Chapter 378 - 331: A Turtle Has Dignity Too
Chapter 378: Chapter 331: A Turtle Has Dignity Too
After observing the turtle, Xiao Man looked up and pointed out features of the backyard, including the various rooftops and courtyard walls, all while speaking with Grandpa Gu and Gu Qiming. To an unknowing observer, it would have seemed as if the three of them were simply admiring the courtyard scenery and discussing the mansion’s exterior. But with Xiao Man’s guidance, a vast and intricate Guardian Array slowly materialized before their eyes.
Gu Qiming’s gaze swept across the scene, and he couldn’t help but be moved. Grandpa Gu fell silent, deep in thought, but inwardly he was just as thrilled as Gu Qiming. ’The Gu Mansion has an Array formation—even a three-year-old in the Gu family knows that. But this is the first time I’ve ever truly seen it, seen the whole thing so clearly!’
The Array was, of course, a legacy left by the Gu family ancestors. Originally, it should have come with an Array Map, but somewhere down the generations, it had been lost. Later generations only knew that the Guardian Array existed and understood just enough not to get trapped within it. However, they knew very little of its true intricacies, let alone how to maintain or repair it.
Grandpa Gu looked at Xiao Man and said, "Your great-great-grandfather—my grandfather—told me why the Gu Family ancestors left this Guardian Array. First, it was to guard against enemies seeking revenge. Second, our Gu family has served as military generals for generations, defending the nation. We have caused too much bloodshed, so we needed to gather auspicious energy to preserve the fortune and prosperity of future generations. This Guardian Array was designed to protect twelve generations of descendants from the day it was created. After twelve generations, regardless of whether the array fails, our descendants will no longer have to bear the karmic debts of their ancestors. This was a promise from our ancestors to their posterity, a form of protection. Of course, future generations could choose to abandon the old mansion and find a better place to live, but you can’t escape who you are. Once you’re born into the Gu family, you inherit everything, good and bad. You can’t escape your responsibilities, even if you run to the ends of the earth. It’s better to face them head-on. The Gu Family’s genealogical record has now reached the eleventh generation. The next one will be the twelfth. But this Guardian Array... it looks like it won’t last that long, and I’m so worried! I’ve tried looking for Geomancy Masters and secretly sought out other experts, hoping to find a solution, or at least get some answers. But I never met anyone with real ability. Thank goodness you understand these things, Manman. Do you know what to do?"
Xiao Man said, "This Array is truly ingenious. On the surface, it stabilizes the residence while also providing protection and concealment, but it actually has other wondrous uses. The person who set up the Array had a very high cultivation, and there are also some talismans within it. Unfortunately, they’ve faded with time and are now nearly ineffective. Right now, I can only see the general outline. The turtle’s restlessness is likely related to a change in the Array’s structure."
"What kind of change has occurred? Could someone have deliberately sabotaged it? Father just mentioned enemies seeking revenge. After eleven generations and several hundred years...is that...even possible?" Gu Qiming fired off a series of questions.
Grandpa Gu’s eyes widened. "Why would it be impossible? Anything is possible! Remember, you’re a soldier. Never let your guard down!"
"...Yes, sir!" Gu Qiming’s expression turned serious.
Xiao Man suppressed a smile and said, "I think we can rule out deliberate sabotage. Very few people today can even perceive an Array like this, so even if they wanted to destroy it, they wouldn’t know where to start. What’s more likely is unintentional damage. For example, during renovations, expansions, or even when children are playing, a Magic Artifact might have been accidentally moved or broken. That could also cause a change and loosen the restrictions."
Grandpa Gu nodded repeatedly. Gu Qiming added, "Manman has a point. This old mansion is several hundred years old; the layout of the buildings couldn’t have remained unchanged. During renovations, even with the utmost care, it’s inevitable that something was disturbed. If only we had the Array Map, this would be much easier. We could check everything step-by-step. Even if a Magic Artifact were broken, we could replace it."
Xiao Man said, "That’s not a problem. I can check if the Magic Artifacts are damaged or have been moved. It will just take some time and effort. However, if anything needs to be repaired, I don’t have the ability to do that yet. I’ll have to wait until...until I’m at least eighteen!"
Repairing such a large-scale Array was impossible without Foundation Establishment Cultivation, and Xiao Man was currently only at the Fifth Level of Qi Refining, about to break through to the Sixth Layer. As a student, she had to balance her studies and didn’t have much time to search for resources. Beijing was crowded and chaotic, with sparse Spiritual Energy. If she wanted to cultivate and advance smoothly without using up the Spiritual Energy in her personal space, her only option was a constant supply of jade infused with Spiritual Energy—which would require immense financial resources. In short, whether she could reach Foundation Establishment before she turned eighteen depended on luck and opportunity.
Upon hearing this, Grandpa Gu and Gu Qiming both breathed a sigh of relief. What was a few years’ wait? As long as the Array could be repaired, it was far better than having no leads and no hope.
Grandpa Gu laughed. "As long as we can fix the Array and get this weight off my chest, I can die without any regrets!"
"Grandpa Gu, you have to live to be a hundred!" Xiao Man blushed. She suddenly thought of Gu Shaojun. ’His progress with the Nine Revolutions Primordial Technique is so fast. I told him not to be impatient and to make sure he consolidated his cultivation step by step. I wonder how he’s doing abroad? Has he found a Spiritual Energy Source? He’s exceptionally talented, and I gave him enough supplementary elixirs before he left. Maybe when he comes back in three years, he’ll have already reached Qi Refining Perfection and advanced to Foundation Establishment. If so, he could easily repair this Guardian Array.’
"Alright! I haven’t lived nearly long enough! I’ll definitely live a long life and wait to see my precious grandchildren born and grow up!" With most of his worries gone, Grandpa Gu was in high spirits and laughed heartily.
Xiao Man followed Grandpa Gu and Gu Qiming back to the front courtyard. As she turned, she casually flicked her left hand, and a small, emerald-green Elixir Pill shot from her fingertips, falling straight into the turtle pond.
No one saw the turtle, which had been lying motionless by the side of the pond. It suddenly stretched out its neck, opened its mouth, and deftly caught the Elixir Pill. Its beady eyes instantly went wide, then narrowed slightly, as if it had just eaten some exquisite delicacy. With a look of blissful satisfaction, it shook its head for a moment before crawling to the edge of the pond, swimming into the water, and slowly sinking until it was out of sight.
’I wonder which Gu family ancestor was so incredible as to use a thousand-year-old turtle as the array’s core. If the core moves erratically, the household will naturally have no peace. Before I can find the flaw in the Guardian Array, I need to pacify the turtle first. That’s not too difficult for me. One elixir a month will take care of it. Thankfully, I can refine my own elixirs now. They may only be low-grade, but I use Spiritual Medicine from my space as a catalyst, so they’re very precious!’
’Of course, I could also use a talisman to suppress the turtle, but I don’t want to do that. The turtle has its dignity, too. Besides, it’s a thousand-year-old turtle that has already gained sentience, and it’s the guardian of the household. It’s always better to be polite.’