"Ridiculous." Gu Beichi remained unmoved, his face icy cold.
"Sigh." Gu Changfeng sighed, "Brother, you don't know, ever since you left the Shangjing, I've felt uneasy. Actually, seeing you so downcast these past few years, I've always wanted to help you."
After a pause, Gu Changfeng spread his hands and said, "Now that you have regained your cultivation and returned to the Gu Family, I am deeply gratified. Indeed, the Qin Family has committed many evils, and I was also deceived by Qin Yue, unaware that your meridians had been destroyed. As for the past, we can discuss it in detail behind closed doors. Today, you have crippled two people, which can be considered an explanation. How about we let this matter rest?"
Gu Changfeng was cunning and ruthless. He couldn't see through Gu Beichi's martial arts technique, but he knew that Gu Beichi relied on this move for this trip. That's why he could even say such things now.
The more he acted this way, the colder and more wary Gu Beichi's eyes became.
Although he knew Gu Changfeng was ruthless, he never expected him to be so heartless.
Qin Yue is his wife, yet he remained indifferent and used her as a bargaining chip! He shifted all the blame onto the Qin Family.
Seeing that Gu Beichi remained silent, Gu Changfeng laughed and said, "Now that you've returned to the Shangjing and killed your former enemies, how about this: let's wipe the slate clean! Look, in the six months you were in Zhou City, did I ever make things difficult for you? We're brothers, and if things turn out like this, wouldn't we become a laughingstock?"
"Oh?" Gu Beichi sneered, "Gu Changfeng, stop with your pretense. Enemies? You know perfectly well who my enemies are! Besides, you didn't pursue me when I went to Zhou City, only because you were worried about gossip. And I was already a cripple then, what did you have to worry about?"
"Second brother, those words have deeply hurt my feelings!" Gu Changfeng said this without his face trembling much. Instead, his voice was filled with heartache as he said, "After the old master died, as the head of the Gu Family family, I was also deceived by the Qin Family. Now that you have avenged your great enemy, our Gu Family has also suffered heavy losses. Why don't we all take a step back and let bygones be bygones?"
"Dream on!" Gu Beichi sneered repeatedly.
"Gu Beichi, I sincerely want to untangle the knot in your heart." Gu Changfeng didn't care about Gu Beichi's attitude and said, "You know that our Gu Family has the Land of Heaven and Earth behind us, but no matter where we are, or in the Shangjing, we are weak and alone. However, my son Gu Mingheng has already entered the main family of the Land of Heaven and Earth, and now you have also become a Xuanzhao Realm Revolving Illumination Realm. If the two of us join forces, we will surely make the Gu Family famous again and resound throughout the world! Think of the old man's wish back then, which was to make the Gu Family rise again. After today, we can realize our grand ambitions and fulfill his long-cherished wish."
Gu Changfeng waved his hand, exuding boundless pride, as if surveying all the mountains below, and said, "With your talent, Second Brother, you will surely advance another step within ten years. At that time, our Gu Family will definitely rise to the top of the two-star families, or even become a one-star family! Wouldn't that be wonderful!"
Everyone thought that after Gu Changfeng came down, he would definitely attack Gu Beichi in a fit of rage, but no one, including Gu Beichi, would have guessed that Gu Changfeng would say such a thing!
After he finished speaking, both the elders of the Gu Family family and the guests present were instantly stunned.
Gu Changfeng actually showed goodwill towards Gu Beichi, and even seemed to be trying to win him over!
How could this be? Back then, the two were irreconcilable enemies. Could it be that he's actually afraid of Gu Beichi?! Otherwise, how can this be explained?
Gu Changfeng was truly cunning and shrewd. Although no one knew what he was really thinking or whether he sincerely wanted to reconcile with Gu Beichi, at least after saying these words, he shifted all the blame onto Qin Yue and Qin Dahe, those two useless people, while completely absolving himself of any responsibility.
Gu Changfeng even appeared heartbroken at being deceived. Everyone present knew what had happened to Gu Beichi when he was expelled from the Gu Family, but his words gave everyone the illusion that it had nothing to do with him.
However, although Gu Beichi had focused on cultivation in the past, he was not an idiot who didn't understand these social niceties. He was experienced and knew that Gu Changfeng wanted to play the family card, which made him even more vigilant.
Furthermore, Gu Changfeng already harbored deep hatred for Gu Beichi, so how could he possibly believe that Gu would bow down to him now!
Therefore, Gu Beichi smiled coldly and said, "You still have the nerve to mention Dad's long-cherished wish? I had my suspicions about how Dad died back then, and today I'm Gu Family to bring this matter up again and clarify it!"
Gu Changfeng's face showed a look of astonishment, his expression subtle yet perfectly timed, as he said, "Isn't everyone aware of the old man's death? He suffered internal injuries before, and the old wounds combined with a serious illness led to his passing. Second brother, you have recovered your cultivation and avenged your great grudge. I am also trying to befriend you. Are you still unwilling to let it go? Today is my birthday banquet, and I have already forgiven your disturbance. I have done more than enough. You should think it over carefully."
It wasn't until Gu Changfeng said those words that Gu Beichi realized what he was planning.
It wasn't that Gu Changfeng truly intended to reconcile with Gu Beichi and turn hostility into friendship; he was merely putting on an act to gain a good reputation. After all, today's incident had blown up too much, and it would definitely spread throughout the entire Shangjing, and even reach the Gu Family's main branch in Land of Heaven and Earth.
His actions pushed his sense of responsibility to the extreme.
Even if someone were to try to seek justice for Gu Beichi, they would have no grounds to do so!
Furthermore, he must have anticipated that Gu Beichi would not compromise, so he could certainly do his best. Even if Gu Beichi was killed by him, public opinion in the Land of Heaven and Earth would not have any negative impact on him.
If Gu Beichi were to refuse, he would be seen as an ungrateful and aggressive villain, which in turn would highlight Gu Changfeng's sense of righteousness.
That's killing two birds with one stone!
Gu Beichi's eyes turned cold. This Gu Changfeng was indeed a cunning old fox who had been scheming for so long. Even now, he was still meticulously plotting!
The more Gu Beichi looked at his elder brother, the more unfamiliar he became, and a chill even crept into his heart!
He knew all too well how terrifying this kind of person could be!
If this isn't resolved today, Gu Changfeng will definitely hunt them down to the death!
However, Gu Beichi wasn't one to follow the rules blindly. Since Gu Changfeng wanted to put on an act, he figured he might as well play along! Therefore, after thinking it through, Gu Beichi smiled coldly and said readily, "Since elder brother is so sincere in resolving our grievances, I agree without hesitation!"
These words immediately caused an uproar among those around them.
Even Gu Changfeng, who was all smiles, froze for a moment, seemingly taken aback. But he quickly asked, "Second brother, is this really true?"
"However, I have two conditions."
After Gu Beichi finished speaking, he deliberately paused for a moment, then held up two fingers to Gu Changfeng and said, "If you can agree to all of this, I will agree to return to the Gu Family and work with you to revitalize the family. It's not impossible."