After September began, Linjiang City had already cooled down. At night, the occasional breeze still carried a bit of chill,
But tonight’s wind seemed especially cold,
Cold enough to pierce to the bone.
Zhong Liang had already crumpled the invitation in his hand into a ball. His heart was as cold as can be. He stared at the empty little courtyard, gritting his teeth hard,
After a long time, he took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "Go notify Lord Gu!"
"Yes."
The subordinate cupped his hands, glanced worriedly at Zhong Liang, and said, "Big Brother, what exactly does Qi Qianyu want?"
Zhong Liang sighed and said, "These people are overseas dragons—we can’t afford to provoke them. I don’t know exactly what they want, but it’s definitely bad for Lord Gu. The games at their level are beyond us now. Let fate decide!"
Under the night sky, Qi Qianyu and his group strolled slowly down the long street.
Soon, someone stepped out from the shadows.
It was Inspector Shen Minghe from the Garrison Commandant’s Office. He smiled, cupped his hands, and asked, "Young Hero Qi, is everything settled?"
Qi Qianyu glanced at Shen Minghe with disdain and said, "What, Lord Shen, you look down on me so much? These are just small gangs that can’t even make it to the table. Would I be unable to handle them?"
Shen Minghe hurriedly said, "Young Hero Qi, you misunderstand. With your status, dealing with a few small gangs is effortless. I was only worried those gangs might pull some tricks and cause trouble for you."
"Hmph," Qi Qianyu said with disdain, "So what if they pull tricks? Can they overturn the heavens? If it weren’t for you lot hesitating all the time, I’d have gone to kill them myself. I’d like to see who dares defy me!"
"Yes, yes, yes," Shen Minghe quickly said, "Young Hero Qi’s cultivation reigns supreme in the Martial World—few among the younger generation can even come close. It’s people like us who drag you down!"
"You’re wrong," Qi Qianyu said in a deep voice, "It’s not ’few’ among the younger generation who can match me—there’s absolutely none. Across Yunzhou, below the Dao Realm, who could be my match?"
Shen Minghe’s mouth twitched as he flattered, "Of course, the name Little Sword Spirit—who in the Martial World doesn’t know it?"
Qi Qianyu grew even more arrogant and said, "Enough, I’ve finished things on my end. Now that Linjiang City’s only strength, those dozen and more gangs, will all gather at noon tomorrow, I’ll decide Linjiang Martial Arts. You’d best have your part settled too, don’t make any mistakes. I don’t have much patience—if Gu Zhan shows up tomorrow to cause trouble, I won’t have your scruples. I’ll kill him with one strike, and if he ruins the plan, it’s on you!"
Shen Minghe nodded, "Young Hero Qi, don’t worry. I’m already prepared. Tomorrow, Gu Zhan won’t have a chance to appear."
"He should thank you for saving his life."
With that, Qi Qianyu strode off.
Watching Qi Qianyu and his group leaving, Shen Minghe spat and said coldly, "What damn thing? He really thinks he’s someone. Invincible below Dao Realm—doesn’t even piss and look at what he really is!"
A Personal Guard beside Shen Minghe said, "Lord, this Qi Qianyu is far too much. He completely disregards our Garrison Commandant’s Office."
"Hmph," Shen Minghe snorted coldly and said, "Self-important bastard. Everyone gives him the name Little Sword Spirit for his brother Qi Baiyu’s sake, and he really thinks he earned it himself. If not for his brother, he’s nothing—and he dares to look down on our Garrison? He’s not even qualified."
The Personal Guard echoed, "I’ve heard many rumors. They say Qi Qianyu boasts of never being defeated in his realm, but the reason is that others deliberately held back for fear of Qi Baiyu’s reputation?"
"Held back? You call that holding back?" Shen Minghe said with contempt, "The entire East Sea was held back for him!"
"Enough," Shen Minghe waved a hand and said, "Although his so-called invincible Innate reputation is pure water, either way, his cultivation is Innate Ninth Layer, and he’s got the backing of disciples from major sects. Suppressing Linjiang City’s Martial World gangs won’t be a problem.
As long as he keeps those Martial World gangs in check, it’s like breaking Gu Zhan’s arm. Then we can move in ourselves and cut off his other arm. Afterwards, Gu Zhan will realize that one lone man can’t stir any waves, and we’ll take over the Embroidered Uniform Guard!"
The Personal Guard nodded but was a little confused and asked, "Lord, I don’t understand, why does Prince Ling insist on letting the Jiming Posthouse suffer a major defeat? Marquis Chengyang’s Mansion has enjoyed imperial favor for generations—if the White Lotus Sect wins, what’s in it for them..."
"Silence," Shen Minghe shot the Personal Guard a look and said, "Don’t ask what you shouldn’t. Don’t pry into what you shouldn’t know. Just do your job. Too much curiosity can get you killed!"
The next day, at the Hundred Households Office.
Gu Zhan had been busy until dawn and only rested for two hours before getting up in a hurry.
Today, a very important batch of military supplies needed to be delivered to Jiming Posthouse, which Gu Zhan had to personally inspect.
Breakfast was simple—he just grabbed two steamed buns and prepared to go out. Right as he reached the Prefecture Government entrance, he saw Rong Yichu rushing over.
"Lord, something’s happened!"
Gu Zhan took a bite of his bun and asked, "What is it?"
Rong Yichu quickly said, "The city’s major gangs sent people to notify just now—last night, Qi Qianyu led martial artists from Yunzhou and kidnapped the relatives of the gang leaders, forcing them to attend some Martial Arts Conference today."
Gu Zhan chewed twice, frowned, and asked, "What Martial Arts Conference?"
Rong Yichu said, "It’s something Qi Qianyu’s called together under the banner of the Inspection Team. Lord, when Qi Qianyu and his group arrived in Linjiang, they claimed to help defend the city. Yet dozens of their experts, including several Innate Martial Artists, stayed put; they neither defended the city nor helped the Inspection Team capture spies. Now, with this sudden move, their aim isn’t simple. Besides, it’s impossible he doesn’t know those gangs are your people. No warning, just forcing a Martial Arts Conference—he’s obviously targeting our Hundred Households Office."
Gu Zhan narrowed his eyes and said, "Then let’s go and take a look."
Just then,
An Embroidered Uniform Guard suddenly rushed in from outside, shouting in panic, "Lord, hurry, the Inspection Team has arrested several Hundred Households, and they’re headed this way. I’m afraid they’re targeting you!"
Gu Zhan frowned and said, "What’s going on?"
The Embroidered Uniform Guard hurriedly said, "Lord, there’s no time to explain. You must leave by the back door now and find Magistrate Yang!"
Right then, outside the gates, a large team suddenly appeared at the entrance of the street. All dressed in black robes embroidered with flying fish—a clear sign of the Embroidered Uniform Guard Inspection Team.
"Lord..."
Gu Zhan waved his hand and walked out.
The horses stamped in formation on the slate,
The ground trembled ever so slightly.
The leader was Inspector Shen Minghe of the Garrison Commandant’s Office. He rode up to the Hundred Households Office gates, pulled out a token, and looked down at Gu Zhan, speaking coldly, "Gu Zhan, hear my order! The Hundred Households under your command—Chen Fei, Ma Long, Ma Lang, Hu Sandao—colluded with the White Lotus Sect in treasonous acts. The evidence is solid; they have already been apprehended. As their superior, you cannot escape blame. I now order you to remain confined within the Hundred Households Office and await instructions. You are not to defy!"

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