Chapter 88: Five-Star Most Wanted Criminal

"Love?" Gu Chudong looked bewildered.

Yan San'niang sighed softly and said, "Yang Shentong's daughter is named Yang Qingtong. She's a well-known heroine in the martial arts world, one of the top young talents in Yunzhou. Her sword skills fully inherited Yang Shentong's true teachings, and her reputation is no less than that of your friend, Shen Bai, the White Cloud Sword.

However, who could have imagined that the man this heroine favored would be a member of the evil path? The man she admired was Chen Yushan, known as the 'Sentimental Young Master' in the martial arts world. Some time ago, when Yang Shentong led the Xinyi Alliance to attack the Moon Worship Cult, they eradicated a secret hall of the cult in Longkou County. The leader of that secret hall was the Sentimental Young Master, Chen Yushan.

Initially, it was normal for Yang Qingtong to favor Chen Yushan. After all, Chen Yushan had always hidden his true identity as a member of the Moon Worship Cult. Before that, he was a famous handsome man in Yunzhou, proficient in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and a top martial artist among the younger generation. Many people in the martial arts world admired him, so it was perfectly natural for Yang Qingtong to choose him.

But who could have foreseen her obsession with Chen Yushan reaching a point where she couldn't distinguish right from wrong, or good from evil? Previously, when Yang Shentong was annihilating Chen Yushan's White Crane Manor, Yang Qingtong openly opposed him and even argued with her father. However, she ultimately couldn't sway Yang Shentong, and Chen Yushan was publicly executed by him.

Nobody paid much attention to this minor incident, as young people are prone to acting impulsively. But no one anticipated that this matter would sow such great discord for the Xinyi Alliance and Yang Shentong. It turned out that Yang Qingtong secretly colluded with the Moon Worship Cult because of it, allowing cult members to infiltrate the Xinyi Alliance, assassinate Yang Shentong, and coordinate an attack from within. The Xinyi Alliance was deluged in blood overnight, with its main headquarters almost annihilated. If it hadn't been for Deputy Alliance Leader Nie Dongliu's swift reaction, the Xinyi Alliance would have truly become a thing of the past."

Gu Chudong asked doubtfully, "Was Yang Shentong not good to Yang Qingtong?"

Yan San'niang shook her head. "Yang Shentong lost his wife early on and never remarried. He raised his daughter alone and doted on her immensely. Everyone knows that Yang Qingtong, the eldest daughter of the Xinyi Alliance, was more important to Yang Shentong than his own life."

Gu Chudong said incredulously, "So she killed her own father for an outsider?"

Yan San'niang shook her head slightly. "There are simply too many kinds of people in this world. Yang Qingtong is a typical example of someone spoiled rotten. Everything went her way, and she'd disregard the bigger picture if anything displeased her. She was also overly protected by Yang Shentong, never having endured hardship or experienced the wickedness of human nature. A few sweet words were enough to cloud her judgment, making her believe love was paramount and that she should readily oppose the world for it. I've seen many such people; it's just that Yang Qingtong's status was high, so the consequences of her actions were greater!"

Gu Chudong frowned, her understanding somewhat challenged.

Gu Mo gently patted Gu Chudong and said, "What Miss Yan said is true. The world is vast, and there are countless people. All incredible events simply stem from a narrow perspective."

After a pause, Gu Mo asked, "I'm not particularly concerned about Yang Qingtong's matter. I'm more puzzled by the Moon Worship Cult's reaction. For years, they've operated in the shadows, using clandestine methods. Now that their location has been exposed, why aren't they fleeing?"

Yan San'niang replied, "Ten years ago, after Meng Qingkong called for a war between the righteous and demonic factions in Yunzhou, the Moon Worship Cult's branch was destroyed. However, like a centipede that doesn't stiffen after death, the Moon Worship Cult has always sought to make a comeback over the years, never ceasing its activities.

This time, their location was exposed, yet they didn't go into hiding. There are only two possibilities: either they believe they've accumulated enough strength to confront the righteous martial arts world of Yunzhou, or there's some reason forcing them to risk another annihilation rather than withdraw!"

Gu Mo nodded slightly and asked, "Is Buer Villa also responding to the call?"

"That's not necessary," Yan San'niang said. "Buer Villa is a branch of the Chasing Wind Tower, and although we operate in the martial arts world, we're not a traditional martial arts sect. Even if I wanted to respond to the call, I wouldn't know how.

However, we definitely have to go, because the Moon Worship Cult is also widely inviting evil path experts from various places to assist them in confronting the righteous martial arts world. Currently, not only is the righteous martial arts world experiencing undercurrents, but the evil path is also in great turmoil.

It's not just Buer Villa; all Chasing Wind Towers in Yunzhou won't miss this opportunity. Wanted criminals, rarely seen in peacetime, are appearing openly and without disguise. No Chasing Wind Tower can refuse such a good chance, so I will also personally go to Dongping Commandery."

"You're going yourself?" Gu Chudong asked, puzzled. "What about Buer Villa's headquarters?"

Yan San'niang chuckled slightly and said, "It won't be affected. My deputy is temporarily overseeing the headquarters. My short absence won't have a major impact.

Besides, I must go personally to integrate my hidden contacts there and quickly form an intelligence hub. Otherwise, we won't be able to compete with other Chasing Wind Towers.

Also, regarding the local powers in Dongping Commandery, I want to leverage their strength to gather intelligence. My subordinates won't be able to do it; many of those local martial arts factions only recognize me, Yan San'niang, not Buer Villa.

Furthermore, there's the safety issue. Although Dongping Commandery is currently chaotic with various rogue elements, which is a good opportunity for Chasing Wind Towers, it also means significant risk. I'll go along to oversee the overall situation. While I'm not skilled in other areas, I'm very good at coordinating people. I can formulate strategies at any time, whether it's requesting assistance or seeking cooperation from other Chasing Wind Towers, it requires my personal involvement.

Not just Buer Villa, even established Chasing Wind Towers like Fuwei, Dongyang, and Xinyixing have their owners personally attending."

Gu Chudong then asked, "With such a massive movement and so many evil path members, will the government impose martial law? Won't there be an impact?"

Yan San'niang shook her head slightly. "The government won't interfere. To be honest, if a war between the righteous and demonic factions breaks out, the government won't just *not* stop it; they'll secretly encourage it. For the government, there's little difference between the righteous martial arts world and the evil path. They're all unruly fanatics, and the government would be thrilled for them to fight each other to the death.

The only ones the government cares about are evil cultivators who commit crimes, murder, and arson, or bandits who plunder homes. Although many wanted evil path members will appear during this righteous-demonic war, the government will absolutely choose to turn a blind eye at this time. Everything will wait until the war concludes, ideally with both sides suffering heavy losses. So, even with so many wanted criminals present, they will pretend not to see them and won't favor any side."

Gu Chudong was stunned for a moment, then said, "I see. I understand now."

Gu Mo took a sip of tea and asked, "Which wanted criminals are there?"

Yan San'niang replied, "Currently, as far as I know, the most renowned evil path experts include the top-ranked Black List target, the 'Wraith', the second-ranked 'Utterly Wicked' Ju Shanyin, and five individuals among the 'Ten Evils' who directly occupy spots within the top thirty of the Black List. Although only five of the Ten Evils are on the Black List, the other five are also notorious. And there's..."

Just then, a system notification sounded in Gu Mo's mind:

Wanted Target: WraithMission Level: Five StarsMission Reward: Max-level Yijian Art

Wanted Target: Ju ShanyinMission Level: Five StarsMission Reward: Max-level Blazing Sun Divine Art

Wanted Target: Blood HandMission Level: Four StarsMission Reward: Max-level Six Meridian Divine Swords

Wanted Target...

As Yan San'niang continued to list the numerous wanted criminals, system notifications constantly appeared in Gu Mo's mind. Seeing the various system rewards, Gu Mo felt very tempted, especially since there were two top-tier, five-star wanted criminals.

The rewards for those two five-star wanted criminals were what enticed Gu Mo the most.

The Yijian Art and Blazing Sun Divine Art both originated from *The Great Tang Double Dragons*. The Yijian Art came from the Goryeo Sword Master Fu Cailin, one of the three Grandmasters. In the original work, this sword technique likened sword moves to chess games, anticipating the enemy's moves and emphasizing absolute wisdom and state of mind, embodying a spiritual pursuit of harmony between heaven and man.

The Blazing Sun Divine Art, on the other hand, came from Bi Xuan, the Martial Venerable, also one of the three Grandmasters. It was one of the most scorching true qi techniques in the world, embodying ultimate rigidity and yang energy, changing formlessly, and manifesting and retracting at will.

The system rated both of these martial arts as five-star, one star higher than the Jade Maiden Skill and Little Li's Flying Dagger.

Gu Mo had a suspicion: these two martial arts likely contained higher-level martial arts profoundness.

So Gu Mo decided to join the excitement.

If he was lucky enough to get a chance to kill the Wraith or Ju Shanyin, that would naturally be ideal. However, even without such luck, killing a few four-star or three-star wanted criminals would still be very good.

"Miss Yan, please make your preparations. I'll also be heading to Dongping Commandery."

"Alright."

Yan San'niang nodded. "However, before we go, I must caution you, Gu Mo. If you genuinely get a chance to find the Wraith or Ju Shanyin, please don't be impulsive. Safety comes first.

If it's truly unfeasible, then let's give up. Remember, you have a sister, and you're all she has in this world. The martial arts world is a stage for fame and fortune, and everyone pursues them, but most people are just pitiable individuals swept up by them. You must know when to pick up and when to let go!"

"I understand, rest assured," Gu Mo said. "I won't force it."

Yan San'niang said with a smile, "I'm just reminding you. With your composure, you shouldn't lose your judgment over fame or fortune. However, if you truly get the chance to kill Ju Shanyin or the Wraith, I'll directly give you half of Buer Villa."

"That's too much, too much." Gu Mo repeatedly waved his hand.

"It is necessary," Yan San'niang insisted. "If you truly manage to kill either Ju Shanyin or the Wraith, your prestige will spread throughout Yunzhou. Other Chasing Wind Towers will undoubtedly invite you at any cost. Buer Villa doesn't have many advantages compared to those established Chasing Wind Towers. Besides directly giving you half of Buer Villa, I can't think of any other way.

We are in this martial arts world for profit. Whether it's cooperation or association, if you truly reach that point, and the benefits I offer don't match the gains you bring me, then you'd be at a loss, a huge loss.

Perhaps out of friendship, a small loss is acceptable, but I can't let you consistently lose, can I? If I were to comfortably let you incur continuous losses, that would mean I'm not conducting business honorably.

Therefore, if you truly reach that stage, my only bargaining chip to keep you would be Buer Villa itself. I don't have much else. Of course, whether you'd even value Buer Villa at that point is another question, but I can't bind you with sentiment. It's better to part amicably and maintain a good relationship, isn't it?"

Gu Mo smiled and said, "We'll see when the time comes!"