The whole Gu family turned to look at him.

Mr. Gu's brows furrowed. "What did you say?"

Long Yifan repeated, "I know about the Black Serpent organization. I know their roots, their branches, their leaders. If you want, I can deal with them for you."

The words dropped like a thunderclap.

Mr. Gu immediately shook his head firmly. "No. That will not do. The Black Serpent harmed my family. It is our matter. I, as the head of the Gu family, will handle it myself. We will take revenge with our own hands."

But Long Yifan did not back down. He stepped forward, his eyes steady.

"Uncle Gu, you may see this as your family matter, but you forget one thing. I am Gu Jin's fiancé. If someone targets her, then it becomes my duty too. I cannot sit and watch."

Gu Jin's lips twitched. She rolled her eyes. "Fiancé, fiancé. You use that word as if it gives you the right to stick your nose into everything I do. I do not need your help."

Long Yifan turned his gaze toward her. His tone was calm but carried a strange weight.

"Jin'er, you are underestimating Black Serpent. They are not just some small gang that can be crushed with a snap of fingers. Their scale is far larger than you imagine. If the Gu family tries to handle them alone, you will not succeed. The price will be too great. Better let me handle it."

The room became quiet again.

Gu Jin stared at him for a long moment. His words made sense, but there was something else. As she looked at him, her chest suddenly tightened. His posture, his calm voice, even the faint smile on his lips… it all felt strangely familiar.

Her eyes narrowed. "Long Yifan… have we met before? I cannot remember, but I keep feeling that I have seen you somewhere. Your way of speaking, your way of acting… it is familiar to me."

The question made Long Yifan's body stiffen. For the first time, his calm mask cracked. His eyes widened for just a second before he quickly covered it up with a forced laugh.

"You must be mistaken," he said quickly, shaking his head. "You are overthinking. Maybe you saw someone who looked like me. That is all."

Gu Jin tilted her head, unconvinced, but she did not press.

Long Yifan immediately turned to the Gu family. "We can talk more later. Right now, we should plan how to deal with Black Serpent. They are not hiding in the dark forever. I know where some of their bases are."

Mr. Gu nodded reluctantly. "Very well. If you truly have information, then we shall listen."

So the discussion began.

For days, Gu Jin, Long Yifan, and the Gu family worked together. They gathered information from spies, allies, and secret sources.

They searched for the roots of Black Serpent. The organization was like a poisonous weed, spreading underground in every direction.

In one meeting, Gu Jihu slammed the table. "I found out they are using illegal alchemy to strengthen their people. They buy slaves and experiment on them."

Gu Jichun clenched her fists. "Monsters. We cannot let them continue!"

Long Yifan nodded. "I already suspected this. They have branches in five cities. But the real headquarters is outside the border, in a hidden valley."

Gu Jin leaned forward. "How do you know this?"

Long Yifan's lips curved slightly. "I have been watching them for years. Do you think I came here empty handed?"

Gu Jin's eyes studied him, suspicion still in her heart. But she said nothing.

Finally, after half a month, they gathered enough evidence. Documents, names, secret deals, even proof of killings and kidnappings.

Mr. Gu held up the thick files. "With this, the world cannot deny their crimes. But who should we send it to?"

Long Yifan answered calmly. "The International Magic Council. Only they have the power to act across borders and destroy the organization completely."

Gu Jishi hesitated. "But if we hand everything over to them, do we not lose our chance at personal revenge?"

Gu Jin shook her head. "No. Revenge is not just killing with our own hands. Revenge is making sure they vanish from the world forever. If the Council wipes them out, that will be the greatest revenge."

Her voice was steady, and the others slowly nodded in agreement.

The next morning, they traveled together to the nearest branch office of the International Magic Council. It was a tall silver building, guarded by mages in shining uniforms.

At the entrance, an officer stopped them. "State your purpose."

Mr. Gu stepped forward with dignity. "We are here to report a criminal organization. The Black Serpent."

The officer's face changed. He nodded quickly and guided them inside.

They were taken to a large hall where council representatives sat behind a long table. One of them, an old man with white hair, looked down at them. "You claim to have evidence?"

Long Yifan handed over the files. "Everything is inside. Locations, crimes, members. You can check for yourself."

The council members opened the files. Their faces grew serious as they read. Whispers spread among them.

"This is huge…"

"They even infiltrated the southern army…"

"They must be eradicated immediately!"

The white-haired elder slammed the table. "Enough. The evidence is clear. Black Serpent is hereby declared a world-class threat. The Council will move at once."

Within days, the whole magical world shook. The International Magic Council deployed thousands of soldiers and top-level cultivators.

Cities were locked down, trade routes blocked, and one by one, Black Serpent's hidden branches were destroyed.

News spread quickly.

In the Gu mansion, Jichun ran in holding a newspaper. "Father! Sister! Look! Another branch of Black Serpent was destroyed last night!"

Mr. Gu's face broke into a rare smile. "Good. Very good. The heavens are finally giving us justice."

Long Yifan stood by the window, his eyes calm but sharp. "It will not take long. The Council is efficient. Within weeks, Black Serpent will no longer exist."

He was right.

Two weeks later, the final report came. Black Serpent's headquarters had been raided. Their leaders killed or captured. Their bases burned to the ground.

The poisonous weed was finally pulled out.

That night, the Gu family gathered in their hall. The atmosphere was lighter than it had been in years.

Mr. Gu raised a cup of wine. "To the end of Black Serpent! To the survival of our family!"

Everyone cheered.

Gu Jin sat quietly, her eyes reflecting the firelight. For the first time in a long while, her heart felt a little lighter.

Long Yifan leaned closer, whispering so only she could hear. "See? I told you. With me here, you will always be safe."

Gu Jin rolled her eyes again, but her lips curved into the faintest smile. "Do not get too proud. I still think you are suspicious."

Long Yifan chuckled softly. "Then keep watching me. Maybe one day, you will find your answer."

Gu Jin only rolled her eyes at Long Yifan the night before. She did not want to argue. She was tired, and her mind was filled with other thoughts.

The next day was more important. The Gu family was going to the ancestral hall to worship their ancestors.

The Gu family was very traditional. Every year, they prayed to their ancestors, thanking them for the protection and blessings given to the family.

This time, it was different. Gu Jin had officially returned to the family. To honor this, the elders wanted to make the ceremony even more grand.

The next morning, the Gu family left together in carriages. The road stretched long until they finally reached the ancestral hall.

The ancestral hall stood tall and wide. Its roof was painted red and gold, with dragons carved on the corners.

Thick incense smoke drifted from inside, carrying the smell of sandalwood. Rows of stone lions guarded the gate, and the place felt solemn and heavy.

Gu Jin stepped down and looked at the building. Her face was calm, but inside she felt strange. Compared to the Gu Mansion, this place felt different.

Seeing her lost expression, Gu Jichun quickly walked behind her and smiled.

"Elder Sister, this hall is not like the mansion," she said gently.

"This is where all our ancestors are honored. Every portrait inside belongs to a fighter who gave everything for the Gu family. Without them, our family would not exist today. All the wealth and strength we enjoy is built on their blood."

Gu Jin listened quietly. After a pause, she nodded. "So soon, we will see their photos?"

"Yes," Jichun replied with a smile. She reached out and pulled Gu Jin's sleeve. "Come inside. I will show you."

Jichun knew very well that her elder sister's emotions were cold. Gu Jin often lived without caring for the world.

Jichun's heart ached for her, so she thought showing their ancestors' faces might give her sister a sense of connection.

She believed that when people found connections in this world, they would not easily think of leaving it.

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