The three individuals outside the door, especially the third steward, couldn't believe they were treated this way. Since becoming the third steward, even though there was a head steward and a second steward above him, wherever he went, he was highly respected. So when he learned that the Third Master sent someone to Gu Yao here, he took the initiative to take on this task.
In his view, it was just a trip. What if it was the territory of the Tian family? They weren't going to the Tian family. Could the Tian family stop them from taking Gu Yao back? Let's not forget what surname Gu Yao had.
Moreover, he thought Gu Yao would eagerly follow him back as soon as he heard the message. A person who had never sought a living outside on their own, how could they possibly survive without the Gu family? Otherwise, why would so many cultivators be unwilling to go outside the town for hunting and instead vie to become guards for the Gu family? What was the reason for that? Every year, countless cultivators died in the dangerous areas outside the town and in the mouths of demonic beasts.
"Third steward, how about we break down the door!" suggested one guard who had come along, trying to please.
The third steward gritted his teeth and said, "Fine! Smash it! I don't believe we can't bring back Young Master Gu Yao!" The last four words were spoken through gritted teeth. He had never considered this young master highly. Gu Yao's life was no better than his own son's. Whether it was the Gu family head or Gu Yao's own father, they didn't take him seriously. Even if he accidentally injured someone, who would speak for him?
If he couldn't bring Gu Yao back, he didn't know how he would be ridiculed when he returned. The position of a steward was lucrative, and many people were eyeing it, wanting to pull him down.
"Yes, Third steward, step aside, and watch us!"
Two guards approached, drawing their swords, and hacked at the courtyard gate. With a loud crash, the gate collapsed. One guard kicked open the shaky door frame, and they strode inside, with the third steward following them.
But as soon as they entered, the scenery before them changed abruptly, startling the guards. "Where is this?"
"I know, this is a formation. Didn't they say that Young Master Gu Yao's man used a formation to kill two cultivators outside? Otherwise, why would Madam Fang be punished by the family head to close herself in meditation for a year? Be cautious! Young Master Gu Yao is impressive, actually using a formation against his own people!" The third steward thought about how he would report this to the Third Master when he returned and how he would take revenge on Gu Yao in the future. Gu Yao wouldn't get any benefits from him in the future. However, at this moment, he shouted loudly, "Young Master Gu Yao, I am here on the orders of the Third Master and the family head to invite you back. Young Master Gu Yao, quickly deactivate the formation and come with us. The family head will overlook the past."
"Young Master Gu Yao, the family head has already dealt with the Fang family and Madam Fang for you. The Fang family has been expelled, and Madam Fang has been sentenced to close herself in meditation for a year!" In other words, Gu Yao, don't push your luck too far, or how else will the family head deal with you, a junior?
But no matter how the third steward shouted, there was no response from inside the formation.
The formation was solely controlled by Chi Changye. He looked back at Gu Yao's room, realizing that once the formation was activated, it couldn't detect external movements. Presumably, Gu Yao was experimenting with the alchemical furnace and had no time to care about what was happening outside. This was good; it saved Gu Yao the trouble of dealing with this sycophant.
The three individuals received no response, so they had to break through the formation. Since they couldn't find the original path and couldn't retreat, they refused to believe that some unknown brat could trap the guards and steward of the Gu family. The steward also took out his own magical weapon from his storage bag, prepared for anything.
Suddenly, a dense group of fire serpents appeared in front of them. One guard shouted, "Run!" and led the way in the opposite direction. The steward and the other guard had no choice but to follow.
However, not running far, they found themselves in a muddy swamp. They helplessly watched as the mud covered their feet, dragging them down. The steward had to use a fireball talisman, smashing it into the swamp with a loud explosion, startling him. It wasn't just the effect of a fireball talisman.
"Oh no, what is this? Is this poison?" The steward saw black smoke drilling into his body and hurriedly slapped a defensive talisman on himself. He usually hesitated to use it, as each talisman cost at least a couple hundred silver coins, and the cost doubled for defensive talismans.
Thinking that he was safe after using the defensive talisman, the steward watched in horror as black spots appeared on his body. His strength gradually diminished, and his legs gave way, collapsing on the ground. What kind of poison was this?
"Steward, save me, quickly save me!" A guard crawled to the steward's side, grabbing his robe and pleading. The steward, seeing the guard's condition, was even more terrified. The guard's skin was almost completely damaged. Looking around, they were already outside the door, and the gate still remained in the state they had broken it.
"This is a warning for your disrespect! If you dare to act arrogantly again, don't bother coming back! Go away!"
"Hey, isn't this the third steward of the Gu family? Why are people from the Gu family here again? Wasn't Young Master Gu Yao kicked out by the Gu family? How come they keep coming back."
"Heh, you don't know about this? It used to be because Young Master Gu Yao was useless, even the servants didn't take him seriously. Now, look at the appearance of these three; you can tell that Young Master Gu Yao is no longer the soft persimmon they could bully in the past."
"Sigh, I heard it was all thanks to that Chi Young Master. These relationships between men never last."
"That's what Young Master Gu Yao has to worry about. If what you say is true about men being unreliable, and Young Master Gu Yao returns, won't he face the same treatment as before?"