Reverend Insanity - Fate Devourer

The atmosphere in the Clan head's chamber was suffocating.

Gu Yue Bo sat at the head of the room, his expression as heavy as the silence. On either side of him, a dozen elders flanked the table, their faces hardened with anger.

Breaking the tension, Gu Yue Bo directed his gaze at one of the elders. "Gu Yue Yao Ji," he said, his voice steady but taut, "you are the clan's number one healer. Tell me—how is Fang Zheng?"

The elder he addressed was an old woman with a hunched back, her face etched with deep, bark-like wrinkles. She coughed twice, her movements deliberate as though weighed down by age and responsibility.

"Reporting to the clan head," she began, her voice raspy but firm, "Fang Zheng's condition has stabilized. His life is no longer in danger, and he remains asleep. Most importantly," she added, a hint of relief coloring her tone, "his talent has not diminished."

A wave of tension visibly lifted from Gu Yue Bo's shoulders. "Good. If his talent remains intact, that is all that matters." He turned to another elder seated further down the table. "Punishment hall elder, has the assassin's situation been assessed?"

The addressed elder, younger and more vigorous than Yao Ji, immediately rose to his feet. He lowered his head as he replied, "Yes, clan head. The assassin appears to be male, approximately thirty-five years old, identity unknown. Likely a demonic faction Gu Master. He utilized two Gu worms—Shadow Follower Gu and Love Life Separation."

Gu Yue Bo's expression darkened. "The Love Life Separation Gu… The number one poison among Rank 2s. No wonder he was able to kill three of my Gu Masters. And with Shadow Follower Gu, his retreat would have been swift and nearly impossible to trace."

The elder seated to Gu Yue Bo's left, Gu Yue Mo Chen, interjected coldly. "This doesn't resemble the handiwork of the Bai or Xiong clans' pawns. He is more likely an unaffiliated demonic Gu Master, perhaps seeking to curry favor with one of the clans by assassinating Fang Zheng as proof of loyalty. Regardless, the Bai and Xiong clans are surely involved in some way."

Gu Yue Bo nodded grimly but said nothing further, his mind deep in thought. Meanwhile, the elders murmured amongst themselves, the room thick with speculation.

At that moment, the academy elder entered the chamber.

"Clan head..." The academy elder's face was strained, his voice hesitant as he began to speak.

Gu Yue Bo raised a hand, cutting him off. "The boy is fine," he said, his tone firm. "Fang Zheng remains A-grade, and his injuries will heal. However, we did lose one of the students, didn't we?"

The academy elder's shoulders sagged briefly in relief before his expression tightened again. "Yes," he admitted grimly. "After the attack on Fang Zheng, the exam had to be stopped. While the supervising Gu Masters were distracted, Gu Yue Chi Cheng was severely injured during a wolf ambush. And… one of his group, Gu Yue Qin, did not survive. By all accounts, the boy sacrificed himself to give Chi Cheng the chance to escape."

He hesitated for a moment, his frown deepening. "Afterwards, Elder Chi Lian personally eradicated the wolves in the area." The academy elder's lips pressed into a thin line as he recalled Chi Lian's fury during the aftermath. It had been understandable—his grandson had nearly died, after all.

Gu Yue Bo leaned back in his chair, his face a mask of stoicism. A soft hum escaped him, a reflexive gesture born from decades of leadership. He wasn't a heartless man, but time and countless deaths had dulled his capacity for grief. Gu Yue Qin's sacrifice was tragic, yes, but the boy had been C-grade—one among hundreds. His loss didn't carry the same weight as Fang Zheng's near demise, an A-grade genius whose potential could shape the clan's future.

What lingered in Gu Yue Bo's mind wasn't the loss of Qin but the repercussions for Chi Cheng. Witnessing a comrade's death could leave scars far deeper than physical wounds. Yet, perhaps it wasn't entirely a bad thing. Adversity had a way of forging strength in those who survived it. Chi Cheng might emerge from this stronger, hardened by the trauma of loss. Or he might break.

Time would tell.

"I see," Gu Yue Bo said at last, his voice steady and deep, cutting through the room like a blade. Rising from his seat, he commanded the attention of everyone present. His golden robes shimmered faintly in the dim light, their intricate patterns marking his status as the clan leader and a peak Rank 4 Gu Master. Despite the creases of age etched into his face, his presence remained as imposing as ever.

"Adversity is the forge in which strength is tempered," he declared, his words resonating with authority. "As the Legends of Ren Zu teach us, struggle shapes the path forward. Ren Zu himself paid with his life to obtain the Strength Gu, sacrificing everything so his children could endure. So too must we learn from the sacrifices of others, for their trials light the way for those who follow."

 Though the speech was more posturing than conviction—a small effort to bolster morale—it had the desired effect. The elders nodded solemnly, their expressions firming with resolve.

Gu Yue Bo turned his sharp gaze to the academy elder.

 "Ensure that the students learn from this incident," he commanded, his tone brooking no argument. "And see that precautions are taken to prevent such lapses in the future. The clan cannot afford another oversight of this magnitude."

With a final glance around the room, he waved a hand dismissively. "You are excused."