Stronger by Killing

Gu Zhan walked over to Gu Yuanzhong, sat down on the chair beside him, and crossed his legs, giving them a subtle shake.

Gu Yuanzhong signaled to the maid nearby with his eyes.

Immediately, two maids walked toward Gu Zhan and slowly crouched down, preparing to massage Gu Zhan’s legs.

Gu Zhan waved his hand and said, "Change to two clean ones."

Gu Yuanzhong was taken aback for a moment, then smiled faintly and instructed, "Bring the two new maids who arrived today, make sure to serve Lord Gu well!"

One maid bowed in acknowledgment and slowly left.

Soon enough, that maid brought over two graceful, beautiful maids. Judging from their appearance, both were quite young, perhaps not even of marriageable age. They both seemed very quiet, with faces that bore six or seven points of resemblance—each emanating a scholarly aura. That said, maybe it was all the papaya they ate growing up, because they were remarkably endowed.

Gu Yuanzhong chuckled lightly and said, "These are the new maids delivered to the Prefecture Government today, a pair of real sisters from a rich merchant family—true ladies of a great house. Their father begged me for a helping word or two, so he sent his two daughters to the residence. Both are still unmarried, and now, Lord Gu, they’re yours."

The sister maid duo, hearing this, quickly bowed with all the proper etiquette, then knelt one on each side of Gu Zhan. They stretched out their delicate fingers to gently massage Gu Zhan’s legs, though their technique was a bit rough,

but after all, as daughters from a noble family, they’d always been the ones being served. It was plain to see they’d only just learned a few tricks to please men in order to curry favor with Gu Yuanzhong—no surprise their movements were a little stiff.

Both young women were tense all over, a shy blush creeping onto their faces. Their instincts screamed to resist, yet they forced themselves to endure, letting Gu Zhan do as he pleased.

Upon seeing this, Gu Yuanzhong gave a mild smile and said, "Lord Gu, such a young hero—youthful and already so capable. In time, there’s surely a place for you in the Martial World."

Gu Zhan withdrew his hands, signaling the maid to pour tea.

One of the maids got up and poured Gu Zhan a cup of tea, carefully offering it to him with a gentle murmur, "Young master, please have some tea."

Gu Zhan accepted the cup, took a sip, and said slowly, "Lord Guo’s tea isn’t bad."

"It’s all gifts from others," replied Gu Yuanzhong, "I don’t know much about tea myself. Lord Gu, you’re the expert. When you leave later, take a few packets with you. If you run out, just send someone to the estate to fetch more."

Gu Zhan let out a soft chuckle, "Then thank you, Lord Guo."

Gu Yuanzhong smiled slightly and said nothing more.

The opera kept playing in the background,

Gu Yuanzhong closed his eyes slightly to listen. After some time, he asked, "Lord Gu, you’re so young yet possess such cultivation. Which school or sect are you from? And why have you come to Pingyang City?"

"No school, no sect."

Gu Zhan leaned against the chair and gently twisted his neck.

The maid who served tea immediately went behind Gu Zhan and pressed close, starting to gently massage his shoulders.

"Lord Guo, no need to probe," Gu Zhan said. "I have no background. I’m from Yundong Linjiang City. Shameful to say, I offended a big shot over there and couldn’t make a living, so I was forced to take over the Hundred Households Office in Pingyang City. Otherwise, with this godforsaken post in Pingyang City—so worthless even dogs ignore it—who the hell would want to bother?"

Gu Yuanzhong pondered for a while before smiling, "Lord Gu, you’re refreshingly straightforward. But no matter. Since you’re now in Yunxi, with your abilities, you won’t lack for a brilliant future. If there’s ever anything you need, just speak."

Gu Zhan laughed lightly, "Is Lord Guo trying to be the Martial World’s Rainmaker?"

Gu Yuanzhong chuckled, "I’ve got no other hobbies—I just enjoy supporting the young. Lord Gu, we’ve only just met, but I quite admire you. A man goes through life seeking only a few things—power, money, women. Lord Gu, these things, I can give you all of them."

Gu Zhan was briefly startled, then burst out laughing. "So that’s what it is! Lord Gu, after all these twists and turns, it’s clear you’ve taken a fancy to me and want to make me yours, eh?"

Gu Zhan gently patted the maid’s hand at his back, then touched the maid kneeling beside him, signaling for the sister pair to step aside. He grinned and said, "I, Gu Zhan, have been both a nobody and a local kingpin. I’ve hunted others to the ends of the earth, and I’ve been hunted myself, running a thousand miles,

I’ve met all kinds of people: masters so deadly they can’t help but kill, those with skill but no guts, wise men who can shape the land with a word, puffed-up cowards who look fierce but are hollow,

I’ve been called a brother by some, sworn enemy by others, a latecomer by some, and not as good as a stray dog by yet others. I’ve seen people high as clouds and as low as dirt. Everyone treats me differently,

But for someone who tries to take me as their subordinate...

Heh, Lord Gu, you’re the first. I have to say, I admire your guts. Still, I’ve got a word for you!"

Gu Yuanzhong chuckled lightly, "Please advise, Lord Gu."

Gu Zhan smiled, lowered his voice, and said, "Do you... qualify?"

Gu Yuanzhong’s expression didn’t change; he kept his faint smile. "Lord Gu, you’re young and ambitious, that much is clear. But in the Martial World, you can’t survive on hot blood alone—sheer bravery isn’t enough. This world isn’t just about killing. You must know how to adapt to the times, too."

Gu Zhan squinted. "Lord Gu, do you adapt to the times?"

Gu Yuanzhong laughed lightly, "In Pingyang City, there are at least twenty or thirty gangs who owe me some favor. Among the Prefecture Government’s officials, no less than a dozen or more rank under my command. Of the four or five hundred Embroidered Uniform Guards on the roster, more than three hundred answer to my word."

With that, Gu Yuanzhong turned his head, looked straight at Gu Zhan, and spoke softly, "In Pingyang City, with just a word, I can switch out the Prefect; I can switch out the Thousand Households. Lord Gu, you tell me—am I a man who adapts to the times?"

Gu Zhan took another sip of tea, slowly put down the cup, and replied just as slowly, "I think Lord Guo doesn’t adapt to the times at all—and already has a path to death in sight!"

Gu Yuanzhong roared with laughter: "Well said, a path to death! Lord Gu, you killed my steward, smashed my front gate, slaughtered my bodyguards—don’t you think you’re the one walking that path?"

With those words,

Gu Yuanzhong prepared to stand up.

But as soon as he budged, Gu Zhan pressed him down with a single hand.

"Lord Gu, leaving before the show’s halfway done is unlucky!"

Gu Yuanzhong chuckled, "Old age means I should rest early!"

Saying that, Gu Yuanzhong swung his leg at Gu Zhan. Instantly, a fierce wind swept through the whole hall; the faint roar of a wild beast echoed. Phantom wolf heads burst from the ground, howling as if they’d come alive,

But the wolf howl abruptly cut off.

Gu Zhan smashed a wolf head with one kick, pinning down Gu Yuanzhong’s raised leg.

"Boom!"

A huge crash echoed,

Half a foot thick floor tiles shattered into a web of cracks spreading out in all directions.

At the same time came a crisp "crack" of bones breaking.

Gu Yuanzhong’s face froze, cold sweat pouring down.

Gu Zhan, unhurriedly holding his teacup, chuckled, "The show’s not over yet!"