Chapter 114: Hanhan’s Talent and Willpower

Gu Feng remained silent, merely gazing calmly at the man who had been berating him.

Every member of the Gu family was watching him. It was no joke—Gu Feng was the key to the family's rise. Without him, the Gu family would be nothing; it was Gu Feng, not the family itself, who had annihilated the Prince Mu Mansion.

The man grew flustered, yet he remained defiant. "Why are you all staring at me? He hasn't received the recognition of our ancestors, so he isn't a true member of the Gu family! Do you intend to defy the rules set by our forefathers?"

Gu Santong struggled internally. On one side was the rise of the Gu family; on the other, the ancestral laws. How was he to choose?

After a moment of inner turmoil, Gu Santong suddenly reached a decision. He strode toward the man and slapped him across the face, roaring, "What are you babbling about? Gu Feng has made it very clear: those were not the heroic spirits of our ancestors, but malevolent ghosts that have sabotaged countless talented clansmen! What 'ancestors'? It is the living who are the hope of the family. With all our geniuses being sabotaged by them, how could the Gu family ever rise?"

The clansmen, who had initially been skeptical, found Gu Santong's words reasonable. The living were indeed the hope. What were spirits worth? If the ancestors could really manifest, the family would have risen long ago. Now that they finally had a talent like Gu Feng, if they didn't seize this opportunity, who knew if the family would ever see another chance?

After the outburst, Gu Santong smiled at Gu Feng. "Gu Feng, don't mind that talk about ancestral recognition; it's all nonsense. You are a member of my Gu family. By the way, the capital is urging you to go there for your investiture as a prince. When do you plan to set off?"

*Ding! Mission: Shatter the investiture conspiracy, destroy the imperial royalty, establish a new empire, and build a new faith.*

Gu Feng chuckled inwardly. So, this "investiture" was actually a conspiracy aimed at him. He gestured for Gu Santong to speak with him in private. Though puzzled, Gu Santong led him away.

In a secret chamber of the Gu estate, Gu Santong looked at Gu Feng in confusion, waiting for him to speak. Gu Feng sat in a grand armchair, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest. "What are your thoughts on this investiture?"

Gu Santong was even more bewildered. What could one think about being made a prince? It was a sign of imperial favor! But wait—could it be a trap? Gu Santong suddenly realized how the Empire could never tolerate a powerful prince. Just like the Prince Mu Mansion, which had been too powerful and threatened the throne, the Empire had sought to eradicate them. Since Gu Feng was even more formidable, why would they ever grant him a title?

Taking a deep breath, Gu Santong stared at Gu Feng in shock. "You... you knew it was a conspiracy."

"It's a problem anyone with a brain could figure out," Gu Feng said nonchalantly. "You shouldn't be so surprised. Whether it's merit overshadowing the ruler or power threatening the throne, neither is something a monarch is willing to tolerate."

"Then, since the investiture is a conspiracy against you, you could simply choose not to go to the capital!"

"Not go? Elder Santong, you still don't understand my meaning."

"Your meaning? What do you mean?"

"Sigh. No wonder the Gu family has remained a second-rate house. Have you never even thought of climbing higher?"

"Climbing higher? How could we not have thought of that? The Gu family is already the top family in Earth City, even the City Lord's Mansion has to treat us with respect."

Gu Feng sneered. "The top family? Believe me, the moment I die in the capital will be the day the Gu family is wiped out."

"Ah!" Gu Santong was not a fool; he immediately understood the implications. "Then, what are you suggesting?"

"This trip to the capital will be a matter of life or death. If the enemy falls, what happens then?"

"What happens?" Gu Santong knew the answer, but he was so stunned by the conclusion that he dared not think further.

"Sigh. Has the Gu family never considered taking the throne themselves?"

"Ah!" Gu Santong looked around in a panic, forgetting for a moment that they were in a secure room. "Gu Feng, you can eat anything, but you cannot say just anything!"

Despite his nerves, Gu Santong was alert, waiting to hear the rest and gauge how much confidence Gu Feng had.

"Suit yourself," Gu Feng said indifferently. "Does the Gu family want to be the monarchs, or should I find another family to take the throne?"

"Wait, let me think... let me think."

After some deliberation, Gu Santong reached his own conclusion: if Gu Feng died, the family was finished. If Gu Feng won, why shouldn't the Gu family take the throne?

"Fine! I, Gu Santong, will stake these old bones on a gamble with you!"

Gu Feng smiled. "You don't need to gamble, nor do you need to pay any price. Just wait to take the throne. As for the capital, I am more than enough on my own."

"Ah! Just wait to take the throne? Then you...?"

"The Great Qin Empire is but a remote, backward corner. It cannot hold me. Once these trivial matters are settled, I will head to the Sun-Moon Empire to see a much larger world."

Gu Santong looked at Gu Feng and whispered, "Youth is a wonderful thing. But the world outside is full of experts as numerous as the hairs on an ox. I’ve heard that in the Sun-Moon Empire, Great Spirit Masters are considered merely average warriors, and there are many teenagers who have already reached that level. You must be very careful."

Gu Feng smiled. "That's too far off. Let’s solve the problem at hand first."

Gu Santong gave an awkward laugh. "True enough."

After discussing a few more details, Gu Feng left the Gu family estate. A large group of elders crowded around Gu Santong, asking questions. Thinking of the family’s future, Gu Santong was in high spirits. "Enough! Gu Feng is and will always be one of us. Whoever dares to utter another word of dissent will be dealt with according to family law."

Back at the Miao residence, Hanhan ran over, pouting. "Bad Master! You're finally back. Hmph, you went out to play and didn't take Hanhan with you. You're a bad master!"

Gu Feng patted her head. "Alright, alright. Next time I go anywhere, I'll take you with me, okay?"

"Really? Will you take Hanhan even when you go to the bathroom?"

Gu Feng's face darkened. Seeing her snickering, he knew the little girl was teasing him. He picked her up and asked softly, "Hanhan, you're so young; who taught you these things?"

"Hmph! Master, you're trying to trick me into talking. Hanhan won't fall for it! I'm very smart; I don't need anyone to teach me."

"Is that so? I was going to teach you a new spell, but since you're so smart, I suppose I don't need to."

"Ah! Master, I was wrong! Master, what spell are you going to teach me this time?" Hanhan was full of anticipation; the spells were so amazing, and she wanted to learn as many as possible.

"No, never mind. You don't need me to teach you, after all."

"Waaa! Master, don't be like that! I'll tell you who put me up to it!" She glanced specifically at Long Xue'er as she spoke.

Seeing Long Xue'er glaring at her with a dark expression, Hanhan whispered indignantly, "Master, I'm too scared to say."

Long Xue'er wanted nothing more than to give her a spanking; she had already betrayed her, yet she still claimed she was too scared to talk!

Gu Feng looked at Hanhan with amusement. "If you're scared, then don't say it."

"Yay! Master is the best!" She then turned to Long Xue'er. "Big Master, I didn't sell you out, did I? It wasn't the little turtle, right?"

Everyone watching burst into laughter, finding Hanhan’s antics adorable. Once the mirth settled, Gu Feng informed Miao Yun and the others that he was preparing to set off for the capital to attend the investiture ceremony.