Chapter 107: Journeying Alone

  Ye Wen breathed a sigh of relief after Pei Wei left, glad that it wasn't that Guo Nu who had come today. Although he hadn't seen the guy before and hadn't really met him face to face, from Tian Le Gang's responses these few times, this person known as 'Angry Eyes Diamond' and leader of the four great elders of Tian Le Gang was not someone you'd want to get along with.

  "I'm going this time, and I shouldn't be in any danger. On the contrary, it's the mountain gate that makes me worried."

  After sending Pei Wei away, Ye Wen gathered all the important figures of Shu Shan Sect together. Firstly, to arrange matters after his departure and secondly, to reassure them about their safety. Fortunately, after today's battle with Pei Wei, everyone knew that Ye Wen's martial arts had improved again, and he could completely retreat from Tian Le Gang unscathed, so no one advised him not to take risks.

  Xu Xian, this scholar, understood the meaning of "a gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall", but running in the rivers and lakes emphasizes seeking wealth and nobility in danger, how can you get the tiger's son if you don't enter the tiger's den? He also knew this principle, but didn't speak up.

  "After I went down the mountain, you all guarded the gate every day and arranged ambushes on the road that must be taken to go up the mountain at night. The Leihuo Gang would not dare to launch a surprise attack, but some petty thieves still had their eyes on our Shushan Sect."

  Ye Wen is no longer afraid of Tian Le Gang taking the opportunity to launch a sneak attack. After all, this time he went to Tian Le Gang on his own initiative, and it was Tian Le Gang who took the lead. If they were to launch a sneak attack on Shu Shan Sect at this time, then Tian Le Gang's reputation would really be ruined to the extreme, and there would be no turning back.

  If Tiān Lè Bang had delivered the letter with extreme caution and without making a sound, then they would still have to guard against their opponent's move. Now? Not only Pingzhou, but also some neighboring martial artists know that Tiān Lè Bang has invited the leader of Shǔ Shān Sect for talks, and along the way, they are making a big show of it. At this time, when Tiān Lè Bang is eager to restore their reputation, they really can't do such a thing.

  Although the two gangs are similar to the two countries at war, there are still many differences. For example, now, compared to the two countries fighting with all their might, the struggle between gangs must have more rules. Tianle Gang has set up an array to play fairly and squarely, so they can no longer use those sinister plots, otherwise, they will only be laughed at.

  Of course, Ye Wen also did not rule out that Tian Le Gang secretly manipulated some other forces and Shu Shan Sect to make trouble, it was precisely based on this consideration that Ye Wen required Shu Shan Sect to increase the number of sentries during their daily patrols in addition to the usual places that needed to be guarded.

  "The master of Zhengquan Gate, Wang Shu, has been out of contact for a long time since I injured him. This time I'm going down the mountain, he might do something, so you all need to be careful."

  At this time, whether Ning Ruxue or Xu Xian can win Wang Shu steadily, Ye Wen is not worried that the two cannot beat Zhengquanmen. What he is worried about is that Zhengquanmen will secretly play some tricks, which is a weak link in the current Shushan Sect. In the Shushan Sect, there is no one who has rich experience in Jianghu, and the Shushan Sect hates conspiracy and cunning the most.

  "Big brother, why don't I go with you this time?"

  Ning Ruxue thought for a moment, and felt that she was still a bit worried about her senior brother, especially since Ye Wen actually wanted to go alone without bringing anyone. One person going alone to the banquet may seem very majestic, but if something really happens, there won't even be someone to take care of him.

  "No need, junior sister, your skills still require diligent practice. Stopping now would be a waste of previous efforts." After saying that, he glanced at Xu Xian again. This third junior brother hadn't spoken up about going together because his Pure Yang Infinite Skill had suddenly made rapid progress in recent days. Ye Wenshen thought to himself that when he returned, perhaps this junior brother's skills would have greatly improved.

  "The effect of the snake blood is quite potent, it's been a while since I drank it and now it suddenly takes effect"

  So, at this time, Xuan is absolutely unable to leave Mount Shu. If he really seizes this opportunity to break through that important pass and cultivates the Pure Yang Infinite Technique to great success, the Mount Shu Sect can also add another powerful expert. In the future, whether it's expanding or slowly developing while hiding one's strength, there will be a lot more confidence.

  "Doesn't Master even bring a single disciple?"

  "It's gone"

  Take a look at Yue Ning and Zhou Ziruo, these two disciples are still in the critical stage of practicing their skills, it's too early to go out and experience the world for now, let's talk about it after a few years.

  "Isn't Master waiting for Younger Brother Xu to return before leaving?" Yue Ning's voice was changing at this time, and his figure had already become similar to that of an adult. In another year or two, he would be fully developed and wouldn't be much different from ordinary adults. At present, he was in the midst of a change in his voice, and his duck-like tone was not very pleasant to hear.

  Ye Wen smiled: "According to my estimate, Xu Ping will be back in two days. I didn't immediately go down the mountain because I was waiting for you, Xu Shidi. You haven't figured out what kind of attitude Tiger Mountain Sect has, and I don't feel at ease either."

  Before he could finish speaking, a disciple came in to report that Xu Ping had returned. Ye Wen waved his hand and let the disciple call Xu Ping in. Just a moment later, he saw his third disciple, dusty from traveling.

  "Master, I have failed your trust."

  Xu Ping walked in with a guilty look on his face, and it was clear from his words that he had failed to accomplish the task entrusted to him by Ye Wen.

  Actually, Ye Wen had already guessed roughly when he saw Xu Ping return alone. As soon as he opened his mouth, he was even more certain of what he thought: "Have you seen Liu Zhenren?"

  "The disciple had only seen Liu once when sending a message, and then never saw him again. The disciple asked to visit, but the people of Hu Shan sect always made excuses, saying that Liu was busy with important matters and couldn't get away." As soon as this was mentioned, Xu Ping's anger flared up, especially towards those disciples of Hu Shan sect, who were arrogant even if they were just gatekeepers. They all looked at him with their heads held high, noses upturned, as if looking down on him. If Xu Ping wasn't familiar with the ways of the world and able to endure it, he would have drawn his sword and chopped them down long ago.

  He had to find Liu Qingfeng, not that Liu Qingfeng was practicing, but rather discussing matters with the sect leader. Even if Xu Ping said he was waiting outside, it wasn't allowed. With a sarcastic tone and mocking gaze, Xu Ping almost turned around and left - in fact, he did. He took one look at the situation and understood that they wouldn't let him see Liu Qingfeng, so he turned around and went back.

  Ye Wen heard Xu Ping's account and pondered for a moment before letting out a long sigh: "The Hu Shan Sect has parted ways with us."

  It's not that serious, the leader of Hu Shan sect is just unhappy to see Shu Shan sect develop so quickly, and now has the intention of watching the battle from a safe distance. If Shu Shan sect really can't hold on, Hu Shan sect will still lend a hand, lest they lose an ally.

  However, since he had already begun to plot against Ye Wen, Ye Wen would naturally not consider him a friend. At this point, he even began to wonder whether his Shu Shan Sect would have conflicts with the Hu Shan Sect after resolving the Tian Le Gang matter.

  "Thinking too much..."

  Shaking his head, Ye Wen shook off those miscellaneous thoughts and continued to ask Xu Ping: "When you saw Liu Qingfeng, what did he say?"

  Xu Ping replied, "After Liu Zhenren saw the letter, he said that he would persuade his sect to send people to assist. Even if the sect leader doesn't send anyone, he will personally bring his disciples to help."

  Ye Wen nodded: "It seems that Liu Zhenren was trapped by his senior brother as the master of the sect, but for now, we don't need to rely on the help of Hu Shan Sect, so this matter will stop here."

  He had actually considered using a basic internal skill and an ordinary entry-level mental method to exchange for the assistance of the Tiger Mountain Sect, but thinking about it was equivalent to supporting future competitors. The military book says that distant interaction is near attack, and he used to be weak and did not have the qualification to choose, now that he has grown up and has the power to protect himself, he does not need to be so passive. Since the Tiger Mountain Sect, this close neighbor, is no longer friendly, he doesn't need to curry favor with them either, just maintaining proper social interactions would do.

  After comforting his three disciples, Ye Wen briefly informed the third disciple about his upcoming departure from the mountain. He finally instructed: "Our sect is not yet powerful, so after I leave, you must be careful and cautious. Xu Ping, although you have been in the sect for a short time, you are also a pillar of our Shu Mountain Sect. This time, help your two masters guard the mountain gate well."

  Xu Ping nodded in response, then asked again: "Master, don't you need your disciple to accompany and attend to you on the way down the mountain?"

  Ye Wen shook his head and smiled: "Master, this time we are going to the Hongmen Banquet, there will be too many people, it's not convenient for us to slip away."

  Although the people in the hall did not know what the Hongmen Banquet was, it seemed that it wasn't a good thing to say, and at this time it wasn't suitable for joking or talking about literature, so no one asked again.

  After this conversation, they talked until sunset. Ye Wenda said: "Let's eat, after eating I will go down the mountain directly."

  "Is it so urgent?"

  Yue Wen smiled and said, "After going down the mountain, I rested for a day at the foot of the mountain. The next morning, I went south directly. Anyway, it's inevitable to go, so there's no difference whether you leave early or late."

  "Big brother isn't preparing?"

  "Prepare what? Bring some silver and a long sword will be enough."

  What's the point of all this fuss? But thinking again, there's really nothing good to prepare for. This time Ye Wen went to Ba, it might just be a fierce battle, bringing too many things would only be cumbersome.

  Ning Ruxue handed a small cowhide bag to Ye Wen: "This is the bag I use to hold copper coins, there are exactly 100 pieces inside, take it with you, brother." Because her Qiankun Yizhi often consumes a lot of copper coins, she always carries such a cowhide bag with her. Ye Wen didn't prepare this thing because his technique was very different from hers.

  At this time, going south would inevitably lead to a fierce battle. Ye Wen's hidden weapon skills would definitely be used, and if the copper coins were gone in urgent times, it would be terrible. Ning Ruxue knew that Ye Wen didn't have many spare copper coins on hand, so she gave him her own.

  Ye Wen took it with a smile, weighing it in his hand, and found that the weight was quite heavy. It seemed that there were many copper coins inside. He smiled at Ning Ruxue, but unexpectedly, this junior sister didn't catch on and directly turned her head to one side.

  "Wasted my expression"

  With a sigh of helplessness, Ye Wen ate dinner with the crowd, then called out and put away the silver coins, at the same time hanging the cowhide bag on his waist, taking a long sword in hand, and directly went down the mountain.

  He just glanced at the long sword and secretly thought: "Our faction lacks excellent craftsmen, for now these miscellaneous workers can only do some repair work, but they can't make weapons like this one. We can only go down the mountain to buy them, which is not only costly but also of poor quality."

  He again recalled that time when he used the essence of his Whirling Fingers Gentle Sword to force a longsword into submission, rendering it useless, and every time he thought about it, he felt extremely depressed.

  "This time down the mountain, if I can return safely, I should find a good craftsman along the way"

  Apart from weapons, a good craftsman can also make kitchen knives and farming tools, which are all necessities for the sect, so finding a craftsman became a top priority for Ye Wen.

  As soon as Ye Wencai stepped out of the mountain gate, he heard a rustling sound behind him, and someone rushed towards him. The person didn't try to conceal themselves, and since there were no other people around in this evening scene, Ye Wencai had almost heard the sound from afar.

  She turned around, looking at a slender figure in a pink dress fluttering in the wind, bringing up a fragrant breeze to stand in front of her. Ye Wen looked at his junior sister who had followed him out without knowing why and didn't say a word, just staring at her. Ning Ruxue stood there being stared at by Ye Wen for a long time before finally managing to squeeze out a sentence: "I'll send you down the mountain."

  "Uh-huh"

  Ye Wen would say something long-winded, but unexpectedly it was just a light and airy sentence. Ning Ruxue felt like she had punched the air. At this moment, she really didn't know what else to say, so she could only accompany Ye Wen step by step down the road in a daze.

  Ye Wen didn't speak, and Ning Ruxue also didn't speak. In the deep mountains of early summer, there were all kinds of insects chirping, like cicadas, crickets, and katydids, as if they had opened a theater troupe. The sound of "zhi zhi ya ya" accompanied them all the way, never stopping.

  Two people, however, did not find these sounds disturbing, but rather accompanied by the fragrance of the surrounding grass and soil, giving a sense of unusual peace. One step at a time, they walked down the mountain, as if this world had only two people left, whether it was Ye Wen or Ning Ruxue, suddenly rising to: "If we could keep walking like this, that would be great!"

  Ning Ruxue secretly took a glance at her senior brother, and found that Ye Wen was also looking at her with great interest. She immediately shifted her gaze away, and then walked forward in a daze, not noticing anything around her. By the time she came back to herself, they were already standing at the foot of the mountain.

  "It's already at the foot of the mountain, don't see me off any further, otherwise everyone will worry when I get back late"

  Seeing Ning Ruxue still not stopping, Ye Wen had no choice but to speak up. It was only then that Ning Ruxue suddenly realized that the two of them had unknowingly walked down the mountain. Upon hearing her senior brother advising her to return, she finally became aware that she hadn't said a single word of what she originally wanted to say.

  "Big brother..."

  "What?" Ning Ruxue's coquettish demeanor was rarely seen, the last time Ye Wen saw it, she still wanted to ask him for guidance on how to create a new martial art. He didn't know if it was because of her rarity, but Ye Wen had to admit that this Ning Ruxue was more captivating. Unfortunately, he couldn't keep admiring her forever.

  Fortunately, Ning Ruxue didn't hesitate for too long this time. After a moment, she took out an object from her bosom and handed it to Ye Wen: "This... take it with you."

  "What is this?" Ye Wen casually took it, and as soon as he did, he felt a warmth in his hand. It seemed to have been in Ning Ruxue's bosom for quite some time, and there was even a faint scent emanating from it: "A sachet? Why give me this?"

  Ning Ruxue was originally still a bit shy, but upon hearing this she didn't know how to respond, and after making a few awkward noises suddenly shouted: "Why are you being so nagging, if I'm told to bring it then I'll bring it!" After saying that, seeing Ye Wen actually wanting to open the sachet, she immediately stopped him, saying: "Don't even think about sneaking a peek!"

  "Ah," she responded softly, tucking the sachet-like object close to her body, calming down Ning Ruxue's growing anger: "I'm leaving."

  "Early to go, early to return." Watching Ye Wen wave at her, Ning Ruxue smiled and waved back. At that moment, it even gave Ye Wen an illusion, as if this was a wife seeing off her husband going out to work.

  He didn't even remember how he responded, and by the time he came to his senses, he had already entered the city of Shushan County.

  "Huh? My lightness skill has improved this much? I arrived at the county town in just a blink of an eye?"

  But Ning Ruxue didn't know that as she watched her senior brother leave towards the county town in a daze, she muttered angrily: "Big wooden head" and then used her light skill to return directly to the mountain.

  Ye Wen, after resting in the county town for a night, got up early the next morning. Now that he's come to the county town, he no longer has to worry about food and lodging. Apart from the Yue Shan Escort Agency, there is also the Youjian Inn, which is entirely owned by the Shu Shan Sect. As the leader of the Shu Shan Sect, he is the behind-the-scenes big boss of this inn, so his food, clothing, and accommodation are all arranged for him in a timely manner.

  As soon as it was morning, all the washing utensils and breakfast were placed in front of Ye Wen. This Shu Shan Sect master now had a bit of a wealthy landlord's demeanor, with someone even serving him food by his side.

  "What a pity that the one waiting on the side is an old man"

  Li Sen stood by and didn't know what his master Ye Wen was thinking, while reporting the situation of the guests in recent days and asking if there was anything he needed.

  "Nothing much, you go ahead with your stuff, I'll leave after I finish eating."

  "Will the disciples send off their master's brother?"

  "What's the gift? I'm not seventy or eighty years old!" A meal ended in this unwholesome conversation. When Ye Wen walked out of the inn and was about to head towards the county town, he suddenly found that Li Bao, the county catcher, was hastily leading a group of people in the same direction as himself.

  In fact, Ye Wen and Li Bao had no relationship at all, and the two only met once. If it weren't for this person being the county's capture head, that skin was really eye-catching, Ye Wen wouldn't have been able to recognize this person.

  But he couldn't recognize the other person, it didn't mean the other person couldn't recognize him. Li caught sight of Ye Wen and immediately slowed down his pace, walking straight towards Ye Wen.

  "It's been a long time, I didn't expect to see you here, Ye Zhangmen" As he said this, he glanced behind Ye Wen and saw the distant Wuguan Inn. Suddenly, it dawned on him. As the county's head of capture, who owned that Wuguan Inn was naturally crystal clear.

  "Li Baozou, it's been a long time since we last met. I don't know what's going on so early in the morning, but Li Baozou looks like he's in a hurry - what's going on?" He was just speaking casually and didn't have any particular thoughts about it. If Li Baozou had simply said "some official business", he wouldn't have asked further.

  "Who would have thought that before I could even finish speaking, Li caught up with the trend and smoothly came out with a sentence: 'Brother, it's hard to look at Ye Palm Gate still looking at the old relationship, help brother once'".

  Um... what was I going to say? Oh, right. The essence is gone again because it's on the shelves, and the data is shrinking, so the essence is getting less and less. In the future, maybe only Monday will have essence, and usually there won't be any.