NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7 - Predicament
Perhaps it was indulgence, or perhaps it was intentional, but news about the Gu family soon spread from the Tian family to the Lu family. As soon as the Lu family head received the news, his anger flared even higher than that of the Tian family head, for he realized that from start to finish, he had been manipulated by the old man from the Gu family, led around by the nose and made a fool of.
Without even exerting any effort, the force of his anger shattered the tea cups and bowls nearby. The tables and chairs were sent flying, but when he saw his grandson enter, he finally reined himself in.
Lu Minbai, who had just entered, stared in shock at his grandfather. “Grandfather, is this true? Gu Yao really has the Changxian Sect token, and now he has handed it over to the Gu family?”
“That’s right. Look at what you and Minzhu have done! You’ve all been deceived by that scoundrel Gu Yan and your aunt!” The Lu family head glared angrily at his grandson. The marriage between Gu Yao and Lu Minzhu had officially been arranged by both their parents, but in reality, it was an agreement between him and the old man from the Gu family. However, Gu Yao’s uncle had never shown up. It seemed unlikely that he would, and now it was probably too late. He had turned a blind eye to the dealings between the younger generation, but never thought it would result in such an important thing slipping through their fingers. The Lu family head regretted it deeply.
Lu Minbai’s head was spinning. He had always believed that Gu Yao was unworthy of his sister, and thus he hadn’t objected to the closeness between Gu Yan and his sister. In fact, he had even been quite supportive. Gu Yan’s mother was his own aunt, and he had always thought that his sister marrying Gu Yan would be far better than marrying Gu Yao.
“Did Gu Yan and Aunt both know about this?” Lu Minbai asked in disbelief. “The Gu family wants to let Gu Yan into the Changxian Sect? What about my sister?”
The Lu family head narrowed his eyes and snorted coldly. “Women are always soft-hearted. Your aunt has been married to the Gu family for so many years that she has already forgotten her own surname. If Gu Yan enters the Changxian Sect, what do you think will happen to your sister?” He scoffed. “She wants to marry Gu Yan? Does she plan to stay in the Gu family and live like a widow while he’s in the Changxian Sect? The Gu family is playing a clever game.”
“No, I’m going to find the old man from the Gu family and make him explain this clearly. This can’t just end like this!”
The Lu family had to get back some of the losses from the Gu family, or else they would never be able to swallow their anger. The Lu family head was determined; he quickly left the room, turning into a streak of rainbow light as he headed towards the Gu family.
Lu Minbai, left behind, was in a daze at first, but soon he gritted his teeth in fury. “Gu Yan, that scoundrel!”
Gu Family
As soon as the Lu family head approached the area where the Gu family head resided, the formation outside the house stopped operating, and the door opened automatically. A voice came from within: “Lu old brother, it’s late for you to visit, I am not worthy of such an honor. Please come in, let us discuss further.”
The Lu family head snorted coldly and darted in. After that, the formation was activated again, and no one outside could hear what the two of them talked about.
Two quarters of an hour later, the Lu family head emerged again. His anger had decreased significantly, but as he looked back at the house, a glint of caution flashed in his eyes. If the Gu family really took this opportunity to rise, even if the Lu family tied their fortunes to them, they would only become the Gu family’s vassals. But right now, there was no other viable path.
As soon as the Lu family head left, Gu Yan, the grandson of the Gu family head, emerged from the inner room and stood in front of the Gu family head.
The Gu family head looked at his grandson with satisfaction. Among the younger generation, Gu Yan had the best aptitude. He had dual spiritual roots, with the main one being strong and the secondary one being delicate, making him outstanding even among those with dual spiritual roots. After discovering Gu Yan’s potential, the Gu family head had been planning for his future.
“Thank you, Grandfather, for planning on my behalf,” Gu Yan said respectfully.
“Yan’er, entering the Changxian Sect in half a year is just the first step. Whether the Gu family can rise and whether we can leave Yuanyang Town depends on you. As for you and Minzhu, I suggest you put that aside for now. Once you settle in the Changxian Sect, what kind of beautiful women will you not be able to marry? Yuanyang Town is simply too small,” the Gu family head said seriously.
Although Gu Yan felt reluctant in his heart, he knew that his grandfather was right. Once he was established in the Changxian Sect, he would have the opportunity to marry beautiful women. If his cousin didn’t succeed in foundation-building, she might soon wither away. Even if she did manage to build her foundation, she would likely be too old by then to be a suitable match.
—
Gu Yao had no knowledge of the events that had transpired during the night. The place where they stayed was small, but it had everything they needed. In fact, the kitchen even had stored spirit rice and meat from spirit beasts, which was much better than the treatment he had received in the Gu family. He couldn’t help but admire how well Tian Feirong, the so-called spoiled young master in the eyes of outsiders, knew how to manage things.
After breakfast, Chi Changye automatically began cleaning the dishes. He had wanted to help with cooking earlier, but it was clear he would have been more of a hindrance than a help. It was obvious he was born with a pampered life, never having to do this kind of work himself. Chi Changye could only make up for it in other ways.
Seeing that it was nearly time, Gu Yao said, “Let’s go and take a look at the market,” then hesitated, “If there’s anything you want to buy… just get what you can afford.”
“I don’t need to buy anything for now. Don’t worry, Xiao Yao, I’ll figure out a way to earn some spirit stones,” Chi Changye said with a smile. In truth, he felt a twitch in his heart. Since his birth, he had been drinking spirit dew and eating spirit food, never worrying about spirit stones. Pills and magical tools had always been provided for him. Now, in this difficult situation, he was fortunate to have Gu Yao by his side rather than his old companions, which made him feel a little better. He still needed to find a way to earn some spirit stones though. He couldn’t just rely on Gu Yao to support him.
Gu Yao didn’t have high expectations, but he didn’t want to dampen Chi Changye’s spirit, so he said, “Alright, let’s think of a way together.”
If the possessions they had were with an ordinary person, it might be enough to last a lifetime. But if they wanted to improve and continue their cultivation, it wouldn’t last long at all. Gu Yao was just as troubled. If they were in the Star Alliance, he could make and sell potions for money. But with the memories of his past life, he knew that the potions he made would not be the same as the pills that cultivators in this world used, so others might not even want them.
Well, he decided to take things one step at a time. First, he needed to solve his own problems. If worse came to worst, he could go outside the town to gather spirit herbs and hunt demon beasts for money.