After over an hour of fierce fighting, half of the killers from Black Owl were either dead or wounded, with only three or four left putting up stubborn resistance.
It had to be said, Li Rufeng and his disciples were formidable fighters as well. Despite sustaining injuries themselves, they had managed to fend off all these Black Owl assassins.
Especially Li Rufeng himself - it was no wonder the Suzhou Ancient Martial Arts Circle dared not provoke him. His skills were on a completely different level compared to those ancient martial artists of the Xiao Family.
Seeing that the remaining three or four Black Owl killers could no longer make any waves, Gu Chenan stood up, stretched lazily, and entered the Xiao Family compound.
Upon entering the main hall, the Xiao father and daughter hurriedly came forward to greet him.
"Young Master Gu, thank you for your aid. If not for you, those Black Owl assassins would have barged into the Xiao Family!" Xiao Jian said gratefully, tears in his eyes.
Gu Chenan waved his hand dismissively. "The head of the Gu Family is too kind. I merely defeated one man. Look at Chief Instructor Li - he has wiped out the entire group of Black Owl killers!"
Xiao Jian smiled wryly. "Chief Instructor Li has indeed done the Xiao Family a great service, but..."
Hesitating for a moment, Xiao Jian continued, "...if Young Master Gu had not killed their leader, Chief Instructor Li could not have succeeded so easily..."
Gu Chenan smiled. "Master Xiao, do not mention today's events to anyone outside."
[Dang it, don't elevate me so high. I don't want Black Owl endlessly hunting me down right now.]
[I helped the Xiao Family, so don't betray my kindness!]
"Young Master, but why..." Before Xiao Jian could finish his puzzled question, Xiao Yajie tugged at his sleeve and said, "I understand. Young Master Gu, my father will instruct everyone accordingly."
"Yes, be sure to remember. This concerns the very survival of the Xiao Family."
With those words of caution, Gu Chenan asked where Hoshino Kannon was, then strode quickly into the guest room.
Xiao Jian looked at Xiao Yajie with some puzzlement. "Yajie, why did Young Master Gu not want us to mention today's events?"
"If we spread word of how formidable Young Master Gu is, Black Owl might become wary of him, right?"
Xiao Yajie had just heard Gu Chenan's thoughts, and she knew that doing so would bring him endless trouble.
So after a moment's contemplation, she explained, "Father, those Black Owl people are relentless until they achieve their goals. If you don't mention this, they may wonder what happened to the people who came today and mysteriously disappeared."
"But if we let it be known, they will definitely come seeking revenge."
Hearing this, Xiao Jian blinked. "Indeed, that makes sense."
Entering the bedroom, Gu Chenan saw those ancient martial arts masters treating Hoshino Kannon, who was unconscious and covered in blood.
Upon seeing Gu Chenan enter, they cupped their fists in a traditional salute. "Young Master, you're back."
"Yes." Gu Chenan nodded. "How is she?"
"Young Master, this young lady has lost too much blood, but we have staunched the bleeding. Now she only needs to rest and recover."
"That's good." Gu Chenan nodded with relief. "Take a break for now. Let me treat her."
The others promptly stepped aside.
They had witnessed Gu Chenan's skills firsthand. In ancient martial arts, medicine and combat were considered one. With such formidable abilities, his medical skills must be impressive as well.
Since Gu Chenan had spoken, they saw no need to further expose their shallow medical knowledge before him.
"Young Master, we are in awe of your incredible skills!"
"Indeed, Young Master's abilities far exceed what we imagined, yet you have kept them deeply hidden. We have been exchanging greetings with you as fellow ancient martial artists all this time, which seems so humiliating in hindsight!"
"Young Master's martial prowess has truly opened our eyes. If not for you today, those Black Owl people would have breached the Xiao Family gates long ago!"
And so began the standard session of flattery.
In the past, Gu Chenan hated hearing people praise him the most.
Not because he was indifferent or disdained fame and wealth.
But because those people were so bad at sucking up that it didn't resonate at all!
Similar to calling Gu Chenan a business genius or other such exaggerated drivel.
Not to mention others, even Gu Chenan himself found it cringeworthy to listen to.
But these ancient martial artists did a rather apt job at flattering - neither excessive nor unreasonable in their words.
Listening to them, Gu Chenan couldn't help but feel a sense of gratification rising within.
[So this is the feeling that important personage so enjoys being flattered!]
"Today's delay was my fault. If not for that... oh, nevermind." Gu Chenan trailed off suggestively.
But just those few words piqued the curiosity of the others.
What exactly had Young Master Gu encountered today that caused his delay?
Seeing their puzzled looks, Gu Chenan smiled faintly.
Good, the foreshadowing was done. Now to wait for Li Rufeng's entrance.
You wanted to assassinate me, didn't you?
Don't actions have consequences?
True, you Li Rufeng command great respect in the Suzhou Ancient Martial Arts Circle. Going against you would be akin to going against the entire circle.
But what if the circle knew that without you obstructing today's events, even more people would have died?
Gu Chenan had a plan in mind, but he calmly said, "It's nothing, it's better if I don't mention it to anyone."
With that, he waved his hand. "Alright, you all can go rest now."
"Thank you for your hard work, Young Master."
After they left, Gu Chenan immediately examined Hoshino Kannon's injuries.
His assessment was largely in line with what those ancient martial artists had said.
Although Hoshino Kannon had lost a lot of blood, she had not reached the point of needing a transfusion. With some rest, she would recover.
Looking at the various wounds on Hoshino Kannon's body, Gu Chenan couldn't help but feel moved.
Regardless of what Hoshino Kannon had intended to do by coming to Suzhou, for a young lady to keep her promise to this extent, even a heart of iron like Gu Chenan's couldn't remain unmoved.
Gu Chenan sat on a stool beside her, holding Hoshino Kannon's slender hands in his.
At that moment, Hoshino Kannon slowly opened her eyes.
She looked around at her surroundings, then turned her head slightly to see Gu Chenan beside her.
"You're awake?" Gu Chenan asked with a faint smile.
"Mmm." Hoshino Kannon nodded, then turned to look out the window. "Gong... Gong Fei and the others..."
"Don't worry, Gong Fei is dead," said Gu Chenan.
Hoshino Kannon nodded, closing her eyes again.
But suddenly, she opened them once more and looked at Gu Chenan. "Does our agreement still hold?"
Gu Chenan reached out and patted Hoshino Kannon's head. "Of course."
Hearing this, Hoshino Kannon's lips curved into a small smile. "This time, you still have to accompany me to the amusement park and share a cotton candy with me."
Gu Chenan smiled. "Sure, whatever you want."