Chapter Forty-Six: The Sole Daughter of the Hidden Clan

It had been fifteen years since Lotus came to the Gu Clan—no, that wasn’t quite right. Now, she had changed her name and identity; she was Gu Hua.

Yet, after all this time, she hadn’t found a single clue about the lotus petal.

[Master, we’ve wasted fifteen years. Do you think it might be in the Crimson Moon Dynasty?]

Gu Hua lounged atop a blooming peach tree, a sprig of foxtail grass dangling from her lips, one foot swinging lazily in mid-air. The words “at ease” might as well have been etched on her brow. Nearby, a fluffy white creature bounced playfully, half-hidden among the peach blossoms.

Over these fifteen years, her cheap father doted on her endlessly. In their household, the order of influence was likely Gu Hua’s mother—Gu Hua—then her father.

Gu Hua had crawled at six months, spoken at one year, walked at two, and by three could string together halting but complete sentences. At five, she had begun to cultivate.

But when it came to this, Lotus could only sigh. She had once been a step away from the Saint Realm, and now she had to start all over again.

Thankfully, she possessed great talent. With her perfect recall and other gifts, she easily outshone her peers in the Gu Clan’s generation.

The Gu Clan, a reclusive family, never cared much for their children’s flaws, believing wealth could make up for any lack. Their ancestors had always prized talent above all else. Thus, as long as two clan members were not immediate family—be they distant cousins, neighbors, or otherwise—as long as they truly loved each other, marriage was permitted.

Through Little Scoundrel’s knowledge network, Gu Hua had learned her parents were once neighbors, childhood sweethearts who grew up together. Their families were evenly matched, and both possessed outstanding cultivation. Naturally, the whole clan had supported their union.

In her generation, Gu Hua was the only girl. Many worried their sons would end up lifelong bachelors, so Gu Hua was extremely popular—her suitors were countless!

Take, for example, her cousin Gu Zhi.

Long ago, as Gu Hua passed by their house, she’d heard her aunt’s voice booming through the door:

“Look at Gu Hua—she’s only three months younger than you, but the difference is immense! Let me tell you, plenty of people in this generation have their eye on her. If you don’t act soon and marry that girl, you’ll die alone, mark my words!”

“I know, I know! You say this eight times a day. No one else forces marriage like you do. I’ll do my best, alright? Uncle’s got a temper, and who knows if she’d even consider me. Can’t you stop brainwashing me every day…”

“Every generation of the Gu Clan must go out into the world at fifteen. This time you and Gu Hua will go together. If you squander this chance, don’t come back calling me mother!”

Gu Hua had simply walked by, unmoved. This cousin of hers, Gu Zhi, didn’t meet her standards. He had a baby face, pure and innocent—a true boy-next-door. For someone whose soul was over two hundred years old, how could she possibly reach out to such a child?

The Gu Clan’s people were all strikingly handsome—there wasn’t an ugly one among them, nor a single pockmarked face. Yet for some reason, not one of these young men fit Gu Hua’s tastes; they all seemed to lack a certain something. At the very least, they should look like Zhong Li…

Good heavens! What am I thinking?!

With a thud, Gu Hua tumbled from the tree, caught herself with one hand, and flipped upright onto the grass in a carp’s leap.

Her expression was blank, her cheeks flushed crimson, and she slapped her face repeatedly.

[Master, are you possessed?]

Gu Hua tugged at her neck. “I’m meditating!”

[Thinking of Great Zhong Li?]

“…”

Her face grew even redder.

With a single thought, she banished the white puffball back into her space.

[Master, please let me out! I promise to behave!]

Gu Hua ground her teeth. Let you out? Maybe when this lady is in a better mood!

In the distance, a figure dressed in black approached.

“Gu Hua! The clan chief wants you at the meeting!”

It was her cousin, Gu Zhi. He’d barely aged—a fifteen-year-old with the face of a ten-year-old, all soft and adorable.

“Coming!” Gu Hua stood, brushing stray grass from her clothes, and walked toward the ancestral hall.

All her peers were gathered there. Her father stood tall, leaning on the clan chief’s staff, his manner dignified and stern—none of the affectionate softness he showed her mother.

Gu Hua and Gu Zhi stood at the very back. She was late, and Gu Zhi, though usually up front, had moved back just to stand beside her.

A crowd of other young men, all “educated” by their mothers, cursed him in their hearts: Shameless!

Meanwhile, Little Scoundrel watched all of this unfold from Gu Hua’s space.

Didn’t they understand the law of wolves and sheep? With too many wolves and too few sheep, some would go hungry. But this sheep was a fighter; if she didn’t want to be eaten, which wolf would dare try?

“Clan Chief, everyone’s here,” someone announced from the front.

“You’re all fifteen now. You know the Gu Clan’s rules: tomorrow, you set out into the world. Prepare yourselves!”

“Yes, Clan Chief!”

Gu Jun produced a ring. “Gu Hua, come forward!”

She was yawning when her name was called, the yawn instantly stifled. “Here!”

Seeing his daughter’s adorable reaction, Gu Jun pretended not to notice. “Step forward.”

“Yes!” Gu Hua minced her way from the back to the front row.

“You are the future heir of the Gu Clan, our next chief. This time, you will lead them to the Crimson Moon Dynasty. This,” he handed her the ring, “is a symbol of your identity. Though our Gu family lives in seclusion, we have deep roots—many businesses in the Crimson Moon Dynasty belong to us!”

Speaking of the clan’s enterprises, Gu Jun’s face was alight with pride.

Gu Hua studied the ring. A delicate Gu character was engraved on it. “So, any shop with the Gu name is ours?”

“Exactly! When you reach the Crimson Moon Dynasty, don’t cause trouble. You’re there to root out evil and uphold good, and to learn about our business network. In the future, any one of you may run a company from behind the scenes.”

Gu Hua slipped the ring onto her finger. “So, in short, merit comes first.”

Gu Jun stroked his beard. “Well said, Gu Hua. This trial will last three years. Go and prepare.”

As her peers dispersed, Gu Zhi also headed home. Soon, only Gu Hua and her “cheap” father remained in the ancestral hall.

“In the blink of an eye, my daughter has grown so much.” Gu Jun gently stroked her head. She had given him so many surprises—she was the crystallization of his love with his wife. He believed she would surpass even her father in the future.

“All right, run along. Your mother has probably already prepared dinner and is waiting for us.”

“Father, what if I suddenly disappear one day?” Gu Hua asked out of nowhere.

A sharp pain struck her head. “Ow! Why did you hit me?”

“Who told you to speak such nonsense?” Gu Jun glared at her. Though he was forty or fifty years old, cultivation had preserved his youthful appearance.

Gu Hua rubbed her sore head. What she said was true; she couldn’t help but wonder, when the time came for her to leave, would it be as abrupt as death and a soul leaving the body?

She brought it up from time to time, hoping that when the day of parting came, it would hurt a little less—at least for herself.