Stronger by Killing

Rong Yichu hurriedly said, "Lord..."

"No need to say more," Gu Zhan waved his hand and said, "How’s everything at Nangong?"

Rong Yichu said slowly, "Still recruiting soldiers, currently relying on the foundation of Sword King City and Moon Worship Sect among various forces, silver coins are not lacking, the Gu Family has sent people to help with training, which is acceptable. The only headache is the martial world’s influence is too strong, making army training and coordination very slow!"

"No worries," Gu Zhan waved his hand and said, "No matter how much training there is, it’s not as good as a few battles. The martial world people are used to fighting alone, but relatively, they adapt more quickly. Inform Nangong, whether they can form an army or not, gather them all. We are heading to Yundong for training."

Rong Yichu bowed and said, "Lord should also bring the Martial Arts Alliance."

Gu Zhan asked puzzledly, "Why bring the Martial Arts Alliance?"

"Assisting, to take control of Yunzhou!" Rong Yichu said slowly, "Since they plan against you, Lord, we will make it easy to invite the gods but difficult to send the gods away. You are the Grand General of Yunzhou, traditionally the entire Yunzhou army should be under your command.

After the White Lotus Sect issue is resolved, there’s no reason for the Court’s pacifying army to stay in Yunxi. At that time, Lord, you can use the excuse of restoring garrison armies to reshuffle Yunzhou’s troops, and then the Martial Arts Alliance will need to assist in secret, whether it’s intelligence or certain things that can’t see the light."

...

Gu Zhan values the swift and decisive use of troops,

After deciding to go to Yundong for battle, he quickly assembled tens of thousands of troops, heading straight for Yundong with great speed and a notable commotion.

In less than half a month,

Gu Zhan led the Yunxi Army to the Northern Territory, outside Dao Ma Pass.

At this time,

Outside Dao Ma Pass, over two hundred thousand Court troops were stationed.

As Gu Zhan led his army to Dao Ma Pass, he saw from afar a troop waiting, led by the old acquaintance Qin You.

"Marquis Gu!"

Qin You rode his horse to greet him, bowing and saying, "Knowing that the Marquis will arrive today, Marshal Ji specially ordered me to wait here."

"Thank you, Lord Qin!" Gu Zhan bowed in return.

Qin You waved repeatedly, saying, "It’s my duty. Now, why not go together to see Marshal Ji? Regarding the army you brought, Marshal Ji has already arranged for them, and someone will properly settle them."

Gu Zhan nodded, turned to Nangong Weiyang and Rong Yichu behind him, instructing them briefly, then rode forward with Qin You into the barracks.

Snowflakes drifted, the cold wind howled.

Qin You rode beside Gu Zhan, glanced at him, and expressed emotionally, "Marquis Gu, truly an extraordinary person. Since the separation in Yu City, it’s not even half a year, the Marquis’s achievements are astounding to me!"

Gu Zhan looked at Qin You, smiled slightly, and said, "Lord Qin praises me too much. My achievements are just personal bravery, nothing significant. Whereas Lord Qin’s dead-end plan could secure peace for the nation and be recorded in history!"

Qin You sighed lightly, allowing the wind and snow to hit his face, showing a bit of weariness. After a long silence, he said, "But the dead-end plan, I’m only half an executor. The actual planner is my disciple Yunzhi, only he..."

Gu Zhan narrowed his eyes slightly,

Yang Yuzhi was killed by Marquis Chengyang in Linjiang City, he was informed of this long ago.

His heart was full of emotions.

The dead-end plan began with Yang Yuzhi,

and ended with Yang Yuzhi,

spanning forty years, involving three nations, countless displaced, corpses scattered, bloodshed for miles, and ultimately achieving its goal.

But, Gu Zhan didn’t want to judge the plan’s merits, nor ponder its wisdom or folly.

He just felt simple emotion towards Yang Yuzhi as a person,

Back then,

When he left Linjiang City, Yang Yuzhi had secretly seen him off,

Later, in Yunxi, he gradually got to know Yang Yuzhi through exposure. As he uncovered layer by layer of Yang Yuzhi’s mystery,

Gu Zhan often felt,

according to the novel storyline he read in his previous life,

He should have been highly appreciated by Yang Yuzhi, brought into his Entry Level or be both teacher and friend, then carry the responsibility of fulfilling Yang Yuzhi’s aspirations, climbing step by step in this world, and during this process, he slowly understood the past grandeur of this guiding figure hidden in the small Linjiang City.

Perhaps one day, after suffering oppression, he would leave with words "Mr. Yang, I, Gu Zhan, won’t be an official anymore," or maybe in the face of some difficulty, want to give up, a gentle breeze whispers, silently asking "Mr. Yang, are you there?"

Of course,

These are just occasional musings and jokes by Gu Zhan,

His interaction with Yang Yuzhi wasn’t deep,

But neither he nor Rong Yichu could deny the kindness received from Yang Yuzhi, he had promised Yang Yuzhi, once successful, he would often return to Linjiang City to chat and drink tea,

Previously in Yunxi, he had exchanged letters with Yang Yuzhi twice, and agreed that once Yunzhou stabilized, he would personally accompany Yang Yuzhi to revisit old places, to Yunxi to offer incense to Mo Jingzhou and Bai Jiu’Er’s eldest sister,

In the end,

The next news from Yang Yuzhi was that he had already died in Linjiang City.

Snowflakes drifted, the cold wind howled,

Gu Zhan and Qin You were silent, saying nothing more,

they both knew,

Yang Yuzhi couldn’t have been unable to leave Linjiang City,