Chapter 273: The Gu Family's Response

"We must tell Gu Han this news as soon as possible!"

"After Li Kaisan left, several Li family elders exchanged glances and immediately began discussing."

"Previously, because Dai Jing had once impersonated the title of a Li family elder."

"Compared to the other major clans, the Li family naturally has a somewhat closer relationship with the Gu family."

"They would not be so foolish as to oppose the Gu family over such petty gain!"

"Resources that could enable a Martial Practitioner to advance to Martial Venerable have, in their eyes, become petty gain."

"This is Gu Han's value in their eyes at this moment!"

"\"I'll have the guards go to the Gu family to report this! \""

"As soon as one elder finished speaking, he immediately walked out."

"But before he could step outside, someone stopped him,"

"\"Wait a moment! \""

"\"It's not certain other families won't also send people to report to the Gu family; you must go yourself and make sure to get there as quickly as possible! \""

"Upon hearing that, that person's expression also turned solemn,"

"\"Rest assured. \""

"As his words fell, his figure flashed and instantly appeared tens of meters away."

"Shortly after, when Li Kaisan was heading to the third family, the Li family elder had already arrived at the Gu family manor's gate."

"\"Please, little brother, go and report, saying that the Li family elder wishes to meet the young Gu brother. \""

"The Li family elder respectfully clasped his fists toward the Gu family gate guard."

"If outsiders knew, it would be astonishing that a venerable Martial Practitioner‑rank elder would bow so politely to a gate guard who isn't even a Martial Practitioner."

"But both parties present, whether the Li family elder or the Gu family gate guard, felt this was utterly normal."

"This was not the first time a Martial Practitioner‑rank elder had come to the Gu family to request an audience."

"At first, the Gu family gate guard was a bit trembling."

"After all, that was an existence whose strength surpassed even the Gu family elders!"

"Even though they were both Martial Practitioners."

"The elders of the great clans of Han Shan Cheng were even stronger than Gu Family elders like Gu Ren."

"Saying they could be crushed with a single finger would not be an exaggeration!"

"How could they dare act rashly before such an existence?"

"But habit becomes second nature; after repeatedly having Martial Practitioners treat them so respectfully, they too grew accustomed to it."

"Although they didn't become arrogant, they also didn't feel at a loss because of it."

"\"Please, elder, wait a moment. \""

"The gate guard immediately entered the Gu family manor and proceeded through layers to the training field."

"Gu Han, whenever he was within the family, was either instructing his sister Gu Pan or, when idle, pointing out the younger clan members."

"Moreover, his strength was painstakingly earned through hard work via the system."

"His understanding of nearly every realm was almost flawless!"

"He was fully capable of guiding those whose realms were lower than his."

"But on this day, Gu Han was not inside the Gu family."

"The gate guard searched around and could only find Elder Gu Ren, who was inspecting the disciples' training."

"Upon hearing that, Gu Ren hastily set aside his work and had someone usher the Li family elder inside."

"\"I don't know why Elder Li has come to our Gu family; what is the reason? \""

"Within the Gu family manor, upon seeing that the visitor was Gu Ren, the Li family elder couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed."

"However, he had not forgotten his mission, and he said in a low voice,"

"\"Please, Elder Gu, quickly inform Gu Han that the Heavy Sword Peak elder is trying to persuade other families to deal with Gu Han during the six‑clans competition! \""

"\"What?! \""

"As a Gu family elder, Gu Ren naturally knew the relationship between Gu Cang Shan and the Heavy Sword Peak elder Li Kaisan."

"However, since Gu Cang Shan was imprisoned, nearly a month has passed."

"During that long time, Li Kaisan had not come to cause trouble for the Gu family."

"Gu Ren instinctively thought that Li Kaisan did not consider it worthwhile to make an enemy of Gu Cang Shan and the Gu family."

"But he never expected that Li Kaisan would actually show up now."

"Most importantly, Gu Han is not in the manor at the moment!"

"Even if he wanted to discuss countermeasures, there was no one to discuss with."

"At this moment, Gu Ren could only feel relieved in his heart."

"Fortunately, Li Kaisan had not thought of launching a surprise attack on the Gu family!"

"If Li Kaisan had even for a second entertained the idea of sneaking an attack on the Gu family,"

"the Gu family would surely suffer heavy losses!"

"At this moment, the Gu family lacks any defense capable of blocking Martial Venerable‑level combat power!"

"Gu Chen and Gu Han working together could indeed suppress a Martial Venerable,"

"but if one of them is missing, they might not be able to do so!"

"Gu Ren immediately summoned all the family elders to a meeting."

"This included Gu Chen, who was currently instructing the disciples."

"\"What? The Martial Venerable from Heavy Sword Peak is currently trying to persuade other families? \""

Upon hearing that a Martial Sovereign eyed the family like a tiger watching its prey, all the elders were greatly startled in their hearts.

But they were not overly panicked.

That Heavy Sword Peak would act against the Gu Family was something they had long anticipated.

Moreover, the heads of the other five great families of Han Shan Cheng had already witnessed this when they entered the city.

A Martial Sovereign of such stature is completely on par with Gu Han's brothers as peers.

Even though Heavy Sword Peak stands high above, it is stronger than several great families of Jiannan Prefecture.

But they are not afraid either.

"Now that Gu Han is not in the city, why don't we go report to the City Lord of Han Shan Cheng and ask for his help?"

Faced with the suggestion put forward by one of the elders, the other elders all shook their heads,

"Improper, although the five great families seem not to reject our joining Han Shan Cheng, they must certainly harbor resentment in their hearts."

"This is the first difficulty we face after entering Han Shan Cheng."

"If we cannot even pass this hurdle, the five great families will surely look down on our Gu Family in secret, and may even set traps for us later!"

The elder who had just proposed the suggestion, upon hearing this, immediately furrowed his brow,

"But this is after all a Martial Sovereign, whose strength rivals that of the heads of the five great families; to present such a difficulty right away—isn't it too hard?"

The elders discussed noisily, but only Gu Chen, who held his sword to his chest, remained calm and composed at the side.

Gu Ren discussed with several elders for a while, but in the end neither side could convince the other.

Each side held to its own view, yet each had its own reasoning.

One side believed that the family could not rely on third‑party help every time it faced a challenge.

The other side thought that, being newcomers, the family simply lacked the strength to challenge a Martial Sovereign.

While self‑reliance is certainly important for the family, one must also consider the safety of the younger generation.

Seeing the other elders still debating, Gu Ren turned to Gu Chen at his side and asked.

"Gu Chen, what do you think we should do?"

"Meet force with force, water with earth."

These eight words came out of Gu Chen's mouth, yet all the elders furrowed their brows.

"Saying that is easy, but that is a Martial Sovereign—who could deal with a Martial Sovereign?"

"It would be better to find a way to notify Gu Han as soon as possible; with Gu Han and Gu Chen joining forces, even a Martial Sovereign would not be fearsome."

"But we do not now know where Gu Han is, nor where we should go to inform him."

Seeing that the crowd was about to argue again, Gu Chen calmly said,

"No need to trouble Gu Han; a mere Li Kaisan—I can handle him."