The hall was packed,
but as soon as Wu Yang spoke, it suddenly fell silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Everyone’s gaze, intentionally or not, turned to Gu Zhan. In that mont, an oppressive and heavy atmosphere filled the hall, an invisible pressure pressing in like seawater flooding through a breach.
Vaguely,
Gu Zhan sensed many strong murderous intents.
Yet, in this tense atmosphere,
Gu Zhan acted as if nothing was wrong, leaned back in his chair, threw his legs up onto the table, tapped his fingers lightly against the armrest, and lazily said, "Soone, pour the wine."
At the head seat, Wu Yang quietly watched Gu Zhan, his eyes openly filled with admiration, then gave a slight smile and signaled to a guard.
The guard imdiately stepped to Gu Zhan’s table, slowly poured a glass of wine, and respectfully said, "Lord Gu, please drink at your leisure."
Gu Zhan twitched his foot a little, slouching in the chair with obvious nonchalance, and waved two fingers at the guard.
The guard bowed slightly and quickly withdrew.
After quite a while, Gu Zhan finally moved a bit, picked up his wine and took a sip, and said, "I’ve had a drink. Lord Wu, what’s the deal here?"
Wu Yang smiled and said, "Today’s banquet is for one thing only, and has nothing to do with the Governnt Office. It’s our Six Great Families, in the na of the families, inviting Lord Gu to join us in jointly governing Linjiang County."
Gu Zhan swirled his wine glass and said, "How do you propose we rule together?"
Wu Yang said, "We are willing to help Lord Gu establish the Seventh Noble Family in Linjiang County."
Gu Zhan smiled faintly and said, "I’m Gu Zhan, a lone wolf. How the hell would I start a family?"
Wu Yang said, "Even if Lord Gu is only one man, that’s still worth a thousand troops. With one blade, you’ve kept the entire Martial World of Linjiang County beneath your feet. Is there anything you can’t do? Founding a new family is nothing.
All six families have unmarried noble daughters for Lord Gu to pick from. In fact, considering your potential, we wouldn’t mind if all six of us form marital ties with you. With the power of all our families combined, would you ever worry about lacking a clan?"
Gu Zhan took a sip of wine, then slowly put the cup down on the table, saying, "Sounds good, sure. But I’ve never believed in love without a reason, especially since I don’t even have an ordinary relationship with your families. Lord Wu, let’s cut the bullshit. Be direct—what do you want from ?"
Wu Yang laughed heartily and said, "You won’t have to sacrifice much. Just agree to the marriage, then stay in the Prefecture Governnt for a while—they’ll nurture your relationship there, that’s all."
"Stay for a while?" Gu Zhan squinted his eyes a bit and said, "That’s an interesting way to put it, Lord Wu. Sounds like you’re planning to confine , no?"
Wu Yang quickly waved his hand, saying, "Lord Gu, you misunderstand. If we’re joined by marriage, we’re family. It’s necessary to cultivate affection ahead of ti—a lifelong matter shouldn’t be rushed. If Lord Gu is willing, in my own ho, I’ve got a few unmarried daughters as well. Not saying they’re beauties who could bring down a kingdom, but they’re certainly talented and virtuous. I could have them co to the Prefecture Governnt today for you to et—how about it?"
Gu Zhan chuckled and said, "So Lord Wu’s already got pegged, huh? Aren’t you worried that if I start trouble, you won’t be able to handle it? Linjiang City still has the Imperial Censorate after all."
Wu Yang smiled and waved his hand slightly.
Monts later, several guards ca in carrying small chests and set them upon Gu Zhan’s table.
Gu Zhan frowned slightly, a little puzzled, and opened one of the chests,
His face imdiately changed,
Inside was a human head,
Next to the head lay a token, the words "Imperial Censor" clearly carved in gold seal script.
On the back of the token were smaller characters: Yunzhou Shuntian Prefecture.
This was the identity token of a Shuntian Prefecture Imperial Censor.
Which ant, the head belonged to an Imperial Censor.
Gu Zhan slowly opened another chest,
Another head, another token.
This ti Gu Zhan was certain: this was indeed an Imperial Censor, because this man had represented the Imperial Censorate. The Embroidered Uniform Guard had prepared his portrait in advance and Gu Zhan rembered him.
The other chests,
Gu Zhan didn’t bother opening them—there was no need.
He stared steadily at Wu Yang, who smiled at the head seat, and said in a deep voice, "Lord Wu, are you... planning a rebellion?"
Gu Zhan’s mind had run through hundreds of guesses,
But no matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t figure out why Wu Yang and the others would kill the Imperial Censorate’s people. In the end, he could only arrive at the most unlikely conclusion: rebellion.
Unless they planned to rebel,
Wu Yang and his n had no reason to murder the Imperial Censorate’s folks.
Wu Yang said calmly, "Lord Gu, in these tis, the Emperor is stupid, the Court is corrupt, the people can hardly survive. Officials are not officials, soldiers are not soldiers... Such a Court should be replaced!
Lord Gu, these are dangerous tis, and those who prepare early are those who truly know how to adapt!"
Gu Zhan narrowed his eyes,
He wasn’t native to this world, nor did he care for any ’loyalty to king and court.’ Wu Yang’s shocking statent, though considered blasphemous in this era, felt easy for him to accept.
He glanced at Wu Yang and said, "Just the likes of you?"
"Lord Gu misunderstands," Wu Yang said, "The six families alone, forget rebellion—the Court could send a handful of experts and wipe us out with minimal effort. We wouldn’t dare rebel. Even a rotten Court is not sothing a few small noble families could oppose."
Gu Zhan asked, "So who’s backing you?"
"Has Lord Gu ever heard of the White Lotus Sect?" Wu Yang asked.
Gu Zhan raised an eyebrow,
Of course, he knew of the White Lotus Sect—a heretical group in Great Xia, preaching ’White Lotus descent, salvation for all.’ Ten years ago, they staged a major uprising, making quite a spectacle, but it ended in disaster—crushed by the Court in half a month.
Now, it’s still heavily suppressed in Great Xia. Earlier, Gu Zhan had even frad the Inspection Team for colluding with White Lotus rebels as an excuse.
Gu Zhan said slowly, "I thought you were just colluding with the White Lotus Sect for so quick cash. Never expected you’d have the balls to go this far, actually planning rebellion with White Lotus. But I’m curious—didn’t the White Lotus Sect embarrass itself enough ten years ago? Why are you still willing to trust them?"
"It’s different," Wu Yang waved his hand, saying, "Lord Gu, today’s White Lotus Sect isn’t the sa as ten years ago. Now, the White Lotus has found the Celestial Maiden. Under her leadership, we believe we can restore the Human World to genuine brightness and justice."
When Wu Yang ntioned the Celestial Maiden, many in the hall had looks of awe and fervor in their eyes—classic signs of being thoroughly brainwashed,
But Wu Yang himself appeared calm and collected.
"To be honest, Lord Gu," Wu Yang continued, "From the destruction of the Rong Family right up to the purge at Linjiang County Prefecture Governnt, it may look like Wan Yan was targeting the noble families, but actually, it was us Six Great Families pulling strings behind the scenes. Wan Yan was just a pawn from start to finish!"
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