Everyone Says I’m Cold and Aloof, But I Just Have Social Anxiety! - Chapter 8

However, the enemies were numerous, and it was difficult for Gu Qingzhi to guard all directions simultaneously. Some clever cultivators took the opportunity to launch sneak attacks from his flanks and rear.

Relying on his keen perception, Gu Qingzhi quickly turned to strike back. His fists and feet carried a frigid aura, and every blow made his enemies feel a bone-chilling cold. His gaze was resolute as he deathly guarded Yan Luochen behind him.

But two fists are no match for four hands, and wounds gradually began to accumulate on Gu Qingzhi’s body.

“Qingzhi, be careful!”

Fortunately, Yan Luochen was not merely standing idly by. From time to time, he would pick up stones from the ground to strike those attempting to ambush Gu Qingzhi.

Gu Qingzhi once again mobilized the spiritual power within his body. Suddenly, snowflakes began to flutter from the sky, and the temperature plummeted. The ground froze instantly, causing many enemies to slip and lose their balance. Gu Qingzhi seized the chance to launch a counterattack. His hands danced as ice blades wove through the crowd like a whirlwind, harvesting the lives of his foes.

After a bout of intense and fierce fighting, Gu Qingzhi finally triumphed over the many cultivators brought by Prince Anyang. However, he himself was heavily injured and exhausted, gasping for breath in large gulps, though his gaze still shone with tenacity and unyielding spirit.

Tsk, that really hurts! Why hasn’t my Big Boss arrived yet?

Yan Luochen was momentarily dazed, wondering to himself: “Big Boss? What does that mean? Is he referring to his father, Sect Leader Gu?”

Prince Anyang watched as all the cultivators he had brought fell to the ground, leaving only the household servants behind—all of whom were ordinary mortals. For a moment, he was so enraged that he began to laugh. “Truly unexpected! To think that with your strength alone, you could cause so many of my subordinates to lose their lives. This Prince truly underestimated you.”

He had indeed underestimated his opponent. Had it been anyone else, they likely wouldn’t even have been a match for the Golden Core leader, let alone the entire group. But now it was clear the young man before him was someone capable of fighting above his own cultivation level.

Slowly, he extended his palm, and a powerful force began to gather within it. Murderous intent was plain in his eyes; he clearly intended to end Gu Qingzhi’s life with a single palm strike before taking Yan Luochen back as his personal plaything.

At the critical moment just as Prince Anyang was about to rush toward Gu Qingzhi, an incredibly powerful pressure suddenly descended from the sky. Immediately following it, a brilliant light flashed, and the people of the Yuqing Immortal Sect appeared before them like divine soldiers descending from the heavens.

Leading them was the Master of the Yuqing Immortal Sect, Gu Qingzhi’s father, Gu Yuan.

With his robes fluttering and an otherworldly temperament, he possessed the air of an immortal. His sharp gaze shot toward Prince Anyang like a literal sword.

“Prince Anyang, how bold of you to dare lay a hand on my son!”

Gu Yuan’s voice was like a Great Bell, containing an authority that brooked no resistance.

The moment Prince Anyang saw Gu Yuan, his heart jumped in shock. However, he forced himself to remain calm, wearing a fake smile as he pretended to be polite. “Sect Leader Gu, so Master Gu is your son? This Prince was dull-witted; I should have realized sooner!”

“Hmph! You certainly arrived at the right time! Why don’t you look at the men lying on the ground and tell me—was it this Prince who acted against your son first, or your son who killed my people first?”

Gu Yuan turned his gaze toward his son. Seeing his wretched and battered appearance, it wasn’t hard to guess that he had just undergone an extremely fierce battle.

But just as Gu Yuan expected, Gu Qingzhi had no intention of explaining anything. He simply popped a medicinal pill into his mouth and performed a Cleansing Spell on himself.

【The Big Boss is finally here; otherwise, I really would have kicked the bucket!】

【But there are so many people… I really don’t want to say a single word!】

Seeing this, Yan Luochen couldn’t help but facepalm. He quickly stepped forward, folded his hands, and bowed to Gu Yuan. “Sect Leader Gu, Qingzhi and I discovered this place first. We were originally waiting here for your noble sect to arrive, but unexpectedly, Prince Anyang brought a group of people here in a fierce and aggressive manner. To protect me, Qingzhi fought everyone single-handedly, which is why he ended up in such a state.”

Prince Anyang roared in uncontrollable fury, “Nonsense! This Spirit Stone Mine was clearly discovered by this Prince first. Your disciple meddled in my business; can this Prince not even seek justice?”

Gu Yuan snorted coldly, his eyes burning with anger. “This mine was clearly discovered by my son first. Your desire to seize it by force is nothing but a fool’s dream—out of the question! Just now, you even attempted to murder my son; do you truly take this Sect Leader for a blind man?”

At this point, Gu Qingzhi took a deep breath, mustered his courage, and stepped forward to bow respectfully to his father. “Father, this matter began because of me. I shall handle it properly.”

Gu Yuan looked at Gu Qingzhi, his eyes full of firm trust. “Very well. I believe in you.”

Gu Qingzhi turned and looked expressionlessly at Prince Anyang, saying coldly, “Prince Anyang, regarding today’s events—if you stop now and cease your harassment, we can let bygones be bygones. Otherwise, do not blame the Yuqing Immortal Sect for being unkind to you.”

Yan Luochen murmured in a low voice, “Tsk tsk, this is actually the first time I’ve heard Qingzhi say such a long sentence.”

Gu Yuan likewise nodded with gratification.

Prince Anyang’s expression shifted between cloudy and clear as he repeatedly weighed his options. Ultimately, he chose to compromise, snorting coldly, “Hmph! Consider this Prince unlucky today. Let’s go!”

With that, he led his remaining subordinates away in a dejected manner.

Watching Prince Anyang’s departing figure, the hatred in Yan Luochen’s heart did not dissipate in the slightest.

Gu Qingzhi said, “Don’t worry. Let him bounce around for a while longer; he won’t have a good end.”

Yan Luochen looked at Gu Qingzhi gratefully. “Then I must thank you, Qingzhi.”

Gu Qingzhi replied, “Now, it is no longer just for you.”

As Gu Yuan watched the interaction between the two, his heart was filled with relief. His son had always been solitary and eccentric; now he was finally willing to socialize and would no longer be viewed as someone who was extremely cold and looked down on everyone.

With a smile on his face, he spoke gently to Yan Luochen, “Young man, you and my son share quite a bit of fate. If you are willing, why not return to the Yuqing Immortal Sect with us?”

Gu Yuan’s thought process was simple: he didn’t want his son to be alone anymore. Since his son finally had a friend, he would bring him back to the sect to keep him company.

A look of surprise and joy instantly flashed in Yan Luochen’s eyes. He exclaimed excitedly, “Really? That would be wonderful! I am very willing.”

Gu Qingzhi suddenly spoke up: “Father, send one person to go with me to kill Prince Anyang!”

Gu Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly and asked, “Oh? You let him go just now because you didn’t want to kill him in front of everyone? Were you worried about bringing trouble to the sect?”

Gu Qingzhi nodded slightly in agreement.

Yan Luochen couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “So that’s what you meant just now!”

“He indeed won’t let things go so easily. Your idea of striking first is brilliant! I’ll go with you.”

“No!” Gu Qingzhi shook his head. “You go back to the sect with my father first. I will find you afterward.”

Yan Luochen struck a pose of mock grievance. “Fine then. Since I’m currently just a piece of ‘dead weight’ (drag oil bottle), I won’t go and hold you back.”

Gu Qingzhi frowned slightly. Dammit, why do I feel a scent of ‘green tea’ (manipulative innocence) coming from him! But he said nothing more.

“Good!” Gu Yuan said loudly from the side. “Zhuying!”

Instantly, a figure slowly emerged from the shadows behind Gu Yuan, gradually manifesting into a clear human form it was a young boy.

“Master!” Zhuying said respectfully, his voice a crisp, childish tone.

Gu Yuan gave his orders in an orderly fashion: “From now on, you shall follow my son. You are responsible for his safety and shall follow his every command.”