Gu Zhan, led by that steward, arrived at a grand hall.

After verifying Gu Zhan’s identity, the Elder Council handed over all official documents and letters of appointment, followed a procedure, and summoned the higher-ups to announce Gu Zhan’s succession as Squad Leader.

The Beidou Sect Sub-Branch Squad Leader possesses, apart from the title of Squad Leader, official positions granted by the Court—several, in fact—including an Embroidered Uniform Guard identity: Garrison Advisor.

During the earlier confrontation with Liu Ziyuan,

Liu Ziyuan used this very status to suppress Gu Zhan’s position as Embroidered Uniform Guard Thousand Households.

The Government Office structure of Great Xia is unlike any dynasties Gu Zhan knew in his past life. Though there are similarities, the differences are profound.

Take the Embroidered Uniform Guard—for example,

Just within Yunzhou, at full capacity, there were three Garrison Commandant’s Offices, located in Yunxi, Yundong, and the Northern Territory.

However, thirty years ago, Yunxi Martial World signed the Cyan Gorge Covenant with the Court and abolished the Garrison Commandant’s Office, while the Northern Territory faded to nothingness last year when it was overrun by the White Lotus Sect.

Now, in Yunxi, the Court is but a symbol,

Though officially divided into twelve Daos, these are all controlled by Martial World Influences. For instance, Canglan Dao is dominated by Beidou Sect, and the Government Offices are now merely for show,

Yet, outwardly, the system still adopts the Court’s structure to preserve its dignity; for example, the Squad Leader of Kaiyang Sub-Branch will hold several official titles, with Garrison Advisor among them.

In name, the Garrison Advisor has authority over four Hundred Households Offices, presently corresponding to the Kaiyang Sub-Branch’s jurisdiction, centered on Pingyang Prefecture and its three neighboring County Mansions.

But in Yunxi Land, these nominal titles mean little; actual order is set by the ruling Martial World Influence.

When the procedures ended,

The Elder Council did not stay at Gu Zhan’s request and left directly.

Gu Zhan paid it no mind. After briefly instructing the sub-branch’s higher-ups, he dismissed everyone.

In truth, Kaiyang Sub-Branch had already been under his command; now that he’s been formally appointed, nothing truly changes. There’s no need for a new official to stir things up—fires from days past had already burned enough.

However,

regarding this appointment from Beidou Sect headquarters,

Gu Zhan found it baffling.

He never imagined the headquarters would let him serve as Squad Leader, for strictly speaking, he was only half a member of Beidou Sect; his Embroidered Uniform Guard identity was granted by the sect—so at best, he was only halfway in!

Besides, even if Beidou Sect counted his Embroidered Uniform Guard status as its own, his age and experience were insufficient to be made Squad Leader of a sub-branch.

"Brother Gu!"

As Gu Zhan pondered, Mo Beiyan’s voice came from outside the hall.

Gu Zhan turned to see Mo Beiyan entering, with a young woman carrying a long sword.

As soon as they crossed the threshold, Mo Beiyan grinned and said, "Congratulations on your promotion, Brother Gu! From now on, you’re among Beidou Sect’s higher-ups—a big figure across all Yunxi!"

Gu Zhan sat down slowly, poured himself tea, and said, "If something seems off, there’s trouble brewing. Brother Mo, do you really think this is something worth celebrating?"

"Heh heh," Mo Beiyan laughed sheepishly. "Finding joy amid hardship—isn’t it also an elegant pursuit?"

Gu Zhan gently slid the teacup toward Mo Beiyan and asked, "It seems you know something about the situation?"

Mo Beiyan nodded, pointing to the woman at his side. "Brother Gu, allow me to introduce: this is Ninth Sister’s personal attendant—Hong Zhu, a Great Cultivator."

Gu Zhan eyed the woman; she didn’t seem that old, maybe around thirty, and while her looks were plain, years of martial training had left her figure agile and graceful. With a long sword on her back, she appeared sharp and capable, radiating a heroic presence at first glance.

Hong Zhu promptly cupped her hands. "Hong Zhu, at your service, Young Master Gu."

Gu Zhan nodded slightly. "Please, have a seat."

"Thank you, Young Master." Hong Zhu cupped her hands again. "I’ll stand, if you don’t mind."

Gu Zhan could tell Hong Zhu cared greatly for propriety. He didn’t pour her tea, and simply asked, "Did Miss Jiu’Er send you to deliver a message?"

Hong Zhu nodded. "My lady instructed me to inform you both: Canglan City is about to undergo a major upheaval..."

Then, Hong Zhu detailed the conflict between the Eldest Young Master and Fourth Young Master within Canglan City, and the alliance between Bai Jiu’Er and the Fourth Young Master.

"Young Master Gu, the Eldest Young Master made you Squad Leader to lure you away—he may even make a move against you during the great battle between the righteous and the demonic."

Mo Beiyan frowned, looking to Gu Zhan,

but Gu Zhan showed no reaction at all.

Hong Zhu continued, "Sixth Young Master, Young Master Gu, my lady asks you both to decide for yourselves. Her sole aim is to rehabilitate the Bai Family’s name; she hopes you won’t get further involved.

With Pingyang Prefecture and the black market outside Canglan City as leverage, there’s enough for the Fourth Young Master to fight the Eldest Young Master to the death. Victory or defeat will be decided in this single gambit; my lady will do all in her power, and leave the rest to fate."

In the hall, everyone fell silent,

After a while, Mo Beiyan suddenly chuckled lightly. "I’d been afraid Ninth Sister had lost herself, but it turns out she’s already seen through it all. I’d worried for nothing, thinking she’d only care for supporting me and neglect herself.

Now, since Ninth Sister has moved on, so can I. Since she’s determined to clear my mother’s name, as a man, how can I shrink from it? Canglan City—my destiny! This time, I’ll bring my mother’s memorial tablet into the Mo Family’s ancestral hall!"

With that,

Mo Beiyan seemed to shed a great burden; his entire spirit restored. He stood and cupped his hands to Gu Zhan. "Brother Gu, thank you for accompanying me on this stretch of the journey. These days were the most exhilarating of my life—even if I failed every time to imitate your bold swagger, it was utterly satisfying."

Gu Zhan lifted his head, smiling faintly. "What’s this, playing out a scene of parting at life and death with me?"

"Uh—" Mo Beiyan smiled awkwardly. "Just thinking that I might not see you again, I wanted to say goodbye properly. Brother Gu, don’t let yourself get dragged into the whirlpool of Canglan City; with your current cultivation, there’s a vast world out there for you to explore—no need to risk everything here. If I die, just remember to burn me some extra paper offerings during festival days."

"No need for that."

Gu Zhan waved his hand. "I’m heading for Canglan City as well—I don’t like being hunted. The Liu Family has made it clear they intend to kill me for revenge; how could I hide? Besides, the Liu Family never meant to leave me a way out."

"What do you mean?" Mo Beiyan asked, puzzled.

Gu Zhan answered calmly, "You’re underestimating the Eldest Young Master. It may look like an obvious trap, but it’s actually an open ploy. If I don’t see through it and join the righteous-vs.-demonic battle, he ensures I never return. If I see through it and flee into the Martial World, he can orchestrate a surround-and-kill.

Given the Liu Family and Eldest Young Master’s strength, killing a Gu Zhan without the Pingyang Prefecture home advantage isn’t difficult, is it? So, there’s really no retreat here. Of course, for me personally, both paths are open—but I’d rather choose to march into Canglan City and turn the world upside down!"