[Experience Points +300]
The system's notification sounded in Gu Zhan's mind.
Right then, cold winds swept through the long street,
carrying an intense stench of blood—one fierce battle had just ended.
Around twenty corpses lay in rows across the street.
The Embroidered Uniform Guards began to clear the battlefield. Though victory was certain, it wasn't utter; Lei Yun and his loyalists fought desperately, inflicting heavy losses on the Embroidered Uniform Guards—a tragic toll.
But for Gu Zhan,
this was a decisive victory.
After tonight, he would firmly establish himself within the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
He'd also earned a substantial amount of experience points.
Just as he was about to check his experience points, Chen Fei walked over, glanced at Lei Yun's corpse, and let out a long sigh. After all, Lei Yun was his superior for decades, now left in such a state—feelings surged within him.
"Lord," Chen Fei said, "you actually didn't have to kill Lei Yun. He was a superior officer; besides, with evidence of his collusion and harming colleagues, the crime alone meant he wouldn't live. You taking action personally won't help your reputation when the word spreads, it'll also impact your career later..."
Gu Zhan waved his hand dismissively, saying, "Captain Chen, as far as I'm concerned, there's only one thing that affects one's career."
"What?" Chen Fei asked doubtfully.
"Strength." Gu Zhan said coldly. "In this world, only your own strength determines everything."
With that,
Gu Zhan motioned. "Pull back the team."
The Embroidered Uniform Guards—some carrying bodies, some helping the wounded—formed up and left.
Gu Zhan took this moment to check his system.
He'd accumulated a total of 854 experience points.
Now,
the wind howled, the cold night was deathly silent,
with a touch of desolation.
But out of that loneliness, a jumble of footsteps slowly appeared—the slap of boots on shallow puddles, the scrape of blades slowly drawn from their sword scabbards.
Suddenly, the wind seemed even sharper,
the night even colder.
The departing Embroidered Uniform Guards became immediately alert.
The footsteps grew more disorderly,
coming from all directions.
Soon enough, nearly a hundred somber-faced martial world men stepped out from every lane and both ends of the street.
Seeing people emerging from all sides,
the mood instantly grew tense.
Gu Zhan furrowed his brow tightly, slowly taking the Horizontal Saber off his back.
The Embroidered Uniform Guards surrounded their wounded, the rest forming battle circles—special tactics unique to the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Formed by as few as two men, up to twelve, making a Captain's squad.
Gu Zhan roughly counted. Right now, there were about twenty who could still fight, counting even Lei Yun's surrendered henchmen.
But now, that didn't matter.
Because they were all Embroidered Uniform Guards.
Facing a hundred enemies, their only choice was to fight side by side.
If a martial world gang dared block the Embroidered Uniform Guards, they came prepared to slaughter everyone. Otherwise, gathering crowds to kill Embroidered Uniform Guards—that crime, no one could bear.
"Lord Gu, I've long admired your name!"
Out of the black mass of people,
at this moment,
a man in green emerged, smiling, before Gu Zhan.
Gu Zhan recognized him: the infamous Broken Sword Scholar, Xing Kuan.
Xing Kuan made a respectful salute. "Lord Gu, honestly, your nature suits the martial world. Any interest in changing sides—joining my Celestial Water Gang?"
Gu Zhan squinted slightly. "Are you inviting me to be Gang Leader?"
Xing Kuan paused, then chuckled, "Can't offer you Gang Leader. I can give you Squad Leader!"
Gu Zhan smiled. "Alright, no problem. Shall we burn some incense right now?"
Xing Kuan froze, then managed a smile. "Lord Gu, you really are interesting. Unfortunately, tonight I can only invite you to die."
"Xing Kuan, you dare kill the Embroidered Uniform Guard? That's a crime that implicates three generations!" a Small Banner from the Embroidered Uniform Guard shouted.
Xing Kuan laughed lightly. "You all dying here has nothing to do with me, Xing Kuan. Clearly, it's Lord Gu and Lei Yun fighting—both perishing together."
Gu Zhan's expression darkened.
He got it.
Lei Yun thought himself clever, believing working with Xing Kuan could kill him. Actually, Xing Kuan never intended to cooperate—he waited for Gu Zhan and Lei Yun to fight, both to suffer, then swoop in to profit.
In the end, everything blamed on infighting within the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
The Celestial Water Gang would grease the wheels with Prefecture Government, clearing themselves entirely.
Lei Yun was seeking death from beginning to end.
And he,
was maneuvered by Xing Kuan, whom he'd just met.
As expected, a famed man never disappoints.
In that instant,
Xing Kuan suddenly snorted coldly, flicked a book from his pocket—it tore through the darkness, striking an Embroidered Uniform Guard.
A signal flare dropped to the ground.
Xing Kuan sighed. "This is just pointless. Frankly, even letting you fire the signal flare, the Hundred Households Office won't make it in time to save you. Why bother..."
Gu Zhan said, "Squad Leader Xing, honestly, I'm very interested in joining you all. How about discussing it? For instance..."
Xing Kuan paused, "Lord Gu, no need to stall for time..."
"For instance, I chop you to death!"
A metallic clatter shattered the street's silence,
Gu Zhan's Horizontal Saber, like a flood dragon unleashed, swung straight for Xing Kuan.
The thin blade rang out, bent and whipped like a steel rod, howling with the cold wind, snapping out with sharp strikes.
"Excellent saber technique!"
Xing Kuan laughed lightly, drawing the Broken Sword from his waist,
a crimson blade, about two feet long.
The blood-colored edge followed the saber, sparking brilliantly as it thrust toward Gu Zhan—a murderous aura, savage and close.
Gu Zhan's Horizontal Saber trembled slightly,
"Clang!"
A loud crash sent both men stepping back a few paces.
"Fifth Grade," Xing Kuan smiled in admiration. "Not bad, not bad. I heard Lord Gu just turned twenty this year—reaching Fifth Grade cultivation, wielding such skilled saber technique. Among Linjiang Prefecture's young talents, you've earned your place. Too bad... kill!"
At Xing Kuan's command,
hundreds of martial world men surged to attack, stirring the night and shattering its stillness.
Gu Zhan's brows tightened. He beckoned: "Comrades, follow me—fight through!"
No choice means no need for choice.
Twenty Embroidered Uniform Guards, forming battle arrays in groups—even those seriously wounded fought desperately, though their effect was negligible.
The martial world always has reckless men, many hoping for fame in action, more chasing vast profit—so, with Xing Kuan's order, a hundred men raised their weapons and charged from all directions.
"Kill!"
Gu Zhan stomped hard, cracking a stone slab beneath his feet. Several slabs shot up; swinging the Horizontal Saber, he slashed through them, sending countless fragments flying like shooting stars—striking crowds, triggering screams, several coughing blood and collapsing.
"Pftt" "Pftt"
Blood splattered everywhere,
amidst the chaotic shadows,
Gu Zhan fought his way toward Xing Kuan.
Xing Kuan smiled, "Lord Gu, so young and brave! Allow me to send you personally on your way!"