Starting with a Family System to Become an Immortal Official-Chapter 60: Threat and Reconciliation

The heavy doors of the private meeting chamber groaned open at last.

Gu Linyuan stepped out first as his baby-soft face wore the same faint, harmless smile it had carried for hours.

Behind him shuffled the tired old patriarch whose shoulders sagged as though he had aged another century in the span of a single incense stick.

The bustling hall fell silent in an instant.

Chopsticks froze halfway to mouths.

Wine cups hooked in the air.

Every elder rose to their feet and cupped their hands in deep bows.

Except for two beauties.

Song Yan and Chen Yuxuan remained seated.

They were too busy giving each other the meanest side-eyes one could imagine.

But even Song Yan’s eyes stuttered when she caught sight of Patriarch Zhen’s face.

The man looked hollowed out.

His usual dignified poise was nowhere to be found.

Her brow arched faintly.

『It didn’t go well...』

She was right.

Inside that sealed chamber. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Patriarch Zhen had poured out every advantage the Golden Sun Pavilion could offer. He had spoken of trade routes spanning three provinces, of spirit stone mines under their control, of his own status as Heavenly Governor of the prosperous Heavenly Sun City.

An alliance that could elevate the entire sect into the ranks of true superpowers.

Gu Linyuan had listened with polite nods... and then asked what the Patriarch’s favorite tea was.

Then if he preferred cake or red bean paste.

Every attempt to steer the conversation back to alliance terms was gently, smilingly ignored.

By the end...

Not a single meaningful word was exchanged.

The young master had simply risen and declared the meeting concluded.

He didn’t offer even a shallow cup of hands.

Now, back in the main hall.

Gu Linyuan surveyed the bowed heads with that same innocent smile.

"We’re finished for today."

He announced in his soft voice.

"Everyone may return to your peaks. Thank you for your hospitality."

A ripple of hesitation passed through the elders.

Face twitching, Patriarch Zhen leaned close to the young master’s ear.

"Young Master Gu, it is this old man who dismisses the assembly—"

Gu Linyuan turned his head just enough to meet the patriarch’s eyes.

"Hmm... I think the one with greater authority gets to decide that, doesn’t he?"

There was no raise in volume.

Only that feather-light tone.

Yet Patriarch Zhen felt a chill crawl up his spine like frost on winter glass.

The boy’s face was round and guileless, his eyes clear as morning dew, but the words carried a threat that filled the old man with sleepless nights.

Gu Linyuan faced the hall again.

"You are all dismissed."

He smiled like an angel.

This time no one hesitated.

Elders and peak masters filed out in orderly streams as they murmured farewells.

Chen Yuxuan and Gao Yue left last among them.

Only Song Yan remained.

She gracefully walked across the hall and stopped before the slumped patriarch. Without invitation, she perched herself on the edge of the long table beside his chair and crossed her long legs with pure panache.

One stylish slipper dangled from her toes.

"I can see it on your face, Patriarch. The meeting did not go well."

The old patriarch exhaled a weary breath and rubbed his wrinkled temples.

"It almost feels as though the boy deliberately wasted this old man’s time. Yet... he has no reason to toy with us like this. Perhaps I simply failed to convince him."

An amused giggle escaped Song Yan’s ruby lips. .

It left the nearby lingering servants shocked.

"There is no world in which that is true."

She followed up with a light pat on the back.

"You’ll find a solution."

The old man’s eyes suddenly lit up.

He grasped her sleeve with sudden urgency.

"Grand Elder Song! That’s it! The young master seems to have taken quite an interest in you. If you were to speak with him on our behalf—"

Song Yan slid off the table fluidly.

Her face smoothed into an expressionless look.

"That will not happen."

She turned and left without another word.

Patriarch Zhen watched her go then slumped back with a defeated sigh.

"...Worth a try."

Song Yan walked toward the main exit.

According to the latest reports,

Li Qingmu had successfully tempered his divine body to the Saint Body Realm.

If only she could tell him that cultivating so long would keep him too busy to visit anyone.

But he hadn’t sent so much as a single letter.

So how would she tell him?

She might as well be unimportant.

『Does he not care? Is he just like that?』

She placed a pale hand over her robust chest.

『I have never chased a man in my life.』

There was irritation on her pretty face.

『And now I must endure this because Father and Senior Brother insist he is valuable.』

A tiny, reluctant smile touched her lips.

『And well... he is.』

The almost-smile vanished the instant she noticed the figure waiting just beyond the exit archway.

Gu Linyuan was there with hands tucked behind.

"Oh my, it’s Auntie Song. Why the sudden frown when you see me? I only wanted to say hello."

Song Yan’s expression iced over.

She brushed past him without slowing.

"I don’t have time to play with children."

Gu Linyuan’s gentle laugh followed her.

"Nor do I have time to play with old-boned aunties but here we are. I simply wished to inform you I’m aware you hail from the Song family of Immortal Phoenix City. Should you decide to aid this little sect with Central World State cultivation resources... I will ensure the Song family is destroyed before anything meaningful can be built."

Song Yan did not stop walking.

"Forget it. I have no intention of interfering."

And she was gone.

She might be centuries his elder, but even she knew better than to provoke the current generation’s strongest scion of the Gu Clan.

No one can afford to offend him!

══════

Meanwhile, back in the tiny abode.

Li Zimo and Li Er had eaten to their fill and were now on the floor to coo over their newborn half-brother. The baby gurgled happily as two sets of small hands gently pinched his chubby cheeks.

"Boop!"

Li Zimo giggled as she pressed the baby’s nose.

"Look, Er-er, he laughs just like Ninth Brother!"

Li Er—usually solemn beyond his years—allowed a rare, soft smile

Li Er is usually solemn beyond his years.

But he allowed himself a rare smile as he tickled the infant’s belly.

After all, he really loves playing with babies.

That’s actually the main reason he got along so well with Li Zimo. Back when she was still a little baby, he was the only one who was willing to play with her and keep her company.

So, out of all Li Qingmu’s illegitimate children.

These two shared the deepest bond.

A close second would be Li Ah and Li Bei.

His stubborn twin boys.

Across the room.

Zhen Rou sat cross-legged on a cushion with a spoon in one hand and love in her beautiful eyes. She scooped another heaping portion of braised spirit pork and aimed it straight at Li Qingmu’s mouth.

This was the fourth spoonful and he hadn’t even finished chewing the first!

"Open wide, husband~"

Li Qingmu’s cheeks bulged like a squirrel’s.

He tried to swallow, coughed, and nearly choked.

Zhen Rou’s eyes widened in panic.

"Ah! Wine, wine—here!"

She thrust a cup to his lips.

He gulped desperately as his eyes watered.

After several heaving breaths, he managed a very hoarse laugh.

"Rou-er... perhaps let me feed you instead? You’ve been at this for almost an hour."

He patted his stomach in pain.

"I’m truly full."

Zhen Rou shook her head stubbornly.

"NO!"

She declared in her adorably firm voice.

"I made husband angry. Husband didn’t come see Rou-er for so long."

She took another bowl of pork from the servants.

"Rou-er must make it up properly!"

Li Qingmu reached to stroke her cheek.

"It was my fault, not yours—"

She cut him off by patting her own snowy, plush thighs invitingly.

"Come here. Rest your head on Rou-er’s lap. I want to look at husband’s handsome face up close... and massage your chest. Then—"

She bit a finger and hummed seductively.

"Then husband can take out all his frustrations on this fragile wife in the bedroom."

The room went dead silent.

Li Qingmu froze like a stone statue.

Since when is she so forward!

Zhen Rou has too much pride to say something like that unless she didn’t have a choice.

Perhaps a sexless life has made her go crazy.

Li Er and Li Zimo’s mouths dropped to look like funny little O’s as they stared with wide eyes.

Li Zimo was the first to recover.

She slapped both hands over her burning cheeks.

"SO SHAMELESS!"

Face equally red, Li Er nodded vigorously.

"Are all Father’s women so... shameless?"

Zhen Rou only covered her mouth and giggled sweetly as her eyes curved into happy crescents.

[Ding! Reunion with wife Zhen Rou successful!]

[Host has received a Stage 3 Peach Blossom Immortal Pill as a reward!]

Li Qingmu blinked at the notification, then looked down at the beautiful, blushing woman still waiting for him to lay his head in her lap.

He exhaled a long, contented sigh.

Life as a family man is unmatched!