Chapter 25 - The Fang Family's Outcome
Gu Family.
The movement of Tian Family guards transporting the dead bodies to the Gu family was not concealed in the slightest. Some people even asked out of curiosity, and the guards kindly explained that the two individuals had come to sneak into Gu Yao’s residence at night. Unfortunately, they fell into a formation and were killed by the traps. After some investigation, it was revealed that these two were likely bribed by Madam Fang of the Gu family. Therefore, the body had to be sent to Madam Fang for proper handling.
What relationship did Madam Fang have with Gu Yao? She was his stepmother. Just by looking at the years Gu Yao had spent in the Gu family, it was clear that Madam Fang had a significant hand in his mistreatment. Everyone knew that her twin children had bullied Gu Yao the most, and even the Fang family didn’t treat Gu Yao, the legitimate son of the Gu family, with any respect.
The common folk loved to gossip and watch drama, so many followed the guards to the Gu mansion.
The Tian Family guards handed the bodies over to the gatekeepers of the Gu family, asking them to pass them on to Madam Fang. Then, they withdrew, not stepping foot inside the Gu mansion. Watching the gatekeepers’ grim expressions, the onlookers quickly dispersed. Sometimes, getting involved in gossip could cost lives, and the price was just too high to make it worth it.
The matter was quickly reported to the family head and Gu Zhixiao. Furious, Gu Zhixiao sent people to investigate the situation. He was so angry that he had no words. He truly didn’t understand why his second brother had chosen to focus on the foolish woman, Madam Fang. In such a situation, she had the audacity to target Gu Yao, and not only did she fail to resolve the issue, but she also caused a massive loss of face. Not only did the Gu family lose face, but they were also dragged down with her. If it weren’t for his son heading to Changxian Gate soon, he would have severely punished that foolish woman.
Gu Zhixiao reported the situation to the Gu family head, who was infuriated. He immediately ordered that Gu Zhiming and Madam Fang be brought over.
The couple had no idea what was happening, as no servant had tipped them off. As soon as they appeared, they were met with the overwhelming pressure of the Gu family head’s aura, followed by a stern rebuke: “Look at what you’ve done! Second son, you can’t even manage the women in your own household, and now a woman has controlled you! You vile woman, don’t think you can escape. How did you bribe them to attack Gu Yao? Speak the truth!”
Madam Fang had no strength to resist. As soon as she was subjected to the overwhelming pressure, her face turned pale, and she fell to her knees. With the added intimidation in the Gu family head’s voice, she couldn’t control herself and confessed everything about bribing the cultivators sent by her family to deal with Gu Yao. Standing nearby, Gu Zhiming looked at Madam Fang in shock. Was this really something she had done?
The Gu family head was furious at Madam Fang for overreaching and ruining his plans. He had already sent the Lu family to test the waters, and the other group from the night was definitely sent by the Lu family. He hadn’t expected this ignorant woman, Madam Fang, to ruin everything. Now, he realized that both Madam Fang and the Fang family had become too bold, relying on the Gu family’s power. Gu Yao was, after all, a Gu family member, and yet the Fang family had no qualms about using the Gu family’s wealth to bribe people to attack their own. If this continued, would they even dare to harm other Gu family members in the future?
“Father…” Gu Zhiming called out hesitantly.
“Are you trying to plead for Madam Fang? Why didn’t you show any compassion for Gu Yao?” The Gu family head snapped, his anger flaring. “The Fang family is too bold! They dare to attack my Gu family members at will. If we don’t teach them a lesson this time, will other families think they can do the same and disregard the Gu family in the future? Guards! Find out where the Fang family came from and send them back where they belong!”
Gu family guards immediately entered and, without delay, a group of them stormed toward the Fang family.
Madam Fang wanted to beg for mercy, but the Gu family head didn’t give her a chance to speak. She remained kneeling, unable to utter a word.
The Gu family head had never wanted his second son to marry this woman with no background. However, his second son insisted, and since he had forced his son to marry the previous wife, the Feng family, he reluctantly agreed. As expected, after Madam Fang entered the family, she had shown herself to be petty and small-minded, and her influence had only led his second son to become more disobedient.
After dealing with the Fang family, the Gu family head declared, “Madam Fang will be confined to her room for a year. No one is allowed to visit her. If anyone insists on visiting, they will face the same punishment. Anyone who pleads for her will also be punished.”
The Gu family head withdrew his overwhelming pressure, but this time, Madam Fang was completely limp on the ground. When the Gu family head got angry, her maternal family was completely exposed for what they were. She could already imagine how much her family must hate her now. And the punishment of being confined for a year—by the time she came out, it would be too late. She feared there would be even more fox spirits in the back courtyard by then.
Madam Fang didn’t dare to hate the Gu family head. Instead, she could only silently resent her family, who always sent her to deal with everything, causing her to be ridiculed in the Gu family. She might even drag down her two children in the process.
“Take her away!”
Gu Zhiming wanted to plead, but after a cold glance from his father and hearing that anyone who tried to plead would be punished as well, he immediately shut his mouth. The Immortal Ascension Conference was in just a few months, and he couldn’t afford to be locked up in his room for reflection at this time. He hoped that Madam Fang would understand.
Madam Fang was dragged away, and Gu Zhiming followed her out, lost in thought. The Gu family had increasingly lost respect for this son. Madam Fang had almost gotten Gu Yao killed, yet there was no sign of sympathy from him. All they did was send her to reflect for a year, and now this farce had been made. Where was his role as a father in all of this?
This situation wasn’t without its advantages. With Madam Fang’s actions, how could the second son continue to cause trouble for the Immortal Ascension Conference token? Not to mention that the twins’ qualifications were inferior to the eldest grandson’s. Given how they had been corrupted by Madam Fang and the second son, the token should not fall into their hands.
Gu Zhicheng had no good feelings about the foolish thing Madam Fang had done. He knew that, after this incident, the second brother would have to back down. The eldest brother was the biggest winner in this situation, and it seemed like Gu Zhiming had worked in vain.
“Dad, second sister-in-law really doesn’t take the Gu family seriously. Once she intervened, the bottom line of that kid, Chi Changye, wasn’t fully uncovered, and the Lu family took advantage of the situation to withdraw. But this Chi Changye is quite skilled. It seems someone really went to great lengths to find such a good husband for Gu Yao, so he must be quite powerful.”
With formations, intermediate spiritual talismans, and even thunder talismans, Chi Changye didn’t even need to make a move himself, and yet he had already used the formations and talismans to kill off cultivators at the fourth and third levels of Qi Refining.
The Gu family head furrowed his brows in disdain and developed a sense of wariness toward Chi Changye: “It seems the Lu family won’t let this go easily. Now, they’ll probably become even more interested in that ‘Chi’ kid. For now, we just need to keep an eye on the Lu family, and send someone to contact Gu Yao. After all, he’s also a descendant of our Gu family. Relying on the protection of the Tian family is nothing to be proud of. Who knows what kind of scheme Tian family is plotting? Let’s tell him the outcome of Madam Fang.”
“Yes, Father,” Gu Zhicheng replied, but inside, he had a different thought. Gu Yao had already used the Changxian Sect’s token to exchange for his freedom. There was no way he would return to the Gu family. If the Gu family could protect him, things wouldn’t have ended up like this. The people of the Gu family, including himself, were all calculating their moves.
As the Gu family head had expected, the Lu family, while relieved about the events that happened at night, was now even more determined to acquire whatever Chi Changye possessed. The two Lu family members sent to deal with the situation weren’t necessarily stronger than those who were killed, and if they had entered the formation, they probably wouldn’t have made it out unscathed. However, once they saw the thunder talismans revealed by Chi Changye, even the head of the Lu family couldn’t sit still. He desperately wanted to obtain the method for creating talismans.
Chi Changye was still so young, and even if his cultivation had recovered, how much stronger could he be? So, the Lu family was convinced that Chi Changye must have a more advanced method for creating talismans. If the Lu family could get their hands on it, they could easily draw thunder talismans and significantly improve the success rate of their talisman creation.
Tian Feirong brought over the poisonous herbs that Gu Yao needed and shared the latest news from outside.
“The Fang family was kicked out?” Gu Yao asked in surprise.
Tian Feirong said with a hint of glee, “Yes, I heard Fang Dongxiong was dragged out of bed, and that shameless Fang Donglan—let’s see how she’s going to steal another husband in the future.”
The arrogant behavior of these two had already been intolerable to the young heirs of these families. After gaining some power, they acted even more arrogant than the rest of them. Now, they had been knocked down a peg. In a few days, who knew how many people would be eager to step on them?
Chi Changye’s face darkened. He had been the one who was stolen from, and he wanted no part in this dark history.
Gu Yao felt a sense of satisfaction, but at the same time, he found it extremely ironic. The Fang family’s arrogance had been allowed to grow unchecked by the Gu family. Now, they were taking action? It was too late!
“What are the Gu family trying to do by making such a big fuss over dealing with Madam Fang and the Fang family?”
“Do you think the Gu family might want you to go back with Brother Chi?” Tian Feirong guessed.
Chi Changye and Gu Yao exchanged a glance. Gu Yao couldn’t help but say, “No way. The Gu family is so naive. Do they really think that just by dealing with Madam Fang and the Fang family, I’ll let go of the past and go back?” He had finally escaped that wolf’s den. Why would he go back to that pit after all this time? He sneered. “They’ve already taken the Changxian Sect token. Do they think I’ll be satisfied? They probably just discovered a new way to use me.”
Chi Changye nodded. It was good that Gu Yao thought this way. He had noticed that, although Gu Yao usually stayed locked up in his room studying potions and didn’t care much about mundane affairs, he was very clear-headed. With this kind of personality… Chi Changye found it quite endearing. That was also why, after that absurd incident, Gu Yao didn’t rush to vent his anger or cut ties, but instead took his time to sort out the relationship between them.
“Hmph, do they really think I’m some soft target they can just squeeze? If I don’t give the Gu family a lesson, then I’m not Gu Yao!” With his fighting spirit raised, Gu Yao grabbed the poisonous herbs Tian Feirong had brought over and headed back to his room. Next time someone comes, they’ll see just how powerful my poison is!
“By the way, Second Young Master Tian,” Gu Yao suddenly remembered something as he reached the door. He turned around and called out, “Help me acquire some high-level demon beast cores, wood and fire types. If you can find one with both attributes, that would be even better.”
“Got it, no problem. Leave it to me.” Tian Feirong said confidently. These types of cores weren’t hard to obtain. If Gu Yao wanted cores from demon beasts in the Foundation Establishment stage, that would be a bit more troublesome.
“Thanks.” After saying this, Gu Yao entered his room, activated the formation to isolate himself from the outside, and focused on refining poisons.
Gu Yao had disappeared, and when Tian Feirong turned around, he saw Chi Changye staring at him. The intense gaze made him feel a bit uneasy, so he quickly asked, “Brother Chi?”
Chi Changye glanced at him faintly and said, “I want to make another deal with you.”