Dao Equaling the Heavens
Chapter 447 - 45 The Sixth Son of the Gu Family

Chapter 447: Chapter 45 The Sixth Son of the Gu Family

Because of his fiancée’s matter, Gu Wen was called to the main hall by his father. He walked through the quiet corridor, the maids and servants along the way made way, bowing their heads and bending their waists.

Gu Wen found nothing strange about this; If the building were made of reinforced concrete, then he would have felt such ceremoniousness odd.

At this moment, his heart was as still as water, no longer a ripple to disturb it.

As if all emotions and desires had vanished, all yearnings had turned into nothingness.

This sensation was quite comfortable; he no longer worried about anything in particular and could just quietly gaze into the distance.

Fragments of memory began to emerge in his mind unbidden.

The Gu family, a clan of Nanshui, had served as officials generation after generation, governing a territory, far from the turmoil of Central Plains, enduring through four dynasties, fifty-six emperors, for a thousand years.

It could be said that dynasties flow like water, but the Gu family is as solid as iron.

Yet the Gu family was not a colossus; at most, they were a local powerful family. Their eight-hundred-year legacy was mostly holding a position halfway up the mountain, where even if they fell, they would roll only a couple of times.

As long as they did not stand at the peak, it was hard to fall to their death.

He passed through the corridor and entered the main hall.

The antique chairs were arranged in an orderly fashion and the plaque hanging above the hall bore the inscription "Self-Discipline and Virtue." Below it sat a middle-aged man with a small mustache, whose appearance was strikingly similar to Gu Wen’s.

Beside him sat a woman still full of charm.

Also present were five young men, each bearing a resemblance, dressed differently, with distinct auras.

More thoughts floated to the surface of his mind.

Mr. Gu, a county sage endowed with both virtue and ability, was known as the great scholar of Nanshui, the head of the household.

Gu Wen’s mother, a typical ancient woman of her time.

Gu Daai, a warm and refined elder brother, talented in both the arts and letters, the future heir of the Gu family.

Gu Ernu, tall and muscular, with a face of rough features, possessing high martial prowess. He often talked of becoming the top martial scholar and a General.

Gu Sanyou, with a delicate disposition, always looking worried, yet extremely wise, well-read in various texts.

Gu SiJu, short in stature, timid in nature.

Gu Wuzeng, prone to jealousy, his foot had been crushed by an ox-cart in his youth, leaving him crippled.

This was his family, and it was everything to him.

Upon seeing Gu Wen enter, everyone’s gaze focused on him in an instant, and Mr. Gu, with a stern face, scolded, "Sixth son, why are you waking at the crack of dawn again? You’re at the age to discuss marriage; how long will you idle away?"

"Father, please calm down," Gu Daai interjected. "I have heard that those who practice immortal cultivation cherish peace and quiet. Perhaps such a disposition would make the Sixth Brother a good match with that Yu family girl."

Gu Daai, with his handsome face, appeared and quickly defused Mr. Gu’s anger with just a few words.

"And besides, the Sixth Brother neither gambles nor squanders riches; his idleness may in fact be more suited to preserving our family fortune. Throughout history, many fortunes have not been destroyed by the idle, but by the overly diligent."

Gu Ernu, his voice booming like a bell, said, "Father should let me take the Sixth Brother under my wing to practice martial arts, to fight for our place in the world."

Gu Sanyou countered, "The fate of the world is unpredictable, luck counts for seven parts, ability for three. The Second Brother possesses eight parts of ability, but not even one part of luck; the Sixth Brother cannot follow you."

It seems I’m rather popular in this family.

Gu Wen took his seat, remaining silent, listening to the discussion around him about the court imposing new taxes.

Daqian had been established for two hundred and fifty years, now displaying the signs of a dynasty’s end, with disasters year after year, causing many civilian uprisings.

Fortunately, the Gu family was far from Central Plains and did not need to get involved; with rich resources, a large-scale famine was unlikely. At worst, there would be a flood, crop failure, and some starvation.

The only real danger was the court itself.

None of these concerned Gu Wen, but his family insisted on involving him, frequently asking his opinion.

His eldest brother wondered about the suffering of the common folk, the second brother asked why not rise up and strive for power given the times, the third brother worried about the Gu family’s direction, the fourth brother scared and uncertain, and the fifth brother always glaring intently.

Gu Wen’s response to all this was:

"What’s that got to do with me."

Everyone was helpless and soon moved on to other topics.

"Recently there’s been a villain roaming Nanshui, so none of you are to go out at night."

Upon hearing this, Gu Ernu was eager to take up arms and pursue the villain. But since Gu Wen would not join him, he could only shake his head regretfully, "Without the Sixth Brother, even with the strength to move mountains, I would not know where to direct it."

"It’s said that the villain is eight feet tall, with a broad back and thick waist, strong enough to fight off hundreds of soldiers without losing ground, clearly a master of Martial Arts."

Gu Wen said, "Those who practice immortal cultivation can take a life with just the flick of a finger or the toss of a leaf; what use is high martial skill?"

"What immortal cultivation?" Gu Ernu asked, puzzled. "I’ve roamed the world for many years and have yet to see anyone take a life with just a flick of a finger or a leaf. The most impressive I’ve seen was an old monk who left me dizzy."

"That old monk is said to be the number one master in the world, a venerable figure of our times."

Gu Wen felt intrigued and inquired, "Where is this person Second Brother speaks of now?"

"Just outside the city in a small temple. Why, has the Sixth Brother taken an interest?"

"Let’s go have a look."

Gu Wen stood up, his empty state of mind filling with a smidgen of ambition.

The venerable figure of our times, why shouldn’t I try for that title?

Gu Ernu laughed heartily, his towering frame rising as he hooked his arm around Gu Wen and walked out of the residence.

"Absolutely not," Gu Sanyou muttered his catchphrase, quickly stepping in front of them, "Now is a time of famine, beyond the city are nothing but refugees."

"Get out of the way."

Gu Ernu shoved Gu Sanyou aside with a palm, sending him crashing heavily to the ground. The other family members turned a blind eye, for relatives should be harmonious, and brothers should not resort to violence.

Yet in the Gu family, it appeared as common as anything.