Mo Beiyan was somewhat shocked as he watched Tian Yu kneeling on the ground,
This was not the same as Tian Family coming to seek refuge with him,
Tian Yu was here to pledge himself to the Lord,
In other words, Tian Yu was entering Gu Zhan’s personal retinue; it was entirely different from the subordinate relationship within Kaiyang Sub-Branch and the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
If it were just an ordinary person here to pledge himself to Gu Zhan, Mo Beiyan wouldn’t be so shocked. But Tian Yu is different—he’s a true prodigy, unrivaled among the younger generation across the entire Canglan Dao; a person like him is usually sought after by others, not the one seeking allegiance.
Even Mo Zhening, back then, gained Tian Family’s support under the title of Young Master, more as an alliance than submission. Tian Yu now pledging himself to Gu Zhan is almost akin to selling himself.
Gu Zhan was actually a bit surprised as well,
All this time, from Linjiang City to now, he had gathered many followers, but most were mere subordinates; truly pledging themselves, only Rong Yichu had done so.
Now, kneeling before him, Tian Yu was the second—and a famed prodigy at that.
He glanced at Tian Yu and spoke slowly, "Have you thought it through?"
"I have," Tian Yu replied.
Gu Zhan nodded, saying, "Then from now on, carry my saber for me."
Tian Yu frowned, hastily bowed low, and declared loudly, "Tian Yu greets Young Master!"
Gu Zhan nodded, turned, and entered the house.
A Horizontal Saber was thrust into the ground before the door.
Tian Yu hurriedly grabbed the Horizontal Saber and followed Gu Zhan into the house.
Mo Beiyan scratched his head, chuckled, and followed them inside, asking, "Brother Gu, didn’t you say there were three families? This is only the first—who are the other two?"
Gu Zhan sat down in the chair and picked up a teacup.
Tian Yu, carrying blade and sword, stood behind Gu Zhan in silence.
Mo Beiyan entered, saying, "Brother Gu, since these families are important enough for you to mention, they must be special, but no matter how I think, I just can’t guess them."
Gu Zhan took a sip of tea and said, "Law Enforcement Hall, Right Protector Yun Wei."
Mo Beiyan frowned, "With Cloud Protector’s status, not to mention I haven’t been named successor yet—even if I had, he wouldn’t need to visit me. I should be the one to visit him."
Gu Zhan shook his head, saying, "Not Yun Wei himself but the Yun Family where he belongs. Yun Wei naturally doesn’t need to visit you, but the Yun Family does."
Mo Beiyan asked with confusion, "Is there a difference?"
Gu Zhan smiled and replied, "Until today, I thought there was no difference. But when the turmoil in Canglan City began, I finally realized—it’s a huge difference. Just like Gang Leader of Beidou Bang isn’t the same as Mo Family Patriarch. We always thought the Young Masters competed for the Gang Leader position within Beidou Bang—until today, I realized they compete for the Mo Family Patriarch."
With that, Gu Zhan glanced at Tian Yu and asked, "Tian Yu, you know this, don’t you?"
"Reporting to Young Master, I do," Tian Yu said. "Beidou Bang is a gang; the position of Gang Leader isn’t inherited, but earned by merit. However, through Beidou Bang have emerged many Noble Families—these are its foundation.
So, the Dragon King will definitely establish families that can be inherited. The Young Masters compete for the Mo Family Patriarch of the Super First-class Family; that’s why today, Sixth Young Master could so easily enter the Mo Family Ancestral Hall—because everyone knew, when the turmoil in Canglan City settles, Sixth Young Master wins and will become Mo Family’s first Patriarch."
Mo Beiyan looked lost, "What about the Canglan City Lord?"
"No conflict," Gu Zhan replied. "The position of Canglan City Lord is the same as Mo Family Patriarch, but not Beidou Bang Gang Leader."
Mo Beiyan laughed, "I think I get it—besides the first generation of Beidou Bang, from the second generation on it’s like an alliance, comprised of many Noble Families, creating Beidou Bang. Mo Family is just the strongest of this alliance now, and Gang Leader is chosen by ability. The great Noble Families are always behind the scenes."
Gu Zhan nodded. "That’s about right. If the Gang Leader is strong enough, like Dragon King, then one word rules all. Even if the Noble Families are behind the scenes, they must obey him. If the Gang Leader can’t command all the families, then things change: each Sub-Branch and Hall may act independently,
In that case, only someone who can control the situation can step forward. That’s why many gangs, even with a Gang Leader, still need elders to step in to gather everyone when trouble arises. The Court is just the same—if the Capital can’t keep order, local powers will pay lip service but disobey in practice."
Mo Beiyan nodded, "Now I understand. No wonder the Yun Family wants to visit me—they’re visiting the Mo Family Patriarch."
Gu Zhan nodded.
Mo Beiyan asked, "Who’s the third family?"
Gu Zhan took a sip of tea and said languidly, "The third one, I’m afraid you’ll have to visit yourself."
Mo Beiyan paused, "I haven’t even visited Cloud Protector yet—could there really be someone with higher status?"
Gu Zhan replied slowly, "For you, yes."
"Who?"
"Bai Jiu’Er," Gu Zhan said slowly.
"Ninth Sister?" Mo Beiyan was puzzled. "Once everything settles, I’ll definitely bring Ninth Sister back to the City Lord’s Mansion..."
"I fear you won’t be able to find her then," Gu Zhan spoke evenly. "Bai Jiu’Er is also waiting for this turmoil to end—her obsession over the years will end, so she’ll naturally leave."
Mo Beiyan’s face changed instantly; he stood up and rushed out.
Not long after Mo Beiyan left, a guard reported the Yun Family had arrived.
When the Yun Family entered, they saw Gu Zhan sitting in a chair; the Yun Family hurriedly cupped their hands in salute:
"Greetings, Squad Leader Gu!"
Then, seeing Tian Yu behind Gu Zhan, carrying blade and sword, they were all slightly startled and saluted Tian Yu as well.
Tian Yu noticed the Yun Family’s confusion, cupped his hands, and said, "I have now pledged myself to Young Master’s retinue."
The Yun Family was all visibly surprised, but quickly hid it.
Gu Zhan saluted Yun Huai and the others, saying, "Sixth Young Master had urgent business and went out; if you’re not in a hurry, you can come visit tomorrow."
Yun Huai smiled, "Just bad timing. But I’m here not only to visit Sixth Young Master, but also to deliver a message from my father to Squad Leader Gu."
Gu Zhan nodded, "Please speak."
Yun Huai cupped his hands, "My father said, should Squad Leader Gu have time, please come by the Law Enforcement Hall."
Gu Zhan raised his brows slightly, "Come to think of it, today’s demon slaying went so smoothly thanks to Cloud Protector’s support. I should indeed pay my respects. Since I have time now, Cloud Protector isn’t busy, right?"
"He’s waiting for you."
Outside Canglan City, drizzling rain filled the air,
A horse-drawn carriage moved slowly along the official road.
"Ninth Sister!"
"Ninth Sister, wait!"
Mo Beiyan rode out from the city in pursuit, the rain soaking his clothes, hair plastered to his forehead, horse hooves splashing mud everywhere.
He galloped to the carriage, halting it, with anxiety, "Ninth Sister, what are you doing? Now everything’s settled—why are you leaving?"
The carriage stopped.
The curtain lifted; Hong Zhu came out, opened an oil paper umbrella, and Bai Jiu’Er slowly stepped down.
Mo Beiyan dismounted, went over, and said, "Ninth Sister, are you leaving without saying goodbye?"
Bai Jiu’Er, ever cold and aloof, showed a hint of a smile and spoke softly, "Gu Zhan told you?"
Mo Beiyan nodded.
Bai Jiu’Er was silent for a while, then asked, "He didn’t come?"
Mo Beiyan was stunned.
Bai Jiu’Er laughed softly, "Alright, you’ve seen me off far enough. Go back. You must still have many things to handle."
Mo Beiyan said, "Ninth Sister, must you leave? Now that everything in Canglan City is settled, you don’t need to struggle anymore, don’t need to bear so much. Why do you have to go?"
Bai Jiu’Er said, "Precisely because everything is settled, I have to go."
"Why?" Mo Beiyan asked.
Bai Jiu’Er sighed, "Xiaoliuzi, I’m almost thirty now. All these years, my greatest wish was to clear your mother’s name and the Bai Family’s. Though I didn’t succeed, you did. My wish is done."
"But must you leave?" Mo Beiyan asked.
Bai Jiu’Er looked at Mo Beiyan, "I should go seek what I truly want in life, shouldn’t I?"
Mo Beiyan was stunned,
He didn’t know what to say, but he truly didn’t want Bai Jiu’Er to leave. The world is vast; sometimes, one farewell might mean a lifetime—never meeting again.
Bai Jiu’Er smiled and said, "Alright. I’ve grown up, and so have you. Everything you ought to have, you now possess. Go forward as Mo Family Patriarch. Maybe, somewhere someday, I’ll hear your name again!"
Mo Beiyan took a deep breath, asking, "Ninth Sister, what is it you really want?"
"I don’t know," Bai Jiu’Er shook her head slightly. "The Martial World is so vast—walking, stopping... Maybe one day, when my thoughts are clear, I’ll know what I want. Maybe, like your father said, I’ll meet someone who strikes my heart and marry, raise a family, or after journeying for a while, I might return. Who knows?"
With that, Bai Jiu’Er reached out, as she did when he was young, and gently patted Mo Beiyan’s head. Softly, she said, "Xiaoliuzi, you’ve grown up and found your way in life. After wandering in chaos all these years, you’ve started to live for yourself; and now, I wish to live for myself too!"
Mo Beiyan took a deep breath, slowly stepped back two paces, and said, "Ninth Sister, since Mother died, you’ve always protected me, ran everywhere for me. Elder sisters...are like mothers!"
Mo Beiyan knelt and bowed deeply.
Bai Jiu’Er gave a gentle smile and slowly got back into the carriage.
Slanting winds and drizzling rain, the world in haze,
Mo Beiyan bowed in the rain, and the carriage carried her away slowly.
The long wind swept by, fluttering the carriage curtains,
Hong Zhu glanced sideways at Mo Beiyan still bowing in the rain, and softly said, "Miss, Sixth Young Master truly wishes you wouldn’t leave."
Bai Jiu’Er gently stroked the fat cat in her arms and softly said, "I know."
Hong Zhu spoke again, "The Martial World is vast—this farewell may be forever."
"I know."
Inside the carriage, silence fell.
Hong Zhu sighed softly, and her gaze caught a purple, bamboo-leaf-shaped Jade Pendant at Bai Jiu’Er’s waist. She asked, puzzled, "Miss, is this the token Young Master Gu once gave to Dragon King?"
Bai Jiu’Er paused, lowered her head to look at the purple Jade Pendant at her waist, gave a faint smile, and said, "Yes. I recently asked Dragon King for it. I’ll keep it as a souvenir."
Hong Zhu was silent for a moment, then asked, "Miss, if today Young Master Gu had come to ask you to stay—would you...stay?"
Bai Jiu’Er said nothing, gazing slowly out of the carriage,
Drizzling rain, distant mist,
A chill wind blew, carrying away questions with no answer,
The carriage rolled into the distance,
Far-off green hills hidden in dense mist, adding a touch of allure!

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