Chapter 327

Chapter 327: Words for Gui You Quan

With Gui You Quan’s current strength, he could see at a glance that Lou Yun was distinctly different now compared to before he lost consciousness. Though he couldn’t pinpoint exactly where the difference lay, the feeling was extremely strong.

However, Gui You Quan wasn’t a particularly curious person. So, despite sensing something odd, he didn’t deliberately focus on it further. Instead, he reverted to his posture, keeping his eyes lowered as if focusing on his nose and heart.

Faced with Lou Yun’s inquiry, despite being a Weapon Emperor level magical weapons master, what had happened to Lou Yun was so incredibly bizarre, far exceeding their capacity to comprehend. At this moment, the Grand Elder was dumbfounded, utterly unable to formulate a response in the short term. His mouth hung open, unable to produce a single syllable.

Surprisingly, it was Huangfu Hui, Huangfu Xuanlan’s wife and a woman who looked scarcely forty, who snapped out of it first. Pressing her lips together in a faint smile, she said, “Clan Head Lou, the Grand Elder’s zither music was so beautiful, yet you fell asleep listening to it. That was rather a shame, ruining the atmosphere. That is why the Grand Elder had to stop playing.”

Her words were soft but carried a hard edge, a compliment laced with sarcasm. Hearing them, Lou Yun silently raised a thumb of admiration in his heart. This Huangfu Hui was truly not simple. With a seemingly casual sentence, she immediately turned the tables on their awkward position. Originally, the Huangfu Family was clearly at fault towards Xi’an—er, towards Lou Yun—but after her words, it became his fault instead!

Lou Yun’s eyes flickered. He burst out laughing. “The Clan Head’s wife is right! I truly know nothing about music theory. I only knew that both Elders’ zither music sounded exceptionally pleasant to the ear. Immersed in it, I couldn’t help but fall asleep! You all must be laughing at me!”

Huangfu Xuanlan finally regained his senses. Picking up Lou Yun’s words, he said, “Haha, it’s my failure as the host! Knowing full well that Clan Head Lou traveled continuously to get here, exhausted from the journey, yet I still insisted on dragging him here to listen to the zither. My apologies! Now, the hour is also growing late. We’ve also drunk enough for today. Anyway, we have all the time in the world. There will be plenty of chances to gather again in the future. I’ll have someone take you two to rest now!”

Huangfu Xuanlan was currently burning with impatience, desperate to know what exactly had happened in the True Dream Realm conjured by the two Elders that had led to such an incomprehensible situation for the entire Huangfu Family. Moreover, since the two Elders had already played extensively today, scheming to make Lou Yun enter the True Dream Realm again was entirely impossible. So, it was better to send Lou Yun and his companion away early, allowing his own group to confer and devise a plan.

Lou Yun actually also wanted to leave now. He was eager to feel what new changes he possessed after having his soul restored.

Both sides found themselves perfectly aligned. The moment Huangfu Xuanlan finished speaking, Lou Yun immediately stood up. “Clan Head Huangfu speaks rightly! I am indeed somewhat tired. Then for today let us stop here! I take my leave!”

Thus, Huangfu Le reappeared and led Lou Yun and Gui You Quan away from the hall, returning them to their little hut.

Once Huangfu Le reappeared in the dining hall and confirmed to Huangfu Xuanlan that Lou Yun and his companion had indeed reached the hut—now guarded by a dense ring of soldiers outside—Huangfu Xuanlan could no longer restrain himself. He hastily sought answers from the two Elders.

But just then, everyone saw a blur. A young man appeared before them all.

It was Huangfu Ao, from the other world!

Seeing Huangfu Ao manifest, Huangfu Xuanlan’s heart immediately skipped a beat. He hurriedly swallowed the question almost on his lips, scrambling to his feet and adopting a respectful demeanor. “Clan Brother, you’ve arrived?!”

The others naturally also hastened to rise and pay their respects to Huangfu Ao. While, by Huangfu family seniority, Huangfu Ao and Huangfu Xuanlan were of the same generation—meaning Elders like the two technically didn’t need to bow to him—after all, power was the ultimate measure of status!

Huangfu Ao paid no heed to the obeisances, acting as if he hadn’t seen any of them. He brazenly plopped himself down in Huangfu Xuanlan’s seat instead. Regarding Huangfu Xuanlan coldly, he said, “Huangfu Xuanlan, if I haven’t guessed wrong, your plan has failed, correct?”

That afternoon, Huangfu Xuanlan had solemnly assured Huangfu Ao they would make Lou Yun reveal information about the Divine Weapon Emperor using the True Dream Realm. Yet now, evidently, they had failed!

Huangfu Xuanlan quickly said in a low voice, “Clan Brother, it cannot be said to be a complete failure… it’s just that something I am unaware of occurred, leading to this situation. I was just about to question the two Elders for clarification. Once we understand what happened, I believe the True Dream Realm can still be made to work.”

Though Huangfu Ao had remained hidden, his formidable strength allowed him a perfectly clear understanding of everything transpiring there. That was why he manifested precisely after Lou Yun and Gui You Quan departed—to challenge Huangfu Xuanlan.

However, Huangfu Ao was equally bewildered by Lou Yun’s demeanor after waking. Thus, he also intended to hear what actually took place within the True Dream Realm. Of course, in the presence of Huangfu Xuanlan and others, Huangfu Ao wouldn’t voice his own puzzlement. He merely responded to Huangfu Xuanlan’s explanation with a neutral hum of acknowledgment.

Huangfu Xuanlan immediately commenced his questioning of the two Elders.

Finally, after the entire Huangfu family reconstructed every last detail, no matter how minor, of what occurred within the True Dream Realm, they all found themselves at a loss. They still exchanged baffled looks, utterly stumped as to why Lou Yun had suddenly awakened from the True Dream Realm looking so refreshed and energized.

Watching everyone sink into deep thought, Huangfu Ao couldn’t be bothered to ponder it himself. Opening his mouth, he said, “What are you planning to do next?”

A bitter smile appeared on Huangfu Xuanlan’s face. “Clan Brother, I wish to try once more. If that still doesn’t work… then our only recourse would be to forcibly detain Lou Yun using martial means, and then find a way to pry the Divine Weapon Emperor information from his mouth.”

Here, Huangfu Xuanlan paused, a trace of hesitation flitting across his expression. “However…”

Huangfu Ao swept him with a glance, chuckling coldly. “However… you have no confidence you can deal with the man who came with him, is that it?”

Huangfu Xuanlan’s face instantly transformed into one of sycophantic flattery. He raised his thumb at Huangfu Ao. “Clan Brother truly sees all! Hitting the absolute heart of the matter with one phrase! It is precisely that strange man that worries me. He first destroyed over a dozen buildings of my clan. Then, he injured my fifth brother with a single punch. Earlier, while the two Elders were playing the zither, he didn’t blink once the entire time, let alone enter the True Dream Realm. His level of inner discipline is genuinely rare. Though we cannot discern his cultivation level, I fear he won’t be easily dealt with!”

After hearing Huangfu Xuanlan out, Huangfu Ao rose. He stretched luxuriously and forcefully before speaking slowly, “That man is indeed somewhat peculiar. If all of you truly can’t handle him… then I suppose I’ll step in. Sigh. Since I’ve come all this way to your place, I ought to do something useful.”

Hearing Huangfu Ao agree to personally handle Gui You Quan instantly lifted the weight from Huangfu Xuanlan’s heart. Though he didn’t necessarily believe his group couldn’t subdue Gui You Quan at all, he knew a cost would have to be paid on his end. But if Huangfu Ao made a move, everything would become much easier.

Though Huangfu Xuanlan and Huangfu Ao were both of the Huangfu lineage, their origins in two entirely different worlds created a fundamental gap. This very difference dictated they could never truly unite as kin the way genuine clan members would.

Lou Yun and Gui You Quan returned to their quarters arranged by the Huangfu Family. Even though the people sent to monitor them outside did their utmost to conceal themselves, there was absolutely no way their presence could elude the two inside.

Gui You Quan snorted coldly. Twin streams of green-white Yin Ming energy shot from his nostrils. These two streams twisted around each other like little snakes, forming a circle and swirling continuously in a clockwise direction.

Suddenly, the two streams exploded violently. Yet, within the room, not a wisp of gas could be seen. The Yin Ming energy had vanished without a trace in an instant.

“Young Master, this servant has placed a barrier here now. No one outside will detect any movement within this room for sure.”

Lou Yun had been closely observing Gui You Quan’s actions. Though not fully understanding them, presenting his soul had drastically heightened his spiritual perception compared to the past. Naturally, he could feel the sudden manifestation of the energy barrier within the room. He was very satisfied with Gui You Quan’s action.

Lyu Qin nodded. He decided to first relay the message his Master had instructed him to deliver for Gui You Quan. He would discuss the matters concerning the soul with Chang Xiang later.

“Uncle Ghost, my master had me bring you a message!”

Lou Yun’s approach was perhaps a little too direct. The words were abrupt and disjointed. So much so that even Gui You Quan wore an expression of deep confusion upon hearing it, looking at Lou Yun rather bewildered. “Your master? Mr. Commoner? Had a message for me?”

Lou Yun patted his head, realizing his mistake. With an embarrassed smile, he said, “Yes. Just now, within the True Dream Realm the Huangfu family Elders’ zither music drew me into… I unexpectedly met the True Dream Realm my master had set up. His venerable self instructed me to relay a message to you!”

These words would likely still leave anyone else utterly confused. But Gui You Quan, being a true Weapon Emperor Realm master, naturally comprehended perfectly. Furthermore, hearing that it was Mr. Commoner himself who had a message specifically for him caused even his expression to turn extremely solemn and reverent. He straightened up to his full height, allowed his hands to fall naturally at his sides, closed his eyes slightly, and said, “This servant is all ears!”

“Hmm. My master said to tell you: If you listen to my words… then you still harbor the hope of seeing Xiao Jia again.”

The moment Lou Yun’s voice fell, he saw Gui You Quan jolt violently as though struck by lightning. His whole body shuddered uncontrollably. Then, his feet took an involuntary step backward!