Chapter 60: Arrest Every Damn One of Them

"Miss, why is it you..."

Wei Wuji turned around at the sound, only to see Hua rubbing her eyes on one side of the hall, gazing toward them.

"Huan'er, what are you doing here?" Wei Wuji asked, not hiding his displeasure. He had ordered the guards to clear the place—how had she ended up here?

"Young master, I had fallen asleep in the back room, and was just awakened by the commotion, so I came here," Huan'er replied, her face innocent, as if she knew nothing.

Wei Wuji looked suspiciously at the guards, silently demanding an explanation. How had they cleared the hall?

"Young master, we did not dare... search your quarters," one guard replied, bowing, his expression tense.

Seeing that this was indeed the case, Wei Wuji dropped his doubts and signaled the guard that it was fine.

Yet Huan'er's earlier words echoed in Wei Wuji's mind.

Miss?

"Huan'er, do you know her?" Wei Wuji casually pointed at the woman in purple, addressing Huan'er, who stood off to the side.

At that moment, the woman in purple cast a fierce, venomous glare at Huan'er, silencing whatever Huan'er had been about to say.

Wei Wuji chuckled, seeing the woman's nervousness. Clearly, Huan'er knew something, and the matter would soon be resolved.

He walked over to Huan'er, took her small hand in his, and spoke gently, "Huan'er, tell me, who is she?"

I’m sacrificing my looks for the country, Wei Wuji thought to himself.

To have her hand held by Wei Wuji in front of so many, Huan'er blushed deeply, her head falling in embarrassment.

"Don't be afraid! Speak boldly, and I will protect you," Wei Wuji coaxed, nearly offering her a candy.

Huan'er finally lifted her head, whispering to Wei Wuji, "Young master, she is the eldest daughter of our household."

Her words pronounced a death sentence for many. The anger on the purple-robed woman’s face faded, replaced by despair.

"The young lady of the Gu family—so she’s Gu Mu’s daughter?" Wei Wuji pressed.

Avoiding the woman’s gaze, Huan'er explained timidly, "Yes."

"And what is her name?" Wei Wuji continued, knowing Huan’er would answer quickly.

"The young lady's given name is Gu Yuyan," Huan'er replied.

Gu Yuyan? A beautiful name, yet what a pity this woman courts disaster, Wei Wuji mused as he regarded Gu Yuyan.

"If you'd just spoken up sooner, all this suffering could have been avoided!" Wei Wuji chided Gu Yuyan, as if genuinely concerned for her.

Gu Yuyan's resentment surged once more. She shouted at Wei Wuji, "Wretched dog, this has nothing to do with my family. If you must kill, then kill me!"

Still dreaming in broad daylight—how naive, Wei Wuji thought, shaking his head at her.

Just then, Zheng Dali hurried in from outside.

After saluting, Zheng Dali reported, "Young master, the two captains are in position; the Gu residence is surrounded as tightly as an iron barrel." He brought good news.

"Excellent!" Wei Wuji was in high spirits. No one would escape now. Indeed, precautions had proved necessary.

I do have the makings of a great general, Wei Wuji thought, pleased with his arrangements.

"Dali, today we'll haul in a big catch!" Wei Wuji exclaimed, delighted.

Now, everyone in the Gu household was his prey—he could chop them as he pleased, whenever he pleased.

Not wanting to leave room for mishaps, Wei Wuji immediately ordered, "Transmit orders to all units: enter the residence at once and arrest every member of the Gu family."

"Then bring them all here to the main hall—I shall personally preside over a major trial today." Wei Wuji’s voice was stern; he was ruthless with those who plotted against him.

"Yes, I will see it done!" Zheng Dali replied, unwavering now that it was official business.

Though Wei Wuji said to arrest everyone, there was one person he would spare.

"Huan'er, today you have rendered great service. Whatever reward you desire, I shall grant it!" Wei Wuji declared, issuing a blank check—after all, boasting incurred no tax.

"Young master..." Huan'er suddenly burst into tears.

"Young master, I dare not ask for any reward; I only hope you will not abandon me!" she sobbed, casting a fearful glance at Gu Yuyan.

Seeing this, Wei Wuji understood—she feared retaliation.

He patted Huan'er’s hand gently, "Don’t be afraid, Huan'er. How could I ever abandon you? Stay here and watch the drama unfold."

"Oh..." she answered, half understanding.

"By the way, bring some wine and dishes. We’ll eat as we conduct the trial," Wei Wuji told her.

Huan'er nodded, wiping her tears, and then left with a guard.

Now Wei Wuji waited for the performance to begin.

...

At this moment, the Gu residence was in chaos.

Those who had already drifted into dreams were roused by the clamor.

As the disturbed rose and opened their doors, ready to curse, they were greeted by gleaming blades and spears.

"What are you doing?" someone from the Gu household shouted. Their young master lived here—how could the guards behave so brazenly?

Naturally, the Wei soldiers outside did not answer. The Gu household’s fate was to be subdued, tied up, and taken away.

This scene played out throughout the estate—whether servant or family member, none could escape Wei Wuji's orders.

Most crucial was Gu Mu, whom Zheng Dali personally went to arrest.

Bang, bang, bang—

After knocking on the door repeatedly, Zheng Dali realized there was no response.

"Break it down!" he ordered decisively.

Somewhere, a heavy log was found and brought forth by the soldiers.

With a single blow, the wooden door crashed open.

...

Rushing inside, Zheng Dali saw a man hanging from the beam, legs still kicking.

He’s hanged himself? Zheng Dali was stunned, and quickly called, "Hurry, get him down!"

The soldiers scrambled over, slashed the rope with a sword, and brought Gu Mu down.

They pinched his philtrum, and only when Gu Mu revived did Zheng Dali speak coldly, "Gu Mu, your schemes have been exposed!"

Gu Mu said nothing, so Zheng Dali continued, "You and your family have been captured by the young master. Your plot will not succeed."

After steadying his breath, Gu Mu finally said slowly, "I hadn’t expected you would discover us so soon."

Before Zheng Dali could reply, Gu Mu muttered bleakly, "It is fate—fate decreed from above."

Seeing Gu Mu’s dejection, Zheng Dali felt no urge to mock him further.

"Take him away! Hand him over to the young master!" Zheng Dali commanded.

"Yes!" the soldiers answered.

...

Meanwhile, Wei Wuji sat at the head of the main hall, surveying the scene.

One after another, the Gu household’s servants and kin had their hands and feet bound, rolling about on the ground of the courtyard.

"Young master, what crime have we committed to deserve such treatment?" one servant protested.

Others simply cried, "Spare us, young master!"

Spare them? Wei Wuji almost laughed—it was like a scene from one of those old dramas.

He kept his face expressionless, silently watching everything. Whether guilty or innocent, he’d rather err on the side of severity.

Then, the clatter of armor sounded from outside the main hall’s courtyard.

After bringing Gu Mu into the hall, Zheng Dali hurried to Wei Wuji’s side. "Young master, everyone from the Gu household is here!"

"Good!" Wei Wuji exclaimed.

"Let us begin. Have them all seated outside," he ordered. With so many shouting, it would be impossible to proceed otherwise.

Sitting at the head seat, Wei Wuji slammed the table and declared, "Bring in Gu Mu."

"Bring in Gu Mu," Zheng Dali called out.

Soon, Gu Mu was escorted in, his knees struck so he knelt.

This once radiant, deft middle-aged man—renowned throughout Xianghe County—now lay prone before Wei Wuji, as lifeless as a dog.

This time, Wei Wuji truly tasted the flavor of power, the thrill of deciding life and death, of determining fate with a single word—it was intoxicating.

Just then, Huan'er returned, carrying wine and dishes for Wei Wuji.