Chapter 662: Another Year of the New Year [Two Chapters Combined]

"Grandpa, Grandpa, Grandpa, Grandpa Xi Chou—are you crazy?" Chao Lian tried to tilt his head back to greedily breathe in some fresh air while struggling to pry open Gong Xi Chou's fingers that were gripping his neck. If the other man had used any more force, his neck would have broken in this brute's hands. "Are you trying to strangle me to death?"

When did you meet that person?

Where did you see him?

"Speak! If you lie about even one word, I'll twist your head off, and even if Gu Ziyi leads his troops over, they'll only be able to collect your corpse!"

Gong Xichou loosened his grip, but still didn't let go.

Chao Lian looked up at Gongxi Chou, coughed twice, and gestured for him to get up: "This isn't the place to talk, and we don't look like we're talking like this..."

Upon seeing the paper, Gongxi Chou suddenly launched an attack.

He grabbed Chao Lian by the neck with one hand and forced him down onto the table.

Seeing that things were not going well, the nearby vendors quickly made their escape.

"Cough cough cough—" Feeling the pressure on his neck ease, Chao Lian seized the opportunity to flip off the table, supporting himself with one hand, coughing incessantly. It took him a while to catch his breath before he asked Gong Xi Chou, "That person looks similar to you, could he be your relative?"

Judging from his age and appearance, he is most likely Gong Xichou's younger brother?

Chao Lian felt a pang of regret.

He had only met Gong Xichou a couple of times. When he saw the boy's still somewhat immature face that day, he vaguely felt that he was familiar with him, but he couldn't remember where he had seen him before. It wasn't until he saw Gong Xichou's distinctive foreign attire that he suddenly realized that the two looked alike.

Gong Xichou stared coldly at Chao Lian.

"Answer my question."

His eyes screamed, "Answer or die."

Chao Lian, being very pragmatic, answered in detail: "I met him on the 16th. The young man had a youthful appearance, looking no more than thirteen or fourteen years old. He came to the city to buy cloth, needles, thread, salt, sugar, and other items. He got into a conflict with Thirteen over a trivial matter. This man was neither a scholar nor a warrior; his methods were unprecedented. He subdued Thirteen in just one move."

"A young man? Thirteen or fourteen years old?"

Gong Xichou did some mental calculations.

The more she calculated, the brighter her eyes became!

"Is everything you're saying true?"

Chao Lian retorted, "This man concerns the lives of thirteen people. We brothers want to find him even more than you do. What good would it do to deceive you?"

Gong Xichou was overjoyed!

He's definitely the eldest brother's child at that age!

His good nephew!

To further verify his suspicions, Gong Xichou wanted to see Shao Chong. According to Chao Lian, his nephew had fought with Shao Chong, and Shao Chong definitely had evidence on him. He was eager to see him and couldn't wait a moment longer, so he dragged the man away.

Chao Lian's neck is in danger once again.

"Gongxi Chou—put me down!"

"Don't shout!"

Gu Ren had been so anxious these past few days that he wanted to dig three feet into the ground in the city, but no good news came. As the night of the full moon drew closer, he became increasingly anxious, unable to concentrate on the books piled on his table. He couldn't help but sigh after reading just a few lines.

boom--

A loud bang!

The violent martial energy smashed through the gates of the government building.

Gu Ren, a man accustomed to assassination attempts, calmly raised his hand and waved his sleeve. A barrier of spiritual energy rose from the ground, blocking the wind from the frontal attack. His sleeves fluttered in the wind. But the other items in the hall were not so lucky, and were thrown into disarray.

It resembles the ruins after a hurricane.

"Who dares to be so insolent!"

Gu Ren rebuked him in a deep voice.

The nearby guards and sworn brothers also rushed over.

Upon recognizing the intruder, Gu Ren's serious expression cracked for a moment—Gong Xi Chou! His twelfth brother was still tucked under his arm, looking utterly dejected. Being a seasoned old fox who had seen it all, he quickly regained his composure. But upon seeing the distinctive clan markings on Gong Xi Chou's body, he was secretly alarmed, immediately recalling the boy from that day. He promptly waved his sleeve, signaling the guards to retreat.

"What brings General Gongxi here so suddenly?"

"See your brother."

Gongxi Chou abandoned Chao Lian.

His tone was arrogant and natural, as if he were the master of the place.

Gu Ren instructed Chao Lian to bring Shao Chong to him.

Two other sworn brothers, like two fierce generals, stood guard on either side of Gong Xi Chou, preventing him from suddenly launching an attack. Gong Xi Chou scoffed at this, completely disregarding the two weaklings, until Shao Chong appeared, at which point he became serious.

"Fifteenth-rank minor superior?"

Gong Xichou saw through Shao Chong's strength at a glance, and Shao Chong also recognized Gong Xichou as the enemy general from the battle of Xiaocheng. They had even fought, but Shao Chong was no match for his opponent and almost lost his life: "Brother, how come this person is here?"

Gu Ren said, "They're looking for you."

Shao Chong rolled up his sleeves: "Looking for me? Looking for a fight?"

Gong Xichou curled his lip: "You?"

If it were any of the other fifteenth-rank junior cultivators, they would indeed be troublesome for him, but Shao Chong was not among them. His strength was achieved through the Gongxi clan's secret technique of using Gu worms to unleash his potential, which had drained his vital energy and lifespan; the Gu worms were also unfinished, hybrid creatures. In this situation, even if Gongxi Chou wasn't the High Priest, he could still indirectly cripple Shao Chong by influencing the Gu worms.

Gu Ren lightly scolded Shao Chong: "Thirteen, don't be rude!"

Shao Chong calmed down immediately and dared not disobey Gu Ren.

Gong Xichou stepped forward and, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, circled Shao Chong once. Reaching behind him, he swiftly grabbed Shao Chong's collar and ripped open his shirt, unexpectedly revealing half of his back. Shao Chong leaped back, saying, "Why did you ruin my clothes?"

"Look at your back."

Shao Chong said coldly, "We're all men, what's there to see?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Gong Xichou looked at him with undisguised contempt: "You're lucky to have escaped death for now." Only then did everyone notice that Shao Chong had some kind of totem-like pattern on his back, which was clearly visible in the sunlight.

The patterns are divided into two colors: brownish-black and turquoise.

The brownish-black color resembles ferocious insect patterns, while the emerald green resembles vines forming circles.

The latter enveloped and entangled the former.

Gu Ren asked in surprise, "What is this?"

Perhaps because he was in a good mood, Gongxi Chou was willing to say a few more words.

"The High Priest of the Gongxi Clan possesses a unique sealing incantation, specifically used to suppress the secret techniques of Gu worms. Newborns in our clan, regardless of gender, have a companion Gu worm implanted on their one-month birthday. This Gu worm shares life and death with its host. Ordinary quality Gu worms can only accelerate wound healing, aid cultivation, and improve the host's health. High-quality Gu worms, unless the host suffers a fatal injury like decapitation, have a certain chance of survival… However, there are advantages and disadvantages. The more domineering the Gu worm's effects, the easier it is for it to go out of control. Generally, the High Priest must seal it. As the host grows older and stronger, the seal gradually dissipates." The Gu worms within him were of the highest quality; only seven have been recorded in the clan annals since then.

Why was Gong Xichou able to obtain one by himself?

According to Ji Mo Can—

Your brother went mad and used the medicine on you.

Gu Ren's eyes lit up: "This is the seal?"

Gong Xichou nodded: "Yes."

This seal is enough to prove one point—

The high priest of the Gongxi tribe has appeared!

His good nephew is the high priest of this generation!

"...According to General Gongxi, the seal will gradually unseal as he ages. In other words, is Thirteen safe now? Will there be no danger on the next full moon night?" Gu Ren held his breath nervously, waiting for Gongxi Chou's answer.

“Yes!” Gong Xichou changed the subject. “However, the Gu worms on his body are not pure; they are merely a hybrid of different species, so the sealing effect may not be as good. If he wants to save his life, he either needs to increase his strength before the seal breaks down, or he needs to find the High Priest to apply another layer of protection. He should stabilize his emotions and try not to stimulate the Gu worms to awaken, as that would accelerate the seal’s collapse.”

After hearing this, Gu Ren and the others clasped their hands in gratitude.

He sincerely said, "Thank you!"

Gong Xichou didn't care about their thanks; he only wanted to know—

"Where did the person who left the seal go?"

Gu Ren smiled bitterly: "To be honest, we don't know either. We heard that he had a way to save Thirteen, so we immediately sealed off the city for several days to find him, but we haven't heard anything since."

Gong Xichou frowned, clearly dissatisfied with the answer.

"You don't even know where he went?"

"I'm sorry, I don't know."

"Then what do you know?"

Gong Xichou looked at them as if they were a bunch of useless trash. He had answered all their questions, but all they replied was "I don't know".

Chao Lian and Shao Chong knew the most.

However, Shao Chong's expressive ability is far inferior to that of the former.

He then recounted all the details of what had happened that day, hoping to help Gong Xichou. Since it concerned his elder brother and nephew, Gong Xichou listened intently, not wanting to miss a single word.

That's it?

Chao Lian said, "That's all."

Gongxi Chou suppressed his dissatisfaction, but Gu Ren, being very perceptive, said, "If that young man reappears, we will definitely inform General Gongxi." He then subtly invited Gongxi Chou to stay for a few days so that he could fulfill his duty as a host, but Gongxi Chou refused.

He has important matters to attend to.

Who wants to waste time playing along with Gu Ren?

Seeing that he couldn't persuade him to stay, Gu Ren offered some travel money as a token of gratitude, hoping to establish a good relationship. Gong Xichou accepted it without hesitation. He came quickly and left just as quickly. However, he didn't go to see his elder brother and nephew, but went directly to Yiru.

Looking for someone, Zhang He.

He was the only person Gong Xichou knew who had seen the "sacred object." If the "sacred object" Zhang He had seen was exactly the same as Mama's when she was young, then the sacred object = Mama, which would make it more plausible. Thinking of this, he felt a little regretful about what happened back then.

Shen Tang disguised his appearance when he went to see Zhang He. If he hadn't disguised himself, perhaps he could have found out the truth sooner.

Once this matter is settled, he will go to find his elder brother and good nephew.

With something to look forward to, Gong Xichou felt his life was fulfilling.

Within two days, Qiu Cheng's body was also returned to the Qiu family.

Upon receiving the news, the Qiu clan patriarch, who was also Qiu Cheng's elder brother, was stunned. His expression was a mixture of crying and muttering, "I never intended to force him to his death. Why did he do this, making me the subject of public criticism?"

His wife also looked somber.

Her resentment towards Qiu Cheng deepened even further.

Out of consideration for their blood ties, the couple were willing to repay evil with kindness. Little did they know that Qiu Wenyan, with his petty mind, would misjudge a gentleman and stage a scene of committing suicide by sword.

Isn't this putting them, the couple, in a very difficult position?

She gritted her teeth: "They really don't know what's good for them..."

Qiu Dalang looked distressed: "...Never mind."

"What do you mean, 'just that'? You've been framed for nothing! If I had known he would repay kindness with enmity, I would never have agreed to you selling your private treasury to redeem him... Not only did you get a corpse, but you also gained the infamy of 'forcing your brother to his death.' Can you swallow that?"

Qiu Dalang patiently calmed his furious wife.

He said softly, "Whether we can swallow it or not, things are already like this. Let's try to think positively; at least we still have some breath left to swallow..."

The chieftain's wife was still furious.

The thought of having to face her widowed sister-in-law made her expression so sour it looked like she'd swallowed a million flies. If she weren't so good-tempered, she'd have ordered someone to throw Qiu Wenyan's coffin out. Since they considered the couple despicable, why bother disgusting them with a corpse?

No matter how wronged the couple were, they had no choice but to grit their teeth and get ready to handle Qiu Cheng's funeral arrangements.

Mrs. Qiu and her children wept bitterly in front of the newly set up mourning hall, even fainting at one point. This scene took on a different meaning in the eyes of the guests who came to pay their respects. The clan head and his wife stood aside, greeting the guests, their expressions awkward and embarrassed.

But they couldn't leave; they could only stand there like wooden figures.

The guests looked at them with eyes as sharp as needles.

Everyone believed that this was Qiu Dalang's scheme to use someone else to kill him, and they were secretly shocked by his ruthlessness. They also lamented that the brothers from the noble family had no true feelings for each other, and that things had come to the point of life and death. As a result of this incident, apart from close friends, everyone else gradually distanced themselves from the Qiu family.

Other noblewomen viewed the clan chief's wife as a viper.

And who is the culprit behind all of this?

The working class has gone from 996 to 007.

Because of the war plans for next year, Shen Tang and her team were constantly busy. Household registration, land, population... which one wasn't a huge project? They wished they could use the twelve hours as twenty-four. Not to mention the young people, even the elderly Physician Dong led a group of disciples, traveling day and night to come.

"Does Mr. Shen want to conduct a citywide health checkup in Sibao County?" Doctor Dong was one of the few people who knew the real purpose behind the health checkup. Having had the experience the first time, he was quite adept at it the second time.

"Um."

However, Dr. Dong disagreed. They were severely understaffed, with both war preparations and reconstruction underway. The "physical examination" could be postponed, since the situation in Sibao County had stabilized and it was winter, so there was little movement of people.

The people on either side can't escape, so waiting a bit won't hurt.

“We can’t wait.” Shen Tang’s voice was gentle but carried an unyielding firmness. “We should minimize Miao Shu’s involvement.”

Shen Tang never imagined that all female scholars and martial artists would pledge allegiance to her; that was unrealistic. Whom to pledge allegiance to and what path to pursue were personal choices. She hoped that even if some of them became future rivals, they would still receive basic respect, rather than becoming someone's possession or a dispensable plaything.

They are pearls, and should shine brightly.

When gathered, they are a blazing fire; when scattered, they are a sky full of stars.

Upon hearing this, Dr. Dong had no choice but to agree.

but--

"Shen Jun, those men..."

Shen Tang threw Luan Xin over there.

He was, after all, Qiu Cheng's top strategist, an all-powerful man.

Luan Xin hesitated, "But what about the cotton..."

Shen Tang: "Ling De is overseeing things over there."

Even though Sibao County is short of water, it still has enough water to grow a few acres of cotton, so there's no need for Luan Xin to use artificial rainmaking for the time being. In other words, Luan Xin can take care of the affairs of the Household Department while also handling the work of Physician Dong.

Seeing his lord's nonchalant expression, Luan Xin suppressed his emotions and said tactfully, "The affairs are trivial, and I'm afraid I can't handle them all." Had his lord even considered the workload?

Shen Tang offered a pie in the sky: "Justice, I believe you can do it!"

Luan Xin: "???"

If I weren't so well-mannered, I'd really like to ask, "What a load of crap!"

_(:з」∠)_

Once they fell under Tang Mei's wing, not a single scholar could escape her exploitation...

After all, a capable and cultured scholar is a good subordinate.

(End of this chapter)