Chapter 112: Returning to the Ancestral Fold Is a Conspiracy

Gu Feng turned to Hanhan and said, “My disciple has only just come home. How could I, as her master, leave now? Still, there is something I need your help with.”

Gu Feng turned to Miao Yun. “Auntie Yun, please tell him about your old master. Ask him to publish a missing-person notice.”

Miao Yun then explained the old couple’s circumstances to Gu Xueyuan. Because of his connection with Gu Feng, Gu Xueyuan did not even stay for a meal. He left at once to take care of the matter, while an elder of the Gu family remained behind.

The Gu family elder had a head of grizzled hair and a thin, gaunt frame, but his eyes were bright and full of vigor. He looked at Gu Feng. “You are Gu Feng?”

Gu Feng held the elder in great respect and answered courteously, “I am Gu Feng.”

The elder introduced himself. “My name is Gu Santong. You may call me Santong.”

Gu Feng would never have dared address someone who was at least of the same generation as Old Gu so casually. With a smile, he said, “Grandfather Santong, you flatter me.”

Seeing that Gu Feng was courteous and respectful toward his elders, Gu Santong nodded in satisfaction. “Tell me about this Old Gu of yours. Describe what he looked like, if you can.”

Gu Feng then told him everything he knew.

Gu Santong fell into thought for a long while before saying, “It should be him—the poor child.”

Gu Feng was curious about Old Gu’s identity.

“That man’s name was Gu Sanyuan,” Gu Santong said. “He could not cultivate and was despised by the family, so he eventually left the Gu family. You know how the rules of great clans are. Someone who cannot cultivate is of no use to them. Once he leaves, no one pays him any attention. I never imagined that he would adopt you. In the end, he did the Gu family a tremendous service.”

Gu Feng smiled. “Then can Old Gu’s remains be brought back to the ancestral hall so that he may be acknowledged as a member of the clan and reunited with his ancestors?”

Gu Santong answered with absolute certainty, “Of course. Every member of the Gu family, living or dead, must be returned to the clan. Since Gu Sanyuan raised you, and you bear the Gu name, our family will also hold a ceremony for you and enter your name into the genealogy. What do you think?”

Gu Feng did not take the matter particularly seriously. It was neither here nor there to him, so he said indifferently, “Arrange it as you see fit.”

As someone powerful enough to destroy the Mu King’s Residence in Mu King City, Gu Feng’s casual attitude did not offend Gu Santong. So long as he did not refuse, that was enough.

By then, the Miao family had finished preparing the meal.

Everyone took their seats.

When Gu Santong saw that the entire table was covered with vegetarian dishes, he glanced at Gu Feng in surprise.

But Gu Feng wore a cheerful smile and showed not the slightest trace of disdain. Gu Santong admired him all the more. He truly was a good child.

Miao Rengui, on the other hand, said apologetically, “Everyone, the Miao family is poor and our hospitality is lacking. I hope you will forgive us.”

Gu Feng smiled. “Uncle Rengui, it’s wrong of you to say that. Everyone here is family. Speaking as though we were strangers would be far too formal.”

Gu Santong also smiled. “The boy is right. Food always tastes good when shared among family. Let us eat. I have been hungry for quite some time.”

How could a spiritual master become hungry so easily?

Miao Rengui understood this perfectly, and he was deeply grateful all the same.

“Let’s eat.”

Hanhan picked up a stalk of greens and placed it in her grandmother’s bowl. “Grandma, Hanhan is giving you some vegetables.”

The old woman was overjoyed. Though Hanhan was not her biological granddaughter, she was no less precious than one.

“Grandpa, I’ll give you some too.”

“Yes, good! Thank you, Hanhan.”

“Grand Master, this is for you.”

“Master, this is yours.”

“…”

Hanhan kept serving food to everyone, and everyone served food to Hanhan in return.

Although the meal consisted only of vegetables, everyone was happy from the bottom of their hearts—even Gu Santong. This was what a true family ought to be.

Wen Xingguo was the happiest of them all. He kept grinning foolishly because he, too, was a member of this family.

After the meal, Gu Santong took his leave, saying that he would arrange Gu Feng’s ancestral recognition ceremony and inform him once everything was ready.

Gu Feng nodded naturally. Grandfather Santong made him feel as close as Old Gu had, and he had no objection whatsoever to being acknowledged by the clan.

The family chatted for a while longer before retiring to their rooms.

Lying in bed, Gu Feng thought of Gu Yan, then Xue Wen, Xue Ziyan, and Xue Lin. He felt that he should visit the Xue family when he had time and provide them with greater protection. Without Xue Lin holding down the fort, the Xue family was simply too weak.

Early the next morning, Gu Feng had hoped to sleep in.

At that moment, Hanhan’s loud voice rang out from beyond the door. “Master! Master! You lazy worm, get up!”

Gu Feng answered reluctantly, “Hanhan, what time is it? Let your master sleep a little longer.”

“Master, get up! Everyone else is already awake. You’re the only one left.”

Reluctantly, Gu Feng put on his clothes and went outside. Sure enough, Long Xue’er and Wen Xingguo both looked bleary-eyed. Clearly, Hanhan had dragged them out of bed as well.

In truth, everyone had slept exceptionally well the night before—better than they ever had. That was why they had all wanted to sleep in.

“Master, come on! Go running with me. Mother says we need to exercise more.”

“Where is your mother?”

“Mother is making breakfast for us. Sister Xiao Lian is there too, and Father as well. Oh, right, Master, I have a secret to tell you!”

“What secret?”

Gu Feng leaned closer.

Hanhan instead shouted, “My cousin asked me last night whether you have a girlfriend! Ha-ha! She must have fallen for you, Master. Tell me, if my cousin became your wife, should I call her Cousin or Mistress?”

“Call her nothing!” Long Xue’er shouted.

Everyone turned to look at her.

Long Xue’er blushed. “Why are you all looking at me?”

Gu Feng grabbed Hanhan by the arm. “Didn’t you say it was a secret? Why did you shout it out?”

“Ah! Master, it’s my cousin’s secret, not ours. What are you afraid of?”

Gu Feng was speechless. Somehow, that made sense to her.

He pulled Hanhan close and said solemnly, “Your master already has a mistress, so don’t say things carelessly from now on.”

“What? Master, who is Mistress?”

Thinking of Gu Yan, Gu Feng smiled happily. “A very beautiful girl.”

He had almost told Hanhan that she actually had three mistresses, but after thinking it over, he decided not to.

“Hanhan, weren’t you going running? Why are you still here?”

“Mother! I had to wake them all up. It took forever. They’re such lazy sleepers!”

“Haha, all right. Get ready. Breakfast is served.”

“Then we aren’t going running today.”

The group headed toward the dining room. Long Xue’er seemed distracted, muttering inwardly the entire way.

He has a girlfriend? He is so young, and he already has a girlfriend?

When Gu Feng noticed that Long Xue’er had fallen behind, he said, “Hanhan, what’s wrong with your Grand Master? Tell her to hurry up.”

“Grand Master, hurry up! Master is calling you!”

Gu Feng rolled his eyes.

Wen Xingguo gave Gu Feng a knowing look—the kind only another man could understand—and began to snicker.

After breakfast, it was a little past eight.

Guests gradually began arriving at the Miao residence. They were all prominent and powerful figures from the City of Earth, each carrying lavish gifts.

The first to arrive was naturally the Gu family. They did not come alone; several dozen people arrived, all bearing food supplies. It turned out that the Miao family had no one left at home, and the two families had reached an agreement the previous night.

Gu Feng handed the newcomers over to Miao Rengui, who made the necessary arrangements and began receiving the guests.

Before ten o’clock, the Miao residence was already packed with people, all of them influential figures.

There was only one reason for this: the future King, Gu Feng, was there.