Under One Person, your rebellious life has reached the heavens?

"It's you?"

Upon seeing the newcomer's appearance, Xu Xin and Dong Chang were slightly surprised, as it turned out to be Gao Gen, with whom they had shared a meal a few years ago.

However, he was very weak at the moment, with bandages wrapped around his body and his face pale, clearly having recently experienced a fierce battle.

Chapter 181 First Encounter with the Thirty-Six Thieves

"Wu Gensheng sent you? Where is he?"

Xu Xin frowned and questioned, his expression wary, glancing at his surroundings out of the corner of his eye, trying to find signs of an ambush.

"Ah."

"The sect leader is waiting for you two elsewhere."

"He was recently injured and drank some alcohol this afternoon, getting completely drunk, which is why he was delayed. I took it upon myself to come and greet you both. Please forgive me."

Gao Gen recounted the general situation, noticing the wariness on the other person's face, and casually reminded them:

"Besides the sect leader, there are some friends here as well."

"Who?"

Dong Chang was feeling fortunate just a second ago, thinking that his opportunity had come.

Unexpectedly, trouble ensued the next second. If the other Quanxing demons were present, then his and Xu Xin's assassination attempt would be like walking on thin ice.

"I suppose we're part of the 'reputable sects' that are in cahoots with you."

"If you want to go, I'll show you the way."

Gao Gen extended another invitation: "Of course, you two may return here. There are no ambushes in the nearby mountains and fields, so there is no need to worry."

Xu Xin and Dong Chang exchanged a glance, seemingly exchanging opinions in secret. Now that they had come all this way, how could they possibly leave empty-handed?

To their regret, they had failed to cultivate the Dan Shi technique during their months of seclusion. Otherwise, they could have killed the demon while he was drunk and asleep without anyone noticing, instead of having to hesitate like they do now.

After a few seconds of silence, Dong Chang broke the deadlock and addressed Gao Gen:

"Then we'll have to trouble you to take us there."

"it is good."

Gao Gen turned around, took a step, and walked into the depths of the jungle.

Whether it was to dispel the doubts of those behind him by deliberately exposing his back to them, or because he believed they wouldn't make a move in secret, he simply walked on silently.

The three remained silent the entire way. Xu Xin, with several silver needles between his left fingers, kept a calm expression and kept his eyes fixed on Gao Gen's broad back. If the situation changed, the distance of more than ten feet would be enough for him to take the man's life in an instant.

Dong Chang was in charge of the investigation. He was highly vigilant, keeping his eyes and ears open, and he dared not miss any slightest movement.

After walking through several narrow forest paths, dazzling firelight appeared in the distance, with densely packed figures sitting around the campfire or lying on the undulating rocks.

"We've arrived, you two," Gao Gen said calmly.

"Ten....Sixteen....Twenty-nine...."

Xu Xin silently thought to himself that he and his senior brother simply couldn't handle so many demons.

Moreover, it was nighttime, and they were unfamiliar with the surrounding terrain. If they made a move, it would be difficult for them to leave.

The noise from afar gradually drifted over.

"Hey, you old Taoist priest, come on, let's have a go. Do you know how to play rock-paper-scissors?"

"Huh? You're asking me?"

"Is Fengping playing a magic trick? He actually went into the fire. Where did he hide?"

As he drew closer, Dong Chang spotted a familiar face in the crowd—it was none other than the big-eared, ox-nose man from the Celestial Master's Mansion.

What's he doing here?!

Just as they were wondering, Xu Xin and Dong Chang's pupils contracted slightly as they saw Wu Gensheng, with bandages wrapped around his left waist, leaning against a giant rock beside the campfire, fast asleep.

His head drooped, and he was still holding half a bowl of wine in his right hand. His clothes were tattered and his hair was dirty and messy. He looked like a lost ghost, a far cry from the spirited and refined image he had when they last parted.

Just as Gao Gen said, Wu Gensheng was drunk. Even before the two of them got close, they could smell the pungent smell of alcohol.

At a distance of about six zhang, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Dong Chang remained calm and perfectly concealed his killing intent. He approached Wugensheng with unhurried steps.

If they walked another four zhang, they would be certain of killing them. The onlookers clearly noticed their arrival, but did not take many precautions.

Five zhang...

Three zhang...

Two feet....

Dong Chang's muscles tensed, entering a state of preparation, and the poisoned dart hidden in his clothes fell into his palm.

He knew there was no time to hesitate. If he missed this opportunity, he would never have another chance to assassinate her. He had to strike first, even if it meant attracting the wrath of everyone present.

Meanwhile, Dong Chang was prepared to risk his life to cover Xu Xin's escape after succeeding.

Take a breath.

Two breaths.

Dong Chang felt an inexplicable heaviness in his right hand. His instincts turned into an invisible obstacle, making it difficult for him to make a move.

Xu Xin, who was standing to the side, was so anxious that he could hardly contain himself when he saw that his senior brother was not making a move. His heart was pounding.

However, in the next instant, a cold, stern rebuke suddenly rang out from behind them, sending a chill down their spines.

"Stop it!"

"You're the ones who killed my uncle, Golden Hook Huang Fang, back then, aren't you?"

Xu Xin and Dong Chang's expressions changed slightly. After their rhythm was interrupted, their killing intent receded like a tide. They turned around and saw that their so-called 'enemy' was actually a beautiful Miao woman dressed in strange clothes.

Enemies meet on a narrow road; since you've done it, you shouldn't be afraid to admit it.

"So what?"

Xu Xin acted without restraint, secretly regretting missing the opportunity; he should have been the one to make the move...

"No way."

The Miao woman remained expressionless and continued:

"Since you've been poisoned by my curse, then stay here and experience the feeling of being devoured by a thousand ants."

"?"

Xu Xin and Dong Chang suddenly lost their focus. When exactly did they fall under the spell?

They circulated their Qi through the eight extraordinary meridians, but their bodies were empty and there was nothing unusual. Could the other party be bluffing them?

"Enough... Shufen, you've frightened my two guests..."

While the two sides were locked in a stalemate, Wugensheng woke up. He spoke softly, lay down on the ground, and looked like he was about to collapse.

"Come here, you two."

Xu Xin and Dong Chang were invited to come forward. Unlike their previous two meetings, Wu Gensheng, who was so close to them, gave them a strange feeling, as if he had a completely different personality.

"Sit...sit..."

He patted the muddy ground around him, seemingly worried that the two would find it disgusting, and tried his best to wipe it clean.

Seeing this, Dong Chang and Xu Xin remained vigilant, slowly bending down and sitting down to form a pincer movement.

From that moment on, they felt a great weight lifted off their shoulders and regarded the dozens of people present as if they were invisible.

No matter how the other side tried to stop them, it was too late. With only a foot between them, the two elite members of the Tang Clan had no chance of making a mistake.

"You invited us here just to see your pathetic, drunken state?"

Xu Xin was still holding back his anger, his attitude was displeased, and his voice gradually turned cold.

"No way...you two..."

Then, something astonishing happened.

Wugensheng weakly reached out and slowly placed his hand on Dong Chang's, pulling him to choke his neck, and listlessly laughed:

"Brother Dong... I'm so sorry for not greeting you sooner... Please forgive me."

"Just now I felt numb all over and felt like I was sitting on pins and needles. I guess it was because you were thinking something?"

"Come on! Please make yourself at home."

Dong Chang's heart skipped a beat as he felt the skin, cold as a corpse. A bad premonition arose within him, but his fingers still gripped Wu Gensheng's throat. His eyes sharpened, and he questioned him sternly:

"What...what tricks are you playing?"

"No tricks... Treat people with sincerity, and be a true friend, especially someone like you, Brother Dong... It's worth it."

Wugensheng adopted a submissive posture, offering no resistance and merely making casual remarks:

"Before sending me on my way, at least let me die knowing why?"

Chapter 182 I am Feng Yao

The campfire roared, and the three sat beside it, their voices barely audible, drowned out by the crackling of the burning firewood.

The other people present were either chatting or drinking, unaware of or ignoring Wugensheng's predicament.

"You're a leader of the Quanxing Sect, do I need a reason to kill you?"

Xu Xin sneered and mocked, "You can only blame your own bad luck for crawling into a latrine. You'd rather be a beast than a human being."

Do you remember what you said before?

"You weren't forced to join Quanxing, were you? You know this place is fraught with danger. Now it's just that your path has come to an end. Who can you blame?"

Although a long time has passed, Wugensheng's memories are not blurred.

He had just written to the two of them not long ago, so he naturally recalled the details of their two meetings. The boomerang from years ago struck him right between the eyebrows at this moment. Even Wugensheng was at a loss for words. Was he supposed to deny his past self? Absurd.

As he pondered Xu Xin's words, Wu Gensheng had a general idea in his mind, but he couldn't be sure yet.

A bitter smile played on his lips as he stiffly turned his head away, no longer speaking to Xu Xin, but instead looking at Dong Chang, who was more composed and principled.

"Let's chat? Can you clear up my doubts?"

"If there's a reason for this, I'll listen to it. If you see me off, consider it a favor."

At this point, Wugensheng seemed slightly dazed. Through the nearby firelight, his empty eyes gazed at the many figures present, and his memories briefly returned to a year ago.

If he had died in the underground cave, perhaps he wouldn't be suffering so much now, with such unfulfilled desires.

Just thinking about that ancient monster that had lived for thousands of years filled every inch of my body with a sense of despair and helplessness. Faced with such a being, could I really take back my daughter's body?

He didn't know...

The sorrow buried within this weary body, like a flood bursting its banks, quietly touched Xu Xin and Dong Chang. Seeing his loneliness and grief, the latter frowned slightly, made up his mind, weighed the pros and cons, and told him the gist of the matter.

“As the head of Zeng Quanxing’s sect, if you cannot control your disciples from doing evil, then don’t be surprised if disaster befalls you.”

"Many victims who were murdered and robbed by your disciples, for various reasons, could not find your disciples to kill them, so they turned their anger on you and secretly agreed that one of them would come forward and place an order with us to take your head."

Dong Chang's Qi traveled along his wrist, reaching the front of his finger bones. With just a little force, it could penetrate his throat and kill Wu Gensheng.

"Is that so..."

Upon learning the reason, Wugensheng trembled slightly, burst into laughter, and exclaimed:

"Alright, so are they going to kill the leader of Quanxing Sect, or Wugensheng?"

"Isn't that obvious? You, Wugensheng, are the leader of Quanxing Sect. Who else could it be?"

Xu Xin's patience was almost exhausted. He was in the prime of his life, impetuous and quick to act, and could not stand those pretentious sophistry.

He immediately took out a silver needle, intending to pierce Wugensheng's brow, but was stopped by the quick-thinking Dong Chang, who gestured for him to wait.

"The employer wants us to behead the leader of Quanxing. Do you have any last words?"

Dong Chang wanted to complete the task himself and didn't want Xu Xin's help, but calmly offered a word of advice:

"If there is an afterlife, let's walk the right path, and maybe we can still be friends."

"But now that things have come to this, there's really no chance left, and I can't possibly break the rules of the Tang Clan because of my personal relationship with you."