Gu Cheng had not given his father's concerns much thought.
He knew perfectly well.
Ever since the largest tomb-raiding operation in history, the Old Nine Gates had suffered devastating casualties, followed by a major purge. Their strength was now a shadow of what it had once been.
Only the Xie Family, the Huo Family, and the Wu Family remained.
The other six families had all but fallen into decline.
They no longer posed much of a threat to the Gu Family.
After all, the Gu Family had not spent all those years in Panjiayuan for nothing.
Besides, the people of the Old Nine Gates were currently busy dealing with that mysterious "It," as well as the Wang Family.
They hardly had time to bother with them.
Right now, he was far more interested in the batch of divine artifacts his father had mentioned.
"Dad, hehehe."
Gu Cheng sidled up to Gu Sihai and began massaging his shoulders and back.
"How come you never told me about divine artifacts before?"
Gu Sihai narrowed his eyes slightly and snorted. "You're flighty, impatient, and always dreaming up wild ideas. I originally wanted you to get some more experience before I told you about divine artifacts."
"Since you already know now, I'll tell you."
"They say wealth clouds the mind."
"But in the presence of divine artifacts, people's greed and desires are magnified without limit. Without enough self-control, you'll only become their puppet."
"I've seen too many people end up that way. I don't want you to become one of them. Do you understand?!"
Gu Cheng knew his father only wanted what was best for him.
He immediately thumped his chest and promised, "Don't worry, Dad. I'm your son. I definitely won't let you down."
Gu Sihai said, "I hope you remember what you just said."
"Dad, could you bring out our collection of divine artifacts and let me have a look?"
Gu Cheng was itching with curiosity as he eagerly made his request.
Gu Sihai glanced at him, considered it for a moment, then stood up. "Come along."
Gu Cheng quickly got up and followed his father.
They went into Gu Sihai's bedroom.
Gu Sihai took down a painting hanging on the wall, revealing a safe.
"Dad, isn't that a seriously lame place to hide your safe?"
Gu Cheng could not help complaining.
Gu Sihai glared at him. "Then how do you think I should hide it? Infrared lasers? Infrared motion detectors? Biometric technology?"
Gu Cheng gave a couple of awkward chuckles.
"The most dangerous place is the safest place. Compared with all that flashy high-tech stuff, sometimes the old ways are more practical."
Gu Sihai spoke as he turned the safe's combination dial.
"Yes, yes, you're right, Dad. Just look at you-still going strong, as sharp as ever."
Gu Cheng meekly agreed.
Soon, the safe opened.
Gu Cheng could hardly wait to peer inside.
There were five objects inside, varying in size and type.
There was porcelain, jade, a bamboo scroll...
"Back then, we took thirteen divine artifacts from the Old Nine Gates. Over the years, we've sold some and acquired others. With everything coming and going, we're down to five now."
Gu Sihai took the objects out one at a time.
He handled them with utmost care.
After a pause, he added, "No, six. There's also that Pixiu."
Gu Cheng blinked. "Divine artifacts get traded too?"
Gu Sihai glanced at him. "However divine they might be, they're still inanimate objects. Why couldn't they be traded?"
"When people obtain divine artifacts and discover they aren't suitable, many put them up for trade. Some sell them for money, while others exchange them for other objects. Everyone gets what they need."
"Even those super-rich collectors are sometimes willing to trade pieces from their own collections to get a particular divine artifact."
Gu Cheng finally understood.
Then he eagerly focused his attention.
He looked at a thirty-centimeter-tall statue of Guanyin before him.
[Item name]: Child-Giving Guanyin [Item grade]: Low-grade magical artifact [Item ability]: Continuing the bloodline [Item description]: Offer incense and devoutly recite the "Guanyin Sutra" every day. Upon completing one thousand recitations, offspring can be conceived.
Gu Cheng: "..."
When Gu Cheng saw the Guanyin statue, his first thought was whether it could gather his mental energy and sharpen his concentration, like Xie Yuchen's Bodhisattva Spirit.
But never in his wildest dreams had he expected it to be a Child-Giving Guanyin!
This fucking divine artifact...
How should I put it?
For certain people who needed it, it was a sacred treasure.
But for him...
Suddenly.
He remembered how his father always called him an unfilial son and kept talking about having a considerate daughter.
His gaze involuntarily shifted toward his father...
Suddenly, he gave himself a hard slap.
"Fuck!"
Gu Cheng, what the hell goes through your head all day?
Even if Dad can manage it, shouldn't you think about whether Mom can?!
Making her suffer through that at her age-you're a disgrace of a son.
Gu Sihai stared at him in bewilderment. "What's wrong with you?"
"Uh, nothing. A mosquito just landed on my face."
Gu Cheng lowered his head.
He did not dare look at him.
His conscience was guilty.
He hurriedly inspected the second object.
It was a bamboo scroll.
The kind that looked very old and rustic.
Gu Cheng carefully unrolled it and took a look. It was a copy of the Book of Songs.
The very first line read: "Guan-guan cry the ospreys, on an islet in the river. A gentle, graceful maiden makes a fine match for a gentleman."
[Item name]: Visualization Secret Slip [Item grade]: Low-grade magical artifact [Item ability]: "Fetal Breathing Method" [Item description]: Hold the secret slip against your forehead and focus your mind to learn the secret technique.
"Holy shit!"
Gu Cheng could not help crying out.
Gu Sihai frowned at him again.
Gu Cheng gave a sheepish smile. "Seeing so many treasures got me a little excited."
Once Gu Sihai turned away in displeasure.
Unable to contain his wild joy, Gu Cheng grabbed the bamboo scroll.
Oh my God! Am I dreaming?!
It's actually a cultivation manual!
I've hit the jackpot! The jackpot!
He even felt that this bamboo scroll alone was enough. Whether he examined the other objects no longer mattered.
His excitement lasted a long while.
At last, he managed to suppress the wild joy in his heart.
Then he looked at the third object.
It was a seal.
A seal carved from jade.
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