Chapter 171 Keep It For Your Coffins
The Guo family resided in a villa in the suburbs of the provincial capital, situated in a prime location. The villa was exceptionally luxurious, ranking among the best in the provincial city. Several burly bodyguards stood guard at the entrance, maintaining a strict perimeter.
"Stop right there!"
"This is the Guo residence. Unauthorized entry is forbidden!"
The bodyguards at the gate halted Chen Xuan and Bai Yong.
"Announce our arrival. Say Bai Yong from Jiangzhou is here," Bai Yong stated calmly.
"You two wait here. Do not move without permission."
The bodyguard sized them up, issued a warning, and turned to head into the villa.
Chen Xuan frowned upon seeing this.
"Junior Brother Chen, please don't take offense. The Guo family's standing in the feng shui world has been declining. They lack outstanding talents. However, as the orthodox Xuanmen sect of Jiangnan, they still hold considerable prestige, even if they can't rally everyone. That's why they carry themselves with such airs," Bai Yong explained.
It seemed the Guo family was still basking in past glory, stubbornly clinging to old ways. However, Chen Xuan was indifferent. He had come to the Guo family solely for the spiritual herb; other matters held no relevance to him.
After a while, the bodyguard returned, accompanied by the Guo family's head steward. The steward led Chen Xuan and Bai Yong into the villa's main hall.
In the hall, a middle-aged man with an imposing presence sat beside a sumptuously adorned noblewoman.
The man was Guo Yang, the patriarch of the Guo family, and the noblewoman was his wife, Yu Qiaoyun.
Bai Yong smiled, "Patriarch Guo, I trust I am not late?"
"Not at all, not at all!"
Guo Yang stood up with a smile. He glanced at Bai Yong, then at Chen Xuan, and his brow furrowed. "Master Bai, where is the feng shui master you invited? Have they not arrived yet?"
Bai Yong felt a slight awkwardness before pointing to Chen Xuan and introducing him, "This is Master Chen Xuan. He is the feng shui master I invited."
"Junior Brother Chen, this is Patriarch Guo Yang, and that lady is Madam Guo Yang, Yu Qiaoyun."
Chen Xuan nodded faintly and greeted them, "Patriarch Guo, Madam Yu!"
"Ah?"
Guo Yang's eyes widened. He said with a hint of displeasure, "Master Bai, you are a somewhat renowned feng shui master in the circle. Yet, you've brought a young man to shoulder the responsibility for the Guo family. This is quite unreliable! If anything goes wrong, it's a minor matter that our Guo family's reputation is tarnished; the real danger is loss of life!"
Bai Yong smiled, "Patriarch Guo, you may see Master Chen as young, but he possesses unparalleled skills. In the realm of feng shui and metaphysics, even I am far inferior to him."
"Oh?" Guo Yang was taken aback and sized up Chen Xuan.
While he wasn't particularly skilled in feng shui and metaphysics, he understood that this path emphasized innate talent.
However, this Chen Xuan was far too young.
Chen Xuan was determined to obtain the Thousand-Year Snow Spirit Fruit. Seeing Guo Yang's distrust, he spoke, "Patriarch Guo, if I'm not mistaken, before I arrived, your family had already engaged another feng shui master to engage in a spiritual contest with your sworn enemy."
Guo Yang's eyes snapped open.
Chen Xuan had guessed correctly!
A few days prior, a feng shui master claiming to be a disciple of the Guo family had arrived to offer assistance, stating he would charge nothing.
Although the Guo family had invited Chen Xuan, his request for the Thousand-Year Snow Spirit Fruit – a priceless spiritual medicine worth over a hundred million and unavailable on the market – had caused them to hesitate. After weighing their options, they postponed Chen Xuan's arrival and allowed this uninvited feng shui master to act first.
The Guo family's intention was that if the disciple helped them win, they would cancel Chen Xuan's invitation. If they lost, they would then ask Chen Xuan to come.
To this end, the Guo family had strictly suppressed information about the matter, so much so that even Bai Yong was unaware.
"Not only that, but three days ago, that feng shui master died mysteriously. To this day, the Guo family cannot ascertain the cause of his death," Chen Xuan stated calmly.
Guo Yang's eyes widened again.
He had spoken correctly once more!
Now, he finally believed Chen Xuan possessed genuine ability. His demeanor shifted, showing a touch more respect. "Master Chen, to possess the ability of prophecy at such a young age, I underestimated you. Master Chen, please take a seat!"
Bai Yong gave Chen Xuan a thumbs-up, filled with admiration.
He had accompanied Chen Xuan to the Guo family but could discern nothing. In contrast, Chen Xuan had seen through so much. His younger fellow disciple's mastery of feng shui and metaphysics was far beyond his own!
Chen Xuan took a seat, and Guo Yang quickly ordered tea and water to be served, his expression respectful.
Guo Yang asked softly, "Master Chen, do you know how that feng shui master died?"
Chen Xuan explained, "He was targeted by your family's enemy, who used a spell to drain his lifespan. That's why he died."
"Please, Master Chen, offer your assistance! We cannot allow the Guo family's century-old foundation to be ruined in my hands," Guo Yang pleaded sincerely.
"Certainly. However, we must agree beforehand: upon completion, the Guo family will give the Thousand-Year Snow Spirit Fruit as remuneration." Chen Xuan felt it necessary to caution the Guo family in advance, lest they renege on their promise.
Although the Guo family appeared to be a prominent clan, their actions were rather petty. It was likely they had postponed his arrival earlier to avoid parting with the Thousand-Year Snow Spirit Fruit.
Upon mentioning the Thousand-Year Snow Spirit Fruit, Guo Yang winced slightly with pain, but for the sake of his family's century-old legacy, he had no choice but to agree.
Just as Guo Yang was about to give his assent, Yu Qiaoyun elegantly rose, placing her fair hands on her hips, and said dismissively, "At such a young age, you immediately demand the Thousand-Year Snow Spirit Fruit. Do you realize this Thousand-Year Snow Spirit Fruit is a spiritual medicine worth over a hundred million? Furthermore, setting aside the cost, do you believe your abilities compare to Master Lai?"
"Xiao Yun, don't speak nonsense," Guo Yang's face darkened, and he rebuked her.
Yu Qiaoyun stated calmly, "Old man, Master Lai from Hong Kong will be here soon. Master Lai only requires ten million in payment to help our Guo family resolve this issue. We cannot be suckers and hand over a Thousand-Year Snow Spirit Fruit worth over a hundred million to someone lacking capability."
Guo Yang paused, a look of astonishment on his face. "Master Lai from Hong Kong? Is Master Lai's ancestor perhaps Lai Bu Yi?"
"Precisely," Yu Qiaoyun smiled.
Guo Yang's throat bobbed. "Xiao Yun, how did you manage to invite Master Lai?"
Yu Qiaoyun smiled, "Master Lai has been traveling in Jiangnan Province recently. I happened to invite him through a friend."
Guo Yang's eyes flickered. The young Chen Xuan could not be compared to the renowned Master Lai in any way!
He steeled his resolve and clasped his hands in a bow. "Master Chen, I apologize for making you travel in vain. Our Guo family will reimburse your travel expenses."
Bai Yong indignantly exclaimed, "The Guo family is supposed to be a prestigious name in the feng shui world. This behavior is truly unsavory!"
Putting aside the fact that Chen Xuan had arrived first, the Guo family's repeated condescension was a blatant disregard for any semblance of propriety. As a former pillar of the Jiangnan feng shui world, they were utterly disappointing.
"Master Bai, if you believe the Master Chen you invited is superior to Master Lai, then I have nothing more to say," Yu Qiaoyun replied indifferently.
Bai Yong faltered, his confidence waning, "However, we arrived first. There's the principle of 'first come, first served,' isn't there?"
Chen Xuan waved his hand, interrupting Bai Yong. "Senior Brother Bai, there's no need to say more. Since we are not welcome, let us depart."
Bai Yong was greatly angered by the Guo family's actions, but since Chen Xuan had spoken, he couldn't say much more.
"Heh heh, it seems you are sensible," Yu Qiaoyun glanced at Chen Xuan and Bai Yong with a hint of contempt in her eyes.
Guo Yang produced a wad of cash and placed it before Chen Xuan. "My apologies. We have troubled you both with this wasted trip."
Chen Xuan let out a cold laugh. He picked up the wad of cash Guo Yang offered and threw it at Guo Yang's feet. "Keep this ten thousand yuan for your family to buy coffins. Of course, if your family doesn't want to die, you can come begging me. Perhaps I can spare your Guo family's lives."