"Three of you, let's introduce ourselves again."

The girl in white said excitedly, "I am Dugu Qingcheng."

"I am Changsun Jingren."

The boy in black, not very willing, said sullenly.

"I am Murong Haitang."

Chen Tang gritted his teeth, barely managing to say it.

So embarrassing.

The three of them simultaneously looked towards the man in the straw hat.

The man in the straw hat clenched his fist and slowly said, "I am Yuwen..."

"Heigou!"

The last two words almost popped out from between his teeth.

Seeing the man in the straw hat like this, Chen Tang felt a bit more accepting of his own name.

Changsun Jingren asked, "Qingcheng, where did you hide that soft sword of yours? I didn't notice it before."

After the four of them finished introducing themselves, they gradually became familiar with each other.

Although they were only using pseudonyms, calling each other by them didn't feel distant.

"Watch closely."

Dugu Qingcheng slightly lifted the silk belt at her waist, and the soft sword in her hand coiled around her waist.

Swish!

The sword was exceptionally flexible, like a long whip, wrapping around her waist twice, with the tip and the hilt connecting seamlessly, just right.

A belt?

Chen Tang's mouth twitched slightly.

This was the first time he had seen someone using a sword as a belt.

If by any chance the blade slipped and wrapped around the waist and abdomen, wouldn't it slice the person in half?

Dugu Qingcheng then let down the silk belt, perfectly covering the soft sword, with no trace from outside.

The four gathered and started chatting about various topics from different places.

Most of the time, Yuwen Heigou didn't like to talk, seeming aloof and indifferent to everything.

Before long, the rain stopped outside, and dawn broke.

Dugu Qingcheng suddenly spoke seriously, "The three of you, since we met so congenially, why don't we join forces to accomplish something big!"

"Wushan Village?"

Changsun Jingren asked.

"Exactly!"

Dugu Qingcheng nodded.

Changsun Jingren said, "I was originally heading home, passing through Bingzhou, when I heard about the crimes committed by Wushan Village, wreaking havoc, indeed wanting to eliminate it. Since this is the case, let's join forces and flatten it!"

"Haitang, Heigou, what do you say?"

Dugu Qingcheng asked.

Chen Tang pondered, "I don't know much yet about Wushan Village, not sure how many people they have, or which grade of experts. If there are inner qi experts within the village, rashly taking action might spell doom for us."

Yuwen Heigou said, "Take my advice, just don't get involved."

"Why are you such a downer again?"

Dugu Qingcheng frowned heavily.

Yuwen Heigou said indifferently, "This Ghoul is just the seventh chief, yet possesses sixth-grade cultivation; the six ranked before him have higher cultivation, surely there are fifth-grade inner core experts."

"Moreover, that Wushan Village has existed in Bingzhou for so long, even the government office can't handle them; they must have some support, going there means walking to your deaths."

"I see the three of you are young, new to the Jianghu, without much experience, how do you expect to fight Wushan Village?"

From last night till now, this was the first time Yuwen Heigou had spoken so much.

He continued, "Not to mention, who among you can enter the Qimen Five Elements Array surrounding Wushan Village?"

Chen Tang asked, "From what Brother Heigou says, you seem skilled in this area?"

"A bit."

Yuwen Heigou said it casually, as if it was something very ordinary.

"Look how smug you are!"

Dugu Qingcheng said, "Since you're skilled, you must join us. Big Heigou, don't force me to beg you!"

Yuwen Heigou: "..."

Changsun Jingren said solemnly, "I heard that the seventh chief mentioned that the Commander of Qingcheng is the Painted Skin Ghost from the Ten Ghosts of Wushan; since it's not far from Qingcheng County, we could first encounter this Painted Skin Ghost."

"Leave this matter to the Cyan Dragon Bureau."

Yuwen Heigou said casually.

Dugu Qingcheng snorted, "What if the Cyan Dragon Bureau can't handle it?"

Yuwen Heigou replied, "The Azure Dragon Department Captain for Qingcheng County is fourth-grade. If even he can't deal with the Painted Skin Ghost, neither can you."

"The waters in the temple hall run deep; in Qian Country, officials protect each other, the government office is darker than the Jianghu, who knows if they have other dealings among them," suggested Dugu Qingcheng.

Yuwen Heigou said, "Indeed, the previous Qian Country had many issues, but now, with the new emperor ascending, there's been a refresh from top to bottom. No matter how bold, the Cyan Dragon Bureau wouldn't risk shielding characters like the Ten Ghosts of Wushan."

"Hmph!"

Dugu Qingcheng seemed somewhat upset, stood up, and stomped a few times on the campfire, "Keeping on talking, you're just unwilling to join us and accomplish something big!"

Chen Tang suddenly furrowed his brow, seemingly aware of something.

Just as Yuwen Heigou was about to speak, he felt a wave of dizziness.

"Hmm?"

Yuwen Heigou's expression changed, he whispered, "You all, leave quickly; someone has poisoned this place, I'll hold them off for you!"

Hearing this, Dugu Qingcheng's expression softened considerably.

Changsun Jingren wanted to stand, but felt weak all over, collapsed back down, and said miserably, "No, this poison is potent, I can't muster any strength."

In fact, the moment the poison was administered, Chen Tang became aware of it.

He immediately entered the Divine Illumination State, expelling the poison from his body!

Strangely, he did not detect anyone nearby.

Unless the martial arts of the intruder far exceeded the four in this dilapidated temple.

But if that were the case, poisoning seemed unnecessary.

If it's not an outsider...

Chen Tang remained calm, his gaze sweeping over the faces of Yuwen Heigou, Changsun Jingren, and Dugu Qingcheng.

With just one look, he had the answer instantly.

Yuwen Heigou and Changsun Jingren were both limp, sleepy, and almost about to pass out.

Only Dugu Qingcheng looked calm and composed, arms crossed, leisurely watching the three of them.

"What are you looking at?"

Dugu Qingcheng raised her chin towards the three of them and said, "I poisoned you!"

"Why did you..."

Changsun Jingren didn't finish his sentence before he passed out.

Chen Tang didn't know what Dugu Qingcheng intended with her actions, so he pretended to be poisoned and fainted as well.

Only Yuwen Heigou was still struggling to hold on.

"Huh?"

Dugu Qingcheng looked at Yuwen Heigou somewhat surprised and said, "Big Heigou, you do have something, managing to hold on for so long."

As soon as she finished speaking, Yuwen Heigou also fell asleep on the ground.

"Hmph!"

Seeing all three on the ground, Dugu Qingcheng stood up, walked over to Yuwen Heigou, and angrily kicked him, muttering, "You big Heigou, dismissing me and throwing cold water, saying I have no Jianghu experience..."

"You old hand in the Jianghu, what's the big deal, still got poisoned by me. When you wake up tomorrow, I'm definitely going to make fun of you!"

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Heigou's clenched palm suddenly relaxed, and a Golden Needle silently fell to the ground.

It was already his limit to hold on until now.

Just now, he really didn't know if Dugu Qingcheng had any malicious intentions, so he pretended to faint early.

If something seemed off, he was ready for a last-ditch effort.

After hearing Dugu Qingcheng's muttering, he was finally at ease.

Turns out, this girl just wanted to prove herself, and that's why she poisoned them.

What nonsense.

Come to think of it, when did she poison us? I didn't notice at all.

From this, it seems she had already figured things out when Squad Leader Liu gave her the food, acting unwary on purpose.

I've underestimated her.

Looking at the three fallen to the ground, Dugu Qingcheng murmured, "Hmm... if in the future we join forces to accomplish something big and become famous, I'll definitely be the big sister of those three."

"After all, upon meeting, I poisoned the three of them, hehehe."

Dugu Qingcheng felt quite pleased with herself, smiling foolishly at the air.

After a while, Dugu Qingcheng seemed to recall something and slapped her forehead, saying, "Oh no, how terrible!"

So many people died here, including people from the Beifeng Gang and many bandits from Wushan Village.

When dawn breaks, there will surely be many people from the Jianghu passing by; seeing them here, they won't escape suspicion.

This place is no longer safe to linger in.

But Dugu Qingcheng found herself in a dilemma.

Three grown men, and she's just one person, how could she manage to take them away?

Moreover, all four of them were stained with blood; going out like this would attract too much attention, making it easy to be exposed.

"Troublesome..."

Looking at the three strong men at her feet, Dugu Qingcheng was full of worry and caught in a quandary.

No matter what, it's better to leave this place first.

Dugu Qingcheng went out and found three horses.

The people from last night were dead, but the horses were nearby.

Dugu Qingcheng lifted the young man in black and Yuwen Heigou and laid them across the horses' backs.

Then she turned to carry Chen Tang out of the ruined temple.

Since Dugu Qingcheng had poisoned the three, letting her do some hard work was just as well.

Chen Tang continued to pretend to be unconscious, allowing Dugu Qingcheng to handle him.

Just after leaving the ruined temple, an ugly horse rushed out of the forest, trotting up to Dugu Qingcheng and extending its tongue, wildly licking Chen Tang's face...

Chen Tang almost couldn't restrain himself, wanting to jump up and give Thunder Leopard a good hit!

"Huh, you know Haitang?"

Dugu Qingcheng was very surprised, looking at Thunder Leopard, unable to help but ask.

Thunder Leopard snorted, slightly bowing its head, lowering its body.

Dugu Qingcheng vaguely understood and placed Chen Tang across Thunder Leopard's back.

Only then did Thunder Leopard stand up.

"What a smart horse."

Dugu Qingcheng couldn't help but praise.

Then she herself mounted a horse, leading the horses carrying Yuwen Heigou and Changsun Jingren, heading towards Qingcheng County.

Thunder Leopard followed closely behind without her needing to lead it.

Not long after, Dugu Qingcheng arrived at a riverside and stopped.

She then moved the three from the horses' backs to the riverside.

Chen Tang was startled.

What crazy idea does this woman have now?

She wouldn't throw all three of them into the river because it's too much trouble, would she?

Dugu Qingcheng glanced around and, seeing no one else, first gathered some sticks and branches, lighting a fire by the river, then began to undress.

Chen Tang had originally been squinting and peeking.

At this scene, he felt a little panicked inside, subconsciously closing his eyes.

Do not look at inappropriate things, do not look...

After a while, compelled by some strange impulse, Chen Tang peeked again.

He saw that after Dugu Qingcheng took off her outer clothes, she also stripped off the outer layer of Changsun Jingren.

Then she took off the outer clothes of both Yuwen Heigou and Chen Tang, taking them to the river to rinse, sighing, "Ah, not even the big sister yet, and I'm already washing clothes for you three good-for-nothings, truly troublesome..."

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