Chapter 198 - 197: Family Reunion

Chapter 198: Chapter 197: Family Reunion

Gu Qingyin stared at them silently, clearly lost in her own thoughts.

Gu Ziqian could only glance sideways at Huo Yunjing and mouth, "What’s going on?"

Huo Yunjing studied him for a few seconds before figuring out the question. He mouthed back, "Qing Yin knows you raised a ruckus at the Mystic Association and lost your position as a Ghost Immortal. She’s a little angry."

When he looked up after finishing, Gu Ziqian had a blank look on his face.

It took Huo Yunjing a moment to realize his master-in-law was probably unable to read his lips because he’d mouthed the words too quickly.

So, Huo Yunjing slowed down and repeated himself, his mouth forming such exaggerated shapes that it completely subverted the image he had maintained for decades.

Gu Ziqian’s eyes widened with disdain as he tried to read his lips. ’Qing Yin? Mm... knows, mm... you...’

"What are you two doing?" Gu Qingyin asked, her suspicious gaze shifting between them. "Practicing mime? Are you putting on a show?"

The two ghosts froze simultaneously before instantly returning to normal, though a flash of regret appeared in both their eyes.

They had been so focused on performing and deciphering that they hadn’t even noticed when Gu Qingyin had finished her contemplation.

Clearing his throat, Gu Ziqian casually asked, "What were you thinking about just now? You were so serious."

At his words, Gu Qingyin’s expression drooped. "Master, am I useless? Am I just holding you back? Am I..."

"Stop!" Gu Ziqian’s smile vanished. "Did something happen on your trip that you couldn’t handle? Did you suffer a setback?"

After asking, he couldn’t help but glare at Huo Yunjing, his voice low. "Is this how you take care of my apprentice?"

Huo Yunjing remained silent. He knew very well that anything he said at this moment would be wrong. This was a matter between master and apprentice; as a newcomer, it wasn’t his place to interfere.

"Why are you being harsh with him? It has nothing to do with him!"

As expected, Gu Qingyin stepped forward to shield Huo Yunjing.

Huo Yunjing was gloating internally, but on the surface, he kept a perfectly composed, meditative expression, not daring to reveal a hint of his true feelings.

Gu Ziqian clutched his chest, heartbroken. His tone was one of disbelief. "You’re talking back to your master for a man?"

Gu Qingyin faltered, then quickly explained, "I’m not talking back to you! Besides..." She narrowed her eyes as she caught on. "Master, don’t try to change the subject."

Gu Ziqian silently lowered the hand over his heart and put on a gentle smile again. "So what exactly happened? Did you run into Xian Yu Fei again?"

"No," Gu Qingyin said. "Xian Yu Fei is abroad and probably won’t be back for a while, but it is somewhat related to him."

After a pause, Gu Qingyin continued, "Dongfang Ran is dead. She said some things before she died."

"Lies!" Gu Ziqian said with utmost seriousness. "It’s said that a person’s last words are good, but that doesn’t apply to villains! Qing Yin, no matter what she told you, don’t believe it so easily, especially if it’s bad things about me!"

Gu Qingyin’s face was expressionless. "She said that because I went missing, you raised a ruckus at the Mystic Association and lost your position as a Ghost Immortal."

Strangely, Gu Ziqian’s first reaction wasn’t to figure out how to explain himself, but to think—’So that’s what Huo Yunjing was mouthing just now!’

He subconsciously glanced at Huo Yunjing, but Gu Qingyin blocked his view by standing on her tiptoes.

Gu Ziqian knew he couldn’t avoid it. He sighed and said, "A Ghost Immortal... I can become one again just by cultivating on my own. I don’t need anyone to grant me the title."

"Is that so." Gu Qingyin’s voice was as flat as her expression. "Then may I ask what prestigious position you hold now?"

Gu Ziqian clutched his chest again. ’Right in the heart, my dear apprentice.’

"...Soon," Gu Ziqian said, forced to seek outside help. "If you don’t believe me, ask Huo Yunjing. We’re both ghosts; he should have the clearest idea of my strength."

Gu Qingyin actually turned to look at Huo Yunjing.

Huo Yunjing looked very innocent. He deliberated for two seconds and decided to stand firmly on his wife’s side.

After all, his master-in-law had never liked him. Even if he helped him this time, it wouldn’t necessarily improve his opinion of him, and he would end up offending his wife.

The potential gain wasn’t worth the risk.

"I’m not entirely sure. To know his exact strength, we’d have to see him in action."

For once, Gu Ziqian lost his composure, his eyes widening. "Huo Yunjing!"

Huo Yunjing gave an apologetic smile. "I’m sorry, Master. I can’t lie to Qing Yin."

Gu Ziqian couldn’t find any fault with that, so he could only express his dissatisfaction with a cold snort.

Gu Qingyin’s eyes darted back and forth. "Perfect. You two should have a match."

The two ghosts in the room exchanged a look, both somewhat surprised.

"I’ll go set up an array right now!" Gu Qingyin was a woman of action. "Let’s do it in the backyard. The time will be midnight sharp. You two go and get ready."

She made the decision on her own, leaving no room for refusal as she walked out the door, leaving the two ghosts to stare at each other in bewilderment.

Huo Yunjing was the first to break the silence. "Master, tonight... please forgive my offense."

With his apprentice gone, Gu Ziqian regained his usual calm and elegance. "Perfect. I’ve also been wanting to see if your strength is enough to protect my apprentice."

With just two simple sentences, the tension in the room skyrocketed.

Gu Qingyin didn’t just set up one array. The main one was for defense, layered with a Spatial Array to double the size of the backyard so they wouldn’t be constrained.

In addition to that, there was also a sound insulation array.

Before they went to bed, Gu Qingyin also made a point to instruct the housekeepers at the villa not to go outside at night, lest they see something they shouldn’t and get a fright.

With all preparations complete, Gu Qingyin narrowed her eyes in thought, wondering if she had missed anything. Three seconds later, a look of realization dawned on her face, and she pulled out her phone to make a call.

At 11:30 PM, the family gathered in the living room.

Huo Xingchen didn’t have much going on anyway. Having recently obtained his Heavenly Master Certificate, he spent his days wandering into every nook and cranny, hoping to stumble upon a client.

Huo Xinghai had been in the next city recording a variety show and rushed back as soon as filming wrapped.

As for Huo Xingye, he had been living at the old family house recently anyway.

Gu Qingyin sized up her three sons, mainly reading their faces.

Her third son’s career prospects were looking bright recently, and everything else was normal.

Gu Qingyin offered a few words of encouragement. "Stick to your gut feelings. Things will start looking up for you soon."

Huo Xingchen immediately beamed and nodded repeatedly, rubbing his hands together, eager to show what he was made of.

Huo Xinghai was doing fine; the karmic debt afflicting him was much lighter than before.

Gu Qingyin urged him, "Keep it up. Do more good deeds."

Huo Xinghai smiled and agreed.

When it was Huo Xingye’s turn, Gu Qingyin’s gaze paused slightly. She let out a soft "hmm?" and took a closer look.

Huo Xingye’s brow twitched. He said jokingly, "Mom, don’t scare me. My Soul-devouring Flower hasn’t even bloomed yet."

Gu Qingyin shook her head. "It wouldn’t matter if it had."

Huo Xingye instinctively sat up straighter. Huo Xinghai and Huo Xingchen looked over as well.

Huo Xingchen, in particular, had also been studying face reading recently and seized every opportunity to practice.

"Mom, don’t say anything yet! Let me see!"

Huo Xingchen abruptly leaned in front of Huo Xingye, cupping his head in his hands to examine it closely.

Huo Xingye’s expression darkened, but he didn’t push his younger brother away, allowing him to have his way.

"Hmm..." Huo Xingchen frowned, his gaze sweeping back and forth across Huo Xingye’s face before finally settling on the spot between his eyebrows. "If I’m not mistaken, is that a pinkish mist between your brows?"

Gu Qingyin nodded with a hint of gratification. "That’s right. It’s the Peach Blossom Evil."