Hearing the Evil King speak of his children before her, Gu Qianying felt uneasy.
She had watched those two children grow up. Their sudden, inexplicable disappearance was truly astonishing.
And Gu Qianying had indeed not contacted the Gu family in the past five years.
She sighed.
If she had paid more attention and taken good care of the Gu family over the years, she wouldn't have learned of this matter only after five years.
"Did my brother search for their whereabouts with you?" Gu Qianying's heart was filled with anxiety.
She truly couldn't imagine.
What kind of lives had they endured in these five years?
"Yes, for the past five years, he has been with me," the Evil King stated coldly.
He frowned. With Nangong Mo's whereabouts unknown, he had to find this person and had no time for further conversation.
"Take care!"
The Evil King uttered two casual words.
As his voice faded, his figure, like a phantom, retreated into the darkness.
Gu Qianying, filled with worry, wanted to ask more.
When she looked up, the night was still deep, but the Evil King was nowhere to be seen.
Gu Qianying lingered in the darkness for a long time, her heart unsettled.
After a long while, Gu Qianying used her spiritual power to conjure a letter, then burned it with spiritual fire.
The words on it dissipated into the air, streaking across the sky and scattering in all directions.
At the Juesha Sect, an atmosphere of solemnity prevailed.
The disciples, clad in black, armored, and armed with sharp blades, stood resolute in the darkness, their eyes firm, as if intending to cleave the darkness before them into nothingness.
It was a moment of silence.
Suddenly, a sharp aura flashed through the night.
The disciples' faces showed vigilance, and they quickly drew their blades, slicing through the sky, shouting loudly at the sudden intrusion, "Who dares to be so bold?"
The disciples moved swiftly, rushing forward.
At this moment, an invisible spiritual force enveloped them.
As they sensed the aura above, their bodies instantly froze.
Gu Qianying's letter took shape before them, bearing her entrusted message.
The disciples of the Juesha Sect had not received news from Gu Qianying for many years.
Seeing this suddenly, tears welled up in their eyes.
They quickly knelt on the ground, bowed towards the letter, and shouted aloud, their voices piercing the sky.
"Greetings, Sect Master. Greetings, Sect Master."
The commotion at the mountain gate, along with Gu Qianying's aura, awakened all the disciples of the Juesha Sect.
Disregarding their fatigue, they quickly rose.
As written in the letter, they all concealed their figures and, within the darkness, rushed towards Gu Qianying's direction.
The original Juesha Sect was now empty, with only fallen leaves swirling on the ground and nothing else.
One by one, black streaks of energy sliced through the sky, all falling before Gu Qianying.
This was the fastest speed they could muster.
Upon seeing Gu Qianying, everyone's eyes welled up with tears, and they shouted aloud.
"Sect Master, it has been many years. Are you well?"
Gu Qianying felt a sense of guilt, believing she had let them down. She quickly helped them up, apologizing profusely, "I am truly sorry to trouble everyone so late."
She handed over several drawings.
"It is the two people in these drawings. However, five years have passed, and their appearances have likely changed. You must find them and search for their whereabouts."
"Any trace, any clue."
Gu Qianying paused and said rapidly, "You must inform me."
All the disciples knelt down and declared their resolve aloud, "Please rest assured, Sect Master. We will thoroughly investigate this matter and will not disappoint you."
Gu Qianying nodded gratefully, a flick of her finger sending a spiritual wave across the vast sky.
"Please proceed quickly, everyone."
"Yes."
The black figures arrived swiftly and departed just as quickly, leaving no trace.
Gu Qianying finally resolved the matter, letting out a long sigh, feeling a throbbing in her head.
However, she still had to go to the back mountain tomorrow.
The back mountain was fraught with danger, and the path ahead was even more unpredictable.
The next morning.
As the first light of dawn broke, the sky was still a pale white.
A muffled knock sounded on Gu Qianying's wooden door.
Bai Yufeng's clear voice emanated from outside, "Get up quickly. Don't you know your own age?"
Gu Qianying had not slept all night. Hearing his voice, she felt a surge of annoyance.
She simply flung the door open and rolled her eyes at Bai Yufeng.
"You, say one more word?"
Bai Yufeng let out a disdainful laugh, "Are you afraid? Why are there dark circles under your eyes? What happened last night?"
Gu Qianying ignored him, especially since it was her family matter.
She took a few steps back, "I still have something to say to my brother. Wait for me for a moment, I'll be quick."
Bai Yufeng casually agreed, leaning against the doorframe, "Hurry up, don't waste time."
Gu Qianying's gaze slightly deepened, "I know."
As she stepped out of the room, Duan Xifeng was already waiting outside.
The siblings exchanged a look, quickly understanding what the other wanted to say.
Gu Qianying lowered her head silently, "Take good care of that kid. Don't let anything happen to him. You are his uncle."
Duan Xifeng clicked his tongue, showing his displeasure, "But I'm your brother too. Why don't you care about me?"
Gu Qianying smiled, "You're not getting any younger. Why compare yourself to a child?"
Duan Xifeng sighed. It would be a lie to say he wasn't worried about Gu Qianying.
Especially with Bai Yufeng around.
That kid had impure intentions!
He quietly leaned closer to Gu Qianying, lowering his voice considerably, "Remember, you must protect yourself. Stay away from that kid."
Gu Qianying chuckled and said playfully, "Brother."
Duan Xifeng gave a hearty laugh and waved his hand, "Alright, alright. Get on the carriage quickly."
With Duan Xifeng protecting Xiao Yihao, Gu Qianying didn't have to worry too much and lightly boarded the carriage.
Inside the carriage.
Bai Yufeng's expression was grim, making the atmosphere in the carriage as cold as winter.
Gu Qianying was accustomed to it. She gently rubbed her shoulders, leaned into a corner, and remained silent.
The carriage bumped along the road.
Bai Yufeng remained silent for a long time before finally making a move.
He took out a cloth bag with exquisite embroidery from behind and threw it directly into Gu Qianying's arms.
Gu Qianying looked surprised and frowned.
"What is this?"
She opened it curiously and saw several oilcloth-wrapped pastries, her favorite kinds.
"This..."
She looked up at Bai Yufeng, seemingly seeking an answer.
Bai Yufeng's thin lips curved slightly, "Aren't you hungry? Don't ask too many questions, just eat."
He remained proud, but in Gu Qianying's eyes, a hint of tenderness was added.
Gu Qianying chuckled secretly, quickly accepting his kindness, and popped a pastry into her mouth, praising him profusely, "This is truly delicious."
Bai Yufeng coughed, his amusement evident.