly: "Brother, I really missed you!"

Gu Zhan gently patted Gu Chuan’s back, softly saying: "I’ve wanted to come to Capital City to see you for a long time!"

Gu Chuan wiped his nose with his sleeve, cheerfully turned and picked up two jars of wine from the ground, saying: "Alright, enough talking, let’s drink, this is real good wine!"

Gu Zhan pulled Gu Chuan and laughed: "Let’s go!"

Moonlight poured into the courtyard, the laughter was wild,

Their shadows, with arms slung over each other’s shoulders, stretched long and far.

Four years ago, Gu Chuan said: The brothers I recognize, whether human or ghost, I’ll back them!

Four years ago, Gu Zhan said: Wait for me to cover you.

Four years ago, Gu Chuan said: No matter the distance or difficulty, remember to come to Capital City and find me!

Four years ago, Gu Zhan said: Afraid of being attacked? I’ll fight back with you.

Four years ago, they fought back-to-back, and overnight Gu Chuan left three years of hard work entirely to Gu Zhan without a single linger. Upon departure, they made a promise, set a meeting in Capital City, and later, because of a letter from Gu Zhan, Gu Chuan spared no effort, pleading and beseeching to secure Rong Yichu’s entry into the Jixia Academy, then upon hearing how the Gu Clan looked down on Gu Zhan, he left home and never returned in anger!