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Chapter 87: Three Hundred Orphans
Chapter 87: Three Hundred Orphans
White Stone City.
Zhu Ming immediately noticed the hanging corpse of Wen Jiao at the city gate. As a former First Realm Martial Artist, even after several days of exposure to the scorching sun, Wen Jiao's body remained intact.
Seeing this, Zhu Ming's eyes turned cold. In front of everyone, he snapped the rope holding the corpse with a flick of his finger, caught the falling body, and left.
This scene caused many to change their expressions.
At the same time, the news that Wen Jiao's body had been taken quickly reached Gu Qingfeng's ears.
"Lord Zhu, not long ago, Zhu Ming, the head of Qingmu Peak of the Crimson Flame Sect, appeared and took Wen Jiao's corpse," Gu Peng reported truthfully in the study.
Gu Qingfeng replied, "Wen Jiao's corpse is no longer of any use. If the Crimson Flame Sect wants to take it, let them. There's no need to make a fuss about it."
"This time, the loss of a peak master in the Crimson Flame Sect will not be taken lightly. If they come to attack, we must be prepared," Gu Peng said, his expression grave.
He had great confidence in Gu Qingfeng's strength, but the Crimson Flame Sect was no ordinary force. Hanging Wen Jiao's corpse at the city gate was a direct slap in the face to the Crimson Flame Sect.
"If the Crimson Flame Sect intended to attack, they would have done so already. They just sent someone to take Wen Jiao's body."
"So, for now, we don't need to worry about the Crimson Flame Sect. The current situation might not lead them to take action."
"Besides, even if the Crimson Flame Sect does come, the Gu Family Manor is not without the ability to fight back," Gu Qingfeng said with a confident smile.
A thousand-year-old sect is indeed powerful, but he was not without the ability to confront one. Moreover, any sect that has survived for a thousand years must have its own survival strategies. When Gu Qingfeng killed Wen Jiao, he only used one strike. As long as the Crimson Flame Sect isn't foolish, they won't pursue a death feud with the Gu Family Manor over this.
That one strike was meant to intimidate all sides.
Since Wen Jiao's death, White Stone Dao has become much more peaceful. The troublemakers who once caused chaos have now become more discreet, fearing the wrath of the Gu Family Manor.
Hearing this, Gu Peng felt reassured.
"Lord Zhu's might is feared throughout the martial world. I believe the Crimson Flame Sect will not dare to attack. Now that Lord Zhu's reputation as the Tyrant Blade is renowned, it is an honor for us to serve under you!"
Gu Peng subtly flattered him.
"Tyrant Blade..."
Gu Qingfeng chuckled and shook his head, not particularly concerned about his reputation in the martial world.
"Originally, I asked you to gather a group of orphans. How is that going?"
"Currently, in this chaotic era, there are many children without parents, but we need to carefully screen them to determine their potential and physical attributes," Gu Peng replied.
"Let's go and see them."
"Yes, Lord Zhu."
...
The Gu Family Manor covered over three hundred acres and was divided into several areas.
The outer hall was the largest of these areas, spanning about one hundred and fifty acres, due to the large number of outer hall disciples.
In the outer hall's training ground, numerous ragged children stood, both boys and girls, all of them pale and undernourished. Despite their young age, they remained quiet and respectful, their faces filled with awe as they looked at the person in front of them.
Gu Qingfeng looked at the children before him, his expression neutral as he met their clear gazes.
"I am Gu Qingfeng, the current head of Gu Family Manor. In these chaotic times, you are fortunate to have joined our manor. For the coming days, you will live here, and there will be dedicated instructors to teach you martial arts."
"Those who successfully reach the Toughened Skin stage within a year will become formal disciples of the Gu Family Manor. If you reach this stage within two years, you will be demoted to menial laborers."
"In the future, we will also have instructors teach you literature and literacy. Martial talent is not something everyone possesses, but if you can learn to read and write and contribute to the manor, you can stay."
"If you fail to advance to the Toughened Skin stage within two years and have no special skills, you will have to leave the Gu Family Manor and find another way to survive."
"Additionally, the rules of the Gu Family Manor are simple, but you must remember two things. First, you must not harm your fellow disciples. If you are discovered, you will be severely punished."
"Second, you must not betray us. If you do, it will mean certain death!"
As Gu Qingfeng spoke these final words, a cold and murderous aura emanated from him, causing many of the children's faces to pale instinctively.
In the past few days, they had finally been able to eat their fill and no longer had to live in constant fear. If they were expelled from the Gu Family Manor, they would have to return to their lives of wandering and hardship.
The thought of this made many of them shudder.
Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng turned to Gu Peng and gave him an order.
"Ensure that all of them have enough food and meat. Proper nutrition is essential for martial training."
"Understood, sir!"
Gu Peng nodded solemnly.
With that, Gu Qingfeng turned and left.
There were about three hundred children in the training ground, but how many would remain after two years was unknown.
However, Gu Qingfeng had given them a chance.
In these chaotic times, taking in so many orphans was a significant burden for many factions. Only because the Gu Family Manor was the dominant force in Baise Dao, with numerous factions under its command, could they afford to do so.
It was well-known that martial training required much more resources than ordinary living. Strengthening the body and blood required proper nutrition; otherwise, it could lead to deficiencies and harm the body.
This was why there was a saying that literature could be pursued by the poor, but martial arts required wealth. Without the necessary conditions, one had no right to step onto the path of martial cultivation.
---
On the other side, within the Crimson Flame Sect.
Zhu Ming had already brought back Wen Jiao's corpse.
When they saw the wound from his forehead down, everyone's eyebrows twitched. The body was split in two with no external injuries, confirming the rumors that the Gu Family Manor's head had killed him with a single strike.
Ouyang Lie approached Wen Jiao's body, bent down, and touched the wound. Suddenly, a slight stinging sensation ran through his hand, and blood began to seep from his palm.
This scene shocked the other elders of the Crimson Flame Sect.
Ouyang Lie, before he had incorporated evil into his body, was a powerful third-stage Internal Organ Refinement martial artist with a formidable physical constitution. Even ordinary Bone Washing Realm martial artists could not break his defenses.
The residual power left on Wen Jiao's body could still harm Ouyang Lie's flesh, demonstrating just how terrifying this force was.
(End of Chapter)
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