A full moon appeared and disappeared among the floating clouds.
The Academy Elder hurried along the road, his expression shifting between light and dark with the flickering moonlight.
Survival in this world was harsh, and Gu Masters going missing was a common occurrence. A lifetime of experience told the Academy Elder that such unexplained disappearances generally meant death.
But anyone could die — just not Jia Jinsheng! Especially not here at Guye Stockade.
His identity was special. His father was the Jia Family Patriarch, and his brother was Jia Fu, a Fourth Transformation Gu Master.
A Fourth Transformation Gu Master possessed Golden True Essence and formidable combat power. In the entire Guye Clan, only the Patriarch was a Fourth Transformation who could match him. All the other Elders were only Third Transformation.
The Jia Family Patriarch's cultivation reached even Fifth Transformation. Under his leadership, the Jia family had flourished over the years, becoming a large clan that controlled all the resources of an entire mountain, with numerous members. In comparison, Guye Stockade was merely medium-sized.
If the two sides ever clashed, Guye Stockade would certainly come out on the losing end.
What was more critical was that if word of this matter got out, the reputation of the Guye Clan would suffer as well. Many other merchant caravans would grow cautious about their routes. Without trade exchanges from merchant caravans, Guye Stockade would be unable to sell its surplus local resources or purchase needed foreign resources. Given enough time, decline was inevitable.
"This is no small matter! If handled poorly, it will be a disaster!" The Academy Elder, filled with worry, hastened to the Patriarch Pavilion.
The moment he stepped into the discussion hall of the Patriarch Pavilion, the Academy Elder felt the oppressive, heavy atmosphere.
Seated in the position of honor was the current Guye Patriarch, Gu Yue Bo. And the short, stout Jia Fu stood in the center of the hall with five or six attendants, wearing the bearing of someone who had come to demand answers.
Under the bright lamplight, the numerous Elders all stood beside their seats, their grave expressions clearly visible.
Jia Fu was a Fourth Transformation Gu Master, and even he hadn't sat down. These Elders, all Third Transformation, naturally didn't dare sit either.
This was the deterrent power of a Fourth Transformation Gu Master.
It was also reverence toward strength.
"Greetings—" The Academy Elder was about to bow when Patriarch Gu Yue Bo raised his hand to stop him.
Gu Yue Bo, his temples streaked with white, was pressing his fingers against his temples, his face full of distress. "I won't go into the details. The clan's Academy has always been under your charge. I ask you — where is Guye Fang Yuan?"
The Academy Elder's heart lurched. How did this matter end up involving that kid Fang Yuan again?
But he answered respectfully: "At this hour, he should be cultivating in the Academy dormitory."
The Patriarch sighed. "Right now, Brother Jia is convinced that his brother Jia Jinsheng's disappearance is connected to Guye Fang Yuan. I order you to go at once and bring Fang Yuan here immediately."
The Academy Elder felt a chill. "Yes!"
He understood the gravity of the situation, hurriedly bowed, turned, and left.
"Brother Jia, Fang Yuan will be brought here shortly. Please sit." Gu Yue Bo pointed to the seat beside him and addressed Jia Fu.
Jia Fu gave a bitter laugh and cupped his fists toward Gu Yue Bo. "I must ask Brother Gu Yue's forgiveness! I am truly burning with anxiety right now. My worthy brother has been missing for days now — I fear the worst. I simply cannot sit still."
Some things can often only be seen clearly once they are lost.
Only in recent days had Jia Fu come to understand why his father had arranged for Jia Jinsheng — this burden — to lead the merchant caravan alongside him.
It was to test his character. To see whether, while being held back, he could still value family bonds and take care of his younger brother Jia Jinsheng.
Now, if Jia Jinsheng was dead, how would his father view him, Jia Fu?
Once this realization fully dawned on him, he immediately launched an investigation within the merchant caravan, quickly locking his sights on Guye Stockade.
Almost without a moment's rest, he had rushed back.
Now, standing in the center of the hall without sitting, he wanted to project an air of absolute determination and righteous accusation. This was both to pressure the Guye Clan and to provide an accounting to his father upon returning to the Jia family.
"Reporting to the Patriarch — Fang Yuan has been brought." Soon, the Academy Elder arrived at the hall with Fang Yuan.
"Guye Fang Yuan greets the Patriarch, greets Lord Jia Fu, greets all the Elders." Fang Yuan wore an indifferent expression and bowed as well.
"Is it him?" Jia Fu sized up Fang Yuan with cold eyes while asking a female Gu Master beside him.
This female Gu Master was the very one from whom Fang Yuan had purchased the Purple Gold Stone when he entered the Gambling Stone Hall.
"It's him! Absolutely no mistake." The female Gu Master stared at Fang Yuan with piercing eyes and confirmed.
Jia Fu nodded. In that instant, his gaze was like two sword blades, slicing fiercely toward Fang Yuan. But he did not directly begin his interrogation — this was Guye Stockade, and he had to give the Guye Patriarch face.
So he turned to look at the seated Guye Patriarch.