A flash of killing intent passed through Gu Chen's eyes. "Did you call the police?" he asked grimly.
"We did, but it was no use." Gu Beichi gave a bitter smile. "They're the local snakes in Zhou City. Even the police can't do anything about them. We can't fight them." Gu Beichi sighed and said to Gu Chen, "I'll find a way. This isn't something you need to worry about. Just focus on your studies."
"Come on, let's eat."
The moment he finished speaking, a bank card was held out in front of him.
"What's this?" Gu Beichi froze, then smiled. "I haven't sunk so low that I need to use your pocket money."
"This isn't pocket money." Gu Chen shook his head, his gaze firm. "Dad, there are forty million in this account. Take it to tide you over for now."
"Forty million?!" Gu Beichi shot to his feet, shock written across his face.
It wasn't that he had never seen so much money, but it was Gu Chen who had produced it, and that was hard to believe. When they had first come to Zhou City from Shangjing, Gu Beichi had been worth only ten million. It was only through his hard work that the company had grown to be worth around fifty million.
Gu Chen said calmly, "Dad, I earned this money myself. Don't they want to drag the company down? We can use this to ease the pressure for now, then find a way to deal with everything else."
"You're still in school. Where would you find the time to earn money, let alone so much at once?" Gu Beichi looked at him suspiciously. Suddenly, he seemed to remember something, and his expression changed. "Did you ask that Xiao Family girl for it? I know you two are still in touch!"
At the mention of the "Xiao Family girl," Gu Chen's expression shifted slightly. He took a deep breath and said, "Dad, don't worry. My money definitely came from a legitimate source. Besides, knowing my character, do you think I'd take someone else's money?"
"But that's so much money..."
"Dad, don't ask anymore," Gu Chen said. "You only need to understand that your son has grown up! I can share your burdens now."
Gu Beichi looked at the mysterious expression on Gu Chen's face and thought back to everything that had happened at the Treasure Gathering Studio yesterday. Though he had many questions, in the end he said only, "All right, let's eat first."
At the table, Gu Beichi indeed asked no more about the money. He only asked a few concerned questions about how Gu Chen was doing at school. Gu Chen gave vague answers, all the while making plans in his heart.
After the meal, Gu Beichi hurried out to deal with company business, but not before reminding Gu Chen to study hard. Such was the tender heart of every parent under heaven! Watching his father's retreating figure, Gu Chen silently swore that in this life, he would never let his father bear it all alone.
He turned to help Uncle Liu clear the dishes. Uncle Liu said with feeling, "Young master, you really have grown up. But you can leave these things to me."
"Uncle Liu, you're getting on in years. Let me do it," Gu Chen said sincerely. "You gave up everything in Shangjing to come to Zhou City with Father and me, with no one to depend on. I really don't know how to thank you."
Uncle Liu chuckled and said gently, "These are all part of this old servant's duties. I've followed the master for so many years that I'm used to it. If you really made me leave, I wouldn't know what to do with myself." At this, Uncle Liu sighed softly, his eyes full of heartache. "It's just that the master and you, young master, were born into a wealthy family, yet you have to endure such hardship. I can hardly bear to see it. Whenever I see the master laboring day and night, exhausting his heart and strength, I wish I had the ability to shoulder some of it for you."
"Uncle Liu, Father and I both know how loyal you've been to us." Gu Chen's voice was firm. After a brief pause, he said solemnly, "I promise you, I'll make sure you return to the Gu Family, because that's where our true home is."
After they finished cleaning up, Gu Chen returned to his room to meditate and cultivate.
Half an hour later, he opened his eyes and sighed. "The spiritual energy here is far too thin. Cultivation is too slow. Half an hour here isn't even as good as a few seconds on Heavenly Nether Star."
"Time to go find Xu Zhongwen."
He stood up, a flicker of killing intent in his eyes. He could take care of the things his father found difficult!
Just then, his phone rang. It was Wang Hu. He was already waiting downstairs, holding a brocade box.
After saying goodbye to Uncle Liu, Gu Chen went downstairs.
This time, Wang Hu had driven a Land Rover. When Gu Chen came out, Wang Hu handed him the brocade box. "The master asked me to give you this."
Gu Chen opened the box. Inside was a cultivation manual called the Mystic Heaven Divine Art. It was the secret manual the old man had copied down from memory. Though it was only about ten pages long, its name was exceptionally grand and eye-catching.
He smiled faintly. "Tell the old man he can come pick it up tomorrow."
Wang Hu said respectfully, "The old man gave me one more instruction. Please get in the car, Mr. Gu, and come with me to meet someone. He should be able to help you in Zhou City."
After witnessing Gu Chen's abilities, Wang Hu dared not look down on the young man in the slightest. His words and manner showed deep respect.
"Oh?" Gu Chen asked curiously. "Who is it?"
"Zhao Haiqing, hall master of the Black Wind Hall, one of Zhou City's two major underground forces."
Zhou City had three great families and two major underground forces, and the Black Wind Hall was one of the latter!
"The Black Wind Hall? Zhao Haiqing?" Gu Chen asked, a little puzzled by the name.
Wang Hu explained, "The old man saw at the Treasure Gathering Studio yesterday that you and your father seemed to be in trouble. Although you're very powerful, Mr. Gu, you don't seem willing to reveal too much of yourself. The master can't stay in Zhou City for long, so he asked me to introduce you to Zhao Haiqing."
"Thank the old man for me. That's very thoughtful of him!"
Gu Chen nodded his thanks. After a moment's thought, a faint smile curved his lips, and he asked, "What's the relationship between the old man and Zhao Haiqing?"
"The old man has an illustrious status. Naturally, he wouldn't associate with figures from those underground forces. Even if he knew them, he would have absolutely no ties to them."
"Oh?" Curiosity appeared on Gu Chen's face. "Then what's this about?"
A flicker of pride crossed Wang Hu's face. "When I was in the army, Zhao Haiqing was my adjutant."
Hearing this, Gu Chen's smile grew. He nodded lightly and said, "I see. Let's get in the car."
As one of Zhou City's two major underground forces, the Black Wind Hall had always been a name that made people turn pale, as though a tiger had been mentioned. But unlike ordinary underworld forces, it owned several legitimate companies and had considerable power. Its hall master, Zhao Haiqing, had started from nothing after leaving the army seven years ago and created the legend he was today.
Yet at the entrance to the Black Wind Hall's company stood that formidable figure himself, his expression stern. Once, he had kept his doors shut even when the mayor came to visit. Rows of men in black stood on either side, and a solemn atmosphere hung over the entire company.
Led by Wang Hu, Gu Chen entered the company, wondering to himself just what sort of person Zhao Haiqing was.