In Emei, start by obtaining golden attributes.

Chapter 408 Keep Your Distance

Huang Xuemei originally appeared in Dongyang Prefecture to find out about Lü Lin's whereabouts from He Qinghua and the other two, as well as Lü Tengkong.

If they couldn't find out, they would kill He Qinghua and the other two before leaving.

However, with the appearance of Gu Shaoan, Huang Xuemei did not need to leave in a hurry. Instead, she could use the murder of He Qinghua and the other two to try to lure Ren Donghai of the Yuanyue Sect to Dongyang Prefecture to seek revenge.

To ensure safety, Gu Shaoan and Huang Xuemei naturally needed to stay close together so that if Ren Donghai brought the Yuanyue Sect, they could take immediate action if any problems arose.

The best place would be the Flying Tiger Escort Agency.

Therefore, after leaving Wanchui Workshop, Gu Shaoan and his two companions went directly to Feihu Escort Agency.

Gu Shaoan had already mentioned this matter to Lü Tengkong when he left last night.

Lu Tengkong was naturally very happy to have Gu Shaoan and Huang Xuemei in charge of the Flying Tiger Escort Agency.

Early this morning, someone had a side courtyard near the garden cleaned up.

Although the courtyard is not large, it is neat and elegant. Several clumps of green bamboo shelter a few houses with blue tiles and white walls. There is also an old pine tree in the courtyard, which is still vigorous even in winter.

However, just as Gu Shaoan and the others had settled down, footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate.

Immediately afterward, Lü Lin strode into the courtyard and said, "Young Master Gu, there is a visitor outside who claims to be Miss Qin Mengyao from Cihang Jingzhai. She says she has important business to discuss with you."

Upon hearing the words "Cihang Jingzhai," Gu Shaoan's brows furrowed involuntarily.

Sitting at the stone table in the courtyard, Gu Shaoan tapped his fingertips lightly twice on the cold stone, his mind racing.

After a moment's hesitation, considering the "Forget-Me-Not Grass" he had obtained from Qin Mengyao today, Gu Shaoan said, "Bring her over here!"

"Okay," Lü Lin replied, his footsteps fading into the distance.

Fan Sanshan's gaze fell on Gu Shaoan and he asked, "Brother Gu seems to dislike this Holy Maiden of Cihang Jingzhai."

After glancing at Cheng Shifei, who looked curious, Gu Shaoan pondered for a moment and then said, "Cihang Jingzhai may seem glamorous, but in reality, it hides deep intentions at every turn and is definitely not a force worth getting close to."

Immediately, Gu Shaoan recounted the events of Cihang Jingzhai to the two of them.

Upon learning that Cihang Jingzhai was using marriage alliances to accumulate power and spread spies to monitor the entire martial arts world, not only Cheng Shifei, but even Fan Sanshan was shocked.

After catching his breath, Fan Sanshan said with a wry smile, "The waters of the martial world are much deeper than I thought. If I hadn't heard these things from you, Brother Gu, I would never have imagined that Cihang Jingzhai would do such things in private. In order to maintain the strength of the sect, they brainwash their disciples and use them as tools to bind the martial arts prodigies of the martial world."

At the same time, Fan Sanshan also understood why, over the centuries, the martial arts world has seen its ups and downs, with countless outstanding martial artists emerging, yet every now and then a legendary tale of a martial arts prodigy and the Holy Maiden of Cihang Jingzhai would be told.

In conclusion, it was all a deliberate act by Cihang Jingzhai.

After learning all this, Cheng Shifei looked even more astonished and said, "You can play it like this?"

Gu Shaoan looked at Cheng Shifei and said, "The martial world is more dangerous than you imagine. In the martial world, 'using any means necessary' is never just a slogan. From Cihang Jingzhai to some low-level forces, everyone has their own way of surviving in the martial world."

"Lust can cloud judgment. If one cannot judge people, even a prodigy martial artist is nothing more than a pawn that can be manipulated at will."

Although Cheng Shifei is unconventional, he is not stupid.

Hearing Gu Shaoan's words, and understanding his meaning, she immediately nodded in acknowledgment.

After calming down for a while, Fan Sanshan said, "Since the Holy Maiden of Cihang Jingzhai is looking for Brother Gu, she must have something important to discuss. I'll take Brother Cheng for a stroll around the area first."

If it were any other day, Cheng Shifei might have wanted to join in the fun.

After learning the true nature of Cihang Jingzhai, Cheng Shifei now feels like he should avoid it like the plague.

He immediately said, "I also feel that staying in this courtyard is a bit boring. It would be good to walk around."

Gu Shaoan did not force the two to stay. After nodding in acknowledgment, the two got up and left.

Just as the two got up to leave, Qin Mengyao appeared in the courtyard, led by Lü Lin.

She was still dressed in the simplest white clothes. Perhaps because the residual poison had not been completely eliminated, Qin Mengyao's face was still pale, although it had lost some of the bluish tinge from the poison.

It was this pale face that made Qin Mengyao, who was already beautiful, even more pitiful, like a fairy who had fallen to earth, making people want to desecrate her.

"Mengyao greets Young Master Gu. I apologize for disturbing you again."

Upon approaching, Qin Mengyao greeted Gu Shaoan.

One shouldn't hit a smiling face. Faced with Qin Mengyao's current politeness, Gu Shaoan nodded slightly in acknowledgment: Please sit down.

Lu Lin bowed to Gu Shaoan and then tactfully left.

After Lü Lin left, Gu Shaoan did not speak, but instead picked up his teacup and took a sip.

Seeing this, Qin Mengyao smiled and said, "It seems that Young Master Gu is still quite wary of Mengyao."

Upon hearing Qin Mengyao's question, Gu Shaoan replied calmly, "If I said I had no suspicions, would Miss Qin believe me?"

Qin Mengyao shook her head and said, "I don't believe it!" Gu Shaoan smiled gently.

Qin Mengyao said, "The leader of the Angry Dragon Gang, Lang, returned to the gang half a month ago and personally stated that he and Little Li Flying Dagger had sparred with Young Master Gu outside Baoding Prefecture, but they were no match for him."

"Both Lang Fanyun, the Sword of Overturning Rain, and Li Xunhuan, the Flying Dagger of Little Li, were top-tier masters at the time. Their actions were already being watched by many people in secret. Although the news has not yet been fully spread in the martial arts world, with such achievements, it can be said that the young master Gu's status as the number one person below the Heavenly Realm has been confirmed. Mengyao also knows that the young master Gu will not trust Mengyao and Cihang Jingzhai indiscriminately, so the sect has long since changed the candidate for Mengyao's "Guardian of Love".

Just then, Gu Shaoan seemed to sense something and his heart stirred, but his face remained expressionless. He said calmly, "Your sect is truly decisive. You can even find a new candidate for the Love Protection Sect in such a short time."

Qin Mengyao said calmly, "Young Master Gu knows that the Cihang Sword Manual in my Cihang Jingzhai follows the method of living through death. If Mengyao wants to advance further, she must first pass the test of love and then the test of death before the Cihang Sword Manual can reach the state of perfection."

"If this drags on for too long, it will only have a greater impact on Mengyao's martial arts path. Since Young Master Gu's path is blocked, Mengyao can only settle for second best and look for other methods."

After a pause, Qin Mengyao continued, "Moreover, Young Master Gu knows a great deal about Cihang Jingzhai and is naturally aware of its internal rules. Mengyao is only a Holy Maiden of Cihang Jingzhai, not the Head of Cihang Jingzhai. No one in Cihang Jingzhai can go against Master's decision, and Mengyao is no exception."

"Whether it's good or bad, whether you want it or not, it's all beyond your control."

After saying her last sentence, Qin Mengyao's eyes also showed a hint of helplessness.

Hearing Qin Mengyao's words, Gu Shaoan gave her a deep look.

Human hearts are made of flesh and blood. Faced with this renowned fairy opening her heart, it's hard not to feel a little pity.

Moreover, the more one knows about the situation at Cihang Jingzhai, the stronger this sense of compassion will become.

Gu Shaoan was the same.

However, unlike before, Gu Shaoan's expression remained unchanged, and his face did not reveal any of his inner emotions.

Even with pity in his heart, considering Qin Mengyao's identity and the scheming sect behind her, Gu Shaoan would always keep his distance from her.

Only in this way can we ensure that no matter how many traps Cihang Jingzhai sets, Gu Shaoan will not fall into them.

Seeing Gu Shaoan's calm reaction, Qin Mengyao sighed inwardly.

Although Qin Mengyao knew that Gu Shaoan would be wary of her now, she did not expect that Gu Shaoan's vigilance would be so strong.

Immediately, Qin Mengyao continued, "It's also because the guardian of love that the sect arranged for Mengyao has changed. Now, Young Master Gu doesn't need to worry that Mengyao will continue to pester him."

"That's good!"

Gu Shaoan nodded first, then asked, "Miss Qin said she has something important to discuss with me. May I ask what this important matter is?"

Qin Mengyao's expression turned serious: "If I'm not mistaken, Young Master Gu intends to join forces with that Huang Dong's daughter to take action against the Round Moon Sect?"

Before Gu Shaoan could respond, Qin Mengyao continued, "If you want to take action, Mengyao advises Young Master Gu and that Miss Huang to make plans as soon as possible."

"What do you mean?" Gu Shaoan asked.

Qin Mengyao truthfully replied, "As far as I know, the strongest person in the Round Moon Sect is not the current sect leader Ren Donghai, but the previous sect leader Ren Zhenbei, who has disappeared from the martial arts world for decades and is even rumored to be long gone."

"This person's strength far surpasses that of Ren Donghai. It is said that decades ago, he mastered the demonic martial art 'Divine Blade Slash' and combined it with the divine blade of the Round Moon Sect. The round moon scimitar was gleaming and its power was terrifying. It was no weaker than the legendary 'Three Blades of Avici Hell'. Even Master Zhang once said that martial artists below the Celestial Realm had to avoid the edge of his round moon scimitar."

"Most importantly, according to the information Mengyao obtained, Ren Zhenbei has been in seclusion within the Round Moon Gate for decades, attempting to break through to the Celestial Realm."

"Now, we have reached the final moment. In at most half a month, we may be able to merge the three elements and step into the Celestial Realm."

"Therefore, if Young Master Gu is not absolutely certain of victory, it is best not to easily antagonize the Round Blade Sect."

"Once the Round Blade Sect gains a Celestial Realm martial artist, its status will no longer be as simple as that of a first-rate force."

Gu Shaoan was slightly surprised to hear what Qin Mengyao said.

The fact that Ren Zhenbei was about to enter the Celestial Realm surprised Gu Shaoan even more.

After a moment's thought, Gu Shaoan asked, "Why did Miss Qin reveal this information to me?"

Qin Mengyao responded, "It can be considered compensation for my previous desire to find Young Master Gu to be my 'Guardian of Love,' and it can also be seen as a sincere gesture of my genuine friendship."

Upon hearing this, Gu Shaoan nodded and said, "Thank you for telling me, Miss Qin."

Qin Mengyao smiled gently and said, "I have already informed Young Master Gu. I have done all that I can, so I will not disturb you any longer."

As she spoke, Qin Mengyao stood up.

Considering the information Qin Mengyao had just shared and the purpose of her visit, Gu Shaoan politely stood up.

"Take care, Miss Qin."

Qin Mengyao nodded slightly in return and then turned and walked outside without any hesitation.

After watching Qin Mengyao leave, and until he sensed her presence leaving the Flying Tiger Escort Agency, Gu Shaoan said softly, "I didn't expect Miss Huang to also enjoy eavesdropping."

　My cold is getting better today, and I should be able to start catching up on updates tomorrow! Considering I haven't written much these past few days, I'll be updating three times a day for the next four days!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)