Starting with a blind date with a female constable, you acquire the Nine Swords of Dugu.

Chapter Sixty-Six: The Path of Passion, Please Help Me Cultivate, Miss.

Qingtai Temple was exceptionally quiet in the evening.

The last rays of twilight peeked through the cracks in the high window, spreading a narrow strip of warm yellow across the blue brick floor of the side hall, turning the dust floating in the air into tiny golden particles.

A few oil lamps were lit in the side hall, their dim and steady light casting the shadows of several people onto the mottled walls.

Gu Guanqi slowly finished his practice, removed the last silver needle from the acupoint on Gou Liu's shoulder, and with a gentle flick of his fingertip, put the silver needle back into his cloth bag.

He stood up and said calmly, "The poison in your body has been completely expelled, and your injuries are no longer a problem. With Senior Gou Liu's profound skills, you will be able to move freely tomorrow. However, it is not advisable to engage in combat for a short period of time; it would be best to rest quietly for a month or two."

Gou Liu slowly exhaled a breath of stale air; her complexion was much better than before, but still pale. She slowly stood up, clutching her stomach with one hand, and bowed deeply to Gu Guanqi, solemnly saying, "Thank you so much, Alliance Leader Gu, for saving us. If it weren't for your help today, Lanlan and I would probably be dead. The Nirvana Gu would have been stolen by villains."

Gu Guanqi waved his hand, put the silver needle pouch into his pocket, and said, "It is only right to do what is right. Senior, there is no need for such formality."

Master Xuanbei sat upright to the side, his body still wrapped in bandages, but his spirits had recovered considerably. He clasped his hands together and said, "Amitabha. Alliance Leader Gu is unparalleled in benevolence and righteousness. This humble monk also thanks Alliance Leader Gu on behalf of Qingtai Temple."

Then, he said to Gou Liu, "Furthermore, High Priest, Alliance Leader Gu intends to help you to the end and escort you and Nirvana Gu back to Miao territory. The journey to Hongzhou is long, and you are currently seriously injured. With Alliance Leader Gu accompanying you, you will surely be safe."

Upon hearing this, Gou Liu's eyes flashed with delight, but then a hint of hesitation appeared. She hesitated for a moment, then said, "Alliance Leader Gu, I have already received a great favor from you; how could I possibly trouble you to escort me all this way?"

Gu Guanqi smiled slightly and said, "Senior, there's no need to worry. We're all fellow martial artists, it's just a small matter, nothing to be concerned about. Besides, I was planning to go to Hongzhou anyway, so it's just a coincidence that we're traveling together. You don't need to take it to heart."

Lanlan had been squatting on a prayer mat in the corner of the hall, her hands supporting her chin, tilting her head as she looked the group up and down. Hearing this, she suddenly blinked her large, dark eyes and asked suspiciously, "Brother, you don't mean you're going to see my sect leader, do you?"

"Lanlan!" Gou Liu's expression darkened slightly, her tone stern. "You mustn't be disrespectful to Alliance Leader Gu!"

Lanlan stuck out her tongue and shrank her neck, but still stared at Gu Guanqi with her bright eyes, her eyes full of "I didn't guess right, did I?"

Gu Guanqi chuckled and said frankly, "If I could have the opportunity to get to know Master Mu, then this trip would truly have been worthwhile."

"No, no!" Lanlan immediately shook her head and waved her hands, her little face serious. "Brother, you're such a flirt, I wouldn't dare take you to Master. We Miao people practice monogamy, and it's about unwavering loyalty until death. You don't meet the standards of our Miao village!"

Gou Liu sternly rebuked her: "Lanlan! If you continue to be disrespectful to Alliance Leader Gu, I will punish you!"

Lanlan immediately shut her mouth, pressing her lips into a thin line, but her eyes still darted around.

Gu Guanqi was amused. He turned his head slightly, glanced at Lanlan, and said, "Actually, I cultivate the Path of Passion. Every time I fall in love, it's a rare breakthrough for me, and my cultivation level increases greatly. So, if Sect Leader Mu is willing to help me cultivate, I will be extremely grateful."

Gou Liu was slightly taken aback and asked doubtfully, "The Path of Passion? In all my years, this is the first time I've heard of such a path. Is there really such a way of cultivation?"

Gu Guanqi nodded slightly: "That is indeed the way. The woman doesn't need to invest her feelings; she only needs to go on a normal blind date and get to know me. If I'm interested, my cultivation will increase greatly. There won't be any presumptuousness involved; everything depends on fate."

Gou Liu was skeptical, taking it as just an excuse for the young man's infatuation, and said, "This old woman cannot make the decision. Let's see what the sect leader has to say then."

Lanlan didn't give up immediately. Her eyes darted around, and suddenly she became interested. She took half a step forward, looked up at Gu Guanqi, and said, "Brother, if what you're saying is true, can I help you with your cultivation?"

Gu Guanqi was slightly taken aback, looked down at her upturned face, and raised an eyebrow in surprise: "Theoretically... that's possible."

Lanlan's eyes lit up immediately, and she asked, "Then how do we do it?"

Gu Guanqi said, "Just a normal blind date, getting to know each other is fine!"

Lanlan immediately said with a serious expression, "Then let's go on a blind date now! Brother, what do you need to know? You already know my name, I'm sixteen years old, my home is in Hongzhou Miao territory, and I usually like to raise Gu worms..."

She spoke very quickly, revealing all her secrets in one breath.

And at the very moment she uttered those words,

The familiar electronic mechanical voice suddenly rang in Gu Guanqi's mind.

[Player has started the matchmaking event]

[Detected a blind date candidate – Lanlan]

[Rating - Two Stars]

[Blind Date Reward: Max Level "Frost Qi"]

The matchmaking event has begun. Players are encouraged to complete it. Rewards will be distributed after the event concludes.

……

The Frost Qi is an internal energy technique created by Zuo Lengchan, which can condense icy cold energy.

only,

This level of martial arts is no longer of much use to Gu Guanqi now, but it can be integrated with the extreme yin and coldness of the Mingyu Skill.

……

Gu Guanqi regained his composure.

He looked at Lanlan and chuckled, "I am twenty-one years old this year, and I am temporarily the leader of the martial arts alliance in Qingyun and Erzhou. My martial arts skills are not bad."

Lanlan stared intently at Gu Guanqi and asked, "Brother, is that all? Are you tempted?"

"More or less..." Gu Guanqi said.

Lanlan's eyes lit up.

The flickering lights reflected in her clear eyes and Lanlan's upturned face.

"Then...brother, has your cultivation improved?" Lanlan asked. "Isn't it because it's still too early? We need to spend more time together. We'll have plenty of time to travel to Hongzhou together!"

Just then—

In Gu Guanqi's mind, that familiar electronic voice echoed:

[A blind date invitation has been detected; advanced blind date event can be started]

[Enable?]

Gu Guanqi silently recited "Activate" in his mind.

A system voice came through:

[Blind date - Lanlan]

[Rating - Two Stars]

[Advanced Dating Reward: Five Poison Divine Palm]

The Advanced Dating Event has begun. Players are encouraged to complete it diligently. Rewards will be distributed after the event concludes.

……

The Five Poison Palm is Li Mochou's unique skill.

It is a martial art that incorporates elements of poison.

Like the Frost True Qi,

For Gu Guanqi now, the benefits are minimal.

……

And then,

A system notification sounded:

[Blind date event concluded]

[Reward: Max level "Frost Qi" has been issued]

Do you want to claim the reward?

Gu Guanqi did not hesitate and silently said in his heart, "Receive it."

The next moment—

A chill surged from the depths of his dantian.

The chill was like a stream, rushing from the dantian to the limbs and bones. Wherever it passed, the meridians were covered with a layer of light blue ice crystals, which then melted away in an instant.

The profound meaning of the Frost True Qi spread rapidly in his sea of ​​consciousness, and he mastered it in an instant.

His skin took on a faint, luminous sheen at that moment, like moonlight reflected on ice, giving it a cool and serene appearance.

He closed his eyes and began to circulate and merge the Frost True Qi, continuously integrating it into the Bright Jade True Qi.

When the system imparts the profound secrets of martial arts...

His outward appearance reflects a state of sudden enlightenment.

Gou Liu and Xuan Bei's expressions changed simultaneously.

The two looked at each other and saw the same shock and disbelief in each other's eyes.

This state of sudden enlightenment cannot be faked.

They were all highly skilled in martial arts, so they could naturally tell the difference. They had all encountered such rare opportunities throughout their lives, but such opportunities were few and far between.

Gou Liu's breath hitched slightly, and she unconsciously tightened her grip on the golden cane. Her eyes were fixed on Gu Guanqi, and after a long while, she murmured, "There... there really is a Way of Love? Is there really such a strange and unpredictable way in the world?"

Xuan Bei slowly said, "The world is vast and full of wonders. Alliance Leader Gu is a genius of unparalleled talent, so it's understandable that he could comprehend this path. After all, geniuses are always different from ordinary people like us! Didn't my junior brother Xuan Xin also comprehend this strange and unpredictable path of living towards death back then?"

Gou Liu was silent for a moment, then chuckled softly, her tone carrying a complex meaning: "But he's so handsome, is this path one of deep affection or heartlessness?"

The hall was silent, with only the occasional night breeze slipping in through the broken windowpanes, stirring the flames of the few oil lamps, and casting the shadows of the figures on the wall.

Xuan Bei was slightly taken aback upon hearing Gou Liu's words, and then he heard Lan Lan's soft murmur: "Huh, Brother, you're really smitten with me!"

Xuanbei subconsciously turned to look at Lanlan.

Then you can see that Lanlan's eyes are clearly full of curiosity as she looks at Gu Guanqi.

Immediately, Xuan Bei smiled slightly, sighed softly, and said, "It is said that one is both affectionate and heartless, all depending on Alliance Leader Gu's single thought. No wonder the martial arts world jokingly says that there is no such thing as a martial arts alliance between two states; it's just a private household in Yunzhou and another in Qingzhou!"

……

The next day, early in the morning.

Gou Liu then led a group of Gu Shen Sect members away from Qingtai Temple, and Gu Guanqi also brought several guards from the Alliance Leader's Mansion along with him.

Xuan Bei, who was originally going to Hongzhou with them, was seriously injured and unable to fight for a while, so there was no point in going to Hongzhou together and he did not go with them.

After descending Qingtai Mountain, the group headed towards Hongzhou.

Hongzhou is adjacent to Qingzhou and Yunzhou. The three prefectures are intertwined, so the journey is not very long.

In addition, there were not many people on this trip. Gu Guanqi's previous escort team only selected three or four people to accompany him, and the Gu God Sect group only had seven or eight people, totaling about ten people. They were all traveling light, so their speed was relatively fast.

It only took them seven or eight days to enter Hongzhou territory.

However, Miao territory is on the border of Hongzhou, which means crossing the entire Hongzhou, so it takes a long time. It took nearly half a month to reach the territory of Hongtang County where the Miao village is located.

only,

Along the way

Gu Guanqi had a very poor impression of Hongzhou and was extremely disappointed.

Originally, his main impression of Hongzhou was the Hanyue Sect.

He had always thought that with the Han Yue Sect, one of the eight major martial arts sects in the country, located there, the order of the martial arts world in Hongzhou should be excellent, and the economy should be thriving.

however,

When he entered Hongzhou, he realized he was wrong.

The martial arts order in Hongzhou is very poor, far inferior to that in Yunzhou, and even further inferior to that in Qingzhou.

In Qingyun and Erzhou, no matter how fierce the struggles in the martial arts world are, they are generally kept away from ordinary people. However, Hongzhou is different.

Gu Guanqi had only been in Hongzhou for half a month, but he had already witnessed gangs fighting in the streets several times, and even encounters in villages and towns where they would start fighting without any regard for the consequences. There were also many horse bandits and brigands who were rampant.

As for the economy

Gu Guanqi felt that Hongzhou was quite poor. He passed through two county towns, and their prosperity was not even comparable to that of the large counties in Qingzhou and Yunzhou.

On this day,

The group passed through a county town and, as evening fell, checked into an inn.

"Brother," Lanlan said, sitting down next to Gu Guanqi after ordering from the innkeeper, "we'll be arriving at our Miao village in two days. However, our village is in a remote location deep in the mountains and forests, so you might not be used to it."

Gu Guanqi chuckled and said, "I don't live here often, so it doesn't matter whether I get used to it or not."

Lanlan pouted and said, "So you still want to get to know my master? What if you don't want to leave after you meet him?"

Gu Guanqi said, "If they're so reluctant to leave, they must be used to living here!"

Lanlan paused for a moment, then said, "What you said makes so much sense!"

As she spoke, she poured Gu Guanqi a cup of tea and asked, "By the way, brother, why haven't you made any breakthroughs in your cultivation these days? Are you not interested in me enough?"

Gou Liu also looked at Gu Guanqi with curiosity.

Gu Guanqi thought for a moment and said, "This thing is all about feeling and going with the flow. After all, you said it was a feeling of attraction. This kind of thing is a sudden, fleeting moment of excitement. It's not something you can control. If I could control it, I would just stay in seclusion every day."

"That's true." Lanlan nodded and asked, "Brother, is this your first time in Hongzhou? What do you think of Hongzhou?"

Gu Guanqi paused for a moment, then slowly said, "To be honest, I'm quite disappointed."

"Why?" Lanlan asked.

Gu Guanqi said, "I won't talk about the economy, since that's a matter for the imperial court and the government. But I originally thought that with a leading sect like the Hanyue Sect in Hongzhou, the order of the martial arts world should be very good. However, what I've seen and heard along the way has been a bit beyond my expectations."

Lanlan thought for a moment and said, "I didn't think much of it before, but after going to Qingzhou this time, I found that the martial arts sects there are really disciplined. In comparison, the martial arts sects in Hongzhou are a bit like bandits."

Gu Guanqi asked doubtfully, "I'm quite puzzled. Don't the Hanyue Sect and the Six Doors care?"

Lanlan shook her head and said, "I don't know either." Then, she looked at Gou Liu and asked, "High Priest, do you know why?"

Gou Liu said slowly, "It's beyond our control."

Gu Guanqi asked, puzzled, "Given the prestigious status of the Hanyue Sect in the martial arts world, who would dare disobey them?"

Gou Liu shook his head and said, "It's not that I don't want to listen, but that I can't manage it. The root cause of the chaos in the Jianghu of Hongzhou is the Hanyue Sect itself, including the economic problems you mentioned, which are also the responsibility of the Hanyue Sect."

Gu Guanqi said, "Please enlighten me, senior."

Gou Liu said, "The Han Yue Sect has been entrenched in Hongzhou for many years. While it is deeply rooted, it also means that its internal composition is very complex. Whether it is a martial arts family, sect, or gang, which one of them who can make a name for themselves in Hongzhou has some connection with the Han Yue Sect?"

To control the martial arts world, orders alone are not enough; swift and decisive measures are necessary to make an example of someone and enforce strict rules. Anyone who violates the rules of the martial arts world should be dealt with severely.

However, the Hanyue Sect couldn't handle it; the interpersonal relationships were too complicated. When problems arose, they could only try to smooth things over and turn a blind eye. Naturally, the order of the martial arts world in Hongzhou became increasingly chaotic.

As for the Six Doors, Hongzhou is not like Qingzhou or Yunzhou. In Hongzhou, the government is controlled by the Hanyue Gate. To be precise, the vast majority of government officials are from the Hanyue Gate or have other relationships with the Hanyue Gate.

The principle is the same as in the martial arts world: in Hongzhou, if an official has no connection with the Hanyue Sect, they cannot possibly wield power. Therefore, if the Hanyue Sect cannot manage something, the Hongzhou government naturally has even less to do with it.

Gu Guanqi suddenly realized, "So, the same principle applies to economic issues."

Gou Liu nodded and said, "In Hongzhou, what matters to an official is not political achievements, but connections. Under this atmosphere, officials from top to bottom are lazy in their duties, and there are few people who do practical things. Without government regulation and guidance, the local economy will naturally not improve."

Lanlan asked doubtfully, "High Priest, since you can see the root of the problem, can't the higher-ups of the Hanyue Sect see it too? Why don't they think about making changes? If Hongzhou can develop, wouldn't that be a good thing for the Hanyue Sect?"

Gou Liu shook his head and said, "The Han Yue Sect is too big. It has reached that level. Any move it makes will affect the whole body. Any decision it makes will face great resistance."

Therefore, even if they recognized the problem, the sect leader and elders of the Hanyue Sect couldn't change it. After all, they were the biggest beneficiaries of the current rules, and seeking change would first shake their vested interests.

Gu Guanqi nodded slightly.

The Hanyue Sect is equivalent to a local lord. If Hongzhou is a country, then the Hanyue Sect is the imperial court. After years of operation, it has accumulated many internal problems. However, as long as it can still operate, no one is willing to treat it, and no one dares to treat it.

The same principle applies to dynasties that cannot escape the curse of a three-hundred-year lifespan.

but,

Gu Guanqi also got a direct feel for the power of the Hanyue Sect in Hongzhou.

No wonder people say that the eight major sects are like the eight regional lords. When the imperial decrees are issued to Hongzhou, they are not as effective as the words of the Hanyue Sect.

The group chatted idly as they went.

Two waiters came out carrying trays to serve the dishes.

Just halfway through the meal,

A sudden commotion erupted from the long street outside.

Then someone shouted, "Murder! Murder!"

Lanlan and Gu Guanqi exchanged a glance.

Then he got up and walked to the door.

Then they saw a large crowd gathered at the entrance of the restaurant across the street, discussing the matter.

Gu Guanqi and Lanlan walked over together and saw a young girl lying in a pool of blood in the lobby of the restaurant, while a middle-aged couple were lying on the ground wailing.

Beside the corpse sat three young men dressed in the attire of the Hanyue Sect, each holding a teacup and crossing their legs, looking completely nonchalant.

Lanlan asked the people next to her and found out the reason.

The middle-aged couple were storytellers hired by the restaurant. Their daughter was in charge of collecting tips. While collecting tips, she was harassed and physically assaulted by the three disciples of the Hanyue Sect in public.

In a fit of anger, the girl slapped one of the disciples of the Hanyue Sect. Enraged, the disciple killed the girl on the spot.

"That's outrageous!"

Lanlan clenched her fists and said, "I'd heard that the people from the Hanyue Sect were arrogant and conceited, but I didn't expect them to be this arrogant. They even killed someone in public after failing to harass someone!"

Gu Guanqi frowned slightly.

From the nonchalant demeanor of those three disciples of the Hanyue Sect, it was clear that they didn't care about the lives of ordinary people at all, and might even have been used to killing ordinary people.

"Get out of the way! Get out of the way!"

At this moment, several constables from the yamen arrived outside the crowd.

The crowd immediately made way.

The constables went inside and asked a few simple questions. Then, the head constable looked at the middle-aged couple kneeling on the ground, weeping, and asked, "Are you here to accuse those three disciples of the Hanyue Sect of killing your daughter?"

The middle-aged woman raised her head and cried out, "Your Honor, you must do us justice! It's him..."

"Wait, wait!"

At this moment,

The restaurant manager hurriedly ran over, interrupting the woman, and said with a forced smile, "Gentlemen, there's been some misunderstanding. Please have a seat, and I'll speak with the couple."

While speaking,

The shopkeeper skillfully grasped the constable's hand and secretly slipped a silver note into it.

The head constable nodded slightly and said, "Hurry up and communicate, we're very busy!"

"Yes, yes, please have a seat and have some tea first."

The shopkeeper led several constables to sit down to the side.

The constable turned around and actually cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards the three disciples of the Hanyue Sect.

The three disciples of the Hanyue Sect smiled and cupped their hands in return.

The shopkeeper quickly knelt down beside the middle-aged couple and whispered, "Just accept it. You have elderly parents and young children to support. It's better for one person to die than for the whole family to die. They are disciples of the Hanyue Sect. Our county magistrate is from the Hanyue Sect. Which of the officials in the yamen doesn't have some connection with the Hanyue Sect? Who will speak up for you?"

The woman stammered, "I...I..."

The shopkeeper secretly slipped a silver ingot to the middle-aged man and whispered, "Let's go, let's go home quickly. If you go to the yamen, you won't be able to leave!"

The couple looked at each other, both filled with despair, and were speechless.

Seeing this, the shopkeeper patted the middle-aged man on the shoulder, then stood up and walked over to the constables, smiling obsequiously and bowing, saying, "Gentlemen, I've already inquired on your behalf. It was a misunderstanding. The young lady just tripped and fell to her death, right in front of you gentlemen. No one killed her, no one killed her!"

The head constable stood up, looked at the middle-aged couple, and said in a deep voice, "Have you two seen clearly? If you have been wronged, you can come with us to the county office now to have the magistrate decide your case!"

The middle-aged man's eyes were filled with sorrow as he said, "Master, it's a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding... those young gentlemen just happened to be standing there... it's a misunderstanding..."

The head constable said, "Since it's a misunderstanding, then you can take the body away yourselves."

finished,

The constable then led his men away.

The onlookers outside the door fell silent and made way for each other.

The three disciples of the Hanyue Sect also got up and went out. As they passed the middle-aged couple, one of them spat and said "bad luck" before swaggering out the door.

Everyone at the scene remained silent.

Only the middle-aged couple wept and wailed hysterically.

outside the door,

Lanlan watched the three disciples of the Hanyue Sect swagger away, and she was furious. Immediately, a handful of small insects appeared in her hand.

But just as she was about to throw it, Gou Liu grabbed her hand.

"High Priest," Lanlan said, "please don't stop me, this is outrageous!"

Gou Liu sighed and said, "You've been in the Miao village all this time, so you don't know. Actually, this kind of thing is commonplace in Hongzhou, and you can't change it."

"But I saw it today!" Lanlan said.

Gou Liu said, "Even the Miao village can't afford to offend the Han Yue Sect. If you make a move now, what will happen afterward? What if the Han Yue Sect investigates or retaliates against other Miao people?"

"I……"

Lanlan gritted her teeth, and finally could only sigh and put the Gu worm back in her hand.

She kept her head down, clearly in a bad mood.

at this time,

Gu Guanqi suddenly whispered, "It's alright, just tell them to go somewhere far away. The restaurant owner seems like a nice guy; let's not cause him any trouble!"

"Brother..."

Lanlan looked up at Gu Guanqi and felt that Gu Guanqi seemed to be radiating light at that moment.

Upon hearing Gu Guanqi's words, Gou Liu opened her mouth as if to say something, but considering her own and Gu Guanqi's identities, she didn't utter the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

At this time,

The three disciples of the Hanyue Sect had already mounted their horses and were leisurely parading through the long street, gradually disappearing into the distance.

Gu Guanqi slightly raised his hand, preparing to unleash his finger-flicking technique.

at this time,

A figure darted out from the crowd, like a black streak of light piercing the twilight.

The man was agile and dressed in a black outfit. His face was covered with a ghost mask, revealing only a pair of cold and sharp eyes.

She held a long spear in her hand; the spear shaft was entirely black, and the tip gleamed coldly, like a sliver of icy moonlight in the setting sun.

She leaped up.

The spear flashed like a dragon.

"Bang--"

With a dull thud, the head of the first disciple of the Hanyue Sect shattered instantly, like a watermelon being smashed by a giant hammer, splattering brain matter and blood all over the ground.

The blood mist dispersed in the twilight, sprinkling onto the bluestone pavement, appearing particularly glaring.

Immediately afterwards, the woman in black turned in mid-air, her spear drawing a sharp arc in the air, the tip of the spear like a venomous snake flicking its tongue, precisely piercing the heart of the second disciple of the Hanyue Sect.

"puff--"

The spearhead pierced through his chest, and blood gushed out from the shaft, splattering into a string of crimson droplets in the twilight.

The disciple of the Hanyue Sect stared wide-eyed, then his body went limp and he slid off his horse.

The third disciple of the Hanyue Sect was so frightened by this sudden turn of events that he instinctively spurred his horse to flee.

But before his horse could even take a step, the woman in black had already withdrawn her spear and then kicked out, striking the man squarely in the chest.

"Bang--"

The disciple of the Hanyue Sect was sent flying backward like a kite with a broken string. He drew an arc in the air, flew seven or eight zhang away, and crashed heavily onto the bluestone pavement at the end of the long street with a dull thud. He spat out blood and died on the spot.

All of this happened in the blink of an eye.

On the long street, the crowd was silent for a moment, then erupted into screams and commotion.

The people scattered in panic, some hiding in shops, some clinging to the walls, and some simply turning and running away, creating chaos on the streets.

The woman in black flipped onto the back of a black horse, her spear slung diagonally behind her, blood still dripping from its tip. She pulled on the reins, and the black horse snorted and pawed at the flagstones.

She raised her voice slightly, her tone clear and cold as she channeled her inner strength: "I am Ye Zhao of the Heavenly God Sect. Today, I am here to uphold justice and punish evil, to act on behalf of Heaven. I tell the Shaking Mountain Sect that if they wish to seek revenge, they should come to me, Ye Zhao!"

After saying this, she didn't linger. She squeezed the horse's flanks with her legs, and the black horse neighed loudly, galloping forward along the long street.

As dusk settled, the evening breeze ruffled the black-clad woman's robes and long hair, and her dashing figure weaved through the crowd.

As she passed the inn, the woman in black suddenly caught a glimpse of Gu Guanqi out of the corner of her eye.

Immediately, her pupils contracted, and a look of shock flashed in her eyes.

But in an instant, she withdrew her gaze, quickly spurred her horse away, and soon disappeared at the end of the long street.

Gu Guanqi frowned slightly.

He had just noticed the look in the eyes of the woman named Ye Zhao.

Do I know her?

Gu Guanqi was somewhat suspicious.

"Brother," Lanlan said at this moment, "So the Heavenly Demon Sect isn't all bad people after all. This young sect leader actually has such a chivalrous spirit!"

"Do you know this person?" Gu Guanqi asked.

"Hmm," Lanlan said, "The Heavenly Demon Sect, well, it's the number one demonic force in Hongzhou, infamous throughout the martial world. And this Ye Zhao is the young sect leader of the Heavenly Demon Sect, he only appeared half a year ago, and now he's quite famous in the Hongzhou martial world!"

Gu Guanqi nodded slightly.

"Let's go, brother. With Ye Zhao acting as a chivalrous hero, you don't need to lift a finger. Let's go back!" Lanlan said.

immediately,

Gu Guanqi then returned to the inn with Lanlan and Gou Liu.