Chapter 413: 413.Chapter 413: Not Full but Not Starving

413. Chapter 413: Not Full but Not Starving

Time went back half an hour.

Gu Family estate, a certain room.

On the dining table lay a full spread of dishes, fragrance filling the air.

Two men sat facing each other.

One of them was Gu Zhangkong, and the man sitting opposite him looked somewhat similar, especially their eyes, as if carved from the same mold.

"Fourth Brother, how do you have time to come here today? I didn't have enough time to prepare, so I could only make some home-cooked dishes; I hope you don't mind."

Gu Zhangkong spoke while picking up the wine in front of him and filling the cup opposite him.

Indeed, the person opposite him was his half-brother Gu Zhangming, the fourth among the brothers.

Their relationship was fine, only they had some ideological differences.

Gu Zhangming had defected to Gu Zhanglin years earlier, and two years ago he had already become a Grandmaster.

Gu Zhangkong still wanted to insist, but there's no need to elaborate; anyway, he too had now submitted to Gu Zhanglin, making their meetings and communication much easier than before.

"Third Brother, you're being polite."

Gu Zhangming's voice sounded much younger: "Being able to eat a dish personally cooked by Third Brother is something many people dream of."

"You're teasing me again."

Gu Zhangkong laughed helplessly, then filled his own cup: "Come, let's drink."

Their cups clinked, and both drank them down in one gulp.

"Third Brother, are you used to living in the Inner City District?"

"Not bad."

Gu Zhangkong nodded.

"And you? How are you doing here?"

"Just so-so."

Gu Zhangming shrugged, picked up the wine bottle on the table, and while pouring wine into his cup said: "You know, the eldest brother is very guarded toward us; our positions are nominal, with no real authority or benefits. Anyway, after a month we just get some cultivation resources plus the family rations—enough not to starve, but not enough to be full."

Gu Zhangkong's eyes dimmed at those words.

Yeah.

Although he's now been transferred to the Inner City District and does nothing, his monthly income is still higher than what he earned running the black market in the Outer City District.

But this kind of life has no future; besides, once he becomes a Grandmaster later, the family will surely give him more, though what Gu Zhanglin will do is uncertain.

"By the way, Third Brother, do you know Jiang Cheng?"

"Of course I know him. What's up?" Gu Zhangkong blinked.

I heard that at the recent family meeting, everyone was vying for this person; the elders wanted to place him in the family to work for it, but the eldest brother refused no matter what, because his alchemy skill is so high that keeping him would earn hundreds of millions a month; in the end, however, the eldest brother chose to compromise, handing over half of those profits to the family.

Gu Zhangming paused, then looked at Gu Zhangkong and said: "Third Brother, this Jiang Cheng was originally yours, wasn't he? The eldest brother snatched him away, costing us hundreds of millions a month—do you resent that?"

Gu Zhangkong gave a bitter smile.

He didn't know whether Gu Zhangming had come today just to catch up or was sent by Gu Zhanglin to test him.

Illness enters through the mouth, disaster exits through the mouth—especially in a great clan.

"Cough, Third Brother, if you'd rather not answer, forget it—I only came to talk after hearing this from others." Gu Zhangming said.

"Nothing inconvenient."

Gu Zhangkong shook his head and said slowly: "No resentment, just some regret—after all, who wouldn't be tempted by an income of hundreds of millions a month?"

"Yeah, I heard even our father was tempted." Gu Zhangming nodded repeatedly.

"Being tempted is one thing; actually having the power to keep him is another." Gu Zhangkong sighed: "Our fifth brother, after learning of this, repeatedly sent assassins—I could block one or two, but what about three or four? If I fail even once, it's all for nothing, so it'd be better to hand him over to the eldest brother; that would benefit all three parties."

"I've also heard about this," Gu Zhangming narrowed his eyes. "Gu Zhangjun is no good bird—if he can't win openly he resorts to sneakiness; usually he acts all high and mighty, relying only on his father's backing."

"Yeah, but talking about this doesn't help; some gaps were decided before we were even born."

Gu Zhangkong sighed.

Their mothers were both from minor families in the Inner City; compared to Gu Zhanglin or Gu Zhangjun, they couldn't compete.

Gu Zhangming seemed moved as well, and fell silent.

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore."

Gu Zhangkong smiled and said: "After we finish this meal, shall we go to the Virtual Battlefield to spar?"

"Sure!"

Gu Zhangming's eyes lit up.

"It's been a long time since I last sparred with you, Third Brother."

"Yeah, but right now I'm no match for you—you'll have to go easy on me."

"Third Brother, you're being modest—I remember sparring with you as a kid and never being your match; now I only have the edge of a higher realm, but once you also become a Grandmaster, even if I go all out I still won't beat you." Gu Zhangming shrugged.

"You little brat, you're teasing me again." Gu Zhangkong laughed helplessly.

But just then, the light brain on his arm emitted a soft chime.

Gu Zhangkong apologized, opened the light brain, and discovered it was a message from Gu Zhanglin.

He didn't avoid Gu Zhangming beside him and answered directly.

In midair, a projection of Gu Zhanglin appeared; he looked terrible, his face drenched in sweat, even his hair wet.

Besides that, one could see people standing behind him.

"Where are you now?"

Before Gu Zhangkong could speak, the other party asked first.

"At home, having dinner with Fourth Brother."

Gu Zhangkong said hurriedly, his tone respectful.

"Yeah, big brother, we haven't started eating yet; if you have time, why not join us?" Gu Zhangming said with a smile.

This time he came, indeed following the instructions of Gu Zhangkonglin, to test Gu Zhangkong.

The reason it was postponed until now, rather than two or three months ago, is also because they feared being too obvious, lest Gu Zhangkong notice.

But Gu Zhanglin at this moment no longer has the mind for that; he's like a mud bodhisattva crossing the river, himself unable to survive.

"Come to Father's place right now, hurry, don't delay even a minute!"

"Changkong."

Just as his words fell, Gu Tianyuan's voice sounded.

"Father!"

Gu Zhangkong was startled, and hurriedly shouted.

Gu Zhangming also hurriedly complied.

"Don't say any more unnecessary words, hurry over."

"Yes, Father!"

Gu Zhangkong cut off the communication, his heart filled with surprise and doubt, wondering what had happened? (End of chapter)