Gu Zhen leaned slightly forward, his palm pressing against the wooden armrest before him.
His gaze hardened as it fixed on Gu Qinghe, as if trying to pierce through the calm surface on his son's face and uncover what was truly hidden beneath.
The words Gu Qinghe had just spoken felt… off.
Not because of their content—but because of the person who said them.
Gu Qinghe had lived in the Gu clan mansion since childhood. He had grown up careless, spoiled, and lazy.
Many clan elders had tried to advise him, only to be met with stubborn indifference. His mind had been filled with nothing but women and wine. He had never cared about cultivation, let alone sects.
Yet today, Gu Zhen sensed something different.
And it wasn't just him.
Several elders seated along the sides of the hall exchanged glances, clearly aware of the change as well.
The air inside the hall grew heavier, as if a thin, invisible tension had settled over the space.
"Among all the sects in the Song Kingdom," Gu Zhen finally asked, his voice low and firm, "why the Yin-Yang Sect?"
His tone was flat, yet laced with pressure.
This wasn't a casual question.
It was a test.
Gu Qinghe lifted his head. His posture remained straight, his shoulders relaxed, his breathing steady.
He didn't rush to answer, as though his response had been prepared long before the question was ever asked.
"Ever since I attended the summoning ritual with Elder Sister Gu Yanxue," he said slowly, "I saw them."
"Saw who?" Gu Zhen frowned.
"The women of the Yin-Yang Sect," Gu Qinghe replied without hesitation. "They… interest me."
Silence fell over the entire hall.
A few elders coughed softly. Others struggled to hide their surprise. Gu Yanxue, seated beside Gu Qinghe, froze for a moment before turning to him with a scrutinizing gaze.
Wang Yunxi, who had remained calm the entire time, lowered her eyes slightly. The corner of her lips moved faintly.
Gu Zhen closed his eyes for a brief moment.
"Hah…" He let out a long breath, his voice sounding tired. "In the end, it's still about women."
The words were not an insult.
Nor were they spoken in anger.
They sounded more like a bitter acknowledgment—that his son was still a useless man, driven by worldly desires.
Gu Zhen did not dwell on the topic.
He turned to an elder seated on the left side of the hall. "Prepare a letter of recommendation. Send it directly to the Yin-Yang Sect Master."
The elder stood and clasped his hands. "Understood, Patriarch. The letter will be prepared after the meeting."
Gu Qinghe smiled faintly. He lowered his head and sat back down.
His gaze briefly shifted toward Wang Yunxi. His mother returned it with a gentle smile—calm on the surface, yet hiding deep concern beneath.
Gu Yanxue caught that exchange.
She knew Gu Qinghe's reason was not as simple as he had just claimed.
The clan meeting continued. Gu Zhen moved on to other matters—resource allocation, territorial disputes, relations with neighboring clans.
His voice remained steady and commanding, as always.
Gu Qinghe listened, but didn't truly pay attention. His thoughts had already drifted far away.
Before long, the meeting ended.
Gu Zhen dismissed everyone, including Wang Yunxi.
One by one, they rose and took their leave.
Gu Qinghe, however, did not return to his room.
Instead, he turned toward another corner of the mansion—toward Xiao Mei's residence.
Beneath an old tree, Xiao Mei sat cross-legged.
Spiritual energy flowed steadily around her body, her breathing even and controlled. It was clear she was following every piece of advice Gu Qinghe had given her.
Gu Qinghe stopped a few steps away and stood in silence.
"Xiao Mei."
Her eyelids fluttered open. She immediately stood and bowed. "Young Master Gu Qinghe."
"My father has arrived," Gu Qinghe said bluntly. "And he has ordered that your training be handed over to my sister, Gu Yanxue."
Xiao Mei was startled. "Why? What happened?"
"Just his concern," Gu Qinghe replied. "He's worried I'm not capable enough to train you."
Xiao Mei fell silent. Her brows knit slightly—confusion mixed with curiosity.
"Gu Yanxue is an exceptional woman," Gu Qinghe continued. "She'll train you well. And as Gu Zhen's favored child, she can grant you access to the best facilities."
"From the very beginning," a voice spoke from behind them, "I've been curious."
Xiao Mei turned quickly and bowed deeper. "Miss Gu Yanxue."
Gu Qinghe only glanced sideways, not bothering to turn around.
"Why did you recruit her," Gu Yanxue asked as she stepped closer, "instead of another Holy Envoy?"
"Her qualifications are average," Gu Yanxue added honestly. "Not outstanding, but not poor either."
Gu Qinghe remained silent.
"You still won't tell me, Qinghe?" Gu Yanxue asked, standing beside him.
"No need," Gu Qinghe finally said. "In time, you'll realize she's different."
"Different?" Gu Yanxue smiled faintly.
"See? Your attitude changed again."
She studied Gu Qinghe more deeply. "I've always felt something was off about you."
Gu Qinghe let out a soft sigh. He gestured for Xiao Mei to resume her cultivation. She obeyed and sat down cross-legged again.
Gu Qinghe and Gu Yanxue walked away together.
"Even if her aptitude is average," Gu Qinghe said, "her perseverance is exceptional. Without proper guidance, her talent will be wasted."
"What talent?" Gu Yanxue asked immediately.
"Alchemy."
Gu Yanxue paused. "An alchemist… is worth more than a hundred cultivators."
She looked back at Xiao Mei, still at Qi Refining level three. "So you want me to focus on teaching her pill refinement?"
"Yes."
"And you?" Gu Yanxue looked at Gu Qinghe. "Father is sending you away?"
"I don't have a place here."
Gu Yanxue sighed. "I'll talk to Father about what you've done for Madam Wang Yunxi."
"Don't," Gu Qinghe cut in quickly. "Let him remain unaware. His cultivation is too high. I'm worried he'll grow suspicious."
"Everyone already is," Gu Yanxue replied flatly. "Sooner or later, Father will know."
Gu Qinghe fell silent. He knew she was right.
"Forget Father," he said at last. "Just focus on Xiao Mei."
Gu Yanxue nodded. "Alright."
Not long after, Gu Qinghe prepared to leave.
The letter of recommendation had been completed. Gu Zhen wanted it delivered to the Yin-Yang Sect as soon as possible.
Before departing, Gu Qinghe went to see Wang Yunxi.
The moment he opened the door, Wang Yunxi stepped forward and embraced him.
The touch was gentle, warm, filled with a mother's affection. Gu Qinghe's heartbeat quickened, his eyes closing briefly.
"Please don't hold resentment toward your father," Wang Yunxi said softly.
"I'm not angry," Gu Qinghe replied. "Soone or later, I was going to leave anyway."
Wang Yunxi looked at him deeply. "Is one of your reasons… because of the Ice Meridian Curse in my body?"
"The Yin-Yang Sect specializes in Yin and Yang elements," Gu Qinghe answered honestly. "I want to find a way to cure you."
Wang Yunxi fell silent.
There were many secrets she wanted to speak—about her past, about the origin of the curse—but she chose to remain quiet.
"Be careful," she said at last.
Gu Qinghe nodded and left.
Together with the clan elder, they took flight and departed the city.
In the air, Gu Qinghe asked the elder escorting him, "Who took the Solar Core Flower from Gu Zhen?"
"Hengyue Sect," the elder replied. "They betrayed Lord Gu."
Gu Qinghe narrowed his eyes. Hengyue Sect was only a mid-tier sect. There was no way they could face a Nascent Soul cultivator without outside support.
That was strange.
Suspicion began to grow.
Before long, they arrived at Yi Shan Valley.
The gates of the Yin-Yang Sect stood tall, filled with intertwining Yin and Yang aura.
"I am Gu Han, elder of the Gu Clan," the elder announced to the gate guards.
The gates did not open immediately. One of the guards questioned their purpose. After Gu Han explained, another guard left to notify the sect master.
"When they learn you're the Young Master of a major clan," Gu Han said quietly, "they'll resent you."
"I know," Gu Qinghe replied calmly.
At last, the gates opened.
A sect elder stepped out, smiling warmly. He appeared middle-aged, roughly the same age as Gu Han.
"The Yin-Yang Sect welcomes the Gu Clan," he said. "You must be Gu Qinghe."
Gu Qinghe narrowed his eyes.
He hadn't introduced himself.
And this was their first meeting.
How does he know my name? Who is he?
Both he and Gu Han clasped their hands in greeting.
The sect elder extended his arm. "Please, the Sect Master is already waiting."
Gu Qinghe walked past the sect elder.
That man's gaze lingered on him—unusual, unsettling, carrying something Gu Qinghe couldn't quite grasp.
But it was enough to leave him with a clear impression.
The Yin-Yang Sect… was far more complicated than he had initially thought.