Before long, Hoshino Kannon fell into a deep sleep, soothed by Gu Chenan's reassurances.
Not long after, Li Rufeng and his entourage entered the Xiao Family residence.
Hearing the commotion, Gu Chenan gently slipped his hand from Hoshino Kannon's grasp, tucked her in, and proceeded to the main hall.
In the main hall, Li Rufeng's disciples had all sustained injuries, though none were life-threatening.
Li Rufeng provided them with basic treatment.
"Master Li, thank you for your timely assistance," Xiao Jian said politely.
The Li Family and the Xiao Family were both prominent clans in Suhang, but while the former specialized in martial arts instruction, the latter focused on business.
In modern-day Suhang, martial arts were no longer an essential skill, leading to a decline in students and the Li Family's fortunes.
Li Rufeng was deeply dissatisfied with this state of affairs and felt insecure in the presence of the business tycoons like the Xiao Family.
Thus, when Xiao Jian showed him such courtesy, Li Rufeng finally vented the pent-up frustration he had harbored for years.
With an arrogant air, he declared, "Master Xiao, despite their injuries today, my disciples never retreated an inch. That's the spirit of the Li Family – we'd rather die than yield!"
Catching sight of Gu Chenan, who had just entered the main hall, he sneered, "Unlike others who dared not even lift a finger against the Black Owl!"
Li Rufeng had not witnessed Gu Chenan killing Gong Fei, the leader of the Black Owl assassins, and thus believed Gu Chenan had not contributed at all.
Gu Chenan strode forward and stopped beside the martial arts practitioners.
"Master Xiao, have the injured and unconscious outside received medical attention?"
Xiao Jian quickly nodded. "I've arranged for them to be taken to the Xiao Family hospital for treatment."
"Good."
Gu Chenan then sighed regretfully, "Alas, it's all my fault."
His words immediately drew puzzled looks from Xiao Jian, his daughter, and the martial artists present.
"Young Master Gu, how could this be your fault? Today..."
Xiao Jian attempted to absolve Gu Chenan, but the latter raised his hand to stop him.
"If we had arrived sooner, fewer lives would have been lost," Gu Chenan continued.
"Hmph!"
Li Rufeng scoffed coldly. "Young Master Gu seems to think highly of himself. Even if you had come earlier, you still wouldn't have dared to act."
A faint smile crossed Gu Chenan's lips as he abruptly addressed Li Rufeng, "We meet again, Master Li."
Hearing this, Xiao Jian and the martial artists were taken aback.
Meet again?
What did that mean?
When had Young Master Gu and Master Li crossed paths?
Li Rufeng was also momentarily stunned.
Thinking Gu Chenan was informing everyone about their earlier encounter, he explained, "Today, I merely wanted to test Young Master Gu's skills, nothing more."
This statement only added to the confusion.
Test Young Master Gu's skills?
And today?
Young Master Gu had just said he was delayed by certain matters.
Could it be...?
The martial artists exchanged glances before asking Li Rufeng, "Master Li, are you saying Young Master Gu's late arrival was due to your interference?"
"I..." Li Rufeng hesitated at this.
But a moment later, he regained his confidence. "So what if I did impede Young Master Gu? If not for the timely arrival of my disciples and me today, who knows what might have happened!"
As he spoke, Li Rufeng pulled open his robe, revealing a scar. "In my battle with the Black Owl's leader, I too sustained this injury. That leader was formidable – aside from me, who in Suhang could have defeated him?"
The leader?
Xiao Jian and the martial artists exchanged puzzled looks upon hearing this.
Hadn't Young Master Gu already killed the Black Owl's leader? Who was this leader Li Rufeng spoke of?
Before they could ponder further, Gu Chenan raised an eyebrow. "Master Li, which leader are you referring to?"
"Hmph!"
Li Rufeng grew even more arrogant, convinced that Gu Chenan was unaware of the situation.
"The leader I killed was incredibly powerful. It's only natural you wouldn't know about him."
The others now understood.
The leader Li Rufeng mentioned must have been one of the remaining Black Owl squad leaders.
Li Rufeng then cast a disdainful glance at the group before boasting arrogantly, "Indeed, I intercepted Young Master Gu today – all to avenge my disciple Liang Bufan!"
"But think about it, even if Young Master Gu had arrived earlier, could he have killed the Black Owl's leader like I did?"
His cold, piercing gaze fell on Gu Chenan. "Since Young Master Gu is here, I might as well demand an explanation for Liang Bufan!"
At that moment, Li Rufeng brimmed with utter confidence.
He believed that by eliminating the Black Owl assassins, he had effectively saved the Xiao Family and the martial artists present.
Thus, when he confronted Gu Chenan, they would undoubtedly take his side!
This would allow him to force Gu Chenan to apologize to Liang Bufan in front of everyone!
Of course, the thought of killing Gu Chenan had never crossed his mind since their earlier clash.
As long as Gu Chenan sincerely apologized to Liang Bufan, Li Rufeng would forgive him.
However, Li Rufeng's words caused Xiao Jian and the martial artists to turn grave.
Especially the latter group.
They had witnessed Gu Chenan's capabilities firsthand. If he had arrived sooner, the Black Owl would not have claimed so many lives!
And all of this was due to Li Rufeng's desire to demand an explanation for Liang Bufan!
Never mind that Liang Bufan had his arms crippled for attempting to poison Gu Chenan.
Just considering today's events, Young Master Gu had single-handedly slain the Black Owl's leader when the Xiao Family faced imminent peril!
Moreover, and most crucially, Young Master Gu had never mentioned the reason for his late arrival!
In fact, he had said that explaining the reason would benefit no one!
Yet Li Rufeng, instead of expressing gratitude, acted arrogantly and made unreasonable demands!
One man prioritized the greater good and refrained from assigning blame.
The other was consumed by arrogance and self-importance!
Comparing the two, the verdict was clear!
"Master Li, do you know who the Black Owl's true leader was?" one of the martial artists asked coldly.
Li Rufeng frowned in puzzlement. "Of course I do. He's the one I killed. Our skills were evenly matched, and had it not been for my numerous disciples, I might not have emerged victorious."
"Heh."
The martial artists let out a derisive laugh. "The one you killed was merely a Black Owl squad leader. The real leader was slain by Young Master Gu before you even arrived."
"What?!" Li Rufeng's brow furrowed in disbelief. "Impossible, the man I fought was incredibly powerful – he must have been the leader!"
The martial artists had no intention of arguing further. "Master Li, your disciple Liang Bufan had his arms crippled for attempting to poison Young Master Gu. Shouldn't Young Master Gu be the one demanding an explanation?"
They stepped forward. "In fact, since you're here today, allow us to help Young Master Gu obtain that explanation."
"Why did you impede Young Master Gu, causing so many unnecessary deaths?"
At that moment, the previously neutral martial artists of Suhang firmly sided with Gu Chenan.
"Master Li, I see now," Xiao Jian said, his expression icy. "You obstructed Young Master Gu's arrival, causing grievous losses for my Xiao Family!"
"Today, you owe the Xiao Family an explanation!"
or! A blessing for those who struggle with love, a guidebook for dating novices. Quickly match with your dream goddess! Complete walkthroughs earn rewards, and perfect walkthroughs unlock limited achievements!】 Shen Yi, an ordinary office worker, accidentally downloads a mini-game called Dating Simulator. The mini-game is simple: randomly search for dating targets, simulate dates, and receive rewards upon successful confession. Rewards include but are not limited to money, attributes, and skills. The higher the evaluation, the better the rewards, with perfect ratings unlocking mysterious achievements. Shen Yi plans to use this mysterious mini-game to continuously pursue targets and improve himself, making his life better and better. ...... However, after several successful walkthroughs, Shen Yi suddenly notices something strange - the targets he previously simulated dating seem to be searching for him in real life?
Cheng's father told him he was getting remarried—to a wealthy woman. Cao Cheng realized his time had finally come: he was about to become a second-generation rich kid. Sure, it might be a watered-down version, but hey, at least he'd have status now, right? The wealthy woman also had four daughters!! Which meant, starting today, Cao Cheng gained four stunning older sisters?? But that wasn't even the whole story... "My name is Cao Cheng—'Cheng' as in 'honest, smooth-talking gentleman'!"
ine. During your journey, you save an abandoned baby girl and become her elder brother】 【You rely on each other, becoming each other's support】 【At the end of the simulation, you shield the now-grown girl with your life, sacrificing yourself to block numerous demonic cultivators. You die, and the light in the girl's eyes fades】 …… 【Second Simulation: You are transported to a world where steam and magic coexist】 【You immerse yourself in the study of magic, obsessed with its research. One day, while out, you encounter a half-blooded demon girl wandering the streets. You take her in as your student】 【You teach the demoness what it means to be human, show her the beauty of the world, and nurture her into a miracle that surpasses even the gods】 【At the end of the simulation, you die of old age in front of the nearly immortal demoness due to your mortal lifespan】 …… One simulation after another, one encounter after another. Xu Xi suddenly felt something was off: "Wait, you said you're coming to the real world to find me?"
shall grant"] ["Inscribing the glory of our race upon tombstones"] ["All that is threatened, I shall protect"] How his younger sister sees her brother: A brother who only makes eye contact once a day, mostly fading into the background as he tinkers with who-knows-what in his room all day. Their life paths should have remained largely separate. Until one day. Su Qi created an equipment card for his never-met "online girlfriend." His sister fell into silent contemplation upon receiving the "white stockings." [Card can be upgraded] [Upgrade by fulfilling any of the following conditions] [Condition ①: Consume one hundred higher-tier cards] [Condition ②: Complete one 'Heart-Pounding Adventure'] What constitutes a Heart-Pounding Adventure? [Heart-Pounding Adventure (Beginner Level): Equip the card and invite 'Su Qi' to admire it.] [Heart-Pounding Adventure (Easy Level): Equip the card, invite 'Su Qi' to touch it, and analyze the equipment's texture.] [Heart-Pounding Adventure (Entry Level): Equip the card and invite 'Su Qi' to...] [Heart-Pounding Adventure (Challenge Level): Freely combine the words 'Brother' 'Out' 'Brother' 'Me' 'Please' into a complete sentence...] "Please help me analyze both teams' mistakes in this match, brother..." His sister exhaled in relief—surely... surely there couldn't be anything more difficult? [Heart-Pounding Adventure (Suicide Mission Level): Sneak a peek at the names of the galgames in 'Su Qi's' hidden E-drive folder]
