Chapter 9

Zhang Xiaohai squatted beside a large tree, watching the young man not far away, who was only a few years older than him, and felt that this person was exceptionally mysterious.

He had never seen such a martial artist, dressed in rough hemp clothes, even with patches, looking no different from a hunter in the mountains.

Before this, the martial artists he had seen were either high-ranking, well-dressed young masters or fierce bandit leaders like Guoshanfeng, who killed without blinking.

It was precisely because of this that Zhang Xiaohai felt a special sense of familiarity.

When he was in the village, his neighbor was a hunter who taught him many things.

That was why he had impulsively knelt down to pay respects and ask to be a disciple just now.

Even after being rejected, Zhang Xiaohai did not give up. He knew this was his only chance to change his fate.

If he went back like this, he would either end up farming all his life like his parents or be sent by them to be an apprentice who could be beaten and scolded at will.

However, out of instinctive respect for martial artists, he did not dare to get too close and could only watch from a distance.

After watching for a while, Zhang Xiaohai suddenly felt that the expert had changed, but he couldn't say exactly how.

At that moment, the expert opened his eyes and turned to look in this direction.

He felt a cold gaze coming at him, his heart filled with fear, and he froze on the spot.

"Come over and lead the way."

Then, a calm voice sounded in his ear.

Zhang Xiaohai was first stunned, then overjoyed, and quickly stood up, saying excitedly, "Yes, sir."

"My name is Gu Yang, not 'sir.'"

"Yes."

"Let's go."

...

Gu Yang had no intention of directly taking Zhang Xiaohai as a disciple.

In that simulated life, Zhang Xiaohai was indeed loyal and willing to risk his life to avenge him. But that was in that life.

Zhang Xiaohai became that person because of the experiences in that life.

Now, he could only be described as having a good nature, like an unpolished gem. What he would ultimately become depended on how he was trained.

Necessary tests were still needed.

This was the same as teaching a child; giving them everything they want was absolutely not advisable, as it would only spoil them.

...

Without the burden of the mule, with only Gu Yang and Zhang Xiaohai, their travel speed was much faster.

Before nightfall, they arrived near Wangjiagou.

Gu Yang had only hunted in the nearby marshes before and had never approached the village. The people in this village were known for being hard to approach and extremely hostile to outsiders.

He knew the general location.

Zhang Xiaohai led the way and pointed out two hidden sentries.

Gu Yang quietly dealt with them.

Zhang Xiaohai whispered, "Today is the leader's big day, so the guards are more relaxed. Almost all the old bandits are drinking at the celebration."

"What about the villagers?"

"They were all killed."

Gu Yang looked in the direction of the village. By the moonlight, he could vaguely see the size of the village, which was not much smaller than Liujia Village. He said somberly, "What about the children and women?"

Zhang Xiaohai remembered that day, his face turning pale, and said sadly, "All of them were killed."

Gu Yang, expressionless, said, "How many people inside have not shed the blood of the villagers?"

"There are thirteen people, all like me, with tattered clothes, easy to recognize."

"Where does Guoshanfeng live?"

"The largest one in the middle."

Gu Yang tightened his grip on the ghost-head knife and walked in, saying, "Wait for me here."

Zhang Xiaohai, looking at his bold back, felt a surge of excitement and whispered, "Sir, be careful."

...

Wangjiagou was more like a fort than a village, with several meters high earthen walls built around it, and only one gate for entry and exit.

No wonder it was chosen by Guoshanfeng; it was an excellent place for a bandit stronghold.

Such walls could not stop a martial artist like Gu Yang. With a flip, he silently slipped in.

He walked toward the center of the village, encountering no one along the way. The bandits must have all gone to the celebration.

After a while, he heard some noise, the sound of drinking and toasting.

Gu Yang quietly approached and saw several tables set up in an open area, with dozens of people drinking and some serving them.

From their clothing, it was easy to tell who were the bandits and who were the captives.

He coldly glanced at them, then circled around to the back of the house and climbed into the courtyard.

The most important thing was to find Guoshanfeng's treasure chest first.

A bandit like Guoshanfeng would not trust anyone and would keep the treasure chest in his room. Going directly to the room would be the right move.

Gu Yang walked toward the only lit room. As he approached, the door opened, and a young girl, wiping her tears, walked out.

They met face to face. The girl, seeing someone outside, frowned and was about to react.

Gu Yang, quick as a flash, covered her mouth and dragged her aside.

The girl had clear features, fair skin, and wore clothes that looked like high-quality silk. Up close, he could smell a faint fragrance from her.

After coming to this world, this was the first girl he had met who met his aesthetic standards.

Life in Liujia Village was very hard, and the girls were all malnourished, working hard every day, with sunburned skin and patched clothes.

Under such conditions, it was impossible for there to be any beauties.

This was one of the main reasons why Gu Yang had been unwilling to get married.

Encountering such a girl in a bandit stronghold, he was unsure of her identity.

He whispered in her ear, "Don't make a sound. I have something to ask you. Nod if yes, shake your head if no. Understand?"

The girl's eyes widened, filled with fear, with tears still on her lashes, looking pitiful. She nodded vigorously.

"Do you know where Guoshanfeng's treasure chest is hidden?"

The girl was stunned, staring at him with wide eyes.

Gu Yang frowned, "I asked you a question. Do you know or not?"

The girl came to her senses and nodded quickly.

"Which room is it in? Show me."

The girl pointed, but to the well in the courtyard.

Hidden in the well?

Gu Yang did not let go of the girl, worried that she might make a sound and attract attention.

He dragged her to the well and looked down. It was pitch black, and he could only faintly see some water.

"If you lie to me, I'll throw you in."

The girl shook her head vigorously.

He held the girl and jumped in, one hand gripping the cracks in the well wall, slowly sliding down. Soon, he fell into the water.

The well water was icy cold, and the girl's body trembled uncontrollably as soon as she hit the water.

The well water was only about a meter deep, and Gu Yang quickly touched the bottom, finding the chest.

He reminded the girl, "Don't make a sound," then let go.

The girl indeed kept her mouth tightly shut, not daring to make a sound.

Gu Yang reached into the water, lifted the chest, opened the system panel, and chose to recharge.

【Recharge successful, current balance: 5325.5.】

Seeing this balance, he was overjoyed.

Now, he was rich!