Friction

Upon receiving the news, Fei Shuhe hurriedly dismounted from Caiyun and rushed into Kang Dabao's courtyard, where she was the sect leader.

Only when he saw that Gun Yuyao, lying on the bed in the dormitory, still had some color in her face, did he breathe a sigh of relief, bow to Jiang Qing, and say, "Thank you so much, Sanlang! Otherwise, my Gun Household..."

At this moment, Fei Shuhe's anxious expression was genuine. She and Gun Yuyao were very close, and they had even considered becoming sworn siblings.

Secondly, although the latter, the female official in charge of the Palace of Imperial Repose, may not have a high rank, she was actually someone who could reach the ears of the emperor. Even the Empress had asked her to mix incense.

If such a person were to die on the way to visit a friend at Green Lotus Courtyard, the Golden Core Ancestor of the Ying Prefecture clan would likely be questioned by the Empress and reprimanded.

Jiang Qing's act of chivalry saved the Fei Household a great deal of trouble.

Upon hearing Fei Shuhe's thanks, Jiang Qing merely raised her eyebrows slightly, her expression calm, and replied in a low voice, "Sister-in-law, you're too kind."

After Fei Shuhe defeated Deng Baichuan in Double Brightness Trade Market, killed the elder of the Illusory Sword Alliance, and saved Huo Ying, Jiang Qing's opinion of him changed considerably.

The dissatisfaction in his heart gradually faded. He only waited until this eldest daughter of the Fei Household could continue the lineage of the Chongming Sect Kang Household, and then Jiang Qing would treat her as a true sister-in-law.

"Phew, Miss is in such a hurry." Nanny Sun entered the room leaning on her cane, a bitter smile on her face. How come she never noticed before that Miss had practiced the "Cloud Crane Steps" so skillfully? It seems she has already reached perfection.

"Eh? This furnishing... this can't be the young master's bedroom, can it? How can the Imperial Attendant be placed in such a place?" Nanny Sun noticed a man's cloak on the rack by the door and felt something was amiss.

However, upon meeting Jiang Qing, Nanny Sun put all that aside, her expression immediately becoming solemn, and her greeting was meticulous. "Fellow Daoist Jiang."

This Double Brightness Sword Immortal's cultivation level is now in no way inferior to mine.

With the added advantage of being both Ice Leaf Foundation Establishment and a sword cultivator, Nanny Sun's Foundation Establishment was nearly a hundred years earlier than Jiang Qing's. The accumulated experience of those hundred years should not be underestimated, but according to her own calculations, she had no chance of gaining any advantage over Jiang Qing.

He's not even forty yet; his Dao Path is more than just bright.

"Granny, may you be well." Jiang Qing returned the greeting with a cupped hand. After Nanny Sun took her seat, Pei Yi, who had been preparing medicine for Gun Yuyao, also spoke:

"Did you bring a physician, sister-in-law? My skills are limited; although this senior's injuries are not life-threatening, it will probably take some time for him to wake up."

"Medical Officer Du has gone to gather herbs in the Cold Crow Mountain Range. The Dragon Beast Master has already sent Golden-Feathered Owl to Xuanwei City to deliver a message. I think our Physician will arrive tomorrow." Nanny Sun got up and replied.

"Granny, I'm relieved to hear that. Now that you're here, my sister-in-law, we brothers will take our leave. Please don't hesitate to ask if you need anything."

Just as Pei Yi and Jiang Qing, the two men from outside the sect, were about to leave, Fei Shuhe asked in a clear voice, "Where is your senior brother? When will he return to the sect?"

"Our senior brother, the sect leader, hasn't mentioned this matter. I only heard Xinran report that he left Double Brightness Trade Market and went to Pingrong County. He's busy with family matters, so I imagine he won't be staying long and should be back soon."

Pei Yi replied, Fei Shuhe thanked him. Pei Yi repeatedly said he didn't deserve it, and then led Jiang Qing out of the dormitory.

Fei Shuhe beckoned the door shut and turned to Nanny Sun, whispering, "Granny, bring me one Six-Origin Meridian-Restoring Pill."

"Yes." Nanny Sun responded, took out a jade bottle, the stopper came off, and a snow-white pill the size of a grain of rice fell out of the jade bottle.

Fei Shuhe personally prepared a bowl of Four Seasons Water, gently pried open Gun Yuyao's small mouth, and had her drink the pill and water.

This Six-Origin Meridian-Restoring Pill truly lived up to its reputation as Higher Vehicle Second Tier injury medicine. Gun Yuyao woke up after only a quarter of an hour. Her bright, clear eyes slowly opened, revealing Fei Shuhe's beautiful face shrouded in sorrow. "Sister Fei Fei!"

"Thank God! It's good that my sister is awake!" Fei Shuhe smiled through her tears, affectionately pressing her face against Gun Yuyao's, and said:

"Sister, don't get up yet. The effects of the medicine haven't worn off completely, and you still need the physician's care. The physician from your elder sister's hospital will be here in no time, and the physician from the Fei Household should be on his way as well."

Besides that, I also wrote to my uncle and my other uncle, and I think those two scoundrels who dared to rob you will be captured in a few days. These ignorant country bumpkins dared to attack and kill a female official in the imperial palace; they are truly audacious. After they are captured, they will certainly be executed along with their entire clan."

"Thank you so much, sister." Gun Yuyao forced a smile, then remembered to ask:

"My sister remembers that I was abducted by two men, one tall and one short, whose methods were ruthless and unlike those of righteous people. Also, a man in black rescued me along the way; he was a highly skilled swordsman. I wonder if he is safe now? Have you seen him, sister?"

"He just went out. Once you're better, I'll take you to see him." Fei Shuhe said, noticing Gun Yuyao's somewhat agitated expression, before adding, "Don't worry, he wasn't even scratched, unlike you. Just focus on recovering. That's my husband's younger brother, Jiang Qing; he won't leave."

Gun Yuyao was somewhat surprised and exclaimed, "What a coincidence! That swordsman in black is actually my brother-in-law's junior brother?"

"What a coincidence!" Seeing that Gun Yuyao was in good spirits, Fei Shuhe relaxed a lot and said with a smile, "Alright, you've just woken up, you still need to rest. Let's talk after you've rested."

"Hey, sister, nanny, take care." Gun Yuyao murmured softly. The door closed, and a gentle breeze carrying the fragrance of flowers and grass entered the middle of the room, making Gun Yuyao's face on the couch feel cool and refreshing.

As she slowly closed her eyes, the throbbing pain in her heart subsided considerably, and for the first time ever, Gun Yuyao felt a stirring of romantic longing.

Gun Yuyao seemed to recall that tall, resolute figure wielding a sword. Before falling into a deep sleep, she murmured, "So his name was Jiang Qing?"

--

After Fei Shuhe and Nanny Sun left their room, they waited until late afternoon, but Medical Officer Du still hadn't appeared.

This made the two of them feel that something was amiss.

Before leaving this morning, Medical Officer Du told Nanny Sun that he wanted to search for medicine in a deeper part of the Cold Crow Mountain Range, so Nanny Sun specially assigned him a team of guards.

Medical Officer Du came from the Aristocratic Clan Alchemist. He was cautious by nature, always cherished his life, and rarely took risks. Logically speaking, since they were not far away, they should have received the message sent by Fei Shuhe long ago, and judging by the time, they should have returned by now.

Just then, Zhang Le led the head guards and the dragon beast master of Green Lotus Courtyard into the courtyard.

"What happened?" Nanny Sun asked, frowning.

The head of the guards, surnamed Wang, was a muscular giant with arms that reached past his knees and a broad back. His fists were as big as Nanny Sun's head, but when questioned by the latter, he dared not utter a word of rebuttal, only showing a hint of shame on his face.

"The soul lamps of Medical Officer Du and the guards who accompanied him have gone out."

"News has also come from Yi Character Number One; it has discovered their bodies." The Dragon Beast Master's expression was also grave.

"Who did it?" Upon hearing this news, Nanny Sun's brows slowly relaxed, and she asked in a deep voice again.

The Dragon Beast Master frowned, thought for a moment, and then said, "Yi Character Number One said the person who came was powerful, so it didn't dare to get close to take a look and only gathered a wisp of energy from afar."

As he spoke, the Dragon Beast Master took out a three-inch-tall glass bottle. Even through the colorless bottle, one could see a wisp of dark aura within.

Nanny Sun casually summoned her, and with a light tap, the heavy yellow clay seal that had blocked the dark, murky air from the bottle's mouth was knocked off.

A dark, murky aura rose up, which Nanny Sun picked up with her finger, clenched in her hand, and gradually dissipated, leaving behind a small, dark-colored pill about the size of a Nanny Sun joint.

Nanny Sun exerted force with two fingers, crushing the pill into smoke, and said with certainty, "It's corpse energy! Extremely close to Second Tier corpse refinement!"

"Corpse refining? It's the Changning Sect, the Feng Prefecture Ge Household?!" Zhang Le, who was still in the courtyard and had led the way, suddenly exclaimed in surprise.

Nanny Sun comforted her, saying, "Little girl, don't worry. The fact that Yi Character Number One returned safely proves that none of the people who attacked Medical Officer Du Foundation Establishment; they were probably just scouts. Go and call your master; we need to get rid of these bedbugs in the house before we feel at ease."

Zhang Le nodded hurriedly and ran out of the courtyard.

In fact, it wasn't just Zhang Le was flustered; Fei Shuhe also showed a hint of worry on her face.

With a hint of sadness in her voice, she said to Nanny Sun, "The compensation for Medical Officer Du and his brothers must be substantial. After we capture the villain who committed this heinous act, we will transport their bodies back to their hometown in Ying Prefecture."

"Yes," Nanny Sun replied respectfully, and the other two felt a little warm in their hearts upon hearing this.

Not long after, Pei Yi and Jiang Qing, who had just left the courtyard, returned, this time accompanied by Yuan Jin, who had just emerged from seclusion after being alarmed by the news of corpse refining.

"Nanny Sun, are you sure the highest-ranking corpse that attacked is only First-Tier Supreme-Grade?" Yuan Jin was worried and confused. Strictly speaking, as a junior, his question was too hasty and presumptuous.

Seeing the tension on Yuan Jin's face, Nanny Sun showed no anger, and said frankly, "Based on that wisp of dark energy, this is how I deduced it. Even if I'm not entirely wrong, it shouldn't be far off."

Only then did Yuan Jin realize his rudeness, and he immediately bowed deeply to Nanny Sun to apologize.

He then turned to Jiang Qing and said, "Rongquan and several junior brothers have not yet returned. I have already sent a message, but Third, you should take some men to search for them first. Be careful and avoid any further casualties."

As soon as Yuan Jin finished speaking, Fei Shuhe added, "Leader Wang and the Dragon Beast Master should also take their guards, spirit birds, and Sanlang with them. That way, they can look out for each other."

Jiang Qing nodded in agreement, then took the two men and went out to muster the troops.

Yuan Jin then turned to Pei Yi and said, "Senior Brother Pei, please write to Ingenious Craftsman Fort and Sha Bang, the clerk in charge of his family in Pingrong County, to explain whether they neglected their duties and missed the Feng Prefecture Ge Household in the military camps located at the border of the two counties?"

If this is true, and if his family doesn't give us an explanation, then after we capture them, we'll go before the Earl and give them a thorough dressing down."

Objectively speaking, Yuan Jin's words were somewhat harsh.

The border between White Sand County and Pingrong County is so vast that, although Ingenious Craftsman Fort obeyed the orders of its senior brother, the sect leader, and set up military camps at several key locations, it engaged in a protracted war of attrition with the Changning Sect for a long time.

But these back-and-forth battles were nothing more than a bloody spectacle, meant for both sides to report to their superiors. They did not mean that the military camps set up by Ingenious Craftsman Fort could truly hold the border between the two counties.

Therefore, Pei Yi felt something was amiss upon hearing this, but considering the presence of outsiders, he couldn't very well reject Yuan Jin's suggestion. He simply said tactfully, "Senior Brother Ye is acquainted with an elder of Ingenious Craftsman Fort. Why not wait until he comes out of seclusion and personally pay him a visit to inquire?"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Jin thought of Ye Zhengwen's failed attempt to break through to the Qi Refinement Ninth Layer half a month ago, and how he was currently recuperating. Calculating the time, he figured Ye Zhengwen would probably be able to emerge from seclusion in the next day or two.

On second thought, he realized that Pei Yi's words made sense, so he readily agreed.

----In a secluded mountain valley in the Cold Crow Mountain Range

A White-Armored Zombie, swallowed the last piece of succulent flesh and blood before finally getting up from a pile of mangled, unrecognizable corpses.

The two Black-Haired Zombie beside him, whose status was far inferior, only dared to pounce on the almost skeletal corpse after their leader had eaten his fill, and eat some leftovers.

The three-headed zombie's owner Ge Yangwei, held several Storage Bag of various shapes in his hands, but his expression was not particularly joyful.

His mission this time was to lead his team of skilled men from the White Sand County section of the Cold Crow Mountain Range to the section of the Cold Crow Mountain Range near the Chongming Sect and lay in ambush.

This group was an advance team sent by the high-ranking members of the Changning Sect to scout ahead. According to the plan of the sect elders, if the Chongming Sect was not vigilant enough, then more people would be sent in batches to hide in various places in the Cold Crow Mountain Range.

We also need to send one or two Foundation Establishment True Cultivator to lead the team, so that when the main force of the Changning Sect attracts all the families of the New Cloud Alliance to the front line, we can gather Ge Yangwei and other elite disciples and place them in the weak points of the Chongming Sect's forces to attack them by surprise.

Unfortunately, things didn't go smoothly from the start. Everything had gone perfectly until they reached the vicinity of the Chongming Sect, where they were discovered by the physician from Green Lotus Courtyard.

Ge Yangwei was initially worried about alerting the enemy, but before he could give the order, some of his men took the initiative to attack.

Fei Shuhe's guards were recruited from the Fei Household after the last hunt for Vermilion Toad Jinmo, and they were quite skilled. Even the physician, who was not good at fighting, caused a lot of trouble for the Changning Sect disciples by scattering stacks of talismans like they were free, thanks to his wealth.

In order to keep them, Ge Yangwei's original team of twelve people has now been reduced to only six who are still breathing. Among these six, three of them have injuries of varying degrees.

Just now, Ge Yangwei noticed what appeared to be a demonic bird hovering above his head, which he figured was most likely the Golden-Feathered Owl kept by the Chongming Sect leader and his wife.

That beast is somewhat famous; it has been able to investigate, so this place cannot remain.

But should they continue deeper into Cold Crow Mountain, conceal themselves, and await further instructions from the sect? Or should they follow the route they came from and retreat back to the sect?

Ge Yangwei was somewhat conflicted.

This expedition has resulted in the loss of so many men, and all we've gained is a few Storage Bag.

If he were to return like this, it would be difficult to say what his future would be as the leader of the team within the Changning Sect.

However, if they do not retreat, the commotion they have caused is considerable, and it should have already reached the ears of the Chongming Sect by now.

His family currently has two Foundation Establishment alive, both with considerable reputation and skill. Even an elder surnamed Lin from the Changning Sect was defeated by Kang Dabao.

Their team not only lacked Foundation Establishment, but also had half of them wounded. If they continued their journey towards Cold Crow Mountain, they might not be able to escape the pursuit of the local thugs.

After thinking for a long time, Ge Yangwei decided to run back. He wasn't Chen Ye; how could he possibly Qi Refinement a Foundation Establishment? The people he had together probably wouldn't be enough to force Jiang Qing to unleash a second sword strike.

The three refining corpses, having just finished their battle, had feasted on flesh and blood, replenishing their previous energy reserves and were in excellent condition.

Ge Yangwei first had his wounded fellow disciples bandage their wounds, while he himself led the corpse refiner and two uninjured subordinates to scout ahead.

Of course, there was also a degree of ulterior motive involved: in case things didn't go smoothly, they wanted to get rid of those burdens as soon as possible and escape.

"Senior Brother Ge, there are two people gathering qi ahead!"

Choose a different route to avoid it!

"Oh no, that dwarf has incredibly strong Divine Sense! He saw me!"

"Useless trash, we can't care about them anymore. Let's cut them down and get back to Old Ox Mountain!"

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