Gu Qingyan was four years younger than the original owner of the body, and had just turned sixteen this year. Seeing Gu Chen sit down, she also called out "Big Brother."
Her voice was extremely pleasant and melodious, with a distinctive charm, crisp like the striking of ice or chime of jade.
"Master, you've just come back, go wash your hands quickly," Xu Qinge said to Gu Chengfeng.
"Alright, I'll be right back," Gu Chengfeng replied.
After Gu Chengfeng had left, Xu Qinge turned to Gu Chen, asking with concern, "Eldest son, I heard from your second uncle that you were injured some time ago. How are you feeling now? It's nothing serious, I hope?"
"Thank you for your concern, Auntie. I've completely recovered," answered Gu Chen. He could tell that Xu Qinge genuinely treated him as family.
The original owner had been raised by Gu Chengfeng and Xu Qinge since he was a child. Since they had only one daughter, Gu Qingyan, they treated the original owner as their own son.
Xu Qinge had a very good nature, kind-hearted, and her care for the original owner was meticulous. In his heart, the original owner actually regarded Xu Qinge as his mother.
It's just that the original owner was a loner and rigid by nature, and not skilled at expressing himself, so he never revealed his feelings.
Additionally, the original owner often had to face all sorts of demons and strange creatures in the Jing Tian Department, and because Auntie Xu Qinge and his sister Gu Qingyan were ordinary people, he seldom visited the Gu Mansion. Even if he did visit, he would quickly leave after a meal, fearing that they would be affected by some misfortune because of him.
"It's good that you're alright. Come, let's eat," Xu Qinge said with a gentle smile. Before marrying her second uncle Gu Chengfeng, she too was from a distinguished family. While speaking, she served Gu Chen some dishes.
At this moment, Gu Chengfeng, having changed his clothes, returned to the dining table. Looking at the fragrant dishes before him, he laughed and said, "Wife, you seem a bit biased. It's rare for you to cook, and you've made all of Eldest Son's favorite dishes. How should Qingyan and I feel?"
"You talk too much," Xu Qinge glanced at Gu Chengfeng.
Gu Chen smiled, picked up his chopsticks, and began to taste the food. After one bite, his eyes lit up and he praised, "Auntie's culinary skills have improved even more after not seeing you for a while."
Upon hearing this, Xu Qinge, with a beautiful smile on her face, said, "If you like it, eat more. Just come by more often, and I'll cook for you regularly."
"Alright, I won't be polite in the future then," Gu Chen said with a smile.
Xu Qinge was taken aback, as if she hadn't expected Gu Chen to actually agree, but then her smile deepened as she said, "No problem, come over whenever you want."
The original owner had always been silent and rarely showed emotions, and he also didn't have many friends, so Gu Chengfeng and Xu Qinge had always been worried about this.
But now, seeing Gu Chen's cheerful appearance and the frequent smiles on his face, they felt as if he was a different person.
Deep down, they of course hoped that Gu Chen would continue to be like this.
Sitting next to Gu Chen, Gu Qingyan also felt surprised. She looked at her brother a few more times, feeling that he seemed very different from before, no longer always expressionless as he had once been.
For her, this was definitely a good thing; at least her parents wouldn't have to worry about it anymore.
Moreover, having grown up together since they were young, the original owner always treated his sister well, so their relationship had always been good.
A trace of a smile also appeared on Liu Ningyuan's face as he said, "Indeed, so we need to be patient for a while."
"But the Mingjing Department and Jing Tian Department are two completely different systems. Even if you're promoted, Master, what can you do to that little beast?" Liu Zheng's parents had heard the details of the incident from their servants and had some understanding of Gu Chen.
Of course, even knowing that it was Liu Zheng who had provoked the incident first, and that there had been bad blood between the two of them, Liu Zheng was after all their son. Whatever the case, Liu Ningyuan and his wife were certainly inclined to side with their own offspring.
Liu Ningyuan gave a cold smile, "The Mingjing Department supervises hundred officials, and along with the Jing Tian Department, they are the two most important institutions since the founding of Da Xia. It's true that the Jing Tian Department is special and that little beast isn't easily touched, but he has family. As far as I know, his second uncle is just a seventh-grade Royal Sword Guard.
Once I'm promoted to second-level Holder of the Mirror, won't I be able to manipulate them however I like?"
"We must make those who hurt Zheng pay the price!" Liu Zheng's mother said viciously.
"Madam, rest assured, their whole family will pay the price," Liu Ningyuan said with a cold laugh.
...
The next morning, Gu Chen was practicing in the outer courtyard of Gu Mansion.
Having shared a few drinks with his second uncle the previous night, it was quite late by the time they finished. Persuaded by his aunt, Xu Qinge, Gu Chen had stayed the night there.
With continuous practice, Gu Chen felt the "swollen" sensation caused by the rapid growth of his inner energy slowly subsiding.
Once his body fully adapted, he would be able to enhance his cultivation through the panel again.
"Young Master, here is a letter for you."
At that moment, an old servant approached and brought him a letter.
Gu Chen opened it and found it was a dispatch order from the Jing Tian Department.
"There are evil spirits in Qingyang County, and I am being sent to suppress the evil there?" Gu Chen read the content of the order and sighed to himself at how quick the Jing Tian Department was to act.
Yesterday, he had defeated Liu Zheng, and knowing that his injuries had healed, today the Jing Tian Department had already assigned him to exorcise demons.
Qingyang County was located near Tiandu, directly under its jurisdiction, adjoining Qiongtian Mansion, it was roughly a thousand li away from Tiandu City.
Da Xia, the orthodox rule of the Nine Provinces, sits in the Central Plains, occupying thirteen of the world's provinces; each province has three major mansions, totaling thirty-nine. Below the mansions are the counties and prefectures.
The "Chronicles of the Geography of the Nine Provinces" say, "In ancient times, the world was divided into nine parts, hence named the Nine Provinces. Later in the ancient era, as a result of great changes, land movements, and separations, the Nine Provinces were divided once more."
In ancient times, there were only nine continents in the world, thus it was called the Nine Provinces. But in the early ancient era, with the evolution of heaven and earth and the shift of the landmass, the nine continents split, and the world evolved into its current state.
"Fortunately, the distance is not too far. A round trip should not take too much time," Gu Chen thought to himself.
Last time, the original host had gone to execute a mission in a county under the jurisdiction of Qiongtian Mansion. The trip alone had taken more than half a month.
Afterward, having enjoyed a breakfast made by his aunt, Xu Qinge, at Gu Mansion, Gu Chen greeted his second uncle and aunt, then went home to pack his bags, found a fast horse, and immediately set off for Qingyang County.