Chapter 405 - 203: The Schemes of a Wicked Woman
The Shangguan family took this Grotto Heaven opening very seriously. If not for the fear of alarming the enemy, they might have mobilized the entire family.
Gu Haitang was unaware of family matters, but she had long suspected that if Chu Xuan’s identity were revealed in the future, her family would not want her to get involved.
They might even confine her within the family and not allow her to leave.
Yet Gu Haitang had not returned for almost a decade and a half, and her two attempts to visit her mother were met with letters forbidding her return.
Initially, Haitang thought her mother feared she would face punishment for "failing to report" an incident from years ago.
But over the past year, she began to wonder: Could it be that her mother suspected something? Was that why she didn’t let her come back?
While feeling moved by her mother’s care, Gu Haitang was also worried:
Once Chu Xuan’s identity was revealed and a conflict ensued, the family would certainly not allow her to remain outside. Would they use her mother to force her back?
Though the Shangguan family was a reputable sect, unlikely to resort to such tactics, she couldn’t shake the possibility.
It was this consideration that led Gu Haitang to secretly bring her mother out, thinking it should resolve the issue.
However, her supposedly thorough action only made the mysterious presence more suspicious of Chu Xuan. Originally intending merely to investigate further, he now devised a "trap to kill" plan against Chu Xuan.
If not for the mysterious man being trapped in a sunless grand hall, he would have personally taken action.
In the past half year, the Shangguan family’s high-ranking members engaged in multiple celestial calculations, revisiting various possibilities. Although they couldn’t calculate Chu Xuan himself, they focused on potential changes within the Grotto Heaven.
This included potential reactions from the Cyan Lotus Daoist Palace and whether other forces would intervene.
Indeed, whether Chu Xuan was truly Celestial Evil remained uncertain, and there was a need to prepare for the possibility of him merely being a pawn cast by Celestial Evil to draw attention.
In any event, the Shangguan family was determined not to let the reincarnation of Celestial Evil Demon Venerable escape!
This time, the Shangguan family arrived with thirty-six meticulously selected individuals, all absolutely loyal to the family, equipped with magical treasures, pills, arrays, and talismans. They even called upon two reclusive, powerful after-stage cultivators to aid them.
They purposefully split into three groups; the twelve individuals presently appearing were merely a display, led by two highly respected clan elders with cultivation levels about the fifth or sixth rank.
The real powerhouses were in the second group, currently hidden in reserve, awaiting the majority’s entrance into the Grotto Heaven before following suit.
The final group was positioned outside the Grotto Heaven as a precaution, preventing the Celestial Evil Demon Venerable from prematurely escaping.
Even so, the ostensible configuration was enough to surprise Gu Haitang.
Since the family secluded itself, they still participated in exploring Grotto Heavens and secret realms, often disguising as loose cultivators or joining the Purple Star and other allied sects’ teams, avoiding excess attention.
Perhaps due to the wedding incident being highly publicized, now everyone knew of the Shangguan family’s existence, aware of their descent from the Profound Celestial Sect, and thus they no longer concealed themselves, openly displaying attire and jade pendants bearing the Profound Celestial Sect’s "Heavenly Fire Sun Ring" insignia.
Though the prior incident was lamentable, they had once been a renowned major sect; hence, their arrival still commanded respect.
The leader from the Purple Star was a blue-robed man, his appearance handsome, eyes profound, and demeanor reminiscent of a lofty mountain or serene valley, seemingly a high-level cultivator.
On arrival, the two Shangguan clan elders respectfully greeted him, "Greetings, Chen Zhenren. Your demeanor surpasses your past self."
Chen Yixian responded with a smile. The two families had been long-time allies, fostering a familiar atmosphere and tactfully avoiding any mention of past events.
Gu Haitang then approached to pay respects, somewhat nervously, "Second Granduncle, Third Granduncle."
Gu Jianjia was also present, her demeanor considerably calmer.
The two elders did not reproach them harshly, merely expressing a wish for Haitang to visit more often and curiously inquiring about Gu Jianjia’s sudden departure.
Gu Haitang simply fabricated a "pressing matter at the time, thus leaving in haste" excuse, fortunate they did not press further.
Overall, the exchange was amicable, leaving her somewhat relieved yet vaguely guilty for being overly cautious of her own kin.
After pleasantries concluded, the Shangguan family remained with the Purple Star, standing close by.
Gu Haitang originally intended to meet with Chu Xuan, perhaps even offering a cautionary word, but with her elders watching, she feared creating more trouble and suppressed the impulse.
Instead of looking toward the Daoist Palace, she subtly glanced towards the Li’an Demon Sect.
Qingqing understood the hint. After helping Gu Haitang "testify" last time, their relationship eased, and as "fellow wanderers of the earth," Haitang eventually chose to share her suspicions with her.
Upon hearing this, Qingqing’s first reaction was disbelief: How could Chu Xuan be Celestial Evil reincarnate?!
However, recalling their initial acquaintance, Chu Xuan indeed exhibited considerable interest in Celestial Evil, indirectly probing her for information.
Moreover, his refusal to forgive Haitang negated the need for him to fabricate such a lie, only inviting immeasurable trouble...
Thus, despite her initial disbelief, Qingqing gradually accepted it, being of demonic path origin herself, bearing no qualms—feeling instead a hidden delight for her heart’s choice carrying such a grand origin.