Then letâs find balance elsewhere.
This painting is an opportunity.
But itâs really not her fault. How can an ordinary family from the Central Plains be worthy of possessing such a treasure? Moreover, the treasure has been with them for so many years, and they havenât discovered its secret. It seems they have no fate with it.
If this treasure is real, then there would be no need for anyone else. Simply open the door of the painting, and you would reach the place you wish to go. What kind of scenery would it be then?
Therefore, this Hundred Miles of Mountains Map can only belong to her Ouyang family, and no one else deserves to possess it.
Ouyang Rong thought it was only natural.
...
Just returning from Yubao Square, Gu Qiaoqiao received a call from a stranger. However, the contents of the call were not unfamiliar. It turned out to be Ouyang Rong, who was staying at Lijing Ho, inviting her to meet in a private room at Lijing Ho in the evening, saying there was something very important to discuss.
After waiting for so long, finally, she couldnât hold back?
Gu Qiaoqiao didnât hesitate and readily agreed, then hung up the phone, thought for a moment, and called Dongfang Yu, asking if he knew someone named Ouyang Rong or anyone in the Mystic Sect related to the Ouyang family.
Dongfang Yu was silent for a long while before he spoke solemnly, "I only know that a hundred years ago, the Mystic Sect was a very large organization with a chief. However, later on, the chief left, and the Mystic Sect dispersed. But I know that the chiefâs surname was Ouyang, though Iâm not sure exactly what it was."
"Nowadays, thereâs someone named Ouyang Rong staying at the Lijing Ho Hotel. Sheâs very skilled and has great inner strength. She returned from abroad but speaks fluent Mandarin," Gu Qiaoqiao introduced calmly.
"Could she be a descendant of Patriarch Ouyang?" Dongfang Yu asked, raising an eyebrow in surprise.
"Iâm not quite sure, but do you know if the Ouyang Clan has any special skills?"
"If they had no special skills, how could they become the Sect Leader of the Mystic Sect? But Iâm really not sure of the specifics. Over time, things have become blurred. Itâs a pity that Sect Leader Nie has died. He often wandered the world and should have known more than I do."
Dongfang Yu spoke calmly with a hint of regret.
What a load of nonsense, Gu Qiaoqiao inwardly criticized before hanging up the phone. Prepare for the unexpected and adapt accordingly. Tonight, she should find out what exactly Ouyang Rong wants to do.
In the evening, Gu Qiaoqiao took a car to the entrance of Lijing Ho Hotel. Both she and Brother Li San had come after dinner. Gu Qiaoqiao checked the time and told Brother Li San to rest in the lobby. As the outcome was uncertain, waiting in the lobby provided tea to drink.
After making arrangements, Gu Qiaoqiao went to the private room they had reserved in advance. Upon arrival, she indeed found Ouyang Rong already waiting there, having ordered a table full of dishes and eating leisurely...
Standing beside her was a middle-aged man, with an ordinary appearance, seemingly without much presence, yet Gu Qiaoqiao immediately sensed he was also someone from the Mystic Sect.
Seeing Gu Qiaoqiao enter, Ouyang Rong continued eating without looking up, while Gu Qiaoqiao furrowed her brow, then sat opposite her, crossing her legs, not speaking either, but quietly watching her eat.
Ouyang Rong originally intended to intimidate Gu Qiaoqiao, but Gu Qiaoqiao sat across from her, staring intently as she ate.
Initially, Ouyang Rong didnât care.
She just wanted Gu Qiaoqiao to watch her eat.
As she ate, she started to feel a bit uneasy, as anyone would when being stared at, and had to put down her chopsticks, casting a haughty look at Gu Qiaoqiao, saying disdainfully, "Watching someone eat is very impolite."
"Inviting someone over without even a greeting and eating on your ownâis that polite?" countered Gu Qiaoqiao unceremoniously.
"If I greet you, do you know what my status is?" Ouyang Rong spoke arrogantly.
"And what is your status? Do tell," Gu Qiaoqiao asked with a hint of amusement.
"You know, in the past, the Mystic Sect had a leader who ruled over all sidesâthat was my father. Iâm his daughter, my name is Ouyang Rong," Ouyang Rong lifted her chin, speaking proudly, hoping to see shock and fear in Gu Qiaoqiaoâs eyes.
But unfortunately, she was destined to be disappointed.
As Dongfang Yu had mentioned, Gu Qiaoqiao calmly surveyed Ouyang Rong, saying blandly, "Oh."
This attitude infuriated Ouyang Rong. She raised her eyebrows and glared at Gu Qiaoqiao, "Whatâs with this attitude? When you see me, youâre supposed to give a salute."
What kind of notion is that?
Gu Qiaoqiao couldnât help but laugh, "Ouyang Rong, there used to be emperors a hundred years ago. If their descendants showed up, would I need to kneel and kowtow?"
"Gu Qiaoqiao, what do you mean?" Ouyang Rong raised her voice to ask.
She wasnât wrong; the Mystic Sect is different from ordinary people. The Mystic Sect has its own rules, unchanged for millennia. A salute from Gu Qiaoqiao would be a recognition of her status within the Mystic Sect, something sheâd usually not afford to ordinary people.
"I mean nothing. Times are different now. I know nothing about the Mystic Sect, nor do I understand its leaders or rules," Gu Qiaoqiao said, wiping the smile off her face and speaking coldly.
"If you donât understand the rules, I can teach you."
"Thanks, but I have no desire to learn these rules," Gu Qiaoqiao replied quite indifferently.
"Whether you want to or not, youâll have to learn. My father will soon return to the Central Plains, and he will once again command the Mystic Sect members across the world as their leader."
Gu Qiaoqiao looked at the girl before her, faintly smiling, "Alright, letâs talk about it once your father arrives. Since you have nothing else to say, Iâll take my leave."
With that, Gu Qiaoqiao stood up unhurriedly, not sparing Ouyang Rong a glance, and turned to leave the room. Urgency overtook Ouyang Rong, as she hadnât yet discussed business with Gu Qiaoqiao. She slammed the table furiously and exclaimed, "Gu Qiaoqiao, stop right there!"
Gu Qiaoqiao was unmoved, continuing to walk forward. Ouyang Rong glared at San Qi beside her, "Why are you standing there? Didnât you hear me tell you to stop her?"
San Qi sighed helplessly and quickly said, "Miss Gu, please stay. My young lady truly has something to say to you."
The attitude was very sincere, and Gu Qiaoqiao stood at the door, which was closed. She glanced around and realized there was a mystical barrier set up here, with power and level not inferior to what she could create with her own drawings.
Yet, Gu Qiaoqiao felt a slight heaviness in her heart, recognizing that although the girl in front of her was arrogant and domineering, she indeed had some real skills, as did the ordinary man beside her.