The New Year was approaching, yet there wasn't the slightest festive atmosphere at the South City Hundred Households Office of Linjiang Prefecture. Instead, the whole place, from top to bottom, was ablaze with tension. All day long, you could see the Embroidered Uniform Guard so busy their feet barely touched the ground, coming and going with murderous intent.
The jail at the Hundred Households Office was even more packed than usual during this time. Every day, large batches of people were arrested, and at the same time, groups of battered and bruised prisoners were taken out and dumped into the Prefecture Government's dungeon.
The entire Hundred Households Office seemed to have become shrouded in an eerie chill.
During this period, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, silent for years, once again regained their terrifying reputation in the Martial World.
Such a scene hadn't been seen for many years,
Once, the mere mention of the Embroidered Uniform Guard could stop night-time children's cries, but in recent years, they'd nearly become a joke in the Martial World, the first thing people thought of was that they bullied the weak and feared the strong.
Yet, this time with the Embroidered Uniform Guard's deployment,
many people of the Martial World were reminded once again of the fear that had once ruled them at the hands of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
During this period,
When the Embroidered Uniform Guards went out, all their backs were straight,
In the past, there were even jokes that the problem wasn't the Guards, but the people leading them.
South City Hundred Households Office, East Courtyard.
A squad of Embroidered Uniform Guards from the Main Hospital walked in, led by a Small Banner who was extremely humble in his demeanor, nothing like the usual arrogant air of those from the Main Hospital.
The Embroidered Uniform Guards of the East Courtyard didn't think anything was odd about this.
Because everyone knew very well in their hearts,
these Main Hospital Guards weren't being humble to the East Courtyard, but to the Chief Banner of the East Courtyard—the one the Martial World called the Little God of Slaughter. Now, he was universally recognized as the second-in-command at the South City Hundred Households Office. Hundred Households Gu Chuan had personally said in front of everyone that in his absence from the office, all matters—large and small—would be handled by this young Chief Banner.
In the file room,
Gu Zhan followed the Small Banner from the Main Hospital outside,
and in no time, they arrived at the Main Hospital itself.
By then, many people had already gathered at the Main Hospital. They were all elite members of the Hundred Households Office, as well as crack troops transferred from counties across Linjiang Prefecture during this period.
Gu Zhan also saw several of Gu Chuan's guests,
These guests hadn't joined the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but they were true warriors of the Martial World, all Upper Three Grades experts.
At first, Gu Zhan had wondered why these people hadn't been recruited into the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but after Gu Chuan explained, he understood.
Everyone's abilities and personalities were different—some were suited for officialdom, some were natural leaders, but most weren't fit for such things. Even with exceptional cultivation, that didn't mean they could lead a team. More importantly, since these people were highly ranked masters, it was unfitting for them to serve as ordinary Embroidered Uniform Guards—so after Gu Chuan won them over, they simply became guests.
At this moment,
The courtyard's atmosphere was extremely heavy and oppressive,
Gu Zhan sensed that a major operation was about to unfold.
Sure enough, as soon as he entered, Gu Chuan strode over hurriedly and said, "Brother Gu, intelligence just came in—Yao Chen, the Celestial Water Gang's leader, has taken a bunch of their top brass and fled the city in the middle of the night to escape the heat."
"I need to take people to intercept them right away. I called you over to let you know that once I leave, the Hundred Households Office is in your hands. Be ready to assist at any time, and be especially cautious about anyone taking the chance to purge the office while I'm gone. These days, you are the only one capable of shouldering this responsibility."
Gu Zhan had half a mind to go out with Gu Chuan to chop people down, but he knew this was unrealistic,
The real reason Gu Chuan spotted and promoted him as soon as he emerged was exactly to deal with a situation like this,
His main task, in other words, was to hold down the Hundred Households Office while Gu Chuan was gone.
"Rest assured, Sir." Gu Zhan cupped his hands solemnly.
Gu Chuan patted Gu Zhan's shoulder, laughing, "With you here, naturally I'm at ease. You're the only one I feel comfortable with. We may have people, but you're the only one who can hold the line. When I return in triumph, we'll drink to celebrate!"
After giving a few more instructions, Gu Chuan left with his men.
Gu Zhan stood at the office entrance, watching Gu Chuan and his group disappear into the distance before slowly turning back into the courtyard.
Chen Fei came up beside him and said, "Hopefully, Hundred Households Gu wins a sweeping victory. If we take down the Celestial Water Gang this time, cleaning up South City will be easy. With such achievements and Hundred Households Gu's background, he might actually force Lord Luo into early retirement—in that case, sir, you might really become the youngest Hundred Households in Linjiang Prefecture's history."
Chen Fei had been present when Gu Chuan made this promise to Gu Zhan, so he was in the know. As Gu Zhan's top confidant, he was naturally more eager than anyone to see Gu Zhan rise swiftly.
However, Gu Zhan's expression remained grim. He said, "I don't know why, but I just feel like something's not right. It all seems a bit too easy—too smooth. Don't you think so?"
Chen Fei smiled, "Sir, you might be overthinking it. The Celestial Water Gang is tough to deal with, but so is our Hundred Households Gu. This operation against the Celestial Water Gang seems simple and smooth, but truth is, it's the result of three years' planning by Hundred Households Gu."
"He's prepared for three whole years, accounting for every angle. With anyone else—even facing the pressure from the Hundred Households Office and the Prefecture Government—they'd have caved. Think about how many open fights Hundred Households Gu has had with the Prefecture Government lately?"
"The Celestial Water Gang has already been beaten nearly to ruins, and Hundred Households Gu has managed to offend virtually every power in Linjiang Prefecture in the process. This outcome was only possible by throwing everything into the fight—it really hasn't been easy or smooth."
Gu Zhan pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly and added, "Chen Fei, go inform Chief Banner Ma to keep a close eye on all developments, especially everything involving the Celestial Water Gang. Even if their brass has run, the middle-rankers are still around. Stay alert at all times."
The Chief Banner Ma's name was Ma Lang; at present, he was the only Chief Banner besides Gu Zhan left at the office. Strong in cultivation and at the Fourth Grade, he was one of Gu Chuan's trusted men, specifically left behind to help Gu Zhan hold down the fort at the Hundred Households Office.
...
After the New Year, the weather in Linjiang City didn't warm up. Ice still hung from the eaves, and any wind that blew by cut to the bone with bitter cold.
The next morning,
The biting wind howled colder than ever, and as the sky brightened, snow began to fall—growing heavier and heavier.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Suddenly, a series of urgent knocks startled Gu Zhan awake from his dreams.
"Sir! Sir! Something's wrong!"
Chen Fei's anxious voice came from outside the door.
Gu Zhan immediately got up from bed and opened the door. "What happened?" he asked.
Chen Fei hurriedly replied, "There's trouble outside! I don't know how it started, but there's been a massive brawl in the city. Just overnight, dozens have been killed or wounded!"
"Was the Celestial Water Gang involved?"
"No, not the Celestial Water Gang, but nearly all the second- and third-rate gangs in South City—any group with a name—are involved!"