Everyone understood this explanation at once. If the great formation could make withered trees bloom again and orchid grass blossom, then it was Kunling Mountain’s own ability, unrelated to the Hundred Flowers Immortal’s immortal abode. The coincidence between Liniang and Shopkeeper Lin would naturally lose any suspicion.
Conversely, the strange circumstances in Kunling Mountain’s Spirit Valley might truly have collided with the immortal abode clues provided by Liniang. Whether there was something wrong with the present coincidence would be worth deep consideration.
Gao Yunjie nodded and stroked his beard. “So to speak, if we want to confirm this, we must make a trip to Kunling Mountain.”
Nan Zhu sighed. “If Shopkeeper Lin’s words are not false, then the ‘Dawn Assembly’ is indeed an opportunity to enter Kunling Mountain. With the airs of such a great sect, ordinarily we truly might not be able to enter. I fear even sneaking in would be difficult.”
Gao Yunjie looked around at everyone, suddenly showing an inexplicable air of high spirits. “Then shall we make the trip?”
Yu Qing retorted. “What is the point of running there to prove this? If we prove there is no problem, it is a wasted trip. If we prove there is a problem, what then? Even if it is related to the ‘Mirror Flower Immortal Garden’, how do we find the entrance? Doing this in the lair of the world’s foremost spirit plant great sect, do you think we can handle it? If we prove there is a problem, we still lack the ability to verify whether it is a scheme set by Liniang. So the result is the same whether we go or not.”
Everyone was either lost in thought or sighing softly.
It was still Gao Yunjie who asked, “So are we going or not?”
Speaking of this, Yu Qing, Nan Zhu, and Mu Aotie all subconsciously raised their hands to touch the backs of their necks. Afterwards, all three noticed each other’s actions, looking at each other. In the end, everyone fixed their eyes on Yu Qing. Everyone still had fresh memories of his previously agonising appearance, writhing in pain.
So Gao Yunjie made the decision. “Forget it. The problem on your bodies must be resolved somehow. I will go this time too.”
“You?”
Yu Qing, Nan Zhu, and Mu Aotie all stared at him in unison, speaking almost simultaneously. They were clearly somewhat shocked.
Chong’er, who was guarding the door, looked back. Including Wu Hei, they all looked very surprised.
Gao Yunjie hmmed. “Old Fifteenth is right. Running to the lair of Kunling Mountain is indeed somewhat inconvenient. I am not at ease with you three running there either. I am somewhat older than you, and have richer jianghu experience. I should still accompany you on the trip.”
Actually, when they went to the Golden Ruins back then, he had wanted to go too. Watching everyone go on adventure after adventure, all fellow martial brothers, while he was always the one excluded, made him feel very uncomfortable. What was more important was that Old Fifteenth’s attitude was unpleasant, making it seem like he was the one who ate and drank for free without contributing, only knowing how to take advantage. Anyone with a bit of self-respect could not endure this.
At least in his own view, he was absolutely the most vigorous and in his prime, experienced and steady in handling affairs. If he personally went to steer the direction, he could avoid risks as much as possible. He was a great help, or rather, the main force.
But the eyes of Yu, Nan, and Mu instantly became unfocused, their gazes wandering everywhere. They all somewhat did not want to engage with his words.
This attitude from the three immediately displeased Gao Yunjie. He fixed his eyes on Nan Zhu. “Old Seventh, what are your eyes wandering around for?”
In the past, Nan Zhu had been his number one henchman in overthrowing the new sect leader. Although Mu Aotie was also on his side, he was the type who could not squeeze out a fart even with three blows. If there was something to say, he still had to find Nan Zhu.
But at this moment, Nan Zhu was somewhat laughing and crying at the same time. What he wanted to say was that your bit of jianghu experience might allow you to float in the sea of people, but it truly cannot stand up to scrutiny. Before a sect of Kunling Mountain’s level, it really would be better not to bring it up.
When he had first left the mountain, he also thought he had more jianghu experience. Later, after experiencing some things, he discovered that his so-called jianghu experience was nothing before those great powers. Street-level experience meeting that kind of power was simply meaningless.
Second Brother wanted his reply. He was also in a difficult position, so he could only fix his eyes on Yu Qing. “Old Fifteenth, why don’t the four of us travel together? One more person is one more help.”
Yu Qing’s brows raised. He glanced at Second Gao. He did not want to bring such a person eager to stand out with them. Leaving aside other things, he did not have the energy to placate him. If not placated well, he could become a hindrance. However, the other party had already acknowledged him as the sect leader, so he could not easily turn hostile. Moreover, the entire sect did not have many people. Why send so many people to take risks? Was he afraid there were not enough people for the sect to be wiped out?
So he said calmly, “Among the four of us, someone still needs to stay behind to guard the shop. Why don’t you go with Second Gao? I will stay behind.”
“Uh…” Nan Zhu was immediately choked speechless, even more shock and suspicion in his eyes. He somewhat suspected that if he and Old Ninth really went with Second Gao, with Second Gao’s temperament, it would be strange if he did not take the lead and make decisions. With Second Gao as the head doing such a thing, regardless of whether the matter could succeed, the probability of coming back alive was very low.
As for why Second Gao was so full of confidence, it was probably because he saw them return intact every time they went. This was somewhat not knowing the immensity of heaven and earth.
Before, they had been afraid of worrying their family, so after returning they always tried to downplay the danger. Now it seemed that in the future they should talk more about dangerous situations.
In any case, he could not show anything in front of Second Gao.
Mu Aotie was also frowning, having the same concerns.
Yu Qing did not say much more, to avoid harming the harmony. He just raised his hand and patted Nan Zhu’s shoulder, throwing him a look, a “you know what I mean” expression, letting him handle it himself. He crossed his arms before his chest and slowly swayed out.
Mu Aotie also turned his head and left.
Wu Hei also left in silence.
Chong’er, guarding the door, was very embarrassed, not knowing whether he should leave or not.
Seeing everyone’s attitude, half of Gao Yunjie’s face had already darkened. He shouted, “Old Ninth.”
Mu Aotie outside heard the voice and stopped. He looked back, saw him beckoning, and could only return silently.
The three gathered together. Gao Yunjie said earnestly, “Dahei is unwilling to interact too much with people. He is a hands-off person. Chong’er is too green. So what Old Fifteenth said is not wrong. Among the four of us, someone indeed needs to stay behind. We cannot all run off.
Also, Old Fifteenth is someone we watched grow up from when he wore split-crotch pants. We know very well what his temperament is like. Young people are hot-blooded and impulsive, easily acting on emotion. Sometimes they truly are insufficient to succeed but more than enough to ruin things, easily attracting trouble. If I had gone to the Golden Ruins instead, you would not have caught this strange illness.”
Since Old Fifteenth voluntarily stays behind, it is not a bad thing. Then the three of us shall make the trip.
Nan Zhu and Mu Aotie immediately looked at each other.
Gao Yunjie then added, “I am not Old Fifteenth. If we truly strike it rich, I will not keep it all to myself. We will split it evenly.”
Nan Zhu lowered his head, rubbing his forehead. He really wanted to say, is this about money?
After puzzling over it for a good while, he raised his head and said, “Second Brother, I think you are the most suitable to stay behind.”
As soon as these words came out, Mu Aotie immediately nodded.
Gao Yunjie’s face immediately sank.
Nan Zhu hurriedly added, “This is what I think. You are the most respected person among us. Staying behind to take charge is most suitable for you. You can keep things under control. Leaving aside other things, the matter of charging to view the peach tree is something we could not have thought of.”
Mu Aotie followed with, “That is correct.”
Nan Zhu: “There is another point. The three of us are the ones infected. If you go, even if we find what we are looking for in the immortal abode, Old Fifteenth is not present. The problem on his body still cannot be resolved. Could we then turn around and make Old Fifteenth run another trip alone? Kunling Mountain is not run by us. However he may behave, we are still his martial brothers. We cannot ignore him when he is in trouble.”
Mu Aotie: “Indeed so.”
When it came to reasoning, Nan Zhu was absolutely the number one expert in Linglong Temple. The key was that regardless of whether he was right or wrong, he could keep talking endlessly without stopping. At this moment, he was earnestly talking non-stop beside Gao Yunjie. In the end, he actually talked until Second Gao’s voice went hoarse, only then rendering Second Gao speechless.
Second Gao, who had argued for a long time, sat down dejectedly and conceded.
Only then did Nan Zhu, whose voice was still clear, take his leave. Mu Aotie, who had been helping out from the side from time to time, also took the opportunity to exit.
In the main courtyard, Yu Qing was still lying leisurely on his chair. The sun had already passed by now, so he could lie on the chair watching the flowing light announcements flying back and forth in the sky, hoping to see some information that could let them strike it rich.
Nan Zhu walked to his side and said in a low voice, “Second Gao is settled.”
Yu Qing nodded slightly, then abruptly asked, “Where did that golden egg of yours go?”
Nan Zhu was stunned. “What golden pill?”
Yu Qing gave him a look. He gestured for him to bend down and lower his head, then said in a low voice, “From the golden strongman’s place, the fruit that grew on that golden orchid.”
“Oh.” Nan Zhu suddenly understood. “It is in my room. Why are you asking about this? That is my thing.” He especially emphasised this.
Yu Qing: “Did I say it was not yours? I was thinking, Liniang said there are many orchids at the entrance. That golden orchid also counts as an orchid. Could there be some connection between the two? What I mean is, this time bring that golden egg of yours along too. What if it is useful?”
Nan Zhu was silent for a moment. Thinking about it, that was true. Ever since he obtained that golden orchid fruit, he had tried every means but could not figure out what it was for. If he treated it as ordinary gold, he certainly would not be willing. It was basically stuck in his hands without even a sound to be heard.
Now bringing it along to try was also fine. He immediately turned and went to his own courtyard. If Old Fifteenth had not mentioned it, he would have forgotten he still had that thing in his possession, because normally it was truly useless.
After he entered the room for a while, he hurriedly ran out again. He patted Yu Qing’s shoulder and excitedly beckoned. “Come, come quickly.”
Yu Qing was stunned. He quickly got up and hurriedly followed him.
Mu Aotie, not far away, took a look. He did not know what the two were plotting, but he could tell there was definitely something going on. He immediately also walked quickly over.
As soon as Nan Zhu returned to his room, he immediately crawled under the bed. He struggled to get in, then struggled to crawl out. In his hands, he was actually holding a gleaming golden brick. “Look, look. Is this gold?”
Yu Qing and Mu Aotie could not help but reach out their hands. They scratched it with their fingernails and flicked it with their fingers, listening to the clanging sound.
“That is correct. It is gold.” Yu Qing nodded in approval, then asked suspiciously, “When did you cast such a large gold brick? Why hide it under the bed?”
“I would have to be mad to make this. Look carefully at what it resembles.” As Nan Zhu spoke, he also stamped his foot. The excitement on his face was hard to conceal.
The two followed his gaze to look at his feet and instantly understood. This gold brick looked exactly the same as the floor tiles in the room. Apart from the colour and material being different, in all other aspects it could be called lifelike.
But the two still did not understand what he was excited about. Yu Qing reached out for the tile and turned it over to look, but did not see anything extra. Even Mu Aotie could not help but ask, “What does this mean?”
Nan Zhu crouched down. With a swift movement, he crawled back under the bed. Before long, he stretched out a hand. In his hand, he held a handful of gleaming golden sand granules for them to see. “Look at what this is?”