At the guest residence, Gu Shenge listened to Xiao Yan's story. He'd thought it was something serious when Xiao Yan had called for help.
It turned out that while overseeing the market that day, Xiao Yan had clashed with the Jia Lie Clan, who had been secretly causing trouble. The confrontation had left people bleeding, and Jia Lie Ao—the man Xiao Yan had crippled earlier—had died by his hand. Jia Lie Bi had threatened that if Xiao Yan dared to leave Wutan City, the Jia Lie Clan would hunt him down with everything they had.
This scene hadn't appeared in the original story. It must have been an effect of the butterfly effect.
Gu Shenge said, "You called for help over something this small? That's not like you. With Venerable Yao there, forget one Jia Lie Clan—even ten of them wouldn't be a problem."
"Easy for you to say, Brother Juan. My teacher can handle Dou Lings, but even his power is limited. The Jia Lie Clan has so many people; they won't be easy to deal with. So I wanted to ask you for a favor, Brother Juan. Just drop me off in the Magic Beast Mountain Range. Heh heh."
Xiao Yan rubbed his hands together, wearing a fawning smile. He wasn't asking Gu Shenge to wipe out the Jia Lie Clan for him. He just wanted him to take him to the Magic Beast Mountain Range. Once he'd trained enough, he'd come back and deal with the Jia Lie Clan himself.
Revenge was something he had to take himself.
"You brat." Gu Shenge smiled helplessly. It was a small favor, after all, and he had already promised Yao Lao that he would protect Xiao Yan. He wouldn't go back on his word. Besides, Xiao Yan still had to take part in the Ancient Cave Mansion he had planned.
"I'm heading to the Magic Beast Mountain Range tomorrow anyway, so you'd better get ready. It won't be as easy there as it was in the Xiao Clan. With those skinny arms and legs of yours, you might not even be able to beat a Tier 2 Magical Beast."
"Don't worry, Brother Juan. If I can beat it, I'll fight. If I can't, I'll run. If I can't get away, I'll play dead. If that doesn't work, I'll fight to the death."
As he spoke, a trace of ruthlessness appeared between Xiao Yan's brows, along with that stubborn, unwilling-to-lose look in his eyes. Gu Shenge was quite pleased. The kid had the right attitude.
Xiao Yan didn't stay long. He got up and took his leave. Since he was going to the Magic Beast Mountain Range the next day, he needed to prepare some necessities.
Qing Lin nestled against Gu Shenge and asked her young master curiously, "Young master, what are we going to the Magic Beast Mountain Range for?"
Gu Shenge stroked her head. His gentle gaze held a hint of affection as he explained softly, "We're going to prepare a grand show. Then we'll invite all the powerful people in the Jia Ma Empire to watch."
The little snake beauty seemed to understand, but she didn't care about that. Wherever her young master went, she would follow. She burrowed farther into his arms, resting against his chest. Feeling his warm embrace, her pretty little face showed contentment.
Gu Shenge gently wrapped an arm around Qing Lin's slender waist and held her as he gazed into the distance. He wondered how Medusa was doing in the Black-Corner Region.
At that moment, in the Black-Corner Region, Old Demon of Earth—once a figure who had inspired terror throughout the area—hung limply in Medusa's hand like a dead dog. Suddenly, Medusa seemed to sense something and turned to look toward the Jia Ma Empire. A trace of confusion appeared in her beautiful eyes. Who was thinking about her?
But then her expression changed. She immediately realized who it was, gave a cold snort, and muttered to herself,
"Gu, you'd better keep yourself in check. If I find out you're flirting with other women, I'll cripple you..."
At dawn the next morning, the sun rose in the east and the rooster crowed.
Gu Shenge led Qing Lin out of the room. The faint rays of dawn fell over him, warm and gentle, making him shine with a golden radiance. It was dazzling and lent him an even more distinguished air.
Xiao Zhan and his son, Xiao Yan, had been waiting by the courtyard gate since early morning.
As soon as Gu Shenge came out, Xiao Zhan hurried forward to greet him. His weathered face was full of gratitude as he said respectfully,
"Thank you for helping us, Young Master Juan. I'm deeply grateful!"
"There's no need to thank me. I promised Xiao Yan's teacher that I would protect him, and I won't go back on my word."
Gu Shenge waved a hand, telling Xiao Zhan not to stand on ceremony. Then he looked at Xiao Yan and asked if he was ready.
Xiao Yan nodded. The day before, he had gone to the Miteer Auction House and gathered everything he needed. He had planned to say goodbye to Sister Ya Fei and thank her for looking after him over the past year, but Master Gu Ni had told him she had already left. He'd been quite disappointed.
"Good. Since you're ready, let's go."
A small white jade pot patterned with clouds appeared in his hand. Gu Shenge told Xiao Yan not to resist and put him inside the Serenitea Pot. Then he took out a medicine bottle.
"Clan Head Xiao, there's a Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill in here. It can help a Da Dou Shi raise his cultivation by one star. Thank you for looking after me these past two days."
"This is far too precious, Young Master Juan—"
Xiao Zhan tried to refuse, but Gu Shenge tossed the bottle to him. A golden sword aura formed beneath Gu Shenge's feet, and he flew into the sky with Qing Lin.
Watching the golden light disappear into the distance, Xiao Zhan clutched the bottle containing the Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill and sighed.
Qingshan Town was a small town near the eastern part of the Magic Beast Mountain Range. Towns like it were scattered throughout the mountain range's outer reaches, and most of their residents were mercenary groups who made their living hunting magical beasts.
However, the mercenaries in Qingshan Town were nowhere near as capable as those in Shimo City. Even the strongest among them was only a Dou Shi.
A streak of golden sword light cut across the sky and finally landed outside Qingshan Town.
After landing, Gu Shenge took Xiao Yan out of the Serenitea Pot. This time, however, Xiao Yan had a black great ruler on his back. It looked like a door panel, with no edge or point, and just looking at it made it seem heavy.
With the Heavy Profound Ruler on his back, Xiao Yan stared at the Serenitea Pot in Gu Shenge's hand, unable to hide his astonishment.
"Brother Juan, this jade pot is incredible. There's a whole world inside it!"
"Don't be too surprised. Once you reach Dou Sheng, you'll be able to carve out a space of your own, too."
Gu Shenge put the Serenitea Pot away, took his little snake beauty by the hand, and walked into Qingshan Town. Xiao Yan trotted after him.
Qingshan Town's residents lived off the mountain. The streets were full of mercenaries in leather armor, all carrying a faint smell of blood. Some hurried along; others traveled in groups; still others slung their arms around each other's shoulders, drinking and chatting in the street.
Some mercenaries were drawn to Gu Shenge and his companions—or, more precisely, to Qing Lin. Their eyes roamed over her pretty face and slender waist as they began to whisper among themselves.
But just as they spoke, a cold snort rang out like a thunderclap on a clear day. Their heads throbbed as if they were about to burst. Terror filled the mercenaries' faces. They knew they had offended someone they shouldn't have, and fled the street, stumbling over one another.
Gu Shenge paid them no further attention. He led the little snake beauty to a large herbal shop and looked up at the sign, murmuring, "Wanyao Pavilion."
Then he entered Wanyao Pavilion. Xiao Yan was puzzled, but followed him inside.
"Brother Juan, does this place have anything you need?"
Gu Shenge shook his head. "No. But it has something you need."
"Something I need?"
Xiao Yan hurried to the counter and began searching. If Brother Juan said it was here, then it had to be.
Sure enough, he found Blood Lotus Essence, the ingredient needed to refine the Blood Lotus Pill. He was astonished, yet also puzzled. How had Brother Juan found it?
~
PS: I'll try to keep up four updates a day, though the posting times may vary.
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