Chapter 358: Take a Leap

358. Chapter 358: Take a Leap

Gu Zhangkong froze in place.

His eyes were filled with a look of unwillingness.

The terms Gu Zhanglin offered were indeed good, but if he accepted them, all the years he had spent in the Outer City District, all his efforts here, would become a joke.

It was like the fourth brother among the siblings, who had long followed Gu Zhanglin unquestioningly; one can imagine his daily treatment was good, and his strength had already reached Grandmaster.

His second brother, unwilling to be a dog for others and lacking strength, chose to lie flat instead of competing with Gu Zhanglin, spending his days in revelry, neglecting cultivation; his strength naturally became average, turning him into a joke among many.

Gu Zhangkong neither wanted to be a dog for others nor to lie flat, so he came here, hoping to build something with his own hands and attract the family's attention.

Jiang Cheng's appearance gave him hope.

Just as he began to see a glimmer, Gu Zhanglin called him.

Not to mention, Gu Zhangjun was watching from the shadows.

"This is not giving me any chance to turn things around,"

Gu Zhangkong's face turned bitter.

But soon, determination appeared in his eyes.

Regardless, this time he would fight for his chance.

If he gave up like this and agreed to Gu Zhanglin, he would probably regret it for the rest of his life.

Taking a bold gamble, even if he failed, he would have no regrets later.

【7】 He looked at his phone and dialed a number.

They looked at the phone, dialed a call.

He had originally planned to make this call in about a month, but the current situation forced him to move the plan forward.

"Doo, doo, doo... Hello?"

A middle‑aged man's voice sounded over the line, his tone bearing authority.

"Father, it's me."

Gu Zhangkong spoke.

"I know it's you. What is it?"

"Father, I've recently taken on a newcomer; he has great talent in Refining Alchemy. In just over two months he can use five portions of herbs to forge a batch of Top Grade Calming Pills," Gu Zhangkong hurriedly said.

"Oh?"

The middle‑aged man's voice showed a hint of surprise, "That kid is called Jiang Cheng?"

"Father, you already know?"

Gu Zhangkong's mouth slightly opened.

"Not exactly all‑knowing."

A faint smile appeared on the middle‑aged man's face, his tone softened compared to before, "Your fifth brother mentioned this kind of person to me, saying he is a rare talent and very loyal to you, yet he turned down his recruitment, so I have some recollection."

"I see."

Gu Zhangkong felt a tinge of bitterness.

The father's favoritism toward the fifth brother was well‑known within the family.

On one hand, the Bai Family was very powerful, even stronger than the Gu Family; on the other hand, Gu Zhangjun was the sibling who most resembled him.

He was much stricter with those few, unlike now; when Gu Zhangjun is mentioned, his tone has changed.

"You called me just to tell me this, right?"

"No, not entirely."

Gu Zhangkong's voice trembled slightly.

The words reached his lips, yet he could not utter them no matter what.

"Not entirely. What else is there? Speak quickly, I don't have that much time to wait for you," the middle‑aged man frowned, his voice regaining its authority.

"Yes, yes, Father, I want to ask you for some support."

Remembering Gu Zhanglin's earlier call, Gu Zhangkong finally gathered his courage and spoke.

"Some support?"

The middle‑aged man was a little surprised.

"What support do you want?"

"I would like, father, to advance twenty billion herbs."

"Advance twenty billion herbs?"

The middle‑aged man's pupils narrowed, "For what?" "For Jiang Cheng, to practice Alchemy Technique."

"What are you joking about?"

The middle‑aged man scolded, "Practicing Alchemy Technique requires that many herbs? Twenty billion—no need for me to explain, you know what that means, right?"

Gu Zhangkong gave a wry smile.

Twenty billion.

It was indeed a huge number for him.

For his father, even a single treasured item would cost more than that.

If Gu Zhangjun were to ask, the father would have agreed long ago.

But there was no way.

"Father, I know this isn't a small sum, but I have my reasons, and I'm taking a few minutes of your time…"

He explained Jiang Cheng's method of Refining Alchemy once more.

"Is that even possible?"

The middle‑aged man was also surprised after hearing it.

"Yes, Father, if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes I wouldn't believe it either, but Jiang Cheng really did it; whether it's a First‑grade Spirit Nourishing Pill or a Second‑grade Calming Pill, he can refine a batch of top‑quality elixir, and now each day he can refine elixirs worth ten million, a month that's three hundred million. My previous investments in him have all been recovered, but the investment required for Three‑grade Elixir is far too large for me, so I hope, Father, you can lend me ten‑something to twenty‑something hundred million."

"You trust him just like that?"

The middle‑aged man let out a cold snort.

"We have many senior alchemists in our clan, but none can perfect the art of the Awakening Pill."

"Father, I believe Jiang Cheng can definitely do it!"

Gu Zhangkong said firmly.

The middle‑aged man said nothing.

He did not believe it in his heart.

Even if Jiang Cheng truly is a genius as Gu Zhangkong says, the difficulty of the Awakening Pill remains.

"Father, I've never asked you for anything all my life, but this time, I beg you, give me a chance."

Gu Zhangkong pleaded.

His voice also became hoarse.

The middle‑aged man felt a twinge of guilt upon hearing this.

Yes, among his children, Gu Zhangkong is not the one the father dislikes the most, but he is not especially liked either, although the father has always known that the former has been striving hard to achieve something and draw his attention.

"Father."

Gu Zhangkong said again, "If these twenty hundred million are not recovered, I am willing to accept punishment without any complaint."

"Since you said that, I'll give you this one chance."

The middle‑aged man's voice rang out.

To Gu Zhangkong's ears, it sounded like celestial music.

"Thank you, Father, thank you, Father."

He hurriedly expressed his gratitude.

"Remember, only this once."

When the words fell, the middle‑aged man hung up.

Gu Zhangkong let out a sigh.

Although it was only this once, it still allowed him to secure it.

"Jiang Cheng will surely be very excited upon hearing this news."

Gu Zhangkong thought to himself.

He almost couldn't resist calling the other side to inform them of this.

But on second thought, to be safe, he'll wait for the clan to send the medicinal herbs first; otherwise, if something goes wrong, it would be awkward.

If no mishap occurs and the herbs indeed arrive, Jiang Cheng there, he believes, will certainly not disappoint him.

Of course, if he truly does disappoint him, he can only accept it; perhaps that is destiny. (End of chapter)