Chapter 36.1 What’s going on?
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Highly intelligent people like Gu Xuyu tend to pick up unfamiliar things quickly, so he narrowed his eyes and swiftly learned the method taught by Lin Zhaohe. In no time, he began operating on his own.
The spell of games was unmatched. In the past, Lin Zhaohe himself was a gaming enthusiast, capable of staying locked in his dormitory for an entire week, completely engrossed, with dark circles around his eyes as if on the verge of collapsing from exhaustion.
However, that was all in the past. Since the integration, Lin Zhaohe had scarcely touched games. After all, each of his preferences could potentially inflict tangible harm upon three-dimensional human beings.
Presently, all game consoles were out of production. The only games available were simple ones like puzzle games. It was surprising to find such an overlooked exception in Gu Xuyu’s residence.
“Well, Mr. Gu, why don’t you go ahead and play,” Zhuang Lao suggested. “Xiao He and I will take our leave. If you need anything, just give him a call… You do know how to use the phone, right?”
Gu Xuyu murmured in agreement and added, “No need for a farewell.”
Lin Zhaohe and Zhuang Lao exited the apartment, exchanging a brief look that implied their relief in how easily they could handle Gu Xuyu.
“Xiao He, I’ll head back now. You stay with Gu Xuyu for these few days and attend to his recovery,” Zhuang Lao spoke warmly. “If you need anything, just give me a call.”
Lin Zhaohe nodded, acknowledging Zhuang Lao’s request. Only after Zhuang Lao departed did Lin Zhaohe suddenly realize that Zhuang Lao hadn’t used his name but instead referred to him as Xiao He.
UWU… It felt strangely sweet to Lin Zhaohe, causing his face to redden in embarrassment.
Gu Xuyu was quite easy to take care of. Despite indulging in games all night, he didn’t disturb Lin Zhaohe.
It was in the morning when Lin Zhaohe received the first phone call.
“Hello, Mr. Gu,” Lin Zhaohe answered Gu Xuyu’s call, still half-asleep. “Is there something you need?”
“Come upstairs,” Gu Xuyu said.
Lin Zhaohe ascended the stairs and arrived at Gu Xuyu’s place. Initially, he thought Gu Xuyu needed assistance or had some queries. To his surprise, Gu Xuyu pointed confidently at the screen and addressed Lin Zhaohe, “I can’t defeat this level. Is there any solution?”
Lin Zhaohe focused his gaze and discovered it was a tremendously challenging boss from an action game. He had played the game in the past, but time had eroded his memory of it. Nevertheless, it was quite extraordinary for Gu Xuyu to have reached this stage with a shirtless character who wielded beginner-level weapons obtained from the starting village.
Lin Zhaohe said, “You should go and craft some equipment. Didn’t the previous boss drop items for you? Like this…”
The two of them engaged in a lively discussion, with the atmosphere becoming animated. Taking Lin Zhaohe’s advice to heart, Gu Xuyu began crafting his own equipment.
His attitude towards Lin Zhaohe softened considerably, no longer exhibiting the untouchable air he had when they first met.
Lin Zhaohe wasn’t particularly bothered by that. He continued explaining to Gu Xuyu that the weapon needed to be paired with another set of runes to achieve a satisfying effect in battles.
While they were engrossed in conversation, there came a knocking sound at the door.
“Who could it be?”
Gu Xuyu’s expression tensed. “It should be someone looking for me.”
Lin Zhaohe found it quite strange. Gu Xuyu had only moved into the house less than a day ago, and yet someone was already seeking him out? He glanced through the peephole and indeed saw an unfamiliar man. The man softly called out, “Master,” from behind the door.
Ah, it seemed to be Gu Xuyu’s disciple. However, judging from Gu Xuyu’s attitude, it appeared that he wasn’t very welcoming towards this person.
Lin Zhaohe glanced at Gu Xuyu, silently asking if he should open the door. Gu Xuyu’s expression remained blank as he motioned with his hand, and the door opened. In a cold tone, he asked, “What is it?” This detached manner and demeanor were completely different from how he had discussed with Lin Zhaohe just moments ago.
“Master,” the person’s face initially displayed joy. However, upon seeing Lin Zhaohe, his expression immediately turned gloomy, only to swiftly regain composure. The rapid change made Lin Zhaohe question if he was experiencing an illusion.
“Master, didn’t your disciple find you a house?” the man said, “Why did you end up living here?” He looked disdainfully at the room, “It’s so small and old, how can it befit the master?”
Lin Zhaohe felt wronged. This is the best condition our home has to offer. And yet this person showed such rudeness right from the start. Gu Xuyu continued staring at the screen, expressionless, showing no intention of acknowledging the man.
The man continued, “Master, I know of a place…”
“Either shut up,” Gu Xuyu interrupted him, “or get out.”
The man instantly shut up.
He turned his head to look at Lin Zhaohe, and the hatred in his eyes sent a shiver down Lin Zhaohe’s spine. Lin Zhaohe wondered if this person had some sort of issues, as he stared at him as if he were a rival.
After being shouted at by Gu Xuyu, the man remained quiet, sitting next to them and watching Gu Xuyu play the game.
Lin Zhaohe felt somewhat redundant and contemplated whether to leave, when suddenly, there was another knock on the door.
“Friend…” This time it was one of Gu Xuyu’s friends, a different person but with the same attitude. However, this time it wasn’t Lin Zhaohe who received the piercing gaze, but Gu Xuyu’s disciple.
The two of them stared at each other, tension thick in the air, making Lin Zhaohe genuinely afraid that they might suddenly start fighting and demolish the house.
Clearly sensing something amiss, Gu Xuyu paused his grip on the controller and sternly rebuked, “What’s gotten into you two?”
“Master.”
“Friend.” As the two spoke, the sound of a third knock on the door echoed.
Lin Zhaohe was dumbfounded when he went to open the door. This time, standing outside were a pair of twins.
Well, now things have gotten lively. With four people, they could gather around a mahjong table. Lin Zhaohe couldn’t help but laugh and cry, thinking that Gu Xuyu’s popularity was unexpectedly good. It was nothing like the image of a reclusive cultivator depicted in novels.
“It’s too noisy,” Gu Xuyu’s temples were pulsing with veins. He was practically gritting his teeth. “All of you, get out.”
The group remained motionless in their seats.
“Don’t force me to take action,” Gu Xuyu said coldly.
When he came over, his cultivation had already reached perfection. He simply didn’t want to use it. If he really made a move, none of these people would be his match.
Perhaps Gu Xuyu’s attitude was too domineering. His disciples and friends were all intimidated by his gaze and couldn’t help but stand up.
“Get out!” Gu Xuyu’s reprimand was accompanied by the deployment of his cultivation, causing the others’ eardrums to ache.
The group exchanged glances and saw surprise in each other’s eyes. They all whispered their agreement and slowly exited the room.
Lin Zhaohe was startled. He had originally intended to leave, but he was stopped by Gu Xuyu. “I didn’t say you should go.”
Lin Zhaohe: “…” Clearly, the overly special treatment drew a crowd of astonished glares towards Lin Zhaohe, which quickly transformed into anger. Lin Zhaohe felt like he was being ignited by the gazes of these individuals. He could even read one sentence from their eyes: “Why do you get to stay?”
Lin Zhaohe felt uneasy under their scrutiny, experiencing a bizarre sensation as if he had been caught in an affair.
Gu Xuyu wasn’t in the mood to be lenient. He slammed the table, causing it to shatter into pieces. His voice turned cold as he said, “Get out!”
The others didn’t dare hesitate upon witnessing this scene. They hurriedly closed the door. They even had a terrifying illusion that if they walked too slowly, Gu Xuyu would actually kill them.
In an instant, the once lively room became empty, leaving behind a disheveled Lin Zhaohe and the shattered remnants of the table.
“Sit,” Gu Xuyu said. After the others left, he returned to his previous calm demeanor and pointed to the sofa. “Let’s continue.”
Lin Zhaohe: “…” He felt that something seemed off about the situation.
The strange attitudes of these disciples and friends towards Gu Xuyu were truly puzzling. Lin Zhaohe couldn’t help but ask a few questions.
Surprisingly, Gu Xuyu himself was also perplexed. “It is indeed strange. Upon arriving in this world, if it weren’t for my unchanged soul, I would suspect they’ve been possessed by someone else.” He picked up the controller and analyzed the situation with Lin Zhaohe while battling monsters. “Did they come here too early and get influenced by this world?”
Lin Zhaohe: “If it were just one person affected, it could be explained, but the problem is that so many people are influenced together… Could there be some other reason…”
Gu Xuyu: “You’re right. What could be the reason?”
Lin Zhaohe: “How is your relationship with your disciples?”
Gu Xuyu: “It’s pretty good.” He paused for a moment and continued, “The eldest disciple is the one I’ve raised since childhood, so we are very close. The second disciple joined later, but has exceptional talent and can inherit my teachings… As for the third disciple…”
Gu Xuyu was well aware of the situation with his disciples. It seemed that their relationship was quite good, but… why were their attitudes so qeird?
Lin Zhaohe and Gu Xuyu racked their brains but couldn’t figure it out.
The topic came to an end, and the two decided to continue playing the game, leaving other matters for later.
Time flew when playing games. Before they knew it, it was already evening. Lin Zhaohe called upstairs for Little Red Square, and the three of them enjoyed a large order of takeout pizza together.
When Gu Xuyu saw Little Red Square, he was surprised and asked if it was Lin Zhaohe’s magical tool.
Lin Zhaohe quickly introduced Little Red Square as his roommate, and thus, Gu Xuyu was introduced to a game called “Block Crush” while getting to know Little Red Square…
“It seems interesting,” Gu Xuyu said, his gaze fixed on his phone, forgetting to eat his meal.
Lin Zhaohe said, “Then you go ahead and play. I’m going back to sleep…”
Gu Xuyu waved his hand dismissively.
When Lin Zhaohe returned home, he received a phone call from Zhuang Lao. During the call, Zhuang Lao asked about the events of the day.
“His disciples seem to have a problem with me,” Lin Zhaohe said. “It feels strange, as if they particularly dislike me…”
Zhuang Lao: “Dislike you?”
Lin Zhaohe: “Never mind, maybe I’m just overthinking. I’ll observe the situation a little longer.”
Zhuang Lao didn’t press further and inquired about Lin Zhaohe’s wound before hanging up the phone. Lin Zhaohe lay on his bed, gazing at the ghostly figure on the ceiling, and gradually drifted off into slumber.
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Do his disciples like him ????