Chapter 24: Everyone Is Talking Nonsense

When getting into the car, the goateed old Taoist didn’t sit with Zhang Kai and his group; instead, he remained with Mingyu Gu and the girl with the twin ponytails. This time, Zhang Kai kept his composure, but the old fortune-teller was visibly uneasy.

“Mingyu, who are those two Taoists?” he asked.

Mingyu Gu smiled. “I was just about to explain, Master Zhou. My father sent them. The one with the Taoist name Chongming is quite an extraordinary character. He only arrived last night. Please don’t worry—they’re here mainly to assist us. You are still in charge.”

The old fortune-teller smiled faintly. If I believed you, I’d be a fool. Looks like Zhang Kai was right—the Gu family runs deep and complicated.

He glanced at Zhang Kai, who promptly avoided his gaze, lifted his hand, and began fiddling with his nails. I warned you already. If you’re so confident, don’t look at me. I’m not afraid anyway. If you try to set me up, I’ll use Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms on you, so fierce even your mother wouldn’t recognize you.

The old fortune-teller’s lips twitched. Damn, this is getting tricky.

The drive was quick. In less than two hours, the convoy arrived in Daqiao Town. Daqiao Town, as its name suggested, was just a settlement by a riverside. The river, called the Icy Water River, originated in Snowpeak Mountain, and a large bridge spanned it, giving the town its name. But the bridge now looked dilapidated from years of neglect, and the river had shrunk considerably—from its original width of more than a dozen meters to just a narrow channel of six or seven meters. Such are the changes of time and land.

The convoy rolled into town and stopped outside a courtyard. Mingyu Gu turned to the old fortune-teller. “Master Zhou, here’s the temporary rest stop. You said you needed to fetch something—shall we go now?”

The old fortune-teller replied, “Yes, I was just about to head over. The host at my destination has a rather peculiar temperament and doesn’t like strangers. Mingyu, you’d better rest here. Zhang Taoist and I can go alone.”

Mingyu Gu smiled. “If that’s the case, I’ll follow at a distance and wait. After all, I’m the host here, and if you need anything, I can help.”

The old fortune-teller hesitated, then said, “Very well. Let’s go.”

The three of them left the car together. With Mingyu Gu tagging along, neither the old fortune-teller nor Zhang Kai objected; they simply walked on.

After more than ten minutes, the three arrived at a courtyard that resembled a small Taoist temple. The gates were open, and inside a boy of fourteen or fifteen was laying out medicinal herbs to dry. Suddenly, spotting strangers at the threshold, he froze for a moment, then turned and ran inside.

The old fortune-teller said to Mingyu Gu, “Mingyu, you and Zhang Taoist wait here. I’ll be back soon.”

Mingyu Gu smiled. “Alright.”

After the old fortune-teller went inside, Mingyu Gu turned to Zhang Kai. “You and Master Zhou have known each other a long time, haven’t you?”

Zhang Kai replied with a smile, “More or less. Master Zhou has cultivated longer than I have. He’s my elder—I’m still learning from him.”

“So young and already on the path of cultivation—it’s something to be envied,” Mingyu Gu sighed.

“What’s to envy?” Zhang Kai replied. “Compared to worldly wealth and glory, my cultivation is just a means to seek a little peace within. Do you really believe people like us can live forever?”

“That’s hard to say. The world is vast and full of wonders. If one could inherit some ancient legacy or rare fortune, to us ordinary folk, such transcendence would be no different from becoming an immortal,” Mingyu Gu replied, her words carrying a hidden meaning.

Zhang Kai’s heart stirred. “Is Miss Gu interested in cultivation as well?”

Mingyu Gu nodded openly. “Yes. I’ve been exposed to all this since I was young and have sought out some secret cultivation methods. Sadly, I lack the talent and have never entered the true path. But the Gu family has found some forbidden places—strange beyond measure. We’ve never dared to venture in lightly.”

“Oh? If your family has discovered forbidden lands, why come here?” Zhang Kai asked with a smile.

Mingyu Gu explained, “Because we lack the help of cultivators, and have no means to deal with the unusual. Master Zhou is a high-level expert from Wudang. With him leading the team, we actually have a chance. If this cooperation goes well, would you be interested in visiting another forbidden place with us? Each one holds different resources.”

With that, she looked at Zhang Kai expectantly.

Zhang Kai forced a laugh. “Miss Gu flatters me. That depends on the situation. I’m only a beginner myself—wouldn’t dare be arrogant.”

“I understand. But opportunity always comes with risk. The doors of the Gu family are always open to you, Zhang Taoist. If you’re interested, you can come to me anytime,” Mingyu Gu offered.

Then she took out her phone and smiled. “Let’s add each other on WeChat. Having a great cultivator as a friend is a stroke of luck for me.”

Zhang Kai took out his phone, added her, and saw her WeChat name was “Little Lucky Carp Fairy.”

While he was looking at her profile, Mingyu Gu suddenly sent him a red packet with a message: “Brother Kai, take care of me from now on.”

He looked at her in surprise. She giggled, unexpectedly charming.

Zhang Kai grinned and accepted the two-hundred-yuan red packet, replying, “And I hope the rich lady takes care of me as well.”

Mingyu Gu responded with a coquettish emoji.

This little exchange seemed to bring them closer, though whatever Mingyu Gu might have been thinking, Zhang Kai’s heart remained as calm as still water.

Pah, trying to buy me off with just two hundred yuan? Dream on. If you have the guts, give me a few million, let me really enjoy myself a few times—maybe then, for the sake of your pretty face, I’d help you out in the future.

Before long, the old fortune-teller came out, carrying a small bundle, and the herb-drying boy followed at his side.

“Mission accomplished. I’ve got what I came for. Mingyu, we can enter the mountains this afternoon,” the old fortune-teller said, brimming with satisfaction.

Mingyu Gu glanced at the boy. “And this is?”

The old fortune-teller explained helplessly, “This is my friend’s personal disciple. He gave me the item I needed and asked me to take the boy along—a sort of trade.”

Mingyu Gu frowned. “Is that wise? The forbidden lands are dangerous.”

“No matter,” the old fortune-teller said. “This boy is one of us—he has ways to protect himself and has spent years gathering herbs in the mountains. He knows the way and might even be a help.”

This made Mingyu Gu take a closer look at the boy, who bashfully hid behind the old fortune-teller, head lowered.

Zhang Kai also glanced at him, smiling without a word.

Take him along?

Hah.

This kid reeked of medicinal herbs. At first glance, it seemed to be from long-term contact with the plants, but Zhang Kai’s eyes and nose weren’t so easily fooled. The scent was clearly emanating from the boy himself—there was definitely something off about him.

But since everyone was playing their own games, Zhang Kai wouldn’t expose him.

Everything was now prepared—they needed only to enter the mountains. Tomorrow happened to be the auspicious day the old fortune-teller had mentioned.

Mingyu Gu’s team was already ready. After some discussion, the group packed their belongings and set out on foot toward Snowpeak Mountain.

Snowpeak Mountain rose just behind Daqiao Town—a few kilometers’ walk brought them to the outer forests of the mountain. It was a branch of the Changling range, with Snowpeak as the main summit, rising nearly a thousand meters. Its snow-capped peak never melted throughout the year, hence the name.

But what truly made Snowpeak Mountain famous wasn’t the mountain itself, but its insects. It was home to three infamous venomous species whose mere mention struck fear into the hearts of locals.