Chapter 343: The Xiao Clan Reunited, Gu He Brings News
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**
In the following days, after assigning Xiao Yan the task of uniting the forces within the Jia Ma Empire, Mo Yu found himself with little to do.
After wandering aimlessly through the bustling imperial capital for a few rounds, Mo Yu, feeling bored, shook his head. Eventually, he strolled toward the most prosperous district at the city center.
At this moment, the large courtyard in this area already had a new plaque hanging above its grand gate. The flamboyant calligraphy on the sign drew the attention of passersby on the street, many stopping to marvel at it.
"Xiao Manor!"
When Mo Yu arrived, he saw the crowd gathered outside the courtyard. Shaking his head helplessly, he leaped over the wall and landed silently inside.
No sooner had his feet touched the ground than a gust of wind rushed toward him. Mo Yu didn't flinch, simply flicking his fingers to deflect the attacks from the four shadows that had darted out from the darkness.
"No need to panic, it's me," Mo Yu said with a chuckle, having effortlessly parried the attacks.
Hearing the familiar voice, the four shadows immediately knelt on one knee, bowing their heads in apology. "Apologies, Manor Lord!"
"Heh, not bad," Mo Yu replied, brushing off his sleeve casually. Without any blame, he waved them off and began strolling deeper into the courtyard along a small pathway.
This courtyard was, of course, the new residence of the Xiao Clan in the imperial capital, carefully selected by Xiao Li.
Now that Mo Yu and Xiao Yan had returned to the Jia Ma Empire, the Xiao Clan no longer needed to live in hiding like fugitives.
The manor Xiao Li had chosen was far grander in size and magnificence than their previous home in Wu Tan City. However, due to the significant decrease in clan members, the vast courtyard felt somewhat empty and desolate.
After walking along the path for a short while, Mo Yu arrived at a spacious hall. From within came faint sounds of laughter.
Pushing open the door lightly, he stepped inside. Xiao Li and Xiao Ding, who were directing servants to arrange the hall, turned toward the sound. Seeing Mo Yu, they greeted him with warm smiles.
After exchanging pleasantries with the brothers, Mo Yu turned his attention to the courtyard's condition.
In the vast courtyard, a few children played gleefully, their laughter echoing in the air. Several dozen plainly dressed men stood guard, weapons strapped to their backs, their eyes sharp and vigilant. Years of living on the run had stripped the Xiao Clan members of their former ease, replacing it with a sharper edge.
The sudden opening of the courtyard gate immediately drew everyone's attention. All eyes turned to the silver-eyed young man entering.
Seeing his handsome, youthful face, the crowd froze momentarily before joy erupted like a wave throughout the courtyard.
"It's Young Master Mo Yu!" "One of the Xiao Clan Twin Dragons, Young Master Mo Yu is here!" "If it weren't for Young Master Mo Yu, we'd still be hiding in the shadows. It's all thanks to him and Young Master Xiao Yan!"
As the joyous clan members expressed their gratitude, Xiao Li and Xiao Ding exchanged a glance, a gentle smile on their faces. The Xiao Clan had finally found its roots once more.
Amidst the crowd's excitement, the main house's door opened abruptly. An elder and a middle-aged man rushed out, their eyes locking onto the silver-eyed youth with complex emotions.
"Third Elder, Uncle Xiao, it's been hard on you these past years." Mo Yu sighed softly, stepping forward and speaking in a gentle tone as he looked at the two.
"It's nothing, nothing at all! Young Master Mo Yu has suffered far more than we have during his years of wandering," the Third Elder said, wiping tears from his face.
Moved by his words, the surrounding Xiao Clan members couldn't help but grow misty-eyed.
In just a few short years, the Xiao Clan had fallen from being one of the three great clans of Wu Tan City to near ruin. The once-prosperous clan had been forced to flee, living a life of hardship.
Beside him, the middle-aged man nodded but then hesitated, his gaze filled with expectation as he cautiously asked, "Young Master Mo Yu, how is Xiao Yu doing at Jia Nan Academy?"
"Uncle Xiao, just call me Mo Yu," Mo Yu replied with a smile, shaking his head.
This middle-aged man was Xiao Yu's father—Mo Yu's future father-in-law. Naturally, Mo Yu treated him with the utmost respect.
"Xiao Yu is doing very well at the academy. She has reached the peak of Da Dou Shi, just a step away from breaking through to Dou Ling. You don't need to worry," Mo Yu reassured.
"That's good to hear. Thank you… Mo Yu," Xiao Yu's father stammered, swallowing the formal title. He smiled awkwardly, unsure of what to say.
Inwardly, he marveled at the marriage arrangement made so haphazardly years ago. Who could have imagined that this adopted son of the Xiao Clan would rise to such prominence, becoming the most influential figure in the Jia Ma Empire?
Meanwhile, Mo Yu turned his attention back to the gathered clan members, his voice cold as steel. "Don't worry. Yun Lan Sect will pay for what they owe us—double!"
Hearing this, the Xiao Clan members felt their spirits rekindle, nodding firmly in agreement.
As Mo Yu continued to converse with the clan members, the door to a chamber deep within the manor creaked open. From within, a young man clad in black robes stepped out.
"Young Master Xiao Yan!" "Clan Leader!"
The Xiao Clan members erupted into cheers once again, no less enthusiastic than when they had welcomed Mo Yu. The new arrival was none other than the other "Twin Dragon" of the Xiao Clan—Xiao Yan.
With Xiao Zhan's fate unknown and the First and Second Elders having passed away, Xiao Yan had officially taken on the role of Clan Leader.
"Oh, Mo Yu, you're here."
Xiao Yan's gaze swept over Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, and the Third Elder before landing on Mo Yu. A warm smile spread across his face.
"Just came to check on everyone. What about you? You've been in seclusion for a while—how's the refining of the Mixed Bone Molding Pill coming along?" Mo Yu asked with a knowing smile.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan nodded confidently, a faint smile on his lips. "It's done."
Mo Yu wasn't surprised and nodded approvingly. As Yao Lao's disciple, with his immense talent, a six-tier pill was hardly a challenge for Xiao Yan.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li both broke into smiles. Securing the assistance of the six-tier magical beast Serene Sea Scaly Beast, comparable to a seven- or eight-star Dou Huang, undoubtedly increased their odds of success.
"Heh, as expected of my cousin, a masterful disciple indeed," Mo Yu quipped, his praise indirectly directed at Yao Lao, whom he knew was always observing through Xiao Yan.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan scratched his head sheepishly and said with a wry smile, "Cousin Mo Yu, you flatter me. Compared to you, I'm nothing special."
When others praised him, Xiao Yan would usually respond modestly, but deep down, he would take it as a matter of course. However, facing the even more exceptional Mo Yu, Xiao Yan could only smile bitterly to himself.
"Now that the Mixed Bone Molding Pill has been successfully refined, I'll head to the imperial family first, deliver the pill to Yao Ye, and discuss a collaboration with them." After his self-deprecating remark, Xiao Yan spoke with resolve.
"Alright." Mo Yu nodded. Watching Xiao Yan's departing figure, he continued playing with some Xiao clan children for a while. Just as he was about to take a rest, someone suddenly reported to him that a mysterious and powerful figure had come to see him.
In the study of the Xiao residence, Mo Yu frowned as he looked at the cloaked man before him and asked, "Who are you, exactly? With the powerful aura you're exuding, you're certainly no ordinary figure. Since you've come to see me, why are you hiding your face?"
The man in front of him was, of course, the mysterious figure the servant had reported about. Sensing the strong soul power emanating from him, Mo Yu's heart stirred slightly, and he had a vague guess about the man's identity.
"As expected of the Xiao Clan's Twin Dragons, the one Yun Yun cannot forget—Mo Yu, you are indeed extraordinary."
After a brief silence, the cloaked man spoke in a meaningful tone. He then removed his hood, revealing a handsome middle-aged face.
The man exuded an extraordinary presence, his tall figure paired with his attractive features likely making him quite popular among fans of the "older gentleman" archetype.
"It's you, Gu He!"
Upon seeing this somewhat familiar face, Mo Yu immediately recognized him. He had once caught a glimpse of Gu He during the alchemist gathering, and his guess was confirmed. Mo Yu exclaimed in surprise, "Why are you here?"
The name Pill King Gu He was well-known throughout the Jia Ma Empire. A few years ago, when Xiao Yan participated in the alchemist gathering, Mo Yu, out of curiosity, had taken an extra look at this renowned figure.
A sixth-tier alchemist—this level of mastery was top-tier even in the Black-Corner Region, let alone in a remote place like the Jia Ma Empire.
However, what puzzled Mo Yu was why Gu He, who had always been aligned with the Yun Lan Sect, would come to meet him privately.
Could it be an assassination attempt?
For a brief moment, the thought crossed Mo Yu's mind, but he quickly dismissed it.
If it were an assassination attempt, why send a sixth-tier alchemist? In terms of combat strength, sixth-tier alchemists were probably inferior to some Dou Kings. This would be a terrible trade-off.
Even if Yun Shan had fallen under the Soul Hall's influence, he couldn't have become foolish enough to make such a decision.
Dispelling these unrealistic ideas, Mo Yu simply stared at Gu He, waiting for him to state his purpose. With his current strength, no matter what schemes Gu He might have, he had no reason to fear.
At this moment in the study, while Mo Yu scrutinized Gu He, the latter was also sizing up Mo Yu.
After a few minutes passed in silence, Mo Yu began to grow impatient. Gu He's expression turned increasingly solemn before he finally spoke in a slightly bitter tone, "I didn't expect her to choose you."
"Her?"
Mo Yu was taken aback. Then, recalling the name Gu He had mentioned earlier, his face tensed as he asked, "Are you talking about… Yun Yun?"
"Yes." Gu He nodded bitterly. This once-proud Pill King now spoke in a low and somber voice. "Yun Yun has always been thinking about you, hasn't she? Otherwise, she wouldn't have shown such uncontrollable joy the moment she learned you had returned to the Jia Ma Empire.
I should have realized it earlier. If her heart hadn't already belonged to someone else, she wouldn't have rejected me so many times."
Seeing the famous Pill King Gu He act like a bitterly resentful lover, Mo Yu froze for a moment. He then rubbed his forehead, not knowing what to say for a while.
"Well, love is about mutual feelings and destiny. Whatever unintentional hurt my relationship with Yun Yun has caused you can't really be blamed on me, can it?"
After a long pause, Mo Yu spread his hands in resignation toward his romantic rival.
Gu He remained silent for a while before speaking again, his voice tinged with resentment. "What makes you better than me? I'm a perfect match for her!"
Hearing Gu He's indignation, Mo Yu frowned, a hint of displeasure flashing in his heart.
Though he understood Yun Yun's charm naturally attracted admiration, questioning whether he was worthy of her was an entirely different matter!
"Pill King Gu He, if you continue with such insolence, I can't guarantee your safety," Mo Yu said coldly, his silver eyes narrowing slightly as his fingers tapped against the table.
As his words fell, several powerful auras quietly emerged around the study, surrounding Gu He unnoticed. Should Mo Yu give the command, even Gu He would have no choice but to surrender.
Sensing the hostile auras, Gu He was momentarily stunned. Realizing the situation, he sighed and muttered, "Perhaps… Yun Yun really didn't choose wrong."
After making this cryptic remark, Gu He locked eyes with Mo Yu and said gravely, "Yun Shan is planning to hold a wedding at the Yun Lan Sect."
"A wedding? Whose?" Mo Yu's pupils shrank slightly.
"Yun Yun and the Little Beast King!"
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