Heaven Has Not Been Unkind to Me and Emei!

A moment later, Gu Shaoan put down the teacup in his hand, poured two more cups of tea, and handed them to Miejue and Zhou Zhiruo respectively.

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

Gu Shaoan replied, "Checking if the tea had any problems."

Zhou Zhiruo seemed to realize, "Junior Brother, were you just checking if this tea was poisoned? Senior Sister said that silver needles are best for testing poison, why did you use these powders?"

Gu Shaoan shook his head, "Silver needles can only test for common drugs. There are many drugs in the world that cannot be detected by silver needles. These powders were concocted by myself, and apart from some special poisons, most others can be identified."

Miejue asked, "Where did you get these powders, Shaoan?"

Gu Shaoan truthfully replied, "I concocted them from drugs found in the medicine storehouse on the mountain."

After reaching the advanced level in the Physician sub-profession, Gu Shaoan's medical skills had greatly improved, and he even had some medicinal formulas appear in his mind.

The medicinal powders he was currently using were concocted by Gu Shaoan based on the formulas in his mind.

"You concocted them yourself?"

Gu Shaoan nodded, "My elders in my family were skilled in medicine, and I studied under them for two years, so I understand some aspects of medication and medical principles."

Miejue nodded, "No wonder you, at such a young age, know about the body's meridians. So you studied medicine before."

Afterward, Miejue looked at Zhou Zhiruo.

"Zhiruo, you have a pure heart and this is your first time venturing out, so you are unaware of the dangers of the martial world. You must know that poison is one of the most common ways treacherous individuals harm others in the Jianghu."

"Furthermore, methods of poisoning are difficult to guard against. Zhiruo, as a woman, you must be even more careful."

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

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

She had no idea 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 remembered them.

Then, Miejue looked at Gu Shaoan and said, "This Yunlai Inn is an Emei property, and the shopkeeper here is also one of ours. Do you still think the tea here would be poisoned?"

Gu Shaoan pondered for a moment, then replied seriously, "Being a little more careful never hurts."

"Well said!"

Miejue showed a satisfied smile.

"Villains are wicked and will stop at nothing. Although this inn is managed by our Emei people, hearts are unpredictable. After being away for a long time, perhaps they could be bought."

"We, from righteous sects, should not do evil deeds, but we must not lose our vigilance, lest we fall victim to the schemes of scoundrels."

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

The longer she spent with Gu Shaoan, the more Miejue felt how outstanding her disciple was.

Outstanding talent combined with diligence.

A benevolent heart, yet aware of the dangers of human nature.

At this moment, Gu Shaoan also put away the medicine pouch he had taken out earlier and then took out a folded piece of paper from his bosom and handed it to Miejue.

Miejue took it and opened it, only to see a medicinal formula written on it.

"Master, Senior Sisters, and Martial Uncles in the sect often need to go out. With this medicinal powder, it can reduce the risk of being poisoned by petty villains,"

As a Master, Miejue was not someone who coveted her disciple's possessions.

But this formula, as Gu Shaoan said, could greatly reduce the instances of Emei disciples being poisoned, making it extremely useful.

After some hesitation, Miejue accepted the formula.

Medicinal powders like the one Gu Shaoan had, capable of detecting poison, were valuable. Yet, Gu Shaoan readily handed over the method of preparation to her without hesitation.

Miejue never expected that in her lifetime, she would receive such an excellent disciple.

"Heaven has not been unkind to me and Emei!"

Immediately after, Miejue instructed Gu Shaoan and Zhou Zhiruo on the taboos and precautions needed when traveling.

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

Some of these experiences were perilous, making Zhou Zhiruo's face turn pale.

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

If they were correct, she would praise them generously.

If they were wrong, she would explain the reasons.

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

A Master's role is both teacher and parent.

As a role model, a Master must impart not only martial arts but also the ways of the world, how to conduct oneself, and how to survive.

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

For Gu Shaoan and Zhou Zhiruo at this moment, Miejue was indeed a wise mentor.

The next day.

Noon.

Inside the inn, Gu Shaoan, Zhou Zhiruo, and Ding Minjun sat on stools, eyes closed in cultivation.

Miejue also sat cross-legged on the bed, her aura seemingly weak, but in reality, her internal energy had reached a certain level of mastery.

"Knock, knock, knock."

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

"Come in! The door is unlocked."

Miejue said lightly.

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

Master Juechen strode into the room. After a quick scan, she walked swiftly to Miejue's side.

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

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

"Last night, some 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 kidnapped by the bandits and kept on the mountain for their amusement."

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

Upon learning that these bandits kept kidnapped women on the mountain to torment them like this, Miejue's face turned as cold as frost.

"A bunch of beasts, they deserve to die."

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

"This is a map of the bandit lair."

As she spoke, Master Juechen took out a scroll from her robes. It was a map drawn with charcoal, with some buildings marked with the number of people inside.

Although not as detailed as military maps, it was quite direct and easy to understand at a glance.

After carefully memorizing the contents of the map and setting it aside, Juechen asked, "Sect Leader, when do you plan to make a move?"

Miejue said calmly, "In the territory of my Emei sect, how can I allow these people who commit evil deeds to live for long? Send down the order. At the time of human settling (nightfall), let the disciples make their move."

"I'll go inform them now."

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