Facing Yan Ruizhe and Jin Yu—one the leader of the righteous path and the other the master of the demonic sect—Guyu, who had honed his skills as the Valley Master of the Divine Physician Valley for several years, was no longer the same naive youth he once was. He cupped his hands in greeting and said, “I merely came to gather a medicinal herb. Never did I expect to witness such an exhilarating battle between Leader Yan and Master Jin. Truly, this trip was worth it.”
Gu Wei nodded subtly, quite satisfied with Guyu’s performance. His junior brother had truly grown into an outstanding Valley Master now! Gu Wei felt a deep sense of pride in his heart.
Gu Wei: *Great! Junior Brother Xiaoyu handled himself so well—now I don’t have to worry about being dragged back to take over as Valley Master! Junior Brother Xiaoyu is the best! Keep it up, Junior Brother Xiaoyu! Your senior brother supports you!*
Guyu: *…This senior brother is utterly hopeless!*
Of course, Guyu’s internal screaming didn’t stop the four of them from exchanging pleasantries. Once the formalities were over, Jin Yu and Yan Ruizhe moved elsewhere—either to continue their battle or share a drink—while Gu Wei took Guyu to gather herbs.
Fortunately, Guyu’s luck held. Though Jin Yu and Yan Ruizhe’s battle had been fierce, both men had exceptional control over their mystical energy, their attacks precise and refined. As a result, the surrounding environment hadn’t suffered much damage, let alone the distant area where Guyu had come to collect his herbs.
In the end, Guyu clutched the “miraculously” surviving herbs, tears of joy streaming down his face.
Seeing his junior brother’s pitiful display, Gu Wei took a sip of wine, sighing like a doting father. Guyu, too exasperated to engage with his unreliable senior brother any further, prepared to set off for his next destination—Cloud Heaven City.
Upon learning of Guyu’s destination, Gu Wei mused, “Cloud Heaven City… Come to think of it, the previous lord and lady of Cloud Heaven Fortress have passed away, and the new lord has taken over, hasn’t he?” As a wandering martial artist, Gu Wei wasn’t particularly famous, but his connections were extensive. The affairs of Cloud Heaven Fortress were significant, and he had naturally heard some rumors.
Guyu nodded, sighing slightly. “The passing of the previous Lord Tang and Lady Tang was truly regrettable. But the new Lord Tang is quite capable. The gathering he’s organizing in Cloud Heaven City seems well-planned.”
Cloud Heaven City was about to host a grand gathering, drawing large crowds and bustling trade. Guyu intended to take advantage of the event to sell excess medicinal herbs and acquire rare materials in exchange. The fact that such a massive event was being managed so smoothly spoke volumes about the new Lord Tang’s competence.
Gu Wei agreed wholeheartedly, though he couldn’t help but feel a pang of sorrow for the late Lord and Lady Tang. He had once interacted with the previous Lord Tang and held him in high regard—a man worthy of becoming a lifelong friend despite their age difference. It was tragic that such a towering figure, alongside his equally remarkable wife, had not fallen in battle against the Outer Demons but had instead perished in a vile conspiracy.
The deaths of the previous Lord and Lady Tang had caused quite a stir. Given Cloud Heaven Fortress’s standing and the couple’s widespread friendships, their passing had naturally drawn significant attention, with many seeking answers about the circumstances.
When the truth behind their deaths eventually came to light, many had assumed that Tang Qi, their only son and heir, would keep the matter under wraps—after all, it was a family scandal and far from honorable. Yet, to everyone’s surprise, he had boldly exposed the truth.
Truth be told, Gu Wei admired Tang Qi’s decisiveness and capability. Keeping such a secret would have only invited baseless rumors and speculation. By laying the facts bare, Tang Qi had redirected all blame onto the true culprits, leaving Cloud Heaven Fortress largely unscathed.
The entire incident, however, could be traced back to Tang Qi’s grandfather.
Cloud Heaven Fortress had always been open-minded when it came to its descendants’ choice of partners. As long as the other party wasn’t morally corrupt, the family rarely interfered, nor did they place undue emphasis on social status. Yet, when Tang Qi’s grandfather sought to marry, he faced vehement opposition.
The issue wasn’t that the woman was ordinary—lacking background, talent, cultivation, or ability, with only her beauty to recommend her. Rather, investigations revealed she had ties to a notorious cult infamous for its atrocities.
Unlike Jin Yu’s demonic sect, which, though unrestrained, refrained from indiscriminate slaughter, this cult was infamous for its brutality. Its most infamous act involved its leader massacring entire villages—hundreds of innocents, including women, children, and even pregnant mothers—to fuel his cultivation.
Naturally, the cult was universally reviled.
While Cloud Heaven Fortress didn’t prioritize social status in marriage, ties to such a cult were unacceptable. Worse, the woman was far from virtuous, entangled with multiple men while courting Tang Qi’s grandfather. Unsurprisingly, the elders refused to sanction the union.
Yet, Tang Qi’s grandfather seemed bewitched, insisting on marrying her. This raised suspicions, especially since he had been betrothed since childhood to a childhood sweetheart. His sudden obsession with this newcomer was deeply suspicious.
Further investigation revealed the woman was indeed connected to the cult—a minor elder, no less. Infatuated with Tang Qi’s grandfather, she had used the flesh and blood of dozens of women to craft a demonic array, hypnotizing him into forsaking his fiancée.
Despite her efforts, the array’s effects were temporary. The scheme failed, and she fled in disgrace, while Tang Qi’s grandfather married his true love.
Unbeknownst to all, however, the woman had been pregnant when she left, later giving birth to a son. Whether the boy was Tang Qi’s grandfather’s child remained uncertain, though the woman adamantly believed her son and Tang Qi’s father were brothers.
Naturally, the Tang family refused to acknowledge the child, given the woman’s promiscuity. The matter was quietly buried.
Later, the cult was annihilated by a coalition of righteous and demonic factions disgusted by its atrocities. The boy—now a man—miraculously survived, primarily because he had never personally harmed innocents.
Perhaps transferring her obsession with Tang Qi’s grandfather onto her son, the woman spoiled him rotten, fostering a spoiled, tyrannical brat who thought nothing of beating servants to death over minor slights. Sheltered by his mother’s influence, he escaped consequences—until her death left him destitute.
Reduced to a vagrant, he eventually seduced a wealthy young mistress, regaining a life of luxury—albeit as a subservient son-in-law. The humiliation of his diminished status festered, especially when his daughter took his wife’s surname. His true nature—cruel, vulgar, and abusive—soon surfaced, leading to his expulsion.
Then, he crossed paths with Tang Qi’s parents.
One, a dignified lord with a graceful, noble wife. The other, a disheveled, penniless outcast.
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