Chapter 288: Kill!

"Stop! Elder Gu, please stop!"

Under the gaze of everyone present, Xue Zhangming strode over, persuading him with a face full of worry and anxiety:

"Elder Gu, today is the Gu Family's banquet, with all eyes upon us. Furthermore, I am here; I am the Director of the Jinling Patrol Bureau, and the Gu Family is the leader of the powerful families in Jiangnan. Doing this will likely damage the Gu Family's reputation and also have a negative impact on Elder Gu's standing in the government and the public!"

Gu Yuanzong raised his eyes to look at Xue Zhangming. Ma Zijun and the others, who were itching to act, had their nerves stretched to the breaking point, staring fixedly at the situation on the scene.

Gu Yuanzong looked at Xue Zhangming indifferently for a moment. Finally, just as the others were about to lose their composure, he broke into a smile, and at the same time, that immense pressure dissipated.

"Director Xue has misunderstood. Everyone here knows that although I serve in the government, I am also a person who loves Martial Dao. I greatly admire martial arts talent, let alone a young talent like little friend Chen. For a moment, I couldn't hold back and wanted to spar a little."

Gu Yuanzong looked at Chen Che and said apologetically, "Mr. Chen, I am sorry. It was my lack of consideration; I hope you will not take offense."

Supported by Jiang Lan and Su Xiao, Chen Che stood up. He forced his head up to look over, the veins on his forehead bulging and his face flushed red, yet he still squeezed out an understanding smile: "Elder Gu's realm is profound; you are a role model for this junior to learn from and strive to catch up to."

"Hahaha..."

Gu Yuanzong laughed heartily a few times. "Everyone, please continue. Since the Gu Family is hosting today, we will certainly treat you all well. I have other matters to attend to, so I will not keep you company."

Gu Yuanzong took one last look at Chen Che and left the back garden without looking back.

Chen Che was supported by Su Xiao and Jiang Lan, one on each side. He clutched his chest, silently watching Gu Yuanzong's departing back, still feeling lingering fear.

It was truly dangerous just now. After taking a palm strike from Gu Yuanzong earlier, Chen Che had guessed that Gu Yuanzong's realm might have already broken through the peak of Earth Master.

After what just happened, he could now be certain that Gu Yuanzong was in the Heavenly Master Realm!

It was even very likely the Post-Heaven Heavenly Master realm. Just now, even if he had disregarded the Great Red Sun Poison and used his full strength, he might not have had a guaranteed chance of victory.

"Are you alright?"

Jiang Lan asked worriedly.

Chen Che shook his head, looked at Xue Zhangming, and said, "Thank you, Director Xue, for stepping in to save me."

"You—"

Xue Zhangming had wanted to question him, but then he thought better of it since he was still at the Gu Family, so he swallowed the words that had reached his lips.

"Wait for me outside when the banquet is over!"

Xue Zhangming left behind this sentence and walked away.

Seeing this, Fang Shaoyi, Fang Yuying, Ma Zijun, Lin Su, Shen Qi, and Song Jinhe all breathed a sigh of relief, their tense nerves relaxing.

"What do we do now?"

Su Xiao asked.

Chen Che said, "Stay. Although Gu Yuanzong's strike just now was heavy, his purpose was still to probe. Xue Zhangming was right; at the Gu Family, in front of so many people, especially with Xue Zhangming present, he will not kill me. Even if he wants to make a move, it won't be in such a high-profile manner."

"Dad, what is Elder Gu doing again? Why can't I understand it?"

Huang Shengming looked at Chen Che, who was sitting in a chair supported by Jiang Lan and Su Xiao, and asked with a frown.

Huang Shili shook his head and said, "I don't know either. But looking at Elder Gu's behavior just now, he hasn't dispelled his suspicions about Chen Che yet. As long as that is the case, it is enough. Let's wait patiently; the play tonight isn't over yet."

Ding Mingchang also couldn't understand it. He exchanged a glance with Ding Mo and looked at Ding Zhen simultaneously, asking, "Dad, what is the situation now?"

Ding Zhen sat upright in his chair, slowly sipping and tasting his wine, and explained, "Elder Gu is confirming whether it is truly Chen Che."

"But hasn't the Fang Family's method already confirmed it?"

Ding Mo pressed.

"Not to mention whether Elder Gu would dispel his suspicions because of a single stone, we were blocked by Gu Yao and Gu Yanran when we wanted to leave just now; it's obvious that something else has happened."

Ding Zhen said unhurriedly, "Wait and see. The banquet hasn't ended yet. Since Chen Che is already here, then regardless of whether the previous incidents were his doing or not, he won't be able to leave here easily today."

Ouyang Guilin heard Ding Zhen's words and cast an appreciative glance, then whispered to Ouyang Feng, who was standing beside him, "Tell our people to be ready to act at any time."

Ouyang Feng nodded, his fingers tapping a few times on his radio headset.

The Ouyang Family was in charge of the Jinling Military Department. Before coming, they had received orders from Gu Yuanzong. At this moment, the entire perimeter of the Gu Family had been surrounded by people from the Military Department, waiting for orders at any time.

And what Ouyang Guilin was waiting for was Gu Yuanzong's signal.

Gu Yuanzong returned to his room, sat back behind his desk, and pondered with knitted brows.

A series of events had occurred. Although Gu Yuanzong appeared calm on the surface, he had actually been planning in his heart for a long time.

Whether it was the destruction of the Shanghai branch, the fact that no information about the culprit had been found to this day, or later the death of Vermilion Bird, and the matter at the Welfare Institute.

For each and every one of these, Gu Yuanzong believed it impossible for one person to have accomplished them; it was organized and premeditated.

And as for people or organizations capable of doing this, he could not think of a second one.

Therefore, compared to Chen Che, he suspected more that the one investigating and targeting him was Beijing.

So he secretly ordered the Ouyang Family to bring men to surround the Gu Family. If people from Beijing really appeared tonight, then no matter who they were, they would certainly not return.

Attacking Chen Che was more of a probe. It was to test whether Chen Che had any injuries on his body and if he was the mysterious person he had wounded.

The result proved that Chen Che had no injuries, and Chen Che was meticulous, always keeping the True Qi he released for resistance stable at the Grandmaster Realm.

This matched the test results of the Jingguan Stone.

This result made Gu Yuanzong suspicious once again. He couldn't figure it out—besides Chen Che, who else could it be?

Could it be that Xue Zhangming was playing tricks in the dark? No, although he stood up for Chen Che, his reasons were indeed legitimate; it was the duty of the Patrol Bureau, and with all eyes on them, he had to intervene.

He couldn't figure it out; the more he thought, the more chaotic it became!

Gu Yuanzong's brows relaxed, and a rare trace of panic appeared on his face. He had never been as passive as he was now.

Knowing that a pair of eyes in the dark was watching him, yet unable to find the person, and unable to do anything, all he could do was wait in torment.

"Dad..."

Seeing that Gu Yuanzong had been silent for a long time, Gu Zhengying and Gu Zhangsheng called out worriedly.

Gu Yuanzong let out a breath, looked up at them, and said, "Has there been any discovery from the Ouyang Family's side?"

"No, the Ouyang Family's people have been under orders to guard outside the Gu Family and haven't discovered any suspicious people or matters."

Gu Zhengying replied.

Gu Zhangsheng asked, "Dad, what exactly are your thoughts on that Chen Che?"

Gu Yuanzong said, "Perhaps it really isn't him; there are no injuries on his body, otherwise, given the might I just exerted, he would have already given himself away."

"If it isn't him, then who else could it be?"

Gu Zhengying was suddenly stunned, looking at Gu Yuanzong with an obscure expression.

Gu Yuanzong nodded and said, "You guessed right. The one capable of reaching this level is very likely from Beijing. These people from the Martial Arts Alliance act arrogantly; ever since the destruction of the Shanghai branch, I've had a premonition, but I just didn't expect their people to move so quickly."

"Even if it is Beijing, how do you explain the person from tonight? I don't believe a person can just vanish into thin air!"

Gu Zhangsheng said, "Besides, the Gu Family is currently surrounded by us, both openly and secretly, so tightly that not even a drop of water could pass through. It is impossible for that person to have escaped!"

"Dad, I think so too. That person must still be in the Gu Family. Since it isn't Chen Che, then it must be someone else. We will investigate them one by one!"

Gu Zhengying proposed.

"No need. Doing so has no meaning other than spreading panic. We must not only find out who it is now, but also ensure the Altar is absolutely secure, and the hearts of the other families must also be stabilized."

Gu Yuanzong said, "We still need their family members to come out as sacrifices. There are only three days left until the day of the Ritual. At a time like this, we cannot let them develop even the slightest suspicion."

"So we are just going to let what happened tonight slide? The cocktail party is already nearing its end. If we don't investigate further, once the party breaks up, there really won't be another chance."

Gu Zhangsheng said with some unwillingness.

"Let it be. Right now, the most important thing is still the Ritual."

Gu Yuanzong remembered something else and said, "The cocktail party can end as it should, but that Chen Che, we cannot just let him leave like this."

"Dad, didn't you just say it wasn't Chen Che?"

Gu Zhengying asked.

"That doesn't mean I don't suspect him. I originally really didn't want to create any more complications, but with things at this stage, in order to ensure everything is foolproof, whether it is him or not is no longer important."

Gu Yuanzong said slowly.

Gu Zhengying and Gu Zhangsheng exchanged a glance, both with expectant faces, and asked, "How do you plan to deal with him?"

Gu Yuanzong raised his eyes, a cold murderous intent flashing in his deep pupils, and his voice was filled with majesty and determination as he said, "Kill!"

………