Warm Master and Servant Duo

An unexpected scene left Gu Zihua momentarily stunned.

Instinctively, he began to channel his internal energy.

But then! Bang!

The energy he had summoned was instantly shattered by the incoming punch.

Pfft!

A solid punch landed squarely on Gu Zihua's cheek, producing a crisp sound.

Gu Zihua's body was immediately slammed to the ground by the unimaginable force: "Ugh!!!"

Due to the sheer force, his body even bounced off the ground slightly.

Gu Zihua let out a painful scream, his elegant and composed demeanor shattered. He clutched his face, looking up in disbelief at his younger brother, whom he had always considered a good-for-nothing: "Gu Yan!! Are you crazy?! How dare you hit me?!"

Gu Yan stood still, his face full of disdain and mockery, as he clenched his fists and approached: "As the future heir of the Gu Family, what's the big deal about hitting you a couple of times?"

"What did you say?"

Gu Zihua, unable to get up after the beating, held his face, stunned by Gu Yan's words.

Truthfully, he hadn't expected Gu Yan to act so aggressively in this situation. Everything felt like a dream.

"Idiot, let me repeat it for you."

"The heir's position has always been mine, simply because I am Gu Tianming's son!"

Gu Yan didn't stop. Under Gu Zihua's stunned gaze, he continued to strike: Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!!

"Ugh!! Stop!"

Each punch landed firmly on Gu Zihua's face with precision and force.

Bang! Another punch.

"Gu Yan, stop! Wait! How will Grandfather and Grandmother feel about this?!"

Gu Zihua was going crazy. He never imagined that Gu Yan would dare to attack him, let alone that Gu Yan could actually defeat him.

After all, he was a top-tier martial artist!

Bang! Another punch was the only response.

"Don't bring up irrelevant nonsense. Weren't you going to lecture me? Go ahead and do it now!"

Bang!

"Ugh! Wait!"

By now, Gu Zihua was already beaten to a pulp, his face swollen and bruised. Weakly, he called out to Gu Yan, pleading for him to stop: "I was wrong! I shouldn't have coveted the heir's position! I give up! I give up, okay!"

He cried out in despair.

Gu Yan thought for a moment, then...

Bang!

Another punch!

"Ughhhh!"

Gu Zihua was furious: "Is... is this the magnanimity of an heir?"

At this, Gu Yan shook his head and gave Gu Zihua a smile: "Actually, I don't know if Grandfather and Grandmother have ever considered me the designated heir."

"I just happened to look at you and feel like punching you."

"Whether I'm the heir or not doesn't matter to me. After all, the current head of the family is still my dad."

"Stay still, a few more punches and I'll feel much better."

Bang! Bang! Bang!!!

Gu Zihua's consciousness was fading. He was shocked and couldn't believe that Gu Yan had beaten him just for this reason.

"Ughhhh!!!"

The screams echoed, and after an unknown amount of time, Gu Zihua lost consciousness.

Gu Yan finally stood up.

He looked toward a tree and smiled: "Grandmother, as the heir of both the Dragon King Palace and the Gu Family, is it alright to discipline a family member?"

Grandmother Gu watched the scene with a faint smile.

It seemed she was quite satisfied. She glanced at Xuehua, whose face was pale and whose eyes were on the verge of tears, and said calmly: "Take Zihua back to his room and treat his injuries."

Xuehua nodded, biting her lip as she walked over and helped Gu Zihua to his feet.

She looked up at Gu Yan, her eyes filled with tears, as if questioning why he had to be so harsh.

Gu Yan merely shrugged, pretending not to notice.

After Xuehua helped Gu Zihua leave,

Clap! Clap! Clap!

A round of applause broke the silence.

Grandmother Gu approached with a gentle gaze, accompanied by the elderly man with glasses who had been seen earlier.

She looked at Gu Yan with satisfaction and said softly: "Gu Tianming is the child your grandfather and I valued the most. Not only for his talent, but also for his natural kingly aura."

Grandmother Gu gently stroked Gu Yan's head: "The Gu Family is a massive clan, one that you can hardly imagine. The position of heir is not just about inheritance."

"It also involves things that ordinary people can't even begin to comprehend."

"Your father has the strength to hold this position."

"And you... Little Yan, I see the shadow of your father in you now."

She smiled kindly: "As the heir of the Gu Family, one must be above all else."

"You did well."

At this, Grandmother Gu gently picked up the Dragon King Jade around Gu Yan's neck and praised: "Perhaps this is also the reason you were chosen as the heir of the Dragon King Palace."

She set the jade back down.

Behind her, the elderly man respectfully said: "Madam, what about Xuehua..."

Grandmother Gu's eyes showed a hint of complexity, as if she recalled the night she had found Xuehua in a blizzard.

She shook her head and sighed: "Let it be..."

The fact that her maidservant had fallen in love with her grandson was something she was well aware of.

But considering Xuehua was an orphan she had taken in, she had always turned a blind eye.

Thinking of this, Grandmother Gu spoke gently to Gu Yan: "Little Yan, don't blame your brother. After all, you both share the blood of the Gu Family."

Gu Yan nodded firmly: "I understand, Grandmother. I'm not a petty person."

"Good, that's my good grandson."

Grandmother Gu looked at Gu Yan with increasing satisfaction. Only someone with both courage and a sense of family could be the heir of the Gu Family.

...

...

In Gu Zihua's bedroom.

"Ouch! That bastard, how could he hit so hard!"

Gu Zihua's head was now wrapped in bandages, the physical pain somewhat alleviated.

But the pain in his heart remained undiminished.

Xuehua sat by the bed, holding Gu Zihua's hand tenderly, her voice soft as she comforted him: "Master Zihua, calm down. Gu Yan's actions will surely make the elders view him as a violent person."

"He will have no chance of becoming the heir."

Gu Zihua found her words reasonable. He decided that after this, he would definitely go to Grandmother Gu to complain. What a despicable fellow.

But before that, Gu Zihua looked at Xuehua, who was taking care of him so attentively.

His mood gradually improved. Why did he want to become the head of the family?

Wasn't it all for the chance to be with Xuehua?

The strict family rules of the Gu Family prohibited servants from being with their masters. If discovered, the punishment ranged from being expelled to having their limbs broken and being thrown out.

As a martial artist, he would even have his cultivation abolished and be cast out.

Everything he and Xuehua had would be taken away by the Gu Family.

Therefore, only by becoming the head of the family could he change the rules and allow himself and Xuehua to be together openly!

He gazed at Xuehua tenderly: "Xuehua, don't worry. Just give me a little more time, and I will become the head of the Gu Family. Then, you will be the lady of the Gu Family."

"We will definitely change the family's prejudices and be together."

Why did he fall in love with Xuehua? Probably because when he was young and fell into the water, Xuehua had risked her life to save him, which made him fall for her.

Xuehua's heart was filled with sweetness as she listened. Why did she fall in love with Master Zihua?

Perhaps it was because when she was young, people always called her a one-eyed monster and mocked her disfigured face.

Only Master Zihua was willing to help her drive away those who bullied her, which is why she fell in love with him.

The love between the two grew stronger, and Gu Zihua's heart raced faster.

The bandages didn't cover his mouth, and seeing the shy Xuehua before him, Gu Zihua mustered his courage and slowly leaned in: "Xuehua... I love you."

Xuehua was deeply moved. She closed her eyes and leaned in: "Master Zihua..."

Their lips met, and the room was filled with a sweet atmosphere.

But then...

Click!

An inappropriate sound of a camera shutter interrupted their tender moment.