Chapter Fourteen: Summoned by the Elder

The point of light entered her body and quickly vanished without a trace. Gu Weiyu was about to continue her investigation when suddenly her second grandfather’s voice rang out, “Alright, it’s noon now. Everyone, take a break.”

The Hall of Yanqi became lively, and she too emerged from that mysterious sensation. Opening her eyes and surveying her surroundings, she saw everyone rising from their cushions and heading toward the adjacent room.

“Eleventh Sister—” Gu Qingyun got up in a flash; after sitting still all morning, he was already restless. “This drawing qi into the body is so hard!”

“Twelfth Brother, haste makes waste. Didn’t Second Grandfather just say that drawing qi into the body isn’t something accomplished in a day or two?” Gu Weiyu also stood up. “Come on, let’s go over there together!”

The two of them walked side by side into the next room. The fragrance of food greeted them, and it became clear that it was lunchtime—no wonder everyone was so enthusiastic.

A long table was set in the next room, laden with dishes of all kinds, their colors, aromas, and flavors blending perfectly; just seeing them made one’s mouth water.

“Eleventh Sister, there’s braised pork!” Gu Qingyun cheered, his eyes shining as he gazed at the glossy, oil-rich braised pork set in a crystal bowl.

“What’s so special about eating meat? You really are a country bumpkin who’s never seen the world!” Gu Weifang sneered, her lips curling in ridicule.

Gu Qingyun’s little face fell; though young, he could sense the sharpness in her words.

“Twelfth Brother, she’s only saying that because she’s afraid you’ll eat all the meat. Don’t pay her any mind!” Gu Weiyu stepped forward, took Gu Qingyun’s hand, and sat right where the braised pork was placed. “Let’s eat more later and let her stew in envy!”

“Mm!” Gu Qingyun nodded vigorously, quickly picking up a piece of braised pork and stuffing it into his mouth. While chewing, he muttered unclearly, “Sister, you eat too!”

The dish that Gu Weifang was holding with her chopsticks slipped and fell onto the table. Fuming, she slapped her chopsticks down, “Who cares about your silly braised pork?”

Second Grandfather, sitting at the head of the table, darkened his expression. “Fifth Child, is this how your parents taught you?”

Gu Weifang’s face instantly paled, obviously fearful of Second Grandfather, and she pursed her lips, saying no more.

“No talking while eating, no chatting while sleeping. After the meal, continue your cultivation!” Second Grandfather swept his gaze over the younger ones at the table, admonishing them.

Everyone fell silent, and only the faint sounds of bowls and chopsticks could be heard in the room.

After lunch, Second Grandfather beckoned to Gu Weiyu, “Eleventh, come here.”

Gu Weifang immediately became gleeful, convinced that Second Grandfather was about to scold Eleventh. Though he was usually quiet, when he scolded, it was terrifying!

Gu Weiyu’s heart skipped a beat and, uneasy, she followed Second Grandfather to the small hall outside.

“Second Grandfather, I was wrong.” She lowered her head, thinking that if she admitted fault first, he wouldn’t scold her further.

Second Grandfather saw her shrinking, timid posture and stroked his white beard, feigning confusion. “What exactly were you wrong about?”

“I… I shouldn’t have…” Gu Weiyu was merely searching for an excuse. When it came to actually articulating her mistake, she found herself at a loss.

“Enough, you didn’t do anything wrong just now!” Second Grandfather saw her embarrassment and didn’t press further. “Go with your personal maid to pay respects to the Grand Elder.”

Gu Weiyu looked up and finally noticed an unexpected figure in the hall, watching her with excitement and joy—it was none other than Crescent.

Grand Elder? Gu Weiyu was bewildered as she left the Hall of Yanqi. “Crescent Sister, do you know why the Grand Elder wants to see me?”

“Miss, I only know that the Grand Elder is a Foundation Establishment immortal of our Gu clan. His residence is usually a forbidden area in the estate, not accessible to ordinary people.” Crescent shook her head, having been sent to escort her mistress to the Grand Elder’s residence at South Mountain House.

Foundation Establishment immortal?! Gu Weiyu’s mouth formed an O; that sounded formidable. Why would such a powerful Grand Elder suddenly want to see her?

With a head full of questions, Gu Weiyu followed Crescent through twists and turns, finally arriving before a plain, unadorned courtyard.

The courtyard was larger than her own Bamboo Grove. In its center stood a tall locust tree, its branches hung with strings of snowy white bells.

Gu Weiyu looked up at the inscription “South Mountain House” above the gate. Was this the residence of the Foundation Establishment immortal? It didn’t seem especially different!

Crescent stepped forward to knock, but before she could, the gate opened of its own accord, and a gentle, composed voice called out, “Little girl, come in.”

Though she had already witnessed the “flying” chess of the family patriarch, seeing such immortal means again left her awestruck. How wonderful it would be if she could someday wield such “vast powers” herself!

She walked into the courtyard, and as she entered, the gate closed silently behind her.

Crescent sensibly remained outside, watching her mistress enter the courtyard; she did not have permission to go in and could only wait until Gu Weiyu came out.

Gu Weiyu kept her head lowered obediently, catching a glimpse from the corner of her eye of someone sitting beneath the locust tree. The fragrance of the blossoms drifted over, and she couldn’t help but take a deep breath. Stopping five steps from the Grand Elder, she crouched and bowed, “Eleventh greets the Grand Elder.”

A gaze of considerable authority swept over her, circling her once before a note of surprise sounded, “Oh? Little girl, come here!”

Gu Weiyu stood and walked over to the Grand Elder. She quickly glanced up, intending to steal a look, but what she saw left her stunned:

Long, slanting brows arched into his temples; a pair of phoenix eyes gave her a cool, sidelong glance; shoulder-length black hair flowed down, and he wore a robe blazing scarlet like fire…

She snapped back to her senses, no longer daring to look. Wasn’t the Grand Elder just too handsome?

She recalled reading in books that men were like wine—the older, the more flavorful. She hadn’t understood before, but now, suddenly, she did.

A soft laugh sounded beside her, making her lower her head even more, her cheeks tinged as if she’d drunk wine.

“Come, sit here, clear your mind, and embrace unity…” The gentle voice spoke again.

Gu Weiyu obeyed, sitting cross-legged on a cushion beneath the locust tree.

A warm current rose from her back, slowly flowing throughout her body. She gradually forgot the Grand Elder before her and sank into darkness.

The points of light appeared before her once again. Filled with joy, she began trying to catch them.

Perhaps because she’d succeeded before, she soon captured one, then two, three…

Eventually, more and more points of light surged into her body, falling into her embrace without her even needing to reach for them.

As the points of light increased, she felt as comfortable as if she were soaking in warm water.

In a haze, a thought flashed through her mind—could this be what it meant to draw qi into the body…