Chapter 51: Current Situation of the Parents, Gu Ling’s Marriage
Gu Ling was taking advantage of the daylight before it turned dark, walking step by step inward.
Suddenly, her gaze slightly focused.
Two figures suddenly appeared at the entrance of the alley ahead.
Due to the backlight, she couldn't make out their faces clearly, and for a moment, she panicked.
Just as she stopped and hesitated about whether to retreat, the figures suddenly disappeared in the blink of an eye, and reappeared right in front of her!
“Ah… mm mm mm…”
She had just wanted to scream, but her mouth was immediately covered. Then, a somewhat familiar voice rang out.
“Elder Sister Ling’er, it’s me!”
Gu Ling looked up in surprise, and a familiar face appeared before her.
“Gu Fan! It really is you! You’re back!”
“It’s me, Elder Sister Ling’er. I need to talk to you.”
Gu Ling glanced at the youth behind him.
“This is my friend, don’t worry.”
Hearing this, Gu Ling finally nodded.
“Elder Sister Ling’er, I came back because I wanted to know about my parents’ current situation, and also why you are like this now.”
Looking at the boy before her, Gu Ling suddenly felt her eyes turn red.
“My situation isn’t something that can be explained briefly, but why didn’t you return to the Gu Residence when you came back?”
“Hehe, do you think I don’t know what kind of place the Gu Residence is? In the whole Gu Family, besides my parents, the only one I trust is you. I want to know the truest situation about my parents right now.”
Gu Ling calmed herself down and then said with a bitter smile.
“Uncle and Auntie are not doing well!”
“You know, the main bloodline of the Gu Family holds too much power. Your branch was already being suppressed before you left. Though you could still live within the residence at that time…”
“But ever since you were rejected by the Righteous Cultivator Bigwigs and turned to join the Heavenly Evil Sect, the suppression on Uncle became even more severe. They said the family of a demonic disciple isn’t worthy of staying in the residence, so they’ve already been kicked out!”
As Gu Fan listened, his gaze grew deeper.
Lin Yi beside him could clearly sense that although Gu Fan appeared calm, it was merely the surface.
Beneath that surface, undercurrents were already surging. Once it erupted, it would destroy everything!
“Where are my father and mother now?”
Gu Ling glanced deeper into the alley.
“This is a place I secretly bought using my stash of private savings. Uncle and Auntie are temporarily staying here… I don’t have much money I can use privately, this is the best I could do.”
“Then what are you doing here today?”
Gu Ling raised the items in her hand.
“I come by every now and then to bring some food. Everyone in Huiyun City knows the Gu Family’s rules. Even if Uncle wants to earn money, there’s no place willing to hire him. So I come by every few days and try to buy some cheap but filling food, so it lasts longer.”
Gu Fan took a deep breath.
He had known his family might not be doing well, but he had not expected them to be this destitute.
Even more, he hadn’t expected that his joining the Heavenly Evil Sect would cause even more backlash against his parents!
Very good!!
How very good, Gu Family!
Anger surged in Gu Fan’s heart, but the more this happened, the clearer he became.
He clearly knew, if he wanted his parents to live a life free of any threats, he must eliminate all unstable elements.
Therefore, he could not act rashly. He had to observe—who else was targeting his family!
“Thank you, Elder Sister Ling’er. If it weren’t for you, my parents might have already been sleeping on the streets.”
“No need to thank me, it’s what I should do. I just regret that my abilities are limited, and Uncle and Auntie still have to suffer.”
“Elder Sister Ling’er, I still can’t meet my parents yet. You just go about your routine as usual. I’ll come to the residence tonight to find you. I have something to discuss with you.”
Gu Ling nodded.
She could feel the confidence and the intangible pressure emanating from this younger brother.
Be it the demonic path or the righteous one, it seemed Gu Fan had already stepped onto the path of cultivation.
From that perspective, Uncle and Auntie’s bitter days might truly be coming to an end.
She just didn’t know how strong Little Brother Gu Fan was now. If he could make the main bloodline of the family take him seriously, perhaps it could even help her with her marriage…
Forget it, better not to trouble others.
It had only been half a year—no matter how strong Little Brother Gu Fan was, could he be stronger than the Old Ancestor?
Gu Ling withdrew from her wandering thoughts. After confirming the time with Gu Fan, she directly entered the alley to deliver food to Gu Fan’s parents.
Gu Fan, on the other hand, stood mid-air.
A treasure concealed his figure as he silently watched Gu Ling being greeted by two familiar figures and led into the dilapidated hut.
“Brother Gu, how do you plan to deal with the Gu Family?”
Gu Fan no longer suppressed his anger. Just now he held back only to avoid frightening Gu Ling.
Now, his entire body seemed to be ignited by flames, spiritual power violently surging.
If not for the concealing treasure, he would have already alarmed all the cultivators in the city.
“Hehe, how to deal with them? Naturally, those who deserve death will die, those who deserve maiming will be maimed! Everyone who participated in targeting my parents—their entire families—shall be wiped out!”
After speaking, Gu Fan suppressed the urge to go down and see his parents, and turned to leave.
“Let’s go back first and come again tonight. It seems Gu Ling has troubles of her own—let’s see if I can solve them too. It’ll count as repaying her kindness for helping my parents all this time.”
“Fine. As long as you leave a few for me to kill, that’s enough.”
After that, the two of them disappeared from the spot.
Gu Ling, after comforting the two elders, quickly hurried back with the servant.
But just as she returned to the residence, she was informed by the servants that the Madam had summoned her. Carrying worry, she rushed non-stop to appear before the Madam of the Gu Residence.
Inside the main hall, a richly dressed woman seated at the main seat was slowly sipping tea.
Below, Gu Ling knelt obediently on the side, not daring to speak.
“I heard you left the residence today? Tell me what you were doing.”
“Replying to Mother, I went to browse the cloth shop today. After not finding any fabric to my liking, I bought some cheap food and gave it to some paupers before returning to the residence.”
She knew that Gu Ling often bought cheap food to give to vagrants and beggars.
At first, she had disallowed this, but Gu Ling said she was doing it in the name of the Madam of the Gu Residence—herself—so she didn’t stop her.
After all, who wouldn’t want to gain a good reputation?
But at this moment, she didn’t want Gu Ling continuing this. The most important thing now was the marriage alliance with the Nalan Family and gaining benefits!
“I remember I already said, in two days you are to marry into the Nalan Family. During this time, you are not to leave the residence at will. Are my words just wind to your ears?”
As she spoke, the Madam of the Gu Residence slammed the table heavily, frightening Gu Ling into paling further!
“Let me warn you again—you may be the fiancée of the Nalan Family’s young master, but don’t forget you’re just a lowly maid from a collateral line! If not for your decent looks pleasing the young master of the Nalan Family, do you really think you could become the main daughter of my bloodline?”
“Daughter understands and will keep Mother’s teachings in mind.”
Gu Ling trembled all over, her face pale, and could only lower her head.
She was indeed of a collateral line. Later, because of her outstanding looks, she caught the eye of the Nalan Family’s young master.
To match his status and allow the marriage to proceed smoothly, she was adopted under the Madam of the main bloodline.
But none of this improved her situation.
She could only continuously utter words of flattery and submission under the Madam’s reprimands.
“I warn you not to harbor any other thoughts. You've heard some of the news from the Imperial City these days—two newly risen geniuses from the demonic path have supposedly been invited to the Nalan Family. They might sweep away other powers anytime. Only by marrying over now and securing the alliance can the Gu Family’s safety be ensured!”
Gu Ling lowered her head. She knew that was her only value, and she could not resist.
“Daughter understands…”
“Enough, you may leave. Don’t eat dinner tonight. Take it as a lesson!”
“Yes, Mother!”