Chapter 43: Zhuo Qingfeng Pays a Visit

Gu Chudon’s days were incredibly fulfilling.

He would wake up early to prepare breakfast. After eating, he’d practice his saber skills until noon, then cook and eat lunch. In the afternoon, he’d practice Ladder-Cloud Leap, and when evening came, he’d cook and eat dinner before moving on to cultivating One-Finger Zen. Before bed, he would take a medicinal bath and then practice internal cultivation.

Of course, despite the hard work, his progress was remarkable. With Gu Mo, a martial arts grandmaster, by his side to correct him, even with average talent, his improvement was swift. Moreover, Gu Mo spared no expense, purchasing numerous valuable medicinal herbs for Gu Chudon’s medicinal baths.

However, each time Gu Mo bought these herbs, watching the silver flow out felt as if it was tearing Gu Chudon apart. If not for Gu Mo’s authoritative demeanor as an elder brother, Gu Chudon would have dug a hole and buried the money.

Gu Chudon was solely focused on saving money to treat Gu Mo’s eyes, but Gu Mo, the person concerned, wasn’t particularly anxious.

It was another morning.

After breakfast, Gu Mo began instructing Gu Chudon on his saber techniques.

They had only been practicing for a short while when a knock came at the door. It was Yan Sanniang and Ah Qi.

Gu Chudon opened the door and saw Yan Sanniang holding a stack of Xuan paper. He immediately guessed she was there to deliver intelligence and asked, “Boss Yan, do you have specific leads on Poisonous Spider’s whereabouts?”

“Indeed,” Yan Sanniang said, stepping inside with a smile. “It’s quite a coincidence; Poisonous Spider’s exact location was discovered, and it has some connection to you two siblings!”

“What do you mean?” Gu Chudon asked.

Yan Sanniang sat on a stone stool and explained, “A few days ago, when you returned from Yong’an County, didn’t you encounter a dishonest inn? And you helped some disciples of the Bashan Sect apprehend those villains running it.”

“That’s right,” Gu Chudon confirmed.

“As luck would have it,” Yan Sanniang continued, “those rogues were taken to the yamen by the Bashan Sect disciples. Under severe interrogation at the yamen, they revealed a secret: Poisonous Spider was behind them. Now, Poisonous Spider is in Yong’an County. Reportedly, he’s been there for some time, specifically seeking people to open dishonest inns, providing them with various hallucinogens for free, so they could use passing travelers as test subjects for his poisons.”

Gu Mo asked, “Do you know Poisonous Spider’s exact location?”

Yan Sanniang nodded. “Unlike typical fugitives who constantly move, Poisonous Spider is always busy researching poisons and requires various equipment and drugs. He needs a stable environment, so he usually stays in one place for a long time. He moved a few days ago after being exposed, and the yamen couldn’t find him. However, I did. He’s now hiding in a tavern in the Red Maple Forest area. That tavern is a dishonest establishment that specializes in killing traveling merchants from out of town, and it’s also one of Poisonous Spider’s collaborators.”

Gu Mo asked, puzzled, “Poisonous Spider didn’t leave Yong’an County directly?”

“No,” Yan Sanniang replied. “I suspect he might be at a critical stage in developing a certain poison, so he chose not to leave, even risking capture. But precisely because of this, it created a ‘light under the lamp’ effect; everyone thought he had fled Yong’an County. If it weren’t for my extensive network of acquaintances, he wouldn’t have been found.”

Gu Mo admired, “Boss Yan’s connections are truly impressive.”

Yan Sanniang smiled. “I know you suffered at the hands of Poisonous Spider, so I must warn you: revenge is fine, but never be impatient. Sometimes, rushing things can lead to trouble.”

As she spoke, Yan Sanniang took a small porcelain bottle from her pocket. “This contains two Heart Protection Pills. I specifically asked a friend in the jianghu to find them. In an emergency, these pills can protect the heart脉. Unless it’s the world’s most potent poison, they can protect the heart脈 for a short time. If, and I mean if, anything goes wrong, take this pill immediately and leave quickly; it can buy you life-saving time.”

Yan Sanniang slipped the medicine bottle into Gu Mo’s hand.

A faint smile appeared on Gu Mo’s face. “Boss Yan, you’re really running this business at a loss. The bounty for Poisonous Spider, including all aspects, is only about two thousand taels. You get a thirty percent cut, which is only six hundred taels. After deducting information costs, is the profit enough to buy these two Heart Protection Pills?”

Yan Sanniang playfully retorted, “You know that and you still say it? This losing business already pains me, and you have to say it out loud to make me feel worse. How can you be so mean? Give it back to me!”

Gu Chudon snatched the bottle. “Sister Yan is a good person.”

Yan Sanniang rolled her eyes. “When it’s convenient, you call me ‘Boss Yan,’ but when there’s a benefit, you call me ‘Sister’!”

Gu Chudon chuckled sheepishly.

Yan Sanniang teased, “What if I kidnap your brother someday? Let’s see if you can still smile then?”

“Then you’d be my sister-in-law, wouldn’t you? I’d definitely be even happier,” Gu Chudon replied.

“Alright, alright, no more jokes,” Yan Sanniang waved her hand. “You’ve dealt with Poisonous Spider, so you should know him well. However, I’ll still give you a copy of the detailed intelligence. Go as soon as possible; I can’t predict how long Poisonous Spider will stay.”

“Understood,” Gu Mo nodded.

Just then, Gu Mo heard a system notification in his mind:

New target detected.Wanted target — Poisonous SpiderMission level — Three starsMission reward — Max-level ‘Star Shifting Technique’…

“I’m leaving.”

Yan Sanniang stood up to depart. At the doorway, she suddenly turned back and said, “Gu Mo, be careful. And, I’m already trying to get in touch with Qi Miaoxuan. If he agrees to treat your eyes, I can lend you the money and rare treasures first.”

“Thank you.”

Yan Sanniang waved her hand and departed languidly, gradually fading into the distance, leaving behind only a graceful silhouette, a black dress resembling an ink stain under the sunlight.

…

Night fell.

Gu Chudon went to bed early because they were setting off for Yong’an County first thing in the morning, and Gu Chudon was responsible for driving, so he needed good rest.

Gu Mo, meanwhile, sat cross-legged on the bed, cultivating.

He practiced the Nine Yang Divine Skill, which he had already mastered. However, his understanding of martial arts stemmed from his own insights, and strength depended on the practitioner. Therefore, daily practice, reviewing old knowledge to gain new insights, was essential.

Suddenly, Gu Mo heard a very faint footsteps in the courtyard. He instantly focused his mind and immediately sensed someone approaching rapidly.

Gu Mo promptly rose, his internal energy already circulating. To his surprise, the person stopped by the window and politely tapped on it.

This behavior led Gu Mo to immediately rule out that it was a villain. He asked, “Who is it?”

“Great Hero Gu, I am Zhuo Qingfeng. I have come to seek your help!”