As Gu Pinglin had anticipated, the young masters of the Gu family were searching for him in the garden. Due to his disappearance, everyone had been implicated. Lady Gu had ordered that he must be found, and even the eldest legitimate son, Gu Ping'an, had rushed over from the front courtyard, fearing that Gu Pinglin might cause trouble alone in the Duan residence.
Gu Pingsheng, unjustly dragged into this, was fuming with anger. "Damn it! I knew his wandering around would bring nothing but trouble!"
Gu Ping'an, his face stern, led the group forward. Gu Pinglin's lowly status posed no threat to him, so he had no interest in making things difficult for him. However, he had just been in the front courtyard, making connections with two young masters from prominent families, and had barely exchanged a few words when he received his mother's message, forcing him to hurry over. Being delayed by Gu Pinglin for no reason also annoyed him.
The group arrived at the waterside pavilion just as Gu Pinglin was crossing the bridge toward them.
"Little Ninth is over there!" Gu Pingsheng shouted, then suddenly noticed something amiss. "Huh? Is that... really the son of a servant?" Catching Gu Ping'an's glare, he quickly shut his mouth. After ensuring no one around had noticed, he gritted his teeth and muttered, "It's him!"
In just over an hour, Gu Pinglin's clothes had been replaced with luxurious brocade robes.
Gu Pingsheng stomped his foot. "This brat! Did he steal those clothes from somewhere?"
"Nonsense! Little Ninth has never stolen anything!" retorted Third Young Master Gu Pingxin. He wasn't defending Gu Pinglin out of goodwill—his mother, Lady Zhang, was highly favored, and he naturally opposed Gu Ping'an's dominance, always eager to challenge him.
As they spoke, Gu Pinglin approached the group and addressed Gu Ping'an, "I got lost accidentally. I've troubled you, Eldest Brother."
Gu Ping'an was taken aback. He had never paid attention to this inconspicuous younger brother before. Now, hearing his unusually refined speech and seeing his inexplicably changed attire, Gu Ping'an feared he might have done something disgraceful, like stealing clothes. With so many people in the garden, he couldn't interrogate him on the spot, so he lowered his voice and said sternly, "Father has ordered everyone to follow me out."
Hearing that their father had spoken, Gu Pingsheng and the others, who were used to bullying Gu Pinglin, gloated with schadenfreude. In reality, Lord Gu was still unaware of the situation. Gu Ping'an had rushed over upon receiving his mother's message, intending to find Gu Pinglin first before reporting to his father, showcasing his meticulous handling of the matter. Even if Gu Pinglin had caused trouble, it wouldn't be his fault.
Seeing through this, Gu Pinglin obediently followed Gu Ping'an and the others out of the garden. Lord Gu and Lady Gu were already waiting by the carriage. Lady Zhou, well-preserved, fair-skinned, and slightly plump, stood beside Lord Gu, whose name was Gu Jin. He was dark and stout, with a few strands of black beard on his chin, exuding an unsmiling, intimidating aura that made his sons somewhat fearful.
"Father..." Gu Ping'an stepped forward to report.
But Gu Jin waved him off. "I already know. Let's get in the carriage." Then, as if remembering something, he added, "Little Ninth, don't squeeze in with the servants. Ride with Pingxin."
Gu Pingxin shot Gu Pinglin a disdainful glance but, recalling his mother Lady Zhang's teachings, pretended to agree happily.
Lady Zhou's expression was strained as she forced a smile at Gu Pinglin. "If you wanted to play, you should have said something. I was so worried about you that I specially called your eldest brother to find you. Fortunately, the sixth young master of the Duan family sent someone to inform us. Little Ninth, when did you meet the sixth young master of the Duan family?"
The legitimate young master of the Duan family? Gu Ping'an and the others were dumbfounded.
In his past life, Gu Pinglin had missed the banquet and been beaten. This time, to avoid trouble, he had borrowed Duan Qingming's clothes on a whim. Unexpectedly, Duan Qingming had even sent someone to explain—likely a repayment for the hint Gu Pinglin had given him. Gu Pinglin replied bluntly, "Just met him."
Gu Jin immediately asked, "Did he say anything else to you when you left?"
Gu Pinglin shook his head.
Idiot. Gu Jin regretted neglecting this son. Had he taught him some social skills earlier, he wouldn't have wasted such a golden opportunity. Suppressing his anger, Gu Jin lectured, "It's good to make friends. If the sixth young master seeks you out, you must not neglect him."
Gu Pinglin responded with an indifferent "Oh."
Hopeless. Gu Jin flicked his sleeve and turned away, boarding the carriage with Lady Zhou.
Without any magical enhancements, the Gu family's carriage took five full days to reach the Gu residence. Knowing Duan Qingming spared Gu Pinglin a beating, but Gu Jin didn't take the matter seriously. Duan Qingming was the legitimate young master of the foremost noble family, the future head of the Duan family—how could he possibly befriend the illegitimate son of the Gu family? Most likely, he had just been momentarily amused and called a child to play with him. Thus, Gu Pinglin's life remained unchanged.
At dawn, in a secluded small courtyard.
The creak of the wooden door shattered the silence as Gu Pinglin stepped out, stretching lazily on the steps before rolling up his sleeves to fetch water for washing.
Originally, the courtyard also housed an old woman surnamed Wang and a maid assigned to serve Gu Pinglin. The childless old woman had taken care of Gu Pinglin after his birth mother died when he was five, ensuring his survival. However, she had passed away last year. After his rebirth, Gu Pinglin simply gifted the lazy maid to Gu Pingsheng, leaving himself as the sole occupant of the courtyard.
Discovering that Duan Qingming already possessed some cultivation, Gu Pinglin had been brooding since returning from the Duan residence. He was intimately familiar with both the Lingxin Sect's techniques and the Creation Scripture, but the Lingxin Sect was notoriously strict in accepting disciples. Preemptive cultivation would be impossible to conceal, and given his background, possessing cultivation would only invite suspicion. If discovered to be using Lingxin Sect techniques, the consequences would be dire. Yet, he was determined to join the Lingxin Sect.
The sky lightened as the red sun prepared to rise. The Creation Scripture stated that the first ray of morning sunlight was the most precious essence of heaven and earth.
Gu Pinglin sighed, suppressing his restless thoughts. After dumping the leftover water, he headed to the kitchen as usual. The kitchen staff were already busy preparing breakfast for the Gu household. Without a word, Gu Pinglin picked up an axe and began chopping firewood. His frail body struggled with the heavy axe, and he was soon drenched in sweat.
Though his status as a young master meant he shouldn't have to do such menial labor, no one in the kitchen objected since he was willing.
If I can't cultivate, I'll at least strengthen my physique—it'll benefit me in the future. Gu Pinglin knew this well. After three months of this routine, though he hadn't gained much weight, his face and lips had regained some color, no longer the sickly pale hue of his past life. His breathing was steady, and his steps had become lighter.
After chopping a few logs, Gu Pinglin recognized his limit and stopped. Returning to his courtyard, he washed and changed into clean clothes before heading back to the kitchen for breakfast. By the time he finished, the sun was high. Anticipating Gu Pingsheng's imminent harassment, Gu Pinglin slipped out through a side gate and walked straight to the outskirts of the estate.
Compared to the Duan family, the Gu family was a mere rustic household in the mountains, devoid of any spiritual veins or formations, appearing no different from an ordinary commoner's estate. The tall walls reeked of nouveau riche ostentation.
Eleven years old.
Gu Pinglin lounged on an old willow tree, gazing at the sky in contemplation. Today was his eleventh birthday, a fact the Gu family had long grown accustomed to forgetting. Gu Pinglin didn't care, silently calculating how much time remained before he could join the Lingxin Sect.
"Where did this little beggar come from? Are you all useless? Drive him away!"
"I'll trade jade."
"A worthless piece of jade! I wouldn't take it even if you gave it to me!" Gu Pingsheng sneered. "This is the Gu residence, a place of immortals, not some pawnshop! Get rid of him!"
Frowning, Gu Pinglin glanced over.
The boy was ragged and emaciated, with a striking vermilion mark between his brows. His unkempt hair and gaunt face, cheeks deeply sunken, made him appear rather unsightly. His tightly pressed lips revealed a tenacious will. Clearly, he had come here out of desperation, only to be humiliated by Gu Pingsheng.
Pushed to the ground by the gatekeepers, the boy paled, glanced at the plaque above the Gu residence's gate, and silently stood up to leave.
Gu Pinglin had no intention of meddling, but the boy's distinctive features suddenly reminded him of someone, shocking him to the core.
No wonder... I could never figure it out before. So this is the truth!
Gu Pinglin leaped down from the tree and hurried over.
"So you've been hiding here!" Gu Pingsheng exclaimed excitedly upon seeing him.
Ignoring him, Gu Pinglin intercepted the boy.
Hearing that he was also surnamed Gu, the boy retreated warily, hostility flashing in his eyes.
"Come with me," Gu Pinglin said quietly. "I'll take you to eat."
Given Gu Pingsheng's earlier behavior, the boy assumed Gu Pinglin also intended to mock him and refused to move. In that brief moment, Gu Pingsheng had already rushed over with his page. "Gu Pinglin! Are you deaf? I'm calling you!"
"I heard you," Gu Pinglin replied calmly.
"You dare talk back!" Having failed to catch Gu Pinglin for months, Gu Pingsheng seized this opportunity to escalate. "Lingdan, teach him a lesson!"
The page named Lingdan stepped forward but froze upon meeting Gu Pinglin's icy gaze.
"A servant dares strike me? The Gu family has no such rule."
The authoritative, chilling glare wasn't that of an eleven-year-old but of a sect leader from the cultivation world. Lingdan inexplicably felt a surge of fear, rooted to the spot.
Gu Pingsheng fumed. "He's just the son of a maid! What are you afraid of? Hit him!"
Lingdan hesitated but ultimately didn't dare. "This..."
"Useless trash!" Gu Pingsheng kicked him aside and sneered at Gu Pinglin. "I'm your second brother. I have every right to discipline you!"
As he swung his palm, Gu Pinglin swiftly caught his wrist and twisted. Though Gu Pingsheng, at fourteen, was stronger, his pampered upbringing and lack of training left him no match for Gu Pinglin's combat experience. He howled in pain.
"Young Master!"
"How dare you lay hands on me! Father will never forgive you!"
Unfazed by the threat, Gu Pinglin released the weakling and turned to the silent boy. "If you don't want to starve, follow me." Without waiting for a response, he strode off.
Soon, the boy followed.