In Emei, start by obtaining golden attributes.

Chapter 202 The world is in such a state of disrepair, someone has to mend it.

Gu Santong looked at Gu Shaoan in astonishment and said, "Aren't you coming to Yunyang Prefecture with us?"

Gu Shaoan shook his head and said, "This trip has taken too long. Now that we have Miss Suxin and Miss Mei with us, if we continue at the current pace, it will take until next year to pick up Cheng Shifei and return to Emei."

"There is not much time left before the agreed-upon date between Pang Ban and Yan Jing'an, the master of Cihang Jingzhai. I must return to Emei to cultivate as soon as possible."

"After Senior and Miss Suxin receive Cheng Shifei, they will return directly to the Emei Sect. We will then discuss settling Senior there."

Gu Santong thought for a moment and said, "That works too."

After thinking for a moment, Gu Santong looked at Gu Shaoan and said, "You don't need to be under so much pressure. If Pang Ban really comes later, with the Invincible Vajra Divine Skill, even if I can't beat him, he might not be able to do anything to me. Protecting you shouldn't be a big problem."

Gu Shaoan smiled and shook his head, saying, "There are some things I still prefer to do myself."

Gu Santong looked at Gu Shaoan with a puzzled expression.

If we say that Gu Santong and Gu Shaoan first met, Gu Santong learned that Gu Shaoan, a martial artist who had just condensed his Qi into Yuan, actually dared to try to deal with Pang Ban of the Demon Master Palace.

Gu Santong simply thought Gu Shaoan was naive and ignorant.

However, over the past few months, Gu Santong has come to understand Gu Shaoan's style of doing things.

He is definitely not the kind of person who is ignorant and arrogant.

It was precisely because Gu Santong understood this that he wondered where Gu Shaoan got his confidence from, which allowed him to remain calm even when facing a master like the Demon Master Pang Ban.

After a stick of incense.

As her emotions calmed down a bit, Mei Jiangxue quickly took out a cloth and began to wipe the blade of the Heaven-Slaying Sword.

As a divine weapon, the Heaven-Slaying Sword is inherently capable of remaining unstained by blood.

But Mei Jiangxue still wiped it very carefully.

The blade of the Heaven-Slaying Sword is very sharp.

It was so sharp that when Mei Jiangxue held this sword and beheaded Zhou Jianshan and the others, she didn't feel any obvious resistance.

Therefore, Mei Jiangxue was very slow and careful when wiping the Heaven-Slaying Sword.

Fifteen minutes later, Mei Jiangxue put the cleaned Yitian Sword back into its sheath, then stood quietly to the side, holding the sword.

Looking at Mei Jiangxue, who was holding the Heaven-Slaying Sword and remained silent, Xiong Wei felt a pang of heartache.

Once upon a time, Mei Jiangxue was also a favored daughter of heaven, showered with love and affection.

Who could have imagined that one day I would stand quietly and obediently to the side, like a swordsman, holding someone else's sword.

Xiong Wei opened his mouth.

But after glancing at the corpses of Zhou Jianshan and the others beside him, and considering his own strength...

In the end, he could only sigh silently and stand quietly beside Mei Jiangxue.

Seemingly sensing the quietness, Gu Shaoan walked around the carriage toward Mei Jiangxue and Xiong Wei.

"Benefactor!"

As Gu Shaoan approached, Mei Jiangxue bowed and held the Yitian Sword above her head.

After glancing at Mei Jiangxue, Gu Shaoan looked at Xiong Wei and said, "The events of the past few days will also involve a master. If he finds out what we did today, it will cause Brother Xiong a lot of trouble."

"Next, I will take Miss Mei away first. I will trouble Brother Xiong to act as Senior Gu's driver for the time being. Then I will stay in Wudang territory for a few years before returning."

As he spoke, Gu Shaoan took out three hundred-tael silver notes from his pocket and handed them to Xiong Wei.

Looking at the silver notes in front of him, Xiong Wei shook his head and said, "I am grateful to the Meishan family for taking me in, and over the years I have regarded the Meishan family as my own home."

"The Meishan family has been incredibly kind to me. Since you helped the Meishan family avenge their great grudge, how could I possibly accept your money again?"

“The Meishan family is gone, and I have no other family around Baiyang Mansion. Although I am weak, I can still make a living by joining a security escort agency or martial arts school. I appreciate your kindness.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Shaoan pondered for a moment before taking out two silver notes, keeping one of them.

"Senior Gu and Miss Suxin also need money along the way, and we also need to pay several dozen taels of silver to the escort agency in Yunyang Prefecture. I'll have to trouble you with these, Brother Xiong."

Hearing Gu Shaoan's words, Xiong Wei hesitated for a moment before accepting the gift.

Afterwards, Gu Shaoan called out and boarded a carriage, while Mei Jiangxue took the driver's seat.

After Gu Shaoan gave a direction, he began to urge the horse to gallop quickly toward the official road.

After Gu Shaoan's carriage had gone far away, Gu Santong, who had just taken the medicine given to him by Gu Shaoan and regained his strong physique and changed his appearance again, waved to Xiong Wei.

"Alright, let's get going!"

Two days later.

Plum Valley, located two hundred li south of Baiyang Prefecture.

The entrance to the canyon is narrow, only a few feet wide, with sheer cliffs on both sides.

Strangely, the gnarled pine and cypress branches emerging from the jagged rock crevices twist and coil, taking on various shapes: some resemble angry men roaring to the sky, others nimble apes climbing, still others tigers crouching low on the cliff, and still others soaring dragons. A thousand forms, a masterpiece of nature, dazzling the eye and captivating the spirit; stepping inside is like entering a wondrous painting of strange rocks and ancient trees.

As dawn broke, horses' hooves shattered the condensed dew in the valley.

Even though winter has not yet arrived, the canyon is filled with a lingering chill and a heavy, acrid smell, a mixture of decaying smoke and the faint stench of corpses.

The subtle, penetrating air, carried by the mountain breeze, brought with it a strange sense of desolation.

In this deep and quiet atmosphere, Gu Shaoan and Mei Jiangxue rode their horses at a slow pace.

As their gaze passed through the narrow valley entrance, what met their eyes was devastation!
The once magnificent Meishan family estate, with its interconnected pavilions and towers, carved beams and painted rafters resembling a fairyland, is now a desolate ruin, licked away by fire.

After tying the horse's reins to the wooden stake, the two walked slowly forward.

She gazed silently at the ruins of her home, a place that held all her past, her face growing paler, her clear eyes filled with an overwhelming sense of despondency and sorrow.

Returning to the familiar place, everything had changed, and the overwhelming sense of loss almost overwhelmed her.

Gu Shaoan's deep gaze swept over the devastated ruins, finally settling on the road leading to a higher hillside at the edge of the ruins.

As they walked deeper into the canyon, Gu Shaoan's gaze fell upon some newly built tombs beside a cluster of ruins.

These tombs are not arranged in a very neat and orderly manner, and their sizes and styles vary slightly. Some are simple new mounds of yellow earth with wooden plaques stuck in front of them.

Some were more elaborate, with graves built of rubble and even rough stone tablets erected.

There are all sorts of them, stretching up the hillside, numbering in the hundreds.

The freshly turned soil stood out starkly against the scorched earth, like a wound that had just scabbed over.

Gu Shaoan's gaze lingered on the new graves for a moment, his voice unusually clear in the deathly silent valley: "Did you come back and erect these graves afterward?"

Mei Jiangxue's gaze fell upon the tombs, her expression complex.

After taking a deep breath of the air, which smelled burnt and was chilly, Mei Jiangxue slowly shook her head, her voice slightly dry.

"The Meishan family has been deeply rooted in Meishan Valley for over a century. For generations, they have practiced medicine and helped their neighbors. There are many families and people within hundreds of miles who have benefited from their kindness and have good relations with the Meishan family."

"When I returned to the Meishan family through the secret passage on the second day, I saw some people who had received favors from my Meishan family helping to collect the bones that had been exposed in the wilderness, digging pits and building graves for them so that they could be laid to rest."

Upon hearing this, Gu Shaoan turned his gaze back to the new graves that stood silently in the deathly stillness and nodded solemnly.

In this cold and treacherous world, even when one's family is wiped out, surrounded by powerful enemies, and no one dares to speak out, there are still people who remember old friendships and are not afraid of getting into trouble, just so that the deceased can rest in peace.

This is enough to show the popularity and prestige that the Meishan family has accumulated over the years.

After accompanying Mei Jiangxue on a stroll through the valley and offering sincere prayers at some graves, the two mounted their horses again and left.

The clatter of hooves broke the silence of the wilderness, but could not dispel the heaviness that shrouded Mei Jiangxue's heart. Her eyes seemed to be veiled by a thick layer of dust, losing their color and leaving only bewilderment and an inescapable sense of despondency.

Although she was only thirteen or fourteen years old, she suddenly lost her energy and looked extremely haggard and thin.

As night fell, darkness gradually enveloped the surrounding area like a giant black cloth.

Gu Shaoan and Mei Jiangxue rested at the foot of a sheltered earthen slope and lit a bonfire.

The leaping flames dispelled some of the chill and licked at the boundless darkness, casting flickering light and shadow on their faces.

With a long, soft exhale, half of Gu Shaoan's true essence returned to his dantian, while only a small portion continued to circulate according to the route of the "Emei Nine Yang True Scripture".

Opening his eyes, his gaze naturally fell on Mei Jiangxue opposite him.

At this moment, Mei Jiangxue hugged her knees, rested her chin on her knees, and stared blankly at the flickering flames in front of her.

The firelight reflected on her pale, bloodless face, and in her eyes, which should have been bright and sparkling, only two small, lifeless, flickering shadows were reflected.

Deep within that shadow lay lingering grief and an endless void of confusion. She curled up, like a magnolia flower, soaked by wind and rain, on the verge of withering.

After a few moments of contemplation, Gu Shaoan slowly rose, his footsteps so light they made almost no sound.

He walked over to Mei Jiangxue and sat down on the ground, not far from her, maintaining a just-right distance—enough to feel each other's presence without making her, who was sensitive at the moment, feel pressured.

Sensing the presence around her, Mei Jiangxue's body suddenly stiffened, like a frightened bird, her shoulders tensed, and she almost instinctively curled up.

However, when she raised her sorrowful eyes and saw that the person who had come was Gu Shaoan, the fear that had gripped her body slowly receded like a tide. Her tense body gradually relaxed, but the deep weariness and vulnerability remained.

"Benefactor."

Mei Jiangxue called out softly, her voice so light it seemed to roll through the dust.

Gu Shaoan did not correct her form of address, but simply nodded slightly in response.

His gaze also turned to the leaping campfire, the orange-red flames burning and leaping silently in his deep, calm pupils, as if they could devour all light and shadow.

The silence of the wilderness returned, broken only by the crackling of burning wood and the whisper of the night wind.

In this almost frozen silence, after an unknown amount of time, Mei Jiangxue's voice, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, carrying an overwhelming sense of confusion and pain, suddenly rang out:
"Benefactor"

Mei Jiangxue looked quietly at the campfire in front of her, and asked like a most innocent child, "The reason why my Meishan family suffered such a great calamity is that my grandfather and father wanted to act on behalf of Heaven and eliminate the Ghost Hand Gang and the Four Seas Hall, which were causing trouble in the area."

"If our Meishan family hadn't meddled in this matter, hadn't tried to deal with those Ghost Hand Gang slave traders, wouldn't we have avoided this deadly disaster?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Shaoan paused for a moment before replying, "Yes."

Seemingly surprised by Gu Shaoan's answer, Mei Jiangxue turned her head to look at him.

Under Mei Jiangxue's gaze, Gu Shaoan slowly said, "If the Meishan family turns a blind eye to what the Ghost Hand Gang and the Four Seas Hall have done, the Ghost Hand Gang will not keep an eye on the Meishan family for no reason, nor will they take action against the Meishan family."

At this point, Gu Shaoan paused for a moment before continuing, "But then it wouldn't be the Meishan family."

“The Meishan family is a prestigious family with a renowned reputation for chivalry. As a righteous and upright family, there are certain things that the Meishan family should do. If they turn a blind eye to these injustices that occur within their own sphere of influence and remain aloof, how can they be considered a ‘prestigious’ and ‘righteous’ family?”

Mei Jiangxue asked in confusion, "But just because of these things, so many people in my Meishan family were slaughtered, leaving only Jiangxue. Was it really worth it?"

Gu Shaoan remained silent, not answering immediately. He simply reached out, picked up a dry twig, and gently poked at the campfire. A few sparks leaped up and flew into the dark night sky before abruptly going out.

A few breaths later, Gu Shaoan put down the wooden stick in his hand, his tone as calm as before.

"Perhaps only the spirits of the Meishan family ancestors buried deep beneath this land know the answer to this question."

"Furthermore, Master Mei, who made this decision, is also most aware of it."

Gu Shaoan withdrew his gaze and stared again into Mei Jiangxue's tear-streaked eyes. His tone was solemn: "The world is plagued by endless calamities, and people's hearts are unpredictable. The Ghost Hand Gang and its ilk run rampant and treat human life as worthless."

"If everyone is timid and hesitant, only sweeping the snow in front of their own door, knowing that darkness is shrouded in it and evil is rampant, but only thinking about protecting themselves and staying away from it."

"Then who will dispel the darkness? Who will speak up for the innocent?"

After a pause, Gu Shaoan changed the subject, saying, "Using you as an example, if everyone in this world only cares about their own business, would your Meishan family be able to avenge your family now?"

“If it weren’t for the good deeds and chivalrous acts that your Meishan family has done over the years, I wouldn’t have taken the initiative to bring you back to my sect.”

Upon hearing this, Mei Jiangxue was immediately stunned.

Gu Shaoan refocused his gaze on the campfire in front of him, and his tone returned to its previous gentleness.

"This world is in a state of disrepair, and someone has to mend it. If everyone were to wreak havoc like the Ghost Hand Gang and the Four Seas Hall, or stay out of it like other neutral forces, then this world would truly be a terrible place."

Nine years ago, Gu Shaoan knew that Abbess Miejue of the Emei Sect was extreme and domineering.

However, she still went to the Emei Sect with Abbess Juechen, because she was drawn by the sect's reputation as a "reputable and righteous sect".

Whether it's Abbess Miejue or Ke Zhen'e, the leader of the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan a hundred years ago, neither of them are perfect and their personalities and actions are quite extreme, but both of them are able to bear the reputation of chivalry.

This is because when an ordinary person encounters injustice and goes to Shaolin Temple, they may not even be able to enter the temple gate.

Go to the Wudang Sect; perhaps they will hesitate to act due to concerns about their reputation.

However, if you seek help from someone like Abbess Miejue or Ke Zhen'e, as long as they have such abilities, Ke Zhen'e will lean on his cane and ask you to lead the way in the dark.

As for Abbess Miejue, she would glance at you sideways and then use the Heaven-Slaying Sword to help you get justice.

How bad can someone who can help ordinary people seek justice be?

It's just that he has a bad temper.

At least you don't have to worry about being schemed against or stabbed in the back.

Collecting his thoughts, Gu Shaoan spoke again: "Actually, many years ago, my family was attacked by bandits. All thirty-two members of my family were slaughtered, and only I survived by chance."

Upon hearing these words, Mei Jiangxue turned her head in astonishment to look at Gu Shaoan, seemingly surprised that Gu Shaoan had such an experience.

Ignoring Mei Jiangxue's astonished gaze, Gu Shaoan continued, "So, I understand how you feel right now."

"It is precisely because we have similar experiences that we must understand even more that the tears of the weak cannot bring back the dead, nor can they save the living."

"Only by making ourselves strong enough to shatter the fangs of all those who covet us, strong enough to protect everything we cherish, can we prevent tragedy from repeating itself. This is the best way to comfort the deceased and the only meaningful response to this pain."

"At that time, I met my seniors from my sect, who helped me avenge my blood feud and brought me back to my current sect to teach me carefully."

"That's why I now have the ability to help you take revenge on your enemies."

"We're only talking about whether it's worth it or not, but for some people, it's the last bit of hope they can grasp when they're in dire straits."

At this point, Gu Shaoan raised his hand and patted Mei Jiangxue's head, his tone becoming even gentler and milder.

"If you find it hard to forget about your family, then wait until you have enough strength and do your best to prevent such things from happening to your future sect."

"It will also give you the power to uphold justice for others who share similar experiences with you and me in the future."

Gu Shaoan's voice was not passionate; in fact, it was very soft and slow.

But each sentence seemed to have its own consciousness, able to penetrate deep into Mei Jiangxue's heart.

Just as Gu Shaoan said.

Because she empathized with him, Mei Jiangxue knew what it felt like that night at the Ghost Hand Gang's base when Gu Shaoan promised to help her get revenge.

That was the only straw to grasp when one was desperate and helpless.

As her thoughts wandered, something in Mei Jiangxue's eyes, like the campfire in the darkness before her, began to dispel the confusion and gradually bring a glimmer of light back into them.

　I've cut several hundred words of unnecessary content, so this plot is pretty much over! Please forgive me!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)