"Back then, after Old Master Zhenjue brought the Gu kid back to Shangqing Sect, the bunch of old fogies in the sect insisted on imprisoning him. The Old Master pleaded repeatedly, stating that the Gu kid's nature wasn't bad, and that his comprehension was peerless. If properly guided, he would surely be able to benefit the world in the future."
"Alas, those old fogies at Shangqing Sect simply wouldn't listen to the Old Master's pleas. In the end, they only gave him two choices: either imprison the Gu kid, or let him fend for himself within Shangqing Sect."
"The Old Master was fighting a lone battle and could only reluctantly agree. He presented the two choices to the Gu kid himself, letting him decide. And the Gu kid chose to fend for himself."
Every time he recalled this matter, Luo Xuan Ancestor couldn't help but sigh with regret.
In his view, if those old fogies at Shangqing Sect back then had been as enlightened as Old Master Zhenjue, the Ancient Era wouldn't have been bathed in blood, and there wouldn't have been the Monarch Chixiao who defied the heavens. Instead, there might have been a Monarch Chixiao who was a master revered by the world.
"A pity, a true pity. Such a tremendous waste."
Luo Xuan Ancestor sighed repeatedly. Beside him, Luo Xuan Mingyue also felt that someone like Monarch Chixiao, had he reformed back then, becoming a master revered by the world wouldn't be surprising, let alone ascending to become the world's supreme sovereign.
At that moment.
A shout came. Luo Xuan Ancestor looked up and saw it was his own family's Luo Laoba.
"Laoba, why aren't you minding the shop, boy? What are you doing running over here?"
"I heard you were having a spat with some youngsters, old ancestor."
Luo Laoba looked around but didn't see anyone else. "Where are they?"
"You little brat, you're too slow! If I were waiting for you to save me, I'd have been beaten to death ages ago."
"Ancestor, I came as fast as I could."
Luo Xuan Mingyue said, "Eighth Uncle, it's nothing. Don't worry."
"That's good then."
Luo Laoba advised, "Ancestor, no offense, but you're getting on in years. Why are you arguing with some youngsters? Really."
"I argued, so what? What are you going to do about it?"
What was he going to do?
Luo Laoba didn't dare do anything.
Suddenly.
A carriage drawn by four horses sped over and stopped before them.
The driver was a dwarf dressed in tight-fitting black robes. After the carriage halted, the dwarf immediately lifted the curtain, and a young man stepped out from within.
This man wore simple white robes, his long hair casually draped behind him. On his rather handsome face, the corners of his mouth held a faint smile, especially when he caught sight of Luo Xuan Ancestor, the smile growing even more pronounced.
"Huh? Little brother, you really followed us here."
Luo Laoba recognized Gu Qingfeng and immediately said to Luo Xuan Ancestor, "Ancestor, this young brother said he wanted to pay you a visit."
"Visit me?"
Luo Xuan Ancestor looked Gu Qingfeng up and down, as did Luo Xuan Mingyue beside him. When she discovered Gu Qingfeng had neither cultivation nor any special destiny, she was quite puzzled.
Firstly, because in the Present Era, practically everyone had at least some level of cultivation. A completely ordinary person with nothing was truly rare.
Secondly, and most importantly, the rumors said that the Monarch Chixiao, Gu Qingfeng, confirmed by Fairy Hua, had no cultivation and no destiny.
This must just be a coincidence, right?
Luo Xuan Mingyue didn't dwell on it.
"Young man, do you have business with this old man?"
Gu Qingfeng said with a smile, "I do have a little matter."
"What matter?"
"Repaying a debt."
"What debt?"
"Back in Elixir-Eater Town, I drank quite a bit of your Luo Xuan Old Soup and never paid."
"There's such a thing?"
Luo Xuan Ancestor thought carefully but had no recollection, nor did he remember this fellow ever drinking the old soup at his place. "Young man, have you mistaken me for someone else? This old man has no impression of you at all."
"You may not remember me, old ancestor, but my memory of you is as fresh as ever."
Gu Qingfeng laughed. "Old Soup Master, do you really not remember me?"
Luo Xuan Ancestor stared at Gu Qingfeng, certain he didn't know this person. He glanced at Luo Laoba and Luo Xuan Mingyue; they didn't know him either. Luo Xuan Ancestor asked, "Young man, what is your name?"
"My surname is Gu, given name Tianlang."
Surname Gu, given name Tianlang?
Gu Tianlang?
Gu Qingfeng's voice wasn't loud, but when it reached the ears of Luo Xuan Ancestor and the other two, it was like a thunderclap on a clear day, blasting their minds blank.
Luo Laoba never would have imagined that this unremarkable, ordinary-looking young man would claim to be Monarch Chixiao, Gu Tianlang.
And Luo Xuan Mingyue was even more shocked. Because on the way back, she had been discussing Monarch Chixiao with Luo Xuan Ancestor the entire time. She never expected someone to suddenly appear claiming to be Monarch Chixiao.
Just moments ago, when she noticed Gu Qingfeng had neither cultivation nor destiny, she had wondered if he might be the rumored Monarch Chixiao. But she never thought...
She never thought this guy would actually claim to be Monarch Chixiao.
"What did you say?"
Perhaps it was too sudden, or perhaps too shocking, Luo Xuan Ancestor doubted its authenticity and asked again uncertainly, "You just said your surname is Gu, given name Tianlang?"
"That's right."
"The Gu kid!
It's the Gu kid!
You really are the Gu kid!"
Luo Xuan Ancestor immediately became excited, his face flushed red with emotion, tears welling in his eyes. He stepped forward and grabbed Gu Qingfeng's hands, saying emotionally, "You brat, you really came back!
This old man always knew you stinking kid would definitely return!
Definitely!"
"Hahaha!
Old Master, I thought you'd forgotten me."
Perhaps it was the overwhelming joy of seeing Gu Qingfeng, but the Old Master choked up, tears streaming down his aged face.
"Old Master, you're getting on in years. Is this necessary? Besides, there are so many people here. If others see, it won't look good. They might think I'm bullying an old man."
"Right, right!
There are too many people here. Let's go home!
We'll talk at home."
Luo Xuan Ancestor wiped his face with his sleeve and pulled Gu Qingfeng towards home.
He left Luo Laoba and Luo Xuan Mingyue standing there dumbfounded. It was only after Luo Xuan Ancestor had dragged Gu Qingfeng away for quite some time that Luo Laoba finally snapped back to reality. He was a bit unsteady on his feet and plopped down on the ground, muttering, "Heavens above... that young brother... no...
That person really is Monarch Chixiao!"
Although Luo Xuan Mingyue was still standing, she was only standing. Her mind was in chaos, her thoughts even more so. She murmured, "The Monarch... he really is the Monarch? Is he truly the Monarch?"
She didn't know.
The only thing she could be sure of was that this person was likely the Gu Qingfeng that Fairy Hua had personally confirmed.
As for whether this Gu Qingfeng was the real Monarch, like most people, she was half-convinced, half-doubting.
It wasn't that she didn't believe Fairy Hua, but she suspected Fairy Hua might have mistakenly believed Gu Qingfeng to be Monarch Chixiao.