The moon, round like a wheel, peeked faintly through drifting clouds.
Under its dim glow, the academy elder moved quickly along the path, his face occasionally illuminated by moonlight.
He knew how cruel this world could be—Gu Masters often disappeared without a trace, and such disappearances typically meant death.
While most people could die without much consequence, Jia Jin Sheng couldn't—especially not in Gu Yue Village.
Jia Jin Sheng's background was too significant. His father was the leader of the Jia clan, and his brother, Jia Fu, was a Rank Four Gu Master.
Rank Four Gu Masters held yellow-gold primeval essence and had powerful combat capabilities. In the Gu Yue clan, only the clan leader could rival that strength; the rest of the elders were merely Rank Three.
Even more daunting, Jia Jin Sheng's father—the Jia clan leader—was a Rank Five Gu Master. Under his leadership, the Jia clan flourished, becoming a large, powerful clan. They owned an entire mountain and had a vast number of clansmen. Compared to them, Gu Yue clan was only mid-sized.
If conflict erupted between the two clans, Gu Yue Village would undoubtedly suffer the greater loss.
But the real danger wasn't just physical. If news of Jia Jin Sheng's death leaked out, it would severely damage the Gu Yue clan's reputation.
Merchants, who were careful in choosing trade routes, would start avoiding the village.
Without external trade, Gu Yue wouldn't be able to sell their excess resources or buy what they lacked. Over time, this would lead to the clan's decline.
"This matter is severe, if we do not handle it well, it would be a disaster!" The academy elder worriedly rushed towards the clan head's pavilion.
Once the academy elder entered the clan head's conference hall, he was immediately met with a heavy, serious atmosphere.
Gu Yue Bo, the current clan leader, sat in the main seat.
In the center stood the stout Jia Fu, surrounded by five or six of his subordinates, clearly there to confront and accuse.
The room was well-lit, revealing the stern expressions of the clan elders standing beside their chairs.
Despite being elders, they didn't dare sit—Jia Fu was a Rank Four Gu Master, while they were only Rank Three.
His presence alone commanded submission.
This wasn't just intimidation—it was respect for strength.
"Greetings…." The clan elders were about to pay their respects, but they were stopped by the clan leader Gu Yue Bo's hands.
Gu Yue Bo, who had grizzled white hair, was rubbing his temples with a distressed expression. "I'm not going to say more about the matter. The clan academy is always under your supervision. Let me ask you, where is Gu Yue Fang Yuan?"
The academy elder was shocked. Internally, he thought, how does this have to do with that brat Fang Yuan?
He answered politely, "At this timing, he should be cultivating in the academy hostel."
The clan leader sighed. "Brother Jia is very suspicious now. He thinks that his brother Jia Jin Sheng's disappearance has something to do with Fang Yuan. I order you to go and bring him here immediately."
The academy elder shuddered inwardly. "Yes!"
He understood the severity of the issue and quickly paid his respects before turning and leaving.
"Brother Jia, that Fang Yuan will be brought here immediately. Have a seat." Gu Yue Bo gestured toward a nearby chair and addressed Jia Fu.
Jia Fu gave a bitter laugh, cupping his fists at Gu Yue Bo. "I apologise to Brother Gu Yue! I was really anxious then. It has already been days since I've seen my brother. I fear for the worst. I really cannot afford to wait."
Some things are only truly understood after they're lost.
It was only in the past few days that Jia Fu realized the reason his father had paired him with the troublesome Jia Jin Sheng during the caravan journey. It had been a test of character—to see if Jia Fu could maintain their brotherly bond while still keeping his unruly sibling in check and caring for him.
Now, with Jia Jin Sheng possibly dead, Jia Fu feared how his father might judge him.
Once he grasped this, Jia Fu immediately launched an investigation within the caravan and soon zeroed in on Gu Yue Village.
He rushed back without rest.
Now, as he stood rather than sat, it was to show his resolve in seeking justice. This stance not only pressured the Gu Yue clan but also served to reassure his father once he returned to the Jia family.
"Reporting to clan leader sir, Fang Yuan has been brought here." Quickly, the academy elder brought Fang Yuan to the hall.
"Gu Yue Fang Yuan pays his respects to clan elder, Sir Jia Fu, and the various clan elders," Fang Yuan said with an expressionless face.
"It's him?" Jia Fu coldly observed Fang Yuan, at the same time, asked a female Gu Master.
This female Gu Master was the one who Fang Yuan bought the purple gold rock from at the gambling den.
"Yes, it's him! There is no mistake," The female Gu Master stared at Fang Yuan, saying confidently.
Jia Fu gave a nod, and his gaze turned sharp like twin steel blades, slicing into Fang Yuan.
However, he didn't question Fang Yuan directly—after all, this was Gu Yue Village, and he needed to show some courtesy to the Gu Yue clan leader.
Instead, he turned his attention to the clan head.
The Gu Yue clan leader maintained a stern expression.
He understood clearly that Jia Fu had deliberately spoken to the female Gu Master in a loud voice—not just to confirm Fang Yuan's identity, but to signal his intentions.
The message was clear: Jia Fu was telling him, 'I have solid evidence, so don't try too hard to protect your own clansman.'
This caused some displeasure in the Gu Yue clan leader's heart, thinking, "You Jia Fu lost your brother, it was your mistake to begin with. Now you come here to our Gu Yue village with an accusative stance, do you think my Gu Yue clan can be easily bullied? My Gu Yue clan is impartial and works around based on logic, but don't be mistaken that this is a weakness!"
Thinking of this, he did not interrogate Fang Yuan immediately, but fiercely said to the female Gu Master, "Did you see clearly? I'm not afraid to tell you this, but Fang Yuan has a twin brother who looks extremely identical to him, are you really sure it's him?"
The female Gu Master was just a Rank one, and under Gu Yue Bo's pressure, she instantly showed a hesitant and nervous expression.
Jia Fu frowned and took a step forward, blocking her from Gu Yue Bo's sight. Cupping his fists, he said, "Brother Gu Yue, I've always respected the Gu Yue clan. Especially the Gu Yue clan's first and fourth clan leader, these two were Rank five powerhouses. One built the clan from scratch, where he went through tough times and created the Gu Yue family's hundred year foundation. Another was a benevolent hero, for to protect his clan he sacrificed himself, and is worth respecting. Brother Gu Yue, as the clan leader, I believe you will act impartial, please interrogate this Fang Yuan."
Hearing the softened tone, Gu Yue Bo gave a nod, though he had already made up his mind.
If Fang Yuan turned out to be the culprit, he would be handed over—after all, being only a C-grade talent, losing him meant little if it could resolve the conflict.
But if Fang Zheng was responsible, then Fang Yuan would still have to take the fall. Fang Zheng was an A-grade talent, the only one in three years, and the clan's leadership had high hopes for him—he was their chosen one to contend with Bai Ning Bing of the Bai clan.
"Fang Yuan, don't be nervous." Gu Yue clan leader smiled benevolently, using a gentle tone towards Fang Yuan, "Let me ask you, do you know any information about that Jia Jin Sheng?"
"Who is Jia Jin Sheng?" Fang Yuan looked up and said calmly.
"He's lying!" The female Gu Master from the gambling den shrieked right as Fang Yuan finished his question.
The people in the discussion hall, upon hearing this shrieking, frowned and all looked towards her.
The female Gu Master pointed at Fang Yuan, showing an agitated expression, "It's him, it's him! At our gambling den, he bought six purple gold rocks, and the fifth was a mudskin toad. Young master Jia saw it and tried to use five hundred primeval stones to purchase it. This left a huge impression on me, even if a year or two passes I will not forget. Not only me, but the other Gu Masters at the gambling den saw it too."
"Is that so…" The Gu Yue clan leader's smiled disappeared, showing a stiff expression and dragging his question towards Fang Yuan.
Fang Yuan only nodded now, showing a hint of nervousness, and pretended to suddenly realize, "Oh it's him. Alright, if he's Jia Jin Sheng, then I do know him. But after the gambling den incident, I did not see him ever again."
"He's lying again!" This time, it was not the female Gu Master, but a male Gu Master who called out in public.
Fang Yuan turned to face him, and appeared momentarily surprised as though he recognized the man, but quickly concealed his reaction.
His shifting expression did not escape the eyes of those present.
This made everyone start to reflect and speculate.
"Esteemed sirs, I am an employee at the wine shop." The male Gu Master first cupped his fists to everyone, and then vigorously pointed at Fang Yuan, "That night, I saw clearly at the wine shop, he was sitting with young master Jia Jin Sheng, and the two secretly conversed for a long time!"
Once he said so, the hall erupted into a clammer of soft discussions.
The academy elder used a cold gaze and looked at Fang Yuan.
The Gu Yue clan master moved backwards slightly, slowly leaning on the large chair.
"How can that be!" Fang Yuan showed an obviously frantic expression, hurriedly saying, "The wine shop had so many people, how can you recognise me just like that? You might be mistaken yourself!"
"Haha, I am definitely not wrong." The male Gu Master smiled, his gaze staring at Fang Yuan, at this moment he felt extremely confident.
"Not to mention it was young master Jia Jin Sheng who coming to our wine shop, we have to take care of him carefully. Even if it was not him, I would still have had recognised you, as you had given me a strong impression!"
Saying so, he raised his eyebrows, saying smugly, "Do you still remember? That day you came to our shop, wanting a cup of monkey wine. But you only drank a mouthful. After that you released the Liquor worm and fed the remaining monkey wine to it. I saw the Liquor worm and was very agitated, wanting to purchase it from you but you refused to sell it and walked away immediately!"
"Good, exactly what I wanted to hear." Fang Yuan laughed coldly in his heart, but showed an expression of shock on his face, subconsciously taking a step backwards.
"Liquor worm!" The eyes of the academy elder behind Fang Yuan shone.
But quickly he frowned again, and could not help but ask, "Fang Yuan, where did you get that Liquor worm?"
Fang Yuan clenched his fists, gritting his teeth, but refusing to answer.
The surrounding clan elders flew into a rage, starting to scowl.
"Fang Yuan, do you know the trouble you've caused!"
"Talk, exactly what happened?"
"Tell us of what you know, own up. This Liquor worm, is it Jia Jin Sheng's?"
"How can it be his? The Liquor worm is obviously obtained by myself! I opened it!" Fang Yuan raised his head suddenly, his expression worked up, as if he could not stand such a slander, and shouted loudly with an indignant emotion.