I Inherited 5,000 Years of Family Property

Chapter 1857 - 1851: Gu Family Army - Gu Xiao

Yanlan Empire’s Gu Yang City.

This is the oldest city in the Yanlan Empire’s history. Long ago, it even served as the capital of Yanlan Empire. Due to historical factors, the capital was relocated to its current location, but to this day, traces of its former status as the capital can still be seen in Gu Yang City.

The one responsible for guarding Gu Yang City is Gu Xiao’s father, Gu Cong. The city is named after the Gu Family, to commemorate and acknowledge their outstanding contributions.

However, nowadays, Gu Yang City has lost all traces of its former glory, with signs of desolation everywhere—gone is its past prosperity, leaving the streets imbued with a sense of sorrow and abandonment.

Just yesterday, the residents of Gu Yang City began to gradually evacuate, leaving only the Gu Family army behind in the city.

Yan Tianyao had already issued an order that all cities could be abandoned once the residents evacuated, including Gu Yang City.

But Gu Cong was exceptionally stubborn, personally leading the Gu Family army to guard this place, vowing to protect every inch of it.

There are two reasons: firstly, this is the oldest city in the Yanlan Empire, the country’s true foundation. Many ancestors of the Yanlan Empire are buried in Gu Yang City.

Secondly, Gu Yang City is where the Gu Family began to thrive. The first Guardian of the Gu Family was born here, and it can be said this is the true hometown of the Gu Family!

Though the Gu Family has now moved to the capital, every member who passes away has their ashes brought to the Gu Family ancestral hall in Gu Yang City for worship. The roots of the Gu Family are here, hence Gu Cong would rather die than leave with his troops.

The day before, two Fifth Grade Empire armies had arrived at the walls of Gu Yang City.

Breaking through this city would not be difficult for them, as their numbers are five times that of Gu Yang City’s defending forces, and every soldier’s average Life Level is one or two grades higher.

But they did not anticipate encountering unprecedented resistance in Gu Yang City!

All of the Gu Family army originates from Gu Yang City.

For the Gu Family army, this is their true home. To defend this city, they are willing to sacrifice their lives.

When the invaders engaged in battle, they were shocked to face an army that fought recklessly, burning their own Life Force temporarily to enhance their strength as they charged.

The invaders came on orders, lacking the resolve to fight to the death against the Gu Family army. This disparity in battle intent significantly narrowed the gap in strength!

Every warrior of the Gu Family army could take one or two foes down with them before fully exhausting their life, or at least inflict severe damage on one or two.

Under such tenacious resistance, they managed to hold out for two full days despite the overwhelming difference in fighting capacity!

However, it came at a great cost. A significant portion of the Gu Family army has already been released forever, and the rest are left with irreversible injuries due to excessive depletion of Life Force and Soul.

Gu Cong stood on the city wall, gazing at the imposing army in the distance. He bore several injuries, nearly dying on the battlefield multiple times, only to be saved by trusted aides.

He knew the city’s fall was inevitable. His demise was unworthy, but the destruction of Gu Yang City would make it hard for him to face the ancestors even if he died.

"Gu Xiao, hurry back!" Gu Cong knew that his son had transformed greatly in the past three years, hearing many tales of Gu Xiao’s exploits from the unforgiving Skyless Realm to his prominence in the Ancient Cave Heaven.

Although Gu Xiao wasn’t able to return to the Yanlan Empire for a reunion after the assessments, the empire’s account saw an astonishing increase, dwarfing the assets of ten Ninth Grade Empires combined.

The Gu Family army’s public account also saw a similar increase.

With these funds, the family has rapidly grown and developed, significantly strengthening national power, but three years isn’t long enough for resources to elevate Yanlan Empire to a Fifth Grade Empire.

They did consider hiring mercenaries, but the Yanlan Empire lacked the strength to protect itself with such wealth, and the sudden war paralyzed external networks and communications, making it almost impossible to reach Gu Xiao, though internal communication remained barely feasible, receiving external messages but unable to send out any.

"Uncle Gu!" A sweet voice sounded from behind Gu Cong.

"Princess Lan Xin, why have you come here?" Gu Cong was slightly surprised. "It’s dangerous here."

"Uncle Gu, although I’m only Gu Xiao’s wife in name, a wife in name is still a wife," Lan Xin said. "If something happens to you, Gu Xiao will certainly blame me when he returns. My father has ordered a retreat, you should leave with me."

"No," Gu Cong stubbornly shook his head. "I, Gu Cong, will never abandon Gu Yang City, even if buried here. Please apologize to His Majesty, as I must defy the royal order this time."

"Uncle Gu..."

"There is no need to persuade me further."

"Then I’ll stay here with Uncle Gu, to live and die with Gu Yang City!"

"Boom!"

Suddenly, the entire city wall shook violently.

Gu Cong’s expression changed. "They started attacking the city again, Princess, go back first, I’ll lead the defense!"

Gu Cong leaped down from the city wall. By this time, the Gu Family army had already formed their array, driven by determination, their eyes devoid of any fear.

"Is everyone ready?" Gu Cong slowly asked, "This may be our last battle."

"Guardian, we’re ready. We’ve all left letters for our families. Yanlan Empire will remember us, we’re all heroes of the Yanlan Empire."

"If we can’t defend our home, we’ve no right to call ourselves soldiers. Even in death, we die on our homeland’s soil!"

"Good!" Gu Cong nodded in satisfaction. "Not a single person in the Gu Family army is a coward."

"Since this is the last battle, let’s call out names!" Gu Cong said, "All corps, report names!"

"Gu Xiang!"

"Gu Feng!"

"Gu Yumeng!"

...

Everyone began to shout their names loudly, these heroes’ names echoed throughout the skies.

"Very well, everyone, follow me..."

"Wait, there’s one more!" An unexpected voice interrupted Gu Cong.

"Gu Family army - Gu Xiao!"