After this happened several times, Gu Zhong finally couldn't resist approaching her.
"Master, may I come in?"
There was a knock on Lingyan's door. At that moment, they were on their way to Yaowang Village by boat.
"What is it?"
Lingyan is organizing the news she has received about Yinshui Village recently. After the last incident, she sent a letter to have someone investigate in detail, and now the results are in.
"I have something important to discuss with you, Master. Would it be convenient for you?"
Her charming and seductive tone was full of suggestive implications.
"Let's talk on the deck."
Ling Yan opened the door with a snap and walked out without pausing, which surprised Gu Zhong.
The turbulent river propelled the large boat forward, its sails billowing with power, while the trees and villages on both banks rushed past.
The sailors on deck shouted work chants and pulled hard on the ropes and turned the rudder.
"explain."
Ling Yan said sullenly, her tone sounding somewhat impatient and fierce.
Chapter 57 The Leader of the Righteous Alliance and the Leader of the Demonic Cult (Part 10)
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"Does the Pavilion Master dislike me?"
Adopting a hesitant and timid expression, Gu Zhong asked with a hint of resentment.
"...No."
Lingyan couldn't handle Gu Zhong's approach at all and could only sigh helplessly.
"Then why does the Pavilion Master always ignore me?"
Gu Zhong, however, relentlessly pursued him.
"That's how I've always treated people."
This was the only answer she could come up with to appease him. Lingyan also hoped to stay by Gu Zhong's side at all times, but she was afraid that spending too much time with Gu Zhong might arouse suspicion and bring unnecessary trouble.
"That was my fault; I judged you with my petty mind. I apologize to the Pavilion Master."
Gu Zhong followed suit and apologized, leaving Ling Yan completely bewildered.
Did you specifically seek her out just to agonize over this one question?
"I've heard that the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion gathers all the information in the world. Is that true?"
Gu Zhong's next words indicated that, of course, it was not just that.
What could be a more convenient way to gather information than asking the Master of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion?
"The rumors are exaggerated, and there are always things that are beyond our control."
If Gu Zhong still wanted to ask about the massacre of the Gu family, Ling Yan still couldn't answer. Even though she knew the original world's plot, it remained an unsolved mystery.
"I have a question that I would like to ask the Pavilion Master. I wonder if you would grant me permission? I am willing to stake my life savings."
"...Ask away, it's free."
Although it is customary for Tianji Pavilion to charge for inquiries, Lingyan does not mind making an exception for Gu Zhong.
"This humble servant thanks you in advance, Pavilion Master! Are you aware of this person, Yan Luosha?"
Unexpectedly, the matter Gu Zhong asked about was different from what she had expected. He did not mention the Gu family tragedy more than 20 years ago at all, but the person he mentioned was somewhat ancient.
"Yan Luosha? I've heard of him. He was once the Grand Protector of the Demonic Sect. He disappeared twenty-five years ago, and his fate is unknown. ...Why are you inquiring about him?"
Lingyan recalled for a moment and then spoke.
"Could you please help me search for his whereabouts, whether he is alive or dead?"
Gu Zhong stared intently at Ling Yan with his eyes, which were shrouded in mist, and bowed deeply to her with a solemn and earnest expression.
I'll try my best.
Ling Yan quickly stepped aside and readily agreed.
Seeing that Gu Zhong cared so much, Ling Yan knew that Yan Luosha must have some information she wanted to know, so she naturally paid close attention to it.
Even though finding someone who has been missing for more than 20 years is extremely difficult, she will do her best.
"By the way, although I have never seen the Pavilion Master's true face, the martial arts world knows that the Pavilion Master is a young hero. I wonder if there is someone you admire?"
After finishing the main business, Gu Zhong changed the subject and started talking about the affairs in the backyard.
"···"
Lingyan couldn't answer for a moment, and at that moment she felt like she had shot herself in the foot.
Admitting it is impossible, but denying it seems like I'd be letting down "Sister Ayan," who knew Achung.
"What does this have to do with you?"
In the end, all she could manage to utter was this harsh sentence.
"It is I who have offended you."
Gu Zhong narrowed his eyes and spoke with a smile.
"Fish! We caught one!"
"What a huge fish!"
At that moment, cheers erupted from the deck. The fishing net hanging at the stern had caught a big fish, prompting the boatmen to celebrate.
"Young Master! We can have a whole fish feast tonight!"
The members of Tianwu Sect excitedly rushed to the cabin to find Ye Feng and deliver the message.
"I'm having good luck today."
Ling Yan left behind a final remark and stepped off the deck first, refusing to join in the commotion.
As dusk fell, lanterns illuminated the boats, and the aroma of food wafted through the air.
"Master, dinner is ready."
The servants knocked on Lingyan's door and placed the carefully prepared meal on her table.
The chef's superb knife skills sliced the fish into thin slices and placed them on crushed ice. The bright red raw meat, accompanied by sauce, was extremely refreshing.
The firm, tender meat next to the fish tailbone is cut into small pieces, grilled, and seasoned with spices from the Western Regions, creating an irresistible aroma.
Large, tender pieces of fish are sliced and stir-fried with chili peppers brought from Sichuan, resulting in a smooth and juicy dish.
The milky white fish soup, simmered for a long time, absorbs the freshness of the river fish and shrimp, and is full of umami flavor.
The freshly caught river fish were truly exceptional, and the chef in charge of cooking was also extremely skilled, so much so that even Lingyan, who doesn't usually like eating fish, was able to devour all the dishes on the table.
After eating and drinking her fill, Lingyan put down her chopsticks and was about to call someone to clean up when she suddenly noticed the boat shake slightly.
She instantly became alert, pushed open the door, stepped out, and headed straight for the top deck.
At this moment, the boatmen were in the middle of the room, with oil lamps lit, chatting, laughing, eating, and drinking.
On the other side, Ye Feng and his Tianwu Sect members sat on the ground, drinking and laughing heartily.
"The sect leader is out? Come, come! Let's drink and have some fun with the brothers!"
Ye Feng appeared to be three-tenths drunk. He was usually very polite, but today he actually tugged at Ling Yan's sleeve.
"Did the young sect leader notice the ship shaking just now?"
Ling Yan raised her arm to avoid his pull and asked directly.
"Vibration? There wasn't any?"
Ye Feng was stunned for a moment, then shook his head repeatedly.
Upon hearing this, Lingyan frowned. Martial artists have the most sensitive senses, so her feeling just now should not have been wrong.
Looking at Ye Feng's current unclear state, it's likely that a drunkard wouldn't be able to perceive anything.
"Drinking leads to trouble, young master, you should stop drinking."
Ling Yan coldly uttered a discouraging remark.
He then gave instructions to the people in his household, telling them to be on high alert that night.
She had a bad feeling about it.
"The Pavilion Master has quite the grand entourage."
Gu Zhong, who had opened the door to check the situation, smiled softly as he followed the sound.
"It's best to stay in your room tonight and not wander around."
After saying that, Lingyan was about to leave.
"If anything truly happens, it would be useless for a weak and helpless woman like me to hide anywhere..."
With this self-pitying tone, Gu Zhong is now quite adept at playing the role of a delicate, innocent woman.
These words made it difficult for Lingyan to simply walk away. She had to do some work and adopt a chivalrous attitude.
But the thought that Gu Zhong was deliberately seducing a complete stranger made Ling Yan feel short of breath and feel suffocated.
In the end, she could only stand silently at the door of Gu Zhong's room, like a dutiful doorman.
"What is the Pavilion Master doing?"
Gu Zhong's tone unconsciously carried a hint of pleasure, and a smile appeared in his bright phoenix eyes.
"...Guard the gate."
Ling Yan replied curtly.
"What if nothing happens tonight? Wouldn't the Pavilion Master have gone through all that trouble for nothing?"