"Did you hear? The Second Branch Master told me the patriarch is a Grade Entry martial artist! He's incredibly strong!"
Wang Ze carried a lantern as he walked, looking around before leaning close to Gu Chenglin and speaking quietly.
The lantern light wavered across his face, revealing eyes bright with curiosity and lingering fear.
He kept his voice low, afraid someone might hear.
Yet he could not hide his excitement, and he wanted to gossip a little more.
Gu Chenglin raised an eyebrow and rolled his eyes at him.
The Xiao Family Patriarch's status as a Grade Entry martial artist had long since ceased to be a secret.
When the patriarch had gone into seclusion in the back garden, strange sounds had occasionally emerged. Everyone in the residence knew he was practicing some profound martial art.
No one had dared say so outright, much less ask about it.
Yet that fool Wang Ze still thought it was some earth-shattering secret.
When Gu Chenglin showed no reaction to his revelation, Wang Ze grew annoyed. "The Xiao Family is about to fall, and you don't have any reaction at all?"
Gu Chenglin slowed his steps and looked at Wang Ze helplessly.
Lantern light fell across his face, revealing exhaustion he could not conceal.
He had grown thinner, his cheekbones jutting out and his eyes sunken. His days as a guard at the Xiao Residence clearly had not been easy.
"You don't actually think that because the Xiao Family gave us a few benefits and trained us to the Dark Strength Threshold, we should serve them for the rest of our lives?"
Wang Ze scratched his head, puzzled. "Shouldn't we?"
Gu Chenglin glared at him, exasperated beyond measure, and snapped:
"You really are an idiot! You were this stupid when you followed Wang