Lingyang, Gu Family.

As soon as the news about Gu Shanyun returned, the top ranks of the Gu Family immediately burst into chaos.

In the council hall,

two factions were arguing so furiously their faces turned red.

"This is the biggest joke under the sun! If a lost clan member refuses to acknowledge his origins and return, that’s one thing, but to expect the family to subordinate itself to him? It’s just ridiculous!"

"If we really do as he wishes, won’t the Gu Family become a laughing stock in the Martial World? In the future, how will people talk about us? Not that the Gu Family lost a member, but that it was Gu Zhan who lost us instead?"

"If we truly submit to him, that’s the same as severing ourselves from the Pingyang Martial World. Being despised is the least of it—won’t every Martial World Influence then target us? We won’t even be able to take a step!"

"..."

The hall was filled with clamor, the atmosphere stifling.

However, there were still some who held different opinions.

"Actually, the Grand Elder’s suggestion makes sense. At the very least, if we take over the territory around Youyang right now, the Gu Family can get a significant amount of resources in a short time!"

Someone said angrily, "You think it’s that easy? Gu Zhan is a Saint! He doesn’t even want to return to his clan—do you think he’ll give us everything for nothing? Do you really believe he feels any sense of belonging to the Gu Family?"

"So we’re just going to let all those resources in Youyang slip through our fingers?"

"Hmph! Even Gu Zhan can’t hold onto them himself. Even if he’s with the Embroidered Uniform Guard and has the resources, he’s only one person. You really think the other sects and factions will just stand by and do nothing?"

"And besides, it’s still unknown whether Gu Zhan can get out of this alive. His strength is indeed beyond everyone’s expectations, but now that he’s flaunting his edge, can the various sects in Pingyang still tolerate him? What if they unite to settle accounts with him?"

"..."

The hall was a mess of debate, everyone airing their views, but no one could persuade anyone else. The argument was in full swing.

Up on the main seat,

the Patriarch of the Gu Family looked down at the disputing crowd with a helpless expression. After a long pause, he slowly spoke: "All right, everyone, stop for a moment."

With the Patriarch’s words, the hall quieted down.

The Gu Family Patriarch said slowly, "I know you all have your own reasoning. I won’t say more, just one thing."

He slowly swept his gaze over the crowd and said in a deep voice, "Just suppose Gu Zhan has already returned to the family—a genius clan member wanting to do something big, with a certain chance of success. Isn’t it right for us to support him?"

The hall fell silent,

and after a long while, a senior member said, "But he doesn’t want to return."

"Does it matter?" said the Patriarch. "There can’t be two ’Gu’s in one stroke. He hasn’t joined any other force. He’s still willing to offer his conquered resources to us. We can treat it as the Gu Family supporting a Lord with limitless potential, or supporting a member who’s entered officialdom."

After another silence, someone said, "But if we really agree, that means we cut ourselves off from Pingyang Martial World, standing against the entire region. The risk is way too high!"

The Patriarch said, "What the Lingxi Sword Sect did, all of us thought the risk wasn’t high."

The hall fell silent again.

After a long time, the Patriarch said in a deep voice, "Pick people—I will go personally to Youyang City!"

...

Xiushan Lu Family.

The news that the Lu Family Grand Elder was publicly slain by Gu Zhan in broad daylight, along with the massacre of several disciples, didn’t take long to return to the Lu Family, causing huge turmoil throughout the clan.

But, to the Lu Family disciples’ surprise,

even after such a bloody vendetta,

the Lu Family Patriarch didn’t immediately order their members to march to Youyang City for retribution. Instead, he suppressed all opinions. For a time, the entire Lu Family was in an uproar.

In the Lu Family manor,

several senior members went to the study of the Patriarch of the Lu Family, Lu Shaoming, and met with him.

"Patriarch, I don’t understand—why are we swallowing this!" one senior said. "Gu Zhan’s strength really exceeded our expectations, but our Lu Family is no pushover. We must avenge this blood feud!"

"That’s right! No matter how strong Gu Zhan is, our Lu Family has Great Cultivators—and several Great Innate Martial Artists. If we work together, I don’t believe we can’t take down one Gu Zhan!"

"Gu Zhan murdered our Lu Family Grand Elder for no reason. Even the Sixth Young Master couldn’t say anything if we killed him. We are in the right!"

"..."

Lu Shaoming waved his hand and said, "Settle down, everyone, listen to me."

Public or private, Gu Zhan killed our people—there’s no letting him go. But you all saw the battle in Youyang City—his strength is among the very best in all Pingyang Prefecture. Even if we throw everything at him and kill him, what then?

By then, even if revenge is taken, the Lu Family will be crippled. On the surface, the Pingyang Martial World seems peaceful, but we all know every single person harbors bad intentions. They all act modest outwardly, but, if given a chance, who wouldn’t take a bite out of us?

And now, there are people from the Gu Family in Youyang City. The relationship between Gu Family and Gu Zhan is unclear. Who’s to say the Gu Family wouldn’t interfere if we go after Gu Zhan for an explanation? In that case, we’d suffer double losses."

The room fell into silence. Someone asked, "So we’re just going to let it go?"

Lu Shaoming shook his head. "Of course not. If the Lu Family Grand Elder is killed and we swallow it, how will the Lu Family establish itself in the Martial World from now on?"

Someone asked, "Then, Patriarch, what do you mean to do?"

Lu Shaoming spoke gravely: "Don’t forget, Gu Zhan is one of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. He’s holding a joint declaration for righteousness, but he must pay the price. Now that the Lingxi Sword Sect is nearly wiped out, which sect isn’t worried they’ll be next?

Besides, Gu Zhan has gotten too arrogant. The Lingxi Sword Sect’s issue isn’t resolved, and he unjustly killed our Lu Family Grand Elder. That’s the very reason we need. Our factions in Pingyang can pressure him with righteousness and force him to give an explanation."

The Lu Family seniors suddenly understood.

An Elder said, "You’ve already contacted the other factions?"

Lu Shaoming nodded. "Mountain Moving Sect, Changfeng Valley, Longmen Chen Family, and Pengshui Ma Family—their Sect Leaders are all heading to Youyang City in person. As for the Gu Family, they’ve come too, but I suspect they’ve already colluded with Gu Zhan. Their attitude is vague. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

But it doesn’t matter. Even if the Gu Family stands with Gu Zhan, they can’t protect him. Gu Zhan is already doomed—Lingxi Sword Sect’s fall made everyone wary, and no one can keep their eyes off the resources it left behind.

Whether it’s Gu Zhan’s actions or the wealth left by Lingxi Sword Sect, he’s already become a public enemy of the Martial World!"

A senior member asked suspiciously, "Actually, if we hurry now, we might still save the Lingxi Sword Sect!"

Lu Shaoming laughed softly. "Of course we wait for Gu Zhan to destroy Lingxi Sword Sect before we go. Otherwise, how could we directly split the inheritance left by Lingxi Sword Sect?"