In the main hall, Patriarch Gu Yue Bo sat expressionless, his deep eyes fixed ahead, elevated in the seat of honor.
The remaining dozen or so Elders each sat in their respective positions, eyes cast downward in meditation, using only the corner of their gaze to covertly scan those around them, trying to discern some clue from the expressions on the faces nearby.
The atmosphere immediately became charged with subtle tension.
"Fang Yuan managed to claim first place. The deeper meaning behind this is anything but simple. He actually said he found a bag containing boar tusks along the way—what an absurd lie."
"That bag could only have been secretly prepared by someone. It's impossible for Fang Yuan to have done this alone. In other words, someone was secretly helping him."
"This mid-year examination was unlike any before. Because dozens of Second Transformation Gu Masters had to be mobilized to monitor and assess, the content of this exam was known not only to the Academy Elder but also to many other Elders within the clan."
"The only ones who could have arranged this bag in advance would be the Elders present here—or perhaps even the Patriarch himself!"
The Elders were all old foxes who had spent years navigating the political arena, and they immediately connected a great many things.
Fang Zheng possessed Grade A Aptitude. If he were truly cultivated all the way to Fourth Transformation, what would that make him?
The next Patriarch!
Fang Yuan was Fang Zheng's older brother. Though he only had Grade C Aptitude, that blood tie alone made him worth investing in!
For Patriarch Gu Yue Bo, secretly helping Fang Yuan and bringing him into his own faction would, in the future, serve as an excellent link for maintaining control over Fang Zheng.
For the Elders, Fang Zheng was the only Grade A genius in recent years and had already been claimed by the Patriarch's faction. If he were truly developed, the Patriarch's faction would only grow more powerful. If the Elders could win Fang Yuan to their side, they could use this blood relationship as an extremely useful chess piece against Fang Zheng in the future.
Thus, every one of the dozen-odd people seated in this hall had motivation to help Fang Yuan.
But who could it be?
Gu Yue Chilian pondered. "I haven't recruited Fang Yuan. Who could be secretly helping him? Could it be that old fogey Mochen? It's possible. Although Fang Yuan killed his household servant, what's a servant? He wouldn't shed a tear over their deaths, even if every last one perished. The Patriarch is even more likely—he took in Gu Yue Fang Zheng, and now if he pulls Gu Yue Fang Yuan over as well, his grip on Fang Zheng would be unshakable! However… by past convention, recruitment happens at year's end. To act now, at mid-year—that's breaking the rules."
"Breaking the rules isn't exactly the right term, but this move certainly skirts the edge. Who is this person who values Fang Yuan so highly—even more than I do?" Gu Yue Mochen was also deep in thought.
In truth, after Fang Yuan had killed Gao Wan and sent his dismembered body as a gift, Mochen had developed a new respect for him and had even harbored some desire to recruit him.
But such recruitment typically took place at year's end, when students graduated from the Academy.
The fact that Fang Yuan had been recruited ahead of schedule caught even Gu Yue Mochen slightly off guard.
Gu Yue Bo's gaze, meanwhile, was primarily focused on the faces of the two powerful Elders—Gu Yue Mochen and Gu Yue Chilian.
The Patriarch's thoughts ran deeper and further than anyone else's.
Fang Yuan had told a brazen lie, and through it claimed first place. This behavior carried an air of reckless audacity—and more importantly, it was a signal sent outward for all to see: Fang Yuan is under my protection! He's been recruited early, and you'd best not touch him.
So who could this person be?
Within the Guye Clan, the political landscape was a three-way balance of power. Beyond the Patriarch, there was Gu Yue Chilian representing the Red Vein and Gu Yue Mochen representing the Desert Vein.
Gu Yue Bo knew perfectly well that he himself had not made any move to recruit Fang Yuan. That left Gu Yue Chilian and Gu Yue Mochen as the prime suspects.
"These two old foxes—ever better at their acting. Just looking at their expressions, you really can't tell. Could it be none of them, but rather some smaller faction?"
Gu Yue Bo observed imperceptibly, speculating. He had no idea that the other Elders, just like him, were watching, doubting, and calculating in exactly the same way.
The Academy Elder was also speculating, but he had always maintained neutrality, staying out of political struggles, so his thinking was much simpler. "So Fang Yuan has been recruited by one of the Elders. No wonder he let Fang Zheng, Mobei, and Chicheng off easy during the extortion. The one who recruited him is probably either the Patriarch, or Elder Chilian, or Elder Mochen. This is a good thing! It means he's recognized reality and is beginning to integrate into the clan. No matter what, he's a member of the clan. In the future, once he's fully integrated, he'll willingly devote his life to the clan!"
After a moment of silence, Gu Yue Bo, seeing that he could discern nothing further, had no choice but to speak. "Courtesy demands reciprocity. Since they've already moved against Fang Zheng, the Guye Clan is not to be bullied—we must respond in kind. Elder of the Shadow Hall, draw up a plan for this matter and report back to me."
"By your will, Patriarch." The Elder of the Shadow Hall immediately nodded in acknowledgment.
"As for Gu Yue Fang Zheng, I worry that this sudden upheaval has dealt a blow to his spirit. He possesses Grade A Aptitude—his importance to our clan needs no further explanation. From now on, I will personally tutor him." Gu Yue Bo added.
No Elder raised any objections.
In truth, many already knew that the Patriarch had long been giving Gu Yue Fang Zheng special instruction behind closed doors. Bringing it up now, while a violation of fair principles, was well-justified enough that the Elders couldn't very well object.
"As for Gu Yue Fang Yuan…" Gu Yue Bo deliberately drew out his tone.
In an instant, every Elder pricked up their ears—could it be the Patriarch himself who had secretly helped Fang Yuan?
Gu Yue Bo swept his gaze across the room, observing the expressions of the surrounding Elders. But he was destined to be disappointed.
So he could only continue. "For him to claim first place with only Grade C Aptitude was no small feat. I shall personally reward him with thirty Yuan Stones. Academy Elder, pass along a message—tell him to keep working hard."