Yang Guo: I'm invincible in the opening battle against Aunt Guo!

Yang Guo rode alone out of the northwest gate of Xiangyang and galloped along the official road.

The black horse was incredibly fast, quickly leaving behind the hustle and bustle of Xiangyang and the complex emotions between the mother and daughter.

He didn't feel much sorrow at parting; instead, he felt a strong urge to venture into the world of martial arts.

One day later.

The official road was long and dusty.

It was nearly afternoon.

A simple tea stall appeared by the roadside ahead.

With thatched roof and bamboo poles as a frame, a faded "tea" flag hangs listlessly in the hot wind.

Several rough wooden tables and benches were placed under the shed, a place where travelers would rest and quench their thirst.

Yang Guo spotted three horses tied up outside the teahouse from afar, one of which was quite magnificent.

His eyesight was excellent. Although he couldn't see the whole picture inside the shed, he could sense three auras inside. One of them was cold and had a faint murderous aura, which was quite familiar.

He smiled slightly and slowed down his horse.

As you get closer, you can see it clearly.

In the shady corner of the teahouse sat three women, none other than Li Mochou and her two disciples.

Li Mochou was still dressed in an apricot-yellow Taoist robe, spotless, holding a rough porcelain teacup and slowly sipping her tea. Her elegant posture was completely out of place in this simple environment.

Hong Lingbo and Lu Wushuang sat to her left, each drinking tea, their expressions reserved.

They seemed to have rested for a while. Hong Lingbo was placing a few copper coins on the table, and Lu Wushuang also stood up, preparing to leave.

Just then, the clattering of hooves came to a stop outside the shed.

The three looked up and saw a young man in blue robes nimbly dismount his horse, casually tie the reins to a post outside the shed, and step inside.

Sunlight streamed in from behind him, casting a halo around him that made him appear even more upright and handsome.

It was Yang Guo.

Li Mochou's eyes flashed, and her fingers holding the teacup paused slightly.

Hong Lingbo and Lu Wushuang also showed surprise, not expecting to meet this person again here, especially since he was all alone.

Yang Guo seemed oblivious to the subtle expressions on their faces, walking straight to another empty table near the door and sitting down. He said to the old man at the tea stall who was busy serving customers:

"Old man, could you please bring me a bowl of chilled tea, and also give the horses some water and hay?"

His voice was clear and his manner was easygoing.

"Alright, please wait a moment, sir!" the old man replied hastily and went to make arrangements.

Yang Guo then turned his head to look at Li Mochou's table, a look of surprise on his face. He cupped his hands and smiled, saying:

"Master Li, Miss Hong, Miss Lu, what a coincidence that we meet again here."

Li Mochou put down her teacup, her cold and beautiful face revealing little emotion, only nodding slightly:

"Young Master Yang, how have you been?"

Her gaze swept over Yang Guo, noticing his simple luggage, travel-worn appearance, and lone rider heading north. A thought stirred within her.

Hong Lingbo and Lu Wushuang also stood up to return the greeting. Lu Wushuang stole a glance at Yang Guo and saw that he was alone and looked calm, which made her curious.

The tea was served, and Yang Guo sipped it slowly, not in a hurry to continue his journey, nor did he initiate any conversation, remaining calm and composed.

Li Mochou, who was originally preparing to leave, sat down again upon seeing this.

Her phoenix eyes lingered on Yang Guo for a moment before she suddenly spoke:

"Young Master Yang, you're traveling north alone in such a hurry. What brings you here? Could it be... that you're also heading to Chang'an?"

She asked directly, her gaze fixed on Yang Guo.

She wanted to know why the young man was traveling alone to the north.

Upon hearing this, Yang Guo looked up at Li Mochou, smiled frankly, and showed no sign of concealment or wariness:

"Master Li has a good eye. I am on my master's orders, not going to Chang'an, but to Mount Hua on business."

"Mount Hua?" Li Mochou raised an eyebrow, quickly considering the question.

Why did Huang Rong send him to Mount Hua?

Thinking of this, Li Mochou's icy expression softened, and a friendly smile appeared on her face:

"Oh? What a coincidence. My disciple and I are also heading north to Zhongnan Mountain, which is roughly the same direction as Mount Hua. The road ahead is mountainous and densely forested, with bandits lurking around, so there may be dangers. If Young Hero Yang doesn't mind that we women are a burden, we might as well travel together for a while, so we can look out for each other."

She spoke politely, and her reasons were plausible, but the scrutiny and calculation in her phoenix eyes could not escape Yang Guo's notice.

Yang Guo held his teacup, understanding dawning on his mind.

Li Mochou has become interested in me and wants to take advantage of being a fellow traveler to observe and even exploit me.

With his early-stage Grandmaster level strength, let alone Li Mochou, even if all three of them joined forces, they could be easily wiped out.

But he was indeed somewhat curious about this Red Serpent Fairy, who was known for both her beauty and her fearsome reputation.

Especially her entanglement with the Little Dragon Girl of the Ancient Tomb.

Traveling together for a while can alleviate the loneliness of the journey and also allow one to see what this fairy is planning. It's not a bad idea.

As for danger? What a joke! It's Li Mochou who should be worried.

Having made up his mind, Yang Guo put down his teacup, his smile unchanged, even carrying a hint of carefree unruliness, and said loudly:

"With a master of unparalleled elegance like Master Li accompanying me on this long journey, I'm sure I won't be lonely at all."

His words were frank, showing both acceptance of his peers and a subtle appreciation for Li Mochou's beauty.

He struck the perfect balance, neither appearing frivolous nor lacking in the presence of a young, chivalrous hero.

Hearing his quick agreement and the subtle compliment about her appearance, Li Mochou felt pleased, and her smile deepened.

"Young Master Yang, you flatter me. In that case, shall we rest for a while and then continue our journey together?"

"I will leave it to you, Daoist Master." Yang Guo readily agreed.

Hong Lingbo and Lu Wushuang exchanged bewildered glances, surprised that their master would take the initiative to invite a young man to accompany them, and even more surprised that the man agreed so readily.

Looking at Yang Guo's handsome profile and composed demeanor, Lu Wushuang's heart skipped a beat for no reason, and she quickly lowered her head.

So, Li Mochou and her disciples, who had originally planned to leave, sat back down.

When Li Mochou saw Yang Guo agree so readily, a hint of surprise flashed across her eyes, but she quickly regained her cool demeanor.

She stood up, her apricot-yellow Taoist robe brushing against the rough wooden stool.

"In that case, let's set off. There's a market town thirty miles ahead; let's get there before nightfall."

Yang Guo had no objection and paid for the tea.

The four men and three horses set off again. Yang Guo, riding a magnificent black horse, took the lead, while Li Mochou and her disciples' two horses lagged slightly behind.

The official road was dust-free, yet the atmosphere was more subtle than the dust itself.

Hong Lingbo and Lu Wushuang followed behind, not daring to breathe loudly, only secretly glancing at the two figures walking side by side ahead.

One was upright and honest in a green robe, the other was aloof and elegant in an apricot-colored gown. They seemed harmonious, yet there was an invisible distance between them.

"Young Master Yang."

Li Mochou suddenly spoke, her voice slightly ethereal from the wind, "Mount Hua is treacherous. Chief Huang sent you there alone; the task you undertake must be extraordinary?"

Yang Guo had anticipated her question and smiled to the side:

"I cannot disobey my master's orders. As for the specifics, I cannot elaborate without permission. However, I have heard that Mount Hua has extraordinary scenery, so it would be good to go and see it for myself."

It was an answer, yet it felt like I didn't answer at all.