Chapter 1: The Peak of Life

Great Liang State, Imperial Capital Jinling.

In the garden of a spacious mansion, a man wearing what looked to be luxurious silk clothing was lying on a rocking chair. On his left, a beautiful maidservant in green attire was gently fanning him with a fan. On his right, a beautiful maidservant in white held a glass cup with a straw.

“Xiaobai, give me a sip.”

“Young Master, here~ ah~”

Gu Lanyuan opened his mouth slightly, and the maidservant placed the straw into his mouth.

Gu Lanyuan took a sip: “Sssha, this grape juice is a bit sour today.”

Xiaobai hurriedly asked: “Ah? Should I change it for another cup, Young Master?”

Gu Lanyuan waved his hand: “Forget it, although it’s a bit sour, it’s still acceptable. Xiaoqing, it’s not that hot now, you don’t need to fan me anymore, you should also take a rest.”

Xiaoqing smiled sweetly at Gu Lanyuan: “Young Master, you are so kind~”

Gu Lanyuan basked in the sun comfortably: “Ah~ This is life~”

Gu Lanyuan was filled with emotion in his heart.

In his past life, he worked like an ox and a horse, but in this life, he had directly reached the pinnacle of life.

He must have done many good deeds in his past life to be able to be reincarnated so well in this life.

However, he probably didn’t finish drinking the Meng Po Soup, so his memories remained.

With Gu Lanyuan’s current identity, he could completely walk sideways in the Great Liang State.

Gu Lanyuan’s grandfather was the Sect Master of the Qinglanjian Sect, the number one national-protecting grand sect of the Great Liang State.

His father was the Grand Marshal, one of the Three Dukes of the Great Liang State, and shared an exceptionally close relationship with the Emperor, having grown up together as childhood friends.

His mother was the eldest daughter of the Nangong Clan, the number one noble family of the Great Liang State.

Gu Lanyuan’s elder brother was also a Chariot and Cavalry General of the Great Liang State, holding a status second only to the Grand General and the Cavalry General.

Gu Lanyuan’s identity was simply rock-solid; as long as he was in the Great Liang State, his name alone would carry immense weight.

The fact that Gu Lanyuan’s grandfather was a Sect Master meant that this world allowed for cultivation.

The martial artists of this world were divided into five realms, with the first nine ranks leading up to the First-Rank Grandmaster, followed by the five realms: Profound Clarity, Selflessness, Willful Intent, Void Breaking, and Dao Integration.

However, Gu Lanyuan had no intention of cultivating. Everyone’s pursuits in life are different, and Gu Lanyuan wanted to thoroughly enjoy his life.

Originally, Gu Lanyuan had a cheat. While strolling down the street, he had inexplicably picked up the Hetu Luoshu, one of the Twenty-One Spirit Covenant Artifacts.

The so-called Twenty-One Spirit Covenant Artifacts were said to have been forged by Ou Yezi, the most powerful forging grandmaster of ancient times. Using the bodies of Fierce Beasts or Spirit Beasts and various rare materials, he had poured his lifelong blood and sweat into forging 21 special artifacts. Each artifact possessed a unique ability, and they were known as the Twenty-One Spirit Covenant Artifacts.

As one of the Twenty-One Spirit Covenant Artifacts, the Hetu Luoshu was rumored to have been forged by Ou Yezi using the horn of the Spirit Beast Bai Ze, which could speak, understand the emotions of all things, and know the affairs of ghosts and gods. It could foresee future events and provide the most reasonable advice to its owner.

From the Hetu Luoshu, Gu Lanyuan learned that he was a villain, and correspondingly, there would be an opponent. Archrivals complemented each other, helping each other improve.

And Gu Lanyuan belonged to the villain’s side, while his opponent was the righteous faction.

The Hetu Luoshu suggested that Gu Lanyuan use his existing resources and talent to improve his strength as much as possible, preparing in advance to fight the upcoming opponent.

Moreover, Gu Lanyuan was not the only one with an archrival in this world; there were many others like him.

And the Hetu Luoshu told Gu Lanyuan that at a certain point in the future, the most mysterious Spirit Covenant would appear.

And this Spirit Covenant could grant its owner one wish.

So why was it said that Gu Lanyuan originally had the Hetu Luoshu?

Because he had thrown it away.

And the reason… Gu Lanyuan came to enjoy life. Cultivating was so tiring.

As long as he didn’t do bad things and didn’t go against the righteous faction, wouldn’t that be fine?

Gu Lanyuan had his own set of theories.

Why did villains always lose? It was because they couldn’t control their lower bodies. Therefore… Gu Lanyuan made a decision that went against his ancestors.

That was to become an abstinent type of man!

Enjoyment wasn’t just about sex. As long as he controlled his lower body, no matter how they tempted him, it would be useless!

If this still couldn’t avoid it, then never mind.

One should enjoy life to the fullest while they can. Live in the moment; whatever happens in the future, he will deal with it then. As long as he was happy now, it was fine.

“You rebellious son! You’re wasting time here again!”

Gu Lanyuan, who was on a rocking chair, shuddered. He hurriedly rose from the rocking chair, made a few pretentious gestures, and then pretended to be out of breath.

At the garden gate, a man wearing court attire, looking very stern, glared at Gu Lanyuan with a face full of rage.

And this man was Gu Lanyuan’s father, Gu Mingmu.

Gu Lanyuan said while panting, “Old, Old Dad, I’m not wasting time, I’ve been cultivating all along~ Xiaobai and Xiaoqing can testify for me!”

“I… I…”

Xiaobai and Xiaoqing lowered their heads, their lips quivering without speaking.

The two of them could lie to anyone, but not to their own master.

Gu Mingmu strode over to Gu Lanyuan in three steps and shoved his fingers directly into Gu Lanyuan’s hairline.

Gu Mingmu sneered with rage, “Cultivating the whole time? You’re really impressive, aren’t you? You haven’t broken a single drop of sweat.”

Gu Lanyuan’s eyes darted around. “Oh, right, I have a constitution that doesn’t sweat easily! Yes, that’s right!”

Smack

Gu Mingmu slapped Gu Lanyuan on the head, and the pain made Gu Lanyuan crouch on the ground, clutching his head.

Gu Mingmu sneered, “A constitution that doesn’t sweat easily? Then why is your forehead covered in sweat right now?”

Gu Lanyuan rubbed his head desperately. “Old man, if you hit me like this, what if you damage my brain!”

Seeing Gu Lanyuan’s lazy posture, Gu Mingmu’s anger flared up again. “It’s because I didn’t beat you enough when you were young, and your mother spoiled you rotten! Why can’t you learn from your brother? He’s already a Chariot-and-Horse General, having won so many victories for our Great Liang State, while you? All you know is eating, drinking, and playing!”

Gu Lanyuan stood up and pursed his lips, saying, “My brother is a favored child of heaven. Isn’t it enough for the family to have one awesome person? If I were also awesome, wouldn’t we probably have conflicts when the family property is divided in the future? I won’t take any family property. Anyway, my brother will support me in the future. Won’t that eliminate all family conflicts?”

Gu Mingmu stared at Gu Lanyuan with wide eyes, “Gu Lanyuan! I, your old man, am not dead yet! How dare you say such rebellious words. See if I don’t beat you to death today!”

Gu Mingmu directly pulled out his belt. Seeing this, Gu Lanyuan took off running, begging for mercy as he ran.

“Old man, I was wrong! I was really wrong! Ah!”

As a non-martial artist, Gu Lanyuan was immediately caught by Gu Mingmu, who whipped him on the buttocks with the belt.

Xiaobai and Xiaoqing watched, sweating profusely.

“Sister Bai, what should we do?”

“In this situation, we can only go invite the Madam. Let’s hurry, or the young master will be beaten into self-isolation again!”

Xiaobai and Xiaoqing hurriedly left the garden to find Gu Lanyuan’s mother.