"Yunxi?" Gu Zhan frowned slightly.
Yang Yuzhi nodded and said, "Yes, Yunxi. With the current situation, I can only rely on my teacher to help shield you from the government’s pressure. But whether it’s the Celestial Sword Alliance or Chengyang Marquis’s Mansion, their influence in the Martial World is formidable.
If they get wind of you, they’ll surely lay traps all across Yunzhou. It’ll be hard for you to escape, even if you manage it; with Sword Spirit Qi Baiyu’s temperament, he’ll stop at nothing to hunt you down, and Chengyang Marquis’s Mansion will definitely dispatch Great Cultivators to pursue you as well. So leaving Yunzhou is not the best choice; you’ll face endless pursuit."
"Thus, the best solution is for you to find yourself a backer, have this backer shield you from the pressure. As for what comes next, that will be up to you."
Gu Zhan nodded.
Yang Yuzhi continued, "Right now, in Great Xia, the world is in chaos. Traitors run the Court, political strife never ends, leading to the Martial World powers growing ever stronger. In many places, people recognize only the Martial World, not the imperial court."
"Yunxi is just like that."
"Yunzhou is mainly divided into three: the Northern Territory, Yundong, and Yunxi. As for the Northern Territory, it’s been disaster-stricken for years and now is almost entirely fallen to the hands of the White Lotus Sect. The White Lotus Sect and Chengyang Marquis’s Mansion have ambiguous ties; if you went to the Northern Territory, it would be like throwing yourself into a net."
"Yundong, on the whole, is the area where the Court still has control in Yunzhou, with Shuntian Prefecture, the Astronomical Bureau, and the borders protected by Chengyang and Marquis Liu’s mansions. Things have generally been all right there—though Embroidered Uniform Guard has fallen, in places like our Linjiang County, we still have the authority to manage the Martial World so the government’s prestige holds."
"But Yunxi is different. Yunxi borders both Qingzhou and Cang Prefecture, making it the junction of three provinces—a place long known for its chaos. The Court’s jurisdiction is thin at best, and as power struggles grow endless in the capital, the Court grows ever more... alas!"
Speaking of the state of the Court, Yang Yuzhi couldn’t help but let out a long sigh. Only after a while did he continue, "Now in Yunxi, the government office is mostly symbolic. To placate Yunxi, the Court has simply granted the leading Martial World factions official titles, even awarding them noble ranks, so they are justified in openly governing Yunxi in place of officials."
Gu Zhan nodded—this was normal enough,
Throughout history, many dynasties have done so—when the Court couldn’t manage a region, the local powerholders were granted some title to save face, so it still seemed as though the Court governed. In truth, the Court no longer had any power there.
Yang Yuzhi continued, "I have a friend—known in the Martial World as the Nu River Dragon King, the Grandmaster Mo Jingzhou, a true legend. He came from humble beginnings, merely a minor family scion of Yunxi.
Through various twists of fate in his youth, he became the famed Nu River Dragon King, founded the Beidou Gang, now one of the giants of Yunzhou’s Martial World. To placate Yunxi, the Court granted him the title of count, and given Beidou Gang’s hold over Canglan Dao, also conferred him the post of Canglan City’s Lord."
"Of course, these titles don’t mean much to him. In Yunxi, the Court can’t control anything—whether he has the title or not, Canglan Dao still bends to Beidou Gang’s will. This at least makes it look a bit tidier on the surface."
"When I traveled in Yunxi years ago, I met Mo Jingzhou and we became fast friends. I’ll give you a token and a letter; when you reach Qian Deng Town outside Canglan City, find the shopkeeper at the Bu’Er Inn—she’ll arrange your meeting with Mo Jingzhou. With my token and letter, he’ll protect you for my sake—for a time."
Gu Zhan gave Yang Yuzhi a surprised look. "Lord Yang, I’m a little puzzled. You not only have the Director of the Astronomical Bureau as your teacher, but have a Grandmaster as your close friend. Shouldn’t a man like you be nothing short of brilliant? Why settle for a small place like Linjiang City? And..."
Yang Yuzhi smiled, "You mean the ’Astronomical Bureau scoundrel’ slur in Ling Jing’s mouth?"
At this, a flicker passed through Yang Yuzhi’s eyes. After a moment, he waved his hand, "Lord Gu, I wasn’t born so old. I had my own green youth once. No joke, when I was young I was much more handsome than you. Back then, wandering everywhere, who knows how many women admired me..."
Gu Zhan: "..."
Yang Yuzhi gave an awkward laugh, "Forget it—it’s all ancient history."
Soon after, the carriage slowly stopped before the hundred household office gates,
At this time, outside the Hundred Households Office,
The traces of fresh blood were still quite obvious, and the sunlight carried a lingering stench of blood.
Before the office gates,
Rong Yichu, Chen Fei and the other trusted followers waited quietly.
"My lord..."
As they saw Gu Zhan step out of the carriage, they hurried to surround him.
They all knew Gu Zhan had killed Ling Jing and Qi Qianyu—knowing full well Gu Zhan had no choice but to leave Linjiang City. So they waited here for him,
Fully aware just how dire the situation was,
To say it was a one-in-ten-thousand chance of survival was no exaggeration,
For he had made mortal enemies of the Celestial Sword Alliance and Chengyang Marquis’s Mansion!
Gu Zhan smiled, looked at them, and said, "Enough, don’t act like love-struck children. Magistrate Yang has already made plans for my retreat. This departure is not life and death—I will return."
They wanted to say more,
Gu Zhan interrupted, "No sentimental nonsense—you’re all grown men. Let’s go inside. Before I leave, there’s still some business to entrust to you."
Gu Zhan gathered his trusted followers, quickly explained the affairs of the Hundred Households Office, and headed out of the city.
Truthfully, Gu Zhan found it a little hard to bid farewell,
These confidants had followed him loyally, facing all kinds of dangers together, sharing even the brothel music and laughter. The bonds they forged were not shallow.
But this departure,
Was something Gu Zhan had long foreseen. He could never stay in a small place like Yunzhou forever. Sooner or later, he would walk his own path; this time, the matter just came suddenly,
And of course, there wasn’t time for a proper farewell.
Outside Linjiang City.
Rong Yichu led a horse, with two Horizontal Sabers, a Cold Iron Bow and a quiver at the saddle, plus a bundle in his hand. From his chest, he produced a letter and a jade pendant, passing them to Gu Zhan, "My lord, these are from Magistrate Yang."
Gu Zhan tucked the letter and jade pendant into his breast.
Rong Yichu handed him the bundle, "My lord, there are silver banknotes and some silver coins inside, plus a change of clothing; the map is packed with the weapons..."
He stopped abruptly, took a deep breath, and spoke in a low voice, "My lord, this time you must go alone. Blame your student’s incompetence—unable to shoulder your burdens, unable to walk beside you..."
Gu Zhan patted Rong Yichu’s shoulder, "Actually, you’ve done well. I’ve told you—when young, we can afford to lose. There will always be a next chance."
Rong Yichu suddenly gripped Gu Zhan’s hand, "My lord, wait for me. No matter how high the mountains, how vast the sea, I’ll find you. I will follow in your footsteps!"
The sun set in the west, leaving afterglow over the human world.
Outside Linjiang City, Gu Zhan spurred his horse to a gallop. At his saddle, two Horizontal Sabers on the right, a Cold Iron Bow and a quiver on the left, with a dozen Feathered Arrows within.
He carried a bundle on his back. In the slanting sunlight, the silhouettes of man and horse stretched infinitely long—he rode westward.
Raising his head to the sun, sinking slowly to the west,
Gu Zhan’s face bore a faint smile as he summoned the system:
[Use 120,000 Experience Points]
[Fierce Sun Skill upgraded to Ninth Floor]
[Current realm increased to Innate Ninth Layer]
The True Qi in his dantian instantly surged,
He closed and opened his eyes,
His realm broke through straight to Innate Peak,
One wisp after another of True Qi actually merged—becoming flame-like True Qi within, seeping from his pores, as if his entire body was enveloped in fire.
The shapeless True Qi gradually became visible,
Like real flame, dancing in Gu Zhan’s hand,
This was the mark of reaching Innate Peak—condensing True Essence!
Innate Ninth Layer is a realm all its own,
Within this realm, from Ninth Layer to Peak,
A Martial Artist gradually refines True Qi to purity, condensing it into True Essence. Once True Essence is formed, it is the sign of reaching Innate Peak and becoming eligible to challenge Dao Realm!
This threshold blocks ninety-nine percent of all Martial Artists at the Ninth Layer.
Only by condensing True Essence can one fuse mind with Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi, drawing on its power. Thus, True Essence is the stepping stone to Dao Realm,
From now on,
A Martial Artist escapes the fetters of the Dantian, no longer constrained by the self.
In truth, this step is extremely difficult,
But,
Gu Zhan did it in one stroke,
One has to admit, cheating really is satisfying!
Gu Zhan withdrew his True Essence and glanced at the system screen:
Player: Gu Zhan
Realm: Innate Peak
Cultivation Technique: Fierce Sun Skill (Great Success)
Skills:
Celestial Inquiry Three Slashes (Great Success)
Shadow Arrow Technique (Great Success)
Frenzied Lion Fist (Great Success)
Cloud-Stepping Step (Great Success)
Celestial Spirit Golden Body (Great Success)
Gale Palm (Great Success)
Celestial Yin Leg (Great Success)
Willow Leaf Flying Knife Technique (Great Success)
Experience Points: 22356
At this moment, that half-round setting sun over West Mountain was just like the breaking dawn, cloaked in pale splendor,
Horse hooves pounded, youth with saber ventured afar.
At the city gate,
Rong Yichu stood quietly, watching that silhouette recede in the afterglow. His features were calm as he straightened his wrinkled robe, stretched out both hands, and bowed deeply.
The sun set in the west, light spilling everywhere,
Rong Yichu’s thin figure stretched a long shadow in the sunlight.
A carriage slowly rolled out from the city, stopping beside Rong Yichu. Lifting the curtain, inside was Yang Yuzhi. He looked at Rong Yichu and said blandly, "With how fast Gu Zhan is developing, you may never catch up to him in your entire life."
"From joining Embroidered Uniform Guard to commanding Embroidered Uniform Guard, to dominating both above and below the law in Linjiang County—it took him less than two years. Your starting point was as the Rong Family Patriarch, yet you only merited following him while he was in Linjiang City."
"Now, you’re not even qualified to walk with him, or rather, anyone in Linjiang City who accompanies him would only hold him back, drag him down—you are no exception."
"And Gu Zhan’s nature—that is fated for troubled times. Yunxi is the perfect place for him. With his talent, entering Yunxi is like a tiger returning to the mountains, a dragon entering the sea. How can you possibly keep pace with him?"
Rong Yichu gazed at the desolate Great Dao, the sunset sinking unceasingly.
"Go to the Capital. There, you still have your hopes," Yang Yuzhi said.
Rong Yichu nodded and bowed, "Thank you, Magistrate Yang."
Yang Yuzhi smiled, "No need to thank me. In you, I see my hopes—I see in you the chance to realize the ideals I never could. Rong Yichu, don’t let me down."
Rong Yichu boarded the carriage, returning to the city with Yang Yuzhi.
The afterglow of sunset spilled down,
Some left the city, heading into the distance,
Some entered the city, chasing after the distant horizon!

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