I have a composite mirror

Chapter 40 Chuying Pavilion

Attendant.

As soon as those two words were uttered, everyone around fell silent.

All eyes turned to Qiu Yu, their eyes filled with longing.

The position of attendant at Qingqiu Mountain is a truly life-changing opportunity.

Although nominally servants, they were no different from outer disciples.

As long as one cultivates diligently within the sect, there may be opportunities for formal membership in the future.

Moreover, being able to go into the mountains with a genius like Qiu Yu, if she truly becomes an elder's disciple in the future, this friendship will be an invaluable connection.

Qiu Yu's smile remained unchanged:

"This matter is not yet settled, so please don't be anxious."

"After I enter the mountains, I will ask my elders for permission."

"We will inform you all if there is any news at that time."

His words were perfectly worded, neither agreeing nor refusing.

Although the crowd was somewhat disappointed, they didn't dare to push too hard and could only continue to flatter him.

This side of the long table.

Gu Shenyan was putting a piece of foie gras into his mouth when he caught a glimpse of a beautiful figure sitting down beside him.

A lake-blue cheongsam, with a faint fragrance of orchids.

He didn't need to turn around; he knew who it was.

"Senior."

He put down the silver fork in his hand and turned around.

The girl was sitting next to him, her chin resting on her hand, her eyes somewhat unfocused, as if she were thinking about something.

She looked at Gu Shenyan, opened her mouth, but ultimately didn't say anything.

Looking at her like this, Gu Shenyan already understood most of the situation.

He picked up a napkin from the table, wiped his mouth, and said softly:

"It must be about inviting Qiuyu to Yunmengze; it didn't work out, right?"

Bai Cailing was slightly taken aback.

She turned her head, her previously dazed eyes fixed on him:

How did you know?

"Just a guess."

Gu Shenyan smiled:

"The expression on my senior's face when she was talking to Qiuyu just now said it all."

"Besides, given her current status, why would she be willing to risk going to Yunmengze?"

After hearing this, Bai Cailing sighed softly, "You're right."

She took out a silver note from her sleeve and waved it in front of Gu Shenyan.

The banknote clearly stated "Five Hundred Yuan".

"Five hundred silver dollars?"

Gu Shenyan raised an eyebrow.

"Um."

Bai Cailing frowned and put away the silver note:

"She has kept a clear record of all the money I've given her over the years, and she has returned every single penny to me."

At this point, the girl's voice was full of grievance:

"I never expected her to change so quickly after joining the sect, she actually..."

The words were on the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed them back.

If some words are spoken and overheard by someone with ulterior motives, they can become an enemy.

Qiu Yu's status is now extraordinary; offending her will only make life more difficult for you.

"never mind."

She waved her hand, as if to cast aside all her worries:

"Everyone has their own destiny, and it cannot be forced."

After saying that, she turned to look at Gu Shenyan:

"But you, if you really become successful in the future, don't turn your back on us."

Although it was said in jest, there was a hint of probing in the tone.

After hearing this, Gu Shenyan shook his head very seriously.

"Won't."

Two words, spoken with absolute certainty.

Bai Cailing was taken aback.

She had assumed the other party would agree with a smile or just laugh it off.

But to everyone's surprise, Gu Shenyan took it so seriously.

"Have you ever heard a story, senior?"

Gu Shenyan's voice was soft, yet every word was clear:

According to the "Biographies of Righteous Men", there was a poor scholar named Chen Zun during the Later Han Dynasty. He was originally a student of the Imperial Academy.

Because he spoke frankly and remonstrated with powerful figures, he was stripped of his official rank and forced to live on the streets.

"It was the dead of winter, and Chen Zun was penniless and had caught a cold. He was on the verge of freezing to death on the street."

"Just then, his classmate Jia Fu happened to pass by, saw his pitiful state, and took him home."

"Jia Fu was already from a poor family, and after helping Chen Zun, he was even more strapped for cash."

Upon hearing this, Bai Cailing instinctively asked, "And then?"

"And then..."

Gu Shenyan chuckled softly:

Three years later, the court granted a general amnesty, and Chen Zun was able to return to office, eventually becoming a prefect.

"However, Jia Fu, due to years of overwork, fell ill and his family fortunes declined further."

"Everyone advised Chen Zun, saying that Jia Fu had only done it on a whim back then."

Now that you hold a high position, why dwell on past relationships?

At this point, his voice became even more resolute:

"But Chen Zun took Jia Fu's family into his mansion and treated them with the respect due to elder brothers."

Before his death, he left a will:

"Of all the wealth I have accumulated in my life, half has gone to my children and grandchildren, and the other half has been given to Jia Fu."

If my descendants have any complaints, then they are not my descendants.

When people asked him why he did this, he only said one sentence...

Gu Shenyan spoke slowly and deliberately:

"Those who offer help in times of need will be remembered for a lifetime; those who add to someone's success will be forgotten as fleeting clouds."

Upon hearing this, the noisy conversation in the hall seemed to fade away.

Bai Cailing stared at him blankly:

"You...do you really think so?"

"nature."

Gu Shenyan smiled:

"My senior helped me when I was poor, and I will always remember this kindness."

"not to mention……"

He looked into Bai Cailing's eyes:

"My senior never treated me with charity; on the contrary, she always protected my dignity."

"This thoughtfulness and kindness is more precious than any resources."

Bai Cailing lowered her head and wiped her eyes with her hand.

She opened her mouth, as if to say something.

But when the words were on the tip of my tongue, I didn't know where to begin.

Just then, a soft cough came from the front of the hall.

Everyone quieted down and looked in the direction of the sound.

Xiao Yichen had already stepped onto the makeshift platform and stood with his hands behind his back.

His voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly:

"Today is the routine gathering of the Xuanji Society. First of all, congratulations to a new fellow cultivator."

His gaze fell on Qiu Yu:

"Miss Qiuyu condensed her spiritual core in less than half a month after entering the sect, and was even favored by Qingqiu Mountain, where she will soon enter the mountain to cultivate."

Such talent truly makes them role models for us all.

As soon as he finished speaking, enthusiastic applause erupted in the hall.

Those scions of prominent families all drummed louder than anyone else.

His face was beaming with smiles, as if he wanted to shower everyone with compliments.

Autumn Rain nodded slightly in response.

Secondly.

Xiao Yichen added, "Today, another new member has joined the Xuanji Society."

"Gu Shenyan, a top student at Sacred Heart Academy, has officially become a member of the Xuanji Society today, recommended by Junior Sister Bai."

As he spoke, his gaze fell on Gu Shenyan, and he smiled slightly:

"Brother Gu, welcome."

Applause erupted again.

This time, however, the crowd was sparse and far less enthusiastic than before.

Besides Bai Cailing and Xiao Yichen, Zhou Mingyu and Li Wenzhuo also clapped a few times.

Most of the others just clapped perfunctorily, some even too lazy to raise their hands.

Gu Shenyan stood up and cupped his hands in return to Xiao Yichen.

He didn't really care about this differential treatment.

It's just human nature.

Who would genuinely welcome a newcomer with neither a good background nor sufficient skills?

Not everyone has the courage to light up a cold stove.

Xiao Yichen seemed to sense the awkward atmosphere, but didn't say anything more.

"Alright, that's enough of the small talk."

"There is another important matter to announce at today's gathering."

"Have you all heard about the recent spate of incidents at the docks?"

These words immediately sparked whispers throughout the hall.

"I've heard about it, I've heard about it. That water monkey is very ferocious and has already killed several people."

"The government has raised the reward to five hundred silver dollars, but still no one dares to go."

"That monster is said to be extremely cunning. It hides underwater during the day and only comes out at night to harm people. Ordinary martial artists are no match for it."

Xiao Yichen raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, and continued, "Indeed, that water monkey is troublesome."

"However, it is precisely because it is challenging that it is more suitable as a training ground for us."

His gaze swept over the crowd: "I'm planning a hunting trip next weekend."

"Anyone interested can raise their hand to sign up."

After he finished speaking, the hall fell into a brief silence.

A few hands were raised after a short while.

Zhou Mingyu, Li Wenzhuo, and several other teenagers who seemed quite spirited.

There were fewer than ten people in total, less than half the number of people present.

Xiao Yichen frowned slightly.

He looked around, his gaze settling on Qiu Yu, as if he wanted to say something.

But Qiu Yu just shook her head, too lazy to even explain.

Seeing this, Xiao Yichen did not insist.

He pondered for a moment, then said, "Since you all have so many concerns, then I will say a few more words."

"As a steward of the Xuanzheng Division, I have a certain degree of recommendation authority."

"To all those who participated in this operation, I will record your achievements in hunting down demons truthfully."

"If you intend to apply for the Xuanzheng Division in the future, this record will be a plus."

As he said this, his tone became serious:

"Moreover, the Xuanzheng Division is currently preparing for the second phase of the Chuying Pavilion."