Gu Zuo looked distracted, but after that, he gave a reply through his consciousness.
[This decision is up to big brother to make. All of it is up to big brother’s will.]
Although Gu Zuo owed Hu Chang’an a favor, and Hu Chang’an was considered his friend, it was only natural that Gongyi Tianheng was the most important person in his heart. If there was anything that Hu Chang’an needed help with, he would do his best. However, that didn’t mean he would mess up his big brother’s plans just for Hu Chang’an.
Thus, he gave this kind of answer.
And such an answer clearly pleased Tianheng.
Tianheng ruffled Gu Zuo’s hair, and gave a slight smile.
[Do the three Hu Clan siblings have any skills in a particular field?]
Gu Zuo thought about it.
[Brother Chang’an has the Myriad Leaking Body. Young Lady Hu and Little Young Master Hu’s gifts in medicine refinement are also impressive.]
Tianheng seemed to consider something.
[In that case, they can be trained.]
Gu Zuo said nothing. At this time, he didn’t want to throw his big brother’s train of thought off track.
Soon after, Tianheng came to a decision.
Although it seemed that much had been said during the dialogue between these two, in actuality, it had already ended in the blink of an eye.
Just when Hu Chang’an started to grow nervous waiting for this young master’s reply, Tianheng smiled: “Right now, I’m still a newcomer, and I’m looking for talents. Young Lord Hu is willing to help, and is quite gifted. What reasons are there to refuse?”
Hu Chang’an’s anxious heart, which was previously hanging by a thread, suddenly came back down.
He didn’t know that Gu Zuo had already told Tianheng about the matter of his special constitution. At this moment, he was still somewhat ashamed. It was just that, because he realized that he and his siblings were like stray dogs, and because he thought that Tianheng took them in to indulge Gu Zuo, Hu Chang’an believed that this was truly a friendship of monumental proportions. Moreover, while he possessed the Myriad Leaking Body and he was somewhat confident in his own future prospects, once he carefully considered things… Supposing that he didn’t have such a constitution, he couldn’t help but suddenly feel even more disgraced. For the sake of the safety of his siblings, if he was met with these circumstances, then it seemed he would have to follow along with his tail between his legs.
Hu Chang’an had never done anything shameful. And now that he was lacking confidence, he inevitably felt depressed. After this, he secretly became even more determined in his heart. Since he decided to place himself into Tianheng’s hands, he couldn’t keep relying on his good friend Brother Ah Zuo in the future. Or else, he wouldn’t be able to put his heart completely into his work. On the contrary, because of this, he needed to strive even harder to gain benefits for his younger siblings and to improve himself to genuinely be of help to Tianheng.
He, Hu Chang’an, no longer acknowledged the Hu Clan’s cadet branches. He represented the Hu Clan’s main branch. The previous losses didn’t matter. From this day forth, he was Gongyi Tianheng’s subordinate, and he wouldn’t have his head pushed down by the Wu Clan ever again. Even though he and his siblings were few in number, their dedication and potential weren’t lacking. He was set on suppressing the Wu Clan!
With this kind of thinking, Hu Chang’an took his siblings into his arms, and told them to pay their respects to Tianheng.
Hu Changbi and Hu Changfeng had witnessed Tianheng’s prestige, and had long felt fear in their hearts. Now that they heard their eldest brother’s words, they diligently observed the proper etiquette.
Soon after, Tianheng nodded his head, and directed the three Hu Clan siblings to stand on the side.
Hu Chang’an led his siblings over. With deferential faces and rigidly straight backs, they, intentionally or otherwise, stood on the side where the Wu Clan wasn’t present.
Although the three of them couldn’t compare to the vast and mighty crowd of the Wu Clan, they tried their best to present an imposing aura that wasn’t weak.
After Hu Chang’an requested to serve Tianheng under everyone’s scrutinizing eyes, the members of the Hu Clan’s cadet branches became even more panicked. They also started to understand. It seemed that they could only allow others to take advantage of them. Was there no leeway for any recourse?
Hu Jun’s eyes flashed with a trace of bitter resentment. After that, he withdrew to the side, and slowly lowered his head.
Damn it…
Tianheng’s glance swept over everyone from the Hu Clan’s cadet branches. He saw their dread and confusion. They looked as if doomsday had befallen them, and they had practically turned into a sheet of loose sand with no cohesion. Fundamentally, their numbers weren’t few. So even if they couldn’t defeat Tianheng’s delegation, if they steeled themselves and risked their lives, it also wasn’t impossible for them to bite a mouthful of flesh from a powerful enemy — What kind of graceful bearing and courageous spirit was that?
Unfortunately, they weren’t the slightest bit courageous. And Tianheng wasn’t even marginally interested.
But at this moment, the Hu Clan was a scene of chaos. Hu Chang’an didn’t have any plans to take care of the Hu Clan. However, if they departed just like this and didn’t teach the Hu Clan a lesson, wouldn’t it be too unpleasant?
The corner of Tianheng’s mouth slightly curled: “Ladies and gentlemen, does anyone have any thoughts?”
The next instant, Wu Xing took a step forward, and respectfully said: “Young master, if you aren’t going to discard them, would it be possible to hand the Hu Clan over to this subordinate to deal with?”
Tianheng raised an eyebrow: “Oh? What do you have in mind?”
Wu Xing had a plan in advance: “It will definitely leave the young master satisfied!”
Tianheng nodded his head, and said: “Go, then.”
Wu Xing answered: “Many thanks, young master!”
Following this, Wu Xing brought along an Ascendant Realm bodyguard, and moved where the Hu Clan’s cadet branches were located.
The subsequent matters he wanted to accomplish were to please the person he had just started serving. And in his heart, he had already come up with an idea the moment he realized the Hu Clan had offended Tianheng.
On the other hand, the Hu Clan’s cadet branches had many people who recognized Wu Xing. When they realized that Wu Xing had come to deal with them, they became even more guarded.
There had been many disagreements between the Wu and Hu Clans. Now that they had fallen into Wu Xing’s hands, how could this end with any gains? In a moment, all of the various conjectures in their hearts turned into fright. They didn’t know what they ought to do.
Hu Chang’an watched this spectacle, and his mood was complicated.
However, he had already given up the power to handle the Hu Clan. As such, whatever happened to the Hu Clan was no concern of his… Even though the one who was taking care of the Hu Clan was Wu Xing.
Hu Jun glanced at Wu Xing, and only felt that this fellow was an eyesore. In his heart, he was extremely unwilling. Right away, his gaze swept towards a certain corner. It was a pity that this empty space didn’t have a single person. It made him even more regretful.
If it wasn’t for him —
Wu Xing walked over, and Hu Jun wanted to speak with him.
Just when Hu Jun opened his mouth, Wu Xing unexpectedly brushed right past him. It seemed that Wu Xing didn’t view him as an equal, and went before the current Grand Elder Hu Jiao.
Hu Jun’s complexion turned ashen.
That was the second time! This was the second time someone had insulted him!
From the start, Wu Xing didn’t pay any attention to Hu Jun’s thoughts, and only softly whispered a few words into Hu Jiao’s ear.
Hu Jiao’s face immediately turned deathly pale. His fingers also faintly trembled. It was like he was furious. It was like he was full of dread. It was like… Afterwards, he falteringly rummaged through his sleeve, and took out a pill cauldron. Setting it in front, he immediately extended a hand to form several hand seals. From within that pill cauldron’s furnace chamber, a purple flame was slowly scooped out.
— The Violet Bedrock Flame!
Medicine refining aristocratic families that could pass down inheritances usually possessed some top-notch flames. However, not every aristocratic family had a Wondrous Fire. And not every Wondrous Fire possessed sufficient spirituality!
Yet, as it turned out, the Violet Bedrock Flame was one such Wondrous Fire that was rather spiritual. The grade of this flame was very high, and it could assist in medicine refining. If the Wu Clan hadn’t found their own Wondrous Fire several generations ago, it simply would’ve been impossible to develop to the present stage where it could nearly overturn the Hu Clan. It would’ve been even more impossible to expand up until now.
In this world, which pharmacists would shun a few more Wondrous Fires?
The Wu Clan had watered at the mouth over this Violet Bedrock Flame for a long time. When Wu Xing offered to serve Tianheng, he also considered what kind of precious gift he could hand over to Tianheng.
The opportunity was right now.
After that, Wu Xing also took out something from his sleeve. It was a sealed container similar to a candlestick holder. It was sparkling, translucent, and extravagant like fine jade.
Wu Xing lifted the lid, and held it in front of Hu Jiao.
Hu Jiao had a pained face as he performed several more hand seals. After severing the connection between himself and the Violet Bedrock Flame, he tossed the Wondrous Fire into the candlestick holder.
He turned his head away: “It’s done. You must let my Hu Clan go!”
Wu Xing sneered: “What kind of a personage is the young master? How could he bother himself with ants like you? Rest assured, this object is an apology gift. The only thing worth mentioning in your Hu Clan is this flame.”
After he finished speaking, Wu Xing placed the lid back, and saw that the entire candlestick holder had become a faint purple color. It was exquisite and extremely beautiful.
Following this, Wu Xing turned around, and returned to offer this candlestick holder to Tianheng. He smiled and said: “This thing is pretty good. I hope the young master kindly accepts it. The insignificant Hu Clan doesn’t have anything else worth taking out.”
Tianheng looked at this Wondrous Fire, and there was a hint of appreciation in his eyes: “This thing isn’t bad. You are considerate.”
Wu Xing revealed just the right amount of joy: “Young master, many thanks for your praise.”
Then, he withdrew to the side once more.
Tianheng casually placed the candlestick holder into Gu Zuo’s hands. The emotions in his eyes were doting: “I haven’t seen you for so long, and this elder brother has come late. Take this as an apology gift.”
Gu Zuo was flustered as he received it. He repeatedly shook his head: “It wasn’t big brother’s fault.”
Tianheng’s voice was soft: “Does Ah Zuo like it?”
Gu Zuo looked at the candlestick holder. Indeed, he was quite enamored with it. He immediately gave a brilliant smile: “I love it!”
Tianheng chuckled: “In the future, if I find more Wondrous Fires, I’ll give them all to Ah Zuo.”
Gu Zuo’s heart warmed, but he didn’t refuse.
He treated big brother well, and big brother treated him well. In his mind, this was as it should be. For a long time now, he already didn’t need to think about anything else.
Seeing this scene, many people of the Hu Clan’s cadet branches revealed reluctant and pained expressions. But this time, their small lives had been saved. Apart from the pain, they finally felt a little relieved. Only Hu Jun, who had long felt that the Violet Bedrock Flame would belong to him sooner or later, had the hatred in his heart burn even fiercer. It was hard to extricate himself. Most of all, Tianheng didn’t seem to care about the candlestick holder at all. For a short while, Hu Jun couldn’t restrain his dagger-like gaze as he stared at Gu Zuo.
Gu Zuo sensed it, and looked over. After that, he didn’t pay Hu Jun any more attention.
He wasn’t interested in this kind of person… He also didn’t place any importance in that bit of hatred.
As for Hu Jun, when he discovered that Gu Zuo was glancing in his direction, he hastily lowered his head. He constrained his anger, and didn’t dare to look again.
The matters here were basically settled. Naturally, Tianheng and the others wouldn’t linger in this place. They didn’t care about the Hu Clan’s reactions, and only listened to Tianheng’s voice: “Move out.”
In a split second, the battle slaves, servile races, Wu Clan members, and the three Hu Clan siblings moved one after another. With great momentum, they formed ranks and stepped out of the way, allowing Tianheng to walk ahead.
Tianheng embraced Gu Zuo in one arm as he walked a few steps. But all of a sudden, he turned his head around as if he had recalled something. The edge of his lips bore an ice-cold smile: “Actually, I forgot something.”
Once his words fell, he moved slightly to the side, and slapped out a palm!
In the blink of an eye, an enormous Blood Palm blasted outwards. The palm crushed someone into meat paste!
The Hu Clan’s cadet branches were startled. They suddenly discovered that the one who had been slapped into a bloody pulp was the person who had tried to force that teenaged pharmacist to kneel. It was Hu Long!
After that, the Blood Palm unexpectedly didn’t disappear. Rather, it travelled towards another direction!
Hu Jun turned pale with fright. He retreated again and again.
It was just that he was too slow in the end…
The Blood Palm swatted him away. Instead of turning him into meat paste, the medicinal beads in his hands were shattered by the qi and blood. His qi ocean had also crumbled to pieces.
In spite of everything, he had been completely crippled! It could be said that he didn’t have the slightest future prospects!
T/N: Thanks for the corrections, Charysa.
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