Encounter by Chance

Upon hearing the system prompt,

Gu Mo was overjoyed.

The reward for hunting and killing Flying Dragon was actually the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms.

This martial art was practically thunderous in Gu Mo's ears. It was said to possess the utmost masculine force under heaven, fierce and powerful beyond measure. Its moves were simple and straightforward, yet endlessly varied. Eighteen palm forms, eighteen kinds of moves, eighteen ways to deal with an enemy—yet every single one focused on attack, fully proving that "attack is the best defense."

This palm technique was peerlessly fierce, which meant it consumed a great deal of internal energy. Those without sufficient internal energy would find it very troublesome to use.

But it was perfectly suited to Gu Mo.

His Nine Yang Divine Skill provided an endless, unceasing flow of internal energy. Paired with the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, it was simply a match made in heaven.

For Gu Mo at his current stage, this palm technique could also make up for his shortcomings.

His Nine Yang Divine Skill was already powerful enough, but his only offensive method was the Mystic Void Saber Technique. Though the Mystic Void Saber Technique was exquisite, it was a martial art that placed emphasis on feints and moves, more subtlety than force. Its offensive power was lacking somewhat, almost wasting all that Nine Yang true qi.

When Yan San Niang heard that Gu Mo was willing to accept the task, she hurriedly handed the stack of Xuan Paper in her hands to Gu Chundong and said, "These contain detailed intelligence on Flying Dragon and the Flying Horse Gang, including the martial arts each of them excels at, their temperaments, and more. I investigated everything I could as thoroughly as possible. You siblings should study it carefully."

Gu Chundong nodded. "Don't worry, we'll read it carefully."

Yan San Niang continued, "Flying Dragon is currently in Zhushan County, while the Flying Horse Gang is operating around Pingze County. Everyone's attention has been drawn to Pingze County. My information should give us a lead of around five days, so you must get to Zhushan County as quickly as possible. Otherwise, we'll lose the initiative. Once you arrive in Zhushan County, you'll need to find someone."

"Who?" Gu Chundong asked.

Yan San Niang said, "An underground merchant in Zhushan County named Wen Yong, nicknamed Night Rat. He is rather well-known in Zhushan County and specializes in pawnshop business, so he won't be hard to find. He is one of Flying Dragon's associates and has long helped Flying Dragon fence stolen goods. Quite a few precious jewels Flying Dragon acquired were resold through him. Now that Flying Dragon has gone to Zhushan County, only this man knows his exact whereabouts."

"Alright." Gu Mo nodded.

Gu Chundong asked doubtfully, "Since he is Flying Dragon's partner, will he really tell us where Flying Dragon is?"

Yan San Niang smiled confidently. "He will, because he is now one of Unique Villa's covert contacts in Zhushan County."

Gu Chundong froze for a moment, then praised, "Boss Yan, you're amazing!"

Yan San Niang chuckled. "Without some connections, how would I dare do wind chasing business?"

"But why doesn't he just tell you where Flying Dragon is hiding?" Gu Chundong asked.

"It would be useless. A man like Flying Dragon is very vigilant. He won't stay in one place for long and changes locations constantly. Only after you get there can you investigate his latest whereabouts." Yan San Niang thought for a moment, then added, "I recorded the rest of the information on those sheets of Xuan Paper. You can read them while traveling. Hmm, when are you planning to leave?"

"We can leave anytime," Gu Mo said.

"Then I'll arrange a carriage for you," Yan San Niang said. "Can Sister Chundong drive?"

Gu Chundong replied, "No problem. When I used to go on escort missions with my brother, I was an escort hand. I was often responsible for driving the carriage."

"Then there's no problem. I'll send someone to deliver the carriage shortly. I've already prepared provisions, changes of clothes, and everything else you'll need," Yan San Niang said. "You only need to get ready to leave."

With that, Yan San Niang rose and left.

Gu Chundong escorted Yan San Niang to the entrance, then suddenly asked, "Boss Yan, you have broad connections and have seen much of the world. There's something I'd like to ask you."

"What is it? Go ahead."

Gu Chundong asked cautiously, "Do you know any powerful Divine Doctors?"

Yan San Niang glanced into the courtyard and said, "You want to ask whether anyone can treat your brother's eyes, don't you?"

Gu Chundong nodded. "I don't want my brother to spend his whole life unable to see."

Yan San Niang said, "For someone like Young Hero Gu, it would truly be a pity if he could not see the beauty of the world. I do not know such a divine doctor, but I know someone who can treat him."

"Who?" Gu Chundong asked.

"Medicine Saint Qi Miaoxuan of Qingzhou," Yan San Niang said. "He has cured a blind man's eyes before, and that man had been blind since birth. However, his whereabouts are uncertain, and many people seek him out for treatment. Yet very few receive his care, because his rules are difficult to fulfill."

"How are they strange?" Gu Chundong asked.

Yan San Niang said, "Three rules. First, ten thousand taels of silver, and it must be actual silver, not silver notes. It must all be in ingots of one tael each. It is said that he likes throwing silver into rivers for fun. Second, you must give him a Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure that can pique his interest. Third, you must be a friend he acknowledges."

Gu Chundong said blankly, "I can understand the first two conditions, but the third... who knows what it takes for him to acknowledge someone as a friend?"

Yan San Niang said helplessly, "That is why it is so difficult to seek treatment from him. The first two conditions are difficult for ordinary people, but not for high officials, nobles, or wealthy merchants. The real difficulty lies in the third condition."

Gu Chundong nodded. "I understand. Thank you, Boss Yan. No matter what, at least there is hope."

"I'll do my best to think of a way for you and ask around."

"Thank you!"

Yan San Niang smiled, turned, and left.

A Qi still followed beside Yan San Niang with a cold expression, his sword held in his arms. As they walked, A Qi suddenly asked, "Boss, is Gu Mo really blind?"

"He is. Why?" Yan San Niang asked.

"I just saw him counting ants."

"Hm?"

A Qi said, "I heard that when martial arts cultivation reaches a certain depth, one can attain a realm known as Cicada Senses Autumn Wind Before It Rises. It means that one's perception has become extraordinarily powerful. For example, among those who practice the sword, that realm is also called intent—sword intent.

For those who cultivate Internal Energy, it is called 'not even a feather can be added, not even a fly can land.' It means that when one's internal energy reaches a certain realm, Protective True Qi can automatically form around the body."

"You mean Gu Mo has already reached that realm?" Yan San Niang asked in astonishment. "There probably aren't even a few Inner Strength Masters in all of Linjiang County who have reached such a realm, are there?"

"Not just Inner Strength Masters. Among all martial arts masters, fewer than ten in total have reached that realm."

Yan San Niang moved quickly. Before long, she had arranged a carriage, stocked inside with changes of clothes, provisions, and everything needed for the journey.

Gu Mo sat inside the carriage,

while Gu Chundong drove it toward Zhushan County.

Zhushan County was one of the eleven counties under Linjiang County's jurisdiction. It was rather remote, situated at the very edge of Linjiang County, some five hundred li away.

Fortunately, both Gu Mo and Gu Chundong had spent years roaming the martial world and were used to sleeping in the wind and dining in the open, so traveling did not affect them much. Only, Gu Mo could not ride a horse and had to travel by carriage, making the journey much slower and longer. With the poor roads, it would take around three days.

However, the heavens did not oblige them.

On the evening of the second day, dark clouds suddenly massed overhead.

Gu Chundong sped up and finally found a shelter in the mountains just as the rain began to fall. It had likely been built by nearby hunters for emergencies.

Gu Chundong immediately covered the carriage with oilcloth to keep it from being drenched by the rain. She then tied the horses beneath a tree and led Gu Mo into the shelter.

She had just started the fire,

when a burst of horseshoes and clamorous voices came from outside. Judging by the sounds, quite a few people had arrived.

Gu Chundong immediately gripped her Tang Blade. Then a booming voice rang out from outside. "Friends inside, we are from the Long Wind Escort Agency, passing through on an escort mission. We have come by this place and wonder whether it would be convenient for us to come in and rest our feet while taking shelter from the rain?"

The moment she heard "Long Wind Escort Agency," Gu Chundong was angered.

She and her brother had been driven out by the Long Wind Escort Agency without any regard for honor, yet they had run into them here by such a coincidence.