This Is a Black Village!

Qingzhou, the royal residence.

A dignified-looking middle-aged man held a game piece, looking somewhat distracted.

He was Xiao Chen's father, Xiao Ye, the King of Qingzhou.

"Your Highness, it's your move."

An old man sat across from Xiao Ye. His eyes were deep-set, his hair and beard were white, and he looked very old.

"Sir, where should I place this piece?"

"Your Highness, they are merely insignificant variables. The overall state of the board remains unchanged, so why worry?"

Xiao Ye slowly raised his eyes. "Chen'er was defeated outside Qi Capital, and it will be difficult for him to establish a reputation now. The empress also suppressed the marriage to the princess that the empress dowager had arranged. Could this cause a flaw in our arrangements in Qi Capital?"

The old man shook his head. "I have considered every possibility in our arrangements in Qi Capital thus far. Your Highness need not worry."

"Whether the heir apparent succeeds or fails to make a name for himself, it will not affect the overall plan."

Xiao Ye's expression relaxed somewhat. "To think there's such a genius by the empress's side. That really is unexpected."

The old man smiled. "A few years ago, he might have been cause for concern. But with the Heavenly Longevity Festival approaching, even a genius will have trouble growing strong enough in time."

"Unless Gu Yuan can break through to the First Grade in this short time, or foresee our plans, he is nothing but an ant and no cause for concern."

Xiao Ye was completely reassured.

Break through to the First Grade?

That was absolutely impossible in such a short time.

Even he had spent several years breaking through to the First Grade.

As for foreseeing the future... how could such an immortal exist in this world?

"Thank you, sir, for putting my concerns to rest."

Xiao Ye placed his piece, looking relieved.

The old man continued, "There is one more matter Your Highness should make arrangements for early."

"According to news from Jiaozhou, the Northern Desert will send an envoy delegation to Qi Capital to celebrate the Heavenly Longevity Festival."

"Oh?"

Xiao Ye's eyes brightened slightly. "It seems the Northern Desert Divine Court is growing restless after Prince Duan's death."

"Your Highness, this is an excellent opportunity. We can use the Northern Desert delegation to present Her Majesty the empress in Qi Capital with a grand gift."

"Please, go on..."

Outside Qi Capital.

Holding the Cloud-Peering Mirror, Gu Yuan headed west with Shangguan Weiming, Dong Wuj iu, the Lu siblings, and a group of Mystic Shadow Guards.

Hong Ni was still kneeling on the ground, not having moved an inch.

"That woman is loyal, at least," Shangguan Weiming sighed softly. "Even after the heir apparent of Qingzhou took his anger out on her like that, there wasn't a trace of resentment in her eyes."

Gu Yuan sighed inwardly.

"She's just a pitiful woman."

Hong Ni gently raised her eyes and looked in the direction the Mystic Shadow Guards had disappeared, her heart stirring slightly.

Just then.

A voice transmitted through true essence sounded in her ear.

"If you want to know the truth about the murder of your entire family, meet me at the summit of Mount Mangdang at midnight tonight."

Hong Ni's pupils abruptly contracted, and her true qi fell into disarray in an instant.

The truth...

Back then, the King of Qingzhou had already killed all the bandits who had slaughtered her family... what other truth was there?

Could someone else have been behind those bandits?

Hong Ni's heart thumped violently.

Midnight, at the summit of Mount Mangdang...

Whatever the person who sent the message wanted, she had to go and find out!

"Brother Gu, what are you holding?" Lu Ling asked curiously, looking innocent and adorable.

Lu Zhaoming silently turned his head away.

Ever since he and Lu Ling had discussed the possibility that Gu Yuan might not like gentle, dignified women, she had adopted a different style.

Now she was Lu "Innocent Girl Next Door" Ling.

Sure enough, when a woman met a man she truly liked, she would change so much that even her own brother couldn't recognize her!

"Miss Lu, this is the Cloud-Peering Mirror. It can track the villain's movements."

"Amazing! With such a powerful treasure in your hands, Brother Gu, you'll surely find the villain soon."

Shangguan Weiming couldn't help smiling. He said in a loud voice:

"Miss Lu, if you want to pursue our brother Gu, you'd better be more direct. If you're too shy, someone else will get ahead of you!"

"Hahaha!" The Mystic Shadow Guards all laughed.

Lu Ling blushed and hurriedly lowered her head.

"Brother Shangguan, don't talk nonsense," Gu Yuan hurriedly protested.

"Oh? Could it be that Brother Gu is shy too?"

"If you miss out on such a sweet, innocent girl, someone else will get lucky."

Gu Yuan: ...

Who was Lu Ling?

The final disciple of the Gu Dao Medical Immortal!

She dealt with all kinds of bugs every day. There was no way she was innocent!

Forget it. One bite from a bug will make him behave...

Just then, the patterns on the Cloud-Peering Mirror changed.

"There's a trace."

Everyone's expressions immediately turned serious.

"Brother Gu, which direction?"

"North of here. He should be in those mountains." Gu Yuan pointed toward the secluded mountains shrouded in clouds and mist.

"Old Dong, what place is that?"

Dong Wuj iu replied, "Nine Geese Mountain. I often passed through here on missions a few years ago. There's a settlement at the foot of the mountain called Nine Geese Village. It has more than three hundred households, most of whom make a living by hunting and gathering herbs."

Gu Yuan frowned slightly.

Nine Geese Mountain... that's right.

The Heavenly Calamity Sect's headquarters was here in the original story...

"So we don't alert them, Brother Dong, take the men and wait here for now. Brother Shangguan and I will go scout out Nine Geese Village."

"We'll go too," Lu Zhaoming and Lu Ling said in unison.

Gu Yuan nodded.

Lu Ling's gu techniques and medical skills might actually be useful.

"Brother Dong, we'll contact you with a signal arrow."

Dong Wuj iu patted his chest. "Don't worry, Brother Gu. As soon as the signal arrow sounds, I'll lead the men in."

Nine Geese Village.

Disguised as traveling merchants, Gu Yuan and the other three arrived at the village entrance.

"Where are you from?" A white-haired old man glanced at the four of them and slowly asked.

Gu Yuan stepped forward. "Sir, we're merchants passing through on our way to do business in Qi Capital. It's getting late, and we'd like to find a household in the village where we can spend the night."

"Spend the night?" The old man looked them over a few more times. "Nine Geese Village never lets outsiders stay overnight. It's still early, so you'd best leave quickly."

"Sir, my younger sister is in poor health and really can't bear any more travel. Please make an exception for us."

Hearing this, Lu Ling took the opportunity to lean into Gu Yuan's arms, looking deeply exhausted.

Lu Zhaoming: ...

Shangguan Weiming: ...

The old man stared at Lu Ling for a long time before finally saying slowly, "All right. I still have an empty room at home. If you don't mind, you can squeeze in there."

"Thank you, sir."

Gu Yuan supported Lu Ling as they entered the village.

The old man led the way, stopping only when they reached a dilapidated mud-and-tile house.

"This is my home. You can rest here."

"Remember, don't go out after dark."

Gu Yuan cupped his hands. "We understand. Thank you, sir."

"I'll go prepare something for you to eat."

After the old man left, their expressions changed slightly.

"There's something strange about this village," Shangguan Weiming said. "The villagers we passed on the way here looked at us strangely too."

Lu Zhaoming said in surprise, "Commander Shangguan, do you mean this might be a black village?"

As they spoke, the scent of sandalwood began to rise from all around the room.

Lu Ling's expression changed slightly, and she said in a low voice:

"This is a knockout drug!"