With the Villain Points acquired, Gu Han Yuan decided to speed up his plan.
He spent 8,000 Villain Points to upgrade the Advanced Puppetry Art to the Top-Tier Puppetry Art.
The Top-Tier Puppetry Art has gained a certain degree of autonomy, allowing the puppet to act according to the master's settings, capable of independent conversation, completely flawless.
Gu Han Yuan could also take control of the puppet at any time.
As long as it's not withdrawn, its existence is permanent, and there is no longer a distance limitation.
Most importantly, he could now create another puppet.
The puppet in Butterfly Valley was not suitable for wandering around, as the traces of Zi Shan Dragon King Dai Qi Si had already appeared, and she should arrive within a few days.
If he sent that puppet out now, there wouldn't be enough time to return.
Fortunately, he could create another puppet now.
This puppet was named Puppet No. 2. The previous one was Puppet No. 1.
Puppet No. 2 was dispatched to Sui State.
Sui State was arguably the most chaotic country at the moment, with rebellions erupting everywhere and numerous factions vying for power.
It was the perfect place to rise to power.
He hadn't gone to Sui State before, mainly because he only had one puppet and no time to spare, and also because the distance was too far. Traveling from Dali to Sui State was essentially going from the westernmost point to the easternmost point.
Gu Han Yuan certainly wouldn't do such a tiring journey.
Therefore, after obtaining Puppet No. 2, he entrusted this laborious task to it.
After sending Puppet No. 2 away, a servant from Wan Jie Valley, who had been sent out to gather information, came back to report the news.
The Tibetan national master, Jiu Mo Zhi, was preaching his way towards Tianlong Temple in Dali.
Jiu Mo Zhi would soon challenge experts in Song State. His high-profile actions made him the perfect tool for Gu Han Yuan to gain fame.
In Gan Bao Bao's room, Zhong Ling asked hesitantly:
"Wu Tian brother, are you really going to meet my father, Duan Zheng Chun?"
Although Gan Bao Bao's life had been fulfilling these past few days, she felt younger by ten years.
However, the biggest dissatisfaction she had was that Gu Han Yuan had still not let her see his true face.
She had indirectly inquired through Zhong Ling, learning that Gu Han Yuan was very handsome, and Wu Tian was not his real name.
Gan Bao Bao knew that Gu Han Yuan didn't fully trust her, so she worked extra hard these days.
Zhong Ling had kept in mind not to reveal Gu Han Yuan's identity, but her level was much lower than Gan Bao Bao's, so she had been probed about quite a bit.
Gu Han Yuan didn't mind; if she discovered it, it would merely cause some trouble at most.
To be honest, although Gu Han Yuan didn't have any feelings for Gan Bao Bao, he had become more gentle recently, which made her experience much better.
Even if her true identity was discovered, he was confident in controlling her.
He just didn't think it was necessary.
"Since Wu Tian has this intention, then Ling'er, you should go. After all, Duan Zheng Chun is your biological father."
Gan Bao Bao didn't avoid it anymore.
Moreover, their relationship had improved a lot these days, and they often talked about private matters alone, making Zhong Ling blush every time.
Finally, Zhong Ling agreed.
When Gu Han Yuan brought Zhong Ling to the Southern Town Palace, after announcing their arrival, the palace was in an uproar.
Soon, Duan Zheng Chun, with a strained smile, came out with Dao Bai Feng and Duan Yu to greet them.
Even if they disliked Gu Han Yuan, they had to consider Zhong Ling's feelings.
How could they refuse their own daughter when she came to visit?
Mu Wan Qing didn't leave with her mother, Qin Hong Mian, and had been staying at the Southern Town Palace these days.
Originally, she was very happy to hear that Gu Han Yuan was coming, but when she learned that he was bringing Zhong Ling, her face turned black, so she didn't go out to greet them.
The events at Wan Jie Valley that day hadn't completely reached the Southern Town Palace.
The only news that spread was that Zhong Wan Chou had been killed by Duan Yan Qing, and Gu Han Yuan had injured many people with one strike.
As for the matter in the secret room, it was kept under wraps, so Mu Wan Qing didn't know about it.
Including Duan Yu, who didn't know the specifics, was quite happy to hear that Gu Han Yuan was coming.
Although there was a conflict at Wan Jie Valley that day, the main injuries were suffered by Duan Yan Qing and the Tianlong Temple monks; those close to Duan Yu were fine.
Although Duan Zheng Chun was wary of Gu Han Yuan's martial prowess and didn't dare refuse his visit, it was too much to ask for him to have a good attitude.
So, although he led everyone out to greet them, he remained silent.
At most, he just glanced at his daughter, Zhong Ling.
Looking at Zhong Ling, who bore a striking resemblance to Gan Bao Bao, Duan Zheng Chun felt pain again in his heart.
"Mr. Wu Tian, it's been a few days, and you seem even more handsome than before."
Duan Yu approached enthusiastically, greeting him with a happy face.
Gu Han Yuan was still wearing his black robe, but the style, patterns, and craftsmanship had been upgraded significantly.
It was specially prepared for him by Gan Bao Bao.
As the saying goes, people rely on their clothes and horses on their saddles. Gu Han Yuan simply changed his attire, and his aura instantly became more intense.
Even with the Asura Mask, which made him appear cold and eerie, he still gave off a unique feeling of standing out from the crowd.
"You flatter me. Brother Duan seems to be in better spirits."
Gu Han Yuan responded casually, his attention focused on Dao Bai Feng behind Duan Zheng Chun.
Unlike her previous nun attire, she had changed into a white dress, making her look ethereal and graceful, less detached and more charming.
Gu Han Yuan let out a strange smile behind his mask.
For some unknown reason, Duan Zheng Chun felt a shiver down his spine again, even suspecting that he had contracted a cold due to recent stress.
"Ling'er, it's been a while."
Duan Yu also greeted Zhong Ling. Having heard the so-called truth, he now completely regarded Zhong Ling as his sister.
In fact, part of his reason for acting friendly towards Gu Han Yuan was that he saw him as his brother-in-law.
Unfortunately, Duan Yu saw him as his brother-in-law, while Gu Han Yuan wanted to be his father.
After exchanging greetings, Gu Han Yuan and his companion were ushered into the Southern Town Palace.
"Miss Mu, we meet again."
Gu Han Yuan greeted Mu Wan Qing first, because expecting her to speak first would be a fool's dream.
"Hmm."
Mu Wan Qing's response was very cold, especially after seeing Zhong Ling clinging to Gu Han Yuan's arm, her gaze turned even colder.
Duan Zheng Chun suddenly felt a sense of vigilance.
Although Mu Wan Qing's response was cold, based on the instincts of a womanizer, he sensed that something had happened between them.
After that, Duan Zheng Chun acted as if he was guarding against a thief, preventing the two from interacting.
This, however, eased the awkwardness caused by his initial silence.
As for Dao Bai Feng, she remained silent, as if she disapproved of Zhong Ling.
Afterwards, Duan Zheng Chun held a banquet to entertain Gu Han Yuan.
During the feast, Gu Han Yuan stated his ostensible purpose.
He was deeply in love with Zhong Ling and had come to seek the blessing of her father-in-law, Duan Zheng Chun.
After hearing this, Duan Zheng Chun looked like he had eaten a dead fly.
But what could he do, the deed was done?
He could only accept it with a grim face.
Upon hearing this, Mu Wan Qing slammed her bowl on the table, her face also grim, and left the banquet without a word.
The atmosphere instantly turned awkward.
Duan Zheng Chun believed that it was almost confirmed that something had happened between Gu Han Yuan and Mu Wan Qing.
At that moment, he was looking at Gu Han Yuan like he was a wolf in sheep's clothing.