Stronger by Killing

In the land of Yunxi, the Government Office exists more as a symbol than for any actual purpose; thus, the Embroidered Uniform Guard is perpetually understaffed.

Take Pingyang City, for instance—only two Hundred Households, six or seven Chief Banners, and a dozen or so Advisors.

Still, Yunxi remains the most martial place in all of Yunzhou. Even though the Embroidered Uniform Guard is in decline, those two Hundred Households are barely up to standard—both at the Innate Realm in cultivation, though just at the Initial Mirror—but Innate is Innate.

The few Embroidered Uniform Guards sent to relay messages are local toughs of Pingyang City; their speed is quick, wasting little time in informing the upper ranks about the new Thousand Households’ arrival and his actions at the Hundred Households Office.

Heavy snow poured down in dense flurries,

The Embroidered Uniform Guard leaders from all corners of the city had a rendezvous at the street near the Hundred Households Office.

The crowd naturally centered around the two Hundred Households.

Both of these Hundred Households were locals—one called Wu Xiang, a burly, strapping middle-aged man; the other, Zuo Yang, a tall, slender elder. The two had spent years in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, earning much respect among their peers.

As soon as they met, Zuo Yang greeted with a cheerful smile, "Hundred Households Wu, have you checked with the Prefecture Government?"

Wu Xiang nodded, replying, "Checked. They say he’s from Canglan City. Hundred Households Zuo, looks like we’ve got an Overseas Chinese here!"

Zuo Yang stroked his white beard and said, "He’s a killer, no doubt. But to call him an Overseas Chinese? If he truly were, why end up in the Embroidered Uniform Guard? Anyone with a deeper background wouldn’t set their sights here."

"That’s true," Wu Xiang muttered darkly. "Judging by this Thousand Households’ methods, doesn’t seem like an easy fellow."

"He’s young," Zuo Yang snickered, "I’ve seen many like him in my decades at Pingyang City. Ambitious types arrive, eager to reorganize, dreaming of some grand enterprise. In the end, either they slink away in disgrace, or they get a dose of reality."

Wu Xiang asked, "So what will you do, Hundred Households Zuo?"

Zuo Yang grinned, "What will I do? He’s the superior—I’ll follow orders. However he arranges things, that’s how I’ll act. Hundred Households Wu, don’t go head-to-head with this sort of young blood. Let them have their way and everything’s negotiable. Cross him, and he’ll flip the earth upside down.

We’re serving in Pingyang City Embroidered Uniform Guard for what? For stability, right? No status to speak of, but unlike Martial World People, we don’t spend all day fighting and killing. We’re just muddling through—so keep the right attitude. Whatever the superior wants, we’ll just do.

You know what the Embroidered Uniform Guard is like. Let this youngster stir things up for a few days—he’ll quiet down soon enough. We’re just playing along. These newbies hit the Martial World fresh, full of ambition—just needs a bit of grinding!"

Wu Xiang nodded, "Hundred Households Zuo sees things clearly. Still, this new Thousand Households seems no ordinary sort. To chop down old Zhang, a First Grade Martial Artist, with one stroke—his cultivation’s not low!"

Zuo Yang chuckled, "Exactly. That’s why you shouldn’t challenge him. Look at Chief Banner Zhang—let yourself get chopped in half, now that’s not worth it."

"But what if he makes trouble?" Wu Xiang asked, worried.

Zuo Yang snickered, "Trouble? So be it. Worst case, we just swap him out for another Thousand Households. Didn’t we just change Prefect last month? Haven’t enough bigwigs died in Pingyang City each year?"

...

Inside the Hundred Households Office,

Gu Zhan leisurely sipped his tea. By his side, several half-clothed prostitutes shivered, not daring to make a sound; in the courtyard, a cluster of Embroidered Uniform Guards knelt, their bodies drenched in blood, refusing to move,

Because nearby lay corpses of those who did move, only to be chopped down,

Elder Huang quaked as he poured tea for Gu Zhan, his throat almost popping out,

He stole a glance at the young Lord Thousand Households, doubt seeping in—was this youth one of those infamous Martial World murder fiends?

Killing Chief Banner Zhang and Advisor Liu could be justified,

But those few kneeling in the snow, chopped down for merely shifting in the cold—there’s no real explanation for that,

It’s as if Lord Thousand Households slaughters for amusement.

Finally, a muddled chorus of footsteps echoed from outside the courtyard,

The two Hundred Households led over a dozen men inside,

Upon entering, everyone’s heart plunged,

The courtyard’s scene was unspeakably brutal!

"Greetings, Gu Qianhu!"

"Greetings, Gu Qianhu!"

The Hundred Households Office’s senior staff all bowed deeply.

Gu Zhan ignored them, letting them bow in the flying snow.

Gu Zhan took his time finishing a sip of tea, set the cup down, then slowly picked up a Horizontal Saber, gripping it like a staff while walking into the courtyard. As he went, he spoke calmly: "I am Gu Zhan, from Yundong.

Back in Yundong, I had some small reputation. Some called me the God of Slaughter, others the butcher. Some said I was loyal and righteous. As for what kind of man I really am, I couldn’t say."

The wind and snow howled, biting at exposed skin.

An Advisor, hunched over, could barely endure, quietly straightened up a bit.

And in that instant,

Gu Zhan turned, with a faint smile, walked to the Advisor, and suddenly swung the Horizontal Saber, scabbard and all, smashing it against the Advisor’s leg.

"Ah!"

The Advisor screamed, legs folding, collapsing to his knees in the snow with a thud.

The Hundred Households Office seniors shuddered,

They exchanged glances, a nameless terror rising in their hearts.

Gu Zhan lightly tapped the Advisor’s head and spoke coolly: "If bending is exhausting, then kneel and listen!"

With that,

Gu Zhan placed both hands behind his back, holding the Horizontal Saber, and started speaking calmly: "From now on, we’re all colleagues. To avoid unnecessary trouble, I’ll lay down a few rules."

While speaking, Gu Zhan suddenly kicked another Chief Banner in the leg.

A crisp "crack" echoed,

Bone broke with a clear snap in the quiet courtyard, the Chief Banner screamed briefly—then stopped, as Gu Zhan smacked his jaw with the Horizontal Saber, dislocating it.

"Crack"

Gu Zhan kicked again, breaking the Chief Banner’s other leg.

The Chief Banner collapsed, kneeling on the ground.

Gu Zhan said coolly: "I said, if bending tires you, then kneel and listen. Anyone else feel fatigued?"

As soon as he finished,

One Chief Banner went straight to his knees,

Soon, the rest followed, kneeling one after another.

Finally, the two Hundred Households exchanged a look, gritted their teeth, and knelt too.

Gu Zhan chuckled softly, walked under the eaves, sat back on his chair, and smiled: "That’s more like it. People need to be adaptable. If you’re worn out, just switch to a new posture!"

He finished, raised his teacup for a sip, then said slowly: "Now to lay out my rule. There’s only one—

My rule is the only rule!"