AN - Stone me
Gu Qingfeng gazed at King Xue, his face devoid of any emotion.
"It's simple. Just as you see ordinary people as livestock, I see you the same way."
He continued, "How could I, as a human, cooperate with animals?"
"But don't worry. After you're dead, I'll quickly send other members of the Qingyang Sect to join you!"
As soon as Gu Qingfeng finished speaking, he twisted King Xue's neck with his right hand.
Even in death, King Xue's face remained filled with resentment.
"Someone, come!" Gu Qingfeng called out, his tone still cold and emotionless.
Moments later, two guards entered.
"What does the master require?" one asked.
"Drag the body out, chop it up, and feed it to the dogs," Gu Qingfeng commanded.
The two guards hesitated but did not dare ask any questions. They simply carried out his order, dragging King Xue's body away.
Soon, Gu Qingfeng was alone in the dungeon.
After a long silence, he suddenly smiled—but his smile was twisted, almost feral.
"To think, the entire world is nothing but livestock. This world is far more twisted than I thought. If you don't have the power, you may become nothing more than food for the sects, families, or even the imperial court at any moment!"
He pondered the state of the world.
Chaos reigned. Natural disasters were widespread. Soldiers and bandits ravaged the lands. Rebels were on the rise.
Gu Qingfeng had thought he had a clear understanding of the world's disorder, but now he realized he had underestimated it—underestimated it by a long shot.
The Taixuan Dynasty!
No, not just the dynasty—this entire world's order had rotted to the core. Major sects and families had stood for centuries, wreaking havoc on the common folk. The corruption was so deep that it seemed beyond salvation.
"Perhaps," Gu Qingfeng mused, "the only solution is to overthrow everything and re-establish a new order."
But for now, such thoughts were irrelevant to him.
Not only was he unsure if he wanted to overthrow this corrupt world, but even if he did, he lacked the power to do so.
After all, he was still too weak.
The Marrow Cleansing Realm may seem powerful, but it depends on the context. Even a master of that realm would struggle to face the world's myriad enemies. Reaching the Innate Grandmaster level might not even be enough.
"I can't topple the world or dismantle this corrupt system," he thought to himself, "but I can handle the Qingyang Sect."
"If what King Xue said is true, then my current strength should be enough to kill Qingyang Patriarch."
"And once the Qingyang Patriarch is eliminated, the rest of the sect will be easy to deal with."
Gu Qingfeng's eyes glimmered with cold determination.
But the destruction of the Qingyang Sect would require careful planning. At the very least, Gu Qingfeng needed his people to investigate the sect and cross-reference what King Xue had told him to ensure there were no discrepancies.
Simultaneously, he had to prepare for every possible outcome.
If the Gu family failed to deal with the Qingyang Sect, they needed an escape plan. If Patriarch Qingyang's strength exceeded his expectations, the Gu family would have to leave Baishidao. Otherwise, the sect would easily crush them.
As for reconciliation?
That was impossible.
Since the moment Ye Shi died, the Gu family had been locked in a death struggle with the Qingyang Sect.
Moreover, if the Gu family submitted to the Qingyang Sect, they would be forced to deliver three thousand boys and girls as tribute. Gu Qingfeng considered himself ruthless, but he couldn't stoop to such depths.
"According to King Xue, the Qin family handled such tasks for the Qingyang Sect before. The Qin family might have been reputable in Baishidao, but beneath the surface, they were filthy."
Reflecting on the massacre of the Qin family, Gu Qingfeng thought coldly, "It turns out not a single one of them was innocent."
Initially, he had wiped out the Qin family because of a personal vendetta and a desire to eradicate his enemies at the root. Now, in hindsight, the destruction of the Qin family seemed perfectly justified.
Two days later.
In the main hall of the Gu family residence.
"Father, as per your request, I've mobilized all of our men to investigate Qingyang Sect over the past two days. Here's the information I've gathered," Gu Yang said, his voice deep and serious.
He handed a stack of papers to Gu Qingfeng, who began reviewing them intently.
The content largely confirmed what King Xue had told him.
Gu Yang continued, "Ten years ago, the Nanyang swordsman, Guan Nanhai, attacked Qingyang Sect single-handedly. The incident caused a stir, but after that, Guan Nanhai disappeared without a trace. Some say he died within Qingyang Sect, but no one knows the details."
Gu Yang paused, his expression growing more solemn.
"It is said that Guan Nanhai was incredibly powerful and might have even entered the Marrow Cleansing Realm. He was known throughout Guangyang Prefecture for defeating many strong warriors."
"But the fact that he disappeared sparked a lot of speculation. Unfortunately, I couldn't uncover any solid details about his true strength."
"No need to investigate further," Gu Qingfeng said with a slight smile. "Guan Nanhai did indeed enter the Marrow Cleansing Realm, and yes, he was killed by Qingyang Sect."
Gu Yang's expression shifted. "If that's true, then Qingyang Sect's background is more formidable than we initially thought. Father, do you have a plan now that we're openly opposing them?"
Gu Qingfeng smiled grimly. "The sect's background may seem imposing, but I doubt it's insurmountable. The one who killed Guan Nanhai is none other than the Qingyang Patriarch, who founded the sect centuries ago."
"That's impossible!" Gu Yang exclaimed, disbelief washing over him. "How could a warrior live for hundreds of years?"
Gu Qingfeng responded calmly. "Ordinary warriors can't live that long. But a master warrior can."
"However, the Qingyang Patriarch is no master. He's a demon who has let evil spirits into his body, neither human nor ghost. While his strength may surpass Guan Nanhai's, it likely has its limits."
Gu Yang's face reflected his internal struggle. The idea of a Grandmaster letting evil spirits possess his body was a shock, making him realize how little he understood about the deeper forces at play.
Gu Qingfeng shot him a sharp glance.
"One day, I will explain more. For now, know this: Refining evil into the body is not the righteous path, and the Gu family will never tolerate it. If anyone dares take that step, I will personally kill them."
"I understand, father!" Gu Yang replied quickly, his heart racing at the intensity of Gu Qingfeng's words.
4o