Linjiang City, Prefecture Government’s backyard.
In a pavilion, a lantern swayed with a faint light, its fiery glow appearing tranquil and eerie in the deep night. This strange light shone upon Yang Yuzhi and Wan Yan, who were sitting face to face.
On the table, there was a pot of wine, but it wasn’t opened. The two were staring at each other, seemingly trapped in a tense situation.
A gentle breeze passed by, and Wan Yan cheerfully opened the wine pot, pouring a cup for Yang Yuzhi and himself.
"Lord Yang, let’s toast to our victory!"
Wan Yan casually raised his bowl to toast Yang Yuzhi, and then drank it all in one go.
Yang Yuzhi did not drink, glanced at the wine pot, and said, "I have official duties to attend to; drinking is not suitable now."
"Ha, pretentious," Wan Yan sneered, "Yang Yuzhi, do you know what I dislike most about you? It’s your hypocritical demeanor. Back when you were with the master, you liked to put on this show to curry favor, and after leaving the master’s gate, you do the same to please those court ministers. Aren’t you tired of pretending?"
Yang Yuzhi looked at Wan Yan and said, "So, you always go against me? You do everything in the opposite way to me. Aren’t you tired? Aren’t you pretending?"
Wan Yan snorted, saying, "At least... I’m honest... unlike you, who appears to be righteous but is full of malicious schemes. Although I’m not a good person, relatively speaking, this genuine villain is much better than you, the hypocrite!"
Yang Yuzhi remained calm, saying, "Did you come here to argue with me?"
"Fine," Wan Yan waved his hand and stood up, saying, "This wine isn’t meant to be drunk. I’m here to tell you, prepare to add fuel to the fire. Gu Zhan is more useful than we imagined; tonight’s South City is lively!"
Yang Yuzhi calmly said, "No need for your reminder, the Prefecture knows what needs to be done."
Wan Yan shrugged and spread his hands, saying, "There I go again, being overly sentimental. Our Lord Yang is the master’s most accomplished disciple, how would he need a reminder from the most disobedient student like me? My mission is about to end, the rest is up to you!"
With that,
Wan Yan turned and waved his hand, walking into the depths of the night.
He walked in darkness, yet towards the distant lights.
"Junior Brother!"
Yang Yuzhi suddenly shouted.
Wan Yan in the darkness paused but said nothing and continued to walk away.
Yang Yuzhi looked at the darkness, slowly picked up the wine on the table, and drank it all!
Tonight, Linjiang City became lively.
In South City, many people saw various noble families’ signal flares, and in the major markets in South City, there were also many people from South City, they just had no time to react,
And now, naturally, everyone has come to realize the situation.
The major noble families quickly responded with anger and alarm,
The Six Great Families made a move, and Linjiang City instantly changed.
North City, Wu Family.
Wu Family is the leading noble family in Linjiang City, with its patriarch Wu Yang as the deputy County Magistrate of the Linjiang Government Office, now enjoying prosperity and prominence.
At this moment, the Wu Family has already gathered many martial artists, while those from the government office are also ready, preparing for a simultaneous move in two directions: applying official pressure on Gu Zhan while directly targeting the South City martial world influence for a major purge.
Currently, they are just waiting for a command from Patriarch Wu Yang.
In the hall of discussion, Wu Family’s senior officials were furious and outraged.
Wu Yang sat in the main seat, draped in a cloak, holding a book, showing no sign of emotion, only quietly reading, regardless of how angry and outraged everyone below was, seemingly not hearing anything.
Until a guard entered from outside.
Wu Yang finally slowly put down the book and looked up.
"Patriarch," the guard bowed, "Patriarch of the Rong Family, Rong Yichu, seeks an audience outside."
Wu Family members looked surprised.
Only Wu Yang smiled slightly, signaling everyone to be quiet, and said, "Invite him in!"
Soon,
A mixed sound of footsteps was heard outside the hall.
Rong Yichu, dressed in white, slowly walked in, bowed, and said, "Yichu, pays respect to Lord Wu and all uncles."
Wu Yang smiled and said, "Nephew Yichu, long time no see, your presence is even greater than before, congratulations."
Rong Yichu calmly said, "I must thank all uncles for their teachings."
The Wu Family members seemed a bit uneasy, as they could hear the sarcastic tone in Rong Yichu’s words. After all, when the Rong Family had trouble, none of the Linjiang Seven Great Families helped; instead, they seized the Rong Family’s territory and resources amidst its fall.
However, Wu Yang’s expression did not change, he ordered a chair to be brought, and said, "Nephew, please sit. I wonder what brings you here so late?"
Rong Yichu calmly sat down, gently saying, "Lord Wu, time is of the essence, let’s be frank. The struggle between noble families and transitory officials should come to an end. Has the Lord prepared for it?"
Wu Yang did not speak, but a senior Wu Family member sneered, "I hear nephew Yichu has joined Gu Zhan... yet still considers himself part of a noble family, isn’t that inappropriate?"
Rong Yichu glanced at that senior Wu Family member and said, "Uncle’s words have some truth, but my Rong Family never stoops so low, and my lord cannot do such a thing. The Rong Family indeed is not fit to mix with the noble families in their schemes!"
That senior Wu Family member’s face turned iron blue.
Rong Yichu then looked at Wu Yang and said, "Lord Wu, I am here today to offer your noble families an opportunity, not to beg for one. I hope you understand the situation."
"Ridiculous!" Another senior Wu Family member sneered, "Gu Zhan’s tyrannical acts have sealed his fate. Your Rong Family’s alliance with Gu Zhan is nothing but the last gambit of a dying insect. How dare you make such claims?"
Rong Yichu coldly laughed and said, "Though my Rong Family has fallen, it was once a noble family. Gentlemen, do we need to disclose the deeds done? Such as... the secret collaboration with the White Lotus Sect!"
The Rong Family’s senior members’ expressions became uneasy.
Wu Yang signaled for silence and asked, "Nephew Yichu, please speak clearly!"
Rong Yichu nodded and said, "Wan Yan and Yang Yuzhi are colluding, using my lord as a tool against the noble families. You all are aware; my Rong Family serves as a cautionary example for all to heed.
Tonight, you all know well what happened in South City; it’s just bait thrown by Wan Yan. If you want to calculate revenge, the blame does not lie with my lord, and now, each of you have a dagger hanging over your head, unaware still. Are you holding onto wishful thinking, or do you believe the Court will tolerate the filth done secretly by the families, or do you think by opposing my lord you can seek survival from Wan Yan and Yang Yuzhi?"

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