As the Gu Family finds itself besieged and in miserable straits, the Jin Family's days are similarly not much better. After consecutive battles, the total loss for the Jin Family hovers around thirteen percent. Though the Jin Family has a slight upper hand in the figures, this situation is akin to drinking water; only one knows if it's hot or cold, and the discomfort is something only Jin Qingyun truly understands.

At this moment, Jin Qingyun was sitting in the Jin Family's reception room. Compared to Gu Shengzhe, who looked haggard, almost like an Evil Spirit, Jin Qingyun's complexion was far better.

But even if it was much better, Jin Qingyun's eyes were full of bloodshot veins, projecting an inexplicable fury. From his eyes, one could tell that the Jin Family's condition wasn't optimistic!

After all, a business loss of thirteen percent would have been acceptable if it was a necessary move to annex the Gu Family.

But now Jin Qingyun knew very well that his current predicament was entirely due to being forced into a defensive battle!

The scheme he had planned to set up against the Gu Family and Lu Yu not only failed, but now Lu Yu had turned the tables and poured the dirty water back onto him, leaving Jin Qingyun utterly miserable!

Originally, the Jin Family and the Gu Family were mutually hostile, but due to their respective strengths, they had remained in peace for years. Yet Lu Yu's counterplot instantly exacerbated the conflict between the two, which was truly terrifying!

Now Jin Qingyun wouldn't have imagined that Lu Yu used Gu Yunqi's life to lead the situation to such an impasse!

Even knowing that Gu Yunqi was killed by Lu Yu himself, Gu Yunqi undeniably died under the gun of the assassins he had hired. This situation was as if mud smeared on one's waist—whether it was excrement or not, it certainly looked like it!

"Hmph!"

The more he thought about it, the angrier Jin Qingyun became. At this moment, his face contorted with a sinister expression as he coldly said, "That Lu Yu truly has deep scheming. This counterplot genuinely caught me off guard, and right now, I can't help but look at him differently!"

His words carried an icy tone. Jin Qingyun was most furious and fiery.

Initially, he set the trap for Lu Yu, but he never anticipated that he would not only fail to ensnare Lu Yu but instead lose a significant amount!

With the loss of thirteen percent, even if the Jin Family wouldn't become as miserable as the Gu Family, they indeed experienced a genuine shake-up!

"Master, please calm down; right now, we should discuss settling with the Gu Family as the priority."

Seeing Jin Qingyun's angry expression, the butler stepped forward to advise: "The losses on the Gu Family's side are much worse than ours; they've also lost two sons, and they can barely hold on now!"

"Settle with the Gu Family? Settle what?!"

Hearing the butler's words, Jin Qingyun spoke: "You fool, can't you see it now? This situation is clearly Lu Yu sitting high, watching the tigers fight, waiting for us and the Gu Family to mutually assault one another until both are gravely injured. Then he'll appear to reap the benefits of a fisherman!"

Jin Qingyun, shrewd and calculating, immediately saw through Lu Yu's intentions!

But having seen through them doesn't mean there's a solution. Gu Shengzhe lost his son and is blinded by rage, losing all sense of reason.

Currently, Gu Shengzhe behaves like a mad dog, only aiming to bite him, leaving Jin Qingyun feeling very helpless!

Upon hearing Jin Qingyun's words, the butler shuddered, then spoke: "Master, what should we do now? Lu Yu's move is too vicious; he's intact, letting us and the Gu Family fight—it's truly terrifying!"

"Vicious? It's more like a method to exterminate!"

Upon hearing the butler's words, Jin Qingyun spoke: "Now, the Gu Family absolutely hates us, wishing for a life-and-death showdown. Yet we can't recklessly fight them. We're stuck in a dilemma, unable to advance or retreat."

In those words, Jin Qingyun's mind raced, considering ways to extricate the Jin Family from this awkward situation!

The current circumstances are truly not optimistic; if this persists, sooner or later, the Jin Family will be dragged down by the Gu Family!

"Given that, Master, what should we do now?"

Hearing Jin Qingyun's words, the butler spoke beside him: "Gu Shengzhe has already turned into a mad dog; what should we do now?"

Having been enlightened by Jin Qingyun, the butler now realized the situation, looking at Jin Qingyun before him, speaking with an inquisitive tone.

"What to do? What else can we do?!"

Upon hearing the butler's words, Jin Qingyun bitterly laughed, his face reflecting a touch of rage yet helplessness. "Given the present circumstances, we can only lower our heads and seek peace with the Gu Family!"

After careful thought, Jin Qingyun reacted accordingly. Up to now, to halt this conflict, they must first lower their heads, admit faults, and seek reconciliation with the Gu Family!

Gu Shengzhe has gone mad; he cannot afford to go mad!

Now Jin Qingyun is clear-headed, knowing that if he continues battling the Gu Family, their combined strengths will only deplete each other, ultimately benefitting Lu Yu without a doubt!

"Seek forgiveness from the Gu Family?"

Upon hearing these words, the butler shuddered, then spoke: "Master, if we do this, we'll be bowing to the Gu Family; where will our dignity be afterwards?"

Seeking reconciliation with the Gu Family means conceding and admitting defeat, a truly humiliating result. The butler hadn't expected Jin Qingyun to undertake such a decision!

"Dignity? What's dignity worth?!"

Upon hearing the butler's words, Jin Qingyun spoke: "If we continue fighting the Gu Family, we will end up mutually injured, falling into Lu Yu's clutches. In this scenario, dignity can't be a priority!"

At this moment, Jin Qingyun panicked, and thus out of utter helplessness, he could only opt for this approach to end the strife.

After all, dignity lost can be regained, but if they and the Gu Family end up severely injured and fall victim to Lu Yu's plans, there's no regaining it!

It's precisely under these considerations that Jin Qingyun chose to sacrifice dignity to protect his Jin Family!

"Yes, Master!"

Upon hearing Jin Qingyun's words, the butler spoke steadfastly, his tone full of respect, understanding that Jin Qingyun wouldn't opt for such a step unless absolutely necessary!

"Okay, take care of it. I must reach Yunzhong City by the day after tomorrow at the latest to reconcile with Gu Shengzhe!"

Thinking this, Jin Qingyun spoke, resigned, his words laden with helplessness.

Bowing to the Gu Family is a last resort to avoid battling someone like Gu Shengzhe, a mad dog. Jin Qingyun, in his helplessness, could only make such a decision!

(End of Chapter Five. So tired, goodnight~)