Standing at the entrance, Gu Kang greeted each and every guest with a warm smile.
He is over fifty years old and is the Gu Family's old housekeeper. He has been working at the company since he was a teenager, for the past thirty or forty years.
"Chairman Li, welcome, welcome..."
"Master Guo, you've arrived. Please come in."
"Oh, isn't this Sect Leader Hao? The Patriarch is waiting in the inner room. Please come in."
Gu Kang greeted the guests with a beaming smile, while two Gu Family from the Gu family led the way beside him.
The lively scene symbolizes the Gu Family's current status, and everyone who is a member of the Gu Family feels honored.
The Gu Family is, after all, an ancient martial arts family. Although they are not considered very strong in Huaxia, they are still a family of around two stars. The entire mansion is in Chinese style, antique and full of the charm of the Tang and Song dynasties.
As time went by, it reached 10:30.
The guests had mostly arrived, and the vast mansion courtyard was now filled with people.
Dressed in a Tang suit, with a ruddy complexion, Gu Changfeng stood in the center of the mansion, bowing and thanking the banquet laid out around him.
Not far from him was his wife, Qin Yue.
Qin Yue is also approaching fifty years old, but time has not left many marks on her face. As a martial artist in the Bone-Forge Realm, coupled with her excellent daily maintenance, her skin is as tender as a young girl's.
At this moment, Qin Yue was greeting some wealthy ladies, who were the female relatives of the guests present, and some of them were there to propose marriage.
"I wonder if Young Master Gu Mingheng has returned today?"
"My daughter is twenty-two years old this year. She is well-educated and courteous, and proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. If Young Master Gu, are still unmarried, you may consider my daughter."
"Madam Gu, my niece is exceptionally beautiful, poised and elegant, with a captivating charm. If your son is interested, we can arrange for them to meet."
The women gathered around Qin Yue, chattering not about everyday matters, but about Gu Mingheng's marriage.
As everyone knows, Gu Mingheng has already entered the Gu Family's main residence and arrived at the mysterious land of Huaxia. Therefore, these women came with the mission of their elders or heads of the family: to cultivate good relations with the Gu family.
After all, although the Gu Family has broken away from their main branch in the Land of Heaven and Earth and is now relatively weak, it is inevitable that they will return to the Land of Heaven and Earth. If we don't curry favor now, it will be too late to do so later.
"Gu Family, congratulations on your 50th birthday! What a glorious occasion!"
"When a man reaches this age, especially a martial artist, it's the perfect time to showcase his skills."
"As the head of the family, Master Gu Changfeng will certainly lead the Gu Family to rise again and become a leading martial arts family in the Shangjing."
For this reason, not only families and sects of the same level were present, but also some sects close to the upper level of the second star, such as the Five Tigers Sect, the Shangjing Lü Family, and the Hundred Flowers Sect, all came to the Gu residence to establish connections.
At this moment, Gu Changfeng's face was flushed with pride.
He was now incredibly grateful for his decision back then. After driving the Gu Beichi family out, his son received such a great opportunity and was now among the top on the Tiger Ranking. The rise of the Shangjing Gu Family was just around the corner!
Listening to the polite compliments from the guests around him, whether familiar or unfamiliar, Gu Changfeng was overjoyed, and a radiant smile spread across his face.
"No, no, I only wish for my family's safety; I have no such ambitions."
"Master Lü Family, please take a seat. You are an honored guest today."
"Sect Leader Chen, it's an honor to have you here. Please have a seat. It's been a while since we last met. We must have a good drink together later."
At 11:45, Gu Kang entered and announced loudly, "The birthday banquet begins! Members of the Gu Family wish the Patriarch a long life!"
The hall was packed with distinguished guests, with no seats available.
Gu Changfeng also sat on the high-ranking armchair.
Although this was an internal birthday banquet for the Gu Family, the thirty tables set up in the courtyard were already full.
As soon as Gu Kang said this, the members of the Gu Family family filed out and bowed to Gu Changfeng in congratulations.
Gu Changfeng distributed red envelopes to everyone, young and old alike.
"Next, it's time for the gift-giving. Please, guests, present your gift lists!" Gu Kang said again.
The gift list was presented, and Gu Kang opened it, announcing loudly, "The Lü Family Lü Family patriarch presents a pair of the East Sea Pearls, worth sixty million! He also presents a cultivation technique to aid internal energy regulation!"
Internal energy cultivation and breathing techniques?
Upon hearing this, the people around began to whisper among themselves.
This is quite a generous investment! Although it's not a cultivation technique, supplementary mental cultivation methods still have a large market. They are all martial artists, and the value of this mental cultivation method is many times greater than that of a luminous pearl.
Everyone looked towards Lü Chengru, the head of the Lü Family, who was smiling and clasping his hands in greeting.
The Lü Family is a prominent family, even more prestigious than the Gu Family. They never expected them to send such a generous gift. For a moment, many people felt regretful or even uneasy.
If I had known, I should have prepared something more valuable.
"Presented from the East Yang Sect..."
"Wait!"
Just as Gu Kang was about to continue reading the next list, a loud shout suddenly interrupted him.
Everyone around was startled and looked outside. A man in a suit walked in, his brows furrowed and his face icy.
The man walked slowly, and at his feet lay several Gu Family servants lying on the ground. These were the Gu Family's bodyguards who were stationed at the door, and the man had knocked them to the ground at some point.
Everyone was focused on the birthday gift and didn't notice that the mansion gates had been opened and that the man had walked in so ostentatiously without a sound!
"Gu Changfeng, how could I be absent from your big birthday celebration!"
The man stood in the middle of the courtyard, his tiger-like eyes flashing like lightning as he swept his gaze toward Gu Changfeng on the high platform. He clenched his fists and spoke coldly.
The next moment, with a loud crash—
Gu Changfeng dropped the teacup he was holding!
It shattered all over the floor!
Gu Changfeng stared straight ahead, his eyes filled with disbelief!
The teacup fell to the ground, shards flying everywhere, instantly attracting everyone's attention. When they noticed Gu Changfeng's almost stunned expression, they were all greatly surprised and followed his gaze forward.
... Immediately afterwards, they made almost the same expression as Gu Changfeng!
Everyone was stunned for a moment!
Gu Beichi!
Gu Changfeng's face darkened. He said, "What are you doing here?!"
Yes, the person who came was Gu Beichi, his younger brother!
Everyone present recognized Gu Beichi, after all, he had only been away from the Shangjing for a little over half a year!
They just didn't expect that this abandoned son, who had been expelled from the Gu Family, would choose to return to the Gu Family at this time!
"What am I here for? Naturally, I'm here to wish my 'beloved' elder brother a happy birthday!" Gu Beichi roared, like a dragon raising its head!
That astonishing aura swept across the surroundings!
The Revolving Illumination Realm!
The martial artists present were not young; most were even cunning and experienced. Since Gu Beichi dared to return to the Shangjing, he couldn't have done so without some backing. Therefore, upon sensing the aura emanating from him...
Everyone's expression changed!
For a moment, the scene was so quiet you could hear a pin drop!