Chapter 301 - I Wonder If Shed Remain So Calm

Gu Xiqiao drove her little pink car to the peninsular district with Jiji sitting on the front passenger seat.

Upon catching wind that she was about to arrive, Yu Ning and Mu Zong rushed back to their office. Luo Wenlang had been placed by Gu Xiqiao in the ancient martial arts world for the past one month. Mu Zong had so many ongoing projects that he was too busy to even stand still for a couple of minutes.

This building was turned into an employees’ dormitory after it was procured by Gu Xiqiao. Apart from these two, even Su Wu, who usually stayed at home writing his script, and Ning Qing, who was not being paid had moved over.

“This is an incredibly important document.” Mu Zong pushed forward the pile of documents he had brought back towards Gu Xiqiao. As she flipped through them, he began reporting the recent developments in their company.

“You bump into Chu Ziheng frequently as of late?” Gu Xiqiao asked while she was scanning through the documents, and making the necessary amendments.”

Mu Zong nodded. There were only a handful of people who had earned his respect. From the top, there was obviously Gu Xiqiao. However, after interacting with Chu Ziheng for a while, he realized that this person excelled in his own way too. The Chu family owned a relatively large business and he must be quite an impressive one considering the fact that despite being under the age of thirty, most of the business operations were under his control. As a matter of fact, the Chu family conglomerate was growing by the day. Their practices indicated that they were veterans of the corporate world; his business was comparable with Gu Xiqiao’s. Many benefits could be reaped should Nine Heavens continue their partnership with the Chus. Because of this, Mu Zong and Chu Ziheng met rather frequently, discussing intricate business matters and maintaining good diplomacy. Mu Zong blabbered on and on about it to Gu Xiqiao.

She finished reading through the lines and thus began the annotation process. “Hm, if we’re aiming for this effect...”

Gu Xiqiao was wearing a subtle smirk on her face when she spoke. There it was, that gleam in her eyes. Mu Zong had witnessed this look several times already. Every time this happened, something major, something that would shake the Imperial Capital was bound to happen soon.

What was she planning to do?

Ning Qing sat nearby. Gu Xiqiao had already wrapped up her discussion with Mu Zong about the Chu family’s business wars and although she did not really understand what they were saying, all she had to do was look down at the pen Gu Xiqiao was holding. Her hand kept on jotting down notes as they spoke, and that was more than enough for Ning Qing to understand what was going on. For a second there, she froze up out of shock.

“Shouldn’t you be already used to such a scene when she’s reviewing her script?” Su Wu appeared to be much more familiar with Gu Xiqiao, which explained why he wasn’t as shocked as compared to Ning Qing.

“No, it’s different.”

Memorizing lines off her script merely demonstrated her photographic memory.

Gu Xiqiao finalized her annotations to the document after their discussion ended. A surprised look emerged on Mu Zong’s face upon reviewing the changes. If the contents are enough to baffle Mu Zong, then it must be something much more than just her memory.

Ning Qing inhaled deeply. She was aware of Gu Xiqiao’s identity but this was her first time seeing her at work in person.

There were quite a lot of documents that Mu Zong had brought over today. And yet, it took her only a short amount of time to work through them. After that, she peered up at Yu Ning. “Where’s the thing I requested?”

Yu Ning produced a USB stick from his pocket. “So you’re not going to ask about our progress in developing the virtual world?”

“Aren’t you guys already starting trial runs?” Gu Xiqiao tucked away the USB stick and she flashed a smile at Yu Ning. Seems like she was in a pretty good mood today.

Yu Ning, who intended to surprise her was the one who was surprised instead. “...”

‘How does she know?’

Hua Youlin noticed that Gu Xiqiao was wrapping up her task and so he ran over, with Jiji by his side, walking in an extremely awkward manner.

“Who on earth bought those clothes for you?” Yu Ning was irked when he saw what Jiji was wearing. “That thing looks like my old quilt from a decade ago.”

“You’ll regret this.” Jiji stopped in its tracks for a second and stared up at Yu Ning.

‘A robot’s threatening me?’ He wanted to stifle his laughter but seems like that was easier said than done. In the end, he cackled away like a maniac.

Jiji, unamused, stared at Yu Ning silently. ‘One day, I’ll teach him a lesson. Fresh blood will be drawn,’ it thought.

“Well then, I guess it’s time for me to leave.” Gu Xiqiao signaled to Hua Youlin that it was time to go home, ignoring Ning Qing’s plan for a game of poker.

Ning Qing watched her back recede into the distance. “Why is she leaving so quickly?” she asked. Here she was, thinking that she’d stay behind and have a meal with them.

“Every time,” Yu Ning snatched the piece of gum brought back by Luo Wenlang and popped it into his mouth. “She’s planning to destroy someone, she’d start acting like this.”

He then recalled the task assigned to him by Gu Xiqiao. “I didn’t know that the ancient martial arts world had internet connection.”

On the internet, hackers had an almost omnipotent presence.

Gu Xiqiao brought Hua Youlin downstairs. “Wait for me here, I’ll bring you back to your home after I’m done with my job here.”

‘Back to my home?’ Hua Youlin was stunned. This was what he was hoping for, initially at least. However, after spending the past couple of months with Gu Xiqiao, he discovered that he was straying further and further away from his own family. That obsession in his heart with returning to his home was now long gone.

He peered up at Gu Xiqiao and tightened his hands. He then nodded silently.

“The Hua family... is facing a fairly complex problem.” Gu Xiqiao rubbed her chin. She wondered what the situation would be like if the heir of their family, who was presumed to be dead after remaining missing for a few years, suddenly turned up at their doorstep. No doubt, the pressure he’d face from them would be immense. “I should let you train alongside them.”

Gu Xiqiao stopped walking suddenly. “We have a few days left. Since you’re still on vacation, um... let’s head on over to Peace Manor?”

She pulled out her phone and dialed for Yao Jiamu. “Little Hua’s underqualified, so this may come as a bit of a challenge for you.”

“...”

‘Miss Gu, although I admit that I like you very much, saying such things about me makes me want to run away,’ thought the unqualified little boy to himself.

A chill ran up Hua Youlin’s spine. He was initially excited about their upcoming field trip but Gu Xiqiao’s words had hit him like a truck.

After hanging up, she glanced back at Hua Youlin. “Let’s go.”

“Okay,” replied Hua Youlin dejectedly.

Jiji looked at Hua Youlin with eyes full of sympathy. “It’s alright. As unqualified as you may be, know that I still love you.”

“...”

Hua Youlin was speechless upon realizing Jiji’s attempt to console him.

There, sitting in front of Gu Xiqiao’s pink little car was a figure dressed in green. His odd attire attracted the attention of many passers-by. Unfortunately, or perhaps, fortunately, the man was good-looking enough that they did not immediately call the police to report about a suspicious creep. Instead, they wondered from which studio did this actor come from and why he had yet to remove his costume.

Gu Xiqiao’s fingertips moved slightly while she stared in the direction of her car.

Her little pink car suddenly produced the deafening sound of a police siren, which made the man jump away out of surprise and fear. And then, with his jaws wide-open, he watched as the driverless car rolled towards two people standing not far away from his position.

Gu Xiqiao glanced at him briefly and calmly before hopping onto the vehicle with Hua Youlin.

“Wait up!” Upon realizing that she was about to drive off into the distance, he reappeared next to Gu Xiqiao’s car window. He had forgotten about how horrific this would seem to regular people when done in broad daylight. “What did you mean by the things you said to the Great Elder?”

“Did I say anything?” Gu Xiqiao stepped lightly on the gas pedal.

Seeing her pursuing the route of denial, Dubhe produced a piece of paper. This was what he discovered at the Great Elder’s house, a piece of paper that Gu Xiqiao had passed to him. The contents of that piece of paper shocked him, so much so that he felt obliged to verify its authenticity with Gu Xiqiao. “I’m talking about this!”

He unfolded the piece of paper. “Look closely! It’s all written down in black and white! I need an explanation from you!”

Gu Xiqiao glared at that piece of paper when suddenly, a purple electric spark shot out from her eyes.

Zap!

Following that noise, the piece of paper Dubhe was holding turned into gray ash.

“I don’t see it anywhere.” Gu Xiqiao slammed down on the gas pedal right after she said that.

Dubhe stood there dumbfoundedly, staring at his hands that once held onto that piece of paper.

“Uncle, you should change into a new set of clothes.” mocked Jiji before they sped off into the distance. “What year is this? Why are you still wearing a robe? You’ll be burned at the stake if you go out wearing this!”

Jiji regretted saying such things almost immediately after that. “Damn it! I spoke to a retard again!”

At night, Luo Wenlang was the person who came to pick up Hua Youlin. He first went back home to check on Luo Wenlin before coming over to Gu Xiqiao’s place. “That Jiang Tong is getting full of herself today! She’s got a couple of heirs from different families reporting to her. When are you gonna make your first move?”

Jiang Tong has once again breached another level in the Trial Tower and subsequently, her nickname as ‘God’s Successor’ was starting to spread across the ancient martial arts world. Her followers were growing by the day and of course, Jiang Lian was delighted about this. Knowing that Peace Manor sold the magical pills, he brought a group of people there and under broad daylight, and took these pills right under their noses.

Although Luo Wenlang had warned his men to keep their swords sheathed, the Peacekeeper’s temper was not something to be taken lightly. They chased these unscrupulous people back where they came from and as a result, created a grudge between Jiang Tong’s family and Peace Manor.

After this incident, Peace Manor’s existence was placed on a thread in the ancient martial arts world. The forces which initially extended their arms peacefully to them had retracted their approach instantly, drawing a clear divide between themselves and Peace Manor.

Why would anyone want to maintain ties to an entity that has offended god’s successor?

“We’ll let them have their way first.” Gu Xiqiao narrowed her eyes. “This incident will draw to an end very soon.”

***

Jiang Tong had been increasingly proud of herself for the past few days. This was because the ancient martial arts world’s fear of Jiang Shuxuan was gradually shrinking. She was browsing through the forum when she came across an anti-Gu Xiqiao post. A smile broke across her face. “That’s it. To become a social pariah is more befitting of a person like you.”

“Tong Tong, not only did those people in Peace Manor refuse to hand over the pills, they have even injured quite a number of our men.” Jiang Lian limped into the room with a hateful expression on his face.

He heard rumors that those pills were incredibly helpful for ancient martial artists. His body wasn’t in the greatest shape, which was also why he had gone to Peace Manor to ask for the pills. Who would’ve thought that they’d beat him up? Beat him up?! Those bastards! Didn’t they know who he was?!

“Relax.” Jiang Tong played with her fingers. “In a few days, I’ll make them kneel and beg for your forgiveness.”

Jiang Lian was satisfied by Jiang Tong’s response. He knew how capable his daughter was. Not only that, he had the support of the youngsters who were trying to court her daughter as well. They could strike anytime they wanted to. Nobody’s afraid of those people anyway.

***

She watched Luo Wenlang leave before turning around. Haha was lying next to the doorway. Gu Xiqiao bent over and rubbed its belly. “Haha, say, don’t you think that Jiang Tong gal’s kinda dumb?”

Haha looked up at Gu Xiqiao with its beady eyes. “Woof woof woof woof~”

The Shi family had once offended the Baili family in the past, and since then, their lives were filled with nothing but paranoia in the ancient martial arts world. However, they had started to appear in public recently, mainly to show their support for Jiang Tong’s family.

“You’re saying that Shi Qin went to Peace Manor?” The current patriarch of the Shi family’s face darkened. Shi Qin belonged to the outer-circle of their family. However, when his fame rose following his achievements in the ranking tournament, he was invited back into his family.

How dare he run off to the dreaded Peace Manor!

Did he not know that those bastards had wronged Jiang Tong’s family?!

“Peace Manor is a rising force. They must be using lots of pills to attract fresh blood. I bet Shi Qin took their bait like a fool. And to think I was impressed by his intelligence. Turns out he’s nothing but a shallow-minded buffoon.” The patriarch of the Shi family waved his hand as he spat out words of mockery. “Pass the word around. Shi Qin has been expelled from our family. There exists no such person in our log from here on out.”

He did not dare to bear the consequences of offending god’s successor. If Shi Qin chose to go with Peace Manor, so be it. It would be better for them to cut off all ties from that man to ensure their survival. “Oh right, hurry up and send someone to explain our predicament to Miss Jiang Tong. Shi Qin is no longer connected to us. Tell her that we aren’t the ones to blame!”

His subordinate dashed out of the room in a hurry. This situation was terrible. He had to find Miss Jiang Tong immediately. Coincidentally, he bumped into Shi Qin’s family at the main entrance. The subordinate paused for a second and shot a look of disgust at Shi Qin. “Do not regret your decision to leave the Shi family!”

“Shi Qin, this...” His mother grabbed Shi Qin’s hand tightly. “Are we really leaving the family?” After everything they had been through to return to the family, Shi Qin’s mother found it hard to believe that they were being booted out again. That nasty look she was getting from the guard further intensified her worries.

“It’s alright.” Shi Qin reassured his mother. “Leaving the family is the best choice we could ever make.”

Jiang Tong had just broken through level 64 today. He wondered if she’d be able to remain calm if she was told that there were already five people in Peace Manor who had broken through level 60.