Meanwhile, Tang Qi was also quite pleased by Gu Wei’s attitude, and the sourness in her heart evaporated completely as Gu Wei held her hand. She cupped her hands in greeting to Gu Yu.
Gu Yu rolled his eyes inwardly at his scheming senior brother, who always loved to mess with his juniors. He introduced himself to Tang Qi, emphasizing that his relationship with Gu Wei was purely that of fellow disciples and nothing more intimate.
Heh, knowing Gu Wei as well as he did, Gu Yu was certain that if he dared to hinder his senior brother’s pursuit of someone—especially if it caused the object of Gu Wei’s affection to feel jealous—his petty and vindictive senior brother would make him pay dearly. Gu Yu wasn’t foolish enough to invite such trouble.
Tang Qi was quite surprised by Gu Yu’s identity. She hadn’t expected this man to be the renowned current master of the Divine Physician Valley, and the one she liked was actually the senior brother of the valley master. The Divine Physician Valley was one of the top-tier forces in the Xuantian Continent, so Gu Wei’s status was naturally extraordinary.
A sudden wave of sadness washed over Tang Qi as she realized the vast gap between her status and that of the person she liked.
Tang Qi wasn’t the type to wear her emotions on her sleeve, and since Gu Yu, who had just met her today, wasn’t familiar with her, he didn’t notice the shift in her mood. But Gu Wei was different. Despite it being their first meeting as well, he miraculously sensed every subtle change in Tang Qi’s emotions beneath her calm exterior.
Gu Wei quickly pulled Tang Qi into an embrace. “Qiqi, I really like you. How about we start dating? Look, the master of the Divine Physician Valley is my junior brother. I promise to treat you well and take care of you—I have the means to do so!”
Tang Qi, who had been lost in her melancholy, suddenly found herself enveloped in a warm embrace carrying the faint scent of medicinal herbs and a hint of intoxicating wine. Her mind blanked for a moment. “O-okay. Actually… I like you too.”
After their confession, the two became even more inseparable. Witnessing the entire scene, Gu Yu stroked his chin thoughtfully: *If even my rough, unrefined senior brother can win over a beauty, when will I meet a lovely maiden? Preferably one who’s fierce with a whip in public but soft and sweet in private!*
So, how could the girl Gu Yu liked possibly have any connection with Gu Wei?
In a corner of the nearby Liuyun Merchant Guild’s shop, Fu Yuming pointed in surprise at the affectionate couple, Tang Qi and Gu Wei, as well as Gu Yu standing nearby. “I didn’t expect Fort Master Tang to have ties with the Divine Physician Valley. Yuanjing, isn’t that the valley master, Gu Yu? And the one with Fort Master Tang—is he also from the Divine Physician Valley?”
Fu Yuanjing studied Gu Wei carefully, his brow furrowing slightly. “That man… he looks familiar. Could it be… Gu Wei?!”
Gu Wei was low-key and rarely revealed his true background, so few knew of his connection to the Divine Physician Valley. However, the Liuyun Merchant Guild was the largest commercial force on the Xuantian Continent, and the Fu family made it a point to recognize influential figures to avoid unintentional offenses. As the personal steward of the Fu family’s Third Young Master, Fu Yuanjing naturally had to memorize such relationships, serving as Fu Yuming’s walking “encyclopedia.”
Thus, Fu Yuanjing had some knowledge of the enigmatic Gu Wei and promptly briefed Fu Yuming.
Finally, glancing at the intimate pair, Fu Yuanjing ventured uncertainly, “Perhaps this counts as… meeting the family?”
This was Yuntian City, under the jurisdiction of Yuntian Fort. Here, Gu Wei had introduced Tang Qi to his junior brother, Gu Yu. Given their obvious relationship, this was likely a family meeting.
Fu Yuming nodded. “It seems we’ll need to reconsider our collaboration with Yuntian Fort…”
If Yuntian Fort truly had ties to the Divine Physician Valley, its value as a partner would naturally rise, requiring the Liuyun Merchant Guild to approach the alliance with greater caution and refine the terms of cooperation.
Fu Yuanjing lowered his head and stood silently behind Fu Yuming. The Third Young Master knew what to do next; no further input was needed. Occasionally, Fu Yuanjing would glance up at the dazzlingly serious young master, his eyes flickering with unspoken admiration—though he quickly suppressed it.
Deep down, Fu Yuanjing harbored a sense of inferiority. To him, Fu Yuming was like an untouchable snow lotus on a mountain peak, while he himself was mere mud beneath the earth—utterly unworthy. As long as he could remain by Fu Yuming’s side as his steward, Fu Yuanjing was content.
Elsewhere, Huangfu Yichen, Ying Qiyun, and Yin Jiu, who had come to join the excitement, spotted Gu Yu and soon recognized Gu Wei and Tang Qi. Ying Qiyun and Yin Jiu’s jaws nearly hit the ground.
As leaders of intelligence organizations, their information networks were top-notch, and figures like Gu Wei were naturally high-priority subjects of their surveillance. Yet now, Gu Wei had a partner and had even brought them to meet family—and they were only just finding out?!
Frankly, Ying Qiyun and Yin Jiu briefly questioned their life choices.
Huangfu Yichen, however, couldn’t resist gloating at his two companions: *Hahaha! Serves you right for trying to ditch me and sneak off to have fun! Karma’s a bitch, huh?*
Meanwhile, Jin Yu, who had also been drawn to the spectacle, rubbed his chin and leaned toward Yan Ruizhe beside him. “Tell me, why can a scruffy brute like Gu Wei meet his lover’s family, while a refined beauty like me still lacks even a bed-warmer?”
Yan Ruizhe desperately wished to disavow any association with the man beside him. “As the esteemed sect leader, surely you’re not lacking in volunteers. A mere wave of your hand would summon a crowd eager to serve.”
Jin Yu grinned and spread his hands. “But none of them interest me! Without mutual understanding and emotional connection, a bed-warmer can only warm the body—not a lonely heart.”
Unwilling to indulge Jin Yu’s sudden poetic turn, Yan Ruizhe turned to leave.
“Hey, hey! Just joking!” Jin Yu slung an arm over Yan Ruizhe’s shoulders—a liberty Yan Ruizhe, who normally despised physical contact, never resisted when it came from Jin Yu.
Jin Yu winked. “Aren’t you even a little curious about Gu Wei and Fort Master Tang?”
Yan Ruizhe remained impassive. “No.” Two people falling for each other was hardly remarkable. He then dragged Jin Yu away to resume their original plans.
After all, they’d only come to spectate. Now that the show was over, it was time to move on. Still, Yan Ruizhe mused, it was surprising how many “big shots” had gathered in such a small city. His thoughts lingered on the figures they’d just seen.
As he was pulled along, Jin Yu sighed inwardly, his mental self collapsing in despair: *What to do when the one you love remains clueless? Asking for a friend—urgently.*
Unaware of the commotion they’d caused, Tang Qi happily—if a bit shyly—led Gu Wei to meet her elders.
Though her parents and grandparents had passed, Tang Qi still had many elders in Yuntian Fort—uncles, aunts, and grandparents who had watched her grow. She wanted them to meet the one she’d chosen and to receive their blessings.
But Gu Wei stopped her. Not because he was reluctant—on the contrary, he was eager to formalize their relationship. However…
Adjusting his disheveled robes, Gu Wei said gently, “Qiqi, look at me—I’m hardly presentable. Be patient, alright? Once I’ve cleaned up, prepared gifts, and made proper arrangements, we’ll visit your family together. How does that sound?”
Though Tang Qi’s infatuated gaze could find no flaw in Gu Wei, her rationality ultimately prevailed. After a brief moment of coquettishness in his arms, she relented, and the two continued their leisurely stroll hand in hand through Yuntian City, maintaining their peaceful harmony as they went.
Gu Yu stared dumbfounded as the couple walked away, pinching his thigh discreetly to confirm he wasn’t dreaming. *That gentle man was his sharp-tongued senior brother, whose words could induce heart attacks?!*
Recalling the times Gu Wei’s merciless teasing had left him gasping for air, then contrasting it with the tender, doting man who treated Tang Qi like a precious treasure—Gu Yu felt tears welling inside: *Men are all hypocrites!*
As Gu Yu clutched his chest, mourning his sudden existential crisis, Huangfu Yichen, Ying Qiyun, and Yin Jiu—who had been wandering and bantering—crossed paths with Rong Nianxin, and their impression of her plummeted.
The trio had meandered into a scenic grove near Yuntian City when their keen ears caught the sounds of a chase nearby, accompanied by considerable commotion.
While the other two hesitated, Huangfu Yichen’s sense of duty compelled him to stealthily investigate.
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