The rain poured down heavily, water rushing off the eaves like a waterfall, leaves scattered across the courtyard, and the pattering sound of raindrops was quite distracting.
In the hall, Gu Zhan sat in a chair, holding a cup of tea with an indifferent expression, quietly watching Rong Yichu, and asked, "Why are you so determined to see me?"
Rong Yichu’s hair was still wet, his face pale, lips cracked, he looked like he had just recovered from a severe illness, his body involuntarily trembling slightly, as if on the brink of collapsing at any moment.
He looked at Gu Zhan, feeling a bit dazed for a while, then clasped his hands and said, "I beg Lord Gu to save the Rong Family..."
Gu Zhan chuckled lightly and said, "I’ll skip the teasing. I am well aware of the current situation of the Rong Family. Just tell me your bargaining chip, by what reason should I save the Rong Family?"
Rong Yichu struggled to open the large box beside him and said, "These are all the existing assets of the Rong Family and some Martial Arts Secret Manuals, as well as a bow and arrows specially crafted by our Rong Family for you, my lord..."
Gu Zhan waved his hand and said, "Not enough to move me."
"I know," Rong Yichu said softly, "I know the Rong Family can no longer offer a bargaining chip that would move you, Lord Gu. But this is all the Rong Family can provide."
"Then, let’s leave it at that." Gu Zhan directly stood up and left.
"Lord Gu!"
Just as he reached the main hall’s door, Rong Yichu shouted from behind, and with a thud, he knelt on the ground, saying, "This is everything from the Rong Family, not to exchange for Lord Gu’s protection, but to prove my determination to you, Lord Gu."
Gu Zhan stopped in his tracks, slowly turned around, and looked at Rong Yichu kneeling on the ground, saying, "Then tell me about your determination."
Rong Yichu’s voice was weak, yet exceptionally determined, saying, "I am willing to give up everything—all wealth, honor, reputation, dignity. I want to see if I can climb from the abyss to the pinnacle, if I can retrieve everything I lost.
I beseech you, Lord Gu, to give me a chance!"
Rong Yichu hysterically shouted the last sentence, bowing deeply with his body prostrated on the ground.
Gu Zhan casually sat down in the chair beside him, looking at Rong Yichu kneeling on the ground, slowly said, "This is indeed interesting. What do you plan to do?"
Rong Yichu slowly raised his head, blood trickling down his forehead to the tip of his nose and dripping onto the ground, he looked at Gu Zhan and said, "Whatever the Lord needs, I, Rong Yichu, am willing to be. I swear to heaven, to remain loyal forever, never to betray. If I break this oath, may I be sentenced to a thousand cuts, unable to live or die!"
After finishing, Rong Yichu produced a dagger and said, "Lord, I can mark my face, tattoo the Gu Family emblem, and serve as a servant for life!"
Saying this, Rong Yichu used the dagger to stab his cheek directly.
"There’s no need for that."
Gu Zhan stood up and reached out with two fingers to grip the dagger, slowly said, "I, Gu Zhan, do not believe in these superficial gestures. Prove it with your actions from now on!"
Rong Yichu’s eyes flashed with a gleam, fiercely bowing his head to the ground, he said, "Thank you, my lord!"
Gu Zhan sat back in the chair and said, "I cannot promise too much. I am missing someone to help me with finishing tasks. From now on, you shall be my staff officer. As for the Rong Family, move into South City, you may develop independently, but I do not wish for any disruption to the order in South City."
Rong Yichu bowed and said, "Rest assured, my lord, the Rong Family will no longer be a Noble Family, but a small family attached to your command. Your orders will always be the first rule for the Rong Family."
Gu Zhan nodded and said, "That’s enough, go back and prepare."
"Yes, I take my leave as a student."
Rong Yichu stood up, bowed, and slowly left.
Gu Zhan watched Rong Yichu’s departing figure, suddenly shouted, "Rong Yichu."
Rong Yichu hurriedly turned around, bowed, and said, "Student is present!"
Gu Zhan slowly asked, "If the Rong Family truly breaks through and rebuilds, who do you wish to become?"
Rong Yichu pondered for a moment, slowly saying, "Irrespective of the Rong Family, Yichu hopes that someday, they can accompany you, my lord, to the mountain top, watching as you stand on the pinnacle, overlooking the world."
Gu Zhan waved his hand without saying anything.
Rong Yichu bowed and slowly left.
As the rain poured down, Rong Yichu suddenly turned around,
Just in time to see Gu Zhan walking toward the main seat in the hall with his back to him,
Step by step,
Rong Yichu bowed deeply,
Gu Zhan stopped in front of the chair, slowly turned around and sat down.
The rain continued to pour, splattering on the ground like blossoming water flowers, pattering on the tiles as if composing a unique melody.
Gu Zhan sat alone in the chair, looking at the large box in front of him,
Inside were some asset contracts from the Rong Family,
Plus a pile of Martial Arts Secret Manuals, a black bow, and a quiver.
Gu Zhan picked up the bow, and at that moment, the consciousness of an archery expert transmitted, indicating that this was an excellent bow, a rare treasure.
Carefully examining, Gu Zhan recognized the bow’s material, crafted from the elusive Cold Iron.
Cold Iron, a highly sought material by Martial World People, but due to its expensive price and scarcity, many spend years chasing it, only to find a few scraps to reluctantly mix into their weapons.
Yet this bow and the twenty feathered arrows in the quiver were all crafted from Cold Iron. More impressively was the string, likely made from the tendon of some formidable beast mixed with special materials, perfectly complementing the Cold Iron bow.
This bow and arrow set was indeed a grand gesture.
Gu Zhan, showing quite a fondness, fiddled with it for a while before starting to browse through the pile of secret manuals.
Amongst the Profound Tier Martial Arts Secret Manuals, there were several,
But most did not provide significant help to Gu Zhan at this moment,
The only ones that intrigued Gu Zhan were two techniques,
One was an archery skill named Shadow Arrow Technique, graded at Profound Tier Upper Grade.
The other was a fist technique, the Rong Family’s most famous Frenzied Lion Fist, graded at Profound Tier Middle Grade.
These two Martial Arts were quite useful for Gu Zhan now, the Shadow Arrow Technique could enhance his prowess in Arrow Dao, and the Frenzied Lion Fist could compensate for his weakness in melee combat.
Immediately, Gu Zhan opened the system, recording the two manuals, the system page gained two skill options: Player: Gu Zhan
Realm: Innate Second Layer
Cultivation Technique: Fierce Sun Skill (Second Layer 0/20,000)
Skill: Wind-Breaking Saber Technique (Great Success)
Big Goose Skill (Great Success)
Mountain-Opening Saber Technique (Great Success)
Jinghong Saber Technique (Great Success)
Cloud Platform Three Falls (Great Success)
Golden Bell Shield (Great Success)
Meteor Arrow Technique (Great Success)
Celestial Inquiry Three Slashes (Minor Success 0/5,000)
Frenzied Lion Fist (Entry Level 0/1,000)
Shadow Arrow Technique (Entry Level 0/2,000)
Experience Points: 2536
Gu Zhan looked at the remaining experience points, pondered a bit, and promptly chose to first cultivate the Shadow Arrow Technique:
[Use 2,000 experience points]
[Shadow Arrow Technique upgraded to Entry Realm]

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