Time waited for no one. Several more years passed.
Even the emperor of Great Ming had changed. The current emperor was none other than the renowned Chongzhen of later generations.
Though he was wholeheartedly devoted to reviving Great Ming, he lacked ability, was far too suspicious, and did not know how to recognize or employ capable people.
Gu Hui had once advised Mu Renqing to lead the Mount Hua disciples into complete seclusion if things truly came to that.
But Mu Renqing had refused, and Gu Hui had not pressed the matter further.
With his martial arts, he felt there was little difference between living in seclusion and not.
He might not be able to fight thousands or tens of thousands alone, but if he wanted to leave, no one had yet been able to stop him.
If it truly came to that, he could simply kill a few more ill-intentioned people.
During his travels through the martial world, Mu Renqing had also taken in several disciples.
Huang Zhen and Gui Xinshi had only average aptitude. They naturally could not compare with the others, but they were not bad either.
Within the past year, he had also accepted a little mute named Yuan Chengzhi.
The boy's aptitude for martial arts was exceptionally good, no worse than Mu Renqing's own. He had been taught the Hunyuan Skill.
Gu Hui was like a man detached from the world. Aside from comprehending martial arts, he quietly watched the changes of the age.
Peasant uprisings kept breaking out, and several leaders had risen to proclaim themselves kings. Among them, Li Zicheng enjoyed the greatest prestige. He was also the so-called wise ruler Mu Renqing had chosen, and Mount Hua disciples had often been sent to assist him.
In such chaotic times, the people could