Chapter 363 179: Uncanny Traces of the Unorthodox (Part 2)

The two remained motionless, locked in a stalemate.

An unknown amount of time passed before a touch of healthy color returned to Gu Xizhi's face.

Meanwhile, white mist swirled above Jiang Ran's head.

This went on for about the time it takes to finish a cup of tea.

Only then did Jiang Ran withdraw his Great Brahman World-Saving Finger. Deprived of Jiang Ran's Inner Strength, the Falling Star Pearl's light instantly vanished. It returned to its original form and fell onto the bed.

Getting off the bed, Jiang Ran picked up the Falling Star Pearl. He then gently repositioned Gu Xizhi on the bed and let out a small sigh of relief. Just as he was about to turn and leave...

...he heard a soft groan. Lying on the bed, Gu Xizhi slowly opened his eyes.

'So soon?'

Jiang Ran was surprised to see him awake. He glanced at the Falling Star Pearl in his hand. "This really is a treasure."

'Without the Falling Star Pearl's help, it would've been impossible for Gu Xizhi to wake up this quickly.'

"...It's you?"

A flicker of surprise crossed Gu Xizhi's eyes when he saw Jiang Ran.

"I thought... if anyone else had found me so gravely injured, they might have tried to save me..."

"...But I figured you would probably just turn a blind eye..."

"Elder Gu, you're assuming the worst of me."

Jiang Ran chuckled. "While I wouldn't call myself a good person, I have always admired you."

"It was I... I was being narrow-minded."

Gu Xizhi sighed.

But Jiang Ran just waved his hand.

"Enough about that. Elder Gu, do you remember who injured you?"

The moment he said this, Gu Xizhi's expression changed, and he instinctively grabbed Jiang Ran's wrist.

"It was Heterodox Manor... They seem... they seem to be after the shipment Chief Cheng is escorting."

"I heard them with my own ears say, 'Once we get our hands on the shipment Cheng Tianyang is escorting, our grand plan can be realized.'"

"Where are we? Have you seen... Chief Cheng?"

Hearing this, Jiang Ran frowned slightly.

"Heterodox Manor wants to rob the shipment? But the journey has been peaceful. We haven't seen any sign of them."

"Elder Gu, we're in Evergreen Mansion now. I entered the city with Chief Cheng and his men. They've already gone to make the delivery."

"I suppose Heterodox Manor never found an opportunity to strike."

"So... we've already arrived at Evergreen Mansion?"

Gu Xizhi finally let out a long sigh of relief. "It's good that nothing happened."

He then recounted the whole story to Jiang Ran in detail.

Ever since the assassination attempt by the Death Building, Gu Xizhi had continued to trail Jiang Ran and his group.

He endured the hardships of travel, needless to say.

One evening, he spotted some suspicious figures hurrying through the woods.

Worried it might be men from the Death Building, the Blood Saber Hall, or the Thunderbolt Hall looking to cause trouble for Jiang Ran, he followed them to see who they were.

Unexpectedly, when he reached a sheltered mountain hollow and overheard their conversation, he realized they were from Heterodox Manor.

Gu Xizhi managed to say,

"I didn't overhear much at the time."

"Besides what I just told you, there's one more thing: their Young Manor Lord has also arrived. He seems to be plotting something regarding the Jiaowei."

"But as for his exact whereabouts... it seems even the people from Heterodox Manor don't know."

"Young Hero Jiang, you... you must be extra careful."

"Heterodox Manor's methods are treacherous and unpredictable. And those people are so audacious and reckless, they'll dare to do anything..."

"You absolutely must not let your guard down."

"I had only overheard a few more sentences before they detected my presence."

"They used some bizarre technique to throw my internal energy into chaos, and I couldn't even use half of my martial arts prowess... That's how I ended up like this."

Jiang Ran listened attentively, then nodded slightly.

"Alright, I understand the situation."

"You should rest now, Elder Gu. Don't dwell on it."

"Mm..."

Gu Xizhi nodded. He was gravely injured and utterly exhausted, and the moment he closed his eyes, he was asleep.

After a moment's thought, Jiang Ran turned and walked out of the room.

Outside the door, Tang Huayi, Ruan Yuqing, Luo Qingyi, Scholar Jingtan, Xuanyuan One Slash, and Dao Wuming were all waiting for him.

Seeing Jiang Ran come out, they immediately gathered around.

"How is he?"

The first to ask was, of course, Scholar Jingtan.

Jiang Ran nodded slightly.

"His internal injuries are fine. What worries me most now are his external wounds."

"The bones and tendons in his limbs were damaged by a heavy-handed technique. For injuries like these to heal completely is by no means a short process."

"He was awake a moment ago, but he's fallen asleep again. Please, none of you should disturb him."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief to hear that Gu Xizhi had woken up.

Scholar Jingtan gently shook his head.

"No need to worry too much, Young Hero Jiang. That old codger is tough as nails; it's not that easy for something to happen to him."

"Mm."

Jiang Ran nodded. "Alright, all of you have had a long and difficult journey. Go get some rest."

Everyone nodded and went their separate ways.

Only Tang Huayi remained by Jiang Ran's side. Their eyes met, and Jiang Ran felt a flicker of confusion.

"What are you looking at me for?"

"You didn't tell them everything."

Tang Huayi said with a smile, "Since Gu Xizhi was awake, you surely asked him who was responsible, didn't you?"

"...You're a sharp one, aren't you?"

Jiang Ran rolled his eyes at her.

Tang Huayi pursed her lips. "I'm probably not the only one who thought of it. They likely realized it too, but since you didn't say anything, they didn't ask."

"Right, and you're the only one who had to say something about it."

Jiang Ran grinned, and before Tang Huayi could retort, he said,

"Come out with me."

"Okay."

Tang Huayi didn't hesitate in the slightest.

And so, the two of them left Qifeng Manor together.

But just as they descended Qifeng Mountain and arrived in the city of Evergreen Mansion, Tang Huayi asked Jiang Ran to wait for a moment. Then, in a flash, she disappeared, leaving him to wonder what she was up to.