When their eyes met, Huang Shan nodded vigorously.
"Hmm, Iâm not afraid."
"Tonight, you and I will change rooms."
After Gu Sheng spoke, Huang Shan hurriedly said, "Brother Sheng, Iâm fine."
"No, letâs change. Shi Lou, help him move his things directly."
Without saying a word, Shi Lou picked up the things and left.
"Brother Sheng, thank you!"
"Whatâs there to thank, no need to be so polite among brothers."
Gu Sheng patted Huang Shanâs shoulder, and finally, a smile appeared on Huang Shanâs face.
That night, everything was unexpectedly calm.
At daybreak, everyone gathered together again.
Seeing Bai Yuâs unsightly expression, Er Gou approached and asked, "Whatâs wrong with you? You look awful, didnât sleep well last night?"
"Yeah, I kept thinking I could catch one or two, but I didnât expect them to be so cowardly, not daring to come all night."
"You didnât wait all night, did you?"
"Not really, I fell asleep just before dawn."
After Bai Yu finished speaking, Gu Sheng couldnât help but laugh.
"Sleeping only after dawn, how is that different from staying up all night?"
"At least I did sleep for two hours."
"Thatâs really impressive."
After Gu Sheng spoke, Bai Yuâs face turned comically dark.
Seeing him like this, everyone couldnât help but laugh.
After breakfast, the group continued on their journey.
That night, Bai Yuâs people rushed back in a hurry.
Seeing them, everyone immediately went up to meet them.
Bai Yu hurriedly asked, "Did you gather any information?"
"Young Master, there is news. Itâs said that the Black and White Ghosts are in Shanshui Town, and also..."
"And also what?"
"And they have indeed recruited people, a sect called Mirror Gate."
"Mirror Gate? Have you heard of it?"
After Bai Yu asked, everyone shook their heads.
"What kind of sect is it? How come weâve never heard of it?"
"Itâs said that this sect doesnât roam the Jianghu but develops only in specific places, and itâs mostly women, each with extraordinary skills. They each have a mirror, which is their weapon. The sect wanders between the righteous and the evil and is rarely seen. Itâs unclear how the Black and White Ghosts found them."
Upon learning that the Black and White Ghosts really recruited people, everyoneâs expressions turned grim.
Gu Sheng twirled his fingers lightly and said, "Anyone who would collude with minions of evil is certainly not righteous. We must spread the word and warn everyone because the Shanshui market is about to open, and there are many Jianghu people coming and going. We canât let anyone fall for their tricks."
Hearing Gu Shengâs words, Bai Yu nodded in agreement.
"Youâre right. Spread my command to quickly disseminate this information, and make sure everyone is on alert before the market opens."
Bai Yuâs subordinates listened to the order and headed to the Shanshui Town market ahead of them.
"Brother Sheng, should we also hurry? Lest the Black and White Ghosts and a Mirror Gate cause trouble?"
After Shi Louâs question, Brother Sheng nodded.
"Yes, they arrived first, surely with a plan. We canât let them succeed."
"Should we leave now?"
"Letâs go."
Gu Sheng led the group, heading straight to Shanshui Town.
As they approached Shanshui Town, he suddenly noticed that something was off.
Gu Sheng glanced around but didnât see anything unusual.
After some thought, he deliberately slowed his pace.
Everyone around him, curious and observing their surroundings, also unconsciously slowed down with him.
As they entered Shanshui Town, the crowd around them grew.
Amid the bustling crowd, Gu Sheng quietly moved beside Huang Shan, deliberately watching the people around him.
Sure enough, he saw someone continually following Huang Shan, their gaze frequently falling on him, clearly not focused on the market.
With this realization, Gu Sheng again changed position.
After turning a corner, where there were fewer people, Gu Sheng intentionally led them down a small path.
The person following behind seemed oblivious and followed them in.
After walking a few steps, Gu Sheng deftly appeared behind them, grabbed their wrist tightly!
"Sneaking around all this way, who sent you?"
Feeling the bind on their wrist, the personâs face changed, raising a hand to try and break free.
Gu Sheng gripped them firmly, continually releasing Spiritual Energy, giving them no chance to escape. The more they struggled, the tighter Gu Shengâs hold became. Soon, the person couldnât endure it anymore.
"Spare me, sir! Spare me, sir!"
Seeing them surrender so easily, Gu Sheng sneered.
"With your measly skills, you dare cause trouble? Speak, who sent you?"
"No one... no one sent me. I just had my eye on that gentlemanâs money pouch at his waist."
Gu Sheng turned to look. Sure enough, amongst everyone, only Huang Shan had casually hung his money pouch at his waist, and it was bulging, clearly holding something!
Of course, Gu Sheng didnât believe him easily and pulled him up.
"Shi Lou, Er Gou, come and search him."
Hearing this, the two hurried forward, thoroughly searching the little thief inside and out.
"Brother Sheng, thereâs nothing there."
"Er Gou, how about you?"
"Nothing on my side either."
The two spread their hands, making Gu Sheng frown.
"Really, no one sent you?"
"Really, no one! Iâm not of the Jianghu, just an idling scoundrel whoâs been short on money lately. With so many people coming to Shanshui Town, I thought Iâd improve my meals."
His words were water-tight, and Gu Sheng was half convinced.
After some thought, he released him.
"Scram, donât let me see you again! If thereâs a next time, Iâll take your life!"
After Gu Sheng spoke, the person thanked him profusely and ran off in a panic.
Watching his retreating figure, Gu Shengâs expression was unreadable.
Lan Yao glanced at him and lightly nudged his shoulder.
"What are you looking at? You donât believe him?"
"No, I donât."
Upon hearing this answer, Lan Yao was taken aback.
"Really? You donât believe him? Shi Lou and Er Gou found nothing, so heâs probably not from any sect! Also, Huang Shanâs money pouch is indeed eye-catching. I think he wasnât lying."
"His words were flawless, but his actions gave him away."
"What do you mean?"
"Did you see how he left just now? He ran fast, without a sound. If heâs not from Jianghu, how does he have such strong Inner Strength? Shi Lou has to control his movements to remain silent, yet amidst his panic, he could run with such ease. Do you think heâs just a petty thief?"
After Gu Sheng spoke, Lan Yaoâs expression changed.
Because he actually believed the manâs words! He didnât even consider it!
"Bai Yu, did you catch on?"
After Lan Yaoâs question, Bai Yu nodded, then shook his head.
Seeing this, Lan Yao was puzzled.
"Nodding and shaking, what do you mean?"
"It means I noticed his peculiar behavior but also believed his words."
"You believe and donât believe simultaneously?"
"Something like that, I suppose."
After speaking, Bai Yu shook his head at himself.
"It seems I havenât been out enough. I couldnât see through such a simple thing. But Gu Sheng, can you tell which sect heâs from?"
"I canât, but today we spared his life. He will surely show up again."
"Are you sure?"
"Itâs very likely."
After hearing this, Bai Yu nodded.
"Your words are usually spot-on, so we must stay alert."
Gu Sheng looked at Huang Shan and pointed at the money pouch at his waist.
"While traveling, donât show your wealth. You must remember this."
Understanding his meaning, Huang Shan quickly stowed away the money pouch.
"Sorry, Brother Sheng, it was my oversight."
"No worries, drawing him out was a small ploy. But donât be careless, I fear Qingxia may target you."