Chapter 1083 - 565: False Jianghu Rumors (Part 2)

After much contemplation, he clasped his fists in a salute.

"Thank you, Brother, for your guidance. I will now go find those traveling with me. If we finally meet at East Mountain, I hope, Brother, you will lend a hand."

Upon hearing this, Lan Yao furrowed his brows tightly.

"I’ve told you everything you need to know. Why do you still want to go to East Mountain?"

"If things are truly as you say, we should help in eradicating the Fan Sect. However, I am unsure if we stand a chance against them, hence I ask for your assistance."

Understanding his meaning, Lan Yao awkwardly scratched his head.

"So that’s what you meant. I misunderstood you."

"No worries. Thank you for the reminder, Brother. I will go find those traveling with me."

After a slight bow, the man turned and left.

Watching his back, Hong Mei asked, "Gu Sheng, do you think he will spread this news?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because no one dares to offend Saint Ya. He’ll tell those traveling with him, but he won’t broadcast it. However, there’s no wall in the world that doesn’t let the wind through. Once someone knows, it will inevitably spread, intentionally or unintentionally."

"Should we spread the news ourselves? After all, we’re targeting them and aren’t afraid of trouble."

After Hong Mei spoke, Gu Sheng chuckled.

"Once we spread the word, we simply wait and see."

"Why? Many still don’t know the truth, and what if they charge to their deaths?"

"Indeed, many don’t know the truth, but not everyone seeks the Spiritual Pearl. Among them, some are targeting the Fan Sect or Saint Ya. If we disseminate the information, it will surely deepen Saint Ya’s hatred."

"You mean..."

Though Hong Mei left her sentence unfinished, her expression had darkened.

Gu Sheng gently nodded: "That’s right, the Fan Sect members have all been poisoned. It’s like Saint Ya lost an arm. She won’t have time to cultivate another such force, so her only option is to find followers from Jianghu to oppose us. There are surely her followers among these groups who will become our enemies. Therefore, we need not say much."

Understanding his reasoning, Hong Mei ground her molars in irritation.

"I can’t believe such a venomous person still has followers! Some people are just insane!"

"As long as there’s profit to be made, it’s a good thing for them. They willingly fall into the abyss and will pay the price sooner or later. After all, the Peak is in the open, and such despicable people can’t reach it easily."

"Right! They are entirely undeserving!"

Seeing Hong Mei still fuming, Gu Sheng patted her arm.

"Alright, don’t be angry. They’re irrelevant people. Don’t harm yourself over them; it’s not worth it."

In a rare moment of soft-spoken words, Gu Sheng dispelled her anger, causing Hong Mei’s face to blush.

"I understand."

Her tone carried a touch of feminine shyness, causing others to chuckle discreetly.

Gu Sheng gave them a warning look, prompting them to restrain their mirth.

At dawn, Gu Sheng led his team onward.

At a crossroads, he chose a less-traveled path.

The path wasn’t easy, but the fewer people, the less confused the aura, allowing him to quickly sense any situation.

After traveling that road for half the day, Gu Sheng paused again.

Looking at the blazing sun above, Shi Lou wiped his sweat and asked, "Brother Sheng, are we taking a break?"

With a slight curl of his lips, Gu Sheng replied, "Not a break; we’ve encountered an old acquaintance."

"An old acquaintance? Who?"

Gu Sheng turned to the shadows and flicked out a trace of Spiritual Energy.

"Don’t hide; it’s us. Come out and meet."

They all looked in that direction but saw no signs of life. Even as Gu Sheng’s aura reached out, there was no response.

For a moment, they exchanged puzzled glances.

"Brother Sheng, could you be mistaken? There’s no one there!"

Scratching his head, Shi Lou spoke, and Lan Yao craned his neck for another look.

The area remained calm, apparently devoid of anyone.

"Gu Sheng, could you have sensed wrongly? Maybe it’s the aura from another path?"

Gu Sheng shook his head with a smile and sent out another trace of aura.

"Don’t hide; we’re all on the same side. Come and meet us."

This aura was notably more robust than before. Finally, after it lingered, when all thought Gu Sheng was mistaken, there was activity there.

After a rustling sound, the grass shifted slightly, and a faint aura preceded someone’s emergence.

Seeing someone there startled everyone.

At this moment, the Sect Leader of Qikong Sect peered out, his eyes scanning their faces.

Realizing it was him, everyone exclaimed in surprise.

"So it’s you!"

"No wonder Brother Sheng said he’s one of us—it truly is one of us!"

"Why didn’t you come out sooner!"

Hearing their words, the Sect Leader of Qikong Sect smiled.

"Haven’t I angered the Fan Sect? So I’ve been very cautious on the way. Even when I sensed Gu Sheng’s aura, I dared not believe it, fearing someone might lure me out with it. It was only after he sent a denser aura that I dared to reveal myself. Didn’t expect it was indeed you!"

The Sect Leader of Qikong Sect leapt out from the shadows, joyfully approaching them.

"Are you also here for the Spiritual Pearl?"

At this, Gu Sheng furrowed his brows.

"You believe the Fan Sect has the Spiritual Pearl?"

"Believe what nonsense! They’re blood-stained disciples. How could they possess the Spiritual Pearl? Pah! I’m risking my life to save these brainless Jianghu folks. If not for fearing they’d meet a tragic end, I wouldn’t take such a risk. Can they not use their brains? How could the Fan Sect possibly have the Spiritual Pearl?"

At his words, Gu Sheng’s tightly knitted brows finally relaxed.

"Forget about whether others believe—you disbelieving is enough."

"I certainly don’t believe. Even if someone put a knife to my neck, I wouldn’t believe."

"How many came with you this time?"

"A lot. I fear death, so I brought many along, but now it seems I needn’t worry."

As he spoke, he bashfully scratched his head.

Seeing him act this way, Gu Sheng couldn’t help but laugh.

"If I’m not mistaken, you’ve been spreading word about the Spiritual Pearl along your journey?"

"More or less. I’ve told familiar sects; I can’t let the Fan Sect succeed."

"Aren’t you afraid someone targeting the Fan Sect will report you to Saint Ya?"

"I was initially, but then I thought, why bother? We’ve already had two great battles, cementing enmity. No matter what I say or do, they’re after my life. With my head already at stake, what’s left to fear?"

Seeing his upright posture, Gu Sheng patted his shoulder.

"Don’t worry, with us here, they won’t take your life."

"Brother Gu, with your words, my heart feels much steadier."

He looked eagerly at Gu Sheng, clearly speaking earnestly, amusing everyone once more.

"Now that we’ve met, our numbers have increased. Even if there are people among the crowd heading for the Fan Sect, they may not be our match. Gu Sheng, should we move ahead and see what the situation is like there first?"

After Bai Yu spoke, Gu Sheng nodded.

"Let’s go, we’ll move ahead first."

The Qikong Sect followed them, setting out together for East Mountain.

Throughout the journey, Gu Sheng and his group pressed on relentlessly, quickly arriving at the foot of East Mountain.

Upon arrival, few Jianghu people were present, and seeing some begin to set camp, Gu Sheng was puzzled and couldn’t help but furrow his brows.