Stronger by Killing

A body lay on the ground,

The other Dong Family guards were all stunned with fear,

"Clang clang clang clang..."

In an instant, more than ten Embroidered Uniform Guards drew their sabers, mounting their horses, ready to charge toward the Dong Family gate.

Right then,

The gate suddenly opened, Patriarch Dong led the Dong Family elites out. Upon seeing the corpse, Patriarch Dong’s expression didn’t change; with a slight smile, he cupped his hands and said, "Lord Gu graces us with his presence. Forgive us for not welcoming you at a distance. My underlings lacked courtesy and showed neglect. I hope Lord Gu will be forgiving!"

Gu Zhan glanced at Patriarch Dong, expressionless, looked at the halted Embroidered Uniform Guards, and said flatly, "What are you standing around for? Smash the door!"

The Embroidered Uniform Guards hesitated, then hurriedly cupped their hands, "Yes!"

The next moment, several Embroidered Uniform Guards charged forward.

Patriarch Dong and the elites’ expressions instantly changed, with several rushing to block them.

And then,

A crisp "clang!"

Gu Zhan’s Horizontal Saber, which was inserted in the saddle, flew out, instantly cutting off several heads, blood splattering.

The Embroidered Uniform Guards dashed to the door,

Swung their Brocade Spring Sabers,

With a thunderous crash,

The Dong Family gate fell to the ground, raising clouds of dust.

Patriarch Dong and the elites’ faces darkened. They looked at the fallen gate, then at the headless corpses, rage swelling in their hearts,

Being killed and having their door smashed in public,

For a noble family, it was no different than being slapped in the face.

Patriarch Dong took a deep breath, suppressing his fury, and said, "Lord Gu, what is the meaning of this? Are you humiliating the Dong Family?"

Gu Zhan sat on his horse, looking down at Patriarch Dong, ignoring the Dong Family, tugged the reins lightly, and his massive black steed slowly advanced, directly ramming toward Patriarch Dong.

A Dong Family elite, furious, was about to make a move, but Patriarch Dong pressed him back with his hand. He sidestepped, suppressing his anger, and said loudly, "Lord Gu, even the Embroidered Uniform Guard doesn’t have the authority to break into private residences, does it?"

Gu Zhan once again ignored the Dong Family, rode directly past Patriarch Dong, slowly entering the Dong Family door,

The hoofbeats pounding on the gate resounded like slaps on the Dong Family’s faces, their expressions shifting between blue and pale.

The Dong Family elites, burning with fury, rushed into the courtyard,

At that moment, the courtyard was packed with Dong Family members, both direct lineage and guards and servants, all staring at Gu Zhan and his Embroidered Uniform Guards, the atmosphere heavy and suffocating.

Patriarch Dong led the elites inside, glaring at Gu Zhan on horseback, and shouted angrily, "Lord Gu, what do you mean by this? Do you really think the Dong Family is easy to bully?"

Gu Zhan, sitting on horseback, swept his gaze around the courtyard, and said flatly, "Who is the Dong Family Patriarch? Step forward and meet me."

Patriarch Dong froze,

So I’ve been talking to you all this time, yet you haven’t even glanced at me?

This disregard and contempt,

Made Patriarch Dong’s anger and humiliation boil inside. His face went iron gray as he stepped up, looked up at Gu Zhan, and said in a deep voice, "I am Patriarch Dong. What business does Lord Gu have with me?"

Gu Zhan finally leaned down, expressionless, and said, "Oh, so you are Patriarch Dong. Fine, you will now accompany me to the County Yamen."

Once again that attitude of disregard; Patriarch Dong could barely control his fury, took a deep breath, gritted his teeth, and said, "Lord Gu, shouldn’t you first explain why you killed and smashed my Dong Family’s gate? And with one word, you expect me to go to the County Yamen with you? The Embroidered Uniform Guard’s face isn’t that big yet, is it?"

Gu Zhan slowly sheathed the Horizontal Saber, his tone flat: "When the Embroidered Uniform Guard investigates a case, all related parties must cooperate unconditionally. That’s the rule. I came personally to investigate, and your Dong Family closed your door, even dared to speak arrogantly, making me wait outside. Shouldn’t the door be smashed? Dared to obstruct the investigation, shouldn’t those people be killed? What, is the Dong Family openly violating the joint declaration, intent on challenging the Pingyang Martial World, or provoking Canglan City, or dissatisfied with the Court, bent on rebellion?"

Patriarch Dong’s face grew darker.

Just then, a Dong Family elite shouted angrily, "Gu Qianhu’s authority is quite grand, but your posturing is enough in the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Coming to the Dong Family to show off? I’m afraid you don’t have the qualifications..."

"Pa!"

Suddenly, before the elite finished, Gu Zhan snapped his horsewhip out, so casually, yet the Middle Innate Martial Artist couldn’t evade, taking the full force of the lash.

The whip struck his face,

Knocking him to the ground, his face burning with pain, blood gushing out.

The Dong Family disciples cried out in shock, scrambling to help him up.

Gu Zhan bent down, looked at the battered elite, and said flatly, "When I speak, do you have the right to interrupt?"

With that, Gu Zhan straightened, sat tall on his mount, and said slowly, "Only this once. There will not be a next time. Remember, if I haven’t questioned anyone, keep quiet and listen. If anyone dares to interrupt again—it won’t be just a whip!"

As soon as he finished, a young man in the crowd shouted defiantly, "This is too tyrannical, isn’t it? This is the Dong Family..."

In that instant,

A flash of saber light swept past,

The young man’s voice was cut off, standing there with his mouth open, motionless.

Gu Zhan slowly half-drew his saber, then returned it to the scabbard,

"Bang!"

Just then,

The motionless young man’s face suddenly split into bloody cracks, then exploded into pieces, limbs flying, blood raining in all directions.

Panic erupted in the Dong Family courtyard.

Many young faces turned pale with fright.

Patriarch Dong clenched his fists tightly, and roared angrily, "Lord Gu, you are slaughtering people in public—aren’t you overdoing it?"

Gu Zhan spoke slowly, "When the Embroidered Uniform Guard investigates, obstructors are punished as criminals."

Patriarch Dong shouted, "And what crime has my Dong Family committed, Lord Gu? If you can’t give a reason, my Dong Family will fight to the death before letting you have your way—even if it means massacre and extermination!"

Gu Zhan looked at Patriarch Dong and said, "The Dong Family is suspected of colluding with the Mang Mountain Thieves, attacking Embroidered Uniform Guards. I hereby summon the Dong Family Patriarch and the elites to come to the Prefecture Government for investigation. Who has an objection?"

As Gu Zhan spoke, a terrifying aura burst from him, making it hard for everyone in the courtyard to breathe,

Patriarch Dong’s heart was seized with terror,

The God of Slaughter’s reputation—he’d heard of it: one man slaughtering dozens of factions,

But only now,

did he realize the God of Slaughter’s presence couldn’t be understood by imagination,

He was also a Great Innate Martial Artist,

But now, under Gu Zhan’s gaze, he couldn’t speak, the overwhelming killing intent making him tremble.

At that moment,

The frozen, oppressive atmosphere suddenly loosened,

Outside the yard, a calm voice sounded: "The Embroidered Uniform Guard needs evidence for arrests and killings. Gu Qianhu, do you have proof that the Dong Family colluded with the Mang Mountain Thieves? If not, you must give Pingyang Martial World an explanation!"

As that voice came,

A group appeared outside the Dong Family gate, led by a white-haired elder with a long sword on his back. With each step, waves of shocking sword intent emanated from him.