Under the cover of night, Gu Han moved with haste.
Instead of heading to the courtyard where Ka Long was meeting the Dou Grand Master of the Golden Goose Sect, he followed through on what he had told Mo Feng and first went to the Cloud Mist Sect's outpost in the town.
"Senior Brother Zhang."
Upon arriving at the outpost, Gu Han presented his Identity Token and was led by a disciple to meet Zhang Chuchen, who had been waiting for some time.
"Junior Brother." Zhang Chuchen rose to greet him, a gentle and carefree smile on his face. "Can you tell me now what surprise you have for me?"
That morning, Gu Han had sought him out, inviting him to descend the mountain together, promising a surprise.
Having already resigned from his position as head of the Outer Sect Cultivation Hall to focus solely on being Gu Han's guardian, Zhang Chuchen naturally did not refuse.
But after arriving at the outpost, Gu Han had asked him to wait, and it had been that way until now.
"Senior Brother, can I trust you?" Gu Han met Zhang Chuchen's gaze, his expression serious.
Zhang Chuchen's smile faded, his eyes turning earnest. "Junior Brother, as long as you do nothing to harm the Cloud Mist Sect, you can trust me completely."
"Good." Gu Han seemed to have made a decision. "Actually, a mysterious Dou Emperor expert has taken a liking to my talent and wishes to take me as his disciple."
Zhang Chuchen: ???
"Junior Brother, are you planning to betray the sect?" Zhang Chuchen frowned. "No, if you were, you wouldn't have told me. So, do you intend to leave the sect?"
"No." Gu Han shook his head, dismissing Zhang Chuchen's guess. "The Cloud Mist Sect has raised and taught me. I would never betray it."
Of course, if the Cloud Mist Sect were to wrong him in the future, he would not hesitate to retaliate.
Moreover, once his strength reached a certain level, it was only natural to seek broader horizons.
"If I were to leave, I would discuss it with the sect leader," Gu Han replied.
"Then why come to me?" Zhang Chuchen was utterly confused, unable to make sense of it.
"That senior is willing to form a connection with me," Gu Han began, recounting the story he had prepared. "He said he hails from the Icy River Valley in the Central Region, a faction backed by a Dou Venerable expert."
Zhang Chuchen: ?!
"If I ever leave the Jia Ma Empire to explore the Dou Qi Continent and head to the Central Region, I could visit the Icy River Valley. This is the token he gave me."
As he spoke, Gu Han took out the Century Cold Jade, which he had polished into the shape of a jade pendant.
At a glance, it was clear this object was no ordinary item, and Zhang Chuchen immediately believed nine-tenths of what he said.
"He, as an elder from the Central Region, must be well-traveled and knowledgeable. So, I thought to ask him to examine your condition," Gu Han continued, putting away the Ice Jade pendant.
"Examine my condition?" Zhang Chuchen was stunned, then his body began to tremble. "You know about my issue?"
"No, wait—you're highly regarded by the sect leader. It's only natural you'd know about my situation."
"Junior Brother, you..."
Perfect. Zhang Chuchen had indeed conjured up a reason on his own.
This was not something he could verify with Yun Yun, ensuring the misunderstanding would remain a favorable one.
"Senior Brother, your condition is the priority now," Gu Han replied with a noncommittal smile.
But to Zhang Chuchen, that smile only confirmed his assumption.
"Junior Brother!" Zhang Chuchen's voice trembled. "It can't be that simple to have a Dou Emperor from the Central Region help me, can it?"
"It's not that difficult," Gu Han feigned nonchalance. "I just promised that if I ever have the chance to develop in Central Continent, I'd prioritize the Icy River Valley."
But Zhang Chuchen felt things couldn't be that simple. His junior brother must have agreed to certain conditions with that senior, keeping silent just to avoid burdening him with guilt.
"Junior brother, thank you," Zhang Chuchen said solemnly, bowing. "Regardless of the outcome, from now on you are my sworn brother in life and death."
"You flatter me, senior brother," Gu Han replied, a faint smile appearing on his cool expression. "Let's go to that senior's residence now."
This was all a well-intentioned lie he crafted to produce a Fourth-Grade Pill to resolve Zhang Chuchen's physical condition. Even Pill King Gu He couldn't identify the issue—there was no reason he could see through it at a glance and devise a solution. Fabricating a senior would lend him more credibility and earn greater regard from the sect.
Using a Century Cold Jade pendant as a token, coupled with solving Zhang Chuchen's problem, would prevent anyone from doubting his story. Moreover, using a Fourth-Grade Pill to address Zhang Chuchen's issue versus asking a Dou Emperor expert for help represented vastly different levels of obligation. This was what they called killing two birds with one stone—no, wait, three birds!
"By the way, senior brother, this matter shouldn't be spread around," Gu Han added with apparent concern. "I'll personally inform the sect leader. If others find out, I fear they might target me."
"No problem," Zhang Chuchen agreed immediately. Had Gu Han not been helping him, he wouldn't have even been told. Even without the reminder, he would have kept it secret.
"Excellent, they're here. That Gu Han actually discovered a spy's trail—what luck! But it's mine now!"
Opposite Residence No. 73 on South Street of the Cloud Mist Sect, several finger-sized holes appeared in the wall of Residence No. 74. Inside the courtyard stood a few people, led by Mo Qing. Peering through the holes, he saw a figure in black night attire knocking on the door of No. 73—two short knocks followed by a long one, repeated three times after five-second intervals. Clearly a code.
The door opened, revealing an ordinary-looking middle-aged man who asked, "Why are you here?"seeming surprised by the arrival of the black-clothed person."
Hearing this, Mo Qing instinctively frowned. But the next moment, he was captivated by their conversation.
"You know the goods have arrived?" the middle-aged man teased.
"The goods are here?"The voice of the man in black trembled with excitement before he said, "Steward, let's talk inside.""Mm," the middle-aged man nodded, pleased with the black-clad person's caution. Having hidden in Cloud Mist Town for over a decade undetected, he didn't expect any trouble tonight.
"Come in.As the middle-aged man allowed the black-clothed person to enter, a Mo Pigeon swiftly descended under the cover of night, landing on Mo Qing's shoulder.
"Gu Han is bringing people here!" Mo Qing's expression tightened. Turning to the four behind him, he ordered, "Elder Xuan Qing, take your team and infiltrate quietly. Subdue them without a sound.Originally, he planned to capture them directly, but the dialogue between the middle-aged man and the man in black suggested potential gains. Mo Xuanqing, a One-Star Dou Grand Master, had been summoned by Mo Qing as a precaution. But since they decided to resolve this swiftly and discreetly, it was time for the Dou Grand Master to act.
"Yes, young master." Mo Xuanqing cupped his hands in acknowledgment.
With a wave of his hand, he led three Mo Family Dou Masters away from Compound Seventy-Four, arriving outside the walls of Compound Seventy-Three. He retrieved a ladder from his Storage Ring, set it up, and began climbing quietly and cautiously.
As a Dou Grand Master and Dou Masters, silently infiltrating a compound was naturally effortless.
Unless facing experts at the Dou Spirit level or above, they would not be easily detected.
Boom!
About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea later.
A violent explosion suddenly erupted within Compound Seventy-Three.
Accompanied by Mo Xuanqing's panicked shout: "You are a Seven-Star Dou Grand Master!"
Mo Qing: ?
"What's going on!?"