Chapter 674 - 271: Gu Family 3
After they had eaten and drunk their fill, everyone rose to take their leave and return to their quarters to rest.
Chen Qing and Elder Deng Ziheng were about to leave when Huang Mei hurried over, a serious expression on her face and an invitation in her hand.
"Elder Deng, True Disciple Chen, please wait a moment."
Huang Mei presented the invitation. "Just now, the Gu Family sent someone with this invitation, inviting you both to their mansion tomorrow for a discussion and a banquet."
Deng Ziheng took the invitation, glanced at it, and casually handed it to Chen Qing, his gaze holding a profound meaning. "The Gu Family has sharp eyes and ears in Dongji City. We’ve only just arrived, and their invitation is already here. Judging by the wording, although it invites us both, the one they really want to see is likely you, the newly promoted True Disciple."
Chen Qing took the invitation, his brow furrowing slightly.
’I’ve only just arrived, and the local bully is already at my door.’
He looked at Huang Mei, who was standing to the side, and asked, "Steward Huang, you’ve been stationed here for many years and know the Gu Family best. In your opinion, what is the purpose of this invitation?"
Huang Mei pondered for a moment, organizing her thoughts before speaking slowly, "The Gu Family... is indeed very complicated. Although they are located within the jurisdiction of our Celestial Treasure Upper Sect, their family’s strategy has always been to hedge their bets. Their outstanding disciples not only cultivate in our Sect but also in the Cloud Water Upper Sect. They even have close ties with Black Dragon Island, the strongest of the Seventy-Two Islands Overseas. They play all sides, have been entrenched here for a thousand years, and their foundation is incredibly deep."
She paused, then continued her analysis, "Because of this, even the Infinite Demon Sect is reluctant to provoke the Gu Family when they operate here. If we could get the Gu Family’s help, even if it’s just providing some convenience or information, our hunt for the Demon Sect would surely go much more smoothly. This invitation, in my opinion, is more likely an attempt to sound you out and build a connection."
"The Gu Family is accustomed to sizing up situations. True Disciple Chen, you are young and promising, hold the rank of a True Disciple, and have a boundless future. They must be hoping to use this opportunity to form a good relationship with a True Disciple."
Hearing this, Chen Qing nodded.
Huang Mei’s analysis largely matched his own suspicions.
"The current Patriarch of the Gu Family is only average in terms of ability."
Deng Ziheng added from the side, "The Gu Family’s true Stabilizing Needle is their old ancestor, Gu Xing, a great expert at the Late-stage True Essence Realm."
"Late-stage True Essence Realm?" Chen Qing’s heart stirred, and he looked at Deng Ziheng.
’Elder Deng completed three refinements and is at the Early-stage True Essence Realm, yet he could already crush a Demon Sect Elder like Mo River. How powerful must a Late-stage True Essence Realm expert be?’
’Such a figure would definitely be among the highest echelons of the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect.’
As if knowing what he was thinking, Deng Ziheng nodded slightly, a hint of emotion in his voice. "That’s right. The Late-stage True Essence Realm is the peak of this realm. One more step, and it’s a whole new world. However..."
His tone shifted. "This Gu Family ancestor, I’ve heard his time is almost up. Furthermore, he was afflicted with a strange poison in his early years. Although he survived, it had a significant impact on his strength and even his appearance."
"A strange poison? What kind?" Chen Qing pressed.
Deng Ziheng shook his head. "The Gu Family is extremely secretive about this matter, and the outside world knows very little. There are only faint rumors that when the poison acts up, his entire body becomes covered in strange white hair, making him look like a monster. He usually lives in seclusion and rarely sees outsiders."
’Covered in white hair?’
’What kind of strange poison could it be?’ Chen Qing wondered.
"Since the Gu Family has invited us, it’s only right that we go."
After a moment of thought, Chen Qing said, "It’s also a good opportunity to probe their attitude."
Deng Ziheng nodded slightly but said nothing.
His main responsibility was to protect Chen Qing; the specifics were for the latter to decide.
The next day, the weather was perfect.
As agreed, Chen Qing and Elder Deng Ziheng headed to the Gu Mansion.
As a Noble Family that had been entrenched in Dongji City for a thousand years, the Gu Family’s mansion occupied a vast area. It was not located in the most bustling part of the city, but instead was nestled by the mountains and the sea, occupying a secluded and tranquil piece of land.
From a distance, one could see high walls and deep courtyards stretching on endlessly.
The vermilion gate was dozens of feet tall. Above the lintel hung an ebony plaque with two large, flamboyant, gilded words: Gu Mansion.
Flanking the gate were not the usual stone lions of an ordinary household, but two statues of strange Exotic Beasts. They resembled Flood Dragons but had the tails of fish—the legendary Chiwen, said to guard the seas. They were so lifelike they added another layer of profound heritage to the estate.
An old man in a brocade robe was already waiting in front of the gate. Seeing Chen Qing and his companion, he immediately hurried forward with a perfectly calibrated, enthusiastic smile. He cupped his hands and said, "This old one is the Gu Family’s foreign affairs Elder, Gu Mingde. I welcome Elder Deng and True Disciple Chen! Your visit brings great honor to our humble Gu Family!"
The man’s aura was deep and profound; he was clearly a Late-stage Astral Force expert. Having him personally greet them was a testament to the importance the Gu Family placed on this meeting.
Deng Ziheng remained silent. Chen Qing returned the greeting with cupped hands, "We’ve troubled Elder Gu to welcome us."
Led by Gu Mingde, the two entered the Gu Mansion.
The scenery inside the mansion was vastly different from the rugged style of the coastal city outside. There were pavilions, terraces, and small bridges over flowing water—the layout was exquisite and elegant.
After passing through several courtyards, the group arrived at an exquisite waterside pavilion named "Sea View Pavilion."
The pavilion’s furnishings were elegant. Windows on all four sides offered a panoramic view of the courtyard scenery and the distant horizon where the sea met the sky.
In the seat of honor at the head of the room sat a middle-aged man in a purple robe with a refined and scholarly face. He appeared to be in his fifties and was none other than the current Patriarch of the Gu Family—Gu Yunzhou.
Seeing Chen Qing and Deng Ziheng enter, Gu Yunzhou immediately stood up and walked down from the main seat to greet them, his attitude extremely courteous. "Elder Deng, True Disciple Chen, I apologize for not welcoming you from further out. Please forgive my oversight!"
"Patriarch Gu, you are too kind. We are the ones imposing," Deng Ziheng replied nonchalantly.
Chen Qing also smiled and cupped his hands, his tone neither servile nor overbearing. "This junior, Chen Qing, greets Patriarch Gu. I have long heard of the Gu Family’s dominance in Dongji and its profound heritage. Seeing it today, I find the reputation is well-deserved."
"True Disciple Chen, you are young and accomplished, your fame echoes through the Sect. You are a true dragon among men. I have long admired you from afar, and it is a great fortune to finally meet you today!"
Beaming, Gu Yunzhou personally led the two to the seats of honor for guests and instructed a maidservant to serve fragrant tea.
The tea was not a common inland variety but a type of Spirit Tea from an isolated overseas island. Its leaves were an azure blue, and when brewed, the tea was clear and bright with an unusual fragrance that assailed the nostrils. Drinking it was invigorating, a clear sign that it was no ordinary item.
The two parties exchanged a few pleasantries before the conversation naturally shifted to the situation in Dongji City and the Infinite Demon Sect.
Gu Yunzhou gently set down his teacup, his expression turning serious. "Elder Deng, True Disciple Chen," he began, "you have come a long way, and I have a rough idea of your purpose. It is none other than to eliminate the recently rampant Infinite Demon Sect and protect the peace of my Dongji City. It is shameful to admit that my Gu Family, as the hosts of this region, failed to curb the demonic flames in time, requiring the Upper Sect to trouble you two to come. It is truly..."
He sighed, then changed the subject. "However, as the master of this land, I will naturally do my utmost to assist. As it happens, just a few days ago, one of my Gu Family’s merchant caravans was harassed by a small group from the Demon Sect in the southwestern part of the Thousand Reefs Sea Region. Although there weren’t major losses, while tracking their retreat, we unexpectedly discovered some clues."
’Now for the real reason.’
Hearing this, Chen Qing set down his teacup. "Oh? And what information did Patriarch Gu obtain?"
Gu Yunzhou said in a low voice, "According to our verifications from multiple sources, the hideout of those Demon Sect villains who have been frequently plundering merchant ships and attacking your sect’s disciples is very likely on ’Black Profound Island’!"
"Black Profound Island?"
Chen Qing mulled it over for a moment. He wasn’t familiar with the layout of the islands in the Thousand Reefs Sea Region. "Which power has jurisdiction over this island? What is its background?"
Gu Yunzhou explained, "Black Profound Island is located on the southwestern edge of the Thousand Reefs Sea Region. It is vast in area, rich in resources, and one of the largest islands in the region. And it... falls within the sphere of influence of ’Yanzi Dock’."
’Yanzi Dock!?’
Chen Qing had learned from Huang Mei that Yanzi Dock was one of the three major powers among the Seventy-Two Islands, an alliance formed by several islands and families, with no shortage of experts among them.
Gu Yunzhou continued, "As far as I know, the internal factions of Feiyan Dock are complex, and it seems someone there has... some unclear dealings with the Infinite Demon Sect."
Chen Qing’s eyes narrowed.
’This involves one of the major powers of the Seventy-Two Islands!?’
’Is this information real or fake?’
’The Gu Family didn’t share this information with the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect before now. They’re only telling me after I’ve arrived. What’s their true intention?’
In a flash, Chen Qing’s thoughts raced, but his face broke into a smile. "The information Patriarch Gu has provided is crucial. Thank you."
"True Disciple Chen, you are too polite."
Gu Yunzhou quickly waved his hands and said with a serious expression, "The Infinite Demon Sect is wreaking havoc everywhere. Opposing the Demon Sect and maintaining peace here is my Gu Family’s duty. To be able to contribute in some small way is the Gu Family’s honor."
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