Chapter 378: Only a Fool Would Believe
Chapter 378: Only a Fool Would Believe
November 18, 2024
"Uncle Huang, he... he..."
Gu Changjun's face turned anxious, but the explanation he had prepared just wouldn't come out.
"Speak up."
Bai Yan let out a cold laugh, "I'd like to hear what excuse you have."
Gu Changjun glanced at his mother fearfully.
"Speak the truth!"
"I will, I will."
Gu Changjun's expression turned ashen, and he spilled everything that had happened, leaving nothing out.
However, he concealed some details, such as blaming the entire incident on Huang Xing, claiming that the latter had volunteered to take on the task.
He also omitted the fact that he had called Huang Xing before the operation, asking to borrow powerful treasures.
Bai Yan's face turned pale as she listened, unable to believe what she was hearing.
The reason she had sensed something amiss was because Huang Xing had not only taken on the responsibility of protecting Gu Changjun but also acted as her supervisor, regularly calling her every few days to report.
But after two days without a call, she couldn't help but reach out. When she tried calling, his phone was turned off, and subsequent attempts yielded the same result.
Concerned, she sent people to look for him, only to learn that Huang Xing hadn't been seen around Gu Changjun for several days. This news unsettled her, and she immediately summoned Gu Changjun.
However, she never expected that Huang Xing was dead, killed by Gu Changkong.
A hint of sadness flashed in her eyes.
Huang Xing had watched her grow up, and although they were master and servant, he was more like an elder who had cared for her over the years. Despite his average talent, he had barely managed to break through to the Grandmaster level.
His loyalty was unquestionable, which was why she had assigned him to Gu Changjun's side.
And now he was dead?
"Mother..."
Gu Changjun panicked.
Bai Yan's eyes, red with anger, fixed on him as she shouted at him, "You sent him, didn't you?"
"No, no, Mother. It's not like that."
Gu Changjun quickly denied, "Uncle Huang found out about the matter and wanted to help me..."
"Silence!"
Bai Yan's voice rang out sternly.
"Others may not know you, but do you think I don't? You must have pressured him into agreeing. But if that's the case, I don't blame you. I assigned him to you so that he could assist you."
At this, Gu Changjun breathed a sigh of relief.
But then, Bai Yan spoke again.
"However, you knew this would happen under Gu Changkong's watchful eye, and you should have anticipated his reaction. You shouldn't have been so stingy as to not even give him a decent treasure."
"No, Mother, I did give him one, but Uncle Huang didn't want it."
"Slap!"
Bai Yan's palm struck his face.
Though filled with anger and sadness, her strength was perfectly controlled.
Gu Changjun covered his stinging face, no longer daring to argue. He pleaded for mercy.
Unlike the others, he feared his mother more than his father.
"You admit your mistake now, but what good does it do? Can the dead come back to life?"
Seeing his pathetic state, Bai Yan's anger only grew.
She took a few deep breaths to calm herself, then asked, "You say you realize your mistake. Then tell me, what exactly did you do wrong?"
"I was wrong to be stingy and not lend Uncle Huang a powerful treasure."
"Gu Changjun hastily replied, and indeed, he truly regretted this decision in hindsight.
After the fact, he thought to himself that if he had lent Huang Xing, that Jiang kid, the Fourth Rank Talisman Artifact and Fifth Rank Defensive Treasure he possessed, he would have been killed without a trace.
Even Gu Changkong could have been taken down.
"Is there more?"
"More?" Gu Changjun asked, his mouth agape.
After racking his brains, he tentatively asked, "I shouldn't have sent Uncle Huang to handle this matter. Even if something happened, it would have been better than having Uncle Huang involved."
Bai Yan raised her arm.
Gu Changjun, startled, quickly covered his face.
"You..."
Bai Yan lifted her arm halfway but then lowered it, letting out a soft sigh.
"Your mistake was that after this incident, you still acted as if nothing had happened with Gu Changkong, which is why I only found out about it after so long."
"Mother, I was afraid that if I didn't agree, and the matter reached Father's ears, he would be unhappy."
Gu Changjun spoke with a tense neck.
"Then why didn't you tell me about it?" Bai Yan said with frustration.
"A mere alchemist, I could send anyone to kill him. Even if we couldn't bring back Uncle Huang's body, we could destroy it, leaving no evidence. Even if the news got out, what could they do? You're not young anymore, and yet you lack any ability to adapt to changing circumstances."
Gu Changjun froze.
Indeed, that made sense.
Among those he could rely on, the strongest was Huang Xing, a First Rank Grandmaster.
But his mother was different.
She could mobilize Second and Third Rank Grandmasters, even Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Rank ones.
"It's all Gu Changkong's fault, that bastard!" Gu Changjun clenched his teeth. "That guy's scare tactics worked on me, but now when I think about it, I feel something is amiss. I was hesitating about whether to proactively tell you about this, Mother."
Bai Yan shook her head as she listened.
Only a fool would believe such nonsense.
However, she had to admit that when it came to interpersonal skills, Gu Changjun did have a significant gap compared to his half-brothers, especially the eldest, Gu Changlin.
But in his eyes, this wasn't an unbridgeable gap. After all, Gu Changjun was still young, and no one is born with such knowledge; it's acquired through life experiences.
Moreover, with her and the Bai family's support, even if he encountered troubles, it wouldn't be a problem.
"Little Jun, since this incident has already occurred, there's no point in discussing it further. But I hope you understand one thing: if this happens again, I want you to promise me that you'll do your utmost, and before that, you'll discuss it with me."
Gu Changjun extended his hand solemnly.
"Mhm."
Only then did Bai Yan nod.
"That alchemist's name is Jiang Cheng, right?"
"Yes!"
Gu Changjun realized something, and his eyes lit up.
"Mhm, I'll arrange for someone to handle it later."
"Mother, what about Gu Changkong?"
"There's no rush." Bai Yan narrowed her eyes slightly. "Taking action against him now carries more risk than reward. Besides, he's just an insignificant person who doesn't listen to you. Wait until you become the family head, then deal with him and avenge Uncle Huang."
"Good!"
Gu Changjun clenched his fists.
When that day comes, he won't just settle the score with Gu Changkong; he'll make the other two pay as well!
(End of Chapter)
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