Jian Long glanced at Zhou Quan before asking,
"You seem to know Yanmen City quite well."
Zhou Quan smiled faintly.
"Of course. I've lived here for a long time—nearly five years, ever since I left my clan and joined Yang San Mu's caravan."
His smile gradually faded.
"But for some reason, the caravan disbanded this time. It seems I've lost my job, which is why I'm wandering around with you now."
Jian Long nodded thoughtfully before asking another question.
"So, you know quite a few people here?"
"I do." Zhou Quan looked at him curiously. "Why do you ask?"
Jian Long remained silent for a moment before replying,
"There's a mission I want to undertake, and I'll need the help of several people."
Zhou Quan raised an eyebrow.
"What kind of mission?"
Jian Long shook his head.
"I can't tell you yet."
After a brief pause, he continued,
"It's a rather difficult mission. I'll probably need several Rank Three Gu Masters to complete it."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"But the rewards... will be tremendous."
Zhou Quan narrowed his eyes.
"I know people like that."
He crossed his arms before asking,
"But what do I gain from this?"
Jian Long yawned lazily.
"We'll discuss that tomorrow."
He pointed toward the upper bunk.
"For now, let's get some sleep. I'll take the top bed."
Zhou Quan shrugged helplessly.
"Fine."
.....
The following morning, the two of them headed to Xuěfēng Restaurant, one of the most prestigious restaurants in Yanmen City, located at the foot of the mountain peak in the northernmost part of the city.
The restaurant was well known for providing the highest level of secrecy and privacy to customers conducting business deals or discussing matters they did not wish to be leaked.
The two rented a private room on the second floor and requested a Rank Three Oath Witness Gu, along with a Rank Three Memory Erasure Gu, which Jian Long had learned about the previous day after using the Book Gu.
The Oath Witness Gu could bind Gu Masters to an oath that could not be broken. Anyone who violated the oath would die.
Jian Long had made the use of this Gu a condition before he was willing to reveal anything about the operation he was planning to Zhou Quan.
Zhou Quan was not surprised by this requirement, as such oaths were common in important transactions, especially when enormous benefits or confidential information were involved.
The contents of the oath were clear and precise.
If Jian Long revealed the details of the operation and Zhou Quan ultimately decided not to participate, he would willingly submit himself to the effects of the Memory Erasure Gu, allowing all memories related to the operation to be completely erased.
However, if he agreed to join, he would be bound never to disclose any details of the operation to anyone.
He was also required to carry out his responsibilities diligently and was forbidden from slacking off or deliberately neglecting his duties in any way.
Furthermore, he was prohibited from harming Jian Long, either personally or through a third party, whether directly or indirectly, for the purpose of getting rid of him.
The oath did not end there. It also forbade the use of any linguistic tricks or loopholes to circumvent its terms.
On top of that, Zhou Quan was obligated to disclose any agreement or cooperation he had made with a third party, whether before or after signing the oath, as long as it had any connection whatsoever to this operation.
"Alright... after all those conditions, what's your story?"
Zhou Quan asked as he looked at Jian Long with interest.
Jian Long took a calm breath before replying.
"It's a long story, but it can be summarized."
"Eight months ago, I was a subordinate of the Bai clan. At that time, the clan was attacked by a beast tide. Amid the chaos, I managed to survive, but I was separated from everyone and ended up wandering alone in the wilderness."
He paused for a moment before continuing in a calm tone.
"After several days of wandering, I climbed a mountain and found a Spirit Spring there. Thanks to it, I awakened my aperture and became a Gu Master."
His expression then darkened slightly.
"But after some time, several members of the Bai clan found me. Fortunately, I managed to escape from them and returned to the depths of the wilderness. A few months later, I met your group, and you already know the rest of the story."
Jian Long raised his eyes to Zhou Quan and said slowly,
"But I believe the Bai clan has discovered the Spirit Spring I found and has settled on that mountain."
He fell silent for a few seconds before continuing.
"In short... there is an enormous amount of primeval stones inside that Spirit Spring, and I want to obtain them ,But since the Bai clan has taken control of the mountain, that won't be possible unless they are removed from the way."
His words paused for a moment before he said without the slightest hesitation,
"That is why... I want to wipe out the Bai clan."
"Alright, that's good, but wiping out an entire clan is no small feat. How do you intend to do it?"
Zhou Quan asked in a calm tone, as if they were merely discussing an ordinary business deal.
Jian Long was slightly surprised by his indifferent reaction.
"Hmm... I thought you'd show at least some hesitation or discomfort. As you know, exterminating an entire clan goes against the principles of those on the righteous path."
The moment he finished speaking, Zhou Quan grabbed his stomach and burst into laughter.
"Hahahahaha! Forgive me, but your words reminded me of my younger, more naive self."
It took him a few moments to calm down before he wiped away a tear caused by his laughter and continued.
"During the years I served my clan, I was sent on countless dirty missions—some of them so despicable that they cannot even be described."
A mocking smile appeared on his face.
"So I can tell you with complete confidence that the righteous path and the demonic path are no different when it comes to morals and principles. Both are willing to do whatever is necessary when their interests are at stake."
He then pointed a thumb at himself.
"As for me, I have no objection to killing anyone if it serves my interests... provided it brings no harm to my clan ,that is the true essence of the righteous path for those who have spent enough time walking it."
He then leaned forward slightly and asked,
"Now then... tell me, how exactly do you plan to wipe out the Bai clan?"