Heaven Has Not Been Unkind to Me and Emei!

A moment later, Gu Shao'an put down the teacup he was holding and poured two more cups of tea, handing them to Miejue and Zhou Zhiruo respectively.

Holding the teacup, Zhou Zhiruo couldn't help but ask, "Shidi, what were you just doing?"

Gu Shao'an replied, "Checking if there was anything wrong with the tea."

Zhou Zhiruo seemed to realize, "Shidi, were you checking if the tea was poisoned? Shijie said that silver needles are best for testing poison, why did you use these powders?"

Gu Shao'an shook his head, "Silver needles can only test for common substances. There are many substances in the world that silver needles cannot detect. These powders are specially made by me, and besides some specific poisons, they can identify most others."

Miejue asked, "Where did you get these powders, Shao'an?"

Gu Shao'an truthfully replied, "I made them by mixing substances I found in the mountain's medicine storehouse yesterday."

After reaching the Advanced Level in the physician sub-profession, Gu Shao'an's medical skills had greatly improved, and he now had access to many medicinal formulas in his mind.

The powders he was currently using were formulated by Gu Shao'an based on these formulas.

"You made them yourself? Did you study medicine before, Shao'an?"

Gu Shao'an nodded, "My elders at home were skilled in medicine, and I followed them to learn for two years. So, I understand some medicinal principles and applications."

Miejue nodded, "No wonder you knew about human meridians at such a young age. So you studied medicine before."

Then, Miejue looked at Zhou Zhiruo.

"Zhiruo, you are simple-minded and it's your first time out, so you don't know the dangers of the martial world. You must know that poisoning is one of the most common ways treacherous people harm others in the martial world."

"Furthermore, poisoning is difficult to guard against. As a woman, Zhiruo, you need to be even more careful."

"If you are careless and fall victim, you might face a fate worse than death."

Although Zhou Zhiruo had joined Emei, she was previously just a child from an ordinary family.

She had no knowledge of the wickedness of human hearts.

However, Zhou Zhiruo's strength lay in her simplicity and obedience. Even if she didn't understand Miejue's words now, she still took them to heart.

Afterward, Miejue looked at Gu Shao'an and said, "This Cloud Arrive Inn is an Emei property, and the shopkeeper here is also one of ours. Do you still think there might be poison in this tea?"

Gu Shao'an pondered for a moment, then replied earnestly, "Being a little more careful never hurts."

"Well said!"

Miejue revealed a satisfied smile.

"Villains are wicked and will stop at nothing. Although this inn is managed by our Emei people, people's hearts are unpredictable. If one stays out for too long, they might be bought off."

"We, as righteous sects, should not do evil deeds, but we must not lose our vigilance, lest we fall prey to the schemes of villains."

As she spoke, Miejue looked at Gu Shao'an with eyes full of approval and relief.

The more time she spent with Gu Shao'an, the more Miejue felt the excellence of her disciple.

He possessed outstanding talent yet was also diligent.

He had a benevolent heart but understood the need to guard against the wickedness of others.

At this moment, Gu Shao'an put away the medicine packet he had taken out earlier and then took out a folded piece of paper from his bosom, handing it to Miejue.

Miejue took it and opened it, revealing a medicinal formula.

"Shifu, and the Shijie and Shishu from the sect often need to go out. With this powder, it can also reduce the chances of being poisoned by petty villains,"

As Shifu, Miejue was not someone who coveted her disciples' possessions.

But this formula, as Gu Shao'an said, could greatly reduce the instances of Emei disciples being poisoned, making it extremely valuable.

After some hesitation, Miejue accepted the formula.

The value of powders like the one Gu Shao'an used to detect poison was not low, yet Gu Shao'an readily gave her the method for making it without hesitation.

Miejue never expected to receive such an excellent disciple in her lifetime.

"Heaven has been kind to me and Emei!"

Immediately after, Miejue instructed Gu Shao'an and Zhou Zhiruo on the precautions and warnings they needed to be aware of when traveling.

Her explanations were detailed, often citing her own personal experiences.

Some of these experiences were fraught with danger, making Zhou Zhiruo's face turn a little pale.

During the conversation, Miejue would occasionally ask questions to gauge Gu Shao'an and Zhou Zhiruo's reactions.

If they were correct, she would praise them without reservation.

If they were wrong, she would explain the reasons.

This allowed them to understand what was evil and what was good in the martial world.

A true Shifu is like a father.

As a role model, a teacher must impart not only the way of martial arts to their disciples.

But also the way to conduct oneself, the way to be a person, and the way to ensure one's safety.

By transforming her life experiences and knowledge into teachings, she enabled her disciples to have the means to establish themselves and live their lives.

For Gu Shao'an and Zhou Zhiruo at this moment, Miejue before them could be called a wise teacher.

The next day.

Noon.

Inside the inn, Gu Shao'an, Zhou Zhiruo, and Ding Minjun each sat on a stool, eyes closed in cultivation.

Miejue was also seated on the bed, her aura seemingly weak, but in reality, she had already reached a certain level of attainment in her internal energy cultivation.

"Knock, knock, knock."

Just then, a knock, three short and one long, suddenly came from outside the door.

"Come in! The door isn't locked."

Miejue spoke softly.

As the voice sounded, the door was immediately pushed open.

Abbot Juechen strode into the room, quickly scanned the area, and then hurried to Miejue's side.

"Sect Leader, we've investigated everything. All the mountain bandits outside Jade Mountain City are on Blackwood Mountain, twenty li away from Jade Mountain City."

"This group of mountain bandits gathered six months ago, and in just half a year, they've specialized in ambushing pedestrians and merchant caravans around Jade Mountain City."

"Last night, several Elders and I infiltrated to investigate. There are a total of two hundred and twenty-one people in the bandit lair, along with dozens of women."

"These women were all abducted by the mountain bandits and are kept on the mountain for their amusement."

Although Abbot Juechen spoke euphemistically, Miejue knew exactly what "amusement" referred to.

Upon learning that these mountain bandits kept abducted women on the mountain to torment them in such a manner, Miejue's expression turned as cold as frost.

"A bunch of beasts. They deserve to die."

A cold glint flashed in Abbot Juechen's eyes as well, clearly showing she harbored murderous intent.

"This is a map of the bandit lair."

As she spoke, Abbot Juechen took out a rolled-up piece of leather from her robes. It was a map drawn with charcoal, with some buildings indicating the number of people inside."

Although not as detailed as maps used in the military, it was quite straightforward and easy to understand at a glance.

After carefully memorizing the contents of the map and setting it aside, Abbot Juechen asked, "Sect Leader, when do you wish to act?"

Miejue said indifferently, "In the territory of my Emei Sect, how can I allow these people who commit evil deeds to live much longer? Send the order. When night falls, let the disciples take action."

"I'll go notify them right away."

With that, Abbot Juechen quickly turned and left, without any hesitation.