Yang Guo: I'm invincible in the opening battle against Aunt Guo!

Li Mochou sensed the wariness in Yang Guo's words, but didn't press him for details. She simply said:

"It's good that young people are courageous. However, the world is full of dangers, and sometimes it's safer to know less."

These words sound like a reminder, but upon closer inspection, they have a barb.

Yang Guo didn't care at all, and instead laughed loudly:

"Thank you for your guidance, Daoist Master. However, I have always acted only to ensure that I have a clear conscience. What I should know, I will know; what I shouldn't know, it doesn't matter if I do know."

These words exuded a powerful confidence, causing Li Mochou to glance at him again.

This kid seems to be more than just someone who can make roast chicken.

There were no more words exchanged along the way, only the clatter of horses' hooves.

Li Mochou occasionally inquired about the local customs of Xiangyang and the characteristics of martial arts on Peach Blossom Island, seemingly in casual conversation, but Yang Guo responded calmly and flawlessly.

He was witty and occasionally talked about the scenery along the way or anecdotes about the martial arts world. Even Lu Wushuang, who was listening intently from behind, found it interesting and relaxed a little.

As dusk fell, a market town came into view.

The only decent inn in town, "Yunlai Inn," has its lights on.

As soon as the four dismounted, the waiter immediately came to greet them.

Li Mochou directly ordered, "I need three superior rooms."

The innkeeper looked troubled: "This nun, I'm truly sorry, but our inn only has two superior rooms left, though we do have one clean dormitory room..."

Li Mochou frowned. Hong Lingbo immediately stepped forward and whispered, "Master, my junior sister and I can stay in the shared dormitory."

"No way." Li Mochou refused decisively. She glanced at the composed Yang Guo and instantly made up her mind.

It's already an exception to share an inn with this unknown young man; how can I let my apprentice suffer any more grievances?

She turned to the innkeeper, her voice cold and authoritative: "Two superior rooms, we'll take them. Young hero, please make yourselves at home."

She figured Yang Guo would either have to swallow his anger and stay in a dormitory, or he would have to find another place to stay, so she could see his reaction.

Yang Guo smiled, stepped forward, and said to the innkeeper, "Innkeeper, please give those two superior rooms to this Taoist priest first. I'll wait a little longer."

The shopkeeper, feeling as if he had been granted a pardon, nodded hastily.

Li Mochou didn't expect his reaction. She gave him a deep look, said nothing more, and gestured for Hong Lingbo to pay and take the key.

I received the keys; the rooms were number two and number three, which were adjacent to each other.

Just as the three of them were about to go upstairs, two men came down the stairs. They seemed to be wealthy merchants from town and were complaining to the shopkeeper:

"...Let's cancel the 'Top-Tier' room. The window faces the market, and it was so noisy all night that I couldn't sleep! We don't need a refund!"

The shopkeeper smiled apologetically.

Yang Guo's ears twitched, and he immediately spoke in a clear voice: "Shopkeeper, I'll take that room."

The innkeeper was taken aback for a moment, then overjoyed: "Alright! Sir, room number one, the highest tier, will be arranged for you right away!"

Room No. 1 of the Heavenly Class is located at the far east end of the second-floor corridor, just a few rooms away from Li Mochou's Room No. 2, neither too close nor too far.

Li Mochou paused slightly, but without turning around, she went straight upstairs.

Hong Lingbo and Lu Wushuang hurriedly followed.

Dinner was served in the inn's lobby.

The four did not sit at the same table. Yang Guo sat alone by the window, ordered two side dishes, and ate them slowly and deliberately.

Li Mochou and her master sat on the other side, the atmosphere silent.

Lu Wushuang secretly glanced at Yang Guo several times, but was immediately lowered her head after being swept over by Li Mochou's cold gaze.

After the meal, everyone went back to their rooms.

Yang Guo pushed open the window of Room No. 1, and the night view of the town came into view, with the noise faintly visible.

He sat cross-legged on the couch, not cultivating, but simply listening quietly to the sounds from next door and around him.

With his master-level spiritual perception, he could sense the flow of energy throughout the entire second floor.

There was no sound in Li Mochou's room for a long time. It wasn't until late at night that a very slight fluctuation of internal energy was heard, as if she was cultivating or regulating her breath. It had a faint chilling aura about it, which was completely different from her bright and beautiful appearance.

"The Five Poisons Secret Manual..." Yang Guo understood. Li Mochou was indeed as rumored, her martial arts style was tinged with evil.

He found it even more interesting.

After an unknown amount of time, the breathing in Li Mochou's room calmed down.

A little while later, very light footsteps sounded and stopped outside his door.

Yang Guo opened his eyes, a slight smile playing on his lips.

There was a moment of silence outside the door, as if someone hesitated.

Then, the footsteps faded away quietly.

Yang Guo closed his eyes again.

Silent all night.

Yang Guo, dressed in a blue robe and carrying a bag, was already having a simple breakfast in the lobby downstairs.

The black horse neighed softly outside the door, full of energy.

When Li Mochou and her disciples came down, they were slightly surprised to see that he had already packed up.

She didn't show it on her face, only nodding slightly.

Lu Wushuang glanced over and saw the young man in the green robe standing in the morning light. His features were clear and bright, and he had a calm demeanor. Lu Wushuang felt a sense of peace in her heart.

The four of them silently set off.

Leaving the town, the official road gradually narrows, winding its way into the lush mountains ahead.

"The journey from here is thirty li, all mountain roads, and there are few people around," Li Mochou suddenly spoke, breaking the silence.

"Young Master Yang, do you feel constrained traveling with the three of us?"

Yang Guo gently lifted the reins, running alongside her horse, and laughed:

"You flatter me, Daoist. In this remote mountain place, having companions along is a good way to dispel loneliness. Besides, all three of you are heroines among women, so why would we feel constrained?"

His words were double-edged, both flattering the other person and indicating that he himself was not weak.

Li Mochou's lips curved almost imperceptibly, as if she was satisfied with the answer, yet also as if there was another meaning hidden within.

She changed the subject, asking casually, "Peach Blossom Island's martial arts are exquisite, especially its lightness skills and palm techniques. Observing Young Hero Yang's movements yesterday, his steps were light and graceful, seemingly resembling the 'Ling'ao Step'? Chief Huang even passed on this signature footwork to you, which shows how much he values ​​it."

Yang Guo knew this was a test of his martial arts foundation and his status on Peach Blossom Island, so he calmly replied, "Master Gan taught me some basic skills to defend myself, tailored to my aptitude. The 'Ling'ao Step' is profound, and I only know a little bit of it. Please forgive my ignorance, Daoist."

He deliberately made the "Ling'ao Step" sound ordinary, but secretly adjusted his internal energy circulation. His footwork naturally revealed the agile rhythm unique to Peach Blossom Island's lightness skill when riding a horse, showing both inheritance and without revealing his true depth.

With her keen eye, Li Mochou naturally caught that subtle charm and became even more certain that the teachings this boy had received were by no means "superficial".

She stopped asking about martial arts and instead said, "The Quanzhen Sect on Zhongnan Mountain, not far from Mount Hua, is very popular, but its rules are strict and it's difficult for outsiders to get close. If Young Hero Yang has the opportunity to go there, and if you encounter any difficulties, you might be able to mention the name 'Red Serpent Fairy'."

As she spoke, she glanced sideways at Yang Guo with her phoenix eyes, observing his reaction.

This statement was half a reminder, half a demonstration, and even more of a test.

See if he fears his infamous reputation, and also see how deep his connection with the righteous path is.

Yang Guo's smile remained unchanged, even becoming brighter: "I appreciate your kindness, Daoist Master. However, matters concerning our sect should be handled according to the established traditions of our sect. It's best to reserve your reputation for deterring truly wicked individuals."

His response was neither humble nor arrogant; he politely declined her offer to "borrow his influence," yet subtly distinguished her from "petty people," giving her ample face.

Li Mochou understood, gave him a deep look, and said nothing more.

This boy is slippery.