Looking at his disdainful expression, Gu Sheng chuckled.
"Itâs said that the marketplace at Shanshui Town is full of treasures, everything you might imagine wanting is there. Itâs a rare visit, have you decided what to buy?"
"Thereâs a lot of things Iâm interested in buying, I just wonder if itâs really as impressive as they say."
After he spoke, Lan Yao chimed in, "Logically, it should be quite impressive; otherwise, why would so many Jianghu folks come all the way here?"
"Hopefully, Lan Yao, is there anything you want?"
"What I want might be even more than you, hopefully my luckâs good enough to get everything."
"Gu Sheng, what about you?"
Looking out the window, Gu Sheng smiled, "I donât have anything particular in mind, but since Iâm here, I might as well take a stroll. If something catches my eye, I wouldnât mind buying it."
"How can you be so desireless? Thereâs nothing specific you want?"
"Not at the moment."
Seeing him like this, Bai Yu sighed helplessly.
"Someone like you is hard to bribe because we really donât know what youâre interested in."
As he said this, his eyes suddenly brightened.
"Gu Sheng, are you interested in women?"
Upon hearing him speak, Gu Sheng was amused yet exasperated.
"Why are we suddenly talking about this?"
"Because we have everything else, but none of it interests you. The only thing missing are women, are you perhaps interested in them?"
"Of course Iâm interested in women, what else, men?"
"What kind of women are you interested in?"
Seeing Bai Yuâs gossiping face, Gu Sheng raised a hand and pushed his head lightly.
"Iâm just telling you that between men and women, Iâm only interested in women; where is this going?"
"I certainly..."
Before Bai Yu could finish, his subordinate rushed over.
Seeing the subordinate, Bai Yu immediately returned to a serious demeanor.
"What news did you find?"
"Master, people from Mirror Gate are on the move, heading towards the Shanshui Town marketplace."
Upon hearing this, Bai Yu turned to look at Gu Sheng.
Gu Sheng tapped his fingers on the table and asked thoughtfully, "Which direction are they coming from?"
"East, a group of five women and three men. Their characteristics are distinctive; youâll recognize them at a glance."
"Are the Black and White Ghosts with them?"
"No, theyâve communicated secretly, but the Black and White Ghosts havenât surfaced."
Gu Sheng nodded, saying nothing further.
Bai Yu asked a few more questions, but the answers werenât of much value.
When he looked at Gu Sheng again, Gu Sheng said, "The Mirror Gate folks are heading here, so clearly the Black and White Ghosts are already here. Theyâre coming to rendezvous."
"Is their aim to use the crowded marketplace to strike?"
"Thatâs possible. Letâs go, letâs meet the Mirror Gate people."
Understanding his intention, everyone nodded.
As they were heading down the stairs, a group blocked their path.
Upon seeing them, Gu Sheng couldnât help but frown.
The group wasnât strangers; they were the ones competing for the upper rooms.
"Why havenât you left yet?"
Gu Sheng spoke, and the leader laughed mockingly.
"Why, is this inn only open to you, not to others?"
Hearing this, Gu Sheng raised a brow.
According to the Shopkeeper, theyâd booked all the upper rooms, so how could these people be here unless theyâre in the lower rooms?
Thinking about this, Gu Sheng smirked.
"You didnât book the lower rooms here at double the price, did you?"
As soon as Gu Sheng said this, the person got furious.
"Mere lower rooms arenât worth double the price!"
"Didnât pay double? Seems youâre not entirely foolish."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Iâm complimenting you; didnât you catch it?"
After Gu Sheng spoke, Shi Lou and the others couldnât help but burst into laughter.
Looking at them, the man ground his teeth angrily.
"Do you know who I am? How dare you go against me!"
Sizing him up, Gu Sheng shook his head.
"You donât look like youâre from a renowned sect, nor from the crooked or evil, but rather like a spoiled young master leading a group of Loose Cultivators in a makeshift sect."
As Gu Shengâs voice fell, the manâs face changed, like a color palette.
Seeing his ever-changing expression, Gu Sheng knew he was right.
"If youâre some young master here for a taste of life, thereâs really no need to clash with us; otherwise, you might find yourself in trouble thatâs hard to settle."
Saying this, Gu Sheng turned and walked away.
Looking at his back, the man shouted, "Donât underestimate us; youâll regret it!"
Without turning back, Gu Sheng waved casually and led everyone away.
A while after leaving, Er Gou approached and asked, "Brother Sheng, is that guy really going to cause trouble for us?"
"Doesnât matter, with his level of skills, do you think he can stir up any real trouble?"
Er Gou thought for a moment and nodded.
"True, at most his trouble is just trouble; it wonât be too hard to handle."
"Right, donât bother putting him in your mind."
Gu Sheng didnât take the man seriously at all, simply leading the group to the eastern edge of Shanshui Town marketplace overnight.
Looking from afar, they couldnât see anyone.
Gu Sheng carefully sensed the surroundings; there was no one elseâs presence.
"Looks like the Black and White Ghosts arenât here."
"Do you think heâll be here?"
Lan Yao asked, and Gu Sheng smiled.
"Just think itâs possible. After all, theyâre isolated now. Itâs rare for someone to be willing to team up with them, so they should show sincerity; didnât expect them to have such a high stance. Donât know why Mirror Gate would take such risks to help them."
The group also couldnât figure out their motives.
Seeing their confusion, Gu Sheng pointed to a huge rock.
"Hide there first; when they arrive, weâll know."
Understanding his intent, everyone found hiding spots.
Gu Sheng concealed everyoneâs presence and then summoned the small tripod. With a wave of his hand, the tripod flew into the air, shielding everyoneâs aura.
Looking at Bai Yuâs subordinates, Gu Sheng asked, "How long until they arrive?"
"Theyâll definitely arrive before dawn."
"Are you sure?"
"Sure."
Obtaining a confirmed answer, Gu Sheng told everyone to stay vigilant.
By then, night had fully descended, and they had to stay sharp.
Three hours later, Shi Lou and Er Gou started feeling sleepy.
Glancing at the sky, Gu Sheng patted them.
Suddenly being patted, the two were startled.
"Whatâs wrong? Are the Mirror Gate people here?"
Hearing Shi Louâs words, Gu Sheng instantly sealed his mouth.
"Quiet down, do you want to court trouble?"
With the warning, the two immediately quieted down.
Gu Sheng glanced at them and couldnât help but roll his eyes.
"Everyone else is holding up, but you two couldnât, so if you love sleeping so much, next time just sleep for two full days and nights; if you wake up, donât blame me for being harsh!"
Knowing Gu Sheng was slightly annoyed, the two shrunk their necks, not daring to say more.
At this time, distant auras began closing in, obviously scouts from the incoming party.
Gu Sheng promptly perked up, peering towards the direction.
Daybreak was nearing, with thick fog draping the horizon.
He could only sense the approaching aura but couldnât see who it was.
Capturing a strand of aura to sense closely, Gu Sheng frowned.
Seeing him frown, Bai Yu and Lan Yao quickly asked, "Whatâs wrong? Is something off?"
"The Mirror Gate peopleâs aura is pure, no sign of Evil Qi, resembling people from a renowned sect."
"How can this be? People whoâd team up with the Black and White Ghosts, how could they have such aura?"
Gu Sheng was puzzled too, but without direct contact, he didnât dare to guess recklessly, only saying softly, "Letâs wait for them to come, then weâll see."
Everyone followed his gaze, also eager to see what kind of people the Mirror Gate folks were to possess such pure aura while associating with the Black and White Ghosts.