Zhang Cui Shan and Yin Su Su each pulled Zhang Wu Ji aside and gave him many instructions.
Gu Han Yuan and Zhang Wu Ji simply exchanged a casual greeting, acknowledging each other.
Zhang Wu Ji was quite curious about this Senior Brother Gu, as his mother, Yin Su Su, often mentioned him.
However, there would be plenty of time on the road, so there was no need to rush.
Gu Han Yuan intended to follow Zhang Wu Ji for now, to reap the rewards of his childhood storyline.
As for the puppet, he would first go to Dali, to acquire the Beiming Divine Skill and the Lingbo Weibu.
After Gu Han Yuan and the others left, Zhang Cui Shan set off to return to Ice and Fire Island to confirm Xie Xun's fate.
Yin Su Su went back to the Sky Eagle Cult to help Gu Han Yuan establish an intelligence network.
They hadn't exchanged a single word from beginning to end.
Zhang Cui Shan simply assumed Yin Su Su was throwing a tantrum and completely failed to realize the gravity of the situation.
They could never go back to the way things were.
The three of them headed towards North Shaolin.
On the way, Gu Han Yuan intentionally changed his attire. It would be awkward to walk around the world in a Daoist robe.
He switched to a white robe and tied his hair into a ponytail with a silk ribbon.
His already handsome features now exuded even more elegance, presenting an image of a dashing young gentleman.
Zhang San Feng had no objections. He was never one to stick to trivial matters.
When he was in the Wudang sect, he had disciples to take care of him.
But once he left Wudang, he became more disheveled, his Daoist robe quickly becoming soiled.
No wonder he earned the nickname "The Sloppy Daoist" in his youth.
Along the way, Gu Han Yuan frequently sought Zhang San Feng's guidance in martial arts. He also spent 1000 Villain Points in front of him to break through to the Early-Stage Innate Realm.
Even Zhang San Feng, a Land Immortal, was astounded by Gu Han Yuan's talent and became even more dedicated to teaching him.
Zhang Wu Ji was much older than the original 9 years old, nearing 15.
He had also consumed the Fiery Sun Pill, which freed him from the cold poison, so Zhang San Feng no longer needed to frequently channel his energy to suppress the cold poison from the "玄冥神掌" (Mysterious Cold Palm).
Therefore, they traveled quickly, reaching North Shaolin in a few days.
When Zhang San Feng, Gu Han Yuan, and Zhang Wu Ji sought an audience with Kong Wen outside North Shaolin, Kong Wen initially refused.
However, because he had promised Gu Han Yuan a favor earlier, he reluctantly welcomed the three into North Shaolin.
Kong Wen even summoned all the experts to the Great Hall to receive them, with the entire hall filled with monks.
They looked like they were bracing for a siege.
Zhang San Feng didn't engage in pleasantries and stated his request to acquire the "Shaolin Nine Yang Scripture" to save Zhang Wu Ji, but Kong Wen refused.
“Our temple has never lent out its scriptures. Zhang Zhen Ren leaving North Shaolin was already an exception, how can we lend out the scriptures again?”
Kong Wen originally intended to say that Zhang San Feng had betrayed North Shaolin, but he caught sight of Gu Han Yuan and changed "betrayed" to "left".
He had an ominous premonition that Gu Han Yuan would definitely retort if he used the word "betrayed".
Although Kong Wen had gathered a large number of experts, Zhang San Feng had been famous for many years, and he didn't want to risk conflict.
Zhang San Feng, with his excellent temperament, didn't mind Kong Wen's disrespect in his words.
Gu Han Yuan, however, looked at Kong Wen in surprise. He hadn't expected him to be so smart.
Nevertheless, he clasped his hands and said,
“Master Kong Wen said earlier that North Shaolin owed Gu a favor. Could you possibly use it here to obtain the 'Shaolin Nine Yang Scripture' for Junior Brother Wu Ji?”
Kong Wen had anticipated this and refused outright.
“Amitabha. While this old monk did say that North Shaolin owed you a favor, I also mentioned beforehand that it couldn't violate the rules of the martial world or our sect's regulations. While borrowing the 'Shaolin Nine Yang Scripture' wouldn't violate the rules of the martial world, it goes against North Shaolin's regulations, and I cannot agree. Please forgive me, Gu Shaoxian.”
Gu Han Yuan had expected this outcome and wasn't surprised. He was simply fulfilling his duty.
“Master Kong Wen is compassionate and benevolent. Could you possibly make an exception? You can propose any conditions.”
Zhang San Feng didn't want to give up and continued to persuade him.
Kong Wen didn't take this opportunity to set impossible conditions, as that would be foolish. He chose to refuse.
“Sorry, this old monk cannot agree. Zhang Zhen Ren, please leave.”
He then instructed the monks to escort the three down the mountain.
Zhang San Feng knew that he couldn't force the issue and sighed as he led the two down the mountain.
Although he hadn't obtained the "Shaolin Nine Yang Scripture," Zhang San Feng still intended to go to the Emei sect to seek the "Emei Nine Yang Scripture".
He had been close friends with Qin Si Rong, the Emei sect's founder, in his youth, and he believed she wouldn't refuse.
With the "Emei Nine Yang Scripture," he could at least restore the "Nine Yang Divine Skill" to about 50%, which might be effective against the cold poison in Zhang Wu Ji's body.
As they journeyed to Emei, they passed the Han River, where the sound of fighting suddenly erupted from the riverbank.
Several East Factory agents were pursuing a man and the child he held in his arms.
On a small boat by the riverbank, an East Factory agent was hacking down the boatman and about to harm the other young woman on the boat.
Gu Han Yuan immediately suggested that Zhang San Feng rescue the man while he saved the girl.
He then leaped towards the small boat on the riverbank.
The East Factory's reputation in the Ming Dynasty was abysmal. The people they pursued were mostly good, so he had no qualms about attacking them.
Zhang San Feng also went to rescue the man who was being chased, even faster than Gu Han Yuan.
By the time Gu Han Yuan reached the small boat, the East Factory agent was about to strike the girl.
He threw the scabbard of his sword at the agent's blade, deflecting it.
Then, he took two steps forward and slit the agent's throat with his sword, before kicking him into the Han River.
The girl was saved in the blink of an eye.
Gu Han Yuan saw that the girl was about 13 or 14 years old, dressed in worn clothes, barefoot. Although she was a poor boatman's daughter, she had a beautiful face and was a stunning beauty in the making. If she didn't have 90 points of beauty when she grew up, she would have been a disappointment.
He thought to himself, this must be Zhou Zhi Ru.
Zhou Zhi Ru had closed her eyes, ready to die, but she was unexpectedly saved.
She looked up, and what she saw was a dashing young man with extremely handsome features.
The contrast made her feel as if Gu Han Yuan were a hero who had descended from heaven.
“Are you alright?”
Gu Han Yuan saw Zhou Zhi Ru staring at him blankly, so he had to remind her.
“Thank you, big brother. I'm fine.”
She then fell onto the body of the boatman, who had been killed by the East Factory agent, and cried.
“Father!”
By this time, Zhang San Feng had brought the man to their side.
The man sighed as he held the child in his arms, who was now lifeless.
“It's all Chang's fault. I couldn't protect the young master and even cost the boatman his life.”
This man was none other than Chang Yu Chun, the future famous general.
However, at this point, he was just a simple member of the Ming Cult, unremarkable.
They exchanged their names.
Zhang San Feng saw that Chang Yu Chun was still bleeding from the corner of his mouth, and suggested they find a place to treat his injuries.
After they buried Zhou Zhi Ru's father, they found a nearby inn to stay.