When Gu Yuan heard Hun Tiandi's words, his heart sank slightly, but his expression remained unchanged. Though Hun Tiandi claimed that Hun Xiu wasn't worthy of his daughter, Gu Yuan was no fool—he clearly understood the hidden implication.
What Hun Tiandi truly meant was: "My son Hun Xiu is exceptional. Your daughter isn't worthy of him. But I do have another son—not quite as outstanding as Hun Xiu—but still more than good enough for your daughter. So what do you think?"
With a smile, Gu Yuan responded, "I still believe your son and my daughter are fated."
"Perhaps they are," Hun Tiandi replied calmly, "but fate must be matched with status. I still believe my other son, Hun Feng, is better suited for such a match."
Gu Yuan's face remained calm and smiling, but in his heart, he was cursing Hun Tiandi eight hundred times over. He had already made his intentions crystal clear, yet Hun Tiandi refused to yield even a step.
It seemed he would have to play his trump card.
This was something Hun Tiandi had forced him into.
Gu Yuan said, "Brother Hun, I wonder—if I add the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Jade from my Gu Clan to this arrangement, would that make the connection worthy enough? If not, then I suppose my daughter and your son are simply destined to be star-crossed lovers."
"…"
"It's enough. More than enough," Hun Tiandi immediately said, clearly a bit flustered and excited.
He hadn't expected Gu Yuan to be this sincere—he was even offering the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Jade. That was far beyond what Hun Tiandi had anticipated!
Gu Yuan smiled faintly. "Since that's the case, what do you say we settle this marriage alliance?"
Hun Tiandi nodded firmly. "Agreed. Your daughter Xun'er and my son Hun Xiu are simply a match made in heaven. As their fathers, how could we not bring them together? It would be an offense against the very will of the heavens."
He had completely forgotten what he had said moments earlier.
That damn Tuoshe Jade... it's so tempting, I'm ready to sell my own son.
[Hun Xiu: "Achoo! Why do I feel like someone just sold me out?"]
Gu Yuan pressed on while the iron was hot and said with a smile, "Then let's put it in writing—draft the marriage contract."
He knew exactly how valuable the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Jade was to the Eight Ancient Clans, but he believed trading it for Hun Xiu was well worth it.
After all, the Gu Clan wasn't the only one with a Tuoshe Jade.
The Xiao Clan still owed the Gu Clan one. It was about time to collect on that debt anyway.
"No rush," Hun Tiandi said, shaking his head. "Brother Gu, how do you intend to hand the Tuoshe Jade over to our Soul Clan?"
Gu Yuan replied, "When Xun'er weds, the Tuoshe Jade will go with her as part of her dowry."
"Excellent." Hun Tiandi nodded without hesitation.
He had worried that Gu Yuan was merely trying to bait him, but now it was clear the offer was real.
"Very well, then," Gu Yuan said. "But I have one condition—Xun'er and Hun Xiu's firstborn child must take the Gu surname. You know I have no sons, only one daughter. My Gu Clan still needs an heir, after all."
"Agreed." Hun Tiandi nodded.
[Hun Xiu: "I haven't even grown hair down there and you're already planning my marriage? Wow, thanks for nothing."]
Gu Yuan was practically giving away his daughter, the Tuoshe Jade, and even the future of the Gu Clan. Hun Tiandi honestly couldn't find a reason to refuse.
Such a good deal—how could he not take it? The Soul Clan and his son were benefiting immensely. He almost felt guilty.
"In that case, let's draft the marriage contract!"
"Agreed!"
"Someone, bring paper and ink!" Hun Tiandi shouted joyfully.
He hadn't felt this satisfied in a long time. Gu Yuan was handing him treasures on a silver platter—it would be harder not to accept.
Not long after, the contract was drawn up.
Thus, the Gu and Soul Clans officially became allies—or so it appeared. In truth, this so-called alliance was nothing more than a marriage contract.
The two clans would still remain guarded against one another.
On the surface, they would remain cordial, but beneath it all—they were still enemies. That wouldn't change.
Once the document was completed and exchanged, both men burst out in hearty laughter.
But deep down, each had their own agenda.
From Hun Tiandi's perspective, within twenty years he would have the Tuoshe Jade from the Gu Clan without ever raising an army. And his son would have a prestigious fiancée raised in another clan—like a daughter-in-law grown in someone else's garden.
He'd seen Gu Yuan's wife before—a soft and graceful woman. His daughter couldn't be too bad either. It was a win-win situation.
From Gu Yuan's point of view, he had gained a remarkable future son-in-law. After all, many powerful men were famously obedient to their wives. As long as his daughter could keep Hun Xiu in check, no matter how arrogant the genius of the Soul Clan might become, in the end, he would still fall into the hands of the Gu Clan.
And all it had cost was a single Tuoshe Jade.
Both men believed they had scored the better deal.
That night.
Hun Tiandi summoned Hun Xiu to his study.
"Father," Hun Xiu greeted him with a respectful bow.
Hun Tiandi nodded and looked at the young boy. "Xiu'er, do you know why I've called you here?"
"I don't," Hun Xiu replied, shaking his head.
Hun Tiandi continued, "Then do you know who the visitor was today?"
"Still no idea," Hun Xiu replied, again shaking his head.
Although he was ninety percent certain it had been Gu Yuan, the patriarch of the Gu Clan, he couldn't say so aloud.
After all, he was only seven years old, and his every move was under Hun Tiandi's watchful eye. He had never even left the Soul Clan compound—how could he possibly know about Gu Yuan?
If he said the wrong thing and Hun Tiandi found out the truth, he could be killed on the spot. Imagine that—other people who transmigrated became protagonists. He transmigrated only to get killed by his own cheap father for being suspicious. That would be the most embarrassing story in transmigration history.
Hun Tiandi then took out the marriage contract they had signed earlier and placed it on the table.
He said, "The man who came today is named Gu Yuan—the patriarch of the Gu Clan. He's a powerful figure, much like your father. Of course, still a little weaker than me."
"Ah…"
Hun Xiu opened his mouth slightly in feigned shock—just wide enough to fit a sausage.
With mock surprise, he said, "So that man was the patriarch of the Gu Clan? Someone as powerful as you, Father?"
Hun Tiandi, pleased with his son's reaction, nodded and said, "That's right. And this is exactly why I summoned you."
"Come here. Take a look at this paper."
"Okay!"
With a dazed expression, Hun Xiu walked over to the desk and picked up the sheet.
"M-Marriage contract…?"