Light Fortress
Chapter 412 - 84: Family Feast (Seeking Monthly Votes)_2

Chapter 412: Chapter 84: Family Feast (Seeking Monthly Votes)_2

Gu Nanfeng slowly said, "So... I chose to leave the North Continent and set off to solve the issue."

"And when I really returned to the East Continent and understood the Awakening Bill, I became even more certain... the advancement of this bill would absolutely tear the East Continent apart," Gu Nanfeng said in a deep voice, "So... I must stop the bill from passing."

The elder’s voice was also low, "Where’s the evidence?"

"There is no evidence."

Gu Nanfeng shook his head and said, "If you don’t believe me... then even if I found evidence, it would be useless."

"You have to know... on the issue of this bill, Changye’s stance has always been neutral. The members of the Gu Family New Faction have never publicly expressed support for the bill," Gu Qilin frowned, "If they had any connection with the Outer Continent, they would just need to strongly support it."

"If they knew the outcome was already determined, why would they need to take a stance?"

Gu Nanfeng just laughed lightly and said, "You should know, if Zhao Xilai hadn’t suddenly changed his mind, the bill would have been pushed through. Changye’s silence is the best support."

The old man fell into deep thought.

Indeed.

If those new faction members had shown even the slightest interest in the bill’s advancement process, he would have noticed.

At that time, the old faction would definitely have been on guard.

But there had been absolutely no reaction... either they completely didn’t care, or they were certain the outcome would develop as they expected.

"If what you’re saying is true..."

The old man lowered his eyes slightly and said, "Then war is indeed unavoidable."

When the new faction of the Gu family colluded with the Outer Continent.

Then no matter the situation of the person within Qingzhong... a "fire seed" dispute would inevitably break out sooner or later.

"This is the reason I urgently wanted to see you."

Gu Nanfeng took a deep breath and said, "After leaving Changye for eight years, neither side of the Gu family would recognize my ’Family Head’ status. To advance the negotiations between Changye and Da Du, no matter how much I called, I wouldn’t get support."

"These negotiations... aren’t as simple as you think."

The old man shook his head again, "The current old faction is just half of the Gu family, and doesn’t represent Changye."

"In fact, I’ve thought about this..."

Gu Nanfeng said, "If Changye is willing to negotiate with Da Du, then the problem could likely be resolved. But even if the negotiations couldn’t proceed, I just need the bill’s review to be rejected, and Changye to remain neutral."

"..."

The old man looked deeply at his great-nephew.

"Just a while ago, before you came back, Gu Lushen talked to me once."

"The contents of that conversation were very simple..."

"He was willing to merge, to let the Gu family become whole again, and then hand over power between the new and old factions... Although it’s hard to reforge a shattered mirror, this superficial form of merging would inevitably have many gaps, but at least it would be nominally ’unified.’"

Looking at the current situation in Changye, the divided Gu family had gradually shown signs of decline.

Only by merging could they continue to hold the position as the top family in Changye.

And in this situation, even a nominal unity would be enough to form a "deterrent" to the other four big families!

Especially... the Bai Family!

For the old faction that had been struggling for eight years, this proposal was practically a godsend.

"However, Gu Lushen had one requirement."

The old man smiled and said, "He demanded that the Gu family abolish the ’Family Head’ system."

Gu Shen, who had been listening, slightly narrowed his eyes.

"And Gu Lushen gave a very reasonable explanation. Because of the battle of [Angel Envoy] in Dadu District, the Central Federation re-confirmed the survival of Gu Changzhi in Qingzhong. If Gu Changzhi is still alive, then the name ’Family Head’ set by the Tomb Guardian becomes absurd and laughable. Aside from Gu Changzhi, no one is qualified to be the true head of the Gu family."

Gu Nanfeng also agreed with this point.

Even though he had cultivated to a very high level in the North Continent... he couldn’t compare with the former.

"And if Mr. Gu Changzhi isn’t as the world expects... alive. Then the existence of the ’Family Head’ is meaningless. Because the ’fire seed’ within Qingzhong would find a new master."

Hearing this, Gu Nanfeng silently lowered his head.

He understood Gu Lushen’s intention.

This was indeed an impeccable... reason.

"I refused him."

The old man observed his great-nephew’s expression and softly spoke.

Refused... Gu Shen’s eyes showed some surprise.

At this critical moment... refusing the merge required a lot of courage.

Gu Nanfeng lifted his head in confusion, "Why... why?"

"Nodding, shaking your head, these are very simple actions... do they require a reason?"

The old man said calmly, "Regarding the term ’Family Head,’ I know you once didn’t care at all, even wanting to throw it away, the farther the better... But now you want to hold onto it, wishing the entire Snow Forbidden City knew it belonged to you."

"This is human nature, I was like you before."

"So... I’m very pleased. You came back this time to reclaim what belongs to you."

Gu Qilin stood up, patted Gu Nanfeng on the shoulder, and said, "Here’s a ’gift’... I left it for you. Take a good look."

After standing up, he took out a not-so-thick document folder and placed it in front of Gu Nanfeng.

The old man left the private room.

Before passing by Gu Shen, he asked gently with a smile, "Are you full?"

Gu Shen was startled and quickly wiped his mouth.

The old man nodded and said, "Since you’re full... come out with me for a bit."

...

...

The rooftop of the Jiangbei Hotel.

The wind was a bit strong.

Thin snowflakes scattered in the air, ice chips fell in the wind, and with a bit stronger breath, white mist would puff out.

The old man stood on the rooftop, looking far into the distance at Snow Forbidden City, where rows of old buildings, with their lights, outlined a tranquil and peaceful picture...

"It’s the first time meeting, don’t be nervous."

Gu Qilin gently said, trying to make his voice sound kind.

But the aura of this old man, along with the killing intent in his eyebrows, made it really hard not to feel nervous.

"I will forget the words just now..." Gu Shen sighed softly, "The reason you invited me to this meal... I still don’t understand."

Gu Qilin raised his eyebrows.

He said sincerely, "Actually, during the meal... I telepathically told Gu Nanfeng to say something, but he refused, so the meal was very..."

"Solemn," Gu Shen thought for a moment and said the word for him.

"Hmm..." the old man nodded.

The scene fell into a freeze again.

Gu Shen didn’t expect... at the dining table, he wasn’t the only one wanting to say something.

"These words, you don’t need to forget. You can remember them, just don’t spread them."

Gu Qilin spoke again, "It’s not really any secret either. The Gu family’s messy affairs, the entire Changye knows about them... And the matter of ’Light City’ that Nanfeng voluntarily mentioned, your acting was a bit clumsy."

Gu Shen blinked his eyes.

Was it really?

His acting... hadn’t failed yet.

"Brother Nanfeng told me... You wanted to see me not because of my close ties with the Flower Flag, nor because I am a heir of Divination Skill..." Gu Shen seriously asked, "If it was just an ordinary meal, I wouldn’t think much. But after dinner today, I learned so much information, it was really hard to sleep peacefully."

"Is that so?" The old man laughed, "I saw you eating quite happily, just reluctant to leave."

Gu Shen was somewhat helpless, and cautiously asked, "Or perhaps, you don’t care about those identities of mine... and just wanted to let those outside know you met with me and talked."

The wind on the rooftop was very strong.

There were many Wind Eyes too.

"How dare those eyes directly look at me?" The old man said flatly, "Those are tricks of the juniors... Do I need to be so scheming? Compared to the last genius from the Gu family... you still fall short."

Gu Shen was abruptly choked.

"If you must ask for a reason..."

Gu Qilin smiled warmly, "It’s because we share the surname Gu. I find you more agreeable, so I invited you to this family banquet."

...

...

(There will be another big Chapter tonight, asking for votes~)