Chapter 179 - 5: The Gu Dao Woman’s Unfathomable Heart Nature

Chapter 179: Chapter 5: The Gu Dao Woman’s Unfathomable Heart Nature

In ancient times, it was customary to seal items like scriptures, treasures, and relics within statues.

Seeing the way Xiao Hongling’s face lit up as if she’d found a priceless treasure, he instantly understood.

The so-called bandit treasure was just a cover.

This woman had gone to great expense and hired everyone to come here. Her true objective, from the very beginning, was whatever was inside that statue!

As for what that thing was used for, he had no idea.

Chen Ye couldn’t be bothered to care. The mission was complete. All that mattered now was getting the promised payment.

When the statue shattered, the dense fog and the Illusion Realm shrouding Black Wind Stronghold vanished with it.

Clear skies returned. Sunlight spilled down, chasing away the last wisp of gloom.

The group found the so-called bandit treasury at the back of the stronghold.

Upon opening it, everyone was somewhat disappointed.

Inside were only some rusted-out weapons and a few chests of loose gold and silver. While not an insignificant amount, its value fell far short of their expectations.

Xiao Hongye seemed to have anticipated this. Without a hint of stinginess, she immediately distributed half of the treasury’s most valuable assets among the group and paid out the promised commissions in full.

When she got to Chen Ye, she pulled out an extra bag of silver.

"Brother Chen Ye contributed the most this time. This is what you deserve."

No one objected. After all, everyone had witnessed Chen Ye’s performance. Whether it was shattering the Illusion Technique to save Yun Heqing or coordinating with Su Yuan to efficiently clear out the remaining threats, he had clearly been the day’s top performer.

Lü Song was the sole exception. He stared at the extra bag of silver in Chen Ye’s hands, his face as dark as a thundercloud. His eyes, filled with jealousy and hatred, kept darting toward Chen Ye.

For him, this wasn’t just a matter of money.

It was a matter of face!

Especially after Chen Ye had sliced off a lock of his hair in front of everyone—an act he considered a profound humiliation.

Chen Ye was, of course, well aware of Lü Song’s reaction, but he remained impassive. He simply accepted the silver and made a mental note about the ’sickly young master’.

With the mission over, the team was about to disband.

But Su Yuan, the cheerful and innocent-looking girl, skipped over to Chen Ye’s side. Her large, dark eyes studied him with curiosity as she spoke with a giggle.

"You’re fast with that saber."

Before Chen Ye could reply, Su Yuan suddenly leaned in and whispered in his ear, her voice deceptively innocent.

"You should be careful of that ’sickly young master.’ The people from White Bone Mountain are incredibly petty and vengeful over the smallest slight. You embarrassed him so badly today; he’ll definitely try to get back at you."

Chen Ye was taken aback. He gave the girl a long, searching look. "Why are you warning me?"

"Because you’re interesting."

Su Yuan blinked her large eyes and giggled. "There are far too many boring people in this world. I’d like the interesting ones to live a little longer."

With that, she said no more. She gave a little wave and skipped away.

Chen Ye watched her go, lost in thought.

’White Bone Mountain...’

He had just committed the name to memory when Yun Heqing approached.

A look of lingering fear was still on his face. He lowered his voice and said to Chen Ye, "Younger Brother Chen, take some advice from your elder brother here: stay far away from that Little Demoness!"

Seeing Chen Ye’s confused expression, he quickly explained, "You don’t get it. That Little Demoness uses Gu Insects called Dream Awakening Butterflies. They’re a type of Upper Grade Strange Gu. Raising even one is incredibly difficult, yet she has so many! She’s definitely no ordinary person. The faction backing her must be formidable!"

He paused, his tone filled with dread. "What’s more, women who cultivate the Gu Dao have the most treacherous and unpredictable Heart Natures. They’re the last people you want to cross! I’m only telling you this from the bottom of my heart because you saved my life. Whatever you do, do not provoke her!"

Chen Ye smiled and nodded at Yun Heqing. "Thank you for the warning, Daoist. I understand."

In any case, Yun Heqing’s intentions were good, and Chen Ye had no reason to reject his kindness.

"Good that you understand. I’ll be taking my leave, then. I’ll buy you a drink when we get back to Yu Huo County." With that, Yun Heqing departed in a hurry.

Next, the towering brute, Shi Meng, gave Chen Ye a nod by way of farewell, then shouldered his Doorboard Giant Sword and strode off.

Lü Song shot Chen Ye one last cold glare before silently following in Shi Meng’s direction.

As for Xiao Hongye, she had made an excuse and left in a hurry right after distributing the money. From her frantic pace, it seemed she had urgent business to attend to.

In the blink of an eye, the once-lively group had dwindled, leaving Chen Ye all alone.

A desolate mountain wind whistled past, making his clothes flap and snap.

Chen Ye didn’t mind. He was used to being on his own.

With a thought, he summoned the Professional Panel that only he could see.

He had gained quite a lot from this battle.

The all-or-nothing strike he had unleashed at the very end—compressing all his Qi Mechanism into the tip of his saber—had deepened his understanding of the Saber Technique.

On the panel, the suffix for his Thorn Blade Technique had quietly changed from Level 1 to Level 2.

’Good.’

Satisfied, Chen Ye dismissed the panel.

The sun was beginning to set, its golden afterglow washing over the desolate mountain wilds and adding to the sense of solitude.

Chen Ye didn’t dare to linger and quickened his pace toward the county town.

But he hadn’t gotten far when a timid voice suddenly called out from the tall grass by the side of the road.

"S-Sir... please wait."

Chen Ye stopped in his tracks, his guard instantly up.