More than Just an A-Grade.

{Xiong Clan's forest}

In a large clearing surrounded by trees are three gu masters, Gu Yue Bo, Gu Yue Mo Chen, and Gu Yue Chi Lian, at the edge of the clearing in the trees are 001 and Ran Kree.

[Why isn't he moving?] ~ Chi Lian was getting impatient, they had set up a tricky trap, using a rank-3 'Bear Claw Trap Gu', a Gu that the Bai clan is well known for, they did this so that they could intentionally pin the blame on the Bai clan.

001 leaned back onto a tree ~ "I'm tired, it would be best to take a break for a few minutes" ~ He knew for certain that if he were to run away, the three hiding out in the clearing would immediately strike, so as a safety measure he opted for buying time, while also secretly sending a Message Gu back to the Xiong clan.

[If you're going to take a break why do it in the trees, instead of going out into the clearing?] ~ Chi Lian was an overthinker, in other words, a 'paranoid person'. It is both a plus and a negative, giving him opportunities that no one would even think of, but at the same time also costing him opportunities that others would have taken.

[My bones are getting too old for this!] ~ Gu Yue Bo, the air was getting stiffer, causing his bones to ache, while also reminding him of the time he killed his first lightning wolf, it was a winter he'd never forget.

Ran Kree has the job of protecting 001, but he's also a loyal clan member, and since the clan wants 001 to become a slave, he took it upon himself to edge 001 on, in hopes of causing him to make a mistake. ~ "You look fine to me, besides If you take too much time won't you lose the chance to strike the Thousand Beast King while his army is still in chaos?"

[Yes that's right, you should listen to your seniors, especially when it's wasting other people's time is a crime, especially if it's mine!] ~ Chi Lian didn't know exactly why he was so aggressive today but decided to chalk it up to this man being a future threat to Gu Yue village.

001 looked at him with the side of his eye, then looked back at the logs, not moving his feet even an inch. ~ "As you said taking too much time will, in turn, give the wolves the time they need to regroup, but haste makes mistakes, as such one should always be patient, I can hunt the wolves another day, but I only have one life."

Gu Yue Bo nodded. ~ [This man is quite wise for his age, most people in their twenties are full of ambition, but no wisdom, often getting lost on their journey to power, or worse, dying.]

⸻

10 minutes later.

[Shit!] ~ Gu Yue Bo's investigation Gu worms, suddenly picked up on the presence of many gu masters approaching their location.

"Retreat!" ~ He activated a Flash Gu, before turning to run away.

Mo Chen and Chi Lian were both surprised but followed his orders.

001 closed his eyes and used his senses to watch them, making sure they couldn't try anything.

Ran Kree in surprise, quickly activated his defensive gu.

"Were are they?!" ~ The Xiong Clan leader had come as fast as he could, but it was already too late, they had gotten away. ~ "I will make the Gu Yue clan pay for this!" ~ He looked around the area for any remnants, but then stopped when he noticed the 'Bear Claw Trap Gu'.

Instantly it flew toward the closest person, him. He easily blocked it with one of his rank-4 defensive Gu, and he instantly recognized the attack, as that of the famous 'Bear Claw Trap Gu'.

Turning his head to 001 ~ "Are you sure it was the Gu Yue clan?"

001 had seen records of many Gu while in the Xiong clan's school library, and similarly also recognized it. ~ "Which is more likely Bai clan coming to kill me with a trap that clearly points back to them, or the Gu Yue clan using a trap that clearly points back to the Bai clan?"

Xiong had been reading reports of the things this man had done after being in his village for only a month, killed 5 lightning wolves as a rank-1 initial stage gu master, read every book in the school library, and often raised questions in class that the teacher couldn't answer. These were clear signs that 001 was not only an A-grade aperture, but a genius hunter, a book smart, and a wise man. As such he didn't let his pride stop him from listening to 001's words ~ "Do you have any advice for how to handle this Gu Yue village problem?"

001 thought about whether or not to charge him for the advice but decided like any good drug dealer, the first deal is free! ~ "Claim that you are on the Bai clan's side by saying the Gu Yue clan was intentionally trying to frame them, ask for their help in threatening the Gu Yue clan, that way the Gu Yue clan will be backed into a corner and can't use our lack of evidence against us, being forced into paying compensation to both parties."

"Also that way they can't use their dominance against us!", ~ Xiong was, to say the least, impressed, not even some of his elders could come up with such an answer.

001 also knew of the dominance part but didn't want to be the one to say that in front of the clan leader. However, it would seem Xiong was fully aware of the disparity between the Xiong clan and the Gu Yue clan.