Chapter 142: You Are So Funny

Seeing how much Gu Qun valued his friend, Gu Weiyu felt a surge of joy in her heart. She summoned her Thunder-Hidden Sword and asked, "Third Grand Uncle, shall I give you a ride?"

She could hardly wait; she was immensely eager to gather enough spiritual stones right away to redeem her Third Brother, Seventh Brother, Twelfth Brother, and the others!

"Very well!" Gu Qun stepped onto the Thunder-Hidden Sword in high spirits, feeling a proud surge of satisfaction that he actually had the privilege of riding his great-great-granddaughter's flying sword to traverse the skies!

Carrying her Third Grand Uncle, Gu Weiyu returned to the Quiet Orchid Pavilion in mere seconds.

Gu Qun stepped down from the Thunder-Hidden Sword, walking into the Quiet Orchid Pavilion with his hands clasped behind his back and a smiling expression.

Chu Liuxing was just about to take Liuhuo out for a stroll around the estate when he saw a man with graying hair and a youthful aura around forty walking toward him with his hands clasped behind his back.

The man had a look of worldly experience in his eyes, naturally exuding the air of someone in a position of authority, yet his gaze fell upon Chu Liuxing with unexpected gentleness.

He paused for a moment, wondering who the newcomer might be, before catching sight of Gu Weiyu popping her head out from behind the man.

"Brother Chu!" Gu Weiyu called out cheerfully, "This is my Third Grand Uncle!"

"Third Grand Uncle!" Chu Liuxing blurted out the address to Gu Qun without missing a beat.

From Chu Liuxing's perspective, since he and Gu Weiyu were sworn brothers, Gu Weiyu's siblings were naturally his siblings, and her elders were naturally his as well.

Although the logic was a bit rough around the edges, it was entirely sincere.

Gu Qun was so startled by Chu Liuxing's sudden cry of "Third Grand Uncle" that his body trembled slightly, but he soon couldn't help stroking his beard and laughing heartily. This young man was truly a lovable simpleton!

"Since you've called me Third Grand Uncle, as it's our first meeting, I cannot possibly let you leave without a welcome gift."

With a beaming smile, Gu Qun produced an item and handed it to Chu Liuxing.

It was an exquisite, small folding fan with a golden hue throughout. Its material appeared to be neither metal nor wood, giving off a translucent, luminous texture.

"Do not underestimate this folding fan. It is a magical treasure, quite sufficient for you to use all the way until the Core Formation stage. It can be used for both offense and aerial flight, though the color is perhaps a bit garish..."

"This..."

Chu Liuxing fell in love with it at just a single glance; he simply adored such "garish" items. The thing looked immensely prestigious and high-class, fitting his taste to perfection!

Chu Liuxing felt that Gu Qun's gift had struck right at the cord of his heart, yet he still habitually blurted out, "No, there's no need to be so polite..."

"You truly don't want it?" Having met countless people, Gu Qun had long since detected the glint of fondness in the depths of Chu Liuxing's eyes. He pretended to pull his hand back with an expression of regret.

"The youths of today are truly becoming more sensible by the day. Your Third Grand Uncle wishes to give a gift and cannot even manage to do so..."

Chu Liuxing snatched the folding fan away into his grip. "Not at all... Third Grand Uncle, how could this folding fan of yours possibly be considered garish? It suits my wishes precisely!"

As he spoke, he put away his original folding fan, swapped it for the golden fan, and fanned himself three times while imagining himself looking dashing and debonair.

"Very well, as long as Young Master Chu likes it," Gu Qun said with a smile.

"Third Grand Uncle, you may just call me Xing'er," Chu Liuxing stepped forward very naturally, speaking with warm familiarity.

The smile on Gu Qun's face deepened. Being advanced in years, he had always enjoyed the company of the younger generation, relishing the happiness of having children and grandchildren gathered around his knees.

"Haha, Xing'er, since you have come to my Gu estate, you are family. Whatever you wish to eat or play with, just tell the lass Ah Yu."

"Third Grand Uncle, if I have any matters, I will naturally seek out Brother Yu. Please attend to your own business," Chu Liuxing said thoughtfully, noticing that Gu Qun seemed to have matters awaiting him.

Brother Yu? Gu Qun's mouth twitched, a tiny crack appearing in his expression. Why did this form of address sound rather peculiar as well?

However, since guests were to be treated with courtesy, he could not very well say much.

Gu Qun lingered in the Quiet Orchid Pavilion for a short while before taking his leave.

Once Gu Weiyu mentioned her plan to consign items for sale to Chu Liuxing, he immediately patted his chest and guaranteed:

"Brother Yu, whatever pills you wish to consign, I will have Liuhuo send them over right away. I guarantee that I'll have my father sell them for a handsome price for you."

Gu Weiyu listed the medicinal pills she intended to sell.

Upon hearing this, Chu Liuxing realized these pills were in extremely high demand, especially the Dragon Scale Pill. According to what Brother Yu had said, such pills were so rare and precious that with a little maneuvering, his father would surely fetch an exorbitant price!

This not only helped Brother Yu, but it was also a boon for his father—this was definitively a win-win situation of mutual benefit.

"Brother Yu, just leave it all to me. I guarantee your satisfaction!" Chu Liuxing agreed readily.

A smile blossomed on Gu Weiyu's face. "I have always felt completely at ease with Brother Chu handling things!"

The two of them chatted happily, and Gu Weiyu handed over the medicinal pills she had prepared for consignment to Chu Liuxing.

Thinking that it would be safest to make the trip in person, Chu Liuxing took Liuhuo with him and left the Gu estate, heading toward the Myriad Treasures Pavilion in Qin County.

Leaving the Quiet Orchid Pavilion and returning to the Emerald Bamboo Courtyard, Gu Weiyu discovered someone already waiting in the yard.

It was a gray-robed servant. Upon seeing Gu Weiyu return, he stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and handed over a storage bag as he spoke:

"Eleventh Miss, the Sixteenth Master sent this subordinate to deliver this to you."

She hadn't expected Sixteenth Uncle's speed to be so brisk!

Gu Weiyu took the storage bag and swept her divine sense into it, discovering that it was packed to the brim with fresh spiritual herbs. She could not help saying with satisfaction:

"Not bad. Tell Sixteenth Uncle to send another bag of spiritual herbs tomorrow."

"Understood!" The man bowed respectfully once more and turned to leave the Emerald Bamboo Courtyard.

"Sister Yinyao, Xiaoguo, I am going to the second-floor quiet room to refine pills. Do not disturb me unless something important arises."

Giving instructions to the two of them, Gu Weiyu returned alone to the quiet room to begin refining pills.

She poured out a small vial of Stone Bamboo Jade Essence and placed it aside for later use, plunging her entire mind and focus into alchemy.

When she finally stopped, well over half of the storage bag filled with spiritual herbs had been consumed, and the spiritual energy within her body had successfully bottomed out.

Yet her harvest was equally gratifying; a neat row of successfully refined medicinal pills was already laid out before her.

Sensing the depletion of spiritual energy within her body and the considerable fatigue in her divine sense, Gu Weiyu ceased alchemy and began meditating to restore her spiritual power and recuperate her mind.

Time flowed like water, waiting for no one.

When Gu Weiyu opened her eyes, feeling as though only a blink had passed, the outside world was already bathed in bright daylight—an entire night had slipped away.

Keeping a tight string taut in her mind, she felt that her spiritual energy was once again full and her divine sense had fully recovered, so she plunged right back into alchemy.

"Whew, it's finally refined!"

With the storage bag now completely empty, Gu Weiyu stored the jade bottles before her with a relaxed mood.

Casually casting a Dust-Cleansing Spell upon herself and putting the celadon alchemy furnace back into her storage ring, she pushed open the door of the quiet room and descended to the lower level.

"Brother Yu, you've finally come out!"

A hearty male voice rang out. Gu Weiyu looked toward the source of the sound, and who else could it be but Chu Liuxing?

"Brother Chu, when did you arrive?" Gu Weiyu walked over with a beaming smile.

"I arrived as early as yesterday evening! What a pity, I was given the cold shoulder and shut out! I came again first thing this morning, and after waiting until now, I've finally weathered the clouds to see the moonlight!"

Chu Liuxing spoke in an undulating, dramatic tone with an expression of deep grievance.

Hearing this, Gu Weiyu burst out laughing. "Brother Chu, why are you so amusing?"

With that tone and expression, he looked the spitting image of a wronged wife.

Looking over at Liuhuo, Yinyao, and Xiaoguo, their shoulders were trembling uncontrollably; it was obvious they were holding back their laughter with great difficulty.