With a heavy heart, Jin Qingyun arrived in front of the grand gate of the Gu Family Manor. At this moment, he took a deep breath and pressed the doorbell!

Buzz!

The instant he pressed the doorbell, a chime rang out immediately. Moments later, a servant dressed in a black suit came to the front of the gate. Seeing Jin Qingyun, he smiled and said, "Hello, who are you looking for?"

Although the servant had a smile on his face, there was a trace of anxiety in his voice, clearly suggesting that something was amiss.

"Hello, I'm looking for Patriarch Gu, Gu Shengzhe. Please inform him that Jin Qingyun from the Jin Family has something important to discuss with him!"

Upon hearing the servant's words, Jin Qingyun spoke, his tone filled with gravity.

Despite his heavy tone, Jin Qingyun was exceedingly polite in his speech. Although he deeply resented this matter in his heart, he had come to reconcile with the Gu Family, so he didn't want his tone to be too overbearing.

"Are you looking for the Master?"

Upon hearing Jin Qingyun's words, the servant's expression subtly changed, and there was a faintly peculiar inquiry in his voice.

Jin Qingyun wasn't a fool. He could instantly discern the anxiety in the servant's demeanor, clearly indicating that something had happened.

Could it be that something had happened to the Gu Family?!

Thinking of this, Jin Qingyun exchanged glances with the butler, then slowly turned and asked the servant, "What's going on? Has something happened to Patriarch Gu?"

These words had barely left his mouth when the servant froze momentarily, then spoke, "Indeed. Just two days ago, our eldest young master disappeared without a trace. Then the master received a phone call and asked me to book a plane ticket. Early yesterday, he flew to Lin'an City, and we haven't heard from him since. Just today, there have already been many people coming to the company looking for him!"

Buzz!

Upon hearing the servant's words, Jin Qingyun was thunderstruck!

Just two days ago, Gu Yunfei disappeared without explanation. Then, after receiving a phone call, Gu Shengzhe booked a direct flight to Lin'an City. From these happenings, it was clear that something was seriously wrong!

And the most crucial piece of information was the mention of Lin'an City!

If Gu Yunfei had disappeared without a trace, and Gu Shengzhe flew to a different city, there might still have been a glimmer of hope in this matter.

But the flight was to Lin'an City, which practically indicated that the situation was dire!

Lin'an City was precisely where Lu Yu was located, and the connection between the events—a Da Vinci code that even the dumbest person could decipher—clearly suggested that Lu Yu had kidnapped Gu Yunfei, forcing Gu Shengzhe to go to Lin'an City!

Suddenly, an ominous premonition surged within Jin Qingyun!

Prior to this, several groups he had sent had all perished in Lin'an City without exception, a phenomenon that spoke volumes about Lu Yu's strength!

And this time, with Lu Yu taking the initiative to kidnap Gu Yunfei, luring Gu Shengzhe to Lin'an City—this could only mean that Lu Yu intended to target Gu Shengzhe!

Previously, Lu Yu was always in a passive position, yet even then, those he sent were invariably killed by Lu Yu!

This time, with Lu Yu uncharacteristically taking the initiative, it indicated a level of preparedness that was bound to be foolproof!

Given that Gu Shengzhe was the head of the Gu Family, although his strength didn't match Jin Qingyun's, he wasn't weak. Lu Yu had the confidence to act against Gu Shengzhe, suggesting a high probability of succeeding in killing him!

This thought sent a chill down Jin Qingyun's spine. It was unfathomable to him that Lu Yu would dare make a move, especially against the Patriarch of the Gu Family!

The adage "lips perish, teeth grow cold" seemed apt here. Although the Gu and Jin Families were always in conflict, their overall strengths were comparable. Now, with Lu Yu daring to act against the Gu Family, Jin Qingyun felt an immense sense of fear!

If Gu Shengzhe were to die, the Gu Family would inevitably fall!

If the Gu Family were to fall, the Jin Family would be the next target without a doubt. This thought left Jin Qingyun thoroughly unnerved.

He hadn't expected such a drastic turn of events after just a few days' delay!

"Gu Yanzhou!"

In his fear, Jin Qingyun suddenly thought of Gu Yanzhou!

As a top master of the Gu Family, Gu Yanzhou was not only a master but also Gu Shengzhe's strategist. Because of this, his previous strategies against the Gu Family had been seen through by Gu Yanzhou.

Now, recalling Gu Yanzhou gave him a sense of security!

He grasped the gate of the Gu Family Manor and said, "Where is Gu Yanzhou? Is Gu Yanzhou here? I need to see Gu Yanzhou!"

At this moment, Gu Yanzhou was undoubtedly Jin Qingyun's last hope. As long as he could team up with Gu Yanzhou, there was still a chance to kill Lu Yu, a glimmer of hope to turn the tides!

Hearing Jin Qingyun's words, a hint of helplessness flickered in the servant's eyes.

The servant shook his head, looking at Jin Qingyun before saying, "Uncle Zhou headed to Lin'an City earlier and then went missing. It's been a long time now, and every day we try to call him, but still, no one answers..."

Buzz!

With this sentence, Jin Qingyun felt a tingling sensation at his head, his face full of shock and fear!

Once again, Lin'an City!

Now, despair filled Jin Qingyun's gaze. Gu Yanzhou's prolonged disappearance after heading to Lin'an City almost certainly suggested that he too had fallen to Lu Yu!

First, the Gu Family's two sons, followed by Gu Shengzhe's eldest son, then Gu Shengzhe himself, and now even Gu Yanzhou went to Lin'an City and vanished!

This Lu Yu had unknowingly eradicated the entire Gu Family!

Though he was reluctant to admit it, Jin Qingyun could not deceive himself.

Based on previous experiences, those from the Gu Family who left for Lin'an City now had a 99% chance of being dead!

The Gu Family, which had just been battling him in the marketplace, had been completely wiped out without his noticing!

Now, the Gu Family Manor seemed grand and majestic, but Jin Qingyun knew the Gu Family was utterly doomed; an estate without a master would soon be abandoned and ruined!

Thinking of this, an overwhelming feeling of despair surged within Jin Qingyun!

(End of the fifth chapter~)