Chapter 88 - 86: Follow-Up (Two-in-One Chapter)_2

The trusted aide hesitated slightly, but ultimately gritted his teeth and said:

"Master Han... The Gang Leader told us before to avoid making any big moves. If we go to such great lengths, it will alarm Liu Yuanhu over there. Liu Yuanhu has already been dissatisfied with the matters concerning the Li Family Fort..."

Han Lu coldly stared at his trusted aide before scoffing:

"I’ll talk to the boss myself. If I don’t kill Du Jiangbo, then I, Han Lu, am no man!"

The trusted aide immediately refrained from trying to dissuade him further.

Han Lu cast one more glance at the chaotic mess before him and strode away. From now on, it seemed unlikely that he’d come to the Li Family Fort as frequently. Regarding Li Yu’s death, he had some regret—at most, he’d miss her flirtatious allure for a few days, but that was all.

More than anything, he was furious that a small fry like Du Jiangbo dared to provoke him.

In the past, Han Lu had done similar things, but everything had always been under his control. This time, it had gone disastrously wrong, something never before experienced.

The Black Sand Gang began mobilizing, their steeds galloping swiftly to different locations.

...

The sun rose high in the sky.

Gu Sheng was practicing his punches. His moves were free and unrestrained, relaxed and effortless, as though nothing had transpired the previous night.

At this moment, he felt that his punching form had reached an unprecedented peak. Perhaps it was because his mind was free from burdens, making his thoughts sharper.

Knock, knock, knock!

Urgent knocks sounded from outside the courtyard door, and Gu Erniu’s slightly excited voice came through:

"Asheng! Asheng!"

Gu Sheng stopped his Fist Skill, unable to help but smile inwardly, and responded loudly:

"Coming!"

He opened the door and saw Gu Erniu pacing back and forth. Gu Sheng couldn’t help but tease:

"You look so anxious, Erniu—judging by your expression, could some good fortune have occurred? Could it be that your wife is pregnant?"

Gu Erniu’s face turned red. Scratching the back of his head, he replied:

"Asheng, stop joking around with me. It’s something else! It’s good news!"

"What news?" Gu Sheng’s interest was piqued.

"Last night, there was a great fire at Li Family Fort!"

Gu Erniu said mysteriously.

"What does that have to do with us? How could that possibly be considered good news?"

Gu Sheng couldn’t help but purse his lips as he laughed, pouring Gu Erniu a bowl of tea, and the two sat down.

Gu Erniu grinned and chuckled:

"Du Jiangbo started the fire! That green turtle finally grew a spine! Last night, not only did he kill several of the Black Sand Gang members stationed there, but he also cut off Li Yu’s head. Han Lu is absolutely furious now!"

Gu Sheng shot up instantly, his face full of excitement:

"Really?!"

"Of course it’s true. Would I ever lie to you? The entire Li Family Fort knows about it now, and I figure villages and forts nearby are already talking about it too."

"Weren’t you always worried that Li Yu might bring trouble to us? Now that she’s dead, Han Lu’s mind is fully occupied with Du Jiangbo and he wouldn’t possibly take any action against us. From now on, this matter is known by heaven, earth, you, and me!"

"Doesn’t that count as good news?"

Gu Erniu grinned from ear to ear. Over the past few days, he’d been feeling uneasy. Earlier, he’d been confident, but as Li Yu grew ever more favored, his anxiety increased as well. Learning about Li Yu’s death naturally delighted him.

Gu Sheng burst into hearty laughter and drained the bowl of water in one gulp.

"Of course it’s good news! From now on, this matter can be considered completely resolved. We must never bring it up again."

"Absolutely, absolutely."

Gu Erniu nodded repeatedly.

After chatting a bit more, Gu Erniu left the courtyard to talk about the hot news with other hunters, while Gu Sheng politely declined his invitation under the excuse of needing to continue practicing martial arts.

As he watched Gu Erniu’s departing figure, Gu Sheng’s originally elated expression gradually calmed down. He shook his head with a wry smile.

He knew better than anyone else the truth behind all of this.

But such things were best buried deep within one’s own heart.

"Du Jiangbo... Now it’s all up to your own fate. I hope you manage to escape."

Gu Sheng’s gaze grew deep. After pausing for a moment in thought, he composed himself and resumed practicing martial arts.

For now, all he needed to do was pretend as though he knew nothing and quietly wait for the storm to pass.

...

Two days later.

Outside White Stone Town, an intense chase was unfolding.

Du Jiangbo appeared a bit disheveled, his eyes brimming with a desperate will to survive. Far behind him, faint glimpses of swift-moving shadows darted through the dense forest—these were members of the Black Sand Gang.

Just two hours prior.

Du Jiangbo, according to his agreement with Gu Sheng, revealed his presence in the most remote area of White Stone Town in Canghe County. Originally, he had assumed the Black Sand Gang wouldn’t respond so quickly.

However.

He had ultimately underestimated Han Lu’s relentless nature and the overwhelming influence of the Black Sand Gang.

Throughout Canghe County’s territory, most areas were under the Black Sand Gang’s surveillance. Shortly after Du Jiangbo revealed his presence, he sensed he was being tracked, yet no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t shake them.

In a panic, he fled toward the deep mountains, hoping to use the complex terrain to lose his pursuers.

Du Jiangbo’s initial plan wasn’t wrong, but he had the terrible misfortune of encountering the worst possible adversary.

It so happened that a Blood Refining Realm expert from the Black Sand Gang was conducting business near White Stone Town. Upon learning of Du Jiangbo’s presence, the expert seized the chance to curry favor with Han Lu, immediately leading a group to pursue him. Now they clung to him like maggots, closing the distance with alarming speed.

It was clear the chase would only end with capture.

Du Jiangbo ran frantically, despair mounting within him.

"Damn it... I ended up running into the Black Sand Gang’s fastest tracker, Wind Hall Master Leng Yun. Truly rotten luck!"

The Black Sand Gang boasted a roster of formidable experts, with their strongest undeniably being Gang Leader Zhao Honglie, a Bone Refining Realm master.

Below him, there were at least two Blood Refining Realm masters.

Han Lu did not rank among the top five. His position as Vice Gang Leader was solely due to being Zhao Honglie’s trusted confidant.