Guo He and Guo Lin nodded in agreement to become the young master's subordinates, frustration evident on their faces. Their groans and desperate cries had not yet ended.
"Ah, let me remind you of something. Every day, I will give you an antidote, as the poison you've inhaled could kill you without you realizing it," Gu Xuanyi said coldly, pulling something out from his sleeve. "Three boxes of antidote, one for each. I will now give you your first task."
Guo Binchang, who had been trembling in fear, was utterly cornered. He quickly knelt down, enduring the pain across his body. "Young Master! I will serve you! I will be your useful tool! Please forgive me!" he screamed so loudly that it startled Gu Yuhan.
"This little wretch! Daring to approach the young master I have served for years?!" Gu Yuhan cursed inwardly, his face filled with annoyance. His brows furrowed, and he cast a deadly glare at Guo Binchang.
"I knew you'd say that. Go and protect Gu Qianyi. Bring me all the information about her. I want the report completed by tomorrow," Gu Xuanyi said with a thin smirk, his expression resembling a devil, his grin brimming with greed.
"Y-yes!" Guo Binchang quickly replied, nodding furiously.
"Take the antidote and leave now," Gu Xuanyi ordered lazily.
Guo Binchang immediately ran out of the East Pavilion, leaving Guo Lin and Guo He trembling with fear.
"Your task is simple: go to Nanfang City and Donglai City. I want to know who is working behind those four small clans to attack the Gu Clan. Infiltrate them properly. You have three days; if you don't return in time, I'll turn you into walking corpses," Gu Xuanyi explained with a menacing tone, his True Qi oppressing the two men before him.
Guo He nodded. "Yes, young master." He was evidently terrified, his legs trembling uncontrollably.
Guo Lin merely nodded, too afraid to speak lest he lose his head.
Gu Xuanyi waved them off. "Go."
Once all the intruders had left, he immediately bowed, clasping his hands together. "Elder, thank you for your assistance. I will now proceed with my activities," he said, smiling softly.
As a calm and composed man, Gu Xue chuckled lightly. "My nephew is quite fascinating. Not even twenty years old, yet he dares to cultivate the Gu Origin technique. And coupled with ancestral techniques—intriguing, very intriguing," Gu Xue mused as he stood in the sky.
From the beginning, he had been sent by the clan leader. After delivering the token, he had unleashed the Skin-Eater Gu. He had a slight obsession with skin masks, after all.
He gazed at Gu Xuanyi with a faint smile. "Old man, look at your grandson. He's a genius. He's even combined your ten poisons with spiritual plants," he muttered nostalgically.
Recalling his own youth as an ordinary man before being elevated to one of the main Elders of the Gu Clan to carry on its legacy.
This reason also made him maintain a neutral stance within the clan. Whoever the clan leader was, that was the person he would serve. Good or evil was none of his concern.
Gu Xue disappeared into the air, his spiritual energy and aura undetectable even by Gu Xuanyi.
Calmly, Gu Xuanyi entered his study. "If this character's memory is correct, Gu Xuanyi has many enemies, especially with that 'trash' label."
Gu Xuanyi frowned, his fingers tapping the table repeatedly. "There are ten Main Elders in the clan, their positions higher than any other Elder. I need henchmen. I need more information," he muttered, flipping through the notes on the table.
"The poison in the East Pavilion will remain active for seven days. With this, can't I create more subordinates?" Gu Xuanyi pondered, gazing out the window.
"Yuhan, come here," Gu Xuanyi called gently.
Gu Yuhan immediately entered the study, bowing respectfully. "I am here, young master. What do you require of me?"
"With my authority as the young master, are there still people who wish to become my subordinates?" Gu Xuanyi asked firmly. The confidence of Kim Joon-ho, who embodied Gu Xuanyi, shone through.
Gu Yuhan tilted his head slightly, thinking to himself, Has the young master gone mad?
"Young master, you are the Gu Clan's young master. Who would dare defy your orders? You can do whatever you need," Gu Yuhan replied, his tone slightly raised, his voice tinged with irritation and dissatisfaction.
Seeing Gu Yuhan's annoyed expression, Kim Joon-ho understood. The 'trash' label he had been given needed to change.
"Do you have a list of clan disciples with potential?" Gu Xuanyi asked while closing his previous notes.
"Elder Rong has that, young master. It's stored in the West Pavilion, in the clan's archive room," Gu Yuhan replied.
"Gu Xuanyi, despite his good understanding of magic arrays, mystical beasts, and spiritual plants, doesn't know this basic information. Is he really a young master?" Kim Joon-ho thought derisively. Clearly, he was playing Gu Xuanyi in this role-playing scenario. With Gu Xuanyi's unique experiences, he had survived ambushes.
"Luckily, he still holds the young master position and hasn't been kicked out by his own family," Kim Joon-ho continued inwardly.
"Yuhan, return and prepare yourself for tomorrow," Gu Xuanyi ordered, handing over some notes rolled in a scroll.
"Yes, young master." Gu Yuhan accepted the scroll, bowing respectfully before leaving without saying much.
He headed to the storage room of the East Pavilion, stashing everything there into a storage ring or storage bag.
Gu Xuanyi proceeded to the West Pavilion under the beautiful moonlight, walking calmly.
His priority was recruiting subordinates. He needed more manpower, and it had been twenty-eight days in the Immortal Legacy world. In reality, only twenty-eight hours had passed since the alpha stage of this virtual game began.
If prolonged wars broke out, he would need reliable support. As the young master of the Gu Clan and as an early access alpha-stage player.
Unlike the East Pavilion, which only housed him and Gu Yuhan, the West Pavilion was bustling. It served as the archive section, containing a wide range of clan-related information. From financial ledgers, disciple data, to clan business plans.
A young man approached Gu Xuanyi, blocking his path and yelling, "Who are you? What are you doing here so late?!"
An older man in his forties, dressed as a servant, smacked the young man on the head. "You disrespectful brat! How dare you behave like this towards Young Master Gu?!" he scolded, forcing the young man to bow in respect.
"Welcome, young master. What brings you here so late? Is it about another mystical beast? Or perhaps a precious spiritual plant for the clan?" the older man asked enthusiastically.
Upon closer inspection, Gu Xuanyi recognized the man: Gu Wanpeng, Elder Rong's personal servant.
Gu Xuanyi shook his head at Gu Wanpeng's inquiry. "I just want to look at some records of the clan disciples," he explained.
Gu Wanpeng was momentarily surprised. Is this really the same young master? Could the rumors about his training in the East Pavilion actually be true?
"Please, come in, young master. You may even explore the entire archive if you wish," Gu Wanpeng replied warmly.
In stark contrast to their cordial interaction, the young man's face was full of displeasure. "Who is he to act so freely? Doesn't he know the rules?" he grumbled, annoyed.
Gu Xuanyi walked away, leaving them behind as he entered the massive archive room.
"You fool, is your head broken? He is the young master of our clan. Acting so disrespectfully, he should have killed you in anger," Gu Wanpeng rebuked, visibly upset.
"Don't you understand the clan hierarchy? The young master stands above the ten Main Elders. Only the Lady and the Clan Leader can overrule him," Gu Wanpeng lectured, spitting out words with passion.
"I understand, Head Servant Wanpeng," the young man replied, his face still showing irritation.
"Then get back to work, brat!"
Once Gu Wanpeng had left, the young man grew even angrier. "Just an NPC, daring to act high and mighty, huh?! I'm a tycoon in Malaysia; why should I bow in a cheap game like this?" he muttered, his words dripping with contempt.
As he continued his tirade while sweeping the yard, a figure with long white hair approached silently, his aura reverberating through the air.
Unaware of the approaching figure, the young man named Gu Yi kept cursing the Gu Clan he had chosen. "If it wasn't for being late to the game, I wouldn't have joined this wretched Gu Clan!" he grumbled, throwing the broom aside.
But within a split second, his vision spun, and he found himself looking at his own body standing upright in servant attire. "What's happening? Isn't that my character's body? Why does my perspective feel so low?" he muttered, confused.
"Just a mere insect daring to sully the sanctity of the Gu Clan. You deserve death," Gu Rong said with a grim expression. "Wanpeng, come here," he called, his heavy voice echoing throughout the West Pavilion.
"This servant answers the call, my lord," Gu Wanpeng replied, bowing respectfully, unaware that Gu Yi lay lifeless not far from him.
"Dispose of this trash in the sacrificial gorge of Mount Gutianshang," Gu Rong ordered with a cold snort, pointing at Gu Yi's lifeless body.
"There's no need!"
A loud, arrogant voice reverberated through the West Pavilion. Gu Xuanyi had just emerged from one of the archive buildings.
Gu Rong bowed his head, clasping his hands in respect. "This old man greets the rightful heir of the Gu Clan," he said enthusiastically.
"Elder Rong, it's been a while. Since you've returned, let me take the body. I have need of it for cultivating my little beast," Gu Xuanyi said flatly.
"Young Master, he's just an insect who dared to insult our clan. Dying as fodder for the Divine Beast protector of the clan is the greatest gift he could receive," Gu Rong replied.
"Elder Rong, I know you need some records about the Silkworm Gu, don't you?" asked Gu Xuanyi casually.
Gu Rong paused for a moment before flashing a wide smile, though the murderous intent in his otherwise amiable gaze betrayed his intentions. "So, what does the young master want?" Gu Rong replied with deliberate emphasis, his teeth grinding in suppressed anger.
"Elder Rong, calm yourself. I've found a way to improve that bottleneck," Gu Xuanyi continued confidently.
Considering Gu Xuanyi's prior cultivation of the Spirit Puppet technique with the Silkworm Gu, it was evident that he understood the very issue causing the bottleneck.
As he stepped closer, he whispered softly to Gu Rong, "Elder Rong, you need a special pill crafted from a unique type of spiritual plant..." He paused midway, slightly stepping back to quietly capture Gu Rong's attention.
"Young master, don't joke around. This old man has been stuck at the fifth layer of the Spirit Realm for fifteen years. How could it be so easy to break through to the next stage?" Gu Rong explained, waiting for Gu Xuanyi's response. Though his tone remained calm, his eyes reflected an intense curiosity.
Gu Xuanyi suppressed a laugh, his thoughts already anticipating Gu Rong's reaction. "He's finally taking the bait. Now to reel him in."
"Elder Rong, if you provide me with some critical information about promising disciples—and this young man's corpse—I'll help you find that spiritual plant," Gu Xuanyi offered, his soft gaze deliberately provoking Gu Rong's interest.
"Young master, stop joking. This old man has grown weary," Gu Rong replied with a subtle rejection. He tested the authenticity of Gu Xuanyi's claim. "How could the young master possibly comprehend something I haven't been able to solve in over a decade? Does he think I'll be so easily deceived?" he thought, slightly irritated.
Gu Xuanyi then revealed a unique spiritual plant shaped like a peony, its golden hue radiant. The mere presence of one golden petal disrupted the surrounding spiritual energy.
"What in the world is that flower? Just from its appearance, the Silkworm Gu within me is writhing with excitement," Gu Rong muttered in astonishment, seemingly unable to believe the sight before him.
"This flower is called the Dawn Peony. Its aura, even after being plucked, can gradually enhance your Silkworm Gu, Elder Rong."
"Finally took the bait," Gu Xuanyi thought, smirking faintly. His expression remained unchanged, unfazed by such situations, something Kim Joon-ho had often experienced in the real world.
As Gu Rong reached for the Dawn Peony, Gu Xuanyi swiftly pulled it back with a sharp gaze. "I need the two things I mentioned earlier. If you continue to stall, you might as well search for it yourself, Elder Rong," Gu Xuanyi warned with a gleeful yet firm tone.
"Daring to threaten me? A chief elder?" Gu Rong fumed internally, his expression darkening in anger.
"Ah, Elder Rong, there's something else I should mention. Searching for even one of these spiritual plants usually costs hundreds of lives. Remember, my life was on the line last time for just one flower. If even my life holds no value to you, there's no need for further discussion," Gu Xuanyi declared, turning away. He pocketed the Dawn Peony and left without a parting word.
"Didn't he nearly die last time from the poison of a blue wolf? Could this useless young master have gone so far to obtain a Dawn Peony? And how did he survive? Too many gaps—I can't trust him so easily," Gu Rong thought, squinting as he watched Gu Xuanyi walk away.
If he made the wrong move, even his position as chief elder of the clan could be reduced to an inner court elder. Yet the familiarity he felt just from being near the Dawn Peony wasn't something he had experienced in years.
Gu Rong couldn't let this opportunity slip. If he grew stronger, he could suppress external pressures and solve the crisis he'd faced for fifteen years.
Sighing deeply, he resolved to act.
"Wanpeng, take the corpse to the Eastern Pavilion. Wrap it neatly and include a letter of apology for the young master, no matter what it takes. I need what he knows," Gu Rong ordered before walking away, leaving Gu Wanpeng behind.
"The young master is behaving quite differently this time. Could it be because of his near-death experience?" Wanpeng muttered as he carried the lifeless body from the ground.
"I don't care. The important thing is his overwhelming presence now. The unease and pressure when near him—could it be a high-level Gu insect?" Wanpeng continued, deftly moving as he placed the cold body into a coffin.