Chapter 946: Seeking Refuge with Mama (Part 1) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]
I thought—
Gong Xiqiu almost blurted out his delusions.
Ever since he learned that his eldest nephew had a young man named "Thirteen," he had assumed that his elder brother and sister-in-law had truly given him thirteen nephews and nieces, and had even been agonizing over how to prepare a gift for them. Now he realized that this "Thirteen" was not the same as the "Thirteen" in the story.
This Thirteenth Brother is actually Gu Ren's sworn brother.
The little madman who almost got killed by himself back then.
Hmph, his mood swings are all Thirteen's fault.
Considering his nephew's presence, Gong Xichou could only swallow his dissatisfaction with a cold glint in his eyes. He wasn't oblivious to social cues; judging from the group of five, he guessed that Shao Chong was his nephew's friend, and most likely, these were the ones who had comforted his nephew during his father's death. He hadn't yet established a deep uncle-nephew relationship with his nephew; this blood relation alone was probably insufficient to surpass Shao Chong's position in his nephew's heart.
Hmph, let this kid be arrogant and smug for a few days.
When my nephew truly admires and accepts me, and is willing to call me Second Uncle, then none of these people can compare to me.
Thinking of this, Gongxi Chou's expression softened.
He said calmly, "It's nothing, just a misunderstanding."
Shao Chong was confused, but his intuition told him that he disliked Shao Bai's second uncle, and Shao Bai's second uncle disliked him too. He wasn't one to hide his emotions, so he openly expressed his dislike for Gong Xi Chou. He handed over his empty bowl: "Another bowl, please!"
Hmph, snake soup is delicious, he wants to eat it every day!
Fang Yan calmly observed, watching Gong Xichou keep trying to find topics to ask about Shao Bai, and finally couldn't help but speak up: "Speaking of which, Gong Xichou, how did you end up provoking such a formidable enemy?"
He didn't miss what Gong Cheng said.
The latter wasn't targeting any specific person, but rather the Gongxi clan. Because of his intervention to rescue Gongxi Chou today, Shao Bai's identity was exposed. Having provoked a powerful and malicious enemy, Shao Bai's future is likely to be fraught with trouble.
Gongxi Chou was unwilling to say it outright.
After all, this matter is too complicated, and explaining the cause and effect would be a waste of breath. He didn't have the patience to tell a story: "Where did I provoke him? He clearly appeared and attacked me suddenly. I can guess why he attacked me. It's probably some old grudges between our ancestors from years ago. It may be troublesome, but don't worry, I will protect my nephew."
Before the High Priest falls, the warriors of the Gongxi clan will fight to their last drop of blood, and Gongxi Chou will naturally do the same.
Fang Yan did not press further upon hearing this.
Because he recalled Ji Moyu's disgraceful actions before his death, how he had tricked the 20th-rank Marquis Che, who had lived for a couple hundred years, into giving away his life's cultivation, the "Enlightenment," to someone else. Ji Moyu was once the High Priest of the Gongxi tribe; if he was like this, then other members of the Gongxi tribe and other high priests had probably done similar inhuman things. How could he not seek revenge against his enemies?
Fang Yan said bluntly, "That would be best."
Indeed, Shao Bai is the only conscience left in this clan.
After Fang Yan finished asking his question, it was Gong Xichou's turn to ask his.
"I've traveled the continent all these years in order to find my elder brother and nephew, but unfortunately I've missed them every time. Why are you here?" What Gong Xi Chou really wanted to ask was how these people managed to avoid him a day or two in advance each time. Once or twice would be fine, but dozens of times in a row... Luckily, he had a good mentality, otherwise he would have been driven crazy long ago.
He wondered darkly if Fang Yan had done it on purpose.
Is it all for the sake of avenging the humiliation of that year?
But that doesn't make sense. If he hadn't gotten carried away and meddlesome, this guy named Thirteen would have been dead long ago. Thirteen's recovery to this level must have been largely thanks to his elder brother and nephew. Why would Fang Yan be running around with his nephew?
Gong Xichou's tone was filled with resentment as he thought about what he had experienced over the years.
Fang Yan glanced at his thirteenth brother and Shao Bai, and sighed deeply: "Isn't it all because of finding 'The Eccentric Hero'?"
Gong Xichou: "???"
With his head full of little braids, he was now completely bewildered.
The name "Strange Hero Chou" sounds so familiar... Isn't this the pseudonym he just made up on the spot? Although things developed as he wished, he didn't expect it to happen so quickly. His nephew and the others really did come here because they wanted to challenge him.
"Cough cough cough, what do you want with 'Eccentric Hero Chou'?"
Fang Yan and Uncle Lin were looking at him like he was an idiot. Did Gong Xi Chou really think he had kept his disguise well? At first, they didn't know who "Strange Hero Qiu" was. After all, there were many masters on the mainland, and they didn't know Gong Xi Chou either. How could they guess who he was right away? It was just a coincidence that they met Gong Xi Chou today. He and Shao Bai were uncle and nephew.
Some of the confusion was then easily resolved.
Shao Chong said, "Naturally, it's to defeat him!"
Clearly, he doesn't have the brains of Sixth Brother and the others.
Gong Xichou arrogantly replied, "Win? With your strength?"
Provoked, Shao Chong's temper flared up instantly, his blood boiling: "That's right, with just me and Shao Bai, the Strange Hero Chou's calf-nose trousers are definitely ours for the taking, don't even think about coveting them!"
Gong Xichou: "...calf, nose, trousers?"
He secretly slapped his forehead.
Oh no, will my nephew be led astray?
Shao Chong said smugly, "You don't know this, do you? This is a new trend in the world of wandering knights. These days, it's not fashionable to fight to the death and take the loser's head. It's immoral and dirty. The head will stink after a couple of days. What's more humiliating than taking the opponent's trousers? These are battle records! They are the humiliation that the winner leaves on the loser for a lifetime!"
At first glance, Gong Xichou thought it made a lot of sense.
Bullshit, what nonsense!
It was definitely a mistake to leave Shao Chong behind back then. That scoundrel actually dared to covet my trousers! He's incredibly audacious and a truly hateful brat!
Seeing that things were not going well, Fang Yan joined forces with Chao Lian.
Chao Lian tried to coax Shao Chong to stop courting death, while Fang Yan chuckled and attempted to gloss over the matter. Unfortunately, the usually obedient Shao Bai let slip: "Thirteen is right!"
Fang Yan: "..."
Gong Xichou's face was as black as lightning.
But he couldn't vent his anger on his eldest nephew.
He endured it; enduring it for a while brought peace and tranquility.
Fang Yan and his group changed their route to this place, not just to defeat "Strange Hero Qiu" (a nickname for a villain), but also because they wanted to return home after being away for many years and send their brothers back to their hometown. However, this incident happened along the way, and their plans had to be adjusted.
In the middle of the night, Shao Chong and Shao Bai went to bed on time.
Gong Xichou, Fang Yan, and the other two were not sleepy at all.
They were of one mind and wanted to reach a conclusion through discussion.
Gong Xichou took the initiative to suggest, "Now that my nephew has been found, it is only natural that I, as his second uncle, should protect them. I have remembered the care you have given him over the years. I will not thank you for your great kindness. If you need my help in the future, please do not hesitate to ask."
The retaliation from those old monsters was far beyond what Fang Yan and his companions could withstand.
Gong Xichou prepared to wander the world with his eldest nephew.
Or he could retreat to a secluded place where no one could find him, and cultivate diligently for ten or twenty years. Once he reaches the twentieth level of the Chehou realm, with his nephew's assistance, he could kill all these old monsters one by one! Slaughter them all! Let them know that even if only the uncle and nephew remain of the Gongxi clan, they can still strike fear into everyone's hearts!
Fang Yan and Uncle Lin refused outright.
The reasons are also quite complex.
Uncle Lin clenched his fists on his knees: "This won't do. Shao Bai's teacher entrusted him with this before his death. How can we ignore him?"
Having spent ten years together, Uncle Lin had long regarded Shao Bai as his own son. How could he leave Shao Bai to protect himself because of enemies? Fang Yan and Chao Lian also refused, but their reasons, besides entrusting the child to him, also included Shao Chong.
"Thirteen's current situation is still inseparable from Shao Bai."
There is no possibility of untying the bond at present.
Gongxi Chou frowned: "My nephew and I have no ties, but you are different. Why get involved in this mess? Do you know who the enemy behind you is? It's the twentieth-rank Marquis, and there's more than one!"
Uncle Lin and the others fell silent.
He couldn't help but wonder what he had done to deserve such a vengeful act by the Gongxi clan, that they had suddenly attracted the relentless pursuit of several 20th-rank Marquises. After all, since the descent of the Thief Star, there had only been three 20th-rank Marquises with names and records!
Uncle Lin: "I am not a coward who fears death."
Fang Yan and Chao Lian also shook their heads.
Their lives were saved by Ji Moyu and his apprentice.
The worst outcome would be to return one's life.
Gong Xiqiu let out a heavy sigh: "Since that's the case, I won't try to persuade you any further. It's my nephew's good fortune to meet you all. On behalf of my elder brother who died young, I thank you all!"
Since they couldn't break free, they needed to figure out what to do next. Gongxi Chou preferred seclusion; he truly missed the days when he lived a peaceful life with his clan in their ancestral lands. Life was lively and carefree, and worldly disputes had nothing to do with them.
Gong Xichou has been away from his clan's territory for so many years.
He could never understand one thing—the Ji Sun clan, who left their clan's territory in a fit of anger to establish the Wu Kingdom, had two high priests who defected one after another, one of whom was his own father, Ji Mo Can. What was it about the outside world that attracted them to defect one after another?
The hustle and bustle of this colorful world?
Worldly riches and honors?
What exactly attracts them to fame and fortune?
Don't they know that as long as there isn't a single person left in the world, the endless war will never stop?
The ambitions and desires of outsiders are the root of their destruction. Who among them is innocent? The strong exploit the weak, and the weak oppress the weaker. They have always been bullies who prey on the weak and fear the strong, and they never learn from their mistakes! They have never learned from the endless turmoil! What does the life or death of these people have to do with the Gongxi clan? Isn't it enough that our ancestors chose to live in seclusion?
Even his opinion of Ji Mo Can, his biological father, Gong Xi Chou, was not high, or even positive, because he was too stupid!
Gongxi Chou lost all his relatives because of worldly customs.
He only has one nephew left! His only remaining bloodline! Why can't he protect his nephew somewhere no one can find him? Gong Xi Chou believes that without these greedy and foolish foreigners, his nephew will surely be safe and sound!
Yes, besides my eldest nephew, I also have a younger sister.
Hide them all, hide them, protect them!
It doesn't matter if the sacred object Mama doesn't want to live in seclusion; Gongxi Chou isn't in a hurry. He has the patience to wait for her to die naturally or by some other accident, then steal her body and put it in a coffin, allowing the descendants of the Gongxi clan to continue upholding the promise of their ancestors.
When Gong Xi Chou expressed his view on seclusion, an uncontrollable bloodlust flashed in his eyes, which made Chao Lian, Fang Yan, and the others tremble with fear. They subconsciously held their breath, afraid that if they said the wrong word, they would provoke Gong Xi Chou into a violent outburst.
Thump!
A branch struck Gongxi Chou's hair ornament.
His head tilted slightly with the force.
Ji Moqiu turned over and said calmly, "Calm down."
Gong Xichou instantly changed his expression, the bloodlust in his eyes completely disappearing, and he chuckled and scratched his head, replying, "Alright."
Fang Yan and the others: "..."
After thinking for a while, they rejected Gong Xichou's proposal.
"Passive escapism is the worst possible strategy. Having the ability of a thousand soldiers but acting like a brute, only knowing how to fight alone, how can one avoid being defeated one by one by the enemy? Gongxi Chou, my suggestion is still to enter officialdom and use worldly power to make the enemy wary!"
Gong Xiqiu was quite resistant to this.
Fang Yan sighed, "Think about it again."
Addendum: "Even for Shao Bai's sake, you shouldn't act impulsively. I know the Gongxi clan suffered a lot, and in the end, only you and Shao Bai are left. The ones who did evil are your enemies. Anyone other than your enemies can become your friend."
Gong Xichou bit his lip tightly and remained silent.
In the end, it was Shao Bai who made the final decision the next day after waking up.
Gong Xichou still wanted to insist: "Nephew, no..."
Ji Moqiu took a sip of warm water, turned her head to look at him, and gazed at him quietly with eyes similar to Gong Xichou's.
He asked in a calm voice, "No what?"
Gong Xichou's remaining words were cut off.
"No, no, this isn't a good idea..."
For some reason, their momentum quickly weakened.
Ji Moqiu patiently said, "Things aren't as serious as you think. The enemy is powerful, but we don't need to be too afraid. My teacher once said that I am the most talented and have the greatest potential in the clan's history, and I will be the most powerful high priest in the future. We can't do anything to those twenty-rank marquises now, but in the future, if they don't know what's good for them, what's so difficult about confining them for another hundred years? Besides, we have legs. If we can't beat them, we can run away. We don't necessarily have to hold on. That would be foolish."
Gongxi Chou was swayed by Ji Moqiu's words.
He nodded: "Yes, as you say."
Ji Moqiu nodded with satisfaction.
Very good, a promising young man.
As a reward, he gave Gong Xiqiu a box of round and lustrous small pearls, each with the same hole.
Gong Xichou took it and was overjoyed.
What a perfect uncle and nephew! I never imagined my nephew would also enjoy playing marbles.
Ji Moqiu pointed to her braid: "A string of braids."
When braiding hair, he would let strands pass through the round holes, with each pearl evenly distributed. He had all kinds of pearls—gold, silver, jade, and regular pearls. It was very convenient when he was short of money.
Gong Xiqiu looked up and glanced at it; it was indeed beautiful.
but--
"...That's too much trouble."
This must be an enormous project.
He has become increasingly lazy in recent years, and the number of braids on his head depends on his mood that day, with the number declining year by year.
"Is it too troublesome? The Martial Qi Avatar will be fine in a moment."
Gong Xichou: "..."
This makes him look foolish for braiding the hair himself.
Gong Xichou decided to skip this topic.
Because we must engage with the world, we must carefully select our forces.
There's really not much to choose from. The Gongxi clan, being of noble birth, doesn't support their own sacred object—is that even reasonable? Gongxi Chou immediately made a firm decision: "In that case, let's go find Mama. Oh, I remember now, before that, nephew, we need to deal with that shameless bastard Xun Ding first. We'll go to Mama after we've dealt with him! Xun Yong'an, that shameless scoundrel, he actually dared to get your aunt pregnant! I'll chop up that unclean thing of his and throw it to the dogs!"
|ω`)
The misunderstanding between the uncle and nephew won't be resolved in a short time; we'll just have to wait and see when they look at the family genealogy.
(End of this chapter)
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