Chapter 2 First Meeting Liu Qingqing

The next morning, Gu Sanfeng did not go to the accounting office but headed directly for the Council Hall.

"Changge is good in every aspect, flawless, yet unfortunately, he cannot cultivate."

"But it won't be long now. I've almost saved enough over the years. In another decade, I'll borrow some more Spirit Stones from the Family Head, exchange them for a Soul-Shaping Pill, and set you on the path of cultivation."

"Sigh, I just don't have the skills like my second brother. Otherwise, if I could have gotten the Soul-Shaping Pill earlier for the kid, allowing him to succeed in cultivation, perhaps he wouldn't have ended up being rejected in marriage."

As Gu Sanfeng walked, thinking of his grandnephew made him feel uneasy—today, that Liu Family girl would come to break off the engagement.

He didn't really want Gu Changge to show up; the family handling it was enough, there was no need for him to be humiliated in person.

"Heartless and ungrateful thing..."

"From tomorrow on, cut off all business with the Liu Family!"

The more he thought about it, the angrier Gu Sanfeng got, even preparing to teach the Liu Family a lesson, to vent his grandnephew's frustration.

After all, in Qingzhou, the Gu Family was supreme! The Liu Family couldn't touch them, but now they had climbed up to the Heavenly Cold Sect and were flaunting their authority!

Unbeknownst to anyone how the news had leaked, even the young generation of the Gu Family had caught wind of it by now.

"Sigh… it's truly a pity that Brother Changge cannot cultivate."

"Isn't it just!"

"I heard that the Liu Family girl is coming today to break off the engagement with Brother Changge!"

"The more I think about it, the angrier I get. Let's go too, even if we don't get physical, we can still throw a few curses to relieve some of this frustration!"

"Count me in!"

Some of the Gu Family Disciples of the same generation as Changge spontaneously headed toward the Council Hall.

Despite his inability to cultivate, they liked this brother a lot—as he couldn't use up his monthly allowance of Spirit Stones, he often helped out the others!

"It seems I hadn't noticed before, but this kid actually has a good reputation in the family."

Feeling the emotions of the younger generation around him, Gu Sanfeng muttered somewhat surprised.

...

By noon, a Flying Boat had already arrived at Gu Family's main city.

The Gu Family, having received the news early on, had merely sent a minor Second-grade Sky-controlling Realm Steward to wait.

"The Gu Family really knows how to put on a show. They don't regard our Heavenly Cold Sect at all."

After disembarking from the Flying Boat, the disciples from the Heavenly Cold Sect were quite angry.

Even the Deacon and Elders had somewhat displeased expressions.

It was clear they felt underestimated—among the disciples they brought, nearly half were in the Sky-controlling Realm!

But they weren't going to lose temper at a smiling Steward of merely the Sky-controlling Realm.

With stern faces, they followed him to the Gu Family Mansion.

One disciple after another felt indignant, yet Liu Qingqing appeared calm and did not see anything improper.

Soon, everyone arrived at the Gu Family Mansion. Although it was called a mansion, standing near it felt more like being next to a fortress, with tall, thick walls engraved with Arrays, and the main gate looked imposing.

The current Family Head, Gu Zhan, and several Elders were already standing at the gate.

Without waiting for the visitors to reproach, Gu Zhan spoke indifferently, "Many commoners live in the city. If we were to go out, it would surely disrupt the normal order. Please forgive us."

Heavenly Cold Sect members had indicting words stuck in their throats upon hearing the reason, helpless about the situation.

They could only snort unhappily and, even under the icy atmosphere, proceeded towards the Gu Family Mansion.

Soon, everyone had taken their seats in the Council Hall.

Gu Family Head, Gu Zhan, sat in the main seat, with the Gu Family members and the Heavenly Cold Sect seated on either side.

"Grandpa Gu, may the younger generation meet him?"

A pleasant yet slightly cold voice rang out.

The words caused the brows of the Gu Family members to furrow.

Gu Zhan looked over calmly, lifted his tea, sipped from it, and said softly, "Liu Family girl, this is a decision I can make alone, no need to disturb Changge."

"Hmph! It's just a broken engagement, do we really need to humiliate the child face to face!"

"To act recklessly in my Gu Family, not only the Liu Family cannot, even the Heavenly Cold Sect can't!"

Gu Yixiao, unable to contain his displeasure, slammed his hand on the table causing the teacup to clink loudly and stood up to scold them.

Facing the Heavenly Cold Sect's Deacons, he showed no pleasant expression.

Gu Changge's father and Gu Sanfeng, his two younger brothers, all came from the same line. Though he wasn't as attentive as Gu Sanfeng towards this pitiful nephew, he certainly wasn't far behind!

"Laughable."

"Qingqing is now one of the competitors for the Heavenly Cold Sect Saintess. Your Gu Family child cannot even cultivate, how could he be worthy!"

"Regardless of whether your Gu Family agrees today, this marriage must be dissolved!"

A Heavenly Cold Sect Elder, unwilling to show weakness, stood up and locked eyes with him.

"What's all the noise about?"

Gu Zhan slightly furrowed his brow, barked lowly, his Eighth-Grade Heavenly Gate Realm presence enveloping everyone present.

The Heavenly Cold Sect Elder snorted unwillingly and released his own Heavenly Gate Realm presence.

Even though they were currently in Qingzhou territory, they surely wouldn't garner any sympathy by starting a fight, but he did not believe that the Gu Family would dare to turn against the Heavenly Cold Sect for a wastrel!

"I know your intentions, this marriage agreement, I'll decide on breaking it myself."

"This matter doesn't require the child's presence."

Gu Zhan turned to look at Liu Qingqing again, his tone neither happy nor angry.

"Grandpa Gu..." Liu Qingqing's cold face flashed with helplessness, wanting to say something more.

But she was forcefully interrupted by a raise of his hand, "Out of regard for our past relations with your Liu Family, you may leave with the marriage agreement, but further words and I cannot guarantee your safety, from today onwards, my Gu Family will cut off all benefits transactions with your Liu Family."

Seeing the situation worsening, Liu Qingqing felt compelled to reluctantly take out the marriage book, and also produced a Jade Bottle that appeared to be of no ordinary quality.

Before she could hand them over, she suddenly looked towards the entrance of the hall.

A young man with no trace of cultivation strode in, neither servile nor overbearing, with a friendly smile on his face, even politely nodding his head when making eye contact with her.

She already guessed his identity.

As he reached the center of the great hall, he respectfully bowed, "Changge pays respects to Great Grandfather and all uncles."

"Is this guy the waste? He looks decent enough..."

The people of the Heavenly Cold Sect, hearing his name announced, did not hide their scornful and disdainful gaze.

"Gu Changge..." On the other hand, Liu Qingqing's eyes rested on the young man; nobody noticed that her usually purposefully cold gaze softened slightly, tinged with some guilt.