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

In the small town at the foot of the mountain.

The two quietly searched the town for a while, asking at several shops that Granny Sun often went to buy things, but to no avail, and were pondering to themselves.

Suddenly, from around the corner of the alley, a slender figure in a peach-colored dress timidly peeked out; it was Lu Wushuang.

When she saw Yang Guo, her eyes lit up, and then she caught a glimpse of the ethereal and otherworldly Xiaolongnu beside him.

His expression immediately became somewhat flustered, but he still quickly walked over.

"Brother Yang!" she called softly, then quickly bowed to Little Dragon Girl, "Uncle... Uncle Dragon."

In terms of seniority, Li Mochou and Xiaolongnu are of the same generation, so her address as "Shishu" (senior sister) is not wrong.

"Wushuang?" Yang Guo was somewhat surprised to see her alone. "What are you doing here? Where is your master?"

Lu Wushuang glanced at Xiaolongnu, then lowered her voice and said to Yang Guo:

"Master has rented a small courtyard at the 'Yuelai Inn' at the east end of town. By the way, Brother Yang, are you looking for an old woman surnamed Sun?"

Yang Guo and Xiaolongnu exchanged a glance, both seeing the surprise in each other's eyes.

Little Dragon Girl immediately pressed, "Do you know where Granny Sun is?"

Lu Wushuang nodded, her small face showing apology and worry:

"Hmm... This morning, Master met that old woman at the foot of the mountain, and somehow... he invited her to the inn. Master didn't mistreat her, he just... wouldn't let her leave."

She paused, then added, "I went to check on her secretly. My mother-in-law is alright, but my master seems to... want to advise her on something."

Yang Guo understood that Li Mochou had captured Granny Sun simply to force her to reveal the situation of the Ancient Tomb or to hold her hostage to blackmail Xiaolongnu.

He looked at Xiaolongnu: "Miss Long, it seems we need to make a trip to the Yuelai Inn."

A cold glint flashed in Xiaolongnu's eyes, and she nodded: "Lead the way."

Lu Wushuang led the way, and the three of them soon arrived at a rather secluded inn in the east of the town.

After passing the front hall, there was indeed a separate small courtyard at the back.

Before even entering the gate, they could hear Li Mochou's slightly impatient cold shout and an old woman's earnest persuasion coming from inside the courtyard.

"Miss Mochou, please heed my advice! The items in the ancient tomb were passed down from our ancestral master. Since you were so... alas, why cling to them? Miss Long may be cold-hearted, but she has a good heart. Why have you and your fellow disciples come to this?"

"Grandma Sun! You're an old friend of mine from the Ancient Tomb, how dare you side with outsiders? I'm the master's eldest disciple!"

The courtyard gate was ajar, and Yang Guo gently pushed it open.

Li Mochou sat by the stone table in the courtyard, her face ashen.

Opposite her was an elderly woman in simple clothes with gray hair and a kind but worried face; it was Granny Sun.

Hong Lingbo stood to the side, looking uneasy.

Granny Sun spotted the Little Dragon Girl at the door at a glance, and was overjoyed. She stood up shakily:

"Miss Long! You...you've finally arrived!"

She was clearly being held captive by Li Mochou, and was anxious. Seeing her now was like seeing a savior.

Li Mochou suddenly turned her head, and a fierce glint flashed in her eyes when she saw Xiaolongnu.

But when her gaze fell on Yang Guo beside Xiaolongnu.

When Yang Guo saw Lu Wushuang peeking out from behind him, looking guilty, that fierce look instantly turned into a raging inferno!

"Lu, Wu, Shuang!" Li Mochou enunciated each word clearly, her voice icy and chilling. "It really was you! You traitor, how dare you bring them here!"

Lu Wushuang trembled with fright, her face turned pale, and she instinctively shrank behind Yang Guo.

Yang Guo stepped forward and shielded Lu Wushuang behind him.

His face wore his usual relaxed smile, but his gaze remained calm as he looked at Li Mochou:

"Master Li, why be angry? Granny Sun is from the Ancient Tomb, and it's only right that Miss Long comes to take her back. As for Miss Wushuang..."

He glanced at the girl hiding behind him, clutching his clothes and trembling slightly, and his tone softened.

"She was merely acting out of kindness, unable to bear seeing the elders trapped. What wrong has she done? If you, the Taoist priest, were to punish her for this, it would be a loss of composure."

Li Mochou's chest heaved with anger as she pointed at Yang Guo, "You...you all..."

She glanced at Yang Guo's unfathomable smile, then at Xiaolongnu's cold yet determined expression, and at Granny Sun's pleading face.

Knowing that Yang Guo was there today, it would be difficult to forcibly detain Granny Sun again.

If this continues, I'll only make things worse for myself.

"Fine! Fine! Granny Sun, since you're going back with her, you're no longer a member of my Ancient Tomb Sect!"

Li Mochou angrily flicked her sleeve, thus finding a way to back down.

Her fierce gaze swept over Lu Wushuang again. "As for you... I'll settle the score with you later!"

Lu Wushuang's body trembled again.

Yang Guo seemed not to hear Li Mochou's final threat, and turned to Granny Sun, speaking gently:

"Grandma, now that everything is alright, let's go back. Miss Long was very worried about you."

Grandma Sun nodded repeatedly and walked to Little Dragon Girl's side.

Little Dragon Girl looked at her and softly called out, "Grandma." Though it was only two words, her concern was evident.

Yang Guo cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to Li Mochou, smiling broadly, "Master Li, we'll take our leave now. May we meet again someday."

After saying that, he naturally took Lu Wushuang's wrist, who was still in a daze.

"Miss Wushuang, let's go. This place is not safe to stay any longer."

He nodded to Hong Lingbo beside him, "Goodbye, Miss Hong."

Hong Lingbo looked at her master's ashen face, then at her junior sister who was being led by Yang Guo, her cheeks slightly flushed but obediently following behind. Her feelings were complicated, and she could only return the greeting in a low voice: "Young Master Yang... take care."

Yang Guo, holding the bewildered Lu Wushuang's hand, left the courtyard with Xiaolongnu and Granny Sun in a dignified manner.

Li Mochou was left in the courtyard, her expression shifting unpredictably.

Once outside the inn and walking on the bustling street, Lu Wushuang finally came to her senses. She struggled with her wrist and whispered, "Brother Yang... I... I can walk by myself."

Her face turned even redder.

Yang Guo readily agreed and laughed, "Just now, due to the circumstances, I was afraid your master would really take his anger out on you. Now you're safe."

He paused, then said, "I think you'll be punished if you go back with your master. Why don't you... come with us to the ancient tomb for a few days to avoid trouble? We can talk about it after your master calms down."

Lu Wushuang's eyes lit up, but then dimmed again: "But... Master, she..."

"Don't worry, I'm here." Yang Guo patted her shoulder, his tone reassuring.

Xiaolongnu glanced at Yang Guo, then at Lu Wushuang who was full of hope, but did not object.

Granny Sun said kindly, "Wushuang is also a child with a hard life. It's good for her to stay in the ancient tomb for a few days."

Lu Wushuang nodded emphatically, looking at Yang Guo gratefully: "Thank you, Brother Yang! Thank you, Uncle Long! Thank you, Granny Sun!"

With the matter settled, Yang Guo did not immediately leave the town.

His gaze swept across the street, and he suddenly said to Little Dragon Girl, "Miss Dragon, please wait a moment. I'm going to buy some things."

A short while later, he returned carrying several oil paper packages.

Inside were various spices, coarse salt, maltose, and even a small jar of local homemade liquor.

"The ancient tomb is deserted, so the food must be bland. Today was a close call, so tonight I'll show off my skills and we'll have something different."

Upon hearing this, Lu Wushuang recalled the unforgettable aroma of the roasted meat from before.

Unable to resist swallowing hard, she exclaimed excitedly, "Brother Yang, are you making barbecue? It looks delicious!"

Both Little Dragon Girl and Granny Sun were somewhat puzzled.

Seeing Yang Guo's enthusiasm and Lu Wushuang's expectant expression, she didn't ask any further questions.

The four then left the town and returned to Zhongnan Mountain.

Having traveled halfway up the mountain, they had entered the edge of the Quanzhen Sect's sphere of influence.

We went up a relatively wide mountain road.

A simple stone gate built against the mountain appeared ahead.

The words “A forbidden place for cultivation, laymen are not allowed to enter” are engraved on the lintel, and two gray-robed Taoist priests with swords stand guard by the door.

This is one of the only routes leading to the area behind the ancient tomb.

Although it is not the main gate of Chongyang Palace, the Quanzhen Sect has set up checkpoints year-round to demonstrate its control over the "forbidden area".

Upon seeing the four approaching, the two Taoist priests on duty immediately became alert.

One of them stepped forward, his longsword seemingly blocking the way.

"Halt! This is a forbidden area of ​​the Quanzhen Sect. Unauthorized personnel are not permitted to trespass!"

The Taoist priest's voice was stern, but his gaze couldn't help but linger on Xiaolongnu's face for a moment longer.

A look of amazement flashed in his eyes.

Another Taoist priest stared at Yang Guo and shouted:

"Who are you? Why are you traveling with this ancient tomb demon... woman? State your name immediately!"

P.S.: I recommend going in on the first day, it's really tough!