Wandering Swordsman |

"Guigu..." the gang leader repeated in a low voice, his tone tinged with doubt and wariness, "Why would they get involved in this?"

Li Fanglin sensed the gravity in his leader's tone and knew the importance of the question. After a moment's thought, he replied, "This subordinate doesn't know either. However, this encounter has shown me their strength; the people of Ghost Valley are no ordinary individuals."

The gang leader remained silent for a moment, seemingly weighing every possibility and the potential consequences of each decision. Finally, he sighed softly, his voice low and firm: "Ghost Valley's intervention was indeed somewhat unexpected. Zhuque, I have a letter here. Take it immediately to Qilin Village in the Liangshan region of western Sichuan and invite the chieftain of Qilin Village here."

Upon hearing this sudden order, the Vermilion Bird Saint King was clearly shocked. His brows furrowed involuntarily, and a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes. "Chief, is Ghost Valley really that powerful? Is it necessary to ask the Qilin Chieftain to come out of seclusion?" he asked, his tone tinged with disbelief.

The gang leader said in a deep voice, "Guiguzi's strength is unfathomable; there has never been any information about him in the martial world." His eyes became unusually serious, as if every word contained immeasurable weight. "To be on the safe side, we must invite the Qilin Chieftain. Otherwise, facing that mysterious Guiguzi, I fear our chances of survival are slim."

Zhuque shook his head incredulously, expressing his doubts: "Chief, I've heard that the people of Guigu Valley rarely hear about or concern themselves with matters of the martial world. Perhaps Guiguzi won't even come. Is it too much to ask the Qilin Chieftain now? Besides, it's still uncertain whether he'll even agree."

The gang leader's gaze fell on Zhuque's face again, and his voice became even more resolute: "Zhuque, even if Guiguzi doesn't come, Situ Dengfeng alone is troublesome enough. As for inviting the Qilin Chieftain, you don't need to worry. As long as you deliver my letter, he will definitely come." The gang leader's words revealed an undeniable confidence.

Seeing the gang leader's confident demeanor, Zhuque, though still harboring doubts, ultimately chose to trust him. He stepped forward, respectfully accepted the letter from the gang leader's hand, and then quickly turned and left the hall. As Zhuque's footsteps faded into the distance, the atmosphere in the hall became even more tranquil, leaving only the gang leader and Li Fanglin standing facing each other.

At this moment, Li Fanglin felt the gang leader's gaze refocus on him, and the invisible pressure made him lower his head slightly to show respect. "Gang leader," he said, his voice slightly cautious, "you just mentioned Guiguzi. Although I haven't heard of him, I have witnessed the strength of Guiguzi the Bookworm. If there is a Valley Master of Guiguzi who is even more powerful than the Bookworm, then it is truly worrying."

The leader nodded slightly and replied, "Indeed, the existence of Ghost Valley is like a shadow; though its form is unseen, its name has spread throughout the entire martial arts world. Their intervention this time undoubtedly adds variables to our plans. However, as long as we are well-prepared, we may be able to turn the danger into safety."

"I understand," Li Fanglin replied, "but..."

"As long as the Chief of Qilin Village arrives, there's nothing else to worry about," the gang leader interrupted him. "Li Fanglin, you just need to guard the secret prison with Qinglong and Baihu."

Li Fanglin nodded: "Yes, Chief. I obey."

......

Inside the Black Wind Gang's secret prison, the surrounding environment grew increasingly eerie and terrifying, as if even the air itself had become heavy and solidified. The occasional flickering torches on the walls brought a sliver of light to this dark world, but they only illuminated the surrounding chains and stone walls; most areas remained shrouded in shadow. Every inch of space was permeated with an aura of decay and despair, sending chills down one's spine.

Luo Wangchen and Qu Yifan were tightly bound to the wall with heavy iron chains, their clothes tattered and their faces bearing signs of exhaustion and injury. They silently awaited their fate, until Situ Meng's arrival shattered the deathly silence.

Situ Meng, who had only been imprisoned for a short time, was held in an iron cage to the side. Despite her perilous situation, she maintained her elegant demeanor. Her hands were bound behind her back, and her eyes revealed a hint of unease and vigilance. After her escorts left, the cell fell silent once more, broken only by the faint flickering of the firelight.

"Young lady, who are you, and why were you brought here?" Luo Wangchen's voice was particularly clear in the darkness as he tried to ease the other person's tension with a gentle tone.

Hearing someone speak, Situ Meng felt a sense of calm. The fact that there were others in this dark abyss offered her a small comfort. "I am Situ Meng, kidnapped by thieves because of matters concerning the martial world. May I ask why you were captured, senior?" Her voice was soft, yet remarkably firm in the environment.

Upon hearing the name "Situ," Qu Yifan, standing beside Luo Wangchen, immediately asked, "Miss, are you the daughter of Situ Dengfeng?"

Situ Meng was slightly taken aback, then nodded: "It is indeed my father. Do you two seniors know my father?"

Qu Yifan sighed, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes: "We not only know your father, but we've also been friends for many years. I never expected to meet his daughter here."

Luo Wangchen picked up the conversation, his voice tinged with emotion: "Brother Situ has always been a person we respect, it's unexpected that his daughter has also been dragged into this turmoil. I wonder how things are going at your Jingtian Pavilion now?"

Situ Meng shook her head and replied, "When I was kidnapped, Jing Tian Pavilion was holding a martial arts tournament. Among the participants were many spies from the Black Wind Gang. They poisoned the participants beforehand, causing almost everyone in Jing Tian Pavilion to be poisoned. In the chaos, I was captured by the Black Wind Gang. As for the current situation of Jing Tian Pavilion, I don't know."

Qu Yifan frowned and pondered for a moment, then said, "It seems the Black Wind Gang intends to completely disrupt the martial arts world this time. Do you know why they arrested you?"

Situ Meng pondered for a moment, a hint of hesitation in her eyes, but finally answered slowly, "When the Black Wind Gang kidnapped me, they made my father prepare the 'Formless Scripture' beforehand. I think the Black Wind Gang's goal was to obtain the 'Formless Scripture'." Although her voice was soft, it sounded exceptionally clear in this environment.

Upon hearing this, Luo Wangchen seemed to recall something, his brows furrowing slightly, his gaze deepening. "Xiao Meng," he asked softly, "before you were arrested, did a young man named Shen Mo go to Jingtian Pavilion to look for your father?"

Upon hearing the name "Shen Mo," Situ Meng's heart skipped a beat. She clearly remembered Zhao Xue's story about Shen Mo's self-sacrificing act of righteousness. At that moment, a trace of sadness and admiration flashed in her eyes. "Shen Mo..." she murmured softly, then sighed and recounted in detail what Zhao Xue had told her about Shen Mo, including how Shen Mo had sent He Yun and Zhao Xue to deliver a message to Jing Tian Pavilion before his death.