Chapter 296: This guy, is he for real?

Ren Yidao admitted that he had a biased assumption.

He had made a rather low-level, presumptive mistake, subconsciously assuming that the Gongsun Changshou he had never met was a man.

But he really couldn't be blamed for this!

In the impression of everyone in Beiming—no, or rather, everyone in the whole world—a disciple of the Sword Casting Pavilion who hammers iron and casts swords shouldn't look like this.

They should be the kind of burly, tall, and sturdy man with a black complexion and a wine Gourd tucked at his waist.

At the very least, they should have an ordinary appearance but eyes that are sharp and spirited, right?

In no way should it be a young woman who looks frail and lacks the strength to truss a chicken!

Or could it be that you also awakened the Blue Silver Emperor bloodline and your appearance changed drastically?

*Cough! *

Besides, why did this person have to be named "Changshou" of all things!

Does this name have any connection to a woman?

Oh, well, it does; women generally live longer, after all...

Scanning her up and down, Ren Yidao shook his head slightly, still feeling somewhat suspicious of her identity.

This... is it right?

Something isn't right, is it!

This person, could she be a fake?

Almost instinctively, Ren Yidao became suspicious of this Gongsun Changshou.

However, although he was very doubtful about her identity as a Sword Casting Pavilion disciple, Ren Yidao did not lose his composure.

One thing is one thing, another is another.

Thinking about it carefully, even if the other party's identity was fake, there was actually no problem with pretending to be a Sword Casting Pavilion disciple to swindle people.

Ren Yidao was not an Elder of the Discipline Hall of the Sword Casting Pavilion, nor was he some justice-obsessed messenger of righteousness; even if the other party was impersonating someone, it had little to do with him.

At most, he would just mention it if he happened to meet a Sword Casting Pavilion disciple in the future; if he didn't meet one, he wouldn't go out of his way to notify them.

Looking back to observe the other party's posture again, there were seven or eight wine Gourds piled by her feet, and she was lying sloppily in the middle of a pile of scrap material, with a large long-handled hammer used as a pillow under her head.

Regardless of whether she was real or fake, this boldness alone was enough to make people believe her halfway.

But only halfway, no more than that.

Secretly shaking his head, Ren Yidao spoke up: "So, is this Daoist Gongsun Changshou?"

"Yes, that is correct, Master Gongsun of the Sword Casting Pavilion."

Looking at the soundly sleeping Gongsun Changshou, Hu Wanwan felt a bit of a headache, not knowing whether he should wake her up.

"We came suddenly and did not inform Master Gongsun in advance, so it is not good to just wake her up like this now..."

This was naturally just a superficial excuse.

The real reason was actually that the two of them were not well-acquainted.

Hu Wanwan had invited her to join the trial because he had his eye on the various magical treasures she could provide, as well as her identity as a person from Beigan.

One might ask, if Jiang Mingzhi were to die inexplicably in Death Valley, what would outsiders think?

Would they suspect him, the sworn brother who had been close to him for twenty years?

Or would they suspect Chu Hairen, the son of the Chu King, who would in all likelihood become the co-lord of the Eastern Wasteland in the future?

An outsider from the Beiming Divine Continent would naturally become the prime suspect for the murder and be hunted down by the Jiang Family.

If she could not escape, not only would the matter be settled, but all the magical treasures on her person would also be pocketed by him.

If she were lucky enough to escape... *hehe*, it would instead confirm her identity as the murderer, and then she would truly have nowhere to hide!

"You didn't kill the person, so why are you running?"

"You must have a guilty Heart!"

If handled properly, this could even become the fuse for the Eastern Wasteland to rightfully tear up its agreement with Beigan and subsequently invade Beigan on a large scale.

At worst, it could cause the relationship between the Li Family imperial house and the sects to deteriorate, adding some trouble to the internal affairs of Beigan.

Regardless of whether Gongsun Changshou lived or died in the end, she was an excellent candidate to take the blame.

Hu Wanwan had no grudge against Gongsun Changshou; in fact, she had even helped him forge two sharp sword treasures after receiving payment.

He chose her simply because she happened to be here.

... This was originally Hu Wanwan's plan.

But now, this seamless plan had run into a problem.

An unexpected person had intruded into the plan; not only did he replace the helper originally prepared, but his identity was also extremely special.

Ren Yidao was from Beigan, and not only was he a member of a sect, but he was also the Imperial Brother personally appointed by the Emperor.

His status in the Beigan Dynasty was equivalent to a prince of the Li Family, or even higher!

With such a heavyweight figure present, once an incident occurred, Beigan would naturally attach great importance to it.

Once a detailed investigation was conducted at that time, the risk of his own little schemes being exposed would increase significantly.

And, there was one more most important point—Ren Yidao's strength.

This mysterious Daoist had never exposed his true strength at full power; he had always been as strong as his opponents required, and no one had yet forced out his limit.

"I cannot deal with him head-on; I can only find a way to contain him so that he cannot return in time at the critical moment."

Running through the plan in his mind again, Hu Wanwan thought of his true trump card, and his mind settled.

No matter how strong you are, it doesn't matter.

When that time comes, all your struggles will be in vain!

The three of them waited for half a quarter of an hour like this, when the woman lying on the iron material suddenly moved her fingers and sat up directly without any warm-up.

With her eyes closed, she gave a huge stretch, her whole body emitting a *crack-crack* sound.

"Mmm—ha!"

Gongsun Changshou sighed, shook her shoulders, and muttered:

"So uncomfortable! Why is this bed so uneven?"

"Damn! Why am I sleeping in a scrap pile again!"

Gongsun Changshou scratched her head, just looking for wine, but when she turned her head, her gaze met Jiang Mingzhi, who was hesitating to speak.

"... Uh? Greetings, Fellow Daoist Gongsun?"

"Hmm???"

Gongsun Changshou's eyes widened, her figure exploded backward, passing directly through the wall of the Sword Casting Pavilion and flying out into the street.

"Who are you!? Why are you in my house!"

"You bold lecher!"

Jiang Mingzhi:???

I am a lecher?

"You're spouting nonsense!"

I am the dignified eldest Prince of the Jiang Kingdom! Would I be lacking women!?

I must have been blind to even look at you!

"Don't think that just because you are a woman, you can spout nonsense!"

With anger surging, Jiang Mingzhi chased after her directly; he wanted to let this rude woman know what respect and inferiority meant!

Strength is the most stubborn truth in the Eastern Wasteland!

And then...

He realized.

Although it was passive.

Whoosh—

Thud!!!

Jiang Mingzhi was smashed back at an even faster speed, head-first into the scrap pile.

"..."

Ren Yidao looked at the guy who had lost all movement and was buried in the scrap pile like an ostrich, tilting his head and blinking his eyes incessantly.

Hu Wanwan: "Ahem! Master Gongsun's physical body is powerful; the Dharma Aspect Realm is comparable to the Spirit Transformation Realm."

"As long as she is here, we can even fight against Demon Beasts of the Spirit Transformation Realm."

It is well known to everyone that the disciples of the Sword Casting Pavilion have powerful physical bodies due to their cultivation techniques.

"Speaking of which, what rank is she on the Demon Extermination Ranking?"

"Uh, Master Gongsun said she has no interest in exterminating demons, so she has never been on the list."

Ren Yidao nodded thoughtfully, having a guess in his heart.

"Either she has truly never exterminated a demon, or... she has disguised her identity."

Hum—

"Meow!!!"

A slight humming sound caught Ren Yidao's attention; without turning his head, he extended a finger, and his jade-like fingertip gently tapped on the hammer head.

The iron hammer, which was as large as two human heads, was directly held back by his fingertip.

Thud!!!

Even though it was a collision between flesh and metal, it made a huge sound, causing the entire Sword Casting Pavilion to tremble.

Ren Yidao patted the head of the yellow cat that had just sounded the warning in praise, and smiled at the human-shaped hole:

"Your Excellency, there should be a limit to playing the fool; it's getting late, it's time to sober up, right?"

He flicked his finger, and the iron hammer flew back at an even faster speed.

"Hehe, you really are strong!"

Outside the room, Gongsun Changshou laughed loudly, raised her hand to grab the hammer handle, and pressed it down directly.

But just at this moment, the iron hammer, which had already stopped, suddenly accelerated again, dragging her up more than a meter.

"Hmm? Whoa whoa whoa!"

Quickly adjusting her posture, Gongsun Changshou's eyes lit up; she flew back into the Sword Casting Pavilion, sized up Ren Yidao, and praised:

"Not simple!"

"Your Excellency is also no less impressive."

Ren Yidao nodded and smiled lightly, not saying much more.

What he had just done looked like a simple flick, but in reality, he had flicked twice in an extreme amount of time, hiding one portion of the force within the hammer head.

He had thought it would at least make her make a fool of herself, but she had adjusted after flying out only a meter.

This woman is not simple.

Ren Yidao looked back at the scrap pile and found that Jiang Mingzhi had crawled out at some point, staring blankly at a blacksmith with an unnatural expression as he forged iron.

Jiang Mingzhi had already cleaned himself up, and one couldn't tell at all that he had just been stuck in there head-first.

Hmm, he is also a talent.

Gongsun Changshou also didn't look at Jiang Mingzhi; after entering, she kept staring at Ren Yidao, sizing him up, seemingly thinking about swinging the hammer again to test him.

Seeing Gongsun Changshou eager to make a move, Hu Wanwan hurriedly stepped forward and said:

"Ahem! Master Gongsun, I..."

But before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by a wave of Gongsun Changshou's hand:

"Why is it you again? Didn't I tell you, I only forge one weapon a month? If it's about weapons, talk to me next month!"

Hu Wanwan was a Prince, second only to one and above ten thousand in the Jiang Kingdom, but in her eyes, he seemed like nothing more than an annoying fly.

And Hu Wanwan seemed accustomed to her attitude, shaking his head as he said:

"Master Gongsun, I'm not here to ask you to forge a weapon this time. It's about that other matter I mentioned to you before; we've gathered everyone and are ready to set out."

Gongsun Changshou finally turned her head to glance at him, frowned in thought for a moment, and let out an "oh":

"The other matter? Oh! You mean going to Death Valley, right?"

"Fine, I can accompany you, but the conditions are the same as before: unless my life is in danger, I will not take action."

Hu Wanwan nodded: "That is only natural."

"Also, you must pay me half the reward upfront."

Hu Wanwan's brow furrowed as if he were about to flare up, but then he remembered her utility and could only nod with an ugly expression, saying in a deep voice:

"Fine, but you are not allowed to bring up any other conditions!"

Gongsun Changshou took the Storage Bag that Hu Wanwan handed over with a look of extreme reluctance and smiled with satisfaction.

"Hehe, deal!"

She patted her chest and promised loudly:

"Don't you worry! I, Gongsun Changshou, am a businessperson, and I value my reputation above all else! I definitely won't run off!"

You had better not!

Hu Wanwan's mouth twitched, but after a cough, he regained his smile and formally introduced them to the two:

"You two, this is Master Gongsun, whom I have invited to accompany us. I have already mentioned her status, and besides that, she is also skilled in the path of the physical body."

Then he turned to introduce them to Gongsun Changshou:

"Master Gongsun, this is my close friend, the eldest Prince of the Jiang Kingdom, Jiang Mingzhi. He is skilled in divination; with him, we can avoid many troubles along the way."

Jiang Mingzhi snorted coldly and turned his head away from Gongsun Changshou, looking arrogant and aloof.

This must be his final bit of stubbornness.

"And this is Daoist Ren Yidao of the Divine Path Sect, who, like Master Gongsun, also hails from Beigan."

"As for what Daoist Ren excels at, hehe, I imagine you know more about the Divine Path Sect than we do."

Sure enough, upon hearing the words "Divine Path Sect," Gongsun Changshou's expression changed.

She looked at Ren Yidao in shock, took a step back, and repeated loudly:

"Divine Path Sect!!?"

"You say you are from the Divine Path Sect!?"

Ren Yidao knew what she was shocked by, so he nodded with a smile and cupped his hands in a salute:

"Greetings, fellow Daoist Gongsun."

Seeing the young man act so poised and natural, without a hint of nervousness, a thought identical to the one Ren Yidao had just had rose in Gongsun Changshou's heart.

"This guy, is he a fake?"

Being stared at suspiciously by her for a long time, Ren Yidao didn't explain, simply returning her gaze with a profound look.

In his pitch-black pupils, the blurry reflection of a white fox flashed by.

!!!

The moment she saw the white fox, Gongsun Changshou's pupils contracted sharply, and the arm holding the hammer handle trembled.

Dao God?

Was that the Baihu Daoshen!?

Hu Wanwan hadn't noticed their small interaction and interjected at this moment:

"There is no time to lose; we shall set out today. Does Master Gongsun have anything else that needs arranging?"

"Uh, Master Gongsun? Did you hear me?"

Slowly moving her gaze away from Ren Yidao's eyes, Gongsun Changshou shook her head:

"I don't have any major matters here. Give me a quarter of an hour to have someone look after my disciple, and then we can set out."

"Disciple?"

Hu Wanwan asked curiously: "Master has taken on a disciple? When did this happen?"

Gongsun Changshou didn't explain further, saying offhandedly:

"Met by chance yesterday, a little fellow with some talent; perhaps they can inherit some of my mantle."

The other two didn't think much of it, but Ren Yidao was lost in thought and asked:

"Is fellow Daoist Gongsun's disciple surnamed Wang?"

Hm?

Gongsun Changshou asked in surprise: "Eh? You know Wang Baodong?"

It really was him.

What a small world!

"Hehe, I know him, but he doesn't know my name." Ren Yidao shook his head and laughed: "It seems I really have quite the fate with him."

Could this Wang Baodong truly be a person of great fortune?

Ren Yidao thought for a moment, then shook his head, dismissing the idea.

"The one with the fortune isn't him."

"It's me."

……

……

Wanshou City.

Chu Hairen stood on the city wall, squinting as he gazed into the distance, and saw black clouds in the east far away.

Is it going to rain?

No.

Chu Hairen knew the essence of those black clouds.

That is—Demon Qi!

It is a demon cloud formed by the rising and gathering of Demon Qi, which is emitted when countless Demon Beasts congregate and is concentrated to the extreme.

"This omen... for the Eastern Wasteland, I do not know if it is a blessing or a curse."