On the upper floor of a restaurant in Changning Fang, several martial men carrying machetes were accompanying a man in blue robes. The man in blue stood silently at the window, gazing quietly at the lively and colorful street below.
At his waist hung a long sword. His figure was somewhat thin, and he did not quite look like a brawler of the Martial World. Rather, he seemed more a private tutor, somewhat out of place with the surroundings.
Yet this man was Xing Kuan, one of the Four Great Squad Leaders of the Celestial Water Gang, famed throughout Linjiang City, nicknamed the Broken Sword Scholar in the martial world. Anyone who made a name for themselves in this world was never simple.
This Xing Kuan was far from ordinary,
Rumor had it he'd served many years in the Celestial Water Gang, always acting as a staff officer at the Gang Leader's side, offering strategies and counsel. Only after the gang stabilized did the Gang Leader defy opposition and make him a Squad Leader.
Many longed to see this scholar make a fool of himself,
But no one expected that this scholar, always seen with a book in hand, would suddenly wield a broken sword and walk the martial world, subduing a crowd of subordinates in a very short time. He even expanded his own territory several times over, becoming the largest of the four great sub-branches.
His claim to fame was when he single-handedly faced three Fourth Grades, crushing three gangs at odds with the Celestial Water Gang. After that battle, the name Broken Sword Scholar resounded through Linjiang City and has stood firm for many years.
"Father." A young man with a longsword at his waist came up from below, cupping his fist. "Lei Yun and Gu Zhan have already started fighting."
This was Xing Ying, son of Xing Kuan, and his chosen heir.
"So Lei Yun has lost, hasn't he?" Xing Kuan asked with a faint smile, though his tone was resolute.
Xing Ying nodded and said, "Lei Yun's odds of winning are indeed slim."
Xing Kuan smiled again and said, "That old fool Lei Yun, ignorant of his own age, deserves this calamity."
"Father, aren't we going to help?" one subordinate asked in confusion.
Xing Kuan raised an eyebrow slightly. "Help? Why would I help? Help Lei Yun?"
Xing Ying asked, baffled, "Aren't we working with Lei Yun to kill Gu Zhan?"
"Indeed we must kill Gu Zhan, but not with Lei Yun as an ally." Xing Kuan sneered, "That old fox Lei Yun believes himself clever, stirring up trouble from the shadows, helping Gu Zhan find evidence against me, and then turning around to cooperate with me.
It's nothing but self-importance. He's already old, old and afraid of death. On what basis does he think he can work with me? The evidence he thinks he can get from me was something I fed him on purpose."
Xing Ying asked, "Why?"
Xing Kuan smiled thinly; thinking this a chance to teach his son, he explained: "Because I also have to kill Gu Zhan. But, unlike Lei Yun, Lei Yun believes I must kill Gu Zhan because Gu Zhan is constantly targeting our Celestial Water Gang. In truth, the reason I must kill Gu Zhan is because of Hundred Households Gu Chuan.
Gu Zhan is just a blade pushed forth by Gu Chuan, a prelude. He wants to use Gu Zhan to shatter the longstanding status quo of Linjiang City, to muddy the waters, leaving the government unable to put pressure on the Embroidered Uniform Guard. At that moment, he'll turn all force against our Celestial Water Gang.
And I do intend to break this blade Gu Chuan thrust forth, but the blade isn't so easily broken. A moment's carelessness will cost you dearly. That old Lei Yun fancies himself discerning, thinks Gu Zhan's death is simple, that I can toss a few scapegoats to take the fall and end it. He's senile—if killing Gu Zhan were so easy, I'd already have had him assassinated."
Xing Ying realized, "So agreeing to work with Lei Yun was just to make this an internal matter for the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"
"Exactly," said Xing Kuan. "Whether Gu Zhan kills Lei Yun or Lei Yun kills Gu Zhan, tonight they both must die. When they're both exhausted, let them perish together!"
Xing Ying asked, "But Father, how can you be sure that Gu Zhan won't fall into the trap? What if he does as Lei Yun calculated and comes to our Changning Fang?"
"That's impossible." Xing Kuan said, "Remember this in future: No matter who the enemy is, never underestimate them, regardless of status. You must study your rivals inside out.
This Gu Zhan may appear reckless, acting without care for consequences, but look closely at what he's done recently; weren't every one of his actions methodical? Whether killing Cao Feng, or later Liu Hong, or undermining Lei Yun, there was always pattern within the chaos,
Such people, if they grow, are truly terrifying—young, daring, good at fighting, and smart. Lei Yun is old. He can't be Gu Zhan's match; only he himself fails to see it. If he had any clarity, he would have withdrawn sooner. He thinks he's the hunter, but in Gu Zhan's eyes, he's the prey.
He believes he's outmaneuvering Gu Zhan, when in fact, it's Gu Zhan who's playing him. Since Gu Zhan has chosen to be Gu Chuan's blade, he must bring Lei Yun down. One must die. Lei Yun is an old fool—not Gu Zhan's match at all."
Xing Ying chuckled, "Still, Father, your skill stands above theirs. Aren't they all playing in the palm of your hand?"
Xing Kuan gave a slow sigh. "It's only a pity about Gu Zhan—he's truly a talent. If given enough time, he could have become a figure in his own right. A pity, what a pity. If he weren't with the Embroidered Uniform Guard, I'd gladly cultivate him myself."
With that, Xing Kuan shook his head and said, "It's about time. Pass down the word—get ready to cast the net."
Xing Ying cupped his hands, but as he prepared to leave, he hesitated. "Father, aren't our numbers a bit too thin? Even after a fierce fight, Gu Zhan's side will still have some strength left."
"No more can be risked. Gu Zhan isn't stupid, nor is Gu Chuan. If I mobilize too many, they'll be on alert." Xing Kuan shook his head. "But it doesn't matter. After this, Gu Zhan's power will be reduced to nothing. At most, he has two Fourth Grades at his side. This time, I'll take action personally."
At the mention that Xing Kuan would strike himself,
his son instantly abandoned all worry.
Gu Zhan might have risen swiftly, but his foundation was ultimately weak,
And he was completely led by the nose—sure to die, without a doubt.
...
The deserted long street, icy wind howling.
With a heavy "thud,"
Lei Yun crashed to the ground, chest spurting bright blood. He uttered a miserable cry, hurriedly pressed several acupoints to stem the blood.
But Gu Zhan's sword strike was ruthless, breaking apart Lei Yun's chest bones. Such a gaping wound couldn't possibly be stilled just by hastily sealing acupoints.
"My lord!"
"Lord Lei!"
Lei Yun's trusted men scrambled up in panic, some charging at Gu Zhan at once.
"Still dawdling? Kill!"
Gu Zhan roared, slashing with his Horizontal Saber straight at Lei Yun.
At the same moment, Chen Fei and the other Embroidered Uniform Guards, still dazed, finally reacted and joined in the attack.
[Experience Points +15]
[Experience Points +46]
[Experience Points +29]
...
Gu Zhan crashed forward, his Horizontal Saber in hand like the scythe of death itself, reaping lives again and again. In but a moment, he'd slain several of Lei Yun's most trusted men.
Yet this battle was not easy,
Although Gu Zhan's side had an overwhelming numerical advantage,
Lei Yun's true loyalists, though some had fled, were all drawn from his hard core. Enjoying the best resources normally, they were naturally strong, many being Fifth and Sixth Grade experts.
This battle was brutal and bloody.
Still, Gu Zhan's side held absolute advantage in the end,
No surprises arose,
Lei Yun's followers fell one by one,
When Gu Zhan reached Lei Yun, the old man's remaining attendants all lay fallen. Lei Yun slumped against a stone wall, terror filling his eyes.
He was afraid.
In his younger years, even faced with certain death, he would have felt no fear. But a long time spent in comfort slowly erodes willpower,
The longer the peace, the weaker one's resolve, the greater the fear of death.
As he watched Gu Zhan approach, blade in hand, his face was full of fear. "Gu Zhan… Gu Zhan, I was a colleague of your father for years, we were close as brothers. When you were a child, I even held you in my arms. Don't kill me, I have money, I can give it all to you, I…"
With a soft "squelch,"
The blade slit through Lei Yun's throat.
Upon that aged face was nothing but panic and confusion, those eyes still filled with terror and regret. Just like that, he collapsed lifeless to the ground.