Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 201: Chapter 123: Hundred Refinements Heavy Armor! The Decadent Gu Jingang!

Even though Gu Sheng found it somewhat difficult to understand, the truth remained: Gu Xiaojiang had been placed under confinement.

”Even if someone is wholeheartedly working for the sake of Gu’s Manor, those who hold authority, once they sense their prestige being challenged, may still act in unwise ways...”

Gu Sheng stood with his hands behind his back, gazing towards the direction of the main house.

He could vaguely guess the reasons behind the elders’ actions.

First, there was Gu Jingang, the strongest martial artist of Gu’s Manor, and now there was Gu Xiaojiang, the most extraordinary talent of Gu’s Manor. Both had defied the elders’ wishes, and it was inevitable that conflicts would arise.

Gu’s Manor had always been managed by the elders in both major and minor affairs. With these two coming forward one after the other, it naturally created a subtle sense of threat for the elders. Even though Gu Xiaojiang was of the main family, human nature was such that even the long-lived elders were not entirely without desires and attachments.

Holding onto power for so long, it was only natural that they would be reluctant to let go.

Gu Sheng shook his head.

He wasn’t particularly worried about Gu Xiaojiang. After all, Gu Xiaojiang was the most outstanding talent nurtured by Gu’s Manor with all its resources. At most, he would face some reprimand and suffer minor physical hardship. Since this news had reached his ears, it was clear that the elders had no intention of keeping it hidden.

It was likely also meant as a demonstration of authority.

Gu Sheng withdrew his gaze and continued his cultivation.

No matter what disturbances arose within Gu’s Manor, he had no interest in getting involved. Whoever held power wasn’t particularly significant to him, unless it somehow threatened his own interests or involved external forces seeking to destroy Gu’s Manor.

He resided within Gu’s Manor and enjoyed the stability it provided. To a certain extent, he would repay that stability in kind.

...

The ancestral hall of Gu’s Manor.

Gu Jingang slowly stood up, rubbing his knees lightly. A surge of Qi Blood Power brushed over him, instantly dispelling any lingering fatigue. Having reached the Blood Refining Realm, he was already far removed from the limitations of ordinary people.

Going without food or sleep for short periods was not a significant issue.

His expression was impassive as he stepped out of the ancestral hall. A few rays of light filtered through, causing him to instinctively narrow his eyes.

A servant promptly approached and handed him a towel soaked in warm water. Gu Jingang wiped his hands and casually asked:

”Anything unusual happen in the past few days? Everything in the manor is well, I hope?”

The servant answered cautiously, ”Everything is fine, it’s just... just that Young Master Xiao Jiang has been placed under confinement by the elders...”

Gu Jingang’s movements froze. The servant’s heart tensed up as he subtly observed Gu Jingang’s expression. Yet, Gu Jingang’s face remained devoid of any emotion, his eyes showing no semblance of feeling. In the past, though strict, Gu Jingang had never appeared like this.

”What’s the reason for the confinement?”

A cold voice cut through the air, making the servant shudder. He quickly replied:

”This little one is not sure. The elders only mentioned that Young Master Xiao Jiang was to go into closed-door training for three months, in hopes of reaching the Blood Refining Realm as soon as possible...”

Gu Jingang’s lips curved into a faint, silent sneer.

”Understood...”

A flat voice trailed off, and before the servant could respond, Gu Jingang’s figure had already disappeared into the distance.

...

A month passed.

Gu’s Manor remained tranquil, with no disturbances. Gu Sheng continued his regular cultivation routines. Today, he had gone to assist Helian Tie Lan with armor forging to further improve his proficiency in Weapon Casting Skill.

Currently, Helian Tie Lan no longer resided in Canghe County’s city but had moved to a secluded courtyard outside the city.

The reason was simple.

After Zhao Honglie’s clandestine armor-forging activities were exposed, Liu Yuanhu showed no intention of making a preemptive strike. Instead, Zhao Honglie grew increasingly reckless, relentlessly searching for blacksmiths. While his operations remained covert, the atmosphere of fear he created caused many blacksmiths to go into hiding, actively seeking Liu Yuanhu’s protection.

As a result, Liu Yuanhu gained the loyalty of many blacksmiths without shedding a single drop of blood.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, Gu Sheng simply bought a remote courtyard outside the city. This also made it convenient for him to come and go. Although his original location in the city’s side alleys was relatively secluded, being discovered there could easily lead to complications.

Entering the small courtyard, he saw Helian Tie Lan staring blankly at a crescent-shaped piece of metal in her hand. Gu Sheng had seen it many times before and knew it had been gifted by Pei Xuansi.

Although he didn’t know the complete story behind the two, Gu Sheng could tell that Helian Tie Lan deeply cherished this connection.

”Have you ever considered finding his family?” Gu Sheng inquired.

Helian Tie Lan tucked the metal piece close to her chest and shook her head. ”He was an orphan, raised entirely by his master. When the Black Sand Gang came to abduct people, his master refused to yield and was killed by them.”

Gu Sheng nodded silently.

The Black Sand Gang’s atrocities were indeed boundless.

For communities like Gu’s Manor that banded together, they merely suffered from bloodsucking annual tributes. But for many ordinary people, the fate was far worse—selling their children, pawning their land, or having their families wiped out. Back when Cao Shiduan was the county magistrate, the Black Sand Gang had already been a toxic tumor in Canghe County.

Helian Tie Lan took a deep breath and looked at Gu Sheng.

”If you ever have the chance to kill Zhao Honglie, you’d be doing a great service to the countless people of Canghe County!”

Gu Sheng didn’t respond.

If circumstances allowed, he wouldn’t mind killing Zhao Honglie himself. But risking his life to do so was out of the question.

In these troubled times, the suffering of the people ultimately stemmed from the corruption within the imperial court. News of the new emperor collapsing had already reached Canghe County, and the two stable years of peace had once again given way to chaos. Eliminating the Black Sand Gang would only pave the way for a White Sand Gang or a Red Sand Gang to take its place.

To truly survive, one had to gain power for oneself. This had always been the core reason behind Gu Sheng’s relentless pursuit of strength.