Times Are Not Changing?

On one of the many slopes that littered Qing Mao Mountain, stood gu masters representing each of the mountain clans. The atmosphere was dense with tension, as the clansmen locked eyes, filled with suspicion and malice towards one another.

At a circular table, sat the leaders of the Xiong, Bai, and Gu Yue clan.

Blood seeped from the tightly clenched fist of the Bai clan leader, his expression filled with anger and frustration.

Gu Yue Bo's forehead creased deeply with a frown, his face etched with concern.

Gu Yue Bo carefully read the contract repeatedly, his gaze fixed on the document. "So, if every person present here signs this contract and you activate the Sealed Lips Gu, all recent events involving your Xiong clan will become forbidden to discuss?"

A forced smile spread across Xiong's face. "In exchange, we will provide you with mortals to compensate for your recent losses," he said.

Gu Yue Bo questioned Xiong, "But what measures will you take to ensure that you will fulfill your end of the bargain?"

Xiong produced a Poison Vow Gu from his belongings, before stating, "If all members present here from the Gu Yue clan and the Bai clan sign this contract and allow Sealed Lips Gu to activate without any hindrance, then I pledge to offer three villages worth of mortals to both clans." As he finished speaking, Xiong activated The Poison Vow Gu, letting it reside in his heart.

Gu Yue Bo heaved a long sigh, knowing that he had little choice in the matter. A war with the Xiong clan seemed increasingly unfeasible and would inevitably result in immense losses. With a heavy heart, he bit his thumb and used the blood to stamp the paper, indicating his agreement.

"Fucking hell!" The Bai clan leader cursed loudly, slamming his fist onto the table, causing it to crack like a spiderweb. He then slowly calmed down, his shoulders heaving up and down while his teeth ground together. Finally, he stamped the paper using his fist now dripping with blood from the impact on the table, before shouting, "There! Can we be done with this?"

"Almost, remember, each gu master present here must sign it," Xiong reminded them with a smile, though his eyes held an empty expression. It was as if the matter was of little importance to him.

Bai ground his teeth in frustration at the sight.

Gu Yue Bo raised his arm, summoning all of his men to sign the paper, one by one.

Shortly after, the Bai clan followed suit, with each of their members signing the document with their heads slumped down.

Once all the signatures were collected, the Sealed Lips Gu was activated. It floated above the paper and swallowed it, and everyone present could feel their hearts pounding in their chests as the Gu slowly chewed the paper. It was a tense moment, as all it would take was one person to destroy the Gu before it finished its task, but nobody dared to make a move.

After what felt like an eternity, the Sealed Lips Gu finished eating the paper and flew from person to person, touching their lips before moving on to the next person. The Gu wasn't life-threatening, but rather it ensured that nobody could speak of or plot to share the information that had been sealed.

Xiong turned around and walked away without a word, as there was no point in staying any longer now that his mission was completed.

Nearby, 001 watched the whole scene while going through his newly made list of plans:

Purchase mortals in bulk from nearby caravans.

Repopulate the villages of the Gu Yue and Bai clans with the acquired mortals.

Increase the population of Lightning Wolves.

Gather more information about the entity responsible for balancing things.