Chapter 63: Going to Qingyang County

Qingping Lane, Gu family courtyard.

Gu Mo and Gu Chudong returned home. After briefly explaining the situation to Qu Xiao and Mrs. Qu Li, they packed their belongings and prepared to leave.

Soon, Zhuo Qingfeng arrived. He had changed out of his official uniform, arriving with just himself, a horse, and a sword. He said, "I can't use anyone from the Six Doors, so it will just be me accompanying you on this journey."

Gu Mo smiled faintly and said, "Who doesn't know that the Divine Tracker of Gale, alone, is worth a hundred men?"

Zhuo Qingfeng laughed heartily, "Even though I know you're just flattering me, it still sounds good. Hahaha, care to add a few more compliments!"

Gu Mo chuckled, "When it comes to flattery, I only offer one compliment at a time."

"Then I'll wait for the next time." As he spoke, Gu Mo prepared to board the carriage.

Just then, a carriage appeared from deep within the alley, and a familiar voice called out, "Gu Mo." It was Yan Sanniang's voice.

Gu Mo paused. Shortly after, the carriage arrived at the entrance of the Gu family courtyard. Yan Sanniang alighted from the carriage and first clasped her hands in greeting towards the mounted Zhuo Qingfeng, calling out, "Commander Zhuo."

Zhuo Qingfeng's expression was serious. He returned the greeting with a clasp of his hands, responding indifferently, "Boss Yan."

Yan Sanniang didn't speak much with Zhuo Qingfeng. Instead, she looked at Gu Mo and Gu Chudong and said, "I've come to see you off."

"That's very thoughtful of you, Boss Yan," Gu Mo said.

"I actually prefer it when you call me Miss Yan," Yan Sanniang said with a slight smile. "You're heading to Fang County, aren't you?"

Gu Mo nodded. It wasn't surprising that Yan Sanniang knew this; after all, intelligence was her forte, and given Changfeng Escort Agency's major setback, her information network would surely have been among the first to know the details.

Yan Sanniang took a prayer bead from her bosom and gave it to Gu Mo, saying, "After you arrive in Fang County, if you encounter any difficulties and need help, you can look for someone named Chen San in Fang County. He's quite influential in Qingyang Commandery, an old pickpocket. Although he's always stayed low-key in Fang County, he has many apprentices and grand-apprentices; most of the skilled pickpocketing gangs in Qingyang Commandery consider him their patriarch. He's a friend of mine and owes me his life. This prayer bead is a token. As long as you take it to him, he'll know you're with me and will do his best to help you. He might not be able to offer major assistance, but he's excellent at finding people and gathering information."

Gu Mo took the prayer bead and gently squeezed it; it was a very ordinary bead.

"Thank you, Miss Yan," Gu Mo said.

"Heh, you're quite something," Yan Sanniang pouted. "When you didn't need help, it was 'Boss Yan,' but after I helped you, it's 'Miss Yan.'"

"Didn't you ask me to call you that?"

"You're so boring, arguing with a lady like me!"

Gu Mo was speechless.

"I'm off," Yan Sanniang waved, then called out to Gu Chudong, "Little sister Chudong, have a safe journey! If you need anything, just write to me anytime."

"Okay, Sister Yan!"

Yan Sanniang boarded her carriage and departed. Only after her carriage turned into the alley and disappeared from sight did Zhuo Qingfeng slowly approach. After exchanging greetings with Yan Sanniang, he had subtly retreated quite a distance, seemingly avoiding her.

"Commander Zhuo, do you have a grudge against Yan Sanniang?" Gu Mo inquired.

"No," Zhuo Qingfeng replied.

"Then why do you try to avoid her?" Gu Mo asked, puzzled.

Zhuo Qingfeng thought for a moment and said, "It's not about avoiding her, but rather trying to avoid any entanglement. Hmm, Gu Mo, let me also advise you: while you're working for her, be careful about the extent of your interactions. A cooperative relationship is just that—a cooperative relationship. Make sure no other kind of relationship develops."

Gu Mo chuckled, "Besides a cooperative relationship, what other kind of relationship could there be?"

"Romantic affection, of course," Zhuo Qingfeng said. "She's only a few years older than you. When young men and women spend a lot of time together, it's hard to guarantee feelings won't develop. However, I must advise you, if such inclinations appear, you must control them. This woman has a complicated identity and a powerful background. Getting involved with her could easily bring trouble upon yourself. I know your martial arts are formidable, but in this world, martial arts masters are as numerous as fish in a river, yet only a handful can truly influence the affairs of the world. Do you understand what I mean?"

Gu Mo nodded slightly and said, "People from different worlds meet by fate. But if there are desires that go beyond that fate, it's like a small boat entering the ocean—sooner or later, it will silently perish in the waves."

"Exactly," Zhuo Qingfeng said gravely.

"Hahaha," Gu Mo chuckled. "Commander Zhuo, as you said, her status and mine are from different worlds. Besides, I'm blind. How could I have any other inappropriate thoughts?"

Zhuo Qingfeng shook his head slightly and said, "I fear that even if you don't go to the mountain, the mountain will come to you. Gu Mo, you don't need to be modest. At least from my perspective, you are already exceptionally talented. It's only because you're a lone operator without the backing of a major sect; otherwise, among the young talents of the martial world, you, Gu Mo, would certainly have a place. With your martial arts prowess and talent, after you've spent some time wandering the martial world, how many people will fall for you?"

Gu Mo smiled faintly, "Commander Zhuo, are you preparing to share some of your worldly wisdom and martial arts experience with me?"

Zhuo Qingfeng said, "I'll tell you without fear: when I was your age, though my martial arts weren't as good as yours, my looks were no worse, and my personality wasn't as reserved as yours. I was very flamboyant, riding through the martial world. Who wouldn't praise such a fine young man? Back then, there were many ladies in the martial world who were smitten by my charm. You could say I passed through a garden of a thousand flowers without a single petal sticking to me!"

Gu Chudong, who was driving the carriage at the front, suddenly spoke, "So you 'passed through a garden of a thousand flowers without a single petal sticking to you,' huh? Then, Master Zhuo, why are you still unmarried, even though you're past forty?"

Zhuo Qingfeng grandly declared, "How can one settle down when the martial world is still in turmoil?"

"Really?"

"Really."

"But I heard that Master Zhuo was once infatuated with someone in his youth, pursued her without success, and couldn't let her go, which is why he never married?"

"Nonsense, those are all rumors."

"Truly rumors?"

"..."

The three continued their noisy banter as they left the city, heading towards Fang County.

As a commander of the Six Doors, Zhuo Qingfeng had handled various assignments over the years and was very familiar with the routes throughout Yunzhou. Therefore, Gu Mo and the others did not need to hire a guide.

The three traveled light.

Because Gu Mo was in a carriage, their relative speed was necessarily slower. However, overall, they still made good time. After eight days of travel, they finally reached Fang County and headed directly to the inn where the incident occurred.

However, the inn was already sealed off with official notices. The three leaped into the courtyard and searched for a long time but found nothing. They then proceeded towards the county seat of Fang County.