In the martial arts world, he threatens Yin Susu from the start.

Since that day, Gu Hanyuan has kept his distance from Huang Rong, speaking respectfully and no longer inviting her to play the "Swordsman" duet. Their eyes no longer meet, and even when they are alone together by chance, he remains silent.

Huang Rong was initially relieved, thinking that Gu Hanyuan had kept his promise.

However, after a while, I started to feel uncomfortable and inevitably started to feel anxious and insecure.

Even after Huang Rong hesitated for a long time before taking the initiative to visit the Northern Beggars' Clan to explain the matter, she only received the answer that he would help.

There was no further communication beyond that.

Guo Fu didn't pay attention to the abnormality between the two; she was more concerned that Gu Hanyuan was no longer close to her.

At first, she assumed that Gu Hanyuan was in a bad mood, which was why he usually had a serious and indifferent expression.

However, she soon noticed the difference. Gu Hanyuan was no longer showing her gentle concern, nor was he gently stroking her hair when she acted coquettishly.

Every time she tried to cling to Gu Hanyuan's arm and act coquettishly, he would avoid her with various excuses.

"Mother, does Brother Gu hate me now?"

That night, Gu Hanyuan was on guard duty alone outside, while Huang Rong and Guo Fu were resting inside the carriage.

Guo Fu asked Huang Rong with a mournful face.

"Fu'er, how could your Brother Gu possibly dislike you? He must have something on his mind."

Huang Rong helplessly tried to comfort Guo Fu.

"But......"

Guo Fu was clearly not satisfied with this answer.

"Alright, no more buts. We'll be in Wuxi tomorrow, so go to sleep."

Huang Rong used her authority to make Guo Fu go to sleep obediently.

After Guo Fu fell asleep, Huang Rong sighed and got out of the carriage, where she saw Gu Hanyuan sitting by the campfire, occasionally poking at the flames.

After hesitating for a moment, Huang Rong sat down next to Gu Hanyuan.

Gu Hanyuan said without looking up:

"Madam Guo, aren't you going to rest? It won't be easy after we arrive in Wuxi tomorrow."

"Fu'er...can you treat Fu'er the same as before?"

Huang Rong made the request with some difficulty.

Gu Hanyuan scoffed.

"And then what? Marry Guo Fu under your very nose in the future? I don't believe you'd want that to happen. In that case, isn't it a good thing to keep your distance now?"

"But Fu'er is very sad now."

Huang Rong's beautiful face was full of conflict; she loved Guo Fu very much.

Unfortunately, Gu Hanyuan ignored her thoughts.

"A short pain is worse than a long one, just like you and me."

Hearing Gu Hanyuan's words, Huang Rong felt apologetic and disappointed, never expecting that things between the two of them had developed to this point.

"I understand. Sorry to bother you."

Upon hearing Huang Rong's disappointed voice, Gu Hanyuan sighed helplessly and said:

"Alright, I'll agree to Madam Guo's request one more time. I'll leave after the Northern Beggars' Gang matter is settled. Just let Guo Fu forget about me."

"You want to leave?"

Huang Rong was quite surprised. Perhaps it was because they had spent too much time together recently and had caused her too much emotional turmoil, that she had subconsciously not considered the possibility of Gu Hanyuan leaving.

Gu Hanyuan chuckled lightly, his tone relaxed, as if he had let go of something.

"Otherwise what? Staying here isn't a good idea for either of us."

"I...I'm sorry."

Huang Rong could naturally sense Gu Hanyuan's emotions, and for a moment she didn't know what to say, so she could only awkwardly apologize.

Gu Hanyuan shook his head, indicating that he didn't care about her apology.

“I respect your choice, Mrs. Guo. It was not my intention to put you in a difficult position.”

Upon hearing this, Huang Rong couldn't help but use the affectionate term of address again.

"Han Yuan..."

"Madam Guo, go to sleep. It's getting late."

Unfortunately, Gu Hanyuan interrupted her halfway through the conversation, as he continued to fiddle with the flames in the campfire, as if the conversation had never happened.

Huang Rong glanced at Gu Hanyuan with a slightly somber expression, then silently returned to the carriage.

Gu Hanyuan looked at the system notification and a familiar smile appeared on his lips.

Huang Rong's eavesdropping earned 3400 villain points, the duet of "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer" earned 3800 villain points, and the manipulation and pulling earned 2900 villain points.

During the "washing hands of the villains" ceremony, Liu Jing gave a total of 3900 villain points, including those for repaying kindness.

The girls were smitten, and each of them gained a lot of favorability points, which in turn earned them villainous points.

Sheng has 2400 villain points, Yue Lingshan has 2600 villain points, Yilin has 2100 villain points, and Guo Fu has 3100 villain points.

Rescuing Qu Feiyan, a total of 5300 villain points were given as a reward.

Learn something new about Ren Yingying, 2100 villain points.

Accelerating Yue Buqun and Lin Pingzhi's learning of the "Evil-Repelling Sword Technique" grants 2300 villain points.

I gained 2600 villain points by increasing my reputation with the Songshan Sect.

Killing Fei Bin gave me 1200 villain points.

Chapter 117: The Apricot Grove Incident: Protecting A'Zhu

The next day, Huang Rong saw that Gu Hanyuan kept his promise and became close to Guo Fu again.

Looking at the bright smile on Guo Fu's pretty face, he sighed inwardly, his feelings complicated.

Because of the distance they had maintained in the previous few days, Guo Fu was unusually enthusiastic today, clinging to Gu Hanyuan's arm and refusing to let go, while her little purse pressed tightly against him without any restraint.

Feeling Guo Fu's youthful energy, Gu Hanyuan also felt much happier.

Occasionally, when he glanced at Huang Rong, whose face was somewhat gloomy, a hint of amusement flashed in his eyes.

After leaving their luggage at the inn, the three did not stay in Wuxi City, but went to Xingzilin, the meeting place of the Northern Beggars' Gang.

When Gu Hanyuan and the other two arrived, Bao Butong was arguing and hurling insults at the members of the Northern Beggars' Gang.

Those "No, no" responses are really giving me a headache.

Gu Hanyuan looked at the three women behind Bao Butong.

It must be Wang Yuyan, Azhu, and Abi.

Abi was dressed in green, with a beautiful and gentle appearance. Looking at her, one could tell that she must be a very gentle woman.

Dressed in red, A'Zhu was beautiful and charming, with a captivating and alluring presence. Compared to A'Bi's gentleness, she appeared even more adorable and charming, truly befitting the daughter of Duan Zhengchun, the master of conceiving daughters.

Standing between the two women in 607, Wang Yuyan wore a lotus-colored gauze dress. She was pure and beautiful, and her beauty was like that of a fairy. She seemed to be shrouded in mist and clouds. No wonder she was called "Fairy Sister".

Gu Hanyuan wondered strangely, "Could it be that they secretly put some dry ice under the feet?"

Of course, this veiled teasing was just to divert his attention, because he noticed Huang Rong's gaze, so he just glanced at her casually and then looked away.

Even Huang Rong, with her discerning eye, had to admit that Wang Yuyan was indeed extremely beautiful, far surpassing Guo Fu and not inferior to herself.

Seeing that Gu Hanyuan didn't look at the beautiful woman for long before withdrawing his gaze, she felt somewhat surprised, and at the same time, her thoughts became inexplicable.

As for the secret joy she felt, she would never admit it.

Guo Fu also cared about Wang Yuyan, and even felt somewhat ashamed of herself.

After Gu Hanyuan looked away, she happily pressed her arm even closer to his.

The argument among the crowd was interrupted by the arrival of Gu Hanyuan and his two companions.

The elders of the Northern Beggars' Sect all bowed respectfully:

"Chief Huang."

Because today is an internal affair of the Northern Beggars' Sect, and Huang Rong is present as a witness for the Southern Beggars' Sect, the title has been changed to "Sect Leader Huang" to show respect.

Huang Rong nodded and smiled, explaining her purpose and introducing Gu Hanyuan and Guo Fu to everyone.

"So it's the 'Hero's Sword'! I've heard so much about it."

Gu Hanyuan's deeds at the Golden Basin Washing Hands Ceremony have spread far and wide, further enhancing his reputation.

Upon hearing his name, everyone was filled with awe and respect.

Quan Guanqing was even more delighted to be able to invite the world-renowned Huang Rong and the recently rising star Gu Hanyuan.

With such a high-profile witness present, if he could seize the opportunity to remove Qiao Feng from office, the prestige he gained would give him a real chance to become the new leader of the Beggars' Sect.

Compared to Murong Fu, who squandered a winning hand, Gu Hanyuan had a much higher opinion of Quan Guanqing.