Ting Chang Mountain...
Chu Weiyang raised an eyebrow, his expression somewhat surprised.
Surprised to be sought out here, and even more surprised that it was a disciple of Ting Chang Mountain who came knocking.
The formidable reputation of Danxia Old Mother ranked high among the orthodox and demonic sects of the north and south.
The orthodox sects in the north were fearful of Danxia Old Mother's excessive killings and intense hostility.
While the demonic sects in the south vaguely regarded Danxia Old Mother as a traitor of the demonic path, showing some fear and a hint of disdain.
Regardless of her reputation, for Chu Weiyang, having her disciple come looking for him was akin to Mount Tai pressing down on him.
Raising his head as if truly looking up at the person before him, Chu Weiyang clasped his hands in a greeting.
"Friend Yan, may I ask what business brings you to seek out such an insignificant person like me?"
He had no intention of exchanging pleasantries, diving straight into the matter at hand.
This bold style seemed to surprise Yan Jianming.
"Aren't you going to ask me how I found you?" Yan Jianming inquired.
Chu Weiyang remained calm, not answering Yan Jianming's question but instead asking, "If I ask, will Friend Yan tell the truth? Even if you speak the truth, what use is it to me? Sometimes, knowing too much in this world may lead to an early demise. Therefore, speaking less is often more beneficial."
Upon hearing this response, Yan Jianming's expression became even more surprised.
"No wonder! No wonder it's you, Friend, who managed to escape with my junior brother Chunyu from the Demon-Sealing Cave after the outbreak of malevolent energy..."
As he spoke, Yan Jianming glanced at the basket Chu Weiyang carried on his back. "Oh, there are three of you..."
Chu Weiyang smirked, appearing to smile, yet his face bore no trace of amusement.
"Two and a half. Soon, there will be only two left. If another twist of fate occurs, perhaps only Chunyu will remain..."
Upon hearing this, Yan Jianming shook his head repeatedly.
"Inappropriate, highly inappropriate! It's better for you to stay alive. If only my junior brother Chunyu survives, it will be too conspicuous and attract resentment!"
"Friend, I have come here to help you survive better!"
"Perhaps you are unaware that two disciples from the Qianyuan Sword Sect have set out, tracing your footsteps. They are both elders' disciples, cultivating at the pinnacle of the Foundation Establishment realm, just a step away from the Nine Refinements Dan Embryo."
"You must stay alive."
"Friend, as you mentioned earlier, knowing too much in this world may lead to an early demise."
"I just hope you remember the goodwill of our Ting Chang Mountain! Furthermore, since this is a business matter, if you are to continue living, we must offer a token of goodwill, consider it... your travel expenses!"
"I have followed from the River Source Market. Have you been to the Rejuvenation Pavilion? It seems you might need some Purifying Malevolent Pills? ...The Demon-Sealing Cave is always a challenging place."
"Here are ten bottles of Hundred Herbs Breaking Calamity Pills and thirty Dragon-Tiger Revitalizing Pills."
"Consider it a gift for you."
"Besides, is there anything else you need? Feel free to speak."
Upon hearing this, Chu Weiyang quickly waved his hand.
"Receiving pills as a gift is already generous enough. I dare not make any extravagant requests!"
"To be frank, if I ask for more, it would be ungrateful of me. If you are willing to offer some wealth, I dare not accept."
Yan Jianming continued to smile.
"So, does that mean you agree?"
Chu Weiyang nodded readily.
"Agreed. Why wouldn't I agree? I must stay alive after all. But as long as I am alive, it will be troublesome for the Sword Sect."
"Without your intervention, the Sword Sect would eventually send someone to deal with me."
"With your intervention, perhaps I will attract more resentment, diverting some attention away from my junior brother Chunyu. But when the Sword Sect arrives, they can't kill me twice, can they?"
"Either way, I will be resented and hunted by the Sword Sect. If I agree, I might gain some extra wealth. Why not do it!"
Yan Jianming nodded in agreement with Chu Weiyang's words.
"Friend, your reasoning is sound. Given the current situation, I almost want to bring you to our Ting Chang Mountain Monastery!"
"Now that you have agreed, where do you plan to go?"
Indeed, as soon as Chu Weiyang declined, Yan Jianming did not mention the matter of additional wealth again.
Subsequently, Chu Weiyang pointed in the direction of the former site of the Panwang Sect.
Yan Jianming shook his head.
"No, the Panwang Sect's gate has become a desolate place, completely exposed. If the Sword Sect pursues, the first place they will search is the former Panwang Sect's gate. This is... not good, we need to change the plan!"
Chu Weiyang nodded repeatedly, then pointed towards the east.
"Shall I hide in a coastal town?"
Yan Jianming shook his head again.
"Friend, this... is too secretive..."
Upon hearing this, Chu Weiyang suddenly understood.
"I see, I see what you mean, Friend Yan. I need to hide, but not too well. I must leave some traces for the Sword Sect to follow, neither too close nor too far, just enough to lure them in..."
As he spoke, Chu Weiyang's expression turned troubled and conflicted.
"Friend Yan, you must understand, this is the most difficult part."
"Even if I don't receive ten or twenty pills, it's like sending me to my death."
"That would be a different price."
"I won't ask why you are doing this, but I understand that the more trouble I cause here, the safer my junior brother Chunyu will be."
"A bit of wealth isn't spent on me, but on my junior brother Chunyu!"
"Friend, do you agree with this reasoning?"
This time, Yan Jianming truly fell into deep contemplation.
After a moment, he looked at Chu Weiyang.
"So, what do you suggest we do?"
Chu Weiyang smiled, a hint of amusement finally appearing in his eyes.
"For the first point, provide a few temporary hiding spots in the southern wilderness. You must give me some time to set the stage, and then it will be up to my own abilities."
"As for the quantity of pills, it must be increased. They don't have to be precious pills. How about tripling the amount?"
"Also, I've heard that Danxia Old Mother is well-versed in various disciplines. Therefore, I need a manual on poison techniques, regardless of its grade, as long as it involves poison."
"Furthermore, some alchemy materials and spirit stones would be appreciated. I have never escaped for my life before, so I don't know how much I need from you. Just give me what you think is appropriate. After all, as I mentioned earlier, with more preparations on my end, I might be able to evade the Sword Sect's scrutiny for a longer period..."
At this point, Chu Weiyang paused.
He pointed to a nearby location.
The sound of flowing water could be heard, the Jade Marrow River that traversed east to west, dividing the north and south.
"Don't think I'm deceiving you. No matter how eloquent my words may sound, without a sworn oath, there is no peace of mind."
"For these statements, I swear by the waters of the Jade Marrow River!"
"If my words are false, I renounce my innate talent in the way of the sword!"
"If my words are false, I rely on my knowledge of talismanic arts to obstruct my sight!"
"If my words are false, then..."
Seeing that Chu Weiyang was about to continue, Yan Jianming hurriedly intervened.
"Enough! Enough! I trust you!"
Many books are now hard to come by, so cherish what you have.