A heavy snowfall blanketed Linjiang City in white.
After several days of recuperation, Gu Zhan was able to move about freely again. Though he had suffered quite a few injuries, none were fatal, and now with his cultivation already at the Fourth Grade Realm, his recovery had been swift.
During these days,
Gu Zhan stayed at home, never reporting to the Hundred Households Office for duty, yet even so, through the reports from his subordinates like Chen Fei, he could still sense the suffocating tension there.
"This New Year's will not be peaceful!"
Standing beneath the eaves, Gu Zhan gazed at the snow-laden courtyard and sighed deeply.
This ought to have been the first New Year's he'd spent in this world, but seeing how things stood now, it was clear that a quiet holiday was unlikely.
Chen Fei, standing to the side, smiled and said, "Lord, you need not worry so much. Hundred Households Gu has explicitly ordered you to rest and heal; all other matters are none of your concern."
Gu Zhan shook his head slightly, saying nothing more.
Having been drawn into this storm, many things were now beyond his own decisions.
Outside the courtyard came a few soft footsteps, and a guard walked in, cupping his hands. "Master, an Embroidered Uniform Guard lord has come to visit."
Gu Zhan looked at Chen Fei, puzzled,
Chen Fei shook his head. "I haven't heard of any colleagues scheduled to visit today."
The guard hurriedly added, "Master, the visitor claims to be Gao Jun from the West City Hundred Households Office."
Gu Zhan furrowed his brows, curiosity pulling him toward the main hall.
Entering, he saw a gentle-looking middle-aged man in splendid uniform, and seated beside him were several others drinking tea. The leading uniformed man stood to greet Gu Zhan with a smile, hands clasped. "Lord Gu, I am Gao Jun. Forgive my sudden visit; I come on behalf of the Hundred Households Office to check on you. How is your recovery?"
"This subordinate greets Lord Gao," Gu Mo responded, cupping his hands. "Thank you for your concern, my injuries are of no real consequence."
"Very good, very good," Gao Jun smiled. "Lord Gu, you are a youth of outstanding talent, a true example for our Embroidered Uniform Guard. The Lord Thousand Households values you highly, so please look after your health. If you need anything, just tell the Hundred Households Office."
Gu Zhan smiled politely, "Thank you for your guidance, Lord."
Gao Jun took a sip of tea, pondering for a moment, then said, "Lord Gu, you are talented and your future limitless. The Lord Thousand Households admires you greatly and wishes to transfer you to the Hundred Households Office. I was sent today specifically to ask your opinion."
Gu Zhan's brows creased ever so slightly,
Gu Chuan had already explained the strained relationship between himself and the Hundred Households Office,
Now Gao Jun had turned up with this request—something about it felt off.
He smiled. "I appreciate the Lord Thousand Households' favor, but matters like these do not require my input. Submit a transfer order to the Hundred Households Office; if Hundred Households Gu approves it, I would naturally report to the Thousand Households Office."
Gao Jun frowned, slowly setting his cup on the table, squinting as he spoke. "Lord Gu, we all know what's what, so let's skip the pleasantries. To be blunt, following Gu Chuan will bring you nothing good."
Gu Zhan smiled, "We're all Embroidered Uniform Guards, all loyal to the country."
Gao Jun's voice deepened: "Lord Gu, there's no need for official talk. Let's be frank. The Lord Thousand Households sees your value and doesn't wish you to go down a dead end; he wants to save you.
You may not know Gu Chuan's true status—he's the direct son of the Gu Family from the Capital City. He came to Linjiang Prefecture just to polish his credentials. You, following him, have made enemies everywhere. He'll be fine no matter what happens, but your situation is different.
While Gu Chuan is here, you won't notice any consequences. But he won't stay here forever; at most, one or two years. If he becomes Thousand Households, he'll find an opportunity to return to the Capital City. If he doesn't, he'll just leave all the same.
He'll walk away without a care, but Lord Gu, your days will become very difficult. The entire Linjiang Prefecture will have no place for you—ha! Gu Chuan hasn't told you, has he? You think he treats you as a confidant, but to him, you're merely a knife—used and then discarded."
Gu Zhan's face remained impassive. "Lord Gao, just speak plainly."
Gao Jun replied coldly, "Then I'll be direct. Gu Chuan will certainly fail, and even if he succeeds, he'll leave. Lord Gu, following him is a road to ruin.
The Lord Thousand Households truly admires you and is willing to give you a way out. Apply to transfer to the Thousand Households Office, and you'll be given a chance to withdraw from the Embroidered Uniform Guard honorably. You'll get a large sum of money too, ensuring a lifetime of wealth and status..."
"Heh..."
Gu Zhan laughed quietly. "I really appreciate the Lord Thousand Households' regard, but such favor is more than I deserve. Lord Gao, if there's nothing further, I won't keep you."
Gao Jun's face darkened. He said coldly, "Lord Gu, Gu Chuan can act recklessly because he has the Gu Family behind him. You're following him so brazenly? That's foolish. Opportunities only come once—if you miss them, they're gone."
Gu Zhan answered coldly, "Lord Gao, do you take me for a fool, or are you convinced of your own cleverness? You want me to betray Hundred Households Gu, then leave the Embroidered Uniform Guard so the Celestial Water Gang can kill me? If you're stupid, don't assume everyone else is!"
Gao Jun's expression turned gloomy. "Lord Luo will naturally ensure your safety. If you don't believe it, we can arrange for your departure from Linjiang City and guarantee you wealth wherever you go. Isn't that enough?"
Gu Zhan sneered, "If I must leave Linjiang City disgraced either way, why must I crawl out rather than walk upright?"
"So you're determined to set yourself against Linjiang City," Gao Jun's voice took on a sinister edge. "Gu Zhan, your cultivation is impressive and you're resourceful, but the waters in this world run deep—you're not qualified to stir them."
"And then?" Gu Zhan said disdainfully. "Are you planning to kill me here, Lord Gao? I doubt you have the courage!"
"Very well," Gao Jun rose slowly. "No wonder Gu Chuan values you—the two of you are birds of a feather, equally arrogant. Pity you don't share his fortune; he can be arrogant and remain untouchable, but what are you? You don't know your place!"
With those words, Gao Jun signaled lightly, and a middle-aged man carrying a wooden case stepped forward.
Gao Jun said coldly, "Chen Fan, haven't you admired Lord Gu for a long time? Now's your chance—why not learn from Lord Gu, spar with him? Be sure to show restraint; don't go too far. This duel must not be fatal!"