Chapter 411 Family Head... Just a False Reputation

"Family Head…"

The old man paused, contemplating those two words. Then, he smiled and asked easily, "Isn't that already yours?"

Gu Nanfeng said in a low voice, "You should understand what I mean. I don't want an empty title."

"Understood. Of course, I understand."

Gu Qilin leisurely asked, "But, do you understand what I mean? I'm not the Family Head, nor is Gu Lushen of the New Faction. Even without a Family Head, after the division, the Gu Family is still the number one family in Changye. Why?"

That question…

Made Gu Nanfeng pause.

"Because the Family Head… has always just been an empty title."

The old man said calmly, "The reason Gu Changzhi is the Family Head is simply because… he is Gu Changzhi."

"Eight years ago, many people fell in Changye… all to send you to the Northern Continent."

The old man's voice carried solemnity. "If it wasn't to allow you to become the 'Family Head,' what was the point of these people's sacrifices?"

"The name of Family Head doesn't need my approval, nor does it need the approval of 'that side'… As long as you are strong enough, truly strong enough, you are the Family Head of the Gu Family."

"And…"

"You seem to have some misunderstanding about me… always feeling that I chose to retreat because I feared war…"

Gu Qilin narrowed his eyes, flicking ash from his cigarette. "On the battlefield, that kind of behavior is called desertion. If there is a destined battle between the New and Old Factions, then I will definitely be the one who fights to the bitter end. I will never compromise, never retreat, and even less likely… to be a deserter."

"The reason why the New and Old Factions can still be 'peaceful' is because neither side is confident of winning."

"Sixty years ago, when I went north to the fortress to resist the Disaster Zone, I was still a spirited young man, just like you. I had great ambitions and believed that I could change the entire war situation with my own strength."

Gu Nanfeng was stunned.

"But now I'm old."

The old man said softly, "If you have the ability to grasp the sword of victory and bring true peace to the Gu Family… then please do."

The world always believes that power and fame are the swords of victory.

But in reality, it's the opposite.

Because one holds a longsword, then one has a name that the world reveres.

Retreat and compromise are just a form of gathering strength… When an eruption only means destruction, then roaring is also an ineffective cry.

Gu Nanfeng suddenly understood what the old man had been doing all these years. Sending himself out of Changye, refusing to let himself return… all were waiting for his growth.

And speaking of which…

Gu Nanfeng was somewhat silent.

He looked at the old man, "You… are willing to let me go all out?"

"If I wasn't willing, would you give up?" The old man said calmly, "If you were the me of sixty years ago, and negotiations failed, you would have carried a source energy cannon and blasted those New Faction guys out of the way."

Gu Nanfeng smiled, "Source energy cannons are already outdated… the Northern Continent military has more powerful weapons now."

"Back to the topic."

He took a light breath and said, "If you are willing to support me, I will plan to gather the Gu Family's scattered forces… This is not a short process and may cause major conflicts."

The wording was elegant.

In reality, it was "integration."

The Gu Family would no longer be divided into New and Old Factions!

The old man rested his elbows on the table, listening quietly, "What are you going to do?"

Gu Nanfeng said, "Considering the greatest chance of success… I will start by trying to win over the other three of the Five Great Families."

The old man narrowed his eyes, "But this will expand the battlefield. If a conflict breaks out, the entire Changye will be dragged into it."

"So… we need greater strength, external strength."

Gu Qilin was silent for a moment.

"Are you talking about allies outside Changye… Huazhi?"

"Perhaps there are even more allies." Gu Nanfeng said calmly, "I know your concerns. For many years, the Five Great Families have maintained a delicate balance… The struggles within Changye do not involve forces outside Changye. Everyone maintains a balance and coexistence. Once external forces are involved, the situation will become more and more complicated, and the rules set by the Five Great Families will be broken."

The old man nodded, "This is… a major taboo!"

Gu Nanfeng suddenly asked, "If you agree with an enemy to fight empty-handed, but the other party suddenly pulls out a knife, what should you do?"

"…"

The old man narrowed his eyes. He understood his great-nephew's meaning.

"I will unleash the source energy cannon, although you just said… that thing is outdated, but it's really useful in a one-on-one fight." The old man said in a deep voice, "Are you saying that someone has already broken the rules?"

"It's not hard to guess, actually."

Gu Nanfeng said seriously, "Just imagine, not long ago, two Apostles joined hands to enter the Dadu District. Without the authorization of the Divine Throne behind them… how would they dare to break the balance between the continents? The Source Tower has been eyeing Qingzhong for many years. If they hadn't received some news, how could they act so recklessly?"

And the one most closely related to Qingzhong…

Was Changye, the Gu Family.

"Before the Apostle invasion case broke out, Master Qianye told me… that she felt someone was watching Qingzhong. After using divination, she predicted that misfortune would descend on the Dadu District, related to the Kindling from another continent, possibly the Apostles were about to take action."

Gu Nanfeng said slowly, "So… I chose to leave the Northern Continent and set out to resolve the situation."

"And when I truly returned to the Eastern Continent and understood the Awakening Act, I became even more certain… that the promotion of this act would definitely divide the Eastern Continent." Gu Nanfeng said in a deep voice, "So… I must stop the passage of the act."

The old man's voice was equally low, "Evidence?"

"No evidence."

Gu Nanfeng shook his head and said, "If you don't believe it… then even if you find evidence, it's useless."

"You need to know… that on the matter of the act, Changye's attitude has always been neutral. Those of the Gu Family's New Faction have never publicly expressed positive opinions supporting the act." Gu Qilin frowned, "If they are connected to an outer continent, then all they need to do is strongly support it."

"If the ending is already destined, why bother to express an opinion?"

Gu Nanfeng just smiled lightly and said, "You should know that if Zhao Xilai hadn't temporarily changed his mind, the act would have already been implemented. Changye's silence is the best support."

The old man fell into deep thought.

That's right.

If those of the New Faction had shown even the slightest interest in the process of promoting the act, he would have noticed it.

And at that time, the Old Faction would definitely be on guard.

But there was not even the slightest reaction… Either they didn't care at all, or they were sure that the ending would develop in the direction they expected.

"If what you say is true…"

The old man lowered his eyes slightly and said, "Then war is indeed inevitable."

When the Gu Family's New Faction colludes with an outer continent.

Then, no matter what the situation of the one in Qingzhong… sooner or later, a fight for the "Kindling" will break out.

"That's why I urgently wanted to see you."

Gu Nanfeng took a deep breath and said, "After leaving Changye for eight years, neither side of the Gu Family will recognize my identity as 'Family Head.' To promote negotiations between Changye and Dadu, no matter how much I appeal with my strength, I will not receive support."

"Negotiations are not as simple as you think."

The old man shook his head again, "The current Old Faction is only half of the Gu Family and cannot represent Changye."

"In fact, I have thought about this problem…"

Gu Nanfeng said, "If Changye is willing to negotiate with Dadu, then the problem is likely to be solved. But even if negotiations cannot be advanced, I only need the review of the act to be disapproved, and Changye will continue to remain neutral."

"…"

The old man looked deeply at his great-nephew.

"Not long ago, before you came back, Gu Lushen talked to me once."

"The content of the conversation was very simple…"

"He is willing to integrate, so that the Gu Family returns to a whole, and then the New and Old Factions carry out a transfer of power… Although it is difficult to repair a broken mirror, this formal integration will inevitably have many gaps, but at least it is a 'unity' in name."

Looking at the current situation in Changye, the divided Gu Family has gradually shown a declining trend.

Only by integrating can it continue to sit firmly in the position of the number one family in Changye.

And in this situation, even if it is only a nominal unity, it is enough to form a "deterrent" to the other four families!

Especially… the Bai Family!

For the Old Faction, which has struggled for eight years, such a proposal is nothing short of a godsend.

"However, Gu Lushen has one request."

The old man smiled and said, "He requires the Gu Family to abolish the 'Family Head System.'"

Gu Shen, who was listening, narrowed his pupils slightly.

"And Gu Lushen gave a… very reasonable explanation. Because of the Apostle War in the Dadu District, the Central Federation reconfirmed the survival status of Gu Changzhi in Qingzhong. If Gu Changzhi is still alive, then the name of 'Family Head' set by the tomb keeper seems ridiculous. No one except Gu Changzhi is qualified to be the Family Head of the Gu Family in the true sense."

Gu Nanfeng also agreed with this.

Even if he cultivated to a very high level in the Northern Continent… he could not compare with the former.

"And if Mr. Gu Changzhi is not… alive, as the world expects, then the existence of the 'Family Head' is meaningless. Because the 'Kindling' in Qingzhong will find its owner again."

Hearing this, Gu Nanfeng silently lowered his head.

He understood what Gu Lushen meant.

This was indeed a… flawless reason.

"I refused him."

The old man looked at his great-nephew's expression and said softly.

Refused… Some surprise flashed in Gu Shen's eyes.

At this juncture… rejecting integration required great courage.

Gu Nanfeng raised his head in a daze, "Why… why?"

"Nodding and shaking your head are just simple things… do you need a reason?"

The old man said lightly, "Regarding the name of 'Family Head,' I know that you once didn't care at all, and once wanted to throw it away, the farther the better… but now you want to hold on to it tightly, wishing that the entire Snow Forbidden City knew that it belonged to you."

"Humans are such creatures. The former me was the same as you."

"So… I am very glad. This time you came back to reclaim what belongs to you."

Gu Qilin stood up, patted Gu Nanfeng on the shoulder, and said, "Here is a 'gift'… that I left for you. Take a good look at it."

After getting up, he took out a not-so-thick file bag and placed it in front of Gu Nanfeng.

The old man left the box.

Before passing by Gu Shen, he said softly, smiling and asking, "Are you full?"

Gu Shen was stunned and quickly wiped his mouth.

The old man nodded and said, "Since you are full… come out with me."

…

…

The rooftop of Jiangbei Hotel.

The wind was a bit strong.

Thin snow drifted in the air, and there were falling ice chips in the wind. If you breathed a little harder, you would breathe out white mist.

The old man stood on the top floor, looking at the Snow Forbidden City in the distance, with its rows of old buildings, and the lights outlined a quiet and peaceful picture…

"Don't be nervous, it's our first meeting."

Gu Qilin said softly, trying to make his voice sound gentle.

It was just that the old man's aura and the murderous eyebrows on his face made it difficult not to be nervous.

"I will forget the words you just said…" Gu Shen sighed lightly, "I still haven't figured out the reason why you invited me to this meal."

Gu Qilin raised his eyebrows.

He said sincerely, "Actually, when we were eating just now… I used voice transmission to Gu Nanfeng, asking him to say something, but he refused, so this meal was very…"

"Serious." Gu Shen thought for a while and said the word for him.

"Yeah…" The old man nodded.

The scene froze again.

Gu Shen didn't expect… that he was not the only one who wanted to say something at the dinner table.

"You don't have to forget these words, you can remember them, just don't spread them."

Gu Qilin said again, "Actually, it's not a secret. The entire Changye knows about the Gu Family's broken affairs… and Nanfeng took the initiative to talk about the 'Bright City,' but your acting skills were a bit clumsy."

Gu Shen blinked.

Not really, right?

His acting skills… have not failed yet.

"Brother Nanfeng told me… that you wanted to see me, not because I have a close relationship with Huazhi, nor because I am a successor of divination…" Gu Shen asked seriously, "If it was just a normal meal, I wouldn't think too much. But after eating this meal today, I know so much news that I can't sleep or eat well."

"Is that so?" The old man smiled, "I saw that you ate very well, and you were reluctant to leave just now."

Gu Shen was a little helpless and asked carefully, "Or rather, you don't care about my identities… you just want to tell those outside that you have met me and talked to me."

The wind was very strong on the top floor.

There were also many wind pupils.

"How dare those eyes look directly at me?" The old man said lightly, "Those are all tricks played by the younger generation… Do I need to use these tricks? Compared with the last genius who came out of the Gu Family… you are still lacking."

Gu Shen was choked all of a sudden.

"If you have to ask for a reason…"

Gu Qilin smiled gently, "We both have the surname Gu, and I think you are more pleasing to the eye, so I invited you to this family banquet."

…

…

(There will be another big chapter tonight, please vote for the monthly ticket~)