"No rush." Gu Chen smiled, stepped forward to pick up the broken vase from the ground, and said, "I'll help you clean it up."
"Thanks."
"No need to thank me." Gu Chen straightened up and said, "Qianqian is my disciple. A teacher and student are like father and son. You are an orphan and a widow, and I have an obligation to take care of you."
Li Jing was taken aback at first, then her pretty face flushed red, and she gently bit her lower lip.
Seeing Gu Chen start tidying up again, she wondered if he had said it unintentionally or was deliberately flirtatious. After thinking for a moment, she suppressed the ripples in her heart and joined in the tidying up.
Shangjing.
The Liu Family.
The Liu Family owns a considerable business empire in the Shangjing, and is considered a prominent name among secular enterprises.
Even now, the conference room inside the Liu Family's company is still full of people in the evening.
However, the Liu Family is a family business, and those present were all close relatives of the Liu clan.
"What did you say?"
The person summoned this time was Liu Tianqi, the eldest elder of the Liu Family.
Liu Tianqi's eyes were extremely cold, his white hair was on full display, and he was seething with rage!
"Yes, yes."
At the entrance stood a servant-like Liu Family. His head was bowed, and in the solemn and oppressive atmosphere, his body trembled slightly. He said, "Elder Liu Dongyuan is dead, and so is Liu Changqing..."
"You bastard!"
Liu Tianqi slapped him across the face.
The martial artist was sent flying backward, landing heavily on the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
"They're dead, how dare you come back?!" Liu Tianqi said viciously.
The surroundings were eerily quiet. Everyone knew Liu Tianqi's temper; he was known for his fiery temper. Moreover, Liu Dongyuan was Liu Tianqi's biological brother, and the two had an exceptionally good relationship. Therefore, no one dared to say anything even though Liu Tianqi was so angry.
"You didn't get the Jade Guanyin, you didn't get the Shennong Grass, and even the elder is dead! How dare you come back!"
Liu Tianqi took a step forward, not only looking at the martial artist he had knocked to the ground, but also at the group of clansmen martial artists who had returned from Zhou City in a disheveled state at the door, his aura filled with killing intent.
"Elder."
At this moment, someone interjected. It was the head of the Liu Family. He said in a deep voice, "Don't blame this person. This time, even the Steel Tremor Sect couldn't escape the disaster, Ning Yufeng of the Wuji Manor died in Zhou City. They should be even more furious than we are."
"Damn Water Cloud Sect!"
Liu Tianqi kicked the martial artist on the ground, then turned to the crowd and said, "The Water Cloud Sect is colluding with that kid. The Shennong Grass and the Jade Guanyin are on him. Let's go directly to the Water Cloud Sect, or ask the Gu Family for him."
"No need to rush." The head of the Liu Family shook his head and said, "Even if we don't intervene, Wuji Manor and Steel Tremor Sect won't be able to hold back. So many forces have suffered defeats this time, and most of them are stronger than our Liu Family. I don't believe they can sit still. Besides, even if we go to the Gu Family, it won't do any good. Gu Beichi was expelled from the Gu Family back then, and now the Gu Family no longer recognizes their identity. Going to them is useless."
"Then what do we do?" Liu Tianqi roared, "We can't just watch that kid get away with it! Here's what we'll do: I'll go to Zhou City myself. I refuse to believe I can't take him down!"
"Are you as capable as Ning Yufeng?" Patriarch Liu Family raised an eyebrow and asked.
"This..." Liu Tianqi's voice faltered, then he said indignantly, "Not far off!"
"Ning Yufeng is dead, what are your chances of winning?" The Liu Family head frowned and said, "Elder, I know you're upset, but you also need to consider our current situation. That kid is said to have a subordinate with exceptional strength. Before we figure out the situation, wouldn't it be best to let others test the waters? Besides, do you think they won't come to the capital after the humiliation the Gu Family inflicted on them back then?"
Liu Tianqi's eyes lit up.
"So..." the Liu Family patriarch said calmly, "We can just sit back and watch the tigers fight. This kid has offended so many people now. Once he comes to the capital, those forces will definitely not let him go!"
"Okay." Liu Tianqi nodded, sat down again, and asked with a puzzled look, "So, what is the purpose of this meeting?"
"The matter of the Shennong Grass is settled, and the Aristocratic Family Assembly is just around the corner," said the Liu Family patriarch. "This is an opportunity to make our mark on the powers of the Land of Heaven and Earth. It starts in a few days. We unexpectedly obtained a spot to send a junior disciple out. This conference is to select a candidate. Even if we don't achieve a ranking on the Tiger Ranking, we can still attract attention and broaden our horizons. Everyone, please make your nominations."
"Alright." Liu Tianqi nodded and said, "I recommend my son, Liu Xianglong."
I recommend Liu Quanming.
"I recommend Liu Yangtian..."
Soon, the conference room was filled with chaotic noise. Clearly, they valued the Aristocratic Family Assembly even more than the Shennong Grass...
After all, for a two-star family like this, the family's advancement and exposure are more important than any medicinal herb!
Legend has it that the Land of Heaven and Earth is full of treasures, attracting countless noble families and sects from the Shangjing and even the Huaxia. They can't help but be tempted!
The next day, under Gu Chen's arrangement, Li Jing and her daughter moved into the villa.
After Zhao Mo'er was discharged from the hospital, Gu Chen also took Zhao Mo'er in. He taught Zhao Mo'er some martial arts techniques and cultivation skills while removing the cold energy from Qianqian's body.
Even without Gu Chen's orders, Zhao Haiqing had heavily guarded the Black Wind Hall's young lady's residence. During this time, Zhao Mo'er had also gotten along very well with Li Jing and her daughter, as Li Jing had a very good personality and Qianqian was loved by everyone.
To Gu Chen's disappointment, Zhao Mo'er's foundation was indeed not very strong.
"No, no!"
"This is how you throw a punch."
"You're operating the wrong way. I've told you before, you need to change all those outdated ways of relying on luck."
"That's not right either. The dantian is where the qi circulates through the meridians. It's not that the qi from the meridians gathers in the dantian. Practicing qigong and fighting are different. If you circulate it like this, you won't be able to achieve even one-tenth of the effect of the technique!"
Over several days, such sounds could be heard frequently in the villa's courtyard.
A young man stood with his hands behind his back, pointing at a girl who was not much younger than him and was covered in sweat.
Because he had promised Zhao Haiqing a chance to take Zhao Mo'er as his disciple, Gu Chen taught her without holding back, passing on the first few chapters of the Heartless Heart Sutra from the Heartless Sect.
This cultivation technique is the inherited technique of Luo Yunxi's Heartless Sect. His master and junior sister both practice this technique, which is very suitable for women to cultivate.
However, Zhao Mo'er was not a cultivator after all. She had been exposed to ordinary fist and foot techniques and internal martial arts cultivation methods since childhood. In addition, she lacked talent, so her cultivation progressed very slowly.
However, Gu Chen saw Zhao Mo'er's willpower and hard work. Even when she was exhausted, she never gave up. And even when Gu Chen spoke harshly, she gritted her teeth and persevered.
Sometimes, talent is important, but hard work is just as important.
Gu Chen did not give up on Zhao Mo'er.
Five days later, the cold energy in Qianqian's body was finally completely eliminated, but she still needed to rest and recuperate.
Since moving here, after treating Qianqian's injuries and helping her resolve some issues, Li Jing Jing's gratitude towards Gu Chen has been beyond words.
Women are emotional creatures. When a man gives so much without expecting anything in return, their hearts often fall unconsciously. Although Gu Chen has the appearance of a young man, his demeanor and temperament far exceed his age. Even his deep eyes seem to hold a galaxy, and when they meet, they are captivating.
Occasionally, if their hands were to touch unintentionally, or if there was some physical intimacy, Li Jing would not feel disgusted at all; on the contrary, she would feel flustered.
He treats you like an older sister, but you're like a younger brother!
Li Jing had been a widow for many years, but she never expected that she would suddenly fall in love with Gu Chen. She would often remind herself of this phrase and dare not cross the line.
"Sister Jing, I'm leaving."
Today is the day Gu Chen has been looking forward to for a long time. This day is extremely important to him. During this period, all the forces from Zhou City have ceased their activities, and although Gu Chen's foundation in Zhou City is not deep, he has been living a comfortable and peaceful life thanks to the fear and protection of several families.
After saying goodbye to Zhao Haiqing and Zhao Mo'er, he stood at the villa entrance and smiled as he said goodbye to Li Jing and her daughter.
"When are you coming back?" Li Jing felt a little disappointed, and her pretty face looked somewhat unnatural.
"This is it, I'm going to Tong City, and then to the Shangjing." Gu Chen laughed, "But Sister Jing, you're my sister, and I treat Qianqian like my own daughter. Even if Qianqian's cold poison is cured, she's still my disciple, and I'll come back to take responsibility."
"What do you mean I'm your sister? And you treat Qianqian like your own daughter? What responsibility are you going to take!" Li Jing's face flushed red, and she spat.
"Just to give you an example," Gu Chen coughed and said, "Sister Jing, don't move."
"What's wrong?" Li Jing was stunned, and then she saw Gu Chen's face gradually getting closer to her.
What is he going to do?
He wouldn't want to...
Li Jing's heart was in turmoil. As Gu Chen's chiseled and resolute face drew closer and closer in her beautiful eyes, she felt a little timid and couldn't help but want to back away.
But at that moment, Gu Chen reached out and removed a herb from her nose.
"You probably didn't notice when you were wiping Qianqian just now, did you?" Gu Chen said with a smile.
Seeing the herbal residue in Gu Chen's hand, Li Jing remembered her shameful thoughts from earlier and immediately lowered her head, saying, "Perhaps... perhaps it was an accident."
"Alright." Gu Chen waved his hand and said, "Then I'll be going now, Sister Jing."
Watching Gu Chen leave, Li Jing leaned against the door, staring blankly at his retreating figure as it closed. A sudden emptiness filled her heart, an emptiness that felt like she was suffocating...
Linjiang Road.
Cliffs along the river.
Gu Chen stood on the edge of the cliff, remaining silent.
He will never forget this day.
Gu Chen narrowed his eyes, gazing at the distant sky. In his eyes, there was a hint of reverence, a hint of expectation, a hint of fear, and even more tension.
Luo Yunxi, my master, will you come?