Seeing Gu Yao brought back, Chi Changye thanked the Tian family guards and turned to ask Gu Yao, "I came out and couldn't find you. What happened?"
He wasn't trying to detain Gu Yao but was genuinely concerned. With the Gu family and Lu family eyeing them, there was a risk of a sneak attack. The usual rules applied only to ordinary cultivators.
Gu Yao scratched his head, chuckling, "I just created an itching potion and wanted to test it on someone. Well, coincidentally, I ran into the twins, Gu Xing and Gu Chen. Since they offered themselves for experimentation, I didn't hesitate. The fireball talisman was just a cover-up."
Chi Changye laughed, surprised by Gu Yao's childish side. But considering Gu Yao's young age, it made sense. Gu Yao quickly assured, "I'll be careful next time. I'll definitely invite you along next time."
Gu Yao understood Chi Changye's concern and didn't find it excessive.
...
At the Gu family,
Gu Chen didn't dare to use the main entrance. Carrying the disfigured Gu Xing, he returned through the side gate to their second courtyard. Gu Xing's pitiful state filled Gu Zhiming with distress, and he scolded Gu Yao fiercely for causing such trouble.
Gu Chen resented their grandfather's favoritism, blaming him for the punishment their mother endured in the second courtyard. Their father couldn't intervene and obtain the Longevity Sect token for him. Gu Chen also thought his father was too weak, always yielding to their grandfather, leaving the second courtyard in a passive situation. Now that they were bullied to this extent, his father could only vent his anger in their own courtyard.
"Dad, Gu Yao is the eldest brother. I shouldn't speak ill of him, but look at what he did to Gu Xing. He even disrespects you, calling you by name in front of many people and mentioning things about Mom..." his voice trailed off, and Gu Zhiming was furious. If he had known, he wouldn't have let this illegitimate child out.
"I'm itching, Dad, Mom, it's so itchy all over my body..."
Father and son left Gu Xing in the room with attendants and rushed inside when they heard her screams. The maidservant was struggling to hold Gu Xing's hands, preventing her from scratching her skin. Despite the maid's efforts, Gu Xing couldn't bear the itching, clawing and kicking. One maid was kicked to the ground and spat blood due to being an ordinary person.
"Get out, and you, fetch a basin of water," Gu Zhiming ordered, concerned for his daughter. Ignoring the maid's life or death, he found her annoying.
The maid, enduring the pain, crawled out, fearing another kick. She knew her life might be at stake.
Gu Zhiming, with mediocre cultivation talent and average alchemy skills, had some common elixirs. He quickly took out a pill, dissolved it in the water just brought, and instructed the maid to wipe Gu Xing's body. He retreated with Gu Chen behind a folding screen, frequently inquiring about the situation.
Gu Chen, hearing Gu Xing's miserable cries, gritted his teeth, "It must be Gu Yao's doing. He must have secretly applied the itching medicine when my sister and I went out. Otherwise, how could things turn out like this?"
"That little beast!" Gu Zhiming was equally furious, kicking a chair aside. If Gu Yao were in front of him, he might stab him in a fit of anger.
After a day and night of turmoil, Gu Xing's condition finally improved with the use of elixirs and antidotes. Despite the treatment, her face and body were covered in bloody scratches. In the room, Gu Xing smashed mirrors and anything within reach, occasionally shouting, "Gu Yao, die! I will kill Gu Yao!"
Although forbidden to spread the situation outside the second courtyard, both the main and third courtyards were aware. Upon hearing the news, Gu Yan coldly uttered two words, "Foolish child!" It was a case of self-inflicted suffering, and he felt no sympathy.
The illegitimate daughters of the Gu family were delighted. They hoped Gu Xing's appearance would be ruined, taking pleasure in the downfall of someone who usually treated them like servants. This time, even Gu Yao, whom they looked down upon, made a big mistake.
"Dad, you have to avenge me! I want Gu Yao dead!" Gu Xing shouted from inside.
Gu Zhiming, hearing his beloved daughter's cries, comforted, "Dad will go and find that little beast to apologize to you, Star. Don't worry, Dad will get you some good elixirs."
"Dad, you must keep your word. Otherwise... Star would rather be confined with Mom!" Gu Xing threatened. She originally wanted to say she didn't want to recognize this father anymore, but she was afraid of provoking Gu Zhiming, so she changed her wording.
"Dad will keep his word, and Dad will go find that little beast now." Gu Zhiming was extremely distressed. It was all because of Gu Yao that their whole family was in turmoil. If only he had killed that little beast back then! Gu Zhiming angrily rushed out of the courtyard.
"Okay, Sister, Dad went to Gu Yao. Rest for a while; your face can be treated." Seeing Gu Zhiming leave, Gu Chen went to the door and whispered comforting words to his sister.
"I want to gnaw on his flesh and drink his blood!" Gu Xing sinisterly declared inside the room. Every time she touched the scars on her face and body, she couldn't help but scream.
"I'll find a way for you, Sister."
Gu Chen's words were more comforting than Gu Zhiming's, and indeed, Gu Xing's emotions calmed down considerably.
Once Gu Zhiming left the Gu mansion, the family head immediately received the news. Despite Gu Zhiming not being extremely foolish, he still brought guards, unlike Gu Yao, who recklessly invaded the Tian family's territory alone. "Let him make some noise."
Gu Zhiming was more legitimate in seeking redress, even if he had mistreated Gu Yao before. At least, Gu Yao was his biological father, and going against him was a big act of unfilial behavior.
The second son always claims favoritism, but initially, the main concern was for him. The eldest son had higher cultivation talent and strength, destined to inherit the position of family head. That's why efforts were made to ally with an outsider for the second son. While there were personal calculations in the arranged marriage, if the second son had such a powerful brother-in-law, the eldest son would hesitate to mistreat him in the future. However, the second son reluctantly agreed on the surface but harbored strong unwillingness within.
Feng Shi's death could be overlooked, as he sacrificed himself to save the second son. Despite not liking Gu Yao, the Gu family couldn't afford to lose him. However, the second son redirected his displeasure about Feng Shi and the arranged marriage entirely onto Gu Yao. In the end, he married a woman from a modest background, offering no assistance to his position in the Gu family. Even the third son knew to marry someone suitable, while this woman didn't contribute to his status in the Gu family, showing a lack of consideration.
The family head sighed inwardly, thinking the second son's temperament might be difficult to change. He hoped Gu Chen would be more sensible, providing a support for the second son in the future.
Gu Zhiming, accompanied by five or six guards, headed straight to the small courtyard where Gu Yao was located. He glared angrily at the courtyard, waving his hand to command, "Smash the door open for me!"
As the guards moved forward to break the door, a cultivator from the Tian family suddenly appeared, wearing the distinctive attire of the Tian family guard. He questioned, "Is Second Master Gu really going to take action?"
"Can't I?" Gu Zhiming asked irritably, narrowing his eyes.
The Tian family guard explained, not out of displeasure but clarification, "This courtyard belongs to our Second Young Master. If Second Master Gu wants to take action, shouldn't you consult our Second Young Master first?"
This guard looked down on Gu Zhiming, well aware of his heartlessness and incompetence. If not for being born into the Gu family, this kind of person wouldn't have survived outside.
Gu Zhiming was taken aback. If it were someone else's house, he might have smashed in, but the property belonged to the Tian family's Second Young Master? If that guy insisted, he might not be able to handle the consequences.
In his heart, Gu Zhiming added another charge against Gu Yao, pointing at the guard, "Go knock on the door and let that little beast Gu Yao come out to see me!"
This Tian family guard couldn't stop this, so he stood aside, arms crossed, observing with disdain. He disliked Gu Zhiming even more now. If he had any courage, he should have smashed through decisively. Instead, he compromised so quickly.
Before the guard could knock on the door, it swung open from the inside. Chi Changye and Gu Yao stood side by side in the doorway. Gu Yao gestured outside to the Tian family guard, "Thanks, Big Brother Guard."
"Wherever, Young Master Gu and Young Master Chi are honored guests of our Second Young Master. He specifically instructed us to take good care of you." The Tian family guard replied with a smile.
Gu Zhiming, hearing this, almost spat blood. He pointed at Gu Yao, angrily commanding, "You little beast, kneel down and apologize!"
Only now did Gu Yao shift his gaze to Gu Zhiming. That day at the Gu family, he didn't scrutinize this person much. Gu Zhiming indeed had a good appearance; otherwise, he wouldn't have attracted the attention of the original body's mother. However, this man relied on his good looks, and his inner self was empty.
"Second Master Gu has something to say. If there's nothing, forgive me for not accompanying. Don't use your tactics to suppress me. If you, Gu Zhiming, don't consider me as your son, then I, Gu Yao, also have no reason to treat you as my father's place. It's not like you've ever treated me as your son." Gu Yao coldly smiled. Since he handed over the Longevity Sect token, he didn't feel the need to talk to the Gu family anymore. That token was used to exchange his current freedom. He didn't owe anything to Gu Zhiming and the Gu family. He owed things to the original body, the deceased Feng Shi, and that uncle.
"You..." Gu Zhiming's eyes turned red, wishing to strangle this little beast. However, with many people coming over and pointing fingers, Gu Zhiming, who cared about his face, had to swallow the words he was about to say. He changed his tone and said, "Let us in. I have something to discuss with you!"
Seeing this, Chi Changye looked at Gu Yao, who shook his head. "Since I handed over the Longevity Sect token, I don't feel like there's anything more to discuss with the Gu family. The token was used to exchange for my current freedom. You can leave. As long as the Gu family doesn't bother me, I won't bother with them. Make it clear to Gu Xing and Gu Chen."
Seeing the situation, Chi Changye activated the array, creating a layer of spiritual light that separated the inside and outside of the door.