After reading the introduction to Serpentine Nine Steps, Gu Han nodded in satisfaction.
This movement-type Dou Skill wasn't suited for long-distance travel but excelled in close-quarters combat, providing significant advantages in battle.
As for travel needs, as long as he could obtain the flight-type Dou Skill "Sky Goose Six-Line Wings," he wouldn't lack mobility for quite some time.
"Still early, I'll familiarize myself with it first."
Gu Han sat cross-legged, studying the cultivation method of Serpentine Nine Steps and the circulation paths of Dou Qi within his body.
"Time to meet Mo Qing."
After practicing for a short while, Gu Han stored the ancient manual and left the Black Tortoise Mystic Realm, heading to the most expensive restaurant in Cloud Mist Town.
A waiter at the entrance, noticing his Cloud Mist Sect outer disciple attire, immediately approached to assist.
"Find me a window seat on the second floor and bring all your signature dishes," Gu Han stated his requirements.
"Right away, young master, please come inside," the waiter replied with a smile, eagerly leading the way.
Upon reaching the second floor, Gu Han overheard a commotion nearby.
"Senior Brother Mo Qing, with his extraordinary talent, broke through to Dou Fighter at just sixteen. He's destined to become a renowned Dou Spirit powerhouse in the Jia Ma Empire."
"Dou Spirit? With Senior Brother Mo Qing's aptitude and the Mo family's backing, even Dou King isn't out of reach."
"Among the thousands of disciples in Cloud Mist Sect, how many can match Senior Brother Mo Qing's talent?"
Some Provisional Disciples friendly with Mo Qing, along with a few outer disciples, were lavishing him with praise.
Though Mo Qing verbally demurred with "I don't deserve such praise, I'm not that remarkable," the corners of his mouth betrayed his delight.
"Senior Brother Mo Feng."
A voice from the side drew everyone's attention.
Recognizing the newcomer, Mo Feng, who had been silently drinking tea beside Mo Qing, subtly changed expression and quickly rose with a smile. "Junior Brother Gu Han, are you here to dine as well?"
"Indeed. I heard the roasted cloud pigeon here is a specialty and came to try it," Gu Han replied with measured politeness, then turned his gaze to Mo Qing. "I just overheard that Junior Brother Mo Qing has broken through to Dou Fighter. Congratulations."
Junior Brother!?
The address irked Mo Qing.
He was older than Gu Han and had joined Cloud Mist Sect earlier.
However, Gu Han had indeed become an outer disciple before him, and Provisional Disciples weren't considered formal sect members in Cloud Mist Sect.
"You... Thank you, Senior Brother Gu Han."
Just as Mo Qing was about to lose his temper, Mo Feng tugged his hand under the table.
He immediately recalled his elder brother Mo Yu's warnings and reluctantly forced an awkward smile.
Mo Feng breathed a sigh of relief and extended an invitation to Gu Han. "Junior Brother Gu Han, we've just started our meal. If you don't mind, why not join us?"
"Won't I be intruding?" Gu Han feigned hesitation.
"Not at all, not at all," Mo Feng quickly waved his hand. "We're celebrating Junior Brother Mo Qing's breakthrough—the more, the merrier."
The others, following his lead, also urged Gu Han to join, and even Mo Qing refrained from showing displeasure.
Though he secretly wished for Gu Han's demise, he knew better than to reveal it.
"Then I shall graciously accept." Gu Han did not refuse, turning to the attendant: "Bring all the dishes I ordered to this table. I'll settle the bill together later."
"Right away, young master. Please take your seat and enjoy—the food will be served shortly." The attendant promptly withdrew.
Gu Han took a seat beside Mo Feng and joined the casual conversation.
Though his expression and tone remained consistently aloof, no one showed the slightest dissatisfaction, instead engaging with him proactively.
After all, Gu Han's status and strength had now changed, and it appeared he had reconciled with the Mo family disciples, becoming their friend.
If they could foster goodwill, they absolutely must not offend him.
At the table, Mo Qing believed Mo Feng's assessment—that Gu Han wished to build ties with the Mo family.
His elder brother Mo Yu wanted to recruit this prodigy, but in his heart, Mo Qing only desired to eliminate him.
Nevertheless, on the surface, he could still feign cordiality.
After several rounds of drinks and ample eating and drinking,
Seeing that the time was about right, Gu Han secretly circulated his Dou Qi to execute the Mystic Yin Finger, aiming at a specific acupoint on Mo Qing from a distance, then said: "Brothers and juniors, please continue drinking. I need to relieve myself."
Naturally, no one stopped him for such a matter, and they all carried on with their eating and drinking.
Mo Qing felt a sudden urge as well, so he rose unsteadily: "I'll go too."
The restroom was located at the rear of the tavern, built quite spaciously.
After finishing, Mo Qing was tying his belt when his ears suddenly twitched.
He clearly overheard Gu Han's suppressed excited voice from around the corner: "Are you sure that's a Golden Goose Sect intelligence outpost?"
Golden Goose Sect!?
Mo Qing's intoxication instantly faded by half, and he crept closer quietly.
"Boss, I'm certain," an unfamiliar voice replied. "Thanks to you joining the Cloud Mist Sect, we've managed to scrape by in this town. We all want to repay you."
"Hu Zi was delivering food to that residence and accidentally heard two men discussing the Golden Goose Sect's Dou Skill, the Sky Goose Nine-Line Wings. They mentioned they'd bring more intelligence, and the exchange is set for tonight."
"Excellent, excellent." Gu Han's voice trembled with excitement. "This is a Golden Goose Sect spy hidden within our sect. Even if they're just Dou Fighters, capturing them would be a great merit. If we can dig deeper and uncover more, it'd be an extraordinary feat—even the Sect Master would reward me."
"Once I rise, I won't forget any of you. For now, keep watch at the entrance of residence number seventy-three on South Street. It's not far from the Mo family base. I'll sound out Mo Qing."
"Under no circumstances should they learn of this and steal my credit."
Hearing this, a fervent gleam appeared in Mo Qing's eyes.
That scoundrel Gu Han actually had such luck to uncover a Golden Goose Sect spy planted in the Cloud Mist Sect and the informants passing intelligence.
Reporting this to the sect would indeed be a significant achievement, surely earning high-level rewards, and it would also bolster his standing within the Elder faction.
No wonder he agreed to drink with them—he was afraid his merit would be snatched away.
"You go first. I'll be right there," Gu Han's voice sounded again.
Mo Qing's expression shifted slightly. Originally intending to investigate who Gu Han was speaking with, he had to change his plan.
"Gu Han, this credit belongs to me now."
Mo Qing retreated stealthily, careful not to be detected by Gu Han.
As he re-entered the tavern through the back door, Gu Han emerged from around the corner.
"It seems he's taken the bait."
"Three plans laid out—I wonder which one you'll stumble into."
After waiting silently for a moment, Gu Han returned to the second floor of the tavern.
Not seeing Mo Qing present, he asked in puzzlement, "Where is Junior Brother Mo Qing?"
"He couldn't hold his liquor and has taken two other junior brothers back to the nearby sect outpost to rest." A flicker of calculation passed through Mo Feng's eyes as he smiled and said, "Don't mind him, let us drink together, Junior Brother."
"Well... alright then." Gu Han seemed to reluctantly agree.
The group continued toasting and drinking.
Gu Han attempted to leave several times, but was persuaded to stay each time.
Having no other choice, he made an excuse: "Senior Brother Mo Feng, I have urgent business to meet a steward at the sect outpost. Let's drink together another time."
Mo Feng mentally calculated the timing and nodded slightly, "Very well, travel safely, Junior Brother."
Gu Han's expression relaxed as if he had breathed a sigh of relief. After exchanging pleasantries, he departed.
Mo Feng went to the window and watched Gu Han hurry away, a mocking smile curling at the corners of his mouth.
"Gu Han, by the time you arrive, the spy will have long been captured by Mo Qing leading the Mo Family's Dou Masters."What a pity, I won't get to see your wonderful expression.""