The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, becoming a disciple of Yue Buqun.

……

Noon.

"Reporting to the Alliance Leader, the three brothers who went into the mountains to scout the way have not yet returned."

After waiting for half an hour, Yue Buqun asked about the three who had not returned from the previous scouting mission, and received the same answer again. Yue Buqun then turned to look at the others.

"It seems those three have probably been killed."

Yue Buqun drew a conclusion and then, without further hesitation, looked directly at Jiang Ning.

"Ning'er, lead three hundred righteous men into the mountains to scout ahead. If there is indeed a demonic cult lying in ambush, return immediately to report."

Jiang Ning stood up and clasped his hands in greeting.

"Yes, Master."

The three hundred chivalrous warriors who accompanied Jiang Ning into the mountains were already waiting outside the tent. When Jiang Ning walked out of the tent, everyone became excited upon seeing him, and some even looked at him with a hint of fanaticism.

"Ning Yama!"

"Ning Yanwang!!"

These people all signed up after hearing that they were going into the mountains to explore the route and that Jiang Ning was leading the way. In addition to these people, there were many others who wanted to sign up, which shows Jiang Ning's reputation in the martial arts world.

Yue Buqun also came out, but upon hearing these three words, his face darkened for a moment, but he quickly returned to normal.

"This time, I need to ask you brothers to go into the mountains to scout the way. Be careful on the way and be wary of any ambushes by the demonic cult!"

Yue Buqun addressed the crowd.

"Rest assured, Alliance Leader!"

A burly man responded loudly.

"With King Ning leading us, we'll brave any danger, even the most dangerous places!"

The others echoed in agreement.

"That's right!"

"Yes."

Hundreds of strong men shouted.

These people were all handpicked by Yue Buqun; their martial arts skills were all quite good, at least second-rate.

"Set off."

Jiang Ning waved his hand and led everyone into the mountains, with a tortoise and snake beast roaring as they cleared the way.

"Hero Jiang".

Upon entering the mountain, a man approached; it was Ji Wushi.

Jiang Ning glanced at him but didn't say anything.

"Hero Xie Jiang forgives past grievances."

Upon hearing the other person's words, Jiang Ning didn't say anything, but instead asked curiously, "Why did you leave the Demonic Sect?"

Ji Wushi gave a bitter smile upon hearing this.

"I'm afraid to admit it, Master Jiang, but I'm afraid of dying."

"It was Ji's plan to ambush Master Jiang at the time..."

Ji Wushi then recounted what had happened.

“Ji knew that the plan had failed and that he would be purged afterward, so he left the evil cult.”

Jiang Ning remained calm.

"So in the end you became a traveling doctor?"

Ji Wushi nodded.

"In fact, Ji originally planned to live in seclusion and find a mountain forest to spend the rest of his life."

Jiang Ning remained silent upon hearing this.

Ji Wushi glanced at the other party. He had been waiting for the other party to ask a question, but Jiang Ning remained silent. Ji Wushi couldn't hold back any longer and said, "Isn't Hero Jiang curious as to why I have changed my mind?"

Jiang Ning then asked, "Why?"

Ji Wushi smiled slightly.

"It's because of you."

"I?"

Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow.

"Does Master Jiang still remember the Yanping branch incident?"

He had no plan and asked the question.

Jiang Ning nodded, then realized what was happening and glanced at the other person.

"Were you also in Yanping Prefecture at that time?"

"good."

Ji Wushi nodded. "After leaving the Demonic Sect, I intended to find a secluded place in the mountains to live in seclusion, but I happened to meet Master Jiang and your two fellow disciples in Jiujiang Prefecture."

Ji Wushi laughed and said, "At that time, Master Jiang did not know me. I originally wanted to leave, but I could not suppress my curiosity and followed Master Jiang all the way to Yanping Prefecture. That's when I saw the scene of Master Jiang rescuing those children and women."

Ji Wushi's thoughts also returned to that scene.

"Whenever I think about it, perhaps it was because I, Ji, had lived a muddled life and done things far from the right path that God allowed me to meet Master Jiang and see what Master Jiang had done, which made me understand how to walk the path from now on."

"That's why Ji later chose to become a traveling doctor."

Later, Ji Wushi traveled around, saving lives and healing the wounded. He happened to meet a Jinyiwei commander who was being chased. Ji Wushi rescued the commander and, after being persuaded and recommended by the commander, joined the Jinyiwei.

Ji Wushi still remembers the words that the centurion advised him back then.

"The martial world is currently plagued by rampant evil cults, and the imperial court is rife with corrupt officials, leaving the people in dire straits. Mr. Ji, you possess exceptional martial arts skills, superb medical expertise, and a compassionate heart to heal the wounded. Why not join the Embroidered Uniform Guard and serve the court? His Majesty is ambitious and determined to reform the corrupt system, eradicate the evil cults, and restore order to the Ming Dynasty. He is now in dire need of a man of vision like yourself."

It was because of that centurion's words that Ji Wushi came here.

Jiang Ning was somewhat surprised.

He then realized that it was his actions that had changed Ji Wushi's mind.

There's a cave here!

Just as Jiang Ning was about to speak, someone suddenly shouted. Jiang Ning turned his head and saw a cave entrance that was hidden by dense willow branches not far below.

Chapter 705: Cave Complex

"Go down and have a look."

Jiang Ning said.

"I'll do it!"

At this moment, one person immediately stepped forward, and then several others volunteered.

"Everyone be careful, and come back immediately if there is any danger."

Jiang Ning gave them some instructions.

"rest assured."

The group agreed and then entered the cave, while Jiang Ning and the others waited outside.

After a while.

The group that had entered the cave to explore turned back.

"Ning Yanwang, there's no one inside."

One of them came out and spoke.

Jiang Ning nodded.

"Thank you all for your hard work."

Now that the caves here have been searched and there are no ambushes, we will continue to search other caves. To ensure efficiency, hundreds of people began to search separately, but not far apart, so that if there is a situation in one place, others can quickly provide support.

rustle.

The giant python crawled on the ground with a rustling sound, its tongue constantly flicking in and out, while Jiang Ning followed behind.

Pythons typically prefer secluded places and caves, especially giant pythons, which are exceptionally sensitive to finding caves. Therefore, Jiang Ning had it lead the way to find a cave.

"Ok?"

Jiang Ning then noticed that the giant python had stopped, its front part of its body had stood upright, and its snake eyes were looking in a certain direction.

"Have you found anything?"

Jiang Ning asked a question, and the giant python turned its head to look at Jiang Ning, shaking its head up and down before crawling in that direction.

Jiang Ning's eyes flickered slightly as he turned to look at Ji Wushi.

"You wait here, I'll go take a look with it."

Ji Wushi nodded and said, "Be extra careful."

"Ah."

Jiang Ning turned around and followed the giant python; the two quickly disappeared from sight.

As Jiang Ning moved forward, he slowed down to make less noise. The giant python, however, entered hunting mode. Although it crawled on the ground, it made no sound.

After walking for a while, Jiang Ning's gaze sharpened as he noticed several people standing scattered not far ahead, dressed in what appeared to be the attire of the Demonic Sect.

Sure enough, there was an ambush.

Jiang Ning thought to himself.

At this moment, Jiang Ning stopped and did not continue forward. He patted the giant python, signaling it to stay there, and then concealed himself and went forward.