Chapter 328

Chapter 328: Sincere Assistance

Given Gui You Quan’s current cultivation level, he was absolutely the type of person who wouldn’t bat an eye even if Mount Tai collapsed before him. One could even say that there was likely nothing left in the entire world that could stir his emotions. Yet now, a single sentence conveyed by Lou Yun from Mr. Commoner had caused him to react in such a way, which filled Lou Yun’s heart with deep curiosity.

What meaning did such a sentence actually hold, to have shocked Gui You Quan to such a degree?

Gui You Quan remained frozen in a pose with one foot forward and one behind. After a long while, his rigid pupils finally shifted, and he snapped fully out of his stunned state.

"Hoo!"

A long breath escaped Gui You Quan’s lips. Then, a bitter smile crossed his face as he looked up at Lou Yun.

Gui You Quan’s face was no longer the expressionless mask of before. On the contrary, it was extremely animated, blending at least five or more distinct emotions. Having known Gui You Quan for this long, it was the first time Lou Yun had ever seen him display such a look.

After the shock and the deep breath, though his expression remained complex, Gui You Quan’s mood visibly settled. He clasped his hands together toward Lou Yun and actually bowed respectfully, saying, "Young Master, this old servant was indeed somewhat rebellious toward your leadership before. Please, for Mr. Commoner’s sake, forgive this old servant once more and grant me another chance. I swear that from now on, I will assist you wholeheartedly with unwavering loyalty."

Lou Yun listened to these words from Gui You Quan in wide-eyed amazement. His curiosity had now peaked to its limit—what meaning did that sentence he relayed actually carry, to hold such magical power that it prompted Gui You Quan to speak like this and act this way!

"Uncle Ghost, what are you doing? We’ve already signed a Soul Contract—surely you don’t think I mistrust you!" Lou Yun quickly composed himself, hurried over, and propped Gui You Quan back up with both hands.

A flicker of remorse crossed Gui You Quan’s face as he replied, "To be honest, this old servant has long sensed the Young Master’s kind and benevolent nature, so I acted willfully before. But I will never repeat that."

Lou Yun had naturally been aware of Gui You Quan’s former attitude toward him, so he smiled faintly and said, "Uncle Ghost, that’s all in the past—let’s not bring it up again. Come, let’s sit down and talk properly."

Lou Yun supported Gui You Quan as he settled into a chair, then he sat down beside him himself. Just as Lou Yun was pondering how to ask about the meaning of that sentence, Gui You Quan spoke up first: "This old servant knows that the Young Master must be very puzzled right now. If the Young Master is interested, I can share a few words of my story."

"I am interested! Uncle Ghost, speak—I’m listening!" Lou Yun nodded rapidly.

Gui You Quan paid no notice to Lou Yun’s change in demeanor. Instead, he stared fixedly at the candle flame burning on the table. Slowly, his gaze softened, and he began narrating a tale of his past.

When Gui You Quan had recognized Lou Yun as Mr. Commoner’s successor in the Thousand Layer Cave through the Seal Technique, he had briefly mentioned his history. But at the time, his motives weren’t pure, so he’d left out the details.

Though Gui You Quan’s early life was full of bitterness and hardship, before truly becoming a cultivator, as an ordinary man, he had married and fathered a son, casually known as Xiao Jia!

With his wife and son in his life, Gui You Quan desired nothing more than to live quietly and peacefully. Yet the heavens denied him that chance. The year his son turned six, he left home to work, and when he returned, he discovered his entire village reduced to ruins. His wife had died at home, and his son was missing.

From that moment on, the old Gui You Quan vanished. In his place appeared a man driven solely by vengeance and the desperate search for his son!

This was precisely why Gui You Quan chose to become a ghost weapons master—it was the fastest path to immense power in the shortest time possible.

Gui You Quan wasn’t even his real name; he’d changed it after losing everything, because he saw himself as a ghost—a ghost who would scour heaven and hell to get revenge and find his son!

Later, Gui You Quan succeeded in taking his blood-soaked revenge, but before tonight, he’d never found his son. After all these years, while a tiny ember of hope had stayed alive in his heart, he’d resigned himself to the idea that his son must have perished long ago!

Yet unexpectedly, today in Lou Yun’s words, he’d heard his son’s name mentioned again—and it was Mr. Commoner who had entrusted Lou Yun to relay it to him. That meant his son was clearly still alive, at least Mr. Commoner knew his whereabouts!

This sudden rekindling of hope, from the brink of utter despair, especially for the fate of his own flesh and blood, was what caused Gui You Quan’s profound shift in both mindset and character!

No longer was Gui You Quan the ruthless ghost weapons master who treated lives like grass. Now, he was an aging man, yearning deeply to reunite with his only son!

After sharing his true past, Gui You Quan heaved a long sigh and said, "Young Master, if this old servant still has any regrets in life, Xiao Jia is the sole one. I understand now Mr. Commoner’s intent in having you pass on that sentence. Facing the upcoming heavenly punishment, my own strength alone would never suffice to survive. Only the Young Master’s aid might give me a sliver of a chance. To see Xiao Jia again, enduring this heavenly punishment must come first. So rest assured, Young Master—this old servant will bear no further disloyalty!"

Originally, regarding that sentence entrusted by his master as Mr. Commoner, Lou Yun had assumed it was merely a threat. But after Gui You Quan’s explanation, it dawned on him: it was precisely as stated, with an implied deeper meaning—that for Lou Yun to genuinely help him, Gui You Quan had to obey him. Only then could he survive the heavenly punishment and live long enough to see his son.

Grasping this, and learning of Gui You Quan’s tragic past loss of his family, Lou Yun felt a wave of sympathy for him. So he declared, "Uncle Ghost, let’s not dwell on the past. Worry not—when your heavenly punishment arrives, I will surely help you with all my might!"

"This old servant deeply thanks the Young Master!"

Gui You Quan stood and bowed deeply once more.

Gui You Quan was well-seasoned with age and sharp insight. Though newly beside Lou Yun, he’d already sized up the Young Master’s character entirely. He knew that since Lou Yun spoke these words now, he would keep his promise, and Gui You Quan was genuinely grateful.

Lou Yun wanted to stop him but was too weak to lift Gui You Quan; he had to accept it.

Gui You Quan finished bowing, rose, and stated, "Young Master, my heavenly punishment is still some days off; it can rest for now. The priority is entirely your affairs. I got a vague sense earlier from what you told me, but the specifics aren’t clear. Could you elaborate so this old servant fully understands?"

Having resolved to assist Lou Yun truly and sincerely, Gui You Quan now saw Lou Yun’s enemies as his own. Especially here in the Huangfu Family, facing another super expert from another world, he needed to grasp Lou Yun’s situation in detail to devise better ways of protecting him from harm.

Lou Yun hid nothing further. He fully explained the feud between the Lou Family and the Nine Clans, and concluded, "I came here hoping to resolve the conflict, but judging from the Huangfu Family’s attitude, that’s clearly not on their minds. Since that’s the case, I’ll drop that path. I’ll stay two more days, trying to see if I can acquire their Divine Heavenly Weapons, then we’ll leave. It’s not time yet for an outright break."

Gui You Quan chuckled darkly on hearing this: "Young Master, with this old servant present, even if you tear it all apart now, they can’t do much to you. But since you desire that Divine Heavenly Weapons, and it’s late enough with the Huangfu Family likely scheming how to deal with us, why don’t I slip out now to scout around?"

Lou Yun pondered briefly: "Good. I’ll trouble you for it, Uncle Ghost—but please be careful."

"Rest easy, Young Master!"

As Gui You Quan’s voice faded, he vanished from the room as if never there. This time, Lou Yun sensed he used an extremely bizarre movement technique, instantly opening and closing the door as he departed.

Before, Lou Yun might have seen it as divine skill, but now, with his soul awakened, he could vaguely perceive it even when deployed by a true Weapon Emperor Realm cultivator.

Lou Yun unfurled his spirit senses, quietly listening for any sound outside. That strange feeling he’d had before in the main residence dining hall reemerged—purely through minute, barely audible noises, vivid real scenes bloomed clearly in his mind.

Those scenes didn’t stretch far, though. Straining all his effort, Lou Yun barely expanded the sensation to within a hundred yards.

But Lou Yun was satisfied. He trusted this sensation was tightly tied to his cultivation; as his prowess grew, its reach would surely widen. For this, he felt eager anticipation.

Once confirmed that Gui You Quan had infiltrated the island deep without alarming anyone, Lou Yun steadied his thoughts and shifted his spirit senses inward. Yet instead of seeking Chang Xiang immediately, he turned first to his own mind, studying his soul closely again.