Stronger by Killing

The assembly of high-level members looked somewhat perplexed.

Ding Jianxiao cupped his fists and said, "Master, please give us your guidance."

Zhang Xuanche spoke slowly, "As things stand now, whoever acts first will actually seize the initiative. If Gu Zhan comes to our Lingxi Sword Sect, then he holds the upper hand, coming to our door to demand justice.

But if we go to Youyang City first, present ourselves with candor, and shift all the blame onto your uncle, Chen Ranfeng, then we hold the initiative. The evidence Gu Zhan holds would be just empty talk, and he’d have no way to drag our Lingxi Sword Sect into the water.

Moreover, we must be even more ruthless—proactively hand over all the relevant people. By then, Gu Zhan will have nothing more to say. However, there’s one point we must pay attention to."

Ding Jianxiao hurriedly asked, "Which point?"

Zhang Xuanche said slowly, "There must be a witness of sufficient status in this matter. First, to cooperate with us in putting pressure on Gu Zhan, making it impossible for him to flip the table,

Second, to make all of this completely public before the Pingyang Martial World, so that Gu Zhan can’t use this matter to hold our Lingxi Sword Sect hostage in the future. We can wash ourselves completely clean."

Ding Jianxiao suddenly understood: "I see. We need to take the initiative and define this incident as Uncle Ranfeng’s personal action, unrelated to the Lingxi Sword Sect."

"That’s right," Zhang Xuanche nodded and said, "However, this witness is extremely important—they must have enough standing."

Ding Jianxiao cupped his fists and said, "I can invite my father-in-law. He is the Grand Elder of the Xiushan Lu Family, and can represent them. He is also a Great Cultivator himself. Besides, Xiushan is close to Youyang City. He can arrive quickly and is trustworthy."

Zhang Xuanche nodded and said, "Indeed, he is the most suitable choice. After all, there’s a crucial step that comes next."

Ding Jianxiao said gravely, "Kill Gu Zhan?"

Zhang Xuanche nodded and said, "Someone like Gu Zhan—since we’ve made an enemy of him, only death or surrender remain. Surrender is impossible, which is tantamount to our Lingxi Sword Sect abandoning the Pingyang Martial World and getting drawn into a conflict over succession.

Therefore, it’s only a fight to the death. We need the Mang Mountain Thieves to act, but we also need a witness to clear us of any involvement. Whether the Sixth Young Master recognizes it or not, his hands will be tied."

Ding Jianxiao nodded, "Very well. I’ll notify the Mang Mountain Thieves: the ambush on Gu Zhan will take place after he leaves Youyang City."

...

Youyang City, County Yamen.

When Gu Zhan arrived in Youyang City, he directly requisitioned the Youyang County Yamen as the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s temporary base.

After the bloody purge of the Three Great Families,

The Embroidered Uniform Guard made a brief rest. Gu Zhan, in the name of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, summoned the leaders of the nearby third-rate forces to Youyang City.

In just two days,

Those forces who received the summons didn’t dare delay at all and rushed over at breakneck speed.

There were two reasons,

First, Gu Zhan’s cruel reputation for purging the Three Great Families left them too scared to refuse. Second, with the Three Great Families wiped out, a vast amount of territory and resources were up for grabs. The third-rate forces all wanted to seize the chance to advance further.

However, when Gu Zhan declared that he would lead the Youyang Martial World to demand justice from the Lingxi Sword Sect, the leaders of these third-rate forces were all thrown into a panic. Yet, under Gu Zhan’s might, they had no choice but to grit their teeth and agree.

That morning,

Gu Zhan had barely finished breakfast when Zuo Yang and Wu Xiang entered.

Zuo Yang cupped his fists and reported, "Sir, the personnel count is complete. The various allied gangs and small clans who came didn’t play any tricks and brought quite a few experts. That’s a bit unexpected."

Gu Zhan laughed lightly, "These people are all scheming. Do you really think they’d risk their lives against the Lingxi Sword Sect?"

Zuo Yang asked in confusion, "Then why are they here?"

"Just playing it by ear," Gu Zhan replied. "If I’m beaten by the Lingxi Sword Sect, they can always claim they were only there to clarify the issue of colluding with the Mang Mountain Thieves. As a renowned and righteous sect, Lingxi Sword Sect will naturally find a way to distance itself and not lay a finger on them,

On the other hand, if I win, they’ll immediately turn on the Lingxi Sword Sect. Not only can they earn the reputation of purging the Demon Dao, but they can also curry favor with me. As for the territory left by the Lingxi Sword Sect and the Three Great Families, they’ll have first pick."

Zuo Yang, still confused, asked, "Since they’re not of much use, sir, why bother?"

Gu Zhan narrowed his eyes. "The Embroidered Uniform Guard has too few people. When it comes time to wipe out a sect, I’ll need someone to help with the dirty work."

Zuo Yang and Wu Xiang both froze. The two glanced at each other, then shook their heads helplessly, feeling a touch of emotion within.

The current Embroidered Uniform Guard, as a whole, is already rather formidable,

But unfortunately, they’re saddled with such a bloodthirsty commander. Even basic tasks like cleaning up the aftermath are barely covered,

One can’t help but feel that an Embroidered Uniform Guard like this really has no reason to exist!

Just then,

Suddenly, there was a rush of hurried footsteps from outside. An Embroidered Uniform Guard rushed in, cupped his fists, and reported, "Sir, news just arrived from outside the city. People from the Lingxi Sword Sect have been spotted, now heading toward the city!"

Zuo Yang and Wu Xiang both froze,

The sudden arrival of the Lingxi Sword Sect completely disrupted their original plan. Both of them turned to Gu Zhan.

"Sir, what is the Lingxi Sword Sect trying to do?"

Gu Zhan raised his eyebrows slightly and said coldly, "I underestimated the bottom line of these renowned and righteous sects. If I’m not mistaken, they came here on their own initiative to pin all the blame for colluding with the Mang Mountain Thieves on Chen Ranfeng, that dead man, to keep the Lingxi Sword Sect spotless!"

Zuo Yang said anxiously, "Then, sir, what do we do? Do we just let it go?"

"Let it go?"

Gu Zhan chuckled, "Do I need evidence to kill someone?"

With that—

In that instant, Gu Zhan directly summoned the system:

Player: Gu Zhan

Realm: Enlightenment Realm

Cultivation Technique: Creation Skill (Eleventh Floor 0/1,000,000)

Skills:

Shadow Arrow Technique (Great Success)

Willow Leaf Flying Knife Technique (Great Success)

Creation Golden Body (Great Success)

Four Seas Returning Blade Technique (Entry Level 0/500,000)

Experience Points: 520,541

...

[Spend 500,000 Experience Points]

[Four Seas Returning Blade Technique upgraded to Minor Success Realm]

In a daze,

Gu Zhan felt as if he had become a blade,

It was a most peculiar sensation,

A state of unity between man and blade,

The blade is me, and I am the blade,

For that moment,

Gu Zhan seemed to have spent decades sharpening the saber as if it were just a day,

Training the blade, forging the blade, comprehending the blade,

One thought is the ocean, another the mulberry fields,

Clearly grasping that thread of saber intent,

That is Dao, and also blade!

In that flash of opening and closing his eyes,

Though he held no blade, he felt as if blades surrounded him everywhere,

In the very air,

It seemed as if waves were surging violently, yet vanishing in an instant,

The blade remains hidden, but once drawn, it shall kill!