Gu Yifeng paused for a moment, then gave a faint, indifferent smile. "Then let it be during the clan's morning assembly three days from now. Debts owed must eventually be repaid."
"All of this is for the sake of the Gu Clan—what's an apology compared to that?"
If there had been any lingering resentment in Gu Yifeng's heart, it had completely vanished the moment he learned Gu Qingli was an alchemist.
He waved his hand dismissively. "That incident back then was my fault to begin with. I may have erred once, but I shall not make the same mistake twice."
"If I, as the head of the Gu Clan, cannot endure even this slight humiliation, how can I lead the family toward greater heights?"
"Very well, Patriarch."
Elder Mu sighed deeply. Though it would somewhat diminish the patriarch's dignity, if it could appease Gu Qingli's family, the price was worth paying.
Truth be told, back then, nearly everyone had harbored resentment toward Gu Qingli. After all, that device had been of great significance to the clan.
But in hindsight—she had been only a five-year-old child. The treatment she received had been nothing short of callous.
Meanwhile, in Gu Ming's courtyard, the atmosphere was oppressively grim. The faces of the family of three were dark with fury.
Especially Gu Qinglin—her delicate features twisted with cold malice, ruining what beauty she possessed.
"How is this possible? That useless wretch—an alchemist?"
Gu Ming spoke in disbelief.
An alchemist stood far above even a Spirit Illusionist in status.
"It's already been confirmed—what's the point of denying it? That wretched girl, who knows what stroke of luck she stumbled upon, has now become not only a five-star Grand Martial Artist, but also an alchemist. If this continues, will there still be a place in this family for our Qinglin?"
Han Jiao's seductive face was now distorted with venom. She had grown accustomed to being adored by the entire Gu Clan—but with Gu Qingli's sudden rise, their standing had visibly waned.
What made it all the more intolerable was that the girl was the child of Ouyang Qian—the woman she had always looked down upon.
Gu Qinglin's face twisted with hatred, her eyes gleaming with murderous frost.
"That little wretch dares to steal my spotlight? There's no need for mercy any longer."
"Qinglin, what are you planning?" Gu Ming asked, startled.
"I'm going to find Li Ke'er. With the threat Gu Qingli poses to her, I'm sure she'd be more than eager to see her dead."
A cruel smile curled at the corners of Gu Qinglin's lips.
Gu Ming turned pale. "Qinglin, have you lost your mind? The Li family is our sworn enemy! If the patriarch ever finds out you've conspired with them, the consequences will be unthinkable!"
"Father! I'm not mad! As long as Gu Qingli lives, I will never again be the center of attention. Nor will you enjoy the privileges you once had! And if she gains control of the clan, do you really think our family will be spared? I'm doing this for all of us!"
Her words rang with conviction.
What she failed to realize, however, was that the clan's prosperity was shared—its fall would be as well. Aligning with the Li family was no different from courting disaster.
Gu Ming's face clouded over with hesitation, torn between conflicting thoughts.
Han Jiao's eyes flashed with a poisonous gleam. "Qinglin is right. We cannot allow that wretched girl to surpass her. If we do, there will no longer be a place for us in the Gu family. And once she's gone, all the clan's resources will naturally return to Qinglin. In time, with her talent as a Spirit Illusionist, would we even need to rely on an alchemist?"
A look of grim resolve settled in Gu Ming's eyes. He found Han Jiao's reasoning difficult to refute.
The three exchanged glances, each seeing the same ruthless determination reflected in the others' eyes.
For the sake of their pride and position—they had resolved: Gu Qingli must die.