Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 260: Chapter 151: Gu Jingang Departs, The Elder’s Apprehension

Gu Xiaojiang was one of the few friends Gu Sheng had in Gu’s Manor. Seeing that Xiaojiang had an opportunity to leave the manor, Gu Sheng felt sincerely happy for him.

”This is great news! Congratulations, congratulations! How about we have a drink to celebrate? I happened to brew some great osmanthus wine recently.”

Gu Sheng spoke as he turned to head into the house to fetch the wine, but seeing this, Gu Xiaojiang quickly stopped him.

”No need for drinking. Master Mo is rushing me, and I’ll be leaving shortly. I still need to pack up my things.”

As he spoke, Gu Xiaojiang leaned closer to Gu Sheng and whispered, ”Asheng, others might not realize how skilled you are, but I do. You should also push for a breakthrough as soon as possible. Once I’m at Red Cloud Prefecture, I’ll pave the way for you. When you rise, I’ll definitely find a way to get you in too!”

Hearing this, Gu Sheng felt a warm current flow through his heart. He burst into laughter and clapped Gu Xiaojiang’s shoulders with both hands. ”Good! Then you do your best. I’ll count on you to pull me in once you become a big official!”

After a brief exchange of goodbyes, Gu Xiaojiang left Gu Sheng’s small courtyard to go home and pack.

After Gu Xiaojiang left, Gu Wan immediately came over curiously and asked, ”Uncle Sheng, what’s the Red Cloud Guard? Are they really powerful?”

Gu Sheng ruffled Gu Wan’s hair and smiled, ”Of course they’re powerful. They’re the most elite army in Red Cloud Prefecture. Even a handful of their members could wipe out Gu’s Manor.”

Hearing this, Gu Wan’s eyes widened. ”They’re that powerful? Then I want to join the Red Cloud Guard in the future too!”

Gu Sheng chuckled and said, ”Then work hard on your cultivation! In this world, only if you’re strong enough can you determine your own fate.”

After Liu Yuanhu cleared out the bandits from Canghe County, villages and fortresses like Gu’s Manor enjoyed a much better life. Not only did they no longer have to worry about paying protection fees to thugs, but traveling to Canghe County’s city no longer meant fearing roadside robberies either.

The previously tense days seemed to instantly settle into peace. A month later, life at Gu’s Manor returned to normal.

Gu’s Manor Council Hall

Gu Jingang, Gu Changming, and Gu Dajiang all stood, while seated by the table were several clan elders of Gu’s Manor, who had been imprisoned by Gu Jingang.

The Great Clan Elder sat in the lead seat, his expression frosty. He looked at Gu Jingang and said sarcastically, ”What now? You don’t trust us old folks and can’t help but want to kill us off?”

Hearing this, Gu Jingang’s face showed only disdain as he laughed, ”If I wanted to kill you, why would I have waited until today? Everything I have today, I owe to the manor’s upbringing and to the guidance of you elders. I will never forget your kindness, and I am not someone devoid of feelings and gratitude! The reason I acted as I did earlier was only to prevent Gu’s Manor from collapsing under the buffeting winds and storms. Now that the crisis has passed, I will return authority to you. At the same time, my wife, my children, and I will leave Gu’s Manor forever and never return!”

Having said this, Gu Jingang knelt before the elders and kowtowed three times, the sound resounding loudly.

”Gu’s Manor raised me and nurtured me. I believe I’ve repaid this grace over the years. Now, with these three kowtows, we are settled! I only ask that you elders not remain as short-sighted as before.”

With that, Gu Jingang turned and left the council hall.

The elders, watching this, remained cold and impassive, making no effort to persuade him to stay.

Although Gu Jingang was the strongest martial artist in Gu’s Manor, he was, at the end of the day, not of the Gu family’s main lineage. Moreover, his previous power grab had left the elders wary of him.

To the clan elders, a strong fighter who didn’t obey orders was nothing less than a ticking time bomb, one that might blow up and destroy them at any time. In their hearts, they wished nothing more than for Gu Jingang to leave as soon as possible.

Gu Changming and Gu Dajiang, seeing this, quickly spoke out, ”Clan Elder! Jingang is the strongest among us in the manor. If he leaves, it’ll be a great loss for us! He’s always had the manor’s interests at heart; it’s just that his methods were wrong this time. Can’t we give him another chance?”

The Great Clan Elder shot both of them an icy glance before replying coldly, ”Hmph, under Liu Daren’s governance, Canghe County is now peaceful and harmonious. What does it matter if he leaves? He is not one of us, and his heart will always be different!”

Hearing this, Gu Changming and Gu Dajiang understood what the elders were thinking. Sighing, they both shook their heads and left in frustration.

Outside the council hall, Gu Changming and Gu Dajiang found Gu Jingang.

By that time, Gu Jingang and his family had already packed up everything. All their belongings were loaded onto a wagon.

Gu Changming hurriedly stopped the wagon and grabbed Gu Jingang’s hand. ”Jingang! You can’t act like a child throwing a tantrum! You’ve been living in Gu’s Manor for so many years—can you really bear to leave?”

Gu Dajiang also stepped forward, adding urgently, ”You’re not alone—you’ve got a family to care for! If you leave Gu’s Manor, where will you go? Do you really want to see Yuhuan suffering with you, braving the elements and wandering without a home? The world’s not exactly peaceful these days. Isn’t that too dangerous?”

Gu Jingang pried Gu Changming’s hand away. He turned to look at Gu’s Manor, the place where he had spent decades of his life. His eyes misted slightly, and his gaze was filled with helplessness as he shook his head.

”There’s no place for me here anymore. You both know it in your hearts. Even if I shamelessly stayed, the elders would find ways to drive me out. Now that Canghe County has stabilized and Xiaojiang has joined the Red Cloud Guard, Gu’s Manor will surely thrive in the days ahead. That puts my mind at ease. Go back now. No matter where I go, I’ll never forget the two of you, my good brothers.”

With that, he gave each of them a firm pat on the shoulder before snapping the whip against the horse’s rear.