Damn it! Let’s smash the darkness together!
Chapter 145 - 4 Gu Pan: The Glory of My Ancestors, All Bestowed Upon Me! (Each 4000 additional for subscription, please subscribe)

Chapter 145: Chapter 4 Gu Pan: The Glory of My Ancestors, All Bestowed Upon Me! (Each 4000 additional for subscription, please subscribe)

He said, "Gu Pan, have you thought this through?"

DB83 Safe Zone, northwestern corner of the Hunter Association, one of the three meetings, the Gu family hall.

Members of the Gu family were dressed in black, short-sleeved battle gear, with a small sword emblem embroidered on their chests.

At this moment, Gu Pan, having bathed and burned incense throughout the night, had already changed into the Gu family’s attire. Her chest was still bound flat, and an air of murderous aura emanated from her.

Seated were the elders of the Gu family and the exceptional new generation who had already attained Transcendent status.

Every elder or young backbone of the family looked at me fiercely, and I returned their gaze with equal killing intent!

The entire hall was tense as if swords were drawn and crossbows were ready, the atmosphere sharp to the extreme.

In the yard, a large flock of white, fat chickens belonging to who-knows-who were clucking. They steered clear of the area, fearing that getting too close might lead to being mysteriously cleaved into two by an unseen Sword Qi.

"Respected elders, uncles, and aunts, I, the junior Gu Pan, have made up my mind. Today, I intend to enter the Sword Tomb for the trial. I have signed the life-and-death agreement, please review it, elders!"

Gu Pan greeted with a fist and palm salute — neither humbly nor arrogantly — and handed over the agreement with her blood handprint. The elders passed it around ceremonially for inspection.

Finally, it landed in the hands of the current Family Head, Gu Shi Qian.

There was no trace of murderous intent in his eyes because he wore dark glasses that concealed them.

Gu Shi Qian looked at the life-and-death agreement, then at the girl standing in the center of the hall with a cold and determined expression, and finally his gaze landed on a young woman in her thirties, not far from him on the left.

Her dress stood out from the rest: she was clad in a black silk pencil skirt and a tight-fitting laced blouse, her allure and sophistication far surpassing that of any seventeen- or eighteen-year-old girl.

"Hmm?" Gu Shi Qian said.

"It’s Panpan’s own decision. I choose to respect her," replied Gu Yue Ming.

"Oh."

Gu Shi Qian then looked to an old man with a fierce and foreboding gaze on his right. "And you?"

The latter spoke with a heavy voice, "The Gu family has always followed the ancestral rule of one Sword Master and their Sword Master. Since a Sword Master role has been allocated to Gu Pan, she should carry out her duty wholeheartedly, become a qualified Doctor, and follow the Sword Master properly!"

As he said this, he frowned and glanced at Gu Pan, "If everyone who wishes to renege can do so, what would become of our ancestral teachings? Would the Elder Council become a child’s play?"

"So you disagree?"

"Yes."

"Oh."

Gu Shi Qian touched his fingers, calculating, and said, "Currently, for your group, there are two votes from the Sword Master’s side in favor of her entering the Sword Tomb, and you, an elder from the Sword Master’s side, oppose it. Gu Jiangming, as her Sword Master in the group, what is your opinion?"

The man being addressed was a twenty-five or twenty-six-year-old standing behind the elders.

With starry eyes and sword-shaped eyebrows, his square face gave him the dependable air of a family’s eldest brother.

After being called out, everyone’s attention fell on him, including Gu Pan, who nodded at him amiably.

Gu Pan and he were actually not well acquainted, having only met a few times through the drawing of lots that paired them as "Sword Master and Sword Master."

From what she had heard from others since childhood, he was one of the most gifted among their generation.

Moreover, although Gu Jiangming was part of the younger generation, he was a late-born child of Elder Gu Shiyong, which made him technically a senior to Gu Pan and the others.

Despite his young age, he was already a Second Rank ’Weapon Master,’ with a ranking on the Qingyun List and the moniker "Qin Xinren Sword."

He was currently attempting to reach the Third Rank and had always enjoyed an excellent reputation among the younger members of the Gu family.

Some even said that, due to his similar ’late-born’ status to the current Family Head Gu Shi Qian, he might have a chance to succeed as the next Family Head.

When Gu Pan drew lots to become his ’Sword Master,’ many girls of her age in the clan were green with envy.

Now, with Gu Pan actively proposing the dissolution of their Master-Servant Contract, other females of the Gu family had approached her the previous night, looking to take her place through backdoor dealings.

Gu Pan didn’t mind; she was more than willing to step aside.

But, at this moment, a crucial vote lay in the hands of Gu Jiangming.

To dissolve a Master-Servant Contract within the Gu family required the consensus of five people: the Sword Master and their elder, the Sword Master and their elder, and the final vote rested in the hands of the Family Head.

Typically, the Family Head’s vote was by default aligned with the Sword Master’s side, with few exceptions.

Might is right, as it has always been.

Gu Jiangming stepped forward, smiling warmly at Gu Pan, then cast a glance around the room, "Everyone has their aspirations. Since Gu Pan is intent on entering the Sword Tomb to gain another Sword Master position for our Gu clan, as her Sword Master, it’s only reasonable to respect her choice..."

Gu Pan’s eyes lit up, and she found her regard for Gu Jiangming more favorable, thinking he truly lived up to the name of "renowned sword" with his generosity and benevolence.

Gu Shi Qian spoke indifferently, "So, it appears you agree as well. That makes three... "

"No, Family Head, I refuse," Gu Jiangming quickly interjected.

"..."

Gu Shi Qian was taken aback, and he chuckled warmly, "Hehehe, would you mind repeating that?"

"I refuse to dissolve the Master-Servant Contract."

Gu Jiangming turned and said, "Gu Pan, theoretically I shouldn’t interfere with your choice, and I respect it, but the ancestral rules are immutable!

"Your talent in swordsmanship is mediocre at best; otherwise, you wouldn’t be part of the Sword Master group. Entering the Sword Tomb will most likely lead you to a dead end.

"Your death is not significant! What is significant is that I am currently at a critical stage in my attempt to reach the Third Rank!

"As everyone knows, the Sword technique I’m practicing requires combining with a young partner to break through. Your sudden request to dissolve our contract has already affected my mental state.