4: lively young girl Gu Chuyan

Cao Bu's footsteps paused, a barely perceptible curve lifting the corner of his mouth.

By the time he turned around, his expression had already returned to calm. "It seems the Ninth Elder has come to his senses?"

"Hmph!"

The Ninth Elder sneered. "You yourself said the Third Mistress's position is weak. Why should this old man..."

Before he could finish, Cao Bu turned and walked away.

The Ninth Elder's face darkened, and he hurriedly called out, "Wait! This old man... will submit."

Cao Bu turned back with a smile, weighing the shadow-recording stone in his hand. "A wise man submits to circumstances, Ninth Elder. You've made the correct decision."

The Ninth Elder stared fixedly at the shadow-recording stone in Cao Bu's hand, then swept a glance over Cao Bu himself.

This young man, despite his youth, was more cunning and scheming than even Gu Qingtian had been in his day.

Fortunately, this young man's cultivation had stagnated. Otherwise, he would surely become a serious threat in the future.

However, why hadn't he sensed how this shadow-recording stone had appeared just now?

[Ding. Detected the Gu Clan's Ninth Elder submitting to Su Li. Host indirectly subdues the Ninth Elder. Inheritance degree increases by 1%.]

[Congratulations, Host, on obtaining one lottery draw opportunity.]

"Now, you can go and fetch it," the Ninth Elder said coldly.

His dissatisfaction with Cao Bu grew even stronger.

To dare threaten him covertly...

It was simply outrageous.

The corner of Cao Bu's mouth lifted slightly. With a turn of his palm, a Medicinal Pill of pure, translucent green appeared out of thin air.

The surface of the Medicinal Pill flowed with a lustrous sheen, emitting a refreshing, pleasant fragrance.

"This aura... it truly is a longevity pill!"

The Ninth Elder was so agitated his Qi and blood surged. His muddy eyes erupted with a terrifying gleam.

With this longevity pill, he could live much longer!

Suddenly, his expression changed. "Wait! Didn't you just say the Medicinal Pill wasn't on your person?"

Cao Bu chuckled softly. "I was just afraid you might act impulsively, Ninth Elder."

"You!"

The Ninth Elder trembled with rage, his aged face alternating between green and pale.

Only now did he understand—he had been outmaneuvered by this young man again!

If he had forcibly searched him earlier...

But alas, it was too late for regrets now.

What he wouldn't know was that even if he had searched him by force, he would have found nothing.

The Ninth Elder, hands trembling, accepted the longevity pill, his eyes filled with greed.

He eagerly swallowed the Medicinal Pill. Instantly, he felt a warm current surge through his entire body. His originally withered skin visibly regained a hint of its luster.

A moment later, sensing the condition within his body...

He became so excited he threw his head back and laughed heartily. "Hahaha! This old man can live another thousand years!"

Just then, a series of light, graceful footsteps sounded from outside the side hall.

"Grandfather, are you inside?" A clear, melodious female voice called out.

The hall door was gently pushed open, and a young woman in a pale purple dress gracefully entered.

She appeared to be around eighteen, with skin like snow and features like a painting. Her every movement carried a natural, spirited air.

Cao Bu's gaze was instantly drawn to her, a strange light flashing deep in his eyes.

"Chuyan, why have you come?"

The Ninth Elder's expression stiffened, clearly not expecting his granddaughter to appear so suddenly.

Seeing Cao Bu, the young woman performed a graceful curtsy. "Chuyan pays her respects to Steward Cao."

Cao Bu nodded gently, then turned and cupped his hands towards the Ninth Elder. "Since the Ninth Elder has family matters, this Steward will take his leave."

With that, he offered Gu Chuyan a meaningful smile.

In the moment he turned, no one noticed the cold, sinister curve that lifted the corner of his mouth.

That night, within Scholarly Fragrance Courtyard.

Su Li lounged lazily in Cao Bu's embrace.

Her slender fingers lightly traced across Cao Bu's chest as she asked softly, "Well? That old thing submitted, didn't he?"

Cao Bu toyed with a strand of her black hair, answering nonchalantly, "With your esteemed presence invoked, plus the temptation of the longevity pill, how could he dare not submit?"

"You're injured?"

Su Li suddenly propped herself up, a flicker of heartache flashing in her beautiful eyes.

Under the moonlight, her exquisite collarbones were faintly visible.

Cao Bu smiled indifferently. "A minor injury, nothing more."

"That was a treasure capable of extending one's Lifespan by a thousand years," Su Li bit her lip, her eyes full of reluctance. "And you just gave it to that old thing so cheaply?"

Cao Bu whispered in her ear, "A mere thousand years of Lifespan is not worth mentioning."

His warm breath sprayed against Su Li's earlobe, causing her body to tremble slightly.

He truly wasn't lying to Su Li.

If he couldn't Cultivate, he would definitely have kept this longevity pill for himself.

But now, using one Medicinal Pill to raise his inheritance degree by 1% was worth it.

Three days later.

The night was as dark as ink, the moonlight like water.

Gu Chuyan walked along a small bluestone path, heading deep into a bamboo grove.

As the most beloved granddaughter of the Ninth Elder, she had her own independent courtyard.

Though not large, it still demonstrated her distinguished status within the Gu Clan.

She pushed open the door and was about to close it when a slender hand suddenly wedged itself into the gap.

"Y-Young Lord Yun?"

Gu Chuyan stared in astonishment at the person outside the door, her fingers unconsciously tightening on the doorframe.

The visitor smiled slightly. "Sister Chuyan, you should call me Clan Chief now."

Under the moonlight, Cao Bu, transformed into Gu Yun, was revealed.

Gu Chuyan's heart trembled. She felt the "Gu Yun" before her was somewhat different from usual, yet couldn't pinpoint exactly what was wrong.

"Clan Chief, it's so late. Is there something you need?" she asked, forcing herself to remain calm.

"Naturally, there is important business to discuss."

Cao Bu's smile deepened. "Surely you don't expect This Clan Head to speak while standing outside the door?"

Gu Chuyan bit her lip, her sixth sense screaming warnings.

But after all, the other party was the newly appointed Clan Chief.

"Then... Clan Chief, please come in." In the end, she stepped aside to make way.

Cao Bu strode inside.

Gu Chuyan closed the courtyard gate, turned, and gestured. "Clan Chief, this way."

Cao Bu nodded and followed behind Gu Chuyan.

Reaching the side hall, Gu Chuyan raised her hand. "Clan Chief, please have a seat."

Cao Bu gave a slight nod. "Sister Chuyan, there's no need for such formality."

"Clan Chief, please wait a moment," Gu Chuyan said expressionlessly.

With that, she turned and walked to the side to prepare tea.

Cao Bu's gaze swept over her graceful figure, a dark, inscrutable light flashing in the depths of his eyes.

One hour later.

Deep within the bamboo grove, the moonlight was sliced into fragments by the dense bamboo leaves.

Cao Bu walked behind a large bluestone. When he emerged, his appearance had already shifted back from Gu Yun's likeness.

He straightened his sleeves, a cold smile playing on his lips.

The Thousand Illusions Formless Art was truly profound. Not only could it perfectly disguise appearance and form, but even aura.

With sufficient preparation in advance, even simulating the Emperors Might would not be out of the question.

Unfortunately, it was only good for bluffing. If a real fight broke out, the deception would surely be exposed.

"The Primal Yin-Yang Art truly lives up to its reputation."

Feeling the surging spiritual power within his body, Cao Bu's lips curled into a wicked smile.

A pity the other party's cultivation was too low. It hadn't allowed him to achieve a Breakthrough.

The night wind stirred his robe, soon swallowing his figure within the darkness.

Inside Scholarly Fragrance Courtyard.

Cao Bu lounged lazily against the edge of the bathtub, warm steam rising in a mist.

"By the way, regarding Gu Chuyan's matter, how do you plan to handle the aftermath?" Su Li asked softly.

Cao Bu exhaled a breath. "Naturally, pin it on Gu Yun."

Su Li frowned. "That probably won't be enough to topple him, will it?"

Cao Bu smiled meaningfully. "Just an appetizer. Next are Li Xinxue and Gu Lingshuang."

Su Li's beautiful eyes brightened. "You intend to drive a wedge between Luo Qingcheng and Leng Yue?"

"Clever," Cao Bu said, a flicker of appreciation in his eyes.

Li Xinxue was Gu Yun's woman, the future Clan Chief's wife.

Gu Lingshuang was Leng Yue's daughter, sharing the same father but a different mother with Gu Yun.

Su Li smiled sweetly, suddenly wrapping her arms around his waist. "Being your woman, I naturally must understand your thoughts."

...

Meanwhile, at a certain minefield in the Immortal Realm.

Gu Qingtian suddenly stopped wielding his mining pick, scratching his itchy scalp vigorously.

*Slap!*

A whip shadow lashed viciously across his back.

"Dare to slack off again!"

The overseer barked harshly. "No one leaves until we've mined a hundred thousand Immortal Stones!"

...

The morning sunlight filtered through the window gauze, spilling into the side hall and casting dappled light upon the bluestone floor.

A Maidservant, carrying a copper basin, pushed the door open. Humming a cheerful little tune, her footsteps abruptly halted the moment she stepped into the hall.

The copper basin clattered to the floor with a loud crash. The sound of spilled water mixed with the metallic clang shattered the quiet.

"Y-Young Miss?!" Her frightened voice carried a tremble.

There, Gu Chuyan was huddled, her clothes slightly askew, her black hair disheveled over her shoulders. Her eyes stared blankly at the ground, devoid of their usual spirited light.

"Someone, come quickly!" The Maidservant's voice took on a sob. She turned and ran towards the courtyard entrance. "Go fetch the Ninth Elder!"

Before long, the entire small courtyard descended into chaos.

Several elderly matrons hurried over. They wrapped Gu Chuyan in a brocade quilt and carefully carried her back to her bedchamber.

Not long after, a figure in a blue robe appeared at the doorway.

"We pay our respects to the Ninth Elder!"

All the Maidservants knelt in unison, foreheads pressed to the ground, not daring to breathe loudly.

With Gu Chuyan harmed, they, the Maidservants, could not escape blame.

The Ninth Elder stood at the doorway, his face so gloomy it seemed water could drip from it.

When he saw his granddaughter on the bed, her gaze vacant and dull, a terrifying pressure abruptly erupted from his entire being.

*Pfft.*

The kneeling Maidservants all spat out a mouthful of blood in unison, their bodies pressed flat against the ground by the force.

"Speak! Who did this?!"

The Ninth Elder's voice was hoarse, each word seeming to be squeezed out from between his teeth.

One brave Maidservant answered, trembling. "R-Reporting to the Elder... Last night, Young Lord Gu Yun came. The Young Miss personally received him and did not allow us servants to attend."

"Get out! All of you, get out!" the Ninth Elder roared in fury.

The Maidservants, as if granted amnesty, hastily retreated from the bedchamber.

The Ninth Elder walked tremblingly to the bedside. When he saw the bruises on his granddaughter's neck, his eyes instantly flooded with blood vessels.

"Chuyan, tell Grandfather, who was it?"

Of course, he wouldn't rely solely on the Maidservants' account, given Gu Yun's not-so-simple status.

Gu Chuyan's empty eyes shifted slightly. Two clear trails of tears silently slid down her cheeks.

The veins on the Ninth Elder's withered hand bulged violently. "Chuyan, was it truly that beast Gu Yun?"

"It... it was..."

Gu Chuyan's lips trembled. Suddenly, she broke into hysterical sobs and wails. "It was Gu Yun! That beast! He said... he said even if Grandfather found out, you couldn't do anything to him!"