Chapter 41: Unexpected Crisis, Wanted Zhuo Qingfeng

The next day, early in the morning, Gu Chutong went out to buy groceries. It had been too late when they returned yesterday, so the siblings had eaten at a restaurant. Today, Gu Chutong adamantly refused to eat out, believing that one meal purchased outside was equivalent to two days' worth of food if they cooked at home.

Therefore, as soon as dawn broke, Gu Chutong headed out to buy groceries, knowing that the earlier he went, the fresher the produce would be.

Gu Mo appreciated this. The presence of cooking smoke made the place feel more like home.

After Gu Chutong left, Gu Mo practiced his Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms in the courtyard. Although he had already achieved mastery of the technique and comprehended its core martial spirit of relentless forward progress, he knew that the essence of martial arts was boundless and never-ending.

*Knock, knock, knock.* A knock sounded at the door, followed by Yan Sanniang's voice: "Great Hero Gu, Little Sister Chutong, are you home?"

Gu Mo walked over and opened the door, where Yan Sanniang and Ah Qi were standing.

"Oh, Great Hero Gu, why are you opening the door? Where's Chutong?" Yan Sanniang asked, puzzled.

"She went to buy groceries," Gu Mo replied. "Please come in."

In the courtyard, there was a stone table surrounded by five or six stone stools.

Yan Sanniang and Ah Qi sat down casually, and Gu Mo picked up the teapot to pour tea.

Yan Sanniang and Ah Qi watched Gu Mo's hands intently. They observed that although Gu Mo couldn't see, his movements were incredibly fluid when pouring tea, even more precise than those of a sighted person, without spilling a single drop.

"Great Hero Gu," Ah Qi exclaimed in admiration, "has your skill improved even further?"

"Not exactly," Gu Mo replied. "It's just practice makes perfect."

In truth, his skill had indeed improved. Ever since he exchanged martial arts insights and experiences with Shen Bai, Gu Mo's previously vague understanding of the core martial spirit had become clearer, and his comprehension of the Nine Yang Divine Skill had also become profoundly enlightened. His steadily deepening understanding during this period had given him even more precise control over his internal energy.

Gu Mo finished pouring the tea and pushed the cups in front of Yan Sanniang and Ah Qi. Were it not for his vacant, lifeless eyes, no one would have guessed he was blind.

"Boss Yan, are you here to deliver the list of wanted criminals?" Gu Mo asked.

Yesterday at Bu'er Villa, they had arranged for Yan Sanniang to compile a list of wanted criminals for whom the villa had specific clues and intelligence, and present it to Gu Chutong so he could choose.

However, Yan Sanniang shook her head. "There are two matters," she said. "The first is indeed to bring you the list, but more importantly, I need to tell you about a major development."

Gu Mo took a sip of tea from his cup. "What is it?" he asked.

Yan Sanniang lowered her voice. "The Wood King's Treasure matter has stirred up trouble again. This time, the problem concerns Zhuo Qingfeng. He killed over a dozen Six-Fan Gate experts who were jointly escorting the treasure token, along with the accompanying mercenaries, Old Man White Hair and The Scholar. Now, Zhuo Qingfeng has vanished, taking the treasure token with him."

Gu Mo was stunned, almost doubting if he had heard correctly. "Are you sure it was Zhuo Qingfeng who committed the murders and fled with the token," he asked, "and not Old Man White Hair and The Scholar who killed and stole the treasure?"

"Of course not," Yan Sanniang replied, puzzled. "Why? Is there something wrong with Old Man White Hair and The Scholar?"

Gu Mo shook his head slightly. "I don't know," he said. "Regarding what happened at the Wang family, I always had a strange feeling that something was amiss, though I couldn't pinpoint it. I suspected their intentions weren't pure, but I had no concrete evidence."

"You don't need to suspect Old Man White Hair and The Scholar anymore; they've both been killed," Yan Sanniang said. "However, your feeling wasn't wrong. I've heard that once internal energy cultivation reaches a certain level, one enters the realm where 'the cicada senses the autumn wind before it stirs.' I suppose that's what happened, which is why you felt something was off. It's just that no one expected Zhuo Qingfeng to be the one responsible."

The cicada senses the autumn wind before it stirs.

Gu Mo naturally knew the meaning of that phrase. It referred to a state where, after internal energy cultivation reached perfection and one comprehended the core martial spirit, a practitioner could perceive certain intentions within the world, and their body and consciousness would receive warnings in advance. It was akin to a common person's sixth sense, but for internal energy masters, this sixth sense was far clearer and more precise.

"What exactly happened?" Gu Mo asked.

"I just received the news," Yan Sanniang explained. "It happened yesterday. Zhuo Qingfeng and his group were escorting the token into a valley when they were ambushed by a group of bandits attempting to seize the Wood King's Treasure token. Zhuo Qingfeng was drawn away, and a fierce battle ensued at the scene.

"The numerous Six-Fan Gate constables, along with Old Man White Hair and The Scholar, fought strenuously. They were nearly exhausted by the time they finally repelled the attackers. Everyone was still tense, so when Zhuo Qingfeng returned, they all breathed a sigh of relief. However, no one expected him to suddenly launch a deadly attack, massacring the constables, including Old Man White Hair and The Scholar. They were caught completely off guard and killed because they had not anticipated Zhuo Qingfeng's murderous intent."

"Since everyone is dead, how can you be sure it was Zhuo Qingfeng who did it?" Gu Mo asked.

"One person miraculously survived," Yan Sanniang replied. "It was Vice-Centurion Xiao Xuan. Unlike most people, his heart is located on the right side, which allowed him to narrowly avoid a fatal sword strike. He was also lucky; just as he was near death, someone passed by and rescued him."

"What was Zhuo Qingfeng after?" Gu Mo asked, puzzled. "The treasure? With just two tokens, he couldn't find it. Could it be that he met with the Wood King's descendant and collaborated?"

"That's the only possibility," Yan Sanniang replied.

"Zhuo Qingfeng doesn't seem like that kind of person!"

"One may know a person's face, but not their heart," Yan Sanniang said. "Especially with the Wood King's Treasure, which is priceless; it's natural to be tempted. Moreover, the Wood King's descendant might have promised him high official positions, generous salaries, and great merit for supporting a new dynasty!"

"Merit for supporting a new dynasty?" Gu Mo chuckled. "Back then, the Wood King commanded a formidable army and had so many supporters, yet his rebellion failed. Now, over a hundred years later, does a so-called Wood King's descendant truly believe they can succeed?"

"Who knows?" Yan Sanniang smiled. "However, Zhuo Qingfeng has certainly caused a huge stir with this incident concerning the Wood King's Treasure. As far as I know, both the righteous and unrighteous factions of the martial arts world have been mobilized, and the government is also going to launch a full-scale manhunt for him."

"Zhuo Qingfeng is, after all, a Six-Fan Gate Centurion. Will the government so easily convict him?" Gu Mo wondered. "Perhaps there's a misunderstanding?"

"It's unlikely," Yan Sanniang said. "Not only is there Xiao Xuan's direct eyewitness account, but the scene was also investigated. Based on the wound marks, it's confirmed that everyone died from Zhuo Qingfeng's renowned Seven Star Sky Swordplay. You've spent time with Zhuo Qingfeng; do you think you can capture him?"

"You want me to capture him?" Gu Mo asked.

Yan Sanniang nodded. "Just wait," she said. "In a few days, Zhuo Qingfeng will become the most sought-after wanted criminal. Whoever captures him will become famous overnight in the martial arts world. If all goes as expected, the government will issue a bounty order within the next few days, and I fear its importance might even surpass that for Silver Fox. After all, Zhuo Qingfeng's actions are a tremendous affront to the government's prestige, and the credibility of the Six-Fan Gate will be severely undermined!"