Chapter 395 - Meeting Master Zhang
Gu Qi looked at his silly son’s expression, and realized that he was already prepared to hang himself from this tree. Gu Qi couldn’t help sighing in lament: “If there’s anything you learned from your old man, it’s how to be obstinate…”
While speaking, he put some strength into his hands as he pressed down on Gu Zuo’s shoulders: “Didn’t you want to return because you were worried about your old man? Now that you’ve seen me, can you feel at ease? Although this guy is accompanied by relatives, it will be his lover who can stand guard by his side for a lifetime. Your old man has spent half his life being stubborn, and I don’t want this matter to entrap you…
“Son, since you decided to watch over that big brother of yours, why don’t you think of a way to go back? I have some bank savings here, so there’s no need for you to take care of me into retirement. Oh, just treat it like you’re getting married and going abroad. It’s no big deal, and there’s no need to worry.”
Gu Zuo’s smile was pained: “I can’t go back.”
Gu Qi didn’t understand: “Why not? Is that shuttle of yours not working?”
Gu Zuo shook his head: “It sent me here, and doesn’t have enough energy anymore. If it was over there, I could think of ways to replenish its energy, but in this place, I don’t know what kind of power it needs. This world might not have the corresponding energy…”
Gu Qi couldn’t bear to see his son’s sullen and aggrieved appearance, so Gu Qi hugged him and pressed on his head: “No matter what happens, don’t always think the worst. Don’t you have a system that’s low on power? Once it’s back on, just ask what energy the shuttle needs. After that’s cleared up, you can think of a way to find it! This world of ours is indeed relatively scientific, but who knows whether those deep mountains and ancient forests hold anything useful? This is about human effort. Striving your hardest to find a solution is better than just foolishly waiting in your room by yourself, right?”
As Gu Zuo continued to listen, his gaze also faintly shined.
What his dad said made sense. After coming back and seeing his dad’s situation, he really did feel much more at ease. Perhaps… It was just that, before anything else, there was something that he absolutely had to do.
Gu Zuo looked at his dad with a serious expression: “Dad, I’m grown up now. Can you tell me about what you know about father’s information? At that time, why was father forced to leave? What’s the origin of those people who took father away?”
Gu Qi’s smile stiffened.
Gu Zuo continued: “The present me is already completely different from the me back then. Maybe I can help father reunite with us a bit sooner? Dad, suppose that I’m really going to think of all kinds of methods to find big brother. If you truly want me to leave with real peace of mind, I can only personally bring dad into father’s care, and know that you guys will live properly and happily.”
Gu Qi’s expression gradually became somewhat solemn. It looked like he was carrying a bit of sorrow and regret: “What you said is right. I really can tell you about my and your father’s matter.”
His cheerfulness suddenly turned gentle and soft, and his ever-optimistic voice also became tranquil and undisturbed: “For this matter, I need to start from our backgrounds…”
As for Gu Qi and Zhao Ji’s backgrounds — Actually, there weren’t any backgrounds.
When they were two years old, they were both abandoned at the gates of an orphanage. One child was found by the orphanage matron as she was pa.s.sing by, and the other was picked up from the foot of the wall as she was coming back. They were about the same age. From childhood, they liked to play together. And after growing up, they were inseparable.
They went to elementary school, middle school, and high school at the same time. Because their achievements and performance records were always close, they shared the same cla.s.ses and grades. As for going to a university, they pa.s.sed the key points in both entrance examinations, and chose different majors of the same university.
And just how good was the relationship between these two people? Throughout their whole lives, they casually wore each other’s clothing, ate and drank together, and used the bathroom together. Even though their temperaments were different, they were very complementary. After so many years, they never quarreled. Even the orphanage matron once remarked that they looked closer than biological brothers.
Because they supported and urged one another, their studies and grades were better than their peers. As a result, it seemed like they were completely different from everyone else.
Even their names —
Because Gu Qi was already two years old when he arrived, he actually remembered what he was called. However, Zhao Ji, who almost froze to death in winter, wasn’t the same. When he was young, the orphanage matron casually picked a nickname to call him by. Once he reached elementary school, he felt that his own name needed to have a bit of a connection to the little companion he liked the most.
As a result, Zhao Ji considered things from all angles, and split Gu Qi’s name into its component parts, Gu (顾) and Qi (奇). Zhaogu (照顾) meant to care or look after someone. In the future, he wanted to look after Gu Qi, who was just one month younger than himself. As a result, his family name would be Zhao (照). It was just that this character looked too ordinary, and he felt that he wasn’t destined for mediocrity. Thus, he chose to use Zhao (曌) as his own family name instead. It sounded the same as the former, but it was more stylish. As for why he wanted to be called Zhao Ji (曌迹), as it was explained earlier, he believed that he was definitely going to become a miracle, or Qiji (奇迹)! Since he and Gu Qi shared such a good relationship, he would “reluctantly” bring him along on the road to success…
When Gu Qi spoke up to here, his features revealed a trace of a smiling expression. It seemed that there was a slight hint of sweetness.
Gu Zuo had never heard that his father, who was always calm and unfl.u.s.tered in his memories, once had this kind of embarra.s.sing incident. However, even from such a small matter, he could see how beautiful the memories his dad and father cherished were.
Everything afterwards had been like a never-ending dream.
When the two were in high school, Zhao Ji suddenly found that he hated it when Gu Qi talked to others, regardless of whether they were male or female. In the beginning, he didn’t understand these feelings, but he was able to figure it out in the end. Because they were about to take the college entrance examinations, Zhao Ji suppressed his thoughts to the bottom of his heart. However, emotions were uncontrollable, and Zhao Ji didn’t want his feelings to negatively affect Gu Qi. Thus, imperceptibly, he seemed to distance himself from Gu Qi somewhat.
However, Gu Qi was such close friends with Zhao Ji that they were practically the same person, and he quickly sensed that something was wrong with Zhao Ji. Since Gu Qi was a forthright person, he soon caught Zhao Ji and interrogated him.
Afterwards, Zhao Ji was forced into a corner, and helplessly confessed his feelings. Gu Qi should’ve rejected and turned away from Zhao Ji, but for some reason, after seeing Zhao Ji’s usual indulgent expression, he inexplicably accepted it.
Of course, Zhao Ji was extremely happy. And to Gu Qi’s own surprise, he felt absolutely no regrets. The feelings of these two people became even more harmonious. Considering that this kind of emotional road wasn’t easy to tread upon, they strove even harder when it came to their studies. The achievements of their subsequent exams didn’t leave them disappointed.
Once they went to university, the two began their honeyed romance. Over the years, they had supported each other as family like a pair of fish in a drying pond, so their beloved’s presence was as sweet and refreshing as fine wine. At the same time, they had the determination to stay together. Naturally, they wanted to try their best to acc.u.mulate capital in order to live a better life.
Gu Qi and Zhao Ji were both capable people. Among them, Gu Qi studied medicine and Zhao Ji was engaged in business. The two went from working part-time outside of cla.s.s to playing the stock market to making venture capitalist investments. They saved up money bit by bit, and worked hard one step at a time. Gu Qi mainly studied medical expertise. He endeavored to become a famous doctor worthy of his lover’s respect. He also learned many skills that could give the couple a steady livelihood. Meanwhile, Zhao Ji seemed insightful by nature. He could accurately predict which stocks would rise and which businesses would earn money. Even if the earnings weren’t big, they would always make a profit.
Several plentiful years pa.s.sed by just like this. When the two graduated university, Zhao Ji had already established a small company, and had some initial funds. As for Gu Qi, because his skills were outstanding, he quickly joined a private hospital with high requirements for its doctors. It was specialized in diagnosing and treating people who possessed considerable financial resources.
While they were busily working, the feelings between the two never changed or wavered. They planned to get “engaged” at the age of twenty, and promised themselves to each other. As water blended with milk, they achieved the most intimate of relationships, connected in both body and mind. Although there were many temptations from the outside world, they still cherished one another the most, and never strayed emotionally in the least.
Later on, Gu Qi picked up an infant — This baby appeared in the alleyway adjacent to the apartment room they recently purchased.
Gu Qi felt that finding an infant just as they got married and established themselves proved that the baby might’ve been a child bestowed by the heavens and shared a strong fate with them. Zhao Ji was in favor of Gu Qi’s point of view. With almost no hesitation at all, they wanted to think of a way to adopt the infant.
Gu Zuo let out a sigh: “This baby was me, right?”
Gu Qi nodded his head: “It was you. Back then, I would always tussle with your father about our positions in the bedroom. Although he was far scrawnier than me, I unfortunately lost every time…”
As he continued to speak, his face didn’t redden and his heartbeat didn’t jump: “As a result, your father said his family name would follow after my own in all matters, and allowed you to take my family name.”
Gu Zuo turned his head to look at his dad: “Then, why am I called Gu Zuo?”
Gu Qi answered in a straightforward manner: “While you and I share the family name ‘Gu’, someone had etched the character ‘Zuo’ on your clothes at that time. Thinking that it might’ve been left by your biological parents, your father and I simply decided to give you this as your first name.”
Two fathers and one son formed a three-person family that was as comforting and warm as an ordinary household. Originally, they ought to have continued living happily. Zhao Ji was going to earn money and provide a good life for his family. Gu Qi was going to be a great doctor and give his family a good reputation. Gu Zuo was going to grow up happy and blessed under the cherished care of his two fathers…
However, when Gu Zuo was five years old, all of these beautiful things were smashed to pieces.
That year, Gu Qi and Zhao Ji were twenty-six years old, and in the prime of their lives. They already gained the life conditions that many people could never obtain. While they weren’t quite as well-off as the rich and wealthy, they themselves were very satisfied.
But there suddenly came a day — When the two were right in the middle of celebrating Gu Zuo’s birthday, a group of intruders came into their home and brought Zhao Ji away without any bystanders finding out.
Gu Zuo vaguely remembered this incident. Clearly, everyone had been happy at the time, but the people who broke down the door, father who was overpowered despite his best efforts, and dad whose neck was nearly strangled… He ended up suppressing and forgetting some nightmarish scenes due to fear, but now, he gradually recalled the event.
That group of people didn’t hurt father at all, but they didn’t shy away from him and dad. Afterwards, they even threatened father with the safety of him and dad. Father had no other choice but to go with the intruders.
But at that moment, father also seemed to have said something…
Gu Qi barely showed a smiling expression, but his eyes flickered with a trace of pain and sorrow: “Your father said that if we were harmed in any way, no matter what the other party wanted him to accomplish, he would rather die than do it. It looked like it was out of those people’s hands, so this allowed your old man to get his life back.”
Following this, Zhao Ji was taken away by the intruders. From then on, he disappeared from Gu Qi and Gu Zuo’s lives. It also seemed like Zhao Ji’s company never existed. All that remained were the millions of fluid funds in Gu Qi’s debit card.
The private hospital where Gu Qi worked at ended up dismissing him. He went to other hospitals to apply for positions, but never succeeded. When he went looking for other jobs, he was rejected every step of the way. There was nothing he could do. With no better option, Gu Qi used his remaining bank savings, and properly raised Gu Zuo.
For a very long time, Gu Qi hardly went out. But whenever he did, he always felt like someone was keeping a close eye on him. In the end, he could only choose to do some financial management online, pick up some translation work, and earn enough to cover living expenses.
This kind of life continued until Gu Zuo was twelve years old.
Gu Zuo remembered that, at that time, they moved to a different apartment.
Gu Qi sighed: “Back then, someone came looking for your old man and brought news about your father. It was said that he was totally safe, but he had no way to escape. In order to let us keep our freedom, he found a gap in security and asked this person to send us off. Because that person used the deepest secret of me and your father to verify his ident.i.ty, I believed him. Later on, he sent us here, and even the guardian when you were in school was replaced by that person… This was to conceal our existences.”
After that, Gu Qi handled matters even more judiciously. He completely removed his previous traces on the internet, and severed all connections with those he contacted. As before, he rarely went out. It was just that, year after year, he cautiously waited in this place for that person to eventually come back.
It was only a pity that that instance was the first and last time he received any information about Zhao Ji. Afterwards, no one came even when Gu Zuo “died”.
Listening up to this point, Gu Zuo lamented: “So, dad also doesn’t know who took father away. You also don’t know how father is doing right now?”
Gu Qi’s eyes finally revealed a bit of exhaustion and weariness, but he quickly waved away any useless thoughts, and said: “Based on what little I gleaned from that person who brought the information, I’m speculating that nothing bad has happened to your father. It also seems that those people share a bit of a blood relationship with your father.”
Gu Zuo was silent.
If the people who took father really were related by blood, then there was a reason not to hurt him.
Could this matter really have been caused by his father’s background? But back at the orphanage, his father had almost froze to death. He had been abandoned. After so many years, they came looking again and were still so tough and unyielding about it… No matter what it was based on, all of this was loathsome and hateful.
After a long while, Gu Zuo pursed his lips: “The ones capable of achieving these things certainly aren’t the average thugs. Dad, if we want to know about father’s whereabouts, we’ll have to get it from the hands of influential officials and aristocratic families that ordinary people can’t see. However, if we want to develop a relationship with those people and make discreet inquiries about father, we must use a brick as a door knocker.”
Gu Qi listened to Gu Zuo’s deadly earnest a.n.a.lysis. The pain caused by recalling the past had greatly dwindled, too. He pinched Gu Zuo’s cheek: “Son, what do you suggest?”
Gu Zuo covered the half of his face that was pinched: “I think that I can utilize my old profession.”
What old profession?
Gu Zuo’s old profession was undoubtedly the only thing that he trained his skills in — As a pharmacist of the Central Continent.
Then, what things could a pharmacist do?
Obviously, it was to refine medicine and sell medicinal pills.
In Gu Zuo’s Divine Medicine Palace Hall, there were still many medicinal ingredients. Yet, this world’s ambient qi was extremely thin. It wasn’t known if refining was possible.
Gu Zuo wasn’t conflicted about this. Moreover, having already lost his dear big brother, he didn’t want to see any objects that made him think about his beloved sweetheart.
As such, without refining any medicinal pills, the things that Gu Zuo could take out were only what he had acc.u.mulated.
The number of pills that Gu Zuo saved up formed mountains, and the varieties were too many to count. However, the tragic thing was that, although his medicinal pills were numerous, in this world which basically had no martial artists, the precious and applicable pills were simply useless!
At this time, one had to ruefully sigh that Gu Zuo’s luck was pretty good.
The large quant.i.ties of Qi Generating Pills and Rejuvenation Pills that he previously stockpiled were the two types of medicinal pills that he initially used to get rich in the Cangyun Empire — Among them, one type would shine brilliantly in this world.
Right. It was the Rejuvenation Pill.
This type of medicinal pill could treat a martial artist’s internal injuries as well as any external injuries that weren’t contaminated with the remnants of anomalous powers. The medicinal effects were very strong, and it was a pill that was indispensable to Houtian martial artists. Merely, when all was said and done, it was aimed at martial artists. The true qi within their bodies played a big role when it came to disseminating and supporting the pill’s medicinal power. However, the people of this world didn’t have true qi. Thus, if they wanted to use it, they needed to conduct a certain level of dilution.
Fortunately, the Rejuvenation Pills that Gu Zuo possessed were all top grade. The fewer the impurities in a medicinal pill, the easier it was to digest the medicinal power. The subsequent procedures that Gu Zuo was going to do wouldn’t be that troublesome either.
Gu Qi didn’t understand this field at all, but once he witnessed a yellow-jade gourd appear in Gu Zuo’s hand out of thin air, and smelled the rich pill fragrance that wafted out after it was uncorked, confidence bloomed in his heart.
Perhaps, the person he thought he would have to wait for a lifetime to see again really could be reunited with them sooner than expected — All with the help of their son who obtained a fortuitous encounter!
As such…
Gu Qi took a look at what he could do, and silently made some plans.
A car silently pa.s.sed through the unending flow of traffic in the streets. After taking detours through several hidden routes, it entered a relatively quiet area.
Zhang Bohan swerved the car, trailed along a wide and open thoroughfare, and transitioned onto a slope with a rather high terrain. Following this, an enormous iron gate that was at least twenty-odd meters tall appeared before their eyes as well as fleeting glimpses of villas.
As it turned out, the Zhang Family ancestor decided to settle down in this city. At that time, they had the original vision to find a place with excellent fengshui, buy a large plot of territory, and quickly hire people to plan and construct this place into the Zhang Family’s ancestral land.
Slowly, one villa after another was built on this ancestral land. As for the people who were capable of living here, they were either the descendants of the elders who seized power by following the Zhang Family ancestor, or the generations of “retainers” who supported the Zhang Family, or the relatives who sprouted and multiplied from the Zhang Family’s complicated genealogical tree. Of course, from beginning to end, there was only one main branch. All the others were cadet branches.
The so-called Zhang Family ancestral residence was the huge villa where the main branch lived. Generation after generation remodeled and expanded upon the building, which became the Zhang Family’s official ancestral residence.
Every year, all members of the Zhang Family would come here to pay their respects. Normally, it was only the lineage of the main branch who could reside in this place.
— What was worth mentioning was that the Zhang Family used to conduct blood-soaked compet.i.tions between the main branch and cadet branches. The winner would become the head of the family, and their lineage would become the main branch. After so many generations, most of the time, it was the original main branch that would win the position of the family head. And even though a cadet branch or two would occasionally overturn the situation, the next generation of the main branch would always make a comeback and return things to the status quo.
The bullet-proof car quickly travelled to the front of the iron gates. Zhang Bohan extended his hand to an apparatus that a gate sentry had taken out. His five fingers were inserted inside. A couple seconds later, the apparatus emitted a bright, yellow light. Soon after, the iron gates were opened. The bullet-proof car quickly glided inside.
Gongyi Tianheng glanced at Zhang Bohan’s fingers.
Just a moment ago, he smelled a trace of blood…
Zhang Bohan noticed Tianheng’s reaction, and explained to him: “This is a genetic testing device. Members of the Zhang Family, whether they’re from the main branch or cadet branches, will have their own genes inputted into a genetic warehouse after they’re born. Every time that person comes to the ancestral residence, they have to put their fingers into the device. It will draw minuscule drops of blood, and cross-reference the samples against the genes in the genetic warehouse. Anyone who has a match is proven to be the original person, and they can go in. As for anyone without a match… Having used this kind of method to try and sneak into the ancestral residence, they will certainly be viewed as an enemy of my Zhang Family.”
Tianheng faintly nodded his head: “How interesting.”
Zhang Bohan gave a gentle smile: “It’s somewhat annoying, but the family’s industries and properties are in a mess. If we don’t want any accidents happening, we can only do this.”
The two spoke a few sentences. Meanwhile, the bullet-proof car had already entered a vast parking structure with many parking s.p.a.ces. At this moment, there were already numerous vehicles that were properly parked inside.
Zhang Bohan didn’t hesitate in the least, and directly moved into one of the stalls of the first row. His position in the Zhang Family was just like his current parking spot. He always received the very best. Therefore, such a captivating level of authority caused those people who were biting at his heels to recklessly order a hit on him.
Shortly thereafter, the two got out of the car.
Zhang Bohan walked slightly in front, and guided Tianheng, whose demeanor was unbothered and whose posture was unhurried. Although his entire person was clothed in a semi-formal suit, besides a head of long hair that draped over his back, it seemed that he was no different from an ordinary person. Nonetheless, he still revealed a type of special, indescribable temperament that others couldn’t ignore.
In front of the ancestral residence were several straight-backed, elderly men. Their faces were carved with deep furrows and wrinkles. According to reason, they should’ve been decrepit and senile, but as they stood at the entrance, they appeared solemn, capable, and experienced. They were even br.i.m.m.i.n.g with the same type of feeling that exuded from that ancestral residence.
Zhang Bohan took the initiative to speak: “Butler Liu, Second Butler, Third Butler. I have returned. I have troubled you all these past few days to take care of grandfather and manage the household duties.”
The leader, Butler Liu, showed a hint of a smile: “Eldest young master, the family head is waiting for you inside. This eldest young master has made the family head quite worried recently. This one is afraid that a proper chat is needed.”
Zhang Bohan also smiled and said: “It’s only natural that I will need to have a clear discussion with grandfather. In addition, I also have this person I want to introduce to grandfather.”
Butler Liu’s gaze fell onto Tianheng. The moment anyone’s eyes looked upon this person, they were subjected to a feeling of danger.
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