The six people left with strange expressions along with Ah Gou. With him around, finding Gu Han’s whereabouts was only a matter of time. Six Feather Transformation cultivators would have no trouble dealing with a single Saint expert. No one paid Ah Gou any attention, nor did they treat him as a person. To them, he was simply a dog to lead the way.
As they traveled forward, the old man finally couldn’t help but ask, “Tell me, what exactly did she mean by what she said just now?”
A somewhat handsome, middle-aged man glanced at him. “What do you mean? You really don’t understand?”
It wasn’t that the old man didn’t understand, he just couldn’t believe it.
Among the group, a young man chuckled, seemingly unconcerned.
“That’s actually what I like most about her. She dares to break taboos, defy conventional views, and pursue what she likes. I greatly admire that!” He shot the others a dismissive glance. “You’re using her only to get stronger. Unlike you all, my feelings for her are real!”
He then let out a strange laugh. “Rooster demon? Interesting. Once we catch it, keke!”
The other five drew in a cold breath. They had peculiar expressions as they all moved away from him.
The young man appeared disdainful. “Actually, I’m just like her. I’m someone who dares to pursue—hm?”
Halfway through his sentence, he furrowed his brow. “Where’s Ah Gou?”
At some point, the shadow that had been leading the way had vanished without a trace.
***
Gu Han moved onward without pause. Having scavenged three forces, plus the Yinshan Old Ancestor, his physical injuries had already recovered by eighty or ninety percent. Now, he could casually cut down a Saint realm cultivator.
Chongming asked, “Kid, should we go take revenge?”
Gu Han shook his head. “Not yet. Let’s find one or two more forces. If we’re lucky enough to get a Soul Crystal, then we’ll have better chances. Do you know where the other forces are?”
“No.”
Gu Han felt somewhat troubled. The bait and the hook were all prepared, but he had no idea where the fish were.
“Forget it. Let’s find someone to ask—hm?” Before he could finish speaking, he sensed something unusual. A flicker of killing intent passed through his eyes as he swung his sword, pointing it at a patch of shade below. “Come out!”
Chongming narrowed his eyes. “It’s that dog demon again!”
The shadow beneath the shade twisted for a moment before appearing before them, reforming into Ah Gou.
Gu Han’s expression was cold. “You still haven’t learned your lesson? I told you before that if there’s a next time, you die.”
Chongming laughed coldly at Ah Gou. “I told you that you shouldn’t have let him go. You’re too young and naive! We can’t show mercy to enemies!”
Gu Han nearly couldn’t hold back. He could swear on the Great Dao that Chongming had absolutely never said that.
Ah Gou seemed not to sense Gu Han’s killing intent, and said hesitantly, “Sect Master... sent people... looking for you... to kill you...”
Gu Han was taken aback. He’s not here to assassinate me?
Chongming shot him a glare, pressing his sword down. “How impatient! You were about to strike before even hearing what he had to say. How can you ever bear the weight of the Sword Chief’s great responsibility with that temperament?”
Gu Han was speechless.
Ah Gou stammered, his tone seeming somewhat urgent, “You... leave...”
Gu Han’s heart stirred. He already knew the Hehuan Sect Master wanted to kill him. But Ah Gou had fought him before and knew his strength well. Setting aside the motive, if it were normal opponents, he definitely wouldn’t have shown such an expression.
After a moment’s thought, he asked, “What cultivation level are they at?”
Ah Gou didn’t seem able to clearly distinguish cultivation realms. “Very strong...”
“How many people?”
“Six...”
Gu Han was silent for a moment, deducing quite a bit of information. They should at least be at the Feather Transformation realm. Only such individuals could threaten him when he hadn’t fully recovered.
He knew very well that Ah Gou hadn't found him twice in a row by sheer coincidence. Had the boy brought those six Feather Transformation realm cultivators, together with that strange ability to control shadows, Gu Han would likely have found himself in another life-or-death crisis.
Ah Gou hesitated for a moment, raising his right hand. “Thank... Thank... you.”
A colorful thread was faintly visible between his fingers. It was his everything, the only light in his life. Gu Han had returned his entire world to him. He was deeply grateful to Gu Han. but didn’t know how to repay him, so he could only notify him in this way. This was the first time in his life he had ever thanked someone, so he was stiff and his words weren’t smooth either, but he spoke with utmost sincerity.
Gu Han felt complicated as he sighed. “You came to warn me just because I returned this thing to you?”
“Mhm.”
“Your name is Ah Gou?”
“Mhm.”
Chongming was full of disdain. “What a shitty name! Who gave it to you?”
“My... mother.”
Chongming was taken aback and a bit embarrassed. “It’s not that bad.”
“Where’s your mother?”
“Dead.”
“Your father?”
“Also... dead.”
Chongming felt sympathetic. “What a pitiful little dog.”
Gu Han frowned deeply. “I don’t understand. Your skills are far beyond that woman’s. Why do you work for her?”
Ah Gou said hesitantly, “I... I am... master’s dog...”
Gu Han’s frown deepened. He could tell that Ah Gou seemed to have been brainwashed, treating being a dog as something perfectly normal.
“You’re a person, not a dog.”
Chongming nodded. “Yeah! At least half a person!”
Ah Gou grew even more confused. “Person... What is it...?”
“Person?” For a moment, Gu Han didn’t know how to explain it. He feared that saying too much would make Ah Gou even more confused. His gaze swept over Chongming, and his eyes lit up. “A person is like Master Rooster! Someone who can be happy, angry, and has self-respect! When your sect master wanted to use him as a human cauldron—”
Halfway through his words, he stopped abruptly, secretly glancing at Chongming. Shit. I slipped!
Chongming trembled slightly. Even if he wasn’t the sharpest, he understood perfectly well what it meant.
Another layer of five-colored divine light surged forth as he completely flew into a rage. “You stinking woman! If I don’t finish you off, I swear I’m no rooster!”
“Master Rooster, calm down!” Gu Han quickly stopped him, not forgetting to turn back and explain to Ah Gou, “See that? That’s the reaction a person should have.”