Chapter 00179: No, You Know
# No, You Know
Chapter 179
Novel: After the Myth
Chapter 179: No, You Know
“Who is it?” Gu Mo immediately asked, his voice much louder.
Liu Yinzhu did not answer directly but said, “Sect Master, before recommending this person, I need to mention a few other things.”
“Go ahead.” Gu Mo understood that Liu Yinzhu wouldn’t speak aimlessly; there must be a reason and purpose behind her words.
Liu Yinzhu replied, “It’s not just us. The reason why both the Yan Yue Sect and the Tian Qi Sect have people returning is because of one person. This person is named Ding Huan, and he is just a cook.”
Upon hearing that a cook had such an influence in helping many escape the Deep Abyss Canyon, Gu Mo felt curious. “Is this cook strong in cultivation?”
Liu Yinzhu shook her head. “No, he is not only weak in cultivation, but his talent is also quite ordinary. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have agreed to become an ordinary disciple’s cook just to enter the Daoist cultivation world.”
Having walked alongside Ding Huan, Liu Yinzhu knew that he became the cook for the Yan Yue Sect simply because Guan Lu needed one.
“Tell me more about him,” Gu Mo said, intrigued.
He also wanted to know how a cook could lead so many out of the Deep Abyss Canyon.
Liu Yinzhu didn’t hold back and shared everything she knew about Ding Huan's actions during their escape, including some of her own judgments and speculations.
“You mean to say that after he learned that Qu Yue Mountain was going to kill him, he plotted for Qu Yue Mountain to die in an unclear manner?” Gu Mo furrowed his brows, finding Liu Yinzhu's claims somewhat unrealistic.
Liu Yinzhu nodded. “I personally witnessed the first scheme against Qu Yue Mountain. After he drove Qu Yue Mountain away, we safely returned to the main road, while Qu Yue Mountain returned only to find he had lost both legs.”
“I suspect he knew there was a problem ahead when he entered the woods. He even calculated that Qu Yue Mountain would not follow us into the forest,” she added.
“So did Qu Yue Mountain die from the lingering poisonous gas of the Hungry Foot Zombie?” Gu Mo asked.
Liu Yinzhu’s tone was very certain. “That’s unlikely. I’ve seen Qu Yue Mountain’s corpse; his flesh and veins were all turned to mush. It could not have been from the Hungry Foot Zombie’s poison. Besides, with Qu Yue Mountain's knowledge, he would know if he had been poisoned and wouldn’t remain in the tent.”
“Then how did Qu Yue Mountain die?” Gu Mo asked again.
Liu Yinzhu herself didn't understand. “That’s what puzzles me; when Qu Yue Mountain was found dead, I was talking with Ding Huan, so he had no time to commit the act.”
“Who discovered the body?”
“It was a new disciple from the Shuang Hun Sect, Yan Mei. I hadn’t suspected him until he didn’t follow us out but instead went along with Ding Huan, which raised my doubts.”
“You don’t need to doubt anymore; it was definitely Yan Mei.”
“But how could Yan Mei have the opportunity to plot against Qu Yue Mountain?”
“This likely has something to do with Ding Huan too. You said he led you all out of the Deep Abyss Canyon without a hitch and even safely crossed the Lost Marsh. If he didn’t have some skill, he wouldn’t have managed that.”
After saying that, Gu Mo took a series of deep breaths.
Liu Yinzhu was lost in thought; she hadn’t discerned anything about Ding Huan’s skills.
If she were able to, then Ding Huan wouldn’t have killed Qu Yue Mountain.
“You should have brought him back. From your tone, it seems this Ding Huan is eager to join a sect.” Gu Mo sighed.
Liu Yinzhu hurriedly said, “I did want to bring him back before, but once I thought about how he plotted against Elder Qu, I got scared. If he is this capable as a mere cook, what would happen if he became powerful in the future…”
Liu Yinzhu didn’t continue, but Gu Mo understood her meaning.
His voice was somewhat breathless. “Yin Zhu, judging from Ding Huan's actions, he is not a cruel person, but someone who knows how to differentiate between kindness and resentment and keeps his promises. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have continued cooking for Guan Lu during such a dangerous time. Such a person who keeps promises cannot be a petty individual. His actions are merely for self-preservation. If he is truly as capable as you say, then he is indeed suitable to be the master of Zixia Valley. Yin Zhu, do you know the current situation of Zixia Valley?”
Liu Yinzhu shook her head; she didn’t quite understand.
Gu Mo pointed outside. “Zixia Valley is now in internal and external turmoil. Although I plan to entrust the sect to you, I worry that you won’t be able to handle Zixia Valley. I was preparing to help you one last time before I die…”
“Sect Master…”
Gu Mo waved his hand to stop Liu Yinzhu from speaking. “You’ll soon learn of the internal issues, and you can guess some of the external ones. That’s because the Jiuyin Sect is practically saying that Ziyuan Mountain now belongs to them. I'm sure that once the news of my demise spreads, they will directly seize Ziyuan Mountain. This incident involving Elder Pujun wasn’t without their shadow either. With your abilities, just managing the sect would be impressive. It’s nearly impossible to return Ziyuan Mountain to Zixia Valley. If Ding Huan is as frightening as you say, then he is indeed qualified to be the master of our Zixia Valley. He doesn’t need high talent; even though Zixia Valley is declining, we still have some resources. What if he isn’t particularly talented? As long as he can make good use of everything in front of him, he might even ensure that Ziyuan Mountain becomes jointly owned by both sects. If not, Zixia Valley can still use Ziyuan Mountain…”
Perhaps Gu Mo had used too much effort just then, as he abruptly spat out a mouthful of blood.
“Sect Master!” Liu Yinzhu hurriedly moved to protect Gu Mo.
“Not necessary. You should go find that Ding Huan now. If you find him, invite him to Zixia Valley; I want to speak with him face to face. A talent like this won’t wander around for long. I just worry that when you go, he will have already joined another sect.”
After forcing those words out, Gu Mo closed his eyes and began to rest.
“Rest assured, Sect Master. I will definitely find him.”
Liu Yinzhu felt increasingly regretful for not having kept Ding Huan with her.
…
Because Ding Huan had taught Yan Mei the Extreme Shadow Escape, their speed increased by several levels.
After seven days of traveling with two people and a monkey, Ding Huan finally stopped.
“Brother Huan, are we setting up camp here today?”
Yan Mei felt it was still early, as they had been quickening their pace all these days, only stopping at nightfall.
He addressed Ding Huan as "Brother Huan" now too, thanks to the familiarity gained over time.
“No, we will cross the Lost Marsh from here and then head into the Dao cultivation world,” Ding Huan said, looking at the vast Lost Marsh ahead.
“But this part of the Lost Marsh seems wider than others,” Yan Mei said in confusion.
In other places, one could vaguely see the forests and mountains from across the marsh, yet here, all they could see was endless marshland.
“There’s no other option; after all, someone wants to kill me,” Ding Huan sighed.
He wasn’t sure if that steward from Qiong had given up on pursuing him; it was always better to be careful.
“You’re talking nonsense. Just follow Brother Huan’s lead,” the sixth member said, looking at Yan Mei disdainfully.
After several failed attempts at foundation building, the sixth member was feeling somewhat unstable.
Ding Huan stepped into the Lost Marsh, and the sixth quickly followed him in.
Yan Mei didn’t hesitate and hurried after them.
Perhaps because this area had nearly no human presence, Ding Huan took a few steps and noticed something hidden within the marsh below.
Before he could see clearly what it was, a shadow lunged at him.
Having already been aware, Ding Huan swung his long knife, slicing the shadow in half.
“This is a Black Silent Snake. If bitten, even a foundation-building expert would be doomed,” said the person who had been following Ding Huan, feeling slightly frightened.
“Don’t worry; it poses no threat to us,” Ding Huan assured Yan Mei, gesturing for him not to worry.
He was leading the way; how could a Black Silent Snake bite him? And even if it did, so what?
Ding Huan didn’t slow his pace; instead, he went faster.
All the way, he killed at least dozens of Black Silent Snakes, leaving Yan Mei shocked and terrified.
The swamp they chose was indeed wide, and with Ding Huan’s speed, it was the next morning before they finally stepped out of the marsh.
Looking at the vast plains ahead, Yan Mei finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He reckoned that no one would believe his experiences; he was a newcomer who hadn’t even entered a sect yet, and he had already traversed the Lost Marsh three times.
Once, they had even traveled at night.
“We should leave this place quickly.” No matter whether that steward from Qiong could find this place, he didn’t want to linger near the Lost Marsh for long.
The sixth member and Yan Mei naturally followed whatever Ding Huan said.
…
While Ding Huan, Yan Mei, and the sixth member were frantically fleeing, the Yan Yue Sect was gaining fame in the Dao cultivation world.
This time, many sects came from the Dao cultivation world to recruit disciples from the mortal realm; though there were not a hundred, there were still dozens.
However, the only sect that returned with a large number of people was the Yan Yue Sect.
Other sects either returned with just a few, or their entire force was annihilated.
The Yan Yue Sect was already strong in the Dao cultivation world, and this time, their status elevated even further.
As the status of the Yan Yue Sect improved, naturally, the position of the young master of the sect also rose, and with it, the status of Guan Lu, the future young master’s wife, rose as well.
When Qing Yue returned, she didn’t notice Guan Lu frowning and exclaimed excitedly, “Sister Lu, do you know? Our young master has been invited to the ascension realm Dao discussion conference!”
Guan Lu, as the prospective young master’s wife, hadn’t met the young master since coming to the Yan Yue Sect.
That was because the young master had gone to attend the Dao cultivation sect alliance convening and had not returned when he was invited again to the ascension realm Dao discussion.
However, Guan Lu did not share in her excitement; instead, she looked at Qing Yu with a calm tone: “Qing Yu, do you know why the law enforcement elder of the Shuang Hun Sect came to our Yan Yue Sect?”
“Ah...” A flicker of panic crossed Qing Yu’s eyes, and she quickly replied, “I don’t know.”
Guan Lu’s voice turned icy: “No, you know.”
(End of Chapter)