The afternoon arrived.
Gu Yan, unusually, had not forgotten to pick up his sister-in-law.
Leng Ling'er was still packing up her gaming console and hadn't come out yet.
However, Bai Jun was already standing at the entrance, seemingly waiting for Gu Yan.
After getting out of the car, Gu Yan greeted him: "Brother Bai, you're being so polite? Did you come out just to welcome me?"
Bai Jun adjusted his glasses and glanced at Old Gao behind Gu Yan before nodding. "You could say that. There's something I think you should know."
"Oh? What's so serious?"
Gu Yan already had an idea of what it might be but pretended to be curious.
After a moment of contemplation, Bai Jun decided to inform Gu Yan about the recent changes in Jianghai's situation.
Not only did he consider Gu Yan a close friend, but more importantly, the Martial Arts Department would soon investigate the Leng Family.
To avoid any misunderstandings, Bai Jun chose to share some information directly with Gu Yan.
Since the matter was highly confidential, Bai Jun lowered his voice slightly: "Since both of us are martial artists, and you're the young master of the Gu Family, there are certain things you must already be aware of."
"What I want to tell you concerns your beloved... the Leng Family, specifically Leng Qingqiu."
Gu Yan's expression remained unchanged as he asked, "Is it... that 'Night' has returned?"
Hearing this, Bai Jun smiled wryly and nodded. "As expected, you already knew."
"That year, the major forces weren't targeting the Leng Family for extermination. Instead, they were after... an entity known as 'Night.'"
"That night, the largest-scale demon-slaying operation in history was launched."
"Both righteous and evil factions, as well as official and civilian forces, all participated."
"The goal was to eradicate an organization called 'Night.' According to the intel, the leader of 'Night,' the Night King, was within the Leng Family."
"Everyone understood the principle of 'capture the leader first,' but..."
Bai Jun sighed here, seemingly pitying the ordinary people who were affected by the incident: "No one knew exactly who the Night King was among the Leng Family."
"To force the Night King out, some factions took extreme measures..."
"Endangering innocent civilians..."
"In the end, the Night King revealed himself, and all the forces united to defeat him."
"Just when we thought the matter was over..."
"The 'Night' organization... has recently resurfaced in Jianghai."
Bai Jun's tone grew grave as he spoke: "This has led to an influx of ancient martial arts factions into Jianghai, all aiming to investigate whether 'Night' has truly returned."
"And... the first suspect is the Leng Family!"
Bai Jun wouldn't normally disclose such information, but Gu Yan was different.
Gu Yan shared his ideals, and Bai Jun had witnessed Gu Yan's unwavering loyalty to what he wanted to protect.
Therefore, Bai Jun was certain that Gu Yan was a righteous person—a good man!
"Aside from the ancient martial arts factions, the Martial Arts Department will also investigate the Leng Family."
"To prevent any misunderstandings, I decided to inform you beforehand."
Bai Jun finished speaking and quietly observed Gu Yan's reaction.
Gu Yan understood everything, though it was all information he already knew.
But...
He gave Bai Jun a friendly smile. "Thank you! This information is crucial!"
"If you ever need my help in the future, I won't hesitate!"
Bai Jun nodded. "In any case... it's best not to clash with the various factions."
"Otherwise, even your Gu Family..."
Bai Jun didn't finish his sentence, but the implication was clear: no martial arts faction could survive a coordinated attack from the world's martial arts forces.
Gu Yan nodded, indicating that he wouldn't act recklessly.
The next moment.
Crack!
"Brother-in-law!"
The door was pushed open.
Leng Ling'er, dragging her gaming console and swinging a jade pendant Bai Qionglan had given her, ran over. As soon as she saw Gu Yan, she shouted, "Brother-in-law! Look at this!"
She waved the jade pendant in her hand as she approached.
Bai Jun, who was standing nearby, was about to say that they should end the conversation here.
But the moment he turned his head and saw the jade pendant in Leng Ling'er's hand, his pupils contracted, and a cold sweat broke out on his back.
Wait a minute... What?!
Bai Jun quickly glanced at his younger sister's neck, only to find that the pendant was no longer there.
He then looked at Bai Qionglan, who guiltily averted her gaze.
Damn it!
What were you thinking, sis?!
Bai Jun couldn't help but curse internally.
Are you out of your mind?! That's the Dragon King Jade!!!
When Dad finds out you gave the Dragon King Jade to the Leng Family, he'll be furious!!!
Bai Jun was drenched in sweat. The reason the Dragon King Jade had been safe in his sister's possession was that it had been personally handed to the Bai Family by the previous Dragon King.
If it became known that the jade had fallen into the hands of Leng Ling'er or the Gu Family, how would other factions react?
Would they assume that the next leader of the Dragon King Palace would come from the Leng or Gu Families?
Right now, the Gu and Leng Families appeared to be on close terms.
Add to that the recent influx of martial arts factions into Jianghai.
And the fact that 'Night' had resurfaced, with the Leng Family being the primary suspect.
With so much turmoil, Gu Yan... whether you or the Leng Family possess this jade, you'll likely become the target of many factions!
Everyone wants to become the leader of the Dragon King Palace because of its immense influence.
By giving away the jade, Bai Qionglan was essentially relinquishing the right to inherit the Dragon King Palace!
This was like throwing a boulder into a calm lake, causing a massive splash!
It signaled that anyone could become the heir to the Dragon King Palace!
Sis... at this critical moment, you've really put Gu Yan in a tough spot.
Do you think he has the other half?
The other half is with Xiao Lin, the heir chosen by the previous Dragon King!
At this moment, Gu Yan also noticed the half-piece of jade in Leng Ling'er's hand—the other half of the Dragon King Jade, shaped like a dragon's tail!
He picked it up and asked in surprise, "Huh? Little brat, where did you get this jade?"
Huh?
Leng Ling'er, who had been excited to prove Gu Yan wrong, was now confused.
Didn't you say your half was unique?
But she decided to explain first.
So she blurted out, "Qionglan said she didn't want it anymore, so she gave it to me! She said it was to thank you for saving her at the KTV."
Hearing this, Gu Yan feigned surprise and looked at Bai Qionglan.
The latter nodded repeatedly. "Yes, Brother-in-law of Ling'er, I gave it to you. I don't want it anymore."
Bai Jun, standing nearby, twitched his mouth and forced a strained smile. "Gu Yan... since it's my sister's gift, you should just accept it..."
"But... you know the significance of this jade..."
"With Jianghai in such chaos..."
But before he could finish, Bai Jun was cut off.
Gu Yan casually pocketed the jade and smiled at him. "Everyone knows the importance of the jade that the Bai Family's young lady carries."
"In that case, I won't stand on ceremony."
Bai Jun's eye twitched. Seriously, Brother Gu, I've given you so many hints.
Why are you still walking into the fire... or rather, inviting trouble?
"Well... alright then?"
Bai Jun had no choice but to agree.
Old Gao, who had been watching silently, smiled knowingly, a glint of understanding in his eyes.
This is half of it, and the young master has the other half that he took from Xiao Lin.
Doesn't that mean... the young master... is now the leader of the Dragon King Palace?!
Old Gao chuckled inwardly. So this was all part of the young master's plan!
After some thought, Bai Jun gave up on retrieving the jade.
He sighed inwardly.
Perhaps this was fate?
Because the former Dragon King once said, the Dragon King Jade is a spiritual object of the world.
After handing it over to his sister, unless she voluntarily gives it to someone else, the Dragon King Jade will eventually return to her through various twists and turns.
Perhaps this is fate? Should Gu Yan really have this half piece?
But... Bai Jun had always thought that this half piece was meant for Xiao Lin. It seems he was overthinking it.
So what exactly is going on?
Could it be that in the end, Gu Yan and Xiao Lin will compete for the position of the Dragon King Palace?
Just to obtain the other half of the Dragon King Jade in each other's possession?
Bai Jun was already confused; one thing after another kept happening.
Is this still the Jianghai City under his jurisdiction...
After bidding farewell to Bai Jun and the others,
Gu Yan dragged his sister-in-law, who wanted to blurt out that he also had the other half of the jade pendant, into the car.
Back in the car, Gu Yan couldn't suppress the smile on his face.
He held the jade pendant in his hand, gazing at it with increasing fondness.
He didn't even care about the death glare from his sister-in-law beside him.
Hehehehehe~~
No way, was it really this easy to get it?
I thought it would take a lot of effort.
But after just spending a loving morning with Qingqiu, I got this half piece of jade pendant??
Indeed, being affectionate with Qingqiu is the way to go!!
Leng Ling'er, on the other hand, looked quite unhappy. She pounded Gu Yan's side and shouted, "Trash Gu! Have you looked at it enough? I told you there's another half, didn't I?"
"I'm telling you, this piece has to go to my sister! You're not allowed to combine this piece with yours!"
Give it to your sister?
The mere thought of Leng Qingqiu becoming the leader of the Dragon King Palace made Gu Yan break out in a cold sweat.
Don't joke around, sister-in-law... If your sister finds out that the Dragon King Jade has appeared in the Leng Family, neither you nor I will have an easy time.
Making Leng Qingqiu the leader of the Dragon King Palace? That's practically like recognizing a thief as your father!
So...
Gu Yan subtly slipped the jade pendant into his pocket and stored it in his system space.
Then, under Leng Ling'er's dissatisfied gaze,
he cleared his throat and said, "Alright, I was wrong."
"I'll buy you whatever you want."
"And didn't you want to be an internet celebrity? Sign with the Gu Corporation."
"I'll pour all the resources into you, making you the queen of short videos."
"How about I let everyone watch you dance to 'Laser Rain'? Deal?"
As soon as Leng Ling'er heard this, her dissatisfaction vanished. She giggled, "Hehe! Really?"
"Brother-in-law, you're the best!!"
"And for dinner, I want fried chicken legs!"
Gu Yan, in a good mood, agreed to everything, "Sure, sure, I'll make whatever flavor you want!"
"Yay!"
After pacifying his sister-in-law,
Gu Yan couldn't help but smile.
Alright...
When should the Dragon King Jade be reunited...
Hmm, I'll have to wait for the right moment.
After all... those monsters from the former Dragon King's era aren't completely gone yet.
At least before Xiao Lin dies, the complete Dragon King Jade must not be revealed!
But...
Thinking about the changes in the relationship between Xiao Lin and Shen Wan'er,
Gu Yan's heart let out another hehehehehe laugh.
I believe it won't be long now.