Chapter 34 Birthday Banquet
Shi Yuan told the truth: "It hasn't been fixed yet, and it's not usable at the moment."
"Is Senior He asking because of Little Grey?"
He Wensheng nodded: "I believe you have already seen the problem with Little Grey; it doesn't have much time left."
He sighed deeply: "Little Grey has never done anything bad in his life. After gaining intelligence and becoming a spirit, he also protected the creatures in the area. It's a pity that he met the wrong person when he was begging for a silence."
"Even so, it didn't do anything to that person."
"It got stuck here, and it turned into a human and became obsessed. If I could, I would still hope that it could have its wish fulfilled in its next life."
"How much longer can it last?" Shi Yuan asked.
"At most five years."
"I cannot guarantee that the Reincarnation Platform will be repaired within five years, but if it becomes usable, I will inform you immediately."
Thank you!
"You're welcome," Shi Yuan replied with a smile. "I also hope that Xiao Hui's wish will come true."
Since forming a contract with Huan Ni and Shi Meili, she has become much more tolerant of the strange demons. She doesn't take credit for things she's just helping out.
After Xiao Hui brought the grill, Shi Yuan started slicing the fish and putting it on the grill.
Perhaps the grilled fish smelled too good, because Gu Linyuan and He Tian arrived soon after, drawn by the aroma.
With their arrival, the work was taken care of, and Shi Yuan only needed to speak.
A gentle breeze and warm sunshine, a few friends, chatting idly and enjoying delicious food—this truly embodies the idea of stealing a half-day of leisure from a busy life.
After a few days of peace and quiet, Gu Linyuan gave Shi Yuan a document: "Xie Minzhi's identity is a bit problematic."
“My people have been digging for a long time, but the information they have obtained is very limited. Compared to the person who helped Kang Mingfeng cover up his tracks, the person who tampered with Xie Minzhi’s resume is obviously a master.”
"Xie Minzhi's file was so normal that I once thought I was just overthinking it."
But in the end, he still found some clues.
Of course, there's no need to tell Shi Yuan about all the twists and turns; he just needs to give the result.
"Xie Minyin and Xie Minzhi are not biological siblings."
"What?"
"Xie Minyin was adopted by the Xie family."
This news was once again beyond Shi Yuan's expectations. She looked through the documents and found that Xie Minzhi had helped Xie Minyin make many decisions, big and small.
Xie Minzhi also finalized the decision to choose Wu Guanhai as his brother-in-law.
Shi Yuan pointed to a few lines on the document: "Xie Minzhi was promoted several times in a short period of time after Xie Minyin and Wu Guanhai got married."
She looked at Gu Linyuan: "Why do I feel like there's another hand controlling Xie Minzhi from behind? Is it just my imagination?"
“That’s what I think too.” He handed another document to Shi Yuan. “Take a look at this document as well.”
Shi Yuan took it and opened it. Inside were several names and brief biographies of the people, all of whom were divorced and remarried, and were influential figures in their respective fields.
Gu Linyuan wouldn't show her this document for no reason: "Let me make a bold guess, these people's remarriage experiences are more or less similar to Wu Guanhai's."
“That’s right!” Gu Linyuan confirmed Shi Yuan’s guess. “The family members of their remarried partners have all received promotions of varying degrees.”
"The promotions were done very discreetly. Those family members were also capable, and over time they could also be promoted by making some achievements at work, but it might take much longer."
"Gu Linyuan, do you think there might be an organization that specifically targets certain individuals to take shortcuts?"
"Because we were careful, no one noticed," she added.
Upon hearing Shi Yuan's words, Gu Linyuan's expression turned serious: "Now that you mention it, my first thought is that the person behind this has very big ambitions."
“I’ll have someone investigate this line in detail.”
"Aren't we dealing with supernatural beings? Can we investigate this too?"
“Even acting like a demon counts as being a demon,” Gu Linyuan replied seriously.
Shi Yuan chuckled: "I never expected Director Gu to be so humorous."
Gu Linyuan said with a relaxed expression, "I'm actually quite humorous in real life."
Shi Yuan was a little surprised. She really didn't see any "funny" qualities in Gu Linyuan. For a moment, she didn't know how to answer. She wasn't a very funny person.
"By the way, Wu Guanhai has been collecting birthday gifts lately. Do you know which important person in Beicheng is having a birthday celebration soon?"
Gu Linyuan paused as he pulled out the document, but still said, "I do know someone is having a birthday celebration, but I'm not sure if that's the person Wu Guanhai is going to give a gift to."
Who is it?
"Gu Dingbei, Commander of the Beicheng Military Region."
"Surname Gu?" Shi Yuan noticed Gu Linyuan's tone turn cold when he mentioned this person, and guessed, "An annoying relative?"
Upon hearing Shi Yuan say this, Gu Linyuan burst out laughing: "Yes, they are annoying relatives."
"Given Wu Guanhai's connections, finding out my whereabouts shouldn't be difficult. He probably can't get into headquarters, right?"
"That's right, only family members of the members are allowed in." And the members have to agree to it.
Therefore, even though Wu Guanhai was Shi Yuan's nominal father, he couldn't get a single step into the headquarters.
"Is he trying to achieve his goal indirectly by going to your relative's birthday banquet to pressure me, his boss, to go see him?"
“I won’t grant him that wish,” Gu Linyuan immediately assured him.
Shi Yuan smiled again: "Then thank you very much for Director Gu's protection."
"Of course." Gu Linyuan originally wanted to say: Your business is my business, but he was afraid that being too direct would make Shi Yuan uncomfortable, so he changed his words, "If you need anything, you can come to me anytime. I'm the kind of person who protects his own."
Just as Gu Linyuan said this, He Tian knocked on the door and came in. He was stunned for a moment. Was Master Gu protective of his own? It seemed so, but he seemed to require his members to solve problems independently.
"What's wrong?"
"Master Gu, news has come from Changbai Mountain that there is a small crack in the barrier that imprisons the ghosts. Fengcheng has confirmed that the crack was caused by the Ghost King's Decree."
“I had someone check the passenger list for those who visited Changbai Mountain during that period.” He pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Gu Linyuan. “It’s all here.”
"Wu Guanchao." Gu Linyuan tapped his pen and said to Shi Yuan, "It's not surprising that the Wu family has the Ghost King's Token, but how could they bear to give such a treasure to the Ghost Realm?"
He wasn't that he couldn't understand the Wu family's scheme, but he felt that it was clearly a risky thing to do, so why would the Wu family do it?
It should be noted that the Yin energy in Fengcheng was severely weakened at that time. If the Wu family had approached Fengcheng and offered the Ghost King's Token, Fengcheng would probably have accepted this gift, even if it was hesitant, as it was a gift with a hidden price tag.
He always had to hold on until he recovered at the Reincarnation Platform.
In this way, the Wu family could at least cope with the current crisis, but the Wu family was obviously too greedy, so they made a bad move.
He Tian continued, "Wu Guanhai has become a pawn and is at risk of being blamed, so he's having a very difficult time."
Before leaving, he added, "Commander Gu hopes you will attend the family dinner." With that, he walked out of the office.
"Gu Linyuan, will you attend that family banquet?"
Gu Linyuan remained silent for a while. Gu Linfeng flew from the potted plant to his wrist, circled around it a few times, and then gently stroked it for a while.
“I’m going,” Gu Linyuan said. “This might be the last birthday celebration Linfeng will give him.” He didn’t want to go, but he wouldn’t stop Linfeng from going.
However, those people probably won't have anything nice to say about their brothers.
As if sensing his brother's emotions, Gu Linfeng stopped stroking Gu Linyuan's wrist.
Gu Linyuan gently rubbed Gu Linfeng's chest and said with a smile, "Brother will go with you."
Shi Yuan was a very quick-witted person, and she could tell at a glance that Gu Linyuan and his brother probably had a deep connection with the Gu family. She didn't ask, but like her boss, she was protective of her own, so she said, "Are you worried that Linfeng won't be used to that kind of occasion?"
"How about letting Huanni and Meili accompany Linfeng?" She gave a not-so-friendly smile. "Of course, you'll have to bear the risk of ruining the birthday banquet yourself."
"Is it okay?" Gu Linfeng flew off his brother's wrist and twisted himself into three words.
“Yes!” Gu Linyuan and Shi Yuan said in unison.
"I was just about to say I was going to accompany Linfeng, but as you know, I'm a loose tongue, and I was afraid of offending someone, so I didn't say it," Huanni said enthusiastically. She had never witnessed a birthday banquet in this era before.
Shi Meili quietly climbed onto Shi Yuan's shoulder: "I'm not quick-tongued, but I have a bad temper and I can hit people. Do you need me to control my temper?"
"No need!" Gu Linfeng uttered those two words the instant Gu Linyuan spoke.
Gu Linyuan's smile was warmer than usual: "Linfeng actually really wants to argue with certain people, but it's inconvenient for him." Sometimes he twists himself into a pretzel and still can't win an argument.
"I was just about to ask Huan Ni and Mei Li to come out of retirement, but I was afraid of being too forward, so I didn't say it."
“What’s so abrupt about this?” Huan Ni replied. “I love joining in the fun.”
"Besides, you all said that Wu Guanhai would be there that day, and I was going to follow him anyway, so this is perfect, I can do both at the same time!"
Shi Yuan thought for a moment and said, "We've had enough of this leisurely time; it's time to deal with the Wu family and Kang Mingfeng's affairs."
"Gu Linyuan, Wu Guanhai's birthday gift seems quite generous, so please accept it."
Gu Linyuan understood what Shi Yuan meant. He joked, "Then I'll pretend to be in a difficult position before accepting it, so he doesn't think it's too easy."
"Okay." Shi Yuan was amused. She noticed that Gu Linyuan seemed more approachable than when they first met. Indeed, there's a difference between family members and outsiders.
The day of the birthday banquet arrived quickly, and Huan Ni was still whispering to Shi Yuan: "It's a pity you can't go, otherwise, the two of us could roast people together, that would be the best in the world!"
“You can fight against a thousand troops all by yourself.” Shi Yuan smiled and took a sip of tea, then advised her, “A family like the Gu family probably needs many experts to protect them. You should try to stay with Gu Linyuan as much as possible.”
"Don't worry about that. Gu Linyuan has already instructed me. I'll just engage in verbal battles. If that doesn't work, I'll retreat. I might not be able to beat others, but I can definitely outrun them."
She added, "Gu Linyuan seems to be really looking forward to me messing up the birthday banquet. What do you think is the relationship between those brothers and the Gu family?"
Shi Yuan shook her head: "I don't know, but it's definitely not a friendly relationship."
Huan Ni's eyes lit up: "Then I can do whatever I want!"
"Gu Linyuan should be very happy."
Huan Ni said arrogantly, "Since we're all so familiar with each other, I don't need an appearance fee!"
"You're so loyal!" Shi Yuan praised with a smile.
As they were talking, Gu Linfeng suddenly flew to Huan Ni and circled around her.
"Are we about to set off?" Huan Ni asked him.
"Yes!" Gu Linfeng answered, twisting the word.
"Shi Yuan, let's go then."
Shi Yuan smiled and waved.
She didn't attend the birthday banquet, but Huan Ni later vividly described the scene to her.
She said that although the birthday banquet of the Gu family patriarch was just a family banquet, there were actually a lot of people present, and you could tell from their clothes and the cars they rode in that they were people of high status and background.
She almost thought her heroic talents were wasted, but it turned out she really did offend Gu Linfeng.
It was almost the end of the family banquet, and the guests had all left, when a young girl from the Gu family suddenly covered her nose and said that there was a strong demonic aura here.
Seeing that everyone was still standing by and watching the show as usual, the girl said again, "I really don't know why Grandpa called you, this monster, back to show us the circus?"
"Shut up!" Gu Linyuan snapped coldly. "Don't you know best who the monster is?"
"Is this something you should be saying, as someone who benefits from the status quo?"
"Big brother, I didn't say anything else. Gu Linfeng is a monster, a mute and ignorant monster!"
Gu Linfeng was furious; he couldn't stand being called a monster!
Gu Linyuan's expression darkened further. He regretted bringing Linfeng to celebrate the old man's birthday. The Gu family was indeed not worth it.
In reality, at Gu Linyuan's level, no one would provoke him for no reason, but there are always some people who act recklessly because they are from the same clan and have elders protecting them.
To be honest, Gu Linyuan had severed ties with the Gu family a long time ago, but as Old Master Gu got older, he always felt guilty towards Gu Linyuan and his brother, and in recent years he had been trying to find ways to ease the tension between them.
Most importantly, Gu Linyuan is the most outstanding person in the Gu family now.
In families like theirs, the older generation supports the family until the next generation has established themselves.
Originally, Gu Linyuan's father was able to steadily take over the Gu family business, but unfortunately, his future was ruined because of a woman. Now he sits in a sinecure and has no chance of being promoted.
Currently, apart from Old Master Gu, only Gu Linyuan's second uncle is somewhat presentable in the Gu family, but they are not qualified to support such a large family.
In recent years, Gu Linyuan has become increasingly outstanding, and Old Master Gu has privately expressed his intention to hand over the Gu family business to Gu Linyuan.
The second branch of the family was naturally dissatisfied; they had worked hard for decades, not to benefit Gu Linyuan.
They dared not offend Gu Linyuan and his group, but they could still stir up trouble and embarrass the eldest brother and sister.
Ideally, Gu Linyuan would stop associating with the Gu family because of this.
Even if Grandpa Gu blames them, it's just a quarrel between the younger generation, and it won't be taken too seriously.
In previous years, they had always been very successful with this tactic. Gu Linfeng, being a child at heart, was most susceptible to provocation and would always rush forward to hit someone, eventually only managing to break some decorations to vent his anger.
But that's all there is to it. Just like Uncle Gu said, Old Master Gu is getting old and believes that harmony in the family brings prosperity. Gu Linfeng suffered a grievance, but once the poison was ruined, the matter was considered over. He could only endure the grievance and digest it himself.
Gu Linyuan was willing to directly support Gu Linfeng, but Gu Linfeng still had feelings for the Gu family and was afraid that Gu Linyuan would go too far and violate the Seventh Division's rule of "not being able to lay a hand on ordinary people." Instead, he advised Gu Linyuan not to get angry or hold a grudge.
This year is different; Gu Linfeng is attending the birthday banquet with his friends!
Before Gu Linfeng could react to these harsh words, Huan Ni had already launched into a sarcastic remark: "Oh, who is this with such a foul mouth? Did they poop in their mouth?" Her opening line was a direct attack.
The key issue was that no one could find Huan Ni at the beginning.
"Gu Linfeng, who is this woman? Was she just forced into a latrine? She's spewing filth, it stinks!" When it comes to verbal sparring, Huan Ni has never lost!
"Who's there? Show yourself! I'll beat you to death!" The girl was about to cry, she stomped her foot, "Gu Linfeng, you bastard! I hate you!"
"This fighting power is lacking," Huan Ni clicked her tongue twice, but she would not show any mercy to her opponent!
"You're bad, you're bad, your whole family is bad, you raised such a foul-mouthed person like you!" Huan Ni continued to unleash her attack, "Gu Linfeng, does someone like that even deserve to be your family!"
"They're pointing their fingers at you and cursing you!"
"You're only good-tempered because you have a good temper. If it were me, I would have slapped her hard and smashed her mouth shut!"
Huan Ni used a small spell to make her voice sound like a surround sound, so that even the guests who left the banquet but didn't leave the courtyard could hear it.
However, they did not linger. The incident involving the Gu family back then had caused quite a stir, and since they were honored guests, they naturally knew something about it.
Although Gu Linyuan's identity has some issues, he has become increasingly outstanding in recent years. While they are closer to Gu Lao Er, who was personally supported by Old Master Gu, they would never interfere in their family affairs to offend Gu Linyuan.
Not only is his own strength unfathomable, but he also has all sorts of extraordinary people under his command. They have recently heard that a powerful figure has moved into the Seventh Division headquarters.
This person can control demons just like Gu Linyuan, and it is said that she can also control ghosts. She was the one who quelled the Jingshan Ghost King Rebellion.
Although there are rules in the Seventh Division that members cannot harm ordinary people, in reality, if people like them really want to settle scores, they have plenty of ways to do so.
They wouldn't dare offend such a being. The group exchanged glances and quickened their pace.
At the same time, he thought to himself: "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river" is indeed true. Who would have thought that the two brothers who were almost killed by his schemes would now be the strongest in the entire Gu family?
"Gu Linfeng, go up there and slap her mouth until it's rotten!" Huan Ni's voice was somewhat serious.
She and Shi Meili are not afraid of being called monsters. Shi Meili, needless to say, is very proud of her ability to cultivate from an ordinary plant into a monster plant, and she enjoys being called a monster.
Her true form is an ancient divine beast, but she can respond if someone calls her a great demon.
LOL, you think just anyone can be called an ancient demon? Those are beings like Taotie, Yingzhao, and Zhulong.
But Gu Linfeng is different. He was murdered like that, and in his mind, he has always been a human being.
This is also why Gu Linyuan relentlessly searched for the Reincarnation Platform; he wanted to help Gu Linfeng start anew and become a good person.
This woman is a member of the Gu family, so she must know Gu Linfeng's situation, yet she still speaks so rudely and sarcastically. Gu Linfeng is just a pitiful little guy that everyone can bully in the Gu family.
"Gu Linyuan, are you even capable?" Huan Ni couldn't help but feel a little angry. "You just stand by and watch your brother get bullied?" If she were bullied under Shi Yuan's nose, Shi Yuan would slap that person's mouth to pieces!
Shi Meili shook the vines; she had such a fiery temper, she couldn't tolerate even the slightest thing!
Shi Yuan also said that as long as her and Huan Ni's safety is guaranteed, she can do whatever she wants.
So, while everyone was still thinking about exchanging barbs, Shi Meili had already quietly stretched out her tendrils and snaked towards the rude girl.
"Smack!" followed by the girl's sharp cry of pain.
Shi Meili rolled herself up and coiled herself around the roof beam: "Just smoke, why all the fuss!"
"Gu Linyuan, how can you let this monster bully your sister like this!" The middle-aged woman, who looked very much like the girl, confronted Gu Linyuan.
Gu Linyuan's expression was very unpleasant. He had been too considerate of Linfeng's feelings in the past, which made them think that he would stand on their side.
He sneered, raised his hand, and the peach leaf transformed into a whip, lashing straight at the girl's mouth: "If you can't speak, then don't speak at all!"
"Smack!"
"Ah!" The girl's mouth was already in pain, and this pain made her faint.
“It seems your brother still loves you,” Huan Ni whispered to Gu Linfeng.
Gu Linfeng twisted his body with a touch of pride, "This year is truly wonderful."
But he looked at his brother with some worry. Others might not know, but he knew very well that his brother wanted to kill certain people in the Gu family deep down. He had always stopped him from taking action because he was afraid that his brother would get carried away and kill everyone.
He hated them too, but it wasn't worth dragging his brother into it.
Gu Linyuan's eyes held a deep-seated killing intent as he looked at the middle-aged woman: "Have you forgotten your original identity after living as a human for a few years?"
"I think the Seventh Division should deal with evil demons like you the most!"
The middle-aged woman wasn't afraid of him at all, and said with a smile, "I'm a person, I don't belong to the Seventh Division!"
"You say I'm a demon, do you have any proof?" Outsiders only know that back then, Boss Gu abandoned his wife and children for a woman and broke with the Gu family, but no one knows anything else.
Her eyes revealed her usual mockery and sense of superiority. Come to think of it, Gu Zhao himself had cleaned up the mess that had happened.
Gu Linyuan's eyes were pitch black, and his hand holding the peach leaf whip was itching to strike.
"Oh, stepmother," Huan Ni's sarcastic voice reached everyone's ears. "My apologies."
The middle-aged woman smiled demurely, and then Huan Ni said, "Gu Linfeng, what is your stepmother so proud of? Is she proud that she stole someone else's husband?"
"Your stepmother and stepsister are clearly destined for misfortune. They probably not only stole someone's husband, but also her destiny." Huan Ni clicked her tongue a few times. "Why don't they get struck by lightning and killed by these inhuman, demonic beings?"
Having her identity, which she had concealed for decades, suddenly revealed, Feng Qing was genuinely stunned for a moment. She subconsciously looked at the reactions of those around her and, seeing their surprised and uncertain expressions, immediately said, "What nonsense are you talking about?"
"That neither-human-nor-demon is clearly Brother Gu Linyuan!"
"Tch!" Huan Ni scoffed. "Do you dare to have someone trace your destiny on the spot?"
The person who can predict fate has been lingering outside the Gu family's door. If this female demon agrees, she can immediately call Wu Guanhai in.
Hehe, I just don't know what Wu Guanhai will choose.
It seems like choosing either option will offend someone!
She loved seeing Gu Guanhai caught in a dilemma!
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