Chapter 398: Too Picky

Xu Yuan was within the "five li" range, so Fu Songyu casually asked an extra question: "Are you interested in Xu Yuan's body?"

Fu Hongyu: "No."

Fu Songyu could then be completely certain that Xu Yuan had never secretly practiced the Dragon Transformation Method.

The two brothers returned with the leather puppet dragon and met up with several juniors: "Rest."

After entering the mountain, Xu Yuan intentionally yielded the position of "guide."

Gao Wanli took over and led everyone to waste two days in the mountains.

This time was left for the Public Office personnel to send a message to Bai Laoyan.

Bai Laoyan also needed a certain amount of time to contact Gao Guanzi and Tian Jing.

The next morning, Xu Yuan led the way to Wangxiang Village.

Looking up on the road, he saw several Corpse Sparrows fluttering in the high sky.

Turning his head again, a Ghost Infant's head floated up in a small river a hundred zhang away, shaped like a gourd.

My Lord Xu nodded secretly, knowing he had already made contact with Tian Jing, and that Tian Jing and the Naga were fully prepared.

Now, the only uncertain factor in the entire plan was that Xu Yuan still did not know what the secret method of the Fu family was, which could reveal within a certain range anyone bearing the Dragon Transformation Method.

But Xu Yuan secretly observed and deduced: even Zhu Zhanlei and Gao Wanli did not know the details.

After walking for two shichen, suddenly a rustling sound of water rose from a mountain stream ahead, as if some water monster or evil spirit was fighting.

Zhu Zhanlei immediately perked up.

With the "Dragon Sickness" upon him, his strength had surged.

He had been quite enjoying the feeling of being a "great expert" these past few days, so he immediately rushed forward: "An evil spirit is causing trouble! Wait for this Young Master to go and flatten it!"

Xu Yuan shook his head secretly; he must keep a close eye on this fellow.

A prodigal raised under the protection of a great surname family simply did not know the dangers of the lands beyond the borders.

Even My Lord Xu, currently in these mountains, would dodge and avoid any abnormal situation whenever possible.

Zhu Zhanlei had achieved several victories yesterday, so he underestimated the evil spirits in the mountains; being overconfident and careless, he could easily capsize in a gutter.

He was Miao Yu's future brother-in-law and Zhu Zhanmei's younger brother; if something happened to him by my side, I could not explain it.

Xu Yuan followed closely behind but unexpectedly saw several Ghost Infants in the mountain stream tearing at each other with a slender evil spirit!

That was clearly... a Dragon Evil Spirit!

Xu Yuan turned back for a glance: the formation of a Dragon Evil Spirit was mostly related to the Fu family's secret method.

The Ghost Infants still proved superior, tearing that Dragon Evil Spirit into several segments; each bit held a segment and sank into the stream water, quickly disappearing.

Zhu Zhanlei rushed over but was too late to strike, looking very regretful.

Xu Yuan dared not stay too far from this fellow, following him closely at all times.

By evening, they finally arrived at Wangxiang Village.

Xu Yuan and Bai Laoyan went through the motions of exchanging words.

Upon hearing that he was to betray Gao Guanzi, Bai Laoyan immediately prepared to sweep his sleeve and leave.

He stated plainly, "That is my sworn brother and beloved kin!"

Xu Yuan explained the greater righteousness, repeatedly detailing the pros and cons.

Bai Laoyan simply disagreed.

Gao Wanli then impatiently said, "Why waste words with him? Kill him and interrogate his soul directly!"

Gao Wanli produced a hand cannon as thick as a child's arm in her hand; the barrel was carved with a certain demon visage of the Green-Eyed Barbarians!

The muzzle was aimed at Bai Laoyan.

Inside, a red light flickered like molten lava.

Bai Laoyan showed no fear whatsoever, gripping a firewood knife and sneering repeatedly: "Interrogate the soul? Come and try!"

Xu Yuan frowned and scolded Gao Wanli: "You understand nothing, so do not add to the chaos! The soul of a Mountain Runner has issues; once dead, the soul immediately returns to this Great Mountain, making soul interrogation impossible!

If you kill him, all our clues will be severed!

In this vast Ghost Wushan, finding Gao Guanzi would be like looking for a needle in a haystack!"

Gao Wanli sheepishly put away the hand cannon.

Zhu Zhanlei, listening from the side, also grew impatient; his prodigal nature surfaced: "This Young Master will add money!"

"Just name your price."

Bai Laoyan's attitude changed rapidly: "How much more?"

Zhu Zhanlei chuckled, shaking his head and body in delight, laughing straight out: "I told you so; this Young Master has never met a brother who couldn't be sold..."

Thus, Zhu Zhanlei went personally, negotiated the price with Bai Laoyan, and agreed to set out early tomorrow morning to lead them to find Gao Guanzi.

Gao Wanli was very contemptuous of this transaction.

Stinky men, calling each other brothers all day, swearing to the heavens.

It turns out that as long as the profit is sufficient, these brotherly oaths can be cast aside without hesitation!

"My lords, please stay in our village tonight."

Bai Laoyan warmly invited.

Zhu Zhanlei and the others were about to enter but were stopped by Xu Yuan.

Xu Yuan quietly recounted the various eerie situations he encountered during his first entry into the village.

Zhu Zhanlei and Gao Wanli were fine with it, thinking that even if the villagers were somewhat extraordinary, they could handle it.

But the other three Captains of the Shanhe Office felt a chill run down their spines!

"Thank you for the reminder, My Lord Xu!"

Their impression of Xu Yuan grew even better.

This my lord is worth deepening ties with!

Zhu Zhanlei had to stay outside the village, but for these few days he had been eating only dry rations, so he said to Bai Laoyan: "Have the village prepare some good food and send it over; I'll pay you extra."

"No problem."

After Bai Laoyan returned, not long after, Zhang Sanba brought several village women and delivered the freshly cooked hot dishes and rice.

Zhu Zhanlei smelled an enticing aroma from afar and beamed, saying: "Bring it quickly so this Young Master can taste it. This Young Master has eaten many delicacies; that coarse tea and simple fare in the countryside should actually have such a good flavor, truly unexpected!"

But once the steamer lid was lifted, it was indeed rice and dishes, yet every single item contained insects and snakes!

Even the steamed rice was mixed with insects like pill bugs!

Zhu Zhanlei's stomach churned uncomfortably.

Gao Wanli gagged directly.

Zhang Sanba glared, saying: "You asked for this food; even if you don't eat it, you must pay!"

Zhu Zhanlei waved his hands repeatedly: "Pay, pay! Take it away quickly!"

Zhang Sanba took it away, but halfway there he was stopped by Dafu.

Such a wonderful thing, and yet you don't know how to enjoy it?!

Dafu looked down on Zhu Zhanlei: You Young Master are a bit too picky.

Dafu directly shoved his head into the wooden bucket holding the rice and ate with extraordinary relish.

Seeing this, Zhang Sanba's eyes lit up, and he wanted to praise my lord Xu for raising such a fat goose...

But suddenly, for no known reason, a sliver of alertness arose; this remark must absolutely not be spoken!

Zhang Sanba quickly took a few puffs of his pipe.

He finally understood what was wrong: Why would my lord Xu bring a goose into the mountains?

Zhu Zhanlei had a request of Lord Dafu; seeing that he liked to eat, he hurriedly said: "Give it all to him, let him eat his fill; if it's not enough, you make more, and this Young Master will pay!"

Then he squatted beside Dafu in a shameless manner and whispered: "That matter I asked you about before..."

(End of this chapter)