Great Qi Dynasty.
At the western border, in Sky Martial City, resided the Gu family.
As night fell, the hall was brightly lit.
In the center of the hall lay a young man, covered in blood, barely clinging to life. Surrounding him were dozens of core members of the Gu family, each exuding a murderous aura, like a pack of wolves ready to pounce!
"Today, we have Gu Han, an adopted son of the Gu family!"
"Rebellious, defying human decency, insane, harming his kin, with the intent of patricide!"
A tall young man stared at the boy, his eyes filled with cruelty and satisfaction, speaking slowly: "The great elder has decreed, strip him of his position as young master, abolish his cultivation, sever his meridians, expel him from the family, and banish him beyond the city as a warning to others!"
Below.
Gu Han lay motionless, silent, his face smeared with blood, yet his eyes were fixed on the crowd, burning with a fierce flame, as if he wished to incinerate everything before him!
"Young Master!"
At this moment.
A startled cry came from outside, it was a girl of thirteen or fourteen, holding a broken black sword, with bright eyes and white teeth.
Slap!
A crisp slap rang out as a guard struck the girl across the face, causing her to stagger and fall, her fair cheek visibly swelling, a trace of blood at the corner of her mouth.
She seemed oblivious, struggling to stand, still trying to rush into the hall, only to be slapped down again by the guard.
"Unbelievable."
"You've fallen to such a state, yet this fool remains loyal to you."
The young man glanced outside, sneering, "You're just a stray picked up by the Gu family, what right do you have to be the young master? What right do you have to enjoy the family's resources? What right do you have to such loyalty? Do you deserve it?"
"You're jealous of me."
The flames in Gu Han's eyes burned even brighter, his voice weak yet mocking: "Even if you destroy me with such despicable means, kill me, you'll never be my equal!"
"……"
The young man's fingers twitched, a flash of fear and murderous intent in his eyes.
"Gu Han."
He suddenly squatted down, speaking earnestly: "I've waited seventeen years for this day, do you think in your current state, you and she can survive the demonic beasts outside the city? A day? Half a day? Or perhaps… even less?"
"I will return."nGu Han's eyelids drooped slightly, concealing a certain hatred and flame.
"Very well." The young man slowly stood up, looking down at him: "I'll be waiting for your return, waiting for your revenge, waiting for you… to kill me!"
"Enough!" At the head of the hall, an elderly man with an eagle nose and hawk eyes waved his hand, speaking indifferently: "Throw him out."
It was the great elder of the Gu family, Gu Zhang!
"Yes!"
Immediately, someone responded, dragging Gu Han out.
The flickering shadows made the lights sway, casting Gu Zhang's face in alternating light and shadow, his already deep expression becoming even more ruthless and sinister.
"Like a dog." Watching Gu Han being dragged away, the young man exhaled a breath of pent-up air, feeling satisfied: "A stray dog!"
"From today on." Gu Zhang pointed to the young man, surveying the crowd, speaking solemnly: "My grandson, Gu Yang, is the new young master of the Gu family."
"Greetings, Young Master!"
The crowd's expressions were enthusiastic, immediately bowing in submission!
"Everyone, rise!" Gu Yang laughed heartily, his mood elated!
...
Outside the hall.
The night was dark, the boy and girl were dragged away, accompanied by the biting cold wind and the girl's sobs, disappearing into the darkness.
Inside the hall.
Servants added more lights, making it as bright as day, the crowd's enthusiasm and congratulations like the scorching summer sun, warming Gu Yang's heart.
……
Three days later. In Sky Martial City.
The morning sun rose, bringing a bit of vitality to this border town.
In the city, on the long street.
A frail girl of thirteen or fourteen gritted her teeth, carrying a boy on her back, struggling to move forward slowly. The boy was about seventeen or eighteen, with a broken black sword tied to his back with coarse cloth strips, covered in blood, barely breathing, long since unconscious.
It was Gu Han!
And the girl's condition was not much better.
Her dress was unrecognizable, her once fair and delicate face now covered in dust, several red slap marks glaringly obvious, sweat constantly dripping down, stinging her wounds, causing her to frown from time to time.
Who knows how far she had walked.
Her shoes were worn through, her feet bloody and mangled.
Each step left a faint bloody footprint on the bluestone ground.
"Spit! Beast!"
"You're flattering him; he's not even as good as a beast!"
"Indeed, the Gu family head raised him for seventeen years, yet he committed patricide, defying human decency, utterly insane!"
"……"
Seeing the two.
The crowd's eyes were full of mockery and disdain, cursing loudly.
In these three days.
Under Gu Zhang's deliberate propaganda, Gu Han's act of patricide had spread throughout Sky Martial City, and he had gone from the once radiant young master of the Gu family to a dying man despised by all.
The crowd's words.
The girl seemed not to hear, or perhaps she heard but had no strength to retort.
Stumbling.
She struggled to take steps, her somewhat naive eyes full of determination, leaving bloody footprints as she continued forward.
The direction.
Was clearly the City Lord's Mansion!
……
Meanwhile.
In the main hall of the Gu family, Gu Zhang and his grandson Gu Yang were having a secret conversation.
"Grandfather."
Gu Yang asked puzzledly: "Why didn't you just kill Gu Han that day? Wouldn't that have been the end of it?"
"Kill him?"
Gu Zhang glanced at him.
"We secretly ambushed Gu Tian, taking back control of the Gu family, that's one! We pinned the crime on Gu Han, and now we've completely crippled him, that's two!"
Gu Tian.
Was the head of the Gu family.
And Gu Han's adoptive father.
"Moreover."
Gu Zhang continued: "He's gravely injured now, his meridians shattered by me, he won't survive three days, so why should I dirty my hands? Besides, the longer he clings to life, the more advantageous it is for us!"
"I understand."
Gu Yang suddenly realized: "Grandfather wants to use this to build our reputation?"
"Exactly."
Gu Zhang nodded in satisfaction, "The worse his fate, the more it deters others, and it highlights the mercy of our Gu family! It even greatly benefits your future journey to the Martial Academy! Besides, with demonic beasts frequently appearing outside the city, he's probably already become a meal for them by now!"
The Martial Academy.
Located in the Capital of the Great Qi Dynasty, it was a gathering place for the elite of the younger generation, a place countless young talents fought to enter. If one performed exceptionally, they might even be noticed by the upper sects and taken as a disciple, soaring to great heights.
But the academy was strict in its admissions.
And in a small place like Sky Martial City, there was only one spot every five years, causing fierce competition among families.
"Enough!"
"Let's not talk about him."
He changed the subject, advising: "Remember, in a month, it's the battle for the academy spot, you must not slack off, don't miss this heaven-sent opportunity!"
"Rest assured, Grandfather."
Hearing the words "Martial Academy," Gu Yang smiled confidently.
"Without Gu Han, the others… are no threat at all! This battle is destined to be the start of my rise!"
In the path of cultivation, there is no end.
Qi Condensation, Meridian Opening, Meridian Unblocking, Yuan Gathering, Spirit Profound, Divine Connection… among these realms, each is further divided into nine minor stages.
At just nineteen, he had reached the fifth stage of Meridian Opening, though slightly inferior to Gu Han's seventh stage, he was still far superior to the rest of the younger generation in Sky Martial City.
"Just a pity."
A look of regret flashed in his eyes.
"If I could get that Golden Seal from Gu Tian, this would be perfect."
"Don't force it."
Gu Zhang waved his hand.
"Controlling the Gu family and crippling that little stray is already the best outcome, as for the Golden Seal…"
At this point.
A hint of fear flashed in his eyes.
"I once thought it was some extraordinary divine object, but later you saw it too, Gu Tian went mad because of it, losing all reason, perhaps there's a great risk involved, even if you obtained it, you might not be able to control it!"
"Grandfather, do you think Gu Tian… is really dead?"
"He can't survive!"
Gu Zhang squinted his eyes, full of certainty.
"That sword, I personally stabbed it into his heart! Not even the City Lord could survive that!"
At this moment.
Hurried footsteps came from outside.
"Great elder, Young Master!"
"Hmm?"
Gu Yang looked at the breathless servant, a cold light flashing in his eyes, "What did you call me!"
"Young Ma…"
The servant shivered in fright, quickly correcting himself, "Young Master, Gu… Gu Han has returned!"
"What did you say!"
Instantly, Gu Yang's face darkened, "Where is he?"
"It seems… he's gone to the City Lord's Mansion."
……
In front of the City Lord's Mansion.
"How dare you!"
A guard looked coldly at the girl: "What status does my lady have! How could she be friends with a patricide! If you dare slander my lady's reputation again, don't blame me for killing you!"
"But…"
The girl was at a loss, muttering: "Isn't Miss Liu a friend of the Young Master? Please, let me in, the Young Master… he's dying…"
"Ah-Sha…"
Suddenly, a weak voice came, the noise having awakened Gu Han from his faint.
"Why… did you come here?"
"Young Master, I wanted to ask Miss Liu to save you!"
"It's no use, let's go…"
"But…"
"Listen to me, let's go!"
……
Inside the City Lord's Mansion.
In the back garden.
A woman in a light blue dress, with skin fairer than snow, and a graceful figure, stood quietly, her demeanor cold and elegant.
It was the City Lord's daughter.
Liu Ying.
"Miss."
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Behind her, the maid's eyes were full of confusion: "He's about to die, won't you help him?"
"Why should I help?"
"But he was once…"
"That was three days ago."
"Miss, do you really believe Gu Han committed patricide? I think… he's not that kind of person."
"Patricide?"
Liu Ying turned around, revealing a face that made the entire garden's beauty pale in comparison.
"Whether I believe it or not, it no longer matters."
Her voice was cold and distant.
"How can a swan associate with sparrows? How can the bright moon be compared with fireflies? He once held his head high, radiant, the number one genius of Sky Martial City, but now, he's a dying cripple, and I, I am still me."
"Speaking of which."
She changed the subject, saying: "That esteemed guest should arrive in Sky Martial City today, accompany me to greet them."
"Yes."
The maid responded, quickly following her.
……
In a secluded corner of the street.
Ah-Sha still carried Gu Han, even though her strength was at its limit, she refused to let go.
Behind her.
There were no more bloody footprints.
Her flesh had long been worn away, where would the blood come from?
Every step was excruciatingly painful!
Suddenly, her body tilted, unable to hold on any longer, collapsing to the ground, with Gu Han rolling off to the side.
"Cough, cough…"
The movement aggravated his injuries, causing Gu Han to cough up another mouthful of blood.
"Medicine!"
Seeing this, Ah-Sha's somewhat dim-witted mind seemed to have a moment of clarity.
"Young Master, wait for me!"
"I'll find medicine, I won't let you die!"
As she spoke.
She staggered off into the distance.
"Come back…"
Gu Han wanted to stop her, but how could he?
"Gu Zhang!!!"
"Gu Yang!!!"
Thinking of his and his adoptive father's plight, a surge of overwhelming anger and hatred filled his heart, he struggled to lift his arm, fumbling in his bosom.
After a moment.
His blood-stained hand trembled as it opened.
A thumb-sized, square-shaped Golden Seal, covered in dense inscriptions, lay quietly in his palm.
"I cannot die!"
His eyes were bloodshot, a flash of madness in them, "If I die, my adoptive father's revenge cannot be avenged! If I die, Ah-Sha will die too… no, her fate will be worse than death!"
"She is very important to me, very important!"
"I cannot let anything happen to her!"
"Adoptive father!"
He gritted his teeth, "I'm sorry, I didn't heed your words!"
Pfft!
As he spoke.
He mustered his last bit of strength, spitting a mouthful of essence blood onto the Golden Seal!
In an instant!
The Golden Seal shone brightly!
The inscriptions on its surface seemed to come alive, slowly flowing down, transforming into mysterious runes, pouring into his forehead!
Countless runes converged, forming a towering Golden Book in his mind!
Radiant with divine light!
Mysterious and inexplicable!
On the cover of the book, five large characters shone brilliantly!
Great Freedom Heavenly Demon Scripture!
At the same time.
A voice full of emotion suddenly came from within the Golden Seal.
"Gu Han? Physical compatibility is passable! Aptitude is passable! Appearance… tsk tsk, not passable at all, a far cry from this lord, but in times of trouble, one can't be picky. All right, it will be you!"
...
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