Stronger by Killing

By dusk, the snowfall had lessened,

The streets were gradually filling with people, the city’s night market slowly coming alive. Along the long street, it was easy to spot Martial World People, weapons strapped to their backs, caked in dust and travel, gangs of three or five wandering the night,

In the street-side inns and taverns, raucous crowds shouted, drinking and making merry, while the gambling dens—already lit with lanterns—raged with even more fervor.

Of course, what most caught the eye,

were always those violent incidents,

For in this city, bloody events happened at almost every moment. Yet those living here were long numb to such things; at most they’d glance twice,

Someone brandishing a bloodstained blade swaggered off,

Someone else writhed and wailed in pain upon the snowy ground,

Passersby might only glance their way, then leave indifferently.

In the midst of the clamor, as darkness fell,

Pingyang City—a place teeming with monsters and dragons—slowly revealed its truest face. Ordinary folk, unable to adapt to such an environment, rarely ventured out at night.

On the long street,

Gu Zhan walked slowly forward, Wu Xiang, a Hundred Households, holding an oil paper umbrella for him, with a crowd of senior Embroidered Uniform Guard officers close at their heels.

Yet, the atmosphere was far from good,

Everyone kept silent, a sense of trepidation knotted in their chests.

Gu Zhan was headed to pay a visit to Vice Thousand Households Gu Yuanzhong. None of them wished to go along. With Gu Yuanzhong’s power in Pingyang City, a single word was enough to send any one of them packing—they had always been excessively respectful, never daring to disturb lightly.

Even when visiting for New Year’s or festivals, they would come bearing heavy gifts before they dared to enter.

But this time was different,

Though they’d only just met Gu Zhan, in this short time, they understood this new Lord Gu was a madman, brazen and unchecked,

The murderous aura he carried—just standing there—forced a primal fear upon all who stood nearby.

With someone like this, visiting Gu Yuanzhong, who could say there wouldn’t be trouble?

Yet, none could say no,

All they could do was grit their teeth and go along.

And so,

The group moved toward the Gu Mansion, their hearts weighted with dread and unease.

Soon after,

They arrived before an estate.

To call it a "residence" was not quite right—this was a manor, and a grand one at that.

Arriving at the main gate, one Embroidered Uniform Guard went forward on his own, knocking and relaying their purpose to the gatekeeper.

Soon, the main door opened,

A fat-bellied middle-aged man emerged, a tuft of goatee on his chin. He scrutinized the crowd with arrogance, and snapped, "What are you here for?"

Wu Xiang, standing at Gu Zhan’s side holding the umbrella, forced a flattering smile and stepped forward, tone ingratiating: "Third Master Yu, apologies for disturbing. Today our Thousand Households Office’s new Lord Thousand Households has taken office—he’s here to pay respects to Lord Gu!"

The goateed man sized up Gu Zhan, then tossed out, "Wait!"

With that, there was a "bang" as the door was shut in their faces.

Wu Xiang shuddered, hurriedly explaining, "Gu Qianhu, that man just now is surnamed Yu, he’s Lord Gu’s steward—a close confidant. So, everyone calls him Third Master. Normally, he’s way above us. That’s... how he acts toward us Embroidered Uniform Guard every day..."

Gu Zhan nodded slightly, saying nothing.

After a long wait,

At last there was movement, but not at the main door—the side gate opened instead.

There stood Third Master Yu inside, arms folded. Coldly, he said, "My master is listening to opera—tells you all to come inside and wait. Once it’s over, he’ll see you!"

Wu Xiang glanced at Gu Zhan’s face, hurried over, grinning, "Third Master, Third Master, opening only the side door—this isn’t proper. Lord Gu is the Thousand Households after all..."

"Thousand Households or whatever," Third Master Yu gave them a sideways look, "If you want into the Gu Mansion it’ll be through here. What do you take our mansion for, anyway? Count yourselves lucky we’re even letting you in—you think you deserve to have us open the main gate?"

Third Master Yu rambled for a bit, then said coldly, "Coming in or not? If not, then get lost—go wherever you damn want!"

With that, Third Master Yu motioned for the servants to close the door.

Just then,

Gu Zhan slowly turned and walked toward the side gate.

Third Master Yu gave a cold snort. "Thousand Households, huh? Doesn’t know the rules at all!"

Gu Zhan, Wu Xiang, and the rest suddenly realized,

This Third Master Yu was acting out because they hadn’t slipped him any bribe money.

Gu Zhan’s face creased into a faint smile. He walked to the side gate, looked at Third Master Yu, and said quietly, "This rotten little temple sure breeds a mean wind, and in these shallow waters, the old turtles come out in droves."

Third Master Yu’s face changed instantly, voice rising: "Close the gate! Any random stray dog wants to crawl into our Gu Mansion nowadays..."

Just then,

Gu Zhan suddenly thrust out a hand, seized Third Master Yu by the collar, and with a gentle lift, hauled that fat, bloated body up, dragging him out the gate.

Third Master Yu’s face flushed purple, struggling with all his might, bellowed, "What are you doing? What are you doing—someone! Guards! Quick—save me! Kill him!"

At once, a few Gu Mansion guards leapt forward, shouting and drawing weapons.

Yet, in that very instant,

From within the night, the flash of a blade glimmered,

In a split second, the guards froze—then, in the next breath, their bodies shattered into pieces. Blood exploded into thick sprays and mist, dousing Third Master Yu head to toe.

Hot blood streamed down Third Master Yu’s face and dribbled into his mouth,

His entire face twisted with terror,

"You... you... what are you doing? Do you know who I am? Do you know what place this is..."

Desperately, Third Master Yu kicked and struggled, panic drowning him.

At the same time,

The senior Embroidered Uniform Guard officers were thrown into chaos,

They hadn’t expected that Gu Zhan would just start killing, no warning, not the slightest prelude—they were wholly unprepared.

Yet, none dared speak a word.

Third Master Yu thrashed, shrieking hysterically: "Let go of me! Let go—what are you going to do to me? Are you tired of living—!"

Gu Zhan wore a faint, serene smile. Dragging Third Master Yu toward the main gate, he spoke softly, "I’ve never been in the habit of entering side doors. Since you’ve barred the main door, I’ll just open it myself. Seems fair, doesn’t it?"

As soon as the words left him,

In Third Master Yu’s panic-stricken gaze,

Gu Zhan pressed Yu’s head firmly against the main gate and smashed it forward with force.

"Bang"

A thunderous crash,

Third Master Yu let out a wretched howl, shrieking, "I’ll open— I’ll open—ah!"

"Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!"

Blood splattered everywhere as the door echoed each violent collision,

Gu Zhan, smiling, kept ramming Yu’s head into the door—

Once, twice, a third time...

"Bang bang bang"—the pounding was like a monastery bell stuck in its own echo; in the gloom of night, it was stifling and oppressive.

Especially the final "CLANG"—

Brains and blood burst and mingled, spraying out in a ghastly fan,

Gu Zhan shook his hand, eyes full of scorn, "Guess his head wasn’t so tough after all."