Only three taverns operate within the Gu Yue Village. One acts as an inn, selling the famous Green Bamboo Wine. Another one surprisingly belongs to Fang Yue’s and Fang Zheng’s Uncle, and the third one focuses on the variety of food instead of rental rooms or wines. Lo Jik occupies one of the private booths in the tavern, ‘celebrating’ the Stipend Day with another serving of an entire pork.
A delicious scent wafts from the hole-ridden roasted pork as a tiny, pitch-black ladybug bites out of the at before digging in again, creating another hole. The speed of the Black Boar Gu’s consumption is nothing to scoff at. The Gu already ate through half the at! However, Lo Jik ignores the wolfing Black Boar Gu. He sips his glass of water, contemplating the recent revelations.
‘So, Fang Yuan has the Liquor Worm Gu. It’s no wonder he took over Fang Zheng.’ Lo Jik narrows his eyes. It’s no secret in the village that the Caravan Leader’s half-brother, Jia Jin Sheng, went missing. The Rank 4 Gu Master Jia Fu returned to Gu Yue Village to interrogate the suspect who made the last contact with the forr Gambling Den’s owner—Gu Yue Fang Yuan. Lo Jik sincerely believes Fang Yuan murdered the unknown Jia Clansman. While they aren’t chummy, Lo Jik’s got so knack for reading people. Consequently, Lo Jik goes out of his way to manipulate Fang Zheng—because he knows he can. However, Fang Yuan?
‘Unhinged Combat Ability? Check. Crippling guards and traumatizing teens? Check. Sohow possessing Liquor Gu from early on but conveniently revealing it now? Check.’
What?
Since Lo Jik was the guy nearest to Fang Yuan, he knew many things.
For instance, Fang Yuan should be a drunkard—but he doesn’t fight like one. His clothes always sll like alcohol, but his breath doesn’t. After all, Lo Jik was up and close against Fang Yuan during their first duel, and he sincerely admits Fang Yuan is as sober as they co. So, if the wine isn’t for him, it’s for sothing at least. Why else does an orphan living his days out in the dorm purchase vats of expensive green bamboo wine?
It’s Liquor Gu’s food.
There’s also another reason why Lo Jik is sure that Fang Yuan possessed Liquor Gu from before.
They both have C-grade aptitudes and nearly earn the sa amount of Prival Stones. However, Fang Yuan shouldn’t be able to advance in that tiline because Lo Jik believes he isn’t far off from Fang Yuan. It’s not arrogance but Gu World Mathematics. Besides, Lo Jik realized around the sa ti after the caravan that he could focus on nurturing one Aperture. But he only managed to advance a week after everybody. How did Fang Yuan advance within a few days after acquiring Liquor Worm?
Even if Lo Jik may turn out wrong, he finds it prudent to remain cautious of a suspected murderer. It’s not the act of killing that spooks Lo Jik. Unfortunately, his hands aren’t clean either. But he refuses to feel safe near a suspect who can murder soone and escape the consequences in the presence of two Rank 4 Gu Masters!
‘Hmm. Well, it’s not like I’ll ever snitch,’ Lo Jik exhales. ‘And I won’t willingly poke the hornet’s nest. It’s like how the Wisdom Gu used Ren Zu to escape Rules and Regulations. I don’t care if I can be his sleazy partner and earn a small fortune with Fang Yuan as my cover. I’m sure he benefits from enough. I don’t want to show my enhanced strength, and one of us cannot take the entire classroom alone anymore. However, we can intimidate them together, earning money effortlessly.’
A crescent moon hangs in the sky, showering a wide canopy near the Clan Pavilion in light. Under the Canopy lies a hidden courtyard known only to a few. The twisting branches and dense leaves house several critters and birds. The tree’s bark is hard to the touch, filled with several ancient veins signaling its rich growth.
Fang Zheng stands underneath it all with a respectful expression. His neutral features display hesitation and remorse as he whispers, “I’m sorry, Sir. However, I cannot imagine Elder Brother charged with such heinous cris.”
Standing near him, leaning against the bark, is a familiar figure—Gu Yue Bo, the Clan’s Head!
It’s been a week since the news of Fang Yuan’s possession of Liquor Worm leaked, filling many with envy and others with bitterness. Fang Zheng is still confused about which category he belongs to. Still, the additional news of him being suspected of another man’s murder makes Fang Zheng disgusted. He glances at Gu Yue Bo, dipping his head. “I’m sorry. I should have a clear mind, but I’m distracted.”
The one thing Fang Zheng is grateful for is the Clan Head taking him under his wing. Fang Zheng believes he will surpass everyone… in due ti. His tutelage under Gu Yue Bo started a day after Jia Fu left the Village.
‘Oh, Fang Zheng,’ Gu Yue Bo shakes his head internally, recalling his conversation with the Academy Elder after Fang Yuan proved his innocence.
A week ago.
“Sir?” Academy Elder sits on the chair nearest to Gu Yue Bo. He is alone with the Clan Head since others left once Jia Fu departed the village.
“I allowed the sche of sowing discord between Lo Jik and Fang Yuan to test sothing. Let tell you a story.”
—Ever since Ren Zu got their nas and subdued the Rules Gu and Regulation Gu, his first order was for them to capture a Longevity Gu.
Rules Gu and Regulation Gu, one round and the other square, worked together and could capture all the Gu in the world. A Longevity Gu was nothing complex.
Ren Zu used the Longevity Gu and returned to his youth, becoming 20 years old again.
But now the Rules Gu said, "Human, although you subdued us, every ti you command us, it will add a rule and regulation."
Regulation Gu continued, "We can catch the Longevity Gu for you. This is the first order. Our new rule and regulation is—that we will not repeatedly catch the sa Gu for you."
If Ren Zu wanted to catch a Longevity Gu again, the Rules Gu and Regulation Gu would not help.
Ren Zu nodded, having no choice but to accept.
He gave his second command, "Then, other than the Longevity Gu, please capture all the other ten thousand Gu in the world for ."
Rules Gu and Regulation Gu got this command. Rules Gu turned into a giant circle to encompass the universe. Regulation Gu turned into a massive square, covering the world.
One square and one round ford a giant net, enveloping the whole world.
When they shrunk again and returned to Ren Zu, all the Gu in the world other than Longevity Gu were captured.
Ren Zu was overjoyed. With this, all the Gu belonged to him. From now on, he was the ruler of the world!
But once he opened the net, with a swoosh, thousands of worms flew outside, and the Gu that Rules Gu and Regulation Gu worked hard to catch all escaped fervently.
When Ren Zu closed the net, only five Gu were left.
"Why is this?" Ren Zu was astonished.
Rules Gu and Regulation Gu answered him, "Human, the world has over ten thousand Gu with all sorts of abilities. You have no strength or knowledge. How can you subdue them? We can only capture Gu for you. To subdue them, you have to rely on yourself to get them to work for you."
Next, they added, "This is your second order, so we’ll add a second rule and regulation --- From now on, we can only catch one Gu for you at a ti."
Ren Zu could only nod and carefully opened the net, only showing a small gap.
The remaining five Gu contained the Strength Gu and Wisdom Gu. Seeing this, Ren Zu was overjoyed.
He regarded Strength Gu, "Strength Gu, you left back then. Do you have any regrets? If you succumb to now, I will return your freedom."
Strength Gu said, "Human, you are wrong. I didn’t leave, not because I couldn’t, but because I wanted to stay. You want to subdue , but that’s impossible. I only succumb to those stronger than , but you aren’t it. However, we can deal again. Give your youth, and I will temporarily obey you."
Ren Zu was reluctant upon hearing this. He had just gotten back his youth. Was he about to lose it again?
But he desired strength. He knew that with Strength Gu, he would get more powerful, and life would get easier.
Moreover, with strength, he could subdue more Gu.
Thus, Ren Zu accepted and ford a second deal with it.
Ren Zu beca middle-aged at once, and the Strength Gu flew out of the web and landed on Ren Zu’s shoulder.
Ren Zu had strength and was full of confidence.
He said to Wisdom Gu: "Wisdom Gu, you left back then. Do you have any regrets? If you succumb to now, I will return your freedom."
Wisdom Gu said, "Human, you are wrong. I did not leave, not because I couldn’t, but because I wanted to stay. You want to subdue , but that’s impossible. I only succumb to those smarter than , yet you are not it. But we can deal again. Give your middle age, and I will temporarily obey you."
Hearing this, Ren Zu refused to do the sa deal again.
He treasured his life more. He also knew he would only be left with old age once he sold his middle age. Before long, the Strength Gu and Wisdom Gu would leave him again, just like last ti.
Ren Zu refused to deal but did not want to let go of the Wisdom Gu.
Wisdom Gu was anxious, reluctantly giving in, "Alright, Human, you win. I lost to you this ti. As long as you tell what thod you used to capture , I will admit defeat and not take anything from you, being at your disposal."
Upon hearing this, Ren Zu was overjoyed. Before the Rules Gu and Regulation Gu could stop him, he said, "I used the Rules Gu and Regulation Gu to capture you."
Wisdom Gu laughed upon hearing, "I rembered it, so these are called Rules Gu and Regulation Gu. Haha! You cannot capture anymore now that I know your nas."
Saying so, it turned into a flash of light and flew away, vanishing into thin air.
Rules Gu and Regulation Gu begin to complain, "Human, we told you long ago that our na should be known by you alone, not others. Otherwise, we would be used by others. Look what happened. Now that Wisdom Gu knows our nas, it spells trouble."
Only then did Ren Zu realize that he was tricked by Wisdom Gu. He was anguished. He knew—he lost the only chance of capturing the Wisdom Gu using Rules Gu and Regulation Gu.—
The Academy Elder quietly ponders on the tale before offering.
“You want to stop suppressing Gu Yue Fang Yuan and Lo Jik, Clan Leader? You compared Ren Zu with Gu Yue Village and those two with Wisdom Gu. I tried stifling their influence using Rules and Regulations. However, the results are minimal because Rules and Regulations are publicly known.” The Academy Elder frowns with worry. “I admit competition is a good thing, Sir. But those two can ruin the batch’s motivation entirely.”
“Hmm,” Gu Yue Bo nods. “You understand my intentions. But you still don’t see the entire picture. The Academy exists for the Clan. The students will graduate and enter the clan as full-fledged mbers. Not everyone is equally talented, but this batch has so good seeds. Competing with two battle geniuses will polish and prepare them for other tribulations. Take a mont to think.”
Gu Yue Bo smiles.
“Gu Yue Clan has existed for a thousand years! Our lineage sees such genius often. Who isn’t proud among them? However, did any of them overturn our Clan? No. Gu Yue Fang Yuan and Gu Yue Lo Jik will eventually realize the truth as they mature. The priority is to let them polish Fang Zheng, Mo Bei, and Chi Cheng.”
“What if they lose confidence in themselves?” The Academy Elder reiterates his worries.
“Hmph,” Gu Yue Bo scoffs. “Then those three are unworthy of any investnt from the Clan. What genius cannot endure? What genius cannot survive? If their minds, despite their talents, are so fickle, then they aren’t unpolished jades. They are rely shimring glass.”
Thinking for a mont, Gu Yue Bo adds. “I shall overlook Fang Zheng’s studies from tomorrow. Keep doing your best.”
The Elder’s gaze shines as he eventually nods.
“My punishnt ends tomorrow,” Mo Yan smiles as she lies beside Lo Jik on a cleanly sliced stone slab. A thick blanket cushions their bodies underneath as she rests her head atop Lo Jik’s chest, quietly gazing at the moon with him. “And you advanced tonight right before eting with .” Her smirk broadens as she sits up, staring at Lo Jik. “You need to do better. Although I will only et Mo Bei tomorrow, I hear he’s practicing hard.”
Lo Jik gapes, blinking, “You’re here to distract ! How could you?”
His words make Mo Yan giggle as she raises the blanket over them, sighing in contentnt. While she knows of their competition, Mo Yan’s grown calr since Lo Jik never ‘bruised’ her brother. She is also pleased since Lo Jik’s cultivation pace isn’t subpar compared to his C-grade peers, except Fang Yuan. In fact, Lo Jik is the quickest C-grade student to advance in the academy after Fang Yuan.
“I wish we could get you a Liquor Worm,” she snickers. “You would have surpassed that Fang Yuan and his younger twin. What about his A-grade Aptitude? Even my Brother beat him.”
Lo Jik chuckles. “He’s unfortunate enough to have soone who distracts him, too.”
“So, is that all I am?” she pouts, “A distraction.” Mo Yan looks up, looking him in the eye. “On a serious note, if you keep this pace, you will have an Upper Stage cultivation at least. However, you can always ask for my help. I wouldn’t—”
“No,” Lo Jik shakes his head firmly. “It’s not pride,” he admits. “I worry that if soone finds out about us, they will naturally think I’m doing all this for your wealth. You won’t be implicated if I take none of it, right?”
Mo Yan’s expression slightly sours, but his concern almost lts her in his embrace. It’s honestly exhilarating how peaceful it is to be with him despite the difference in their status because he never asked for her wealth.
“Oh, you,” she sighs. “You are smart and capable. If only Heaven blessed you with a B-grade aptitude.”
“Heaven is fair,” Lo Jik smiles. “It needed to lower my aptitude to C-grade to balance the rest.”
“Hah! As arrogant as ever!” She snarks, patting his cheek. “What’s so good about you?”
“Why don’t you tell ?” Lo Jik tilts his head.
“I wouldn’t know a thing,” she shrugs. “After all, I never et you behind your house, and we never lay on rocks to gaze at stars.”
Lo Jik touches her hand, holding it and intersecting his fingers with hers. “So, I never did this. Hmm. It feels nice.”
Her cheeks turn red as her fingers slowly close around his, tightening their hold under the blanket.
“Um, Mo Yan?” Lo Jik clears his throat.
“What is it?”
“I wanted to ask if we could do… other things?”
Mo Yan blinks before a complicated look appears in her eyes. “Lo Jik… I cannot do that. My grandfather will undoubtedly kill if he finds out I slept with a man before my marriage. I know,” she offers. “Maybe I can find a beautiful mortal for you. We have many servants.”
Lo Jik stares at her blankly after hearing her offer.
‘Okay,’ he notes. ‘So a threeso is probably on the table if the conditions are right. That’s nice to know.’
He thins his lips before shaking his head. “Not that. I understand it would be wrong. I wouldn’t even ask such a thing until I’m worthy of it. How can I do that as a Middle Stage Rank 1 Gu Master?”
Looking embarrassed, Lo Jik leans into the confused Mo Yan, whispering sothing into her ear. Her eyes widen briefly before similar curiosity and interest flash in her gaze.
“Well,” she hesitates. “It’s understandable if you want to try that. However, I’m not… neat. I don’t know if you’ll…” her ears heat up as she looks down, muttering even softer, “... like it.”
Lo Jik beams, “There’s not a part of you I won’t like!”
Mo Yan feels moved, eventually nodding as she adds. “Maybe it’s a good ‘gift’ for your advancent~!”
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