Upon hearing that Gu Chen had cleared the nightmare-level bone dungeon, Gu Qingfeng was filled with anxiety.
He had never wanted to see his son more than now.
After returning from the wilderness, he made a point of visiting Gu Chen's school and inquired with his homeroom teacher, Jiang Songhua, about Gu Chen's daily life. He then realized the injustice his son had endured.
Especially after discovering the reason Gu Chen had killed Li Renjie, Gu Qingfeng felt a surge of remorse.
If he had known about his son's situation sooner, Gu Chen wouldn't have been forced into the wilderness in desperation.
The Li family in Lincheng would have been even less likely to bully his son.
He could have simply revealed Gu Chen's identity. Who in the entire northern region would have dared to touch his son?
But he didn't.
It was his inaction that had led to all the hardships Gu Chen had endured since childhood.
Now, Gu Chen not only survived but also successfully cleared the nightmare-level bone dungeon—a miracle.
Gu Qingfeng couldn't wait to see Gu Chen. He had already made up his mind to make up for all that Gu Chen had missed out on over the years.
However, at this moment, Qin Yun suddenly said, "Your Majesty, don't be anxious. You can't go over now."
Gu Qingfeng turned his head to look at Qin Yun, his face suddenly cold, "What? Don't you want me to find Chen'er?"
"No, Your Majesty, that's not what I mean. Chen'er has just come out of the abyss and should be planning to return to Lincheng. If we go out of the city to look for him at this time, I'm afraid we'll find nothing." "
Besides, I don't know if he's calmed down now. If we find Chen'er and he doesn't want to see us, wouldn't that be a joke?"
"Your Majesty, think about it. Chen'er would rather be hunted down by the Li family of Lincheng and flee into the wilderness than reveal his identity. In my opinion, he still has some resentment in his heart."
Gu Qingfeng's face changed slightly. The reason why his son was hunted down by the Li family of Lincheng was mainly because he didn't announce Gu Chen's identity to the public. This was his responsibility.
But taking a step back, if he hadn't announced it publicly, wouldn't Gu Chen reveal his family background?
If Gu Chen revealed his background to the public, even if the Li family didn't believe it, they would definitely not dare to act rashly.
Thinking of this, Gu Qingfeng's face darkened slightly. "Madam, what do you think we should do?"
Qin Yun said with ill intentions, "Your Majesty, Chen'er's successful clearance of the Bone Burial Dungeon is a great thing. In my opinion, we should hold a celebration banquet for him in Lincheng. Firstly, it will be a welcome for him, and secondly, it will be an apology to him."
Gu Qingfeng agreed with the first half of the sentence, but the second half directly angered him.
"Apologize?" Gu Qingfeng's face suddenly darkened. "In this world, what father would admit his mistakes to his son? If this matter gets out, how will the world view me, Gu Qingfeng?"
"I have treated Chen'er wrongfully, and I will naturally make it up to him doubly. As for the apology, hmph, I don't want to hear about it again."
Gu Qingfeng is the War King of the Northern Territory. As a king, his power is unparalleled. How could he bow his head so easily?
He knew he was wrong and could correct it, but he would never admit it.
Qin Yun's face was troubled. "Then what do you say? Chen'er was forced to leave by you. How can he come back if you don't make a statement?"
Gu He, the housekeeper, silently rolled his eyes at Qin Yun's words. "That kneeling that day forced him to leave, and now you're the first to complain? You 're
turning against Tian Gang, aren't you?"
Gu Qingfeng frowned slightly. Although he desperately wanted to see Gu Chen, he calmed down after knowing that Gu Chen's life was not in danger.
He hadn't slept a wink in a day and a night trying to find Gu Chen.
But Qin Yun's words suddenly made him realize that Gu Chen had no intention of returning home.
Could this kid still hold a grudge against him?
Recalling the insults Gu Chen had hurled at him in the Gu family hall that day, Gu Qingfeng suddenly felt a surge of anger.
His son would rather be hunted, exiled to the wilderness, and even risk his life in the abyss than come to him, his father?
Was he trying to break off all ties with him?
Thinking of this, Gu Qingfeng couldn't help but feel annoyed. Even though he had been a bit strict with Gu Chen over the years, it was all for Gu Chen's own good!
As the saying goes, steel is made through hardship. Although Gu Chen had suffered for eighteen years, look at his current achievements. Which of his peers could do the same?
Just ask, in the entire Shenxia Empire, which level 10 professional could clear the Nightmare Abyss on his own without the resources of the guild or the family?
Throughout history, only Gu Chen has done that!
And this just proves that his educational philosophy is correct!
His repressive education is not wrong!
If it weren't for those hardships that transformed Gu Chen, I'm afraid the current Gu Chen would have been buried by everyone long ago.
Thinking of this, Gu Qingfeng suddenly felt a little angry. It was his education that allowed Gu Chen to reach his current height, but not only did Gu Chen not feel grateful, he even held a grudge against him.
"Hmph, this kid's been hanging around out there since he was little, picking up all the scoundrels' arrogance and not knowing what's good and what's bad. If we don't crack him down while he's still young, who knows what trouble he'll cause in the future."
Qin Yun smiled faintly, "I think you're just too strict with Chen'er. Suppress him, if you can. Ci'er's your son too, why haven't you ever suppressed Ci'er?"
Qin Yun's words were ostensibly meant to excuse Gu Chen, but the mention of Gu Ci only solidified Gu Qingfeng's resolve.
His second son, Gu Ci, had been by his side since childhood, a man of excellent character and academic ability, gentle, respectful, and frugal.
He was certain that if the same thing happened to Gu Ci, he wouldn't go to the extent of severing ties with him, as Gu Chen had.
"I raised Ci'er myself. He's always been filial to our parents and has never caused any trouble. Why should I suppress him?"
At this point, Gu Qingfeng snorted coldly. "As for Chen'er, I've neglected his character development over the years. Although he's made some progress now, if we don't correct this, he'll surely become a disaster in the future."
After discussing it with Qin Yun, Gu Qingfeng had made up his mind.
Gu Chen was the eldest son of the Northern Royal Family. This kind of temper must be severely suppressed. Otherwise, how could I take over his leadership of the Northern Territory in the future?
From the side, housekeeper Gu He listened to their conversation, feeling a chill growing in his heart.
No wonder Gu Chen would rather enter the abyss than return to the Gu family. Just thinking about this kind of repressive upbringing was suffocating.
Go home?
Go back and continue to face criticism and oppression?
No sane person would choose such a life.
Gu Qingfeng pondered for a moment and whispered, "Xu Lai."
Xu Lai's body trembled and he quickly bowed, "Your Majesty, I'm here!"
"What's going on with Gu Chen's recommendation?"
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I will immediately issue a city-wide announcement and confirm the recommendation quota for Master Gu Chen as quickly as possible."
"No need, Gu Chen is my son. He doesn't need to take up your Lincheng quota. You go tell Gu Chen that if he still wants a recommendation quota for the Beijing Academy, let him come to Gubei City to see me."
"Yes, I will definitely convey the king's words to Master Gu Chen."
Gu Qingfeng said nothing more, flicked his sleeves, turned around and left.