"There's something I need you to do."
Hou Niao answered without a moment's thought, "Just say the word. I won't fail you."
He had known Gu Sou for decades, and he had always been the one asking favors, never doing anything for Gu Sou in return. This often left him uneasy. Gu Sou wandered without a fixed abode, and Hou Niao truly could find no way to help him. Now that such an opportunity had finally come, he did not hesitate at all-a complete contrast to his earlier evasions and halfhearted responses to Yu Zhengxing.
"Go find a Tianxin Pavilion cultivator named Qiu Shi. He may have some things for you to do." Gu Sou paused briefly, then offered a little explanation after all. "During my stay in Year-End City, Tianxin Pavilion has looked after me a great deal. I ought to repay them in some small way. It's inconvenient for me to act myself, and I have no one at my disposal..."
Hou Niao immediately declared his loyalty. "I wouldn't dare call myself capable, but you can always consider me someone at your disposal, Senior. I'll go find Daoist Qiu Shi right away and follow his instructions."
Gu Sou waved a hand. "No hurry, no hurry. A few days won't matter. But you can't go as you are. Shanmen's methods are far too recognizable across the continent. You'd be a target for every arrow, so you need to change yourself."
Hou Niao was taken aback. "You mean...?"
"Both your appearance and your techniques and methods must change. As for your appearance, I acquired something years ago that should just about fool people. As for your techniques, use that profound light method of yours to deal with things. Perhaps add a pair of fists?"
He rummaged through his sleeve, sifting