Missing?

Gu Zheng’s first reaction to seeing this message was that Zhong Zhengxiao had struck again!

Last time, thanks to the Heaven-Covering Leaf Gu Zheng had given him, Zuo Lingfeng managed to evade Zhong Zhengxiao’s Celestial Secret Deduction and Divination.

If Zhong Zhengxiao was persistent and continued his Deductions and Divinations, Zuo Lingfeng’s discovery would be inevitable.

Afterward, it was entirely possible that Zhong Zhengxiao launched an attack!

At this thought, Gu Zheng’s Divine Wondrous power surged. He sent a message to Meng Taiqi, explaining how Zuo Lingfeng had killed Zhong Tiande and that Zhong Zhengxiao had been searching for the culprit ever since.

Meng Taiqi didn’t know Zuo Lingfeng, so his asking Gu Zheng now most likely meant that Zuo Lingfeng’s master, Yuanqian Mountain—the Commander of the Luozhou Demon Slayer Bureau—had asked Meng Taiqi.

Yuanqian Mountain’s background was anything but simple.

If it really came to a confrontation with Yuanqian Mountain, even Zhong Zhengxiao, the King of Baoshan and Commander of the Celestial Martial Army, would not have an easy time.

With this in mind, Gu Zheng’s Divine Wondrous power stirred again, and he sent another message.

Meng Taiqi’s reply was swift.

"Don’t worry. Your master knows what to say."

Seeing this, Gu Zheng put away the Demon-Slaying Seal.

Having Meng Taiqi handle it was much better than getting involved himself.

"Is everything alright, Ping’an?" Gu Sihai, who had been watching the whole time, stopped laughing and asked.

"I’m fine."

Gu Zheng smiled calmly and didn’t elaborate. "Dad, you have to keep this Spiritual Water safe. Don’t let word of it get out."

"Don’t worry, I’ll handle it myself!"

Gu Sihai slapped his chest. "When it’s time to drink it, I’ll have the kids come over personally."

"Drink what? What’s so good to drink?"

Gu Xue’s voice rang out as the young girl skipped into the courtyard. "Dad, what are you drinking in secret? Share some with me."

"Me too, I want to drink too!" Gu Wan’Er raised her hands high, chasing after her, not wanting to be left behind.

"Slow down," Gu Pan’Er followed with a gentle smile.

Beside her was Zhou Dingding, dressed in practical attire, still with her short hair and tomboyish look.

Compared to the last time he had seen her, Zhou Dingding’s complexion, aura, and vital energy had all undergone a world-altering transformation.

Although she controlled it well, concealing it perfectly, Gu Zheng sensed it the moment she walked in.

’The Bibo Smoke Mist Technique is complete! She’s broken through to the Alien Body realm! And she’s completed the Xianfeng stage, about to enter the second phase and step into the Mountain-Shaking Alien Body realm!?’

A genius!

Truly worthy of a special Spirit Body. Zhou Dingding’s rate of improvement was on par with Gu Zheng’s back in the day.

"Drink, drink, that’s all you know!"

Gu Sihai glared at Gu Xue. "You’re a grown girl now, yet you’re not as sensible as Dingding."

"So what if... ah, Big Brother is back!"

Gu Xue cried out in delight when she saw Gu Zheng.

"Big Brother’s back? It really is Big Brother!"

Gu Wan’Er immediately lunged for him.

"Master!"

A step behind, Zhou Dingding’s face lit up with joy as she hurried to bow.

"Careful."

Gu Zheng caught the pouncing Gu Wan’Er and looked at Zhou Dingding, smiling with satisfaction. "Not bad, Dingding. You’ve done very well."

"Dingding is amazing!"

Gu Wan’Er raised her hand and said quickly, "Big Brother, you should have seen it! A few days ago, when we were on the street, Dingding took down three bad guys in just a few moves!"

"Those were three crooks who had snuck into the city. I heard from Lu Guangbei that they used to be notorious bandits," Gu Sihai added. "They dared to make a move on us, so they were dragged to the city gates and beheaded that very day. Their heads were hung on a pillar outside the city for three days and three nights before being taken down and burned."

"Mm."

Gu Zheng nodded. With a flick of his hand, a Divine Mysterious Fruit appeared, and he tossed it to Zhou Dingding.

"Well done. This is your reward. It’s from your master, so just accept it."

Zhou Dingding, who had been about to refuse, changed her tune upon hearing that. "Thank you, Master!"

"I... I want a fruitie too!"

Seeing this, Gu Wan’Er shouted excitedly, "Big Brother, I want one too!"

"Me too, Big Brother! You can’t play favorites," Gu Xue clamored from the side.

"And what have you two done that’s worthy of a reward?"

Gu Zheng chuckled, pinching Gu Wan’Er’s nose.

"Big Brother, you’re mean~" Gu Wan’Er mumbled, batting at Gu Zheng’s hand. Her eyes darted about, and she giggled. "I supervised Second Brother’s training. Does that count?"

"...I suppose it does." Gu Zheng was speechless. With another flick of his hand, a Source Fruit appeared, and he handed it to Gu Wan’Er.

"Thank you, Big Brother!"

Gu Wan’Er was overjoyed. She hugged the Iron Stomach Source Fruit and climbed down from Gu Zheng’s arms.

The little girl’s body hadn’t fully developed yet, so neither Strengthening Source Fruits nor Dali-type fruits were suitable for her to eat.

But the Iron Stomach one was no problem.

This kind of Source Fruit was of little use to Gu Zheng, but it was a treasure for the little girl. She could eat anything she wanted without fear of an upset stomach.

"I... I helped Big Brother Han Ming patrol the county seat!"

Seeing that Gu Wan’Er actually got one, Gu Xue’s eyes darted around. She raised her hand and said, "I stopped several brawls in the city. Does that count?"

"...That counts too."

Gu Zheng glanced at her and tossed over a Strengthening Source Fruit.

"Ha~"

Gu Xue was ecstatic. She caught the Source Fruit and immediately stuffed it into her mouth.

Gu Pan’Er had suddenly grown much stronger, and after much begging and probing, Gu Xue had finally figured out it was because of a strange fruit Gu Zheng had given her. After eating it, one would rapidly grow powerful.

It was just that only Gu Zheng had this kind of fruit.

Now, finally, she had gotten her hands on one.

"Big Sister, this is for you."

Gu Zheng tossed a Source Fruit that increased Divine Wondrous power to Gu Pan’Er.

"Ah? I get one too?" Gu Pan’Er caught the fruit and smiled. "But I haven’t done anything to deserve it."

"Big Sister takes care of the family and manages all our businesses. Your contributions are immense," Gu Xue chimed in quickly while chewing on her Source Fruit.

"That’s right." Gu Zheng glanced at her and, seeing that Gu Xue was starting to sweat, reminded her, "You should go back to your room, have someone draw a few buckets of water to wash up, and then get some sleep."

"Right, right." Steam was also starting to rise from the top of her head. Gu Xue quickly exhaled, waved, and ran off.

"What’s wrong with Xue’Er?"

Gu Wan’Er looked on in confusion, hugging her Iron Stomach Source Fruit and nibbling on it.