Chapter 374: Unwillingly Entangled
Chapter 374: Unwillingly Entangled
November 14, 2024
Gu Changkong fell into silence.
As much as he didn't want to admit it, he had to agree that Gu Changlin's words made sense.
Secrets could not be kept forever, especially when someone with ill intentions decided to stir the pot.
Take Gu Changlin, for example.
He could easily spread the news during their phone call, and it wouldn't take long for it to reach the woman's ears.
In that case, Gu Changkong might be safe, but Jiang Cheng's situation would be dire. The Mystic Turtle Shield was powerful, but could it withstand attacks from a Third Rank Grandmaster or even higher? The enemy could easily kill Jiang Cheng right under Gu Changkong's nose and leave without a trace.
Looking further ahead, if Gu Changjun were to become the next family head, it was highly unlikely that he or his mother would spare Gu Changkong.
At this thought, Gu Changkong felt a surge of helplessness.
He was self-aware enough to know that he didn't have the qualifications to compete for the position of family head, and he didn't want to get involved in the family power struggle. But in the world of martial arts, one's fate was not their own.
Even if he only wanted to protect his own interests, others wouldn't let him have his way, just like Gu Changjun. If he hadn't sent Huang Xing, nothing would have happened.
"So, Third Brother, do you want to cooperate with me?" Gu Changlin's voice finally sounded again.
"Do I have another choice?" Gu Changkong forced a bitter smile.
Aside from joining Gu Changlin, he only had two options.
The first was to stay out of it, as he had initially decided, but now it seemed impossible.
If Gu Changjun became the family head, there would be no peace for Gu Changkong.
And if Gu Changjun didn't succeed, he still couldn't protect Jiang Cheng, and it would all be for nothing.
Moreover, even if Gu Changlin became the family head, would he have a good life?
The second option was to go against the flow and join Gu Changjun. With the favor of his father and the support of the Bai family, it might be a way out.
But as soon as this thought emerged, he dismissed it.
After all, wasn't it because of Gu Changjun that all this had happened? When he saw that the intruder was Huang Xing, he had even considered killing Gu Changjun!
Not to mention, he had never thought highly of Gu Changjun since childhood and believed he wasn't fit to be the family head. Even if he became one, the Gu family would decline rapidly.
Aside from these three paths, there was one more option: to tell his father about this matter.
This idea seemed feasible at first, but it was like asking for trouble. How could he explain? How could he say that Gu Changjun and his mother wanted to harm him? His father would likely scold him for even suggesting it.
"So, have you finally made up your mind to follow me?" Gu Changlin's face showed a faint smile.
"Yes," Gu Changkong took a deep breath and agreed.
"Hahaha!" Gu Changlin laughed heartily.
The turn of events was quite close to his predictions.
"Third Brother, if you're willing to follow me, I'm happy. But you also need to prove your sincerity, and I think you know how to do that without my guidance." Gu Changlin's words carried a hint of mockery.
Gu Changkong's brows furrowed slightly as he understood Gu Changlin's intention.
The plan was to expose Huang Xing's intrusion and create as much noise as possible.
This would cut off Gu Changkong's retreat and ensure a complete fallout with Gu Changjun.
"Is something the matter?" Gu Changlin asked, his voice laced with sarcasm. "Or are you planning to keep your promise?"
"I don't."
Gu Changkong shook his head.
He wasn't one to adhere to outdated principles.
The agreement with Gu Changjun was a reluctant choice, and he had prepared himself for the possibility of the other party not honoring their commitment.
If this matter were to reach Gu Changjun's mother, the so-called promise would likely become a laughingstock.
"I'm worried that if this gets out, Gu Changjun will be furious and might take extreme measures against Jiang Cheng."
"You care a lot about him?" Gu Changlin asked with a smile.
"He's worth the concern." Gu Changkong hesitated for a moment before responding.
Having chosen to side with Gu Changlin, it would be unwise to keep any more secrets.
Moreover, Gu Changlin would eventually find out about these matters anyway.
"Oh? Tell me more."
Gu Changlin's interest was piqued.
The main reason for his call was to irritate Gu Changjun and, if possible, ruin his reputation.
In reality, it was an attempt to woo Gu Changjun and eliminate a potential competitor.
As for Jiang Cheng, he was only a secondary consideration. After all, within the inner city, there were plenty of top-tier alchemists capable of refining the ultimate calming spirit pills, and even some who could refine the ultimate awakening spirit pills.
"Third Brother, listen up. Jiang Cheng can now refine the ultimate awakening spirit pills, and each furnace yields ten top-tier pills."
"What!"
At this revelation, Gu Changlin couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
"Ten top-tier awakening spirit pills in one furnace? Are you sure?"
"I saw it with my own eyes."
Gu Changkong nodded.
"However, Jiang Cheng uses more herbs. It takes ten portions of herbs to refine one furnace of top-tier awakening spirit pills, but even so, the profit is still substantial."
"Impressive."
Gu Changlin muttered.
What difference does it make if it takes ten portions of herbs? As long as it earns enough money, that's all that matters.
"No wonder Gu Changjun sent someone to kill him. If that kid were to be recruited by Jiang Cheng, I'd probably have to send someone to handle the situation as well."
He spoke to himself, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
Gu Changkong listened, feeling a mix of emotions.
But there was nothing he could do.
After all, with his strength, he couldn't protect Jiang Cheng. Introducing Jiang Cheng to Gu Changlin would be beneficial for both of them.
"Third Brother, this is what we'll do. Tomorrow, I'll come to see you and check out this kid. If he's as good as you say, rest assured, I, Gu Changlin, will never mistreat you. As long as I have something to eat, you'll have something to drink."
"You're too kind, Elder Brother," Gu Changkong said with a bitter smile.
"Alright, we'll leave it at that for now. As for Huang Xing's matter, we'll follow your suggestion. When there's movement on their end, we'll expose them. By then, the family will also know that we're not the ones unwilling to let things go. They've simply gone too far."
"Agreed."
"Okay, we'll leave it at that for now. I'll come to you early tomorrow morning," Gu Changlin added before hanging up the phone.
"Third Brother has truly given me a big surprise. No wonder he's so determined to protect this person."
A smile appeared on Gu Changlin's face.
He was well aware of when Gu Changkong had borrowed herbs from their father. It hadn't been long ago.
If he could firmly grasp this person, it would be like having a money tree. In the future, he could have as much as he wanted.
And as for Gu Changkong, who had hung up the phone, sleep was the last thing on his mind.
He stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the scenery outside, and sighed.
He had tried to avoid this step, but there was no other way.
(End of Chapter)
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