Chapter 16

Zu An also laughed, "With Brother Shier's protection on the journey, it couldn't be better." Now he was certain that this guy definitely had ulterior motives, and it was a good opportunity to investigate who was trying to harm him.

The two of them left the city with their own hidden intentions. It wasn't until today that Zu An realized how lucky he was on the first day. When he woke up in the outskirts of the city, it wasn't really the outskirts, as that area was still a human activity zone with soldiers and cultivators protecting the borders to prevent fierce beasts from entering and harming people. Beyond the outskirts, that was the true wilderness. Near Bright Moon City, there was a vast Dragon Hidden Mountain, which was home to countless fierce beasts.

Fierce beasts occasionally came out from the edge of the mountain to harm people, so between the true wilderness and the outskirts, soldiers had set up checkpoints and outposts. These served both as a warning and to dissuade ordinary people who didn't know the severity of the situation.

Fortunately, Shier Mei was with him; otherwise, Zu An alone probably wouldn't have been able to leave the checkpoint. Shier Mei showed a pass-like document and demonstrated his cultivation level, and only then did the checkpoint personnel let the two of them out.

After leaving the outpost, Zu An looked up at Shier Mei with an admiring expression, "Brother, what level of cultivation do you have now? I saw those soldiers seem to admire you quite a bit." He wanted to gather information while the other party didn't know his situation, so he could act more strategically later.

Shier Mei clearly enjoyed his tone, "Not bad, just Second Rank, Third Level."

Zu An thought it wasn't particularly high, about the same as his one day of cultivation.

After Shier Mei finished speaking, he was prepared to hear some worshipful compliments and then modestly show off. However, this guy just stood there dumbly.

But he soon felt relieved. Such a useless person probably didn't even know what cultivation was, so he naturally wouldn't understand how difficult it was to reach Second Rank, Third Level at his age.

Zu An continued, "You're so powerful, you must be the highest-ranking among your brothers, right?" In the novels he had read, when you got rid of an antagonist, there would always be a bunch of relatives and friends or powerful backers behind them. He needed to gather information in advance.

"Not really, there are several others at my level. The strongest is Brother Thirteen; he's already Third Rank." Shier Mei said with a proud tone. They were thirteen sworn brothers, and they had been quite successful over the years.

"Since you're all so powerful, your leader must be even more powerful, right?" Zu An said cooperatively.

"Of course, the leader is already..." He suddenly realized something and changed his words, "You don't understand cultivation, so why should I tell you these things?"

Zu An felt a bit disappointed but had gathered a lot of information.

Not long after leaving the checkpoint, a person walked towards them. When this person saw Shier Mei from a distance, his face changed, and he quickly pulled down his hood and turned to leave.

Shier Mei took a few big steps to catch up, "Brother Tan, why are you in such a hurry?"

When the person realized he was recognized, he stopped running and turned around, tightly gripping the knife in his hand, "Shier Mei, are you here to capture me?"

Shier Mei raised his hands to show he had no ill intentions, "Brother Tan, you can doubt others, but why doubt me? Back then, if you hadn't risked your life to carry me out during the conflict with the Azure Dragon Gang, I would have been long dead."

"Since you still remember those things." Hearing this, Brother Tan's expression softened.

"Could I ever forget the favor you did me? You and the leader just had a misunderstanding; it can be cleared up. Why run?" Shier Mei said with a sigh, "We used to drink and eat together, but now I can't even find anyone to drink with."

Brother Tan's eyes turned red, and his veins bulged, "Don't speak for the Mei family. The pain of losing a wife is something no man can bear. I regret not being able to kill him with that knife."

"I can't really comment on the grudge between you and the leader, but from a personal standpoint, I do sympathize with you," Shier Mei patted his shoulder to comfort him, "A man doesn't lack for a wife. With your skills, you can still make a living elsewhere. Don't lose heart."

Brother Tan showed a grateful expression, "For so many days, the brothers in the gang have been hunting me, but only you treat me like this."

"Of course, we are life-and-death friends. How can I be like the others?" Shier Mei smiled.

Brother Tan said emotionally, "Brother, can I entrust you with something?"

Shier Mei patted his chest, "Say it, I'll do it without hesitation, as long as it doesn't involve betraying the gang!"

"Of course, I won't put you in a difficult position," Brother Tan explained, "It's like this: I escaped in a hurry and couldn't bring anything. I've saved a hundred silver taels over the years, and it would be a shame to leave them behind. Can you go to the city and retrieve them for me? I'll split it with you!"

"Brother Tan, you're making it sound like we're strangers. It's just a small favor. How can I take the money that saved your life? Don't worry, I'll definitely get it for you," Shier Mei waved his hand.

"Truly a good brother!" Brother Tan was delighted, "Rest assured, I'll split it with you when it's done. I hid the silver in the sixth row, ninth column of the bricks in the back yard of my house..."

"Got it, I remember," Shier Mei nodded, "But there's a problem now. I need to take that young brother to Wolf Valley first. You know, I'm a bit inconvenient."

Brother Tan glanced at the somewhat dazed Zu An nearby and immediately understood. Wolf Valley was the best place to dispose of bodies and cover up murders. They had done such things many times over the years: "Don't worry, I'll take care of him."

Shier Mei bowed, "Thank you, Brother Tan!"

Zu An saw Brother Tan approach with his knife, and he couldn't help but feel depressed: You two are showing brotherly affection, but why am I the one who suffers?

He was considering whether to reveal his cultivation when suddenly his eyes widened. Shier Mei, like a leopard, pounced from behind, covering Brother Tan's mouth and slashing his neck with a knife.

Brother Tan, clutching his neck, took a few steps back, his face full of disbelief, "You... you..."

Shier Mei wiped the blood off the knife with a handkerchief, "Killing you gets me the leader's reward and all your money. Why should I share it with you?"

"You will... not... have... a... good... end..." Brother Tan fell to the ground, his eyes wide open, never closing.

"Curses are just the rage of the powerless." Shier Mei sheathed his knife and walked towards Zu An, "Brother Zu, you don't need to be afraid. He was a traitor to our gang, and everyone has the right to kill him."

"Uh-huh," Zu An swallowed, suddenly finding the term "Brother Zu" particularly grating, especially since the guy who called him "brother" was now lying dead with his eyes wide open.

The journey became somewhat somber. It wasn't until the air felt much fresher and sweeter than in his previous life that Zu An's mood improved. He realized this was due to the abundant elemental energy in this world, which explained why many people could cultivate.

The rest of the journey was uneventful. They were near the edge of the town, and the fierce beasts in Dragon Hidden Mountain were deep in the mountains. Even if they came out, they wouldn't be of a high level.

"Hey, why are you going to Wolf Valley?" Shier Mei suddenly remembered something and asked curiously.

"The city's Doctor Ji issued a task to collect dog treasures. I'm just trying my luck," Zu An said with a thick, honest expression.

"Based on your abilities?" Shier Mei laughed, "Even I only dare to walk around the edge of Wolf Valley. This guy is really overestimating himself."

Zu An chuckled, "I'll just try my luck. What if I find some dead fierce black wolves?"

Shier Mei looked at him with disdain, thinking this guy was truly stupid, but he held back his urge to criticize, as he needed to complete his plan: "But you're already a Chu family son-in-law. Can't you just pay the doctor directly?"

Zu An sighed, "Don't laugh, Brother. As a son-in-law, I have no status in the Chu family. Everyone looks down on me, so how could they give me money? You're a good brother, remembering me after so long."

"Of course, of course, we're brothers," Shier Mei thought this guy had some self-awareness, "By the way, is the Chu family's daughter really that beautiful?" He had never seen the high-and-mighty Chu Miss, only heard about her from rumors.

"Like a fairy descended from the heavens," Zu An said honestly, as his wife indeed had some charm.

"Feels good, right?" Shier Mei winked, looking lecherous.

Zu An secretly sneered but said, "White, tender, and smooth, it's amazing."

Shier Mei swallowed, "You sure have good luck with women."

Anger from Shier Mei +99!

Zu An was delighted. It seemed another jealous person. He couldn't have what he wanted, so he envied others.

A foul wind blew through the air, and some bone fragments lay scattered nearby, making it impossible to tell what animal they were from. Shier Mei chuckled, "If you fall into the mouth of other fierce beasts, at least you'll have a skeleton. But if you fall into the hands of fierce black wolves, they'll chew even the bone fragments to pieces."

They were now near Wolf Valley, and with no one around, he didn't fear the other party backing out.

"Is that Wolf Valley ahead?" Zu An saw a valley in the distance and pretended to be afraid, grabbing Shier Mei's arm, "Brother, you're so powerful, please protect me."

"Right, that's Wolf Valley. I'll definitely 'protect' you well," Shier Mei sneered, "Zu An, I admire you. How can someone be so stupid? You survived the lightning last time, and now you come to me again."

Zu An looked "panicked," "Brother, what do you mean?"

He was originally planning to ambush him, but hearing the mention of lightning, he decided to hold off and gather more information while adapting to his new strength.

Since the other party was slightly weaker and he had a dagger and paralyzing poison as backup, he shouldn't be in too much danger.

Shier Mei pushed him away, seeing him fall easily, and felt even more disdain. He patted the sleeve Zu An had touched, "I'm in a good mood today, so I'll let you die knowing. Last time, I was the one who took you to the outskirts and tied you to a tree on a stormy night. I didn't expect the lightning to miss you."

Zu An looked "panicked," "Brother, what do you mean?"