Chapter Thirty-Eight

Gu Liuyun stood in the center of the garden, the golden glow of the setting sun casting a luminous sheen upon him.

Family members arrived one after another—some anxious, some expectant, others indifferent—creating a scene as varied and dramatic as a silent play. The air was thick with the tension of an impending storm, a heavy, stifling stillness.

"Is everyone here?" Gu Liuyun surveyed the crowd, his tone calm yet imbued with an unquestionable authority.

His uncle stood among the throng, his face dark and brooding, like a viper waiting to strike. He had been inciting his cousin and several other gullible family members to challenge Gu Liuyun at every turn.

"Your proposal is completely unreasonable! Why should you be the one to decide everything?" his cousin stepped forward, pointing an accusatory finger at Gu Liuyun.

"Exactly! We don't agree!" echoed some of the misinformed family members, plunging the gathering into chaos.

Gu Liuyun remained unmoved by their questioning. He had anticipated this; after all, he was threatening the vested interests of many, and one could hardly expect them to submit without a fight.

He chuckled softly. "Whether my proposal is reasonable is not for you to decide—the facts will speak for themselves." He paused, his gaze sweeping over the group. "Your so-called questioning is nothing more than a reluctance to relinquish your own benefits."

His words struck like a blade, piercing straight to the heart. Some of the wavering members began to reflect on their positions. Seizing the moment, Gu Liuyun presented the evidence he had prepared. The facts were irrefutable, and the faces of his uncle and cousin turned deathly pale.

"This... this is all fake!" his uncle stammered in a final, desperate attempt to resist.

"Whether it is fake or not, you know the truth in your hearts." Gu Liuyun sneered, turning his back on them to address the rest of the family. "I am giving you a choice: will you continue to follow them down a dead end, or will you choose a brighter future?"

His words carried immense weight. The family members looked at one another, and in the end, the majority chose to stand with Gu Liuyun. Seeing that the situation was beyond salvage, his uncle and cousin slumped, defeated like crestfallen roosters.

Gu Liuyun watched it all with a profound sense of inner calm. He knew that this family feud had finally come to an end.

He walked over to Ye Manman and Chen Jiaojiao, smiling. "Let's go. It’s time to head back."

Just as they turned to leave, however, Ye Manman suddenly stopped and turned to Chen Jiaojiao. "Wait, your dress..."

Her almond-shaped eyes widened, a flicker of hidden hostility in her tone. "Chen Jiaojiao, your dress seems to have... snagged on my bracelet." Chen Jiaojiao looked down to find a pearl button on her hem firmly caught in the intricate links of Ye Manman’s bracelet.

The atmosphere froze; one could have heard a pin drop. The two women, who had just been united against a common enemy, were now bristling like two cats with their backs arched, glaring at each other.

"Let go! You're hurting me!" Ye Manman arched her brows, her voice sharpening.

Chen Jiaojiao was no pushover. She crossed her arms and tilted her chin defiantly. "Who told you to stand so close? You bumped into me, so why are you blaming me?"

"You..." Ye Manman was so incensed her face turned pale and her chest heaved.

"Alright, alright, it’s such a small matter. Let me untangle you, shall we?" Gu Liuyun stepped in to mediate, hoping his gentle approach would diffuse the "war."

Yet, the two women ignored him entirely, continuing their full-blown barrage.

"Chen Jiaojiao, you did that on purpose! I know you're just jealous of me!" Ye Manman shouted.

"Jealous of you? What is there to be jealous of? Your chest? Please, mine isn't exactly small either!" Chen Jiaojiao shot back without hesitation.

"You... you... you're impossible!" Ye Manman trembled with rage.

Seeing the flames of their conflict burning ever brighter, Gu Liuyun’s patience began to wear thin. He drew a deep breath and was about to speak when an elderly, authoritative voice cut him off.

"That's enough, all of you!" Grandfather Gu stepped out from the crowd, leaning on his cane. His gaze swept across the group before settling on Gu Liuyun. "Liuyun, you have done well. I misjudged you before, and I hope you will lead the Gu family toward a more glorious future."

The old man’s words were a bombshell, sending the crowd into an uproar. His uncle and cousin turned deathly pale, never having imagined that Grandfather would choose to support Gu Liuyun at such a moment.

"Father, you..." his uncle attempted to speak, but a sharp, piercing glare from his father silenced him.

"I am tired. You may all disperse." With those words, Grandfather Gu turned and left. The family members exchanged glances before quietly filing away.

Only Gu Liuyun, Ye Manman, and Chen Jiaojiao remained in the garden. Gu Liuyun looked at the two still-sulking women and sighed helplessly. "You two..."

"Gu Liuyun," Ye Manman said suddenly, her voice icy, "come here. I have something to tell you."

A confident smirk tugged at the corners of Gu Liuyun’s mouth. Facing the skepticism of his family, he felt as if he had gained a divine perspective, calling upon the wisdom of his past life as an Immortal Venerable with ease. Not only did he skillfully dismantle every criticism, but he also unveiled far-sighted development plans that left everyone stunned, murmuring, "As expected of Young Master Liuyun, his vision is truly on another level!"

His uncle and cousin, who had harbored dreams of a comeback, were left completely dumbfounded, wilting like frost-bitten eggplants. They lowered their heads in shame, not daring to utter another word—a sight that brought Gu Liuyun immense satisfaction.

After dealing with these "old relics" of the family, Gu Liuyun led Ye Manman and Chen Jiaojiao to a secluded corner of the garden, where the air was filled with the fragrance of flowers and the subtle scent of roses. He looked at the two beautiful women with profound affection, his gentle voice like a spring breeze brushing against their hearts.

"Manman, Jiaojiao, thank you for always standing by my side. You mean more to me than this entire family." He took their hands, his sincere confession moving them both deeply.

Ye Manman’s eyes welled up, and she took the initiative to embrace Chen Jiaojiao. The friction between them vanished in an instant, replaced by a deep sisterly bond. Their eyes sparkled with happiness, their reliance on Gu Liuyun stronger than ever before.

Back in the family conference hall, Gu Liuyun officially announced the new rules for family business management and the distribution of cultivation resources. The new rules were fair and just, taking into account the interests of every family member, and were met with unanimous approval.

The family feud was completely settled, and the formerly hostile atmosphere was replaced by harmony and camaraderie. Gu Liuyun naturally ascended as the true leader of the family. With his arms around Ye Manman and Chen Jiaojiao, he savored the fruits of this hard-won victory. Under his leadership, the Gu family’s future looked as bright as the rising sun.

However, just as Gu Liuyun began to implement the new management rules, Steward Lin crept up to him, whispering in a low, conspiratorial voice: "Young Master, there is something... I must report to you privately..."