Stronger by Killing

In the night, wind and snow swirled endlessly,

Within the vast residence, lanterns shone brightly, yet there was a faint air of ennui and desolation.

Gu Zhan settled into a small courtyard usually reserved for guests, bathed, and went straight to sleep.

From Linjiang City to Canglan City, he’d endured over a month of hardship and fatigue, encountering numerous bandits on the way, often forced into battles and killings, and after that hastened nonstop to this Pingyang City, going forty or fifty days without a proper rest.

He’d long wanted a peaceful sleep.

This sleep lasted till dawn the next day.

As soon as he woke and opened the door, he saw Zuo Yang and Wu Xiang standing outside, looking as though they’d waited for a long time but hadn’t dared to disturb him.

"Sir," Zuo Yang cupped his hands and said, "Breakfast is ready and can be served at any time."

Gu Zhan nodded, following Zuo Yang and Wu Xiang into a grand hall.

Gu Zhan began eating without ceremony.

Zuo Yang and Wu Xiang waited at the side.

After a few mouthfuls, Gu Zhan said, "Tell me the situation."

Zuo Yang cupped his hands and said, "To report to you, Sir: all members of the Guo Family have been killed. The servants and maids in the residence were screened last night—those who needed killing were dealt with, those to be dismissed have been sent away; only a handful with clean backgrounds remain."

Gu Zhan nodded.

Zuo Yang continued, "Last night, in our investigation of the internal affairs at the Gu Mansion, we found that Gu Yuanzhong was in collusion with many gangs, involving himself in things not to be seen in daylight. He used his position in the Embroidered Uniform Guard to shield those factions, participating in activities such as trafficking Five Stone Powder, slave trading, and more—shipping to all corners of Yunzhou, including Yundong and the Northern Territory. He even sold military weapons—a crime punishable by clan extermination. The involvement included not just factions, but also Pingyang Prefecture Prefecture Government."

Gu Zhan narrowed his eyes, giving a faint laugh, "No wonder he dared boast that all powers in Pingyang City would save him face."

Zuo Yang frowned, hesitating, "But, Sir, we may have some trouble now. With Gu Yuanzhong dead and so many interests upset, the gangs and the Government Office in the city will not let this slide."

Gu Zhan put down his chopsticks and slowly raised his head to look at Zuo Yang.

Zuo Yang’s heart leaped, uncontrollably flustered, anxious he’d said the wrong thing.

Gu Zhan gave a slight laugh. "Remember what I said yesterday? My rules are all the rules. If the Pingyang Martial World will not heed my rules, then we’ll cleanse it and change for a more obedient Martial World. If the Government Office will not obey, then... we’ll change the Government Office!"

Zuo Yang and Wu Xiang’s eyes flashed with shock. Sneaking a glance at one another, they quickly bowed their heads in silence.

"Continue," Gu Zhan said indifferently.

Zuo Yang went on: "The Guo Family has abundant properties, land deeds, money, elixirs, etc. The value exceeds two hundred thousand taels..."

"Have these items inventoried and catalogued in a report for me. Also, recruit a group of clean-background house servants to manage affairs for me," Gu Zhan ordered. "You two, each take five thousand taels in silver coins."

Zuo Yang and Wu Xiang were startled.

Both immediately bowed low, saying, "Sir, we did not contribute much; we dare not accept reward without merit..."

Gu Zhan suddenly raised his gaze, eyes cold as ice.

Both shuddered violently, promptly dropping to one knee and correcting themselves: "Thank you for your grace, Sir! We would not hesitate to go through fire and water for you!"

Gu Zhan nodded. "Remember, from now on, what I give, take it; what I don’t give, you know what to do.

You need not offer any opinions; this shall not happen again."

"Yes, Sir. Understood."

"This subordinate obeys."

After a long silence, Zuo Yang continued, "The Guo Family’s swordsmen were also screened last night. One hundred and fifty-three were kept and, per your instruction, recruited into the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Among them, three are Innate Martial Artists."

Gu Zhan nodded, continuing his meal.

Zuo Yang offered a box and said, "Last night, after you asked about Creation Skill, this subordinate searched the Gu Mansion. The Creation Skill has been found, along with several high-level secret manuals."

Gu Zhan glanced at the box. "Very well, leave it there."

Zuo Yang set the box down, continuing: "The rest are trifling matters, Sir—please rest assured, Wu Hundred Households and I will handle them. Those loyal to Gu Yuanzhong in the Embroidered Uniform Guard will also be purged."

Gu Zhan sipped his tea and said, "In the course of the purge, should there be casualties, all bereavement and settlement costs are to be compensated at the highest standard, drawn from the Guo Family’s assets. If that’s insufficient, report to me."

"Yes, Sir. Understood."

Zuo Yang cupped his hands and added, "Also, Sir, regarding the two maids from last night—this subordinate investigated. Their backgrounds are clean; no issues. I’ve arranged for the sisters to stay at the East Courtyard."

Gu Zhan nodded, letting out an "Mm."

Keeping canaries was a common thing. He’d kept some in Linjiang too. To be a man was to seek nothing more than strength, power, wealth, and beauty.

"That’s all to report." Zuo Yang and Wu Xiang bowed low.

"You may go." Gu Zhan waved a hand.

Zuo Yang and Wu Xiang saluted, then slowly withdrew.

The two tiptoed away, making it out of the small courtyard before both exhaled deeply, wiping cold sweat off their backs and exchanging a smile.

Wu Xiang sighed, "Our Lord Thousand Households truly carries a deadly aura. Just standing before him has me breaking out in a cold sweat, like wandering the border of the Ghost Gate!"

Zuo Yang wiped sweat from his brow and smiled, "They say it’s as dangerous being near a lord as a tiger—our Lord Thousand Households certainly lives up to it: his moods are unpredictable and hard to read. He’s really frightening; but he treats his own people well. Honestly, having mixed in these circles for decades, I’ve never met an officer so generous. Following him isn’t a bad choice. Besides, in these times, having a strong superior to rely on is actually quite good."

"True. Although he slaughters heavily, he treats his own fairly," Wu Xiang agreed. "At least he’s better than those who only make empty promises, right?"

"Exactly!"

...

In the main hall,

Gu Zhan put down his chopsticks and slowly opened the box,

The first thing to catch his eye was the Creation Skill secret manual.

Gu Zhan immediately began reading.

Soon, as the system recorded it, Gu Zhan’s face revealed joy,

This Creation Skill was far better than he had imagined,

Not just a single cultivation technique, it included paired martial arts—a set of Earth Tier Martial Arts called Creation Golden Body, complementing Creation Skill, a horizontal martial arts training method much like an enhanced version of Celestial Spirit Golden Body, able to boost both defense and strength, exceptionally powerful.

Only, the cultivation conditions assured that no ordinary person could practice it—unless one was cheating!

What surprised Gu Zhan even more was—

The theoretical twelfth floor of this cultivation method was also logged and recognized by the system as a valid cultivation technique.

The first five levels are Postnatal Techniques,

The middle five are Innate Techniques,

The eleventh level is the cultivation technique of First Realm Dao Realm Enlightenment,

The twelfth is the theoretical cultivation technique of Second Realm Dao Realm Mingzhi.

The twelfth floor was, in the source, merely theoretical,

But now, the system recognizes it as a true cultivation method, which means Gu Zhan could rely on this technique to cultivate up to Second Realm Dao Realm, becoming a Second Realm Great Cultivator!