At the same time, in a private room of an inn in Falling Sunset Town 200 miles away, three wandering warriors dressed in short jackets were clinking cups and drinking.
Tossing a roasted peanut into his mouth, one of the warriors wearing a blue headscarf chewed twice before speaking, "Da Leng, did you actually spread the net out like you were supposed to?" The warrior called Da Leng exhaled a breath of liquor and poured himself another cup.
"Nonsense! When the boss gives an order, would I dare not follow it? I sent all my scouts out two days ago—didn’t keep a single one back."
"Good. I noticed Third Brother is taking this matter seriously, so we brothers better be quick about it."
"Relax, I know what’s up."
Putting the wine jug back in the middle, Da Leng’s eyes darted around before he lowered his voice.
"Hey, have either of you heard what exactly this fugitive did? Why’s the commotion so big?"
The warrior who had been silent until now curled his lips and nudged his wine cup forward. Da Leng immediately understood the hint and hurriedly picked up the jug to refill the man’s cup.
"Scorpion’s always got the best intel. Come on, tell us—what rumors have you heard?"
Satisfied, Scorpion nodded, took a sip from his freshly filled cup, and said, "Only telling you two because we’re sworn brothers. Don’t let this spread."
"Don’t worry!"
Da Leng thumped his chest.
"Our lips are tighter than a drum. Just spill it already!"
"Alright, come closer then."
Scorpion beckoned them. Da Leng and the other warrior immediately leaned in. Having milked the suspense enough, Scorpion finally stopped teasing them and whispered mysteriously, "Heard Boss Gu ran into trouble."
"Boss Gu!?"
The two exclaimed in unison. Da Leng pressed further, "Even someone as skilled as Boss Gu could run into trouble? Did he cross some sect’s expert?"
"That’s exactly what we’re investigating. But I heard there wasn’t any major conflict yet, so we’re just gathering intel first—figuring out who this guy is."
"Tsk tsk, this really is something big. Need another drink to steady my nerves."
Da Leng downed his cup in one gulp.
"But I heard Boss Gu’s an eighth-rank Mysterious Practitioner. Whoever made him back off must be at least a Mysterious Master, right? And they’re sending us to scout someone like that? Isn’t that…?"
To someone like Da Leng, a Qi Refining cultivator was already an impressive figure. Mysterious Practitioners, Mysterious Masters, and Grand Mysterious Masters were practically objects of worship. As for the levels beyond—Mysterious Spirits and Mysterious Kings—those were simply unreachable.
So hearing that their gang had provoked someone possibly at the Mysterious Master level made his heart thump nervously.
"Scared of what?"
The blue-scarfed warrior slammed the table.
"Our gang leader’s a Grand Mysterious Master!"
"But what if that guy is too? We don’t know for sure."
"Hah."
Scorpion suddenly let out a mocking laugh. The two turned to him.
"What’s so funny?"
Scorpion shook his head.
"Laughing at how young and naive you two are."
"Oh? How so?"
Da Leng asked while refilling Scorpion’s cup.
"You really think the Yellow Gang could’ve taken root in the Northern River Region and thrived in just two years just because our leader’s a Grand Mysterious Master?"
"Well…"
Da Leng sucked in a breath, realizing Scorpion had a point. The Northern River Region was packed with sects, and their disciples loved playing the hero more than anything. If the Yellow Gang didn’t have deep backing, they would’ve been wiped out long ago.
"Brother, I really admire your insight. Impressive, truly impressive. So tell us—who’s really backing the Yellow Gang?"
"That, I don’t know."
Scorpion answered bluntly. But after finishing his cup, he added, "But I’m certain their backing is anything but small."
"How so?"
The blue-scarfed warrior pressed.
"Well…"
Seeing Scorpion drag it out again, the blue-scarfed warrior grew impatient.
"This round’s on me! Just spill it, brother."
"Hahaha, Flat Ox knows how to get things done. Alright, let me enlighten you."
Scorpion rolled up his sleeves and leaned on the table.
"Ever heard of Mist Dancer—Shen Tingyun, or Mountain-Splitting Palm—Lin Yunjian?"
"Nope."
The other two shook their heads.
"Tsk."
Scorpion sighed.
"You guys really are out of the loop. How do you even survive in this world?"
"That’s why we’ve got you! Just tell us, hurry!"
"If you haven’t heard of them, surely you know about the Heaven-Pacifying Sect and the Worldly Seeking Valley?"
"Those two I know!"
Da Leng cut in eagerly.
"Famous sects from the eastern prefecture, right? Heard they’ve got loads of experts."
"Right, at least you’re not completely clueless. Shen Tingyun and Lin Yunjian were disciples of those sects. Young, talented, already making names for themselves in JB District—destined for greatness. But now? Both of them are…"
Scorpion drew a finger across his throat.
"Dead!?"
Flat Ox gasped.
"Yep. And you know why they died?"
Seeing their blank faces, Scorpion continued, "Because they meddled in Yellow Gang business!"
"Damn!"
Da Leng whistled, suddenly excited.
"Our gang’s that powerful?"
"Probably not our gang, but whoever’s behind us. My guess? The Yellow Gang’s just bait set out by some major demonic sect—specifically to lure in those self-righteous, so-called genius disciples. Then, when the time’s right… they strike!"
"Th-this…"
Flat Ox stammered.
"Killing elite disciples from major sects—won’t those sects send people after us?"
"Like hell they will!"
Scorpion scoffed.
"It’s not like our gang’s the one killing them. Remember, our leader’s just a Grand Mysterious Master—would he dare provoke those sects? If those sects come after us anyway, then they’re no better than demonic sects, slaughtering the innocent. Anyway, that’s all I’ll say. The rest, you figure out yourselves. And remember—keep this to yourselves. This is just my speculation, might not even be true. Spread it around carelessly, and you might lose your heads."
"Got it, got it. Man, brother, you really see through things. I’d never have figured this out. Come on, let’s drink!"
The three brothers clinked cups again and drank heartily. Knock knock knock. Just as they were swaying drunkenly, a knock came at the door.
"Who is it?"
Flat Ox called out.
"Boss, it’s me, Dou San. Got news."
"Come in."
The door creaked open as Dou San entered, bowing repeatedly.
"Ah, all three bosses are here. This lowly one pays his respects."
"Get to the point," Flat Ox said bluntly.
"Right away. Field Mouse just sent word—six people wearing straw hats entered town. Matches the description you gave."
"Oh? Where!?"
Flat Ox’s eyes gleamed. --- Meanwhile, Li Fucheng and his group of six were wandering through Falling Sunset Town, searching for a place to rest.
"Young—ahem, Senior Brother, these straw hats are so ugly, and they’re really uncomfortable," Tang Tingshuang complained, fidgeting.
Li Fucheng glanced around to make sure no one was paying attention before replying, "Don’t slip up again—remember, I’m your senior brother! As for the hats, even someone as experienced as Brother Wang is wearing one. That means they’re useful.
We’ve been too flashy on this journey, and that’s why we’ve attracted so much trouble. From now on, we need to be careful."
"Fine… I’ll listen to Senior Brother."
Tang Tingshuang nodded obediently. PS: Thank you all for the votes—we’ve hit 3,000 recommendations! Two chapters are ready, and if we reach 4,000 in the next four hours, there’ll be an extra one!
(End of Chapter)