Chapter 1055 Old Friends

After dealing with the trifles in Yinghai District and the news of the cleanup of Jiankou Islands being released, Guang Ming City would not send anyone else.

With this incident concluded, Song Ci would return directly to the capital. He hadn't been back for several years and could finally see his wife and Nan Jin.

Gu Shen also planned to return to Nagano, entrusting the follow-up handling of the Toose family entirely to Shen Li.

He had left in a hurry before.

Six years had passed.

He had awakened from his dormancy beneath the ice sea.

Just as Little Iron Man had said, many people had been running around and working hard for him... Over the past six years, many people in the Five Continents had forgotten about him.

But some people would never forget.

Gu Shen wanted to see these old friends again.

He first went to the Li Clan. Among all the people in Nagano, Gu Shen was most concerned about and couldn't let go of Li Qingsui.

When he left, the little girl was already capable of handling things on her own, still young and inexperienced, but had successfully taken over as the head of the Li Clan.

Using the Ghost Veil to alter his appearance, Gu Shen concealed himself within the crowds of Snow Forbidden City. Wearing the Divine Concealment Cloak, he walked slowly along the Ning River, eventually winding through streets and alleys, arriving at the gates of the Li Clan's ancestral hall.

The ancestral hall, once destroyed by fire, had been rebuilt.

Many young girls in Ru skirts were entering and exiting the ancestral hall. The Li Clan was the most low-key of the five major clans, and also the most meticulous in its etiquette. Those direct descendants favored by the family had to set aside half a day each week to attend "courses" in the ancestral hall.

Gu Shen used his mental power to transmit the image of the "Li Clan Ancestral Hall" back to the Pure Land.

He was sending it to Li Qingci.

After her life ended, the Qingci girl had been in the Pure Land for six years.

Although the Pure Land was more lively than Mount Shenci, Gu Shen had promised her that she would see the light outside Mount Shenci.

"Sacrifice courses, Nagano etiquette... Gu Shen, you're back in Snow Forbidden City?"

Li Qingci was stunned when she saw the image.

Then, she said with a tone full of nostalgia, "The Li Clan has always emphasized etiquette. Back then, Qingsui hated this class the most. Before the head of the family fell ill, she always skipped class and ran to Mount Shenci."

"I'll take you to see Qingsui."

Gu Shen didn't enter through the main gate of the Li Clan Ancestral Hall. He concealed his presence and climbed over the wall.

Within the ancestral hall, everything was being restored.

The old houses and ancestral halls that had collapsed in the past had been rebuilt. The Council of Elders had also been reorganized. Perhaps because of the renovation, the ancestral hall mansion looked particularly clean. Many children were playing under the trees after the end of the sacrifice course. The flowing water accompanied laughter and cheerful voices.

Gu Shen's gaze fell on the most distant point, where there was a powerful mental barrier.

"If I'm not mistaken, that's the Li Clan's shrine... Qingsui is probably inside."

Gu Shen stood under a tree and said softly, "It's not convenient for me to go inside right now. I can only look from here."

Li Qingci smiled. "Being able to look from here is enough."

...

...

"Regarding the trade details of Qingyin import and export in the Tundra Zone, I will personally confirm with the Lin Clan tomorrow... Besides this, do you have any other questions about the 'merger' at this stage?"

At the head of the rosewood table sat a woman.

Her hair reached her waist, her expression was cold, and her eyes swept over the seats.

The members of the Li Clan Council of Elders all echoed in low voices.

"Seconded."

"No other questions."

Li Qingsui took a sip and said, "Alright, that's the end of this meeting."

She tapped the table lightly. The shrine barrier dissipated. With the dissolution of the imposing barrier, the elders also left their seats... Li Qingsui was not in a hurry to leave. She sat alone in the old house, quietly reviewing. For some reason, her state of mind had been uneasy these days.

"Clan Head Qingsui."

A gentle voice sounded.

Li Qingsui turned around and quickly stood up. "Uncle Gao... how many times have I told you, you don't have to call me Clan Head."

"You are indeed the Clan Head now. It's proper to call you that."

Gao Tian smiled and said, "Besides... the Li Clan has always emphasized etiquette. This is a virtue that your father and generations of ancestors have always upheld. Being able to call you that means my mission is complete."

"What are you talking about..."

Li Qingsui sighed and said, "Uncle Gao, these past few years, I've troubled you to worry about the merger."

The merger of the two continents was no easy task.

Even if the Empress and Bai Shu agreed, when it came down to it, the personnel changes, trade, contract signing, and technology sharing between the two continents...

These trivial matters were extremely taxing.

Back when Gu Shen was the "hub," he appointed two right-hand men, one was Li Qingsui, and the other was Mu Qingyang. These two complemented each other, Mu Qingyang was mainly responsible for connecting with the high-level officials of the North Continent Legion... while Li Qingsui cooperated with the Lin Clan. She and Grand Duke Zhuxue had put in a lot of effort for the merger these past few years.

The Li Clan had gained a very high position in the "merger." Li Qingsui not only became the Clan Head but also controlled extremely vast resources.

A huge intercontinental project like the merger would drive countless industries and also require countless fresh blood.

Li Qingsui first boldly "reformed" the old rules within the clan. She broke the rule that only direct descendants could enter Nagano. Now, many members of the Council of Elders were collateral relatives from the Jiangbei region.

Of course, it wasn't easy to enter the core circle of the Li Clan.

Whether it was ability or character, it needed to be tested... These past few years, Uncle Gao had also dealt with many "scheming" people who were fishing for fame and reputation.

"We're all family."

Gao Tian smiled and shook his head.

Although that was what he said, Li Qingsui looked at Uncle Gao with eyes full of apology... She still remembered how carefree Uncle Gao was when she was young. As one of the strongest titled powerhouses in Nagano, he was not bound by the five major clans and could go wherever he wanted.

These years.

Uncle Gao's temples had quietly grown a hint of gray.

Although it was faint, there were also faint wrinkles on his forehead.

"Alright, Miss... there's a cocktail party in Snow Forbidden City tonight. Calculating the time, you should be leaving soon. Mu Qingyang and several high-level officials from the North Continent fortresses will be there."

Gao Tian opened the door for Li Qingsui.

...

...

Under the tree, Gu Shen saw these two old friends from afar... After the shrine barrier disappeared, he released his mental power, but he didn't dare to get too close.

So, he only vaguely heard some of the conversations inside the shrine barrier.

There was a cocktail party in Snow Forbidden City tonight... Li Qingsui would go, Mu Qingyang would also go. Presumably, those high-level officials involved in the "merger" project would all attend. If he wanted to see these old friends, perhaps the cocktail party would be a good opportunity.

He was well aware of Uncle Gao's strength.

These years had passed.

Uncle Gao seemed to have more vicissitudes, but he still stood tall, and his spirit was still strong. Just by getting close to eavesdrop, the Chihuo transmitted a "danger" signal!

In terms of strength alone, Gao Tian, who suppressed the Li Clan with his own strength, was definitely not comparable to the likes of Xuan Turtle and Yun Hu.

Moreover, compared to six years ago, Gao Tian was even more unfathomable.

Presumably, he had made further progress.

Gu Shen smiled with emotion.

A titled powerhouse of this level had incredibly sharp intuition... If his Chihuo got any closer, he would probably be caught.

In the Pure Land, Li Qingci stared intently at the mental image transmitted by Gu Shen.

She watched the young woman walk out of the ancestral hall, her eyes unconsciously moist.

Souls that came to the Pure Land seemed immortal and felt no pain.

But their spirits were still there, and the seven emotions and six desires, joys and sorrows, of the human world were magnified.

Li Qingci's voice trembled, but there was more comfort in her smile. "My Qingsui... has grown up."

Six years had passed.

Li Qingsui was no longer the naive little girl she used to be.

She had grown into a graceful young woman. The stubbornness and immaturity of the past had been washed away by the years. Now, there was no trace of her youthful awkwardness. Although she wasn't a beauty that could topple empires, she was bright and generous, with a unique temperament.

"I wonder if Qingsui... still harbors resentment towards me?"

Seeing this scene, Gu Shen's mood suddenly became complicated.

He had chosen to conceal the truth about Qingci's death back then.

This lie had lasted for many, many years.

Until Gu Shen went south to sea, Li Qingsui didn't know the truth. She had always harbored resentment in her heart, resenting Gu Shen for not saving her sister.

The Prayer Technique had taken a full ten years.

What he ultimately got... was an early death.

In her heart, Gu Shen was a liar. She would rather Gu Shen had never come to the Li Clan and had never met her sister. That way, perhaps her sister could have lived a few more years and wouldn't have left the world so early.

These years had passed.

He wondered what Li Qingsui thought about this past event?

Gu Shen didn't know if her resentment would be filled a little by his death in the Sangzhou Grotto?

With a light sigh.

Gu Shen disappeared under the shade of the tree.

"... Hmm?"

Far away in the ancestral hall, Li Qingsui felt something was wrong after she walked out of the door. It was as if someone was staring at her.

Moreover, it was someone familiar.

This feeling of "being watched" was not unpleasant.

She subconsciously cast her gaze toward the tree where Gu Shen had originally stood, but she saw nothing... It was empty, without a single figure.

The wind blew past.

A few fallen leaves fluttered down, lonely and desolate.

"Miss?"

Gao Tian had prepared a thin coat for Li Qingsui and was about to put it on her when he noticed her abnormality.

He also cast his gaze towards the tree.

The result was the same.

There was nothing.

"Miss... what's wrong?"

Gao Tian said gently, "It's cold outside. The typhoon from the East Sea will blow to Nagano in the next few days. Put on your coat to avoid catching a cold."

"... Hmm."

Li Qingsui nodded and put on her coat. She suddenly said, "Uncle Gao."

Gao Tian paused.

He turned back and looked at the young woman with confusion.

"It's nothing..."

Li Qingsui gathered her coat and said in a somewhat hoarse voice, "I just miss my sister a little."

Gao Tian was stunned for a second, then smiled.

He asked softly, "Want to go to Qingzhong to take a look tomorrow if you're free?"

Li Qingsui hummed softly, but after this sound, she still stood at the door, staring blankly, without moving.

The young woman didn't leave.

Gao Tian didn't leave either.

The breeze blew, and the two stood in front of the ancestral hall for a long time.

After a long time, when Li Qingsui came back to her senses.

Gao Tian then spoke.

He asked patiently, "Miss, is there anything else?"

"... There's also one person."

Li Qingsui said sadly, "I also miss him. It would be great if he hadn't died."

...

...

(ps: Everyone, I'm really sorry. My biological clock hasn't been good these past few days, and the plot is also difficult to write. I need to spend a lot of time finalizing the outline, so the update can't be at a fixed time... But there are three updates every day, this will not change.)