Chapter 108: Chapter 107: Moonlit Night Enemy Attack, the Array Proves Its Worth
Gu Zhao knew there were Daoists in the country who had cultivated Inner Breath True Qi, and he had also seen Mages from other countries who cultivated Evil Techniques. Although the two women were just going abroad to perform with the folk orchestra and would most likely be fine, Gu Zhao still gave each of them a Celestial Spirit Talisman, just in case.
The next day, Gu Zhao took Taoist Yi Hong to a branch office of the Hengta Group, where they met Yoshiyama Yuuki’s elderly father and two juniors from the Tsuchimikado Clan.
Gu Zhao had originally expected to see other Yin-Yang Masters from the Sakura Country, but to his surprise, they didn’t even dare to set foot on Celestial Xia Territory. They only sent a pair of twin sisters—one with twin ponytails, the other with a high ponytail—who came to pitifully beg for mercy.
However, Gu Zhao staunchly refused their offer to stay in Yangcheng as an apology. After Taoist Yi Hong casually lifted the Restrictions on Yoshiyama Yuuki and Tsuchimikado Kazuya, he had the sisters leave with them.
The other party was very tactful, and their compensation was adequate. Thus, Taoist Yi Hong didn’t make things difficult for them anymore, merely warning them not to re-offend, or they would not be let off lightly.
Watching them leave, Gu Zhao asked Taoist Yi Hong, "Do you think they’ll change?"
Taoist Yi Hong shook his head. "But in the future, when they face our countrymen, they will at least know their place."
"And if they do it again?" Gu Zhao looked at Taoist Yi Hong.
Taoist Yi Hong looked back at Gu Zhao and said with a serene smile, "During the war of resistance back then, we held a gun in one hand and incense in the other."
The two exchanged a smile, everything left unsaid.
After finishing their serious discussion, Taoist Yi Hong couldn’t help but tease, "Twins, huh? You’re not tempted?"
Gu Zhao was speechless. "How did you get infected by Martial Uncle Yan Song too?"
Taoist Yi Hong laughed heartily. "Because you’re still a young man! How can you just hang around with old geezers like us all day? Of course, you should be doing things young people do."
Gu Zhao counted on his fingers. "They aren’t as busty as Shishi, don’t have legs as long as Xiao Ya’s, and aren’t as pretty as Qingyan. Plus, they have ulterior motives. I’d have to be crazy to keep them around."
"Hey, wait a minute." At this point, Gu Zhao suddenly realized something. "How did they know I was pretty capable too? To think they’d send a pair of twins to break my will."
Just now in the conference room, the old man from the Yoshiyama Family had been apologizing profusely to Taoist Yi Hong, while the two twins had crowded around Gu Zhao, their words all aimed at getting closer to him.
Taoist Yi Hong stroked his beard. "Penglai Immortal Pavilion is full of loose tongues. I brought you and Yunyang with me then, and now we’re living in Yangcheng. They might not know you’ve cultivated True Qi, but they know you and I are close."
Wang Runheng returned from outside, saw that the two had finished their conversation, and came over to say, "It’s almost noon. I’ve booked lunch at the hotel downstairs. After we eat, I’ll give you both a ride."
Taoist Yi Hong had no objection, and Gu Zhao didn’t mind either.
So the three of them went to a private room in the hotel. Wang Runheng called in a female assistant of his to keep them company. He first poured tea for Taoist Yi Hong, then assured Gu Zhao, "I’ve had someone look up the Yangcheng Folk Orchestra’s itinerary. I’ll have people follow and provide service for the entire trip."
After a pause, Wang Runheng asked, "May I ask who Mr. Gu’s two friends are? I’ll have my people pay special attention to them. After all, Southeast Asia isn’t exactly safe, and the organizers can’t be expected to cover every little detail."
Gu Zhao looked at Wang Runheng. ’As expected of someone who’s like a fish in water in the business world,’ he thought. ’His actions are flawless, and his hospitality makes people feel completely at ease.’
"Xiao Ya, Jiang Shishi," Gu Zhao said.
"Ah, so it’s Miss Xiao and Miss Jiang." Wang Runheng said with an air of sudden realization. "The two ladies are top students, blessed with both talent and beauty. They’re top-tier talents of our Celestial Xia. They must certainly be careful when they’re abroad."
After his call with Gu Zhao yesterday, he had his people compile a list of all the folk orchestras performing abroad recently and then memorized all the young women in them. The moment Gu Zhao mentioned their names, he knew who they were.
"Don’t worry, Mr. Gu, they won’t disturb the two young ladies," Wang Runheng emphasized. "I will absolutely make sure they feel right at home."
Hearing this, Gu Zhao raised his glass. "That’s very thoughtful of you."
"Not at all, not at all, it’s a small effort." Wang Runheng quickly raised his glass. "You all saved my life. No amount of repayment would be too much."
The female assistant watched from the side, her eyes filled with little stars as she saw how the young Gu Zhao could act with such casual confidence and ease in front of her boss.
Just then, Taoist Yan Song’s voice echoed in Gu Zhao’s mind. "Get back here as soon as you can. Demon Qi has appeared on Cuiluo Mountain. It might be someone from Three Extremes Mountain."
Gu Zhao’s eyebrow twitched. He looked at Taoist Yi Hong and saw that Taoist Yi Hong was also looking at him. Clearly, he had received Taoist Yan Song’s message as well.
"Thank you for your hospitality, President Wang, but we have something to attend to. Could we trouble you to take us back now?" Taoist Yi Hong said, putting down his chopsticks.
Seeing the grave expressions on both Taoist Yi Hong and Gu Zhao’s faces, Wang Runheng didn’t dare ask any more questions and quickly nodded. "Of course!"
...
Home, change of clothes, and... traverse!
Gu Zhao and Taoist Yi Hong had just stepped out of the room when they found Taoist Yan Song, Zhuo Qingyan, and the Silk Embroideress already waiting for them in the small courtyard.
"What’s the situation?" Gu Zhao asked.
"A flower Xiaolan left behind in the mountain stronghold sensed Demon Qi," Zhuo Qingyan replied.
The Silk Embroideress said nervously, "The part of Cuiluo Mountain near the main road has many bandits, but no Fairies. For Demon Qi to suddenly appear now, it’s most likely people from Three Extremes Mountain."
Taoist Yi Hong said, "If they are from Three Extremes Mountain, they should be able to find their way here soon."
Taoist Yan Song nodded. "Besides us, there’s no one else in this area who could have killed those three Demons."
Zhuo Qingyan looked at Gu Zhao. "Do we take the initiative and attack, or do we wait for the enemy to come to us?"
Taoist Yi Hong and Taoist Yan Song also looked at Gu Zhao. Although they both had their own ideas and were his seniors, a matter like this should naturally be decided by the Sect Leader. This would also help Gu Zhao grow.
"Can we determine the enemy’s level of Dao Practice?" Gu Zhao asked.
Zhuo Qingyan shook her head. "No."
"Then let’s wait. We’ve already set up an Array, anyway. We can trap them like rats," Gu Zhao said with a smile.
No one had any objections. However, since the enemy had revealed themselves, it was no longer convenient for Gu Zhao and the others to cross back to the modern world, so they got things in order and rested there.
...
Beneath the moonlight, on the rooftop.
The bright moonlight fell like a thin veil over the forest leaves, reflecting a brilliant silver gleam. Gu Zhao gazed out at the view. The lush green mountain forest from the daytime seemed to have transformed into a silver ocean.
He turned to look at Zhuo Qingyan, who was sitting on the adjacent rooftop. She was holding a Dongxiao and staring blankly to the east, in the direction of Xiuyue County.
Gu Zhao went over and sat down beside Zhuo Qingyan. She turned to look at him, remaining quiet and not saying a word.
Gu Zhao thought for a moment, then finally asked, "Do ghosts need to sleep?"
Zhuo Qingyan: ???
Elsewhere, the Silk Embroideress and Bai Ke were also in the middle of their Cultivation, while simultaneously peeking through a crack in the window at the two people sitting side-by-side on the roof.
"I feel like Gu Zhao is interested in Zhuo Qingyan!" Bai Ke said to the Silk Embroideress via Divine Sense. "They sat on the roof and chatted last time, and now they’re up there chatting together again!"
"Sister Zhuo is wonderful," the Silk Embroideress said. "She’s beautiful and powerful. She and the Young Master are a good match."
"Then what about you?" Bai Ke huffed. "Once Zhuo Qingyan is in the picture, won’t she steal your spot?"
"I’m just the Young Master’s Maid, and I can’t help him with much anyway." The Silk Embroideress shook her head repeatedly. "I’m already very content just being by his side."
"No ambition!" Bai Ke said. "I have the blood of a Celestial Fox! If we form a Harmony, our Cultivation speed will skyrocket. We’ll surpass Zhuo Qingyan in no time. When that happens, I’ll definitely help you snatch back the position of bed-warming Maid!"
The Silk Embroideress blinked, momentarily stunned.
At that very moment, a blast of Gang Qi containing Three Lights True Qi suddenly erupted from behind the village. Then, a transparent radiance flashed in mid-air, enveloping an empty patch of ground.
"Showtime!"
Gu Zhao and Zhuo Qingyan shot to their feet. Taoist Yi Hong and Taoist Yan Song also emerged from their rooms.
