Chapter 9 - Chapter 9: Market Conflict

Gu Yao glanced at Lu Minzhu, disdain flashing undisguisedly in his eyes. It wasn't just towards Lu Minzhu but also towards the Lu family. This engagement wasn't something Gu Yao eagerly sought; the Lu family's actions were akin to putting up a chastity memorial after making a woman act as a substitute.

The original owner never received kindness from Lu Minzhu and his siblings, always met with a look of disdain. If the Lu family really despised it, they should promptly come and cancel the engagement. Did they think the original owner didn't want to cancel it? It was the matter of the Gu family; when did the original owner have a say? Moreover, due to this engagement, the original owner suffered numerous humiliations from Lu Minzhu's admirers. Thinking about the original owner's experiences, a fierce anger welled up in Gu Yao's eyes.

Lu Minzhu nearly gasped at the scene.

"Why should my money concern you? Not to mention that my wealth comes from legitimate means. Let's talk about the assets my mother left behind; where did they go? With what I have now, ten times would be more than enough. Moreover, how did my mother die? The entire town of Yuanyang knows about the heartlessness of Gu Zhiming," Gu Yao said fiercely.

Chilang Ye's fingers moved slightly, intending to step forward to stop Gu Yao. Although tearing apart their facade and angering the Gu family without considering the consequences would bring only momentary satisfaction, thinking about the young age at which this boy experienced such hardships, not venting it out might change his disposition. So, he considered finding a way to enhance their protection as the better strategy.
Gu Xing and Gu Chen widened their eyes, hardly recognizing the person before them—Gu Yao. In the past, Gu Yao allowed them to bully him without resistance. When did he dare to rebel? The more he remained silent and appeared weak, the more people wanted to trample on him. Now, he even dared to address his father by name directly? What audacity!

Gu Xing was furious: "Gu Yao, you despicable person! You did shameless things with your lover at your grandfather's birthday banquet, disgracing the Gu family. What kind of person was your mother... ah!"

*Smack!*

People who had gathered to watch, including Gu Chen and Lu Minzhu, stared in disbelief as Gu Yao unexpectedly emerged and promptly slapped Gu Xing.

Reacting quickly, Gu Chen stepped forward and angrily rebuked, "Gu Yao, how dare you hit someone? You've truly gone astray! Guards, seize him and bring him to justice!"

"Striking this disrespectful scoundrel is exactly what's needed. Without my mother, Gu Zhiming would have met his end long ago. What about the two of you? When is it your turn to accuse my mother? Do you think the Gu family will tolerate you distorting the truth here?" Gu Yao, protected by Chi Changye, retorted eloquently.

"Master Gu Yao, I apologize. Please come with us." The guards accompanying Gu Xing approached Gu Yao, obedient to the instructions of Gu Xing and Gu Chen. After all, in the Gu family, Gu Yao wasn't considered a true master.

"I want to see who dares to lay hands on us in the territory of the Tian family!" A familiar voice came from the crowd. As bystanders made way, Tian Feirong, fanning himself, walked over with Tian family guards trailing behind. He looked at Gu Xing, Gu Chen, and Lu Minzhu, mocking, "So, it's people from the Gu and Lu families. No wonder you don't regard our Tian family highly. You dare to cause trouble on our territory. Are you so eager to drive our Tian family out of Yuanyang Town?"

The twins and Lu Minzhu were equally disdainful of Tian Feirong. However, considering the complex relationships involving the three families, Gu Chen calmed down a bit and said to Tian Feirong, "We're just here to bring back our elder brother, Gu Yao. Our home was robbed, and we suspect..."

He glanced meaningfully at Gu Yao, implying that Gu Yao had stolen the family's money, which some onlookers also began to suspect.

Gu Yao chuckled, thinking Gu Chen was clever, but unexpectedly naive. Yet, it made sense; otherwise, how did Gu Zhi ming manage to keep them all in the dark about the events of last night?

Tian Feirong was initially stunned, then burst into laughter, tears welling up in his eyes. This puzzled onlookers, while Gu Chen felt an ominous sensation. Gu Xing, infuriated, was restrained by Gu Chen. Seeing Gu Yao confidently standing there without fear, Gu Chen furrowed his brow. What did he not know?

With a light kick to Tian Feirong, Gu Yao said, "Stop laughing and deal with this quickly."

"Alright, alright, I'm coming." Wiping away tears, Tian Feirong, still smiling, said to Gu Chen, "Young Master Gu Chen, thanks to you, Gu Yao is no longer part of the Gu family. He's been married off. You chose his husband for him. For this, Gu Yao paid a considerable price. Young Master Gu Chen, it's time to go back and ask the elders of the Gu family who they've decided to send to the Changxian Sect for cultivation—whether it's you or Gu Yan. Haha..."

Gu Chen's face changed drastically. Changxian Sect? Why did he not know about this? Looking at Gu Yao, who showed no surprise like him and Gu Xing and Lu Minzhu, Gu Chen felt a sense of unease. What was going on?

Damn it, he knew nothing. Now, he had no time to deal with Gu Yao. Stomping his foot, he said, "Sis, let's go back, quickly!"

"What about him..." Gu Xing was eager to see Gu Yao embarrassed, wanting everyone in Yuanyang Town to know about his disgrace. However, reminded by their father not to mention yesterday's events, even if their father found out now, he probably wouldn't blame her.

"Sis, let's go. We'll talk about it later." Anxious, Gu Chen pulled Gu Xing away.

Lu Minzhu felt disoriented, the words "Gu Yan" and "Changxian Sect" echoing in her mind. Gu Xing and Gu Chen had already gone far, and she took a few steps forward before abruptly stopping and turning to look at Gu Yao, "What does this have to do with you? Did you do something inside?"

Gu Yao laughed unreservedly, "You should ask your good cousin and aunt about the Changxian Sect token that Gu Yan went to great lengths to plan on my body. I have no connection with them now. In the future, you go your way, and I'll go mine."

Having said that, he turned and left. Chi Changye cast a deep glance at Lu Minzhu, who, in her past role as Gu Yao's fiancée, had always made him somewhat uncomfortable. Thankfully, he could see that Gu Yao had no feelings for her. Thinking this, Chi Changye turned and followed Gu Yao.

"Oh, the excitement ended so quickly, disappointing. Gu Yao, Gu Yao, slow down, wait for me." Tian Feirong waved at the guards, chasing after Gu Yao with his fan, leaving behind a crowd of people still discussing the revelations.

The information revealed by these individuals was immense. If the Gu family indeed obtained a Changxian Sect token, and with the future prospect of a family member entering the Changxian Sect, Yuanyang Town would likely undergo significant changes.