In Emei, start by obtaining golden attributes.

Chapter 122 People Arrive at the Mountain Gate
Gu Shaoan seemed surprised that Shangguan Haitang would suddenly say such a thing, and paused for a moment.

After a moment's hesitation, he said, "Whatever Miss Shangguan decides, I'm fine with it."

"Ok?"

Gu Shaoan's words surprised Shangguan Haitang.

But after thinking about it carefully, Shangguan Haitang suddenly realized that Gu Shaoan's seemingly casual answer was actually surprisingly clever.

They tossed the ball back without leaving a trace.

If Shangguan Haitang leans towards the former, it makes her seem somewhat jealous.

If it is the latter, it would make Shangguan Haitang seem somewhat inferior, believing that her strength is far inferior to Gu Shaoan's.

In response, Shangguan Haitang couldn't help but say, "Young Master Gu has a very keen sense of responsiveness."

Gu Shaoan smiled and said, "Same to you, Miss Shangguan is no less impressive."

It has to be said that she is indeed someone who deserves to be valued by someone like Zhu Wushi.

Although he is young, he is quite cunning.

She's just as good as Yang Yan.

Shangguan Haitang pursed her lips, then picked up a piece of pastry from the plate that Gu Shaoan had just brought out.

Whether it was a misperception or not, Shangguan Haitang actually felt that this plate of pastries tasted better.

"Hmm~"

However, just after finishing a piece, Shangguan Haitang's handsome eyebrows suddenly furrowed, and an uncontrollable look of pain quickly gathered between her brows. A short and muffled groan escaped from her tightly pursed lips.

Gu Shaoan could clearly see the fine sweat that had seeped from Shangguan Haitang's forehead at that moment.

Seeing this, Gu Shaoan said "I apologize for being so abrupt" and then placed his fingers on Shangguan Haitang's wrist.

A dozen or so breaths later, Gu Shaoan discovered that in addition to the injuries Shangguan Haitang sustained from Zhou Zhiruo's sword strike during the day, there was also some poison and a kind of cold, sinister energy in her body, which was like a cunning venomous snake, wreaking havoc in her meridians.

Moreover, Gu Shaoan was not unfamiliar with this true energy.

"You were hit by Li Wanshan when you fought him?"

At this moment, Shangguan Haitang's expression of pain intensified. Faced with Gu Shaoan's question, Shangguan Haitang could only nod with difficulty.

Upon seeing this, Gu Shaoan reached into his robes and pulled out a bright green medicine bottle.

After pouring out a bright green pill from the medicine bottle, Gu Shaoan directly put it into Shangguan Haitang's mouth.

Then Gu Shaoan got up and walked behind Shangguan Haitang, placing one palm on Shangguan Haitang's back, and channeling his true energy directly into Shangguan Haitang's body through his palm.

Under Gu Shaoan's control, the moment his true energy entered Shangguan Haitang's body, it was like a spring breeze and rain, gently enveloping, dispersing, and soothing the chaotic energy and turbulent blood and qi within her body.

The candlelight burned quietly inside the pavilion, and even the night breeze seemed to become cautious at this moment.

Soon, as the pills that Gu Shaoan had just fed her took effect, Shangguan Haitang immediately felt a warm current spreading from her abdomen and flowing into his palm on her back.

As the medicinal power and true energy rapidly nourished her, Shangguan Haitang felt the excruciating pain that had just been emanating from her body subside at an extremely fast pace.

Fifteen minutes later, as Shangguan Haitang suddenly vomited a mouthful of poisonous blood, the suffocating feeling that had been lingering in her chest for two days instantly dissipated.

I felt a sense of lightness that I couldn't quite describe.

And her whole body felt as if she were in a hot spring, warm and cozy, which made her squint her eyes in comfort.

[Successfully treated a patient with internal injuries. Proficiency +10, Achievement Points +2.]

A moment later, as a notification appeared in the corner of his eye, Gu Shaoan removed his hand from Shangguan Haitang's back.

As Gu Shaoan withdrew his true energy, Shangguan Haitang unconsciously let out a sigh of relief.

After stretching for a bit, Shangguan Haitang nodded to Gu Shaoan and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Young Master Gu."

Gu Shaoan shook his head and said, "This time the fault lies with my Emei Sect disciples. It was understandable that Miss Shangguan took action this afternoon. Now that the misunderstanding has been cleared up, it is only right that I treat Miss Shangguan in consideration of her help this time."

Shangguan Haitang said softly, "Young Master Gu is quite discerning in his dealings with things."

Gu Shaoan replied slowly, "When we Emei disciples are out in the world, right is right and wrong is wrong. If a prestigious sect doesn't even have the courage and responsibility to admit right and wrong, how can it be considered stable in the long run?"

Where there are people, there will be different thoughts.

Different thoughts naturally lead to conflict and other ideas.

Humans have seven emotions and six desires; how can they possibly control them?
Therefore, every force in the martial arts world inevitably encounters problems, both big and small, during its establishment and development.

This was something that could not be avoided.

What matters is the sect's attitude and how it handles things after something happens.

Shangguan Haitang nodded and said, "That's true. Making mistakes isn't scary. What's scary is knowing you're wrong but not knowing how to turn back. In the end, the entire sect will be ruined from the root."

Immediately afterwards, Shangguan Haitang glanced at Gu Shaoan and changed the subject, saying, "However, Young Master Gu is not only calm and composed, but also cautious. Despite having such profound skills, he still hides them. This afternoon, he even managed to make Haitang believe his moves."

Upon hearing Shangguan Haitang's words, Gu Shaoan's mind raced, and he immediately understood what Shangguan Haitang meant.

While Shangguan Haitang's "Rain of Flowers and Money" move used in the afternoon was indeed exquisite, she clearly lacked sufficient mastery and skill in this technique.

Let alone Gu Shaoan's skill, even any martial artist whose internal energy has transformed into true qi could indeed block the sky full of golden dust by simply activating their true qi.

Gu Shaoan, however, kept a low profile from beginning to end, simply using his heavy sword to block the gold dust from Anxie. He wanted to experience the energy and techniques of "a shower of flowers and gold coins" and broaden his horizons.

Secondly, they were clear about the strengths of Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan.

Besides, it does indeed have a hint of concealing one's true abilities.

Immediately, Gu Shaoan said, "At that time, it was unclear whether Miss Shangguan was friend or foe, so it was only natural for me to be cautious, wasn't it?"

Shangguan Haitang thought for a moment, then snorted softly and turned her head back, clearly accepting Gu Shaoan's explanation.

A moment later, Shangguan Haitang, having finished a plate of pastries, patted the powder off her hands and said, "I went to the yamen again and discussed it with the magistrate. Tomorrow morning, we will come to collect the identities of these missing people and compile them into a list. Then, we will take the list to the nearby prefectures to inquire and send back those people who were kidnapped by the Ghost Hand Gang one by one."

Gu Shaoan nodded and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Miss Shangguan."

Gu Shaoan originally planned to wait for the Emei Sect to arrive and then send the abducted people back one by one through the Emei Sect.

Now that the government has intervened to help, a lot of time can be saved.

Then, Shangguan Haitang cupped her hands and said, "I have informed you of the matter. Thank you for your hospitality, Young Master Gu. I will take my leave now."

"Please go ahead, Miss Shangguan."

As soon as Gu Shaoan finished speaking, Shangguan Haitang turned around and lightly touched the ground with her toes, her body already soaring into the air.

As he landed on the courtyard wall, he tapped his foot again and crossed the wall to leave.

In terms of skill in lightness and agility alone, Shangguan Haitang's performance was already no less than Zhou Zhiruo's.

Five days passed in the blink of an eye.

Inside the "Emei Garrison" in Linhai Town, the people abducted by the Ghost Hand Gang have been initially settled with the intervention of the government, and will be repatriated one after another after their household registration is verified.

in the afternoon.

The sun was shining brightly.

The entrance to the Emei garrison.

Gu Shaoan sat at a wooden table, next to which a flag bearing the words "Free Clinic" fluttered in the wind.

Ahead of them, a long queue stretched like a dragon.

Besides Zhou Zhiruo sitting to the side helping to record the prescription, there was also a pharmacy owner in the city who was rapidly calculating the prices of the medicines on the prescription.

In the shade by the door, Shangguan Haitang asked Yang Yan, who was making a tea infused with hot water and patchouli, "You've been providing free medical consultations for the past five days. You must have spent hundreds of taels of silver every day, right? Is your Emei Sect really that wealthy?"

Yang Yan said without looking up, "Senior brother found three thousand taels of silver in the house of Senior Sister Zhao and the others who colluded with the Ghost Hand Gang. This is all dirty money, and we can't take it back to Emei. So senior brother thought of using this money to provide free medical treatment, which can be considered as using this ill-gotten wealth for a good purpose."

Shangguan Haitang did not mention anything foolish about donating the money to the government.

She wasn't one of those naive newcomers to the martial arts world; she naturally knew what kind of people worked in the government offices. Moreover, some people in the government offices were colluding with the Ghost Hand Gang. Sending that money to the government offices would be like throwing good money after bad, only enriching those guys there.

It's not as good as Gu Shaoan's current situation, where the money directly and practically reaches the people.

Yang Yan picked up the teacup and took a sip, but upon tasting the earthy aroma of the tea, she couldn't help but frown.

Clearly, they still don't like the taste.

After putting the bowl down again, Shangguan Haitang casually remarked, "You people from the Emei Sect are really audacious, daring to brazenly hide all this money in your room."

Yang Yan said with a disdainful look, "Perhaps they are so bold because they think that what they are doing will not be discovered!"

His words were full of undisguised disgust and disdain for Zhao Jingyi and the others.

Then, Yang Yan changed the subject and said, "Why did you come here again today out of the blue?"

Perhaps it was because of Shangguan Haitang's sudden sneak attack, or perhaps because both Yang Yan and Shangguan Haitang were young but cunning, but when they looked at each other, they always felt a bit displeased.

Seeing Yang Yan's slightly wary expression, Shangguan Haitang glanced at Gu Shaoan, whose handsome face was adorned with a gentle smile, and seemed to suddenly become interested, as if she had thought of something.

"Why does it seem like Miss Yang is quite wary of me?"

Yang Yan scoffed.

"We weren't that close to each other, and we've only been fighting every day for the past few days. So what if I'm wary?"

Shangguan Haitang asked with a somewhat intriguing tone, "Oh? Just for that reason?"

Yang Yan narrowed her eyes slightly: "What? Want to fight again?"

In the past, Shangguan Haitang might have agreed at this point.

In several encounters with Yang Yan, and in direct confrontations with her, Shangguan Haitang found that Yang Yan's strength was actually superior to his.

Moreover, Shangguan Haitang believed that her lightness skill was already quite outstanding for her age.

But Yang Yan, who was standing in front of him, was actually better than him in terms of lightness skill. What was even more strange was that after only a few exchanges, Yang Yan had already become familiar with the "Meteor Chasing the Moon Step" lightness skill routine.

If Shangguan Haitang hadn't been unaware of the proper techniques for circulating qi and energy, he would have suspected that Yang Yan might have directly learned his "Meteor Chasing the Moon Step".

This talent was so amazing that even Shangguan Haitang couldn't help but be astonished.

After a moment of contemplation, Shangguan Haitang slowly said, "If there is another opportunity in the future, Haitang will definitely learn from Miss Yang's Emei martial arts again."

"Hmm?" Yang Yan glanced at Shangguan Haitang: "Judging from your tone, you're leaving?"

Shangguan Haitang said frankly, "That's right! Come to think of it, I only came across Wu Sangou and the Ghost Hand Gang by chance while passing by, and I've been staying in Linhai Town for quite a while now."

Seeing that Shangguan Haitang was about to leave, Yang Yan's tone softened slightly.

"Should I go and inform my senior brother now?"

Shangguan Haitang shook her head and said, "Forget it! Let's not disturb Young Hero Gu's free medical treatment for the people. The world is vast and we may meet again sometime in the future. Please tell Young Hero Gu that after a few years, when Haitang's strength has improved, she will definitely bring a pot of wine to the Emei Sect to learn from his skills."

Just then, Gu Shaoan's gentle and soothing voice quietly rang in the ears of Shangguan Haitang and Yang Yan.

"If Miss Haitang comes in person, I will certainly wait for you at Emei. However, if possible, I would like to trouble Miss Haitang to bring a pot of good wine!"

Upon hearing the words, Shangguan Haitang immediately looked up.

Their eyes met.

A few moments later, Shangguan Haitang spoke softly, clasped her hands in greeting to Zhou Zhiruo who was also looking up, then put her bamboo hat back on her head and walked to the side.

Watching Shangguan Haitang's figure disappear around the street corner, Zhou Zhiruo looked at Gu Shaoan and said, "Junior Brother, aren't you going to see Miss Haitang off?"

Gu Shaoan laughed nonchalantly and said, "We've already said goodbye, why bother seeing me off?"

After speaking, Gu Shaoan withdrew his gaze and returned his attention to the patient in front of him.

The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the sky a deep golden-red.

Just as Gu Shaoan, Yang Yan, Zhou Zhiruo and the others had just moved the tables and chairs back into the front hall, a unique "clop-clop" sound, the sound of a horse trotting on the ground, suddenly came from outside.

Upon hearing this sound, Gu Shaoan and the others in the front hall all stopped what they were doing and looked towards the gate.

A few breaths later, dozens of figures filed in, their steps steady and uniform, bringing with them a stormy atmosphere as heavy as a mountain and as chilling as late autumn.

One of the two leaders was the Abbess of Insulation, who was most familiar to Gu Shaoan and his companions.

The other person was slightly younger and a bit plump, but his brows were shrouded in an intense, unyielding weariness.

It was none other than Abbess Jueling, the master of Zhao Jingyi and the others.

Behind these two heavyweight senior uncles followed a dozen or so female disciples with composed auras, sharp eyes, and long swords at their waists; all of them were elites of the Enforcement Hall.

As Abbess Wujue and Abbess Jueling entered the front hall, Gu Shaoan, Yang Yan, and Zhou Zhiruo immediately stepped forward, stood before everyone, and bowed in greeting.

"Disciple Gu Shaoan (Yang Yan, Zhou Zhiruo) pays respects to Uncle Juejue and Uncle Jueling."

The Abbess Insulation's sharp, lightning-like gaze immediately swept over Gu Shaoan, Zhou Zhiruo, and Yang Yan.

Seeing that the three of them looked normal and did not appear to be injured, he nodded and said, "Get up!"

After entering the front hall and sitting down, Abbess Juejue didn't waste any time and immediately began to inquire about the matter in detail.

Gu Shaoan made no attempt to hide anything and recounted in detail what had happened after arriving in Linhai Town.

His narrative is devoid of any personal emotion, containing only cold, hard facts.

When they learned that the Ghost Hand Gang and others were playing dirty tricks, using the reputation that the Emei Sect had built up over the years to use Linhai Town as a transit point for transporting people, not only Abbess Wujue, but even the other Emei disciples were surprised and their expressions unconsciously darkened.

When they learned that the twelve Emei Sect disciples stationed there were deliberately protecting the Ghost Hand Gang's human traffickers for money, both Abbess Juejue and Abbess Jueling trembled with anger.

Especially the usually warm and cheerful Abbess Jueling, whose face was now ashen.

As soon as Gu Shaoan finished speaking, Abbess Wujue couldn't help but roar in fury, "You scoundrel!"

As she spoke, Abbess Insulation slammed her right hand angrily onto the wooden table beside her, making a loud "bang." The originally sturdy wooden table was shattered into pieces by Abbess Insulation's palm strike.

The nun's face was ashen, but the anger in her eyes seemed to burn the sky, and her killing intent was undisguised.

She suddenly spoke, her voice unconsciously deepening as if suppressing her murderous intent.

"What about those disciples who broke the sect rules?"

Gu Shaoan said, "Senior Sister Zhao and the others have had their martial arts crippled and have been imprisoned by this disciple."

The nun, her face grim, said, "Lead the way!"

Gu Shaoan didn't say much. He got up and, together with Zhou Zhiruo, Yang Yan, and the Abbess of Insulation, led the others into the backyard until they stopped in a room.

Seeing that Gu Shaoan and the other two had stopped, Abbess Juejue and Abbess Jueling went directly into the house.

It wasn't until 15 minutes later that the two of them came out of the house.

Compared to Abbess Wujue, Abbess Jueling's expression was much more complicated at this moment.

There was anger, guilt, and also some frustration at their lack of ambition.

Stepping out of the house, Abbess Juejue looked at Gu Shaoan and said, "If you ever find anyone who violates the sect rules and bullies the villagers again, just kill them. Why keep them around to waste food?"

Looking at the still angry Abbess, Gu Shaoan nodded and said, "When we get back, I will mention it to you, Master, and see if you can grant me this authority."

Upon hearing this, the nun realized what was happening.

Gu Shaoan is, after all, a disciple. If, as this time, it is discovered that an Emei Sect disciple has violated the sect rules, it would be acceptable to cripple his martial arts and lock him up.

However, if one directly takes action or even kills someone, then that would be considered harming one's fellow disciples.

Unless it is Miejue, the leader of the Emei Sect, who personally grants Gu Shaoan the position of overseeing the sect.

However, considering how much Abbess Miejue valued Gu Shaoan and what had happened this time, Abbess Miejue estimated that even if Gu Shaoan didn't say anything, Miejue would still give Gu Shaoan that right after they returned.

　The main story is nearing its end; the next plot involves the six major sects besieging Bright Peak, so the design and details need to be carefully considered. Writing will be slow! Chapter Two might be a little late, around 8 PM.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)