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"This matter, you'd better give a clear explanation. The only reason I'm still willing to sit down and talk to you is because of your position as Xue Song's elder brother."

"Don't try to deceive us with falsehoods. You can't lie here. You can't fool anyone here."

Chen Hui's voice was cold as she looked at Gu Xingjun. The reason they had come to the private room was twofold: first, to protect the Gu family's reputation,and second, because the matter involved metaphysical concepts that weren't appropriate to discuss openly.

Moreover, today's banquet was meant for the celebration of their youngest daughter. They had invited many prominent figures from the capital's elite wives' circle. If a scandal arose, it would inevitably harm her social standing.

Gu Xingjun's expression at this moment was incredibly dark. He had no intention of admitting anything, especially since a master had performed rituals for him in the past that ensured his methods were obscure enough that even those with similar paths could not see through them.

Additionally, he had claimed that any stolen soul would remain concealed when nurtured within the body of a grandchild for some time. That was why he had never dared to bring his grandson out and about.

Until recently, Gu Xingjun had felt that the timing was approaching, and he had heard that his third son's family had foolishly adopted a child with an unknown origin. That was utter foolishness.

Their families were already on rocky terms, and his idle curiosity had led him to observe them mockingly. However, his third son's daughter had managed to detect his unusual presence.

Foolish!

He cursed the master who had guaranteed his methods inwardly.

"If Uncle isn't willing to speak, it's no problem. I can intervene directly and retrieve the stolen item myself."

"I'm not joking, you know. I cando this."

A sweet, innocent voice suddenly interrupted as the baby-like tone spoke up.

"No. You can't do this..." Gu Xingjun's face changed dramatically at these words.

He had no time to consider anything else. His sole thought now was to stop this child. He knew too well the risks if the soul were forced back into its original form—the possibility of his grandson's survival would become uncertain.

Qingkai was his son's last bloodline descendant. No matter the cost, it had to be protected.

"Grandfather..." Qingkai looked confused and frightened.

He looked up at his suddenly furious grandfather, shivering slightly, his round eyes filled with fear.

"Qingkai, don't be afraid. Grandpa just lost his temper momentarily."

Gu Xingjun took a deep breath and gently rubbed his grandson's head, calming himself. He turned toward his third son's family.

"This matter has always been my arrangement from the beginning. Qingkai has no idea about any of this. I'm asking you to let him avoid hearing more."

"Consider this my plea."

At Qingkai's age, he was already able to understand reason and logic. If he learned that his life had come from a stolen soul, it would leave deep scars on him.

Ultimately, it was an adult's sin, and neither Chen Hui nor Gu Xuesong objected much, allowing the third son's family to take the child out.

The child kept turning back as they carried him out. Gu Xingjun forced a smile and waved his hand with forced cheerfulness, but as soon as the door closed, his face darkened.

"You can't take that item. If you do, Qingkai will die."

"He is my family's last remaining bloodline. Third Son, Sister-in-law... are you truly this cruel to let my entire branch be extinguished? Besides, without that item, Xiaowei has still been fine. Why push this?"

Chen Hui, upon hearing this, nearly laughed with rage.

"So what? Your grandson's life is important, but my grandson's isn't?"

"You say Xiaowei is fine? Don't insult me. He has to eat medicine like candy every day just to survive. He should have been running around like a normal child his age, but your selfishness robbed him of that. And yet you still dare to say such things."

At this moment, she no longer cared about propriety or appearances, her words breaking into a furious tirade. No one in the Gu family tried to stop her—everyone shared her anger.

Gu Heng, especially, was seething. He wanted nothing more than to strike Gu Xingjun down. The image of his wife blaming herself during her pregnancy, and their son weak and moaning in pain in his arms, haunted him.

"Brother, since this is your attitude, there's no point in continuing this discussion."

Gu Xuesong's words cut through the tension. His priorities were familial loyalty over reason. His gaze shifted toward his own daughter.

"You should act directly, Yanyan."

"If we waste more time, Xiaowei's life will be in even greater danger."

Although he wasn't an expert in metaphysical affairs, he could reason. A soul forcibly placed into another body would eventually become permanent due to biological and metaphysical concepts of assimilation.

The problem had been discovered by his youngest daughter. No other would be able to intervene—only she could step in.

Gu Xuesong couldn't help but feel an odd sense of gratitude since recognizing his daughter into the family had ensured they'd managed to avoid countless disasters. She wasn't just his goddaughter—she was their family's lucky star.

"Yes, I'll take Xiaowei over." Yanyan nodded.

The moment she met Qingkai, she had already sensed the soul's essence nearly fading entirely. If not for the guiding soul-binding talismans,and the presence of spiritual death signs, she might never have detected this.

If they didn't act, the soul would be lost permanently. The cosmic balance would react accordingly, and this could trigger disaster. A fragmented soul, lost completely, could leave the person as either a living corpse or meet instantaneous death.

She didn't mention these cosmic consequences for fear of terrifying the Gu family. But if they hesitated in retrieving the soul, she would ensure they understood the risks.

Gu Xingjun, upon witnessing her approach, lost control entirely.

"You can't do this. You can't..." His voice sounded completely insane as he lunged toward her.

However, the Gu family brothers had already restrained him. He was an aging man, nearing his sixties, but they easily overpowered him. His strength was frail compared to theirs.

"You're committing murder. I'll take you to court. I'll make you pay for this..." Gu Xingjun's words were enraged, his eyes wild and wrinkled with fury.

Yanyan ignored him entirely, but as his roar pierced her ears, she hesitated for a moment, turning back toward him.

"What are you doing?" His voice trembled as he looked at her.

Even though she was only three and a half, her piercing gaze sent shivers down his spine. It felt like encountering some kind of demonic force.

"You're very noisy. I prefer quiet. So, shut your mouth."

With that, she pulled talismans from her bag and pressed them onto his body.

The moment they touched his skin, Gu Xingjun felt his body freeze completely. No matter how much he tried to yell, no sound emerged from his throat. His body had become paralyzed.

Fear surged in him like a tidal wave.

He realized the third son's family might indeed have the means to recover the stolen soul, and that knowledge sent him spiraling into panic.

But he could do nothing but watch.