Stronger by Killing

Ji Yi shook his head and said, "Could it be that he has no extraordinary talent? Could he not be uniquely gifted? Moreover, even if there truly is an inheritance, with the countless Divine Skill Secret Manuals in this world, why is it that only a handful of people achieve success and fame? Why is it that with the same martial arts, some are strong while others are weak?

Have you ever considered that perhaps what you call inheritance is just something very ordinary, and it is not the inheritance that is powerful, but Gu Zhan himself?"

The Ji Family Ancestor shook his head and said, "Gu Zhan, a person without even a Spirit Root, someone born into the muddiest depths, can he possibly be stronger than us? The achievements he attained with that inheritance, any random person from our Ji Family can surpass him!"

Ji Yi slightly closed his eyes and said nothing.

The Ji Family Ancestor continued, "Moreover, Gu Zhan is indeed strong, there is no denying that, but he cannot win. This is the Capital City, with the Ji and Lü Families joining forces, what does he have to win with? Furthermore, the Bright Temple and Cihang Sword Hall have sent two Fifth Realm Grotto Heaven Great Cultivators, how can Gu Zhan resist?"

Ji Yi sighed softly and said slowly, "Ancestor, the Xia Kingdom will perish at your hands!"

The Ji Family Ancestor chuckled and said, "You are wrong. The Xia Kingdom will achieve eternal glory in our hands. We will unite the world under the Xia Kingdom. Ji Yi, you still do not understand. Public sentiment has no meaning. The only thing that ever matters is true power.

As long as there is enough power, any rebellion will be suppressed, and any enemy will be defeated. Both Beiwei and Southern Jin will submit. The public sentiment you worry about is just a joke. The sincerity you speak of does not suit someone like Gu Zhan. People like him are lowly and with those inheritances in his hands, they can never realize their full potential!"

Ji Yi sighed and said no more.

...

After leaving the Imperial Palace, Gu Zhan returned to the Honglu Temple. Not long after, Gu Chuan, who had just come out from the morning court, came over with a bottle of wine.

Gu Zhan led Gu Chuan into a room,

Gu Zhan did not drink but directly asked, "Is there a Princess Anle in the Capital City?"

Gu Chuan asked in surprise, "You already know?"

Gu Zhan asked in confusion, "Know what?"

Gu Chuan said, "Li Anle is persistently pursuing Rong Yichu, wanting to make him her prince consort, and has even made a fuss with Your Majesty several times about wanting to annul her original engagement, and begged my sister for advice!"

Gu Zhan asked curiously, "And then?"

"You really don’t know?" Gu Chuan asked suspiciously.

Gu Zhan shook his head.

Gu Chuan said, "Then, nothing else happened. Rong Yichu was so afraid of Li Anle that he stayed cooped up in Jixia Academy for three months to avoid her and later slipped away to Yunxi without a word."

Gu Zhan chuckled lightly and asked, "Is there something wrong with Li Anle?"

Gu Chuan said, "Li Anle has a bad reputation, but that doesn’t really matter. It’s because she’s not satisfied with that reputation, so she’s been sullying her own name, but evidently, it’s ineffective. Her Royal Family status is there, and if they were really considering the advantages, the esteemed Du Family is not going to refuse to marry her just because she tarnishes her reputation.

In the past, the reason I always advised Rong Yichu to stay away from Li Anle was because at that time, Rong Yichu had no foundation or background. Provoking Li Anle could easily lead to big trouble. Actually, now it wouldn’t matter. Rong Yichu is now the Seventeenth Master of Jixia Academy and has you, Marquis Yun, Gu Zhan, backing him. The insignificant Du Family shouldn’t concern him."

After speaking, Gu Chuan asked suspiciously, "Since you didn’t know about her dealings with Rong Yichu, why did you suddenly ask about her?"

Gu Zhan slowly put down his wine cup, squinted slightly, and said, "I saw the Emperor today and found that he isn’t sick but poisoned!"

"What?" Gu Chuan’s face changed with shock.

Gu Zhan pondered, "Also, during my conversation with the Emperor, I noticed some issues. I suspect that he might be under control and is seeking help from me. He mentioned Li Anle, and I guess he should be indicating that I should find Li Anle to understand the real situation."

Gu Chuan’s expression turned grave as he said, "You mean, the Royal Family may be experiencing a coup?"

"Unknown," Gu Zhan shook his head. "But I need to meet with Li Anle. The Emperor wouldn’t seek help from me for no reason. This must involve me to some extent. He knows that if I knew the truth, I wouldn’t stand idly by, otherwise, he wouldn’t ask a stranger like me for help."

Gu Chuan whispered, "I’ll make the arrangements. Your target is too conspicuous. If this really involves you, many will certainly be watching your every move. Any sign of action could alarm them and ruin everything!"

Gu Zhan nodded and said, "Then, let’s drink!"

"Drink!"

...

In the Capital City, news of Gu Zhan’s entry into the capital was still bustling about, and the visits of the envoys from Beiwei and Southern Jin nations were also garnering much attention, causing a lot of commotion in the Capital City.

Gu Zhan stayed at the Honglu Temple for three more days,

During those three days, he, accompanied by Honglu Temple officials, toured every corner of the Capital City.

Meanwhile, Gu Chuan, as always, came to Honglu Temple looking for Gu Zhan with a bottle of wine either at noon or in the evening.

That evening,

Gu Chuan, as usual, arrived at the Honglu Temple with wine to find Gu Zhan.

As soon as he stepped in,

The smile on Gu Chuan’s face instantly disappeared, becoming extremely grave, and he said, "You guessed right. There really is something wrong with Your Majesty."

Gu Zhan asked in a low voice, "Found Li Anle?"

Gu Chuan nodded and said, "When we found Li Anle, she was also trying to contact us, and she had already been placed under surveillance. However, she doesn’t know much. She only received an oral decree from Your Majesty."