"Get lost."

Shen Muyu's chilly voice drifted over with the night breeze.

She touched a spot on her waist, her expression completely icy.

"Who is it? I didn't think there'd be such an expert in Qingshuo County..."

As she flipped her hand, a note appeared, left behind by the mysterious adept hidden among the crowd.

There were a few crooked words scrawled on it.

"Yu Rong at Jiufeng Mountain seeking death."

There was also a map, similarly scribbled, barely legible.

Shen Muyu's expression shifted slightly.

Who could it be?

A sudden whooshing sound broke the silence above her, prompting Shen Muyu to reflexively draw her sword. She then saw an old man with a wine pot descend from mid-air.

Seeing that Shen Muyu was unharmed, the old man sighed with relief.

"Little ancestor, what are you searching for in the middle of the night when you should be sleeping?"

"You think this Yu Rong could be the traitor Ding Rong we're looking for?"

Shen Muyu handed the note to the old man.

"Whether he's here or not doesn't matter, but you absolutely can't afford to be harmed."

The old man looked tense, lacking the calm expected of an Innate expert.

For the young girl in front of him was extremely important to Jiufeng Mountain.

"Ding Rong is a Celestial Destiny Demon who's been lurking in the sect for years; we absolutely cannot let him leave Zouchuan Dao alive."

"Alright, alright, I've come personally this time, what are you worried about?"

...

In the shadows, a figure quietly emerged.

Xu Guang watched from afar as the old and young figures departed, letting out a deep breath.

"I nearly got discovered."

"That woman's identity must be extraordinary; so young yet already with Seventh Grade strength, and has an Innate expert by her side. Truly... impressive."

Xu Guang was somewhat relieved; luckily he acted swiftly or he would've bumped into that Innate expert.

He was sure that the wine-gourd elder was definitely an Innate expert.

Because his Yin-Yang Qi Observation Skill seemed ineffective.

He could vaguely sense the elder's hidden fearsome Yang Qi and magnetic field, but couldn't see it.

This was surely a technique of an Innate expert.

'Rumor has it that Innates can live up to 150 years and exert Extraordinary Power... enviable.'

The technique the young girl displayed earlier was somewhat reminiscent of Jiufeng Mountain's cultivation technique.

Jiufeng Mountain was considered a major sect in Zouchuan Dao, and its Nine Fruits Sword Seal was quite renowned; though the girl's strike was brief, he could discern some similar traces.

Could it be...

Yu Rong is a fake? Currently being hunted by Jiufeng Mountain's people?

Thinking of Jiufeng Mountain's reputation, Xu Guang thought perhaps he could try to contact Shen Muyu.

In Zouchuan Dao, Jiufeng Mountain had a good reputation, and from the test earlier, seeing Shen Muyu's reluctance to kill the scoundrels showed that contacting her might be possible.

If only it were Shen Muyu who wanted to collaborate with him.

That Yu Rong...

Always gave him a sense of harboring malicious intentions.

But it's worth noting what happens next.

These recent days, leveraging the channels of the Iron Armor Sect and the black market, he learned about experts who recently entered Qingshuo County.

Breakthrough in Lightweight Skill, and inform these experts about Yu Rong's whereabouts.

'Let me see what unfolds...'

A peculiar smile appeared on Xu Guang's face.

...

Half an hour later.

Yu Rong was just sleeping with Yin Lele in his embrace when a sudden, terrifying sensation prickled at his mind.

He immediately flipped to his feet, and without a care, rushed outside.

This was a special sixth sense formed through his naturally terrifying intuition combined with the Celestial Destiny Sect's Secret Technique, and the reason he had repeatedly escaped Jiufeng Mountain's pursuit.

Although he couldn't see the enemy, he unhesitatingly chose to flee.

"Really a leech!"

...

"Hall Master, the courtyard you asked me to watch over yesterday, at midnight an old man and a stunning woman came. Before the two arrived, that Yu Rong had already fled."

Zhu Ping came early in the morning to report to Xu Guang.

Xu Guang smiled with satisfaction, "Thanks for your hard work, here's a bottle of Eighth Grade Bone-Forging Pill. Don't tell anyone about this."

Zhu Ping nodded vigorously, taking the porcelain bottle, "Family brothers, I won't tell anyone."

Xu Guang nodded, trusting Zhu Ping, this single-minded Martial Fool.

The guess was indeed correct, that Yu Rong was indeed up to no good. Through the White Crane's Western Journey, he distributed the note with Yu Rong's address to all the new experts in Qingshuo County over the night.

Only that woman and old man went to find Yu Rong...

And Yu Rong had fled.

A rough thread of clues appeared in Xu Guang's mind.

Yu Rong seeking him wasn't merely attracted by General Wei's Divine Power, there were other reasons.

These reasons, Xu Guang previously couldn't figure out, but considering that Yu Rong was allegedly being chased by the true Jiufeng Mountain's Shen Muyu...

'A Celestial Destiny Demon hidden in Jiufeng Mountain? And his identity has been exposed?'

A peculiar smile appeared on Xu Guang's face, he had a rough guess about Yu Rong's identity.

This might also explain why Yu Rong had shown intentions of contacting him earlier, but left when he was discovered by Jiufeng Mountain's people.

Reflecting on this, he felt somewhat lucky.

A few months ago, he and General Wei did not have the strength to oppose a Half-Step Innate.

'Let Xu Mou assist Jiufeng Mountain's allies then.'

Though, Yu Rong truly is tricky; for him to escape from an Innate's grasp is indeed incredible. Of course, it's also possible that the elder and the girl did not take the note seriously and went too late.

...

Back at home.

Xu Guang looked at a secret letter and silently frowned.

Yu Rong has disappeared.

Upon knowing Yu Rong didn't have Jiufeng Mountain's backing, Xu Guang began searching for Yu Rong's whereabouts in the city.

The place was deserted long ago, leaving only a secret message marking a rendezvous point.

...

The next day.

Iron Armor Sect.

"Master Xu is here, take a seat."

Yu Shaohua, with only one remaining arm, greeted Xu Guang in with a slightly courteous smile.

Xu Guang appeared somewhat flattered.

"How have things been at the Master Hall recently? Have you found any promising talent?"

Xu Guang mentioned some names, though Yu Shaohua, judging by his appearance, likely hadn't memorized them.

Yu Shaohua was obviously just being polite.

After a cup of tea, Yu Shaohua moved to the main topic.

"The matters at the Master Hall are busy, and you're leaving the city, which I naturally won't hinder, but I do have a matter to trouble you with; I've been troubled over this.

Our sect's development in Qingshuo County is quite smooth, though outside, particularly in the Cyan Ox Mountain area in East Town, there's a very important base of our sect.

Recently, the bunker there has had some trouble, seemingly targeted by mountain bandits; not a concern right now, but should those outlaws ascertain the situation, they'll surely attack like hyenas.

Currently, I'm managing sect affairs, the Grand Elder is busy forging relationships with Songjiang Prefecture, and the Sect Leader is in seclusion trying to breakthrough; Master Xu, since you're leaving the city, could you safeguard the bunker there for a while."

After a serious injury leading to the loss of an arm, Yu Shaohua no longer obsessed over cultivation as he once did, channeling more energy into managing sect affairs.

This was a reasonable request; though Xu Guang was in charge of the Master Hall, the sect's support wasn't substantial, yet he faced no obstructions, so naturally he wouldn't refuse; it was a handy task anyway.

"That site is crucial; not only is it a thoroughfare for many of our sect's Medicine Gatherers and Hunters, but it's also a vital supply point for caravans. Please, Master Xu, ensure its security."

Yu Shaohua continued to speak, repeatedly emphasizing its importance.

Xu Guang carefully observed Yu Shaohua, then suddenly asked, "Does Sect Leader Yu know someone named Yu Rong?"

A hint of confusion flashed through Yu Shaohua's eyes, then he shook his head.

"Related to this matter? The outside world is chaotic recently; these bandits seem like they're from a fallen sect, resorting to banditry and wandering into our Qingshuo County. I don't know if there's anyone among them named Yu Rong."

Pausing, Yu Shaohua curiously asked, "Is this Yu Rong an acquaintance of Dharma Protector Xu?"

Xu Guang shook his head, scrutinized Yu Shaohua for three seconds, before lightly chuckling.

"Xu Mou is part of the Iron Armor Sect too, willing to contribute what I can."

Yu Shaohua laughed heartily.

"Rest assured Master Xu, you won't be undercompensated. Although the base is in the mountains, there are plenty of Treasure Medicines planted by predecessors there and ample food, which General Wei will surely enjoy."

...

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