Chapter 23: The Tree Seeks Stillness, but the Wind Will Not Cease
Chapter 23: The Tree Seeks Stillness, but the Wind Will Not Cease
In the grand hall of the Gu family, Gu Qingfeng sat in the main seat. Before him stood Gu Yang and Meng Peng.
Gu Yang, though only thirteen, had grown into a tall and poised young man. His face, still slightly youthful, bore a striking resemblance to Gu Qingfeng in his younger days.
More importantly, there was no trace of the naivety and innocence that one would expect from a boy his age. Instead, he exuded a steely resolve and a maturity that belied his years.
This transformation was due to Gu Qingfeng's hands-off approach over the past few years. He had rarely intervened in the family's affairs, leaving all responsibilities to Gu Yang.
At first, Gu Qingfeng would occasionally provide guidance. But over the last year, he had completely stepped back, allowing Gu Yang to take full control.
In the vast Gu family, almost all matters, big or small, were now handled by Gu Yang. Gu Qingfeng only stepped in when faced with issues beyond Gu Yang's capabilities.
His goal was to quickly groom Gu Yang, preparing him to stand on his own.
The results proved that Gu Qingfeng's approach was correct. Under Gu Yang's management, the family's various enterprises were running smoothly. With Meng Peng's support, the young master's reputation in the martial world was growing.
"Speak. What has happened?"
Gu Qingfeng sipped his tea, looking at the two men before him, and asked calmly.
Gu Yang stepped forward, "Father, a few days ago, several of our family's shops and businesses were attacked by unknown martial artists, resulting in the deaths of over a dozen people. Upon investigation, I discovered that these martial artists were all associated with the Chu family."
"Chu family?"
Gu Qingfeng's eyes narrowed.
"You mean the Chu family of 'Thunderbolt Sword' Chu Tianxiong?"
Thunderbolt Sword Chu Tianxiong!
He was the patriarch of the Chu family, a formidable warrior who had reached the Middle Blood Refinement stage.
Gu Yang nodded, "Yes, Father. It is the Chu family led by Chu Tianxiong."
"Though our family has always been low-key, I find it hard to believe the Chu family would have the nerve to provoke us."
Gu Qingfeng asked curiously.
While the Gu family had kept a low profile and rarely intervened, every time they did, they displayed considerable strength. Normally, the Chu family, no matter how powerful, would not dare to cross them.
Moreover, there was no particular enmity between the Gu and Chu families.
Gu Yang explained, "Upon further investigation, I found that the Chu family is backed by the Iron Bone Gang. This incident is not just about the Chu family; it is the Iron Bone Gang's doing."
"Iron Bone Gang?"
Gu Qingfeng's expression changed slightly, and all his doubts cleared in an instant.
At that moment, Meng Peng spoke softly, "Lord, the Iron Bone Gang has been working with the Heavenly Cloud Sect to drive the Qin family to the brink. Their ambition to dominate the White Stone Path is now clear. Recently, they sent emissaries to us, hoping we would join forces against the Qin family, but we refused. They must have harbored deep resentment ever since."
"Iron Bone Gang..."
Gu Qingfeng's eyes turned cold, and a wave of killing intent seemed to emanate from him, only to quickly subside.
He looked at Gu Yang and asked, "Yang, you have been at the Advanced Skin Refinement stage for many years now. Your aura is stable. I imagine it won't be long before you reach the Perfect Skin Refinement stage, correct?"
"Within three months, I will definitely break through."
"Make it one month. I want you to break through within a month, no matter the cost or the resources required."
"Within a month, I want to see you reach the peak of the Skin Tempering stage."
Gu Qingfeng spoke each word with deliberate emphasis.
His words left Gu Yang momentarily stunned, but he then nodded. "I understand, Father. However, the matter with the Chu family..."
"The Chu family can wait. Until you break through to the peak of the Skin Tempering stage, keep a low profile. Once you break through, I will settle the score with them."
Gu Yang's heart was filled with growing confusion. He couldn't understand why dealing with the Chu family was tied to his own breakthrough. However, he didn't voice his doubts. In his mind, Gu Qingfeng was the true stabilizing force. If he had spoken, then the issue with the Chu family was no longer a problem.
After that, the two left.
Gu Qingfeng sat alone in the main hall, his eyes cold.
"The Chu family... the Iron Bone Gang. It seems that even when one wishes for peace, the world will not grant it. I only wanted to keep a low profile and stay out of the conflicts in the martial world. Why must you always push me to the brink!"
Gu Qingfeng had always intended to stay out of the martial world's affairs. To him, nothing was more important than quietly cultivating and enhancing his strength. He only needed to manage the family's affairs, allowing Gu Yang enough time to grow.
However, he realized he had been too naive.
Where there are people, there is a martial world. Even if the Gu family wanted to keep a low profile, there were those who would not allow it.
Given this, the Gu family no longer needed to remain low-key.
After three years of seclusion, Gu Qingfeng had a certain level of confidence in his strength, especially after breaking through to the fourth level of the Blazing Sun Palm, which greatly enhanced his power.
However, the leader of the Iron Bone Gang, known as the Invincible Fist, had been at the peak of the Blood Tempering stage for many years. Gu Qingfeng had about a 50% chance of subduing him, but that wasn't enough to ensure victory.
So, he had to wait.
Wait until Gu Yang truly broke through.
Once Gu Yang broke through, Gu Qingfeng would have the confidence to use the enhancement points he had gained to further improve his strength.
That would be the perfect time to settle the score with the Chu family and the Iron Bone Gang.
---
In a private room of a tavern, the sound of laughter and revelry filled the air. Several men were enjoying themselves, with a square-faced, muscular middle-aged man at the center. His temples were prominently bulging, and his bronze-colored skin seemed to contain immense power. His hands were thick and calloused.
This man was none other than the leader of the Iron Bone Gang, Luo Yu.
Beside Luo Yu sat an elderly man in rich attire, the head of the Chu family, known as the Thunderbolt Sword, Chu Tianxiong. Chu Tianxiong frequently raised his cup to Luo Yu, his face a mixture of reverence and flattery.
"The Iron Bone Gang is at the height of its power. It won't be long before the Qin family is utterly destroyed. I offer my congratulations to Gang Leader Luo in advance!"
"Gang Leader Chu is too kind. If the Iron Bone Gang can unify the White Stone Path, I will not forget the Chu family's contributions."
Luo Yu smiled, and Chu Tianxiong's grin grew even wider.
(End of Chapter)
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