After clarifying Yang Ge's identity, everyone felt much more at ease sitting in the car.
Li Genmiao, despite his many schemes, was a man of his word. They could rest assured until the truck reached Changbai Mountain.
However, rest or not, Yan Shouyi still had to think clearly about what was to come.
Would there be a chance for a confrontation once they reached Changbai Mountain?
If Li Genmiao's goal was the lower volume of the Luban Book, would he kill them all after he met his mother, to silence witnesses?
This possibility couldn't be ruled out, so they had to prepare for the worst. Changbai Mountain might very well be the place where he and Li Genmiao had their final showdown.
With this thought, Yan Shouyi took out his phone, preparing to contact the Folk Research Society.
Yang Ge noticed Yan Shouyi's action from the corner of his eye and reminded him:
"You don't really need to call for backup. Li Genmiao would never let you die, and you know why. But I'm not sure if your friends are aware of this, so I won't make it too explicit. Now, the major sects and the people from Wushen Mountain know you're in the north. They'll definitely send people to intercept you, but you don't have to worry. Our people have also made a move."
As expected, Li Genmiao had already arranged for personnel to clear any obstacles...
Yan Shouyi sighed and directly asked, "How many people in Wushen Mountain and Tieshan are from your New Xuan Mountain Sect?"
Yang Ge didn't hide anything: "Ji Bing of Wushen Mountain has been mostly sidelined. Hu Chai is a pervert and an idiot; he hasn't realized this yet. As for Tieshan, there are many factions within Tieshan. We control about half of them. The other half isn't worth our control."
"You told me that so easily?"
"You know the reason for that, too," Yang Ge chuckled.
Yan Shouyi sighed. The reason Yang Ge mentioned was related to the "successor of the New Xuan Mountain Sect."
According to Yang Ge, these sect forces would eventually be passed down to him, so telling him was no big deal... So Li Genmiao really wanted him to take over?
Yan Shouyi had only told Long Feicheng about the succession matters; even Lin Zitong didn't know about it.
He decided to keep it a secret. In his opinion, there was no way he would get involved with Li Genmiao, let alone take over the New Xuan Mountain Sect. So, this matter was bound to not happen, and there was no need for anyone else to know.
"Let's talk about you, Yang Ge," Yan Shouyi suddenly changed the topic. "The people from the New Xuan Mountain Sect are not simple. To achieve the positions of 'Four Values and Five Ghosts' is even more remarkable. How did Li Genmiao take notice of you?"
"Don't use the word 'notice'; it makes me sound like a prostitute," Yang Ge laughed. "I wasn't lying; I am indeed an ordinary person. As for the position of 'Wise Ghost,' I took it over from my mother. My mother was a mortician."
Yan Shouyi nodded slightly. Regardless, Yang Ge was still connected to the folk sects.
Yang Ge continued, "After my mother passed away, the position of Wise Ghost became vacant. It should have gone to someone else. But because my daughter fell gravely ill, and I was at my wit's end, I could only seek help from Li Genmiao. To my surprise, Li Genmiao said I had a great talent for being a Wise Ghost, so he let me take my mother's place and arranged for my daughter to be admitted to the best hospital for the best treatment."
"So, you didn't lie to me after all."
"Yes, nine out of ten things I say are true. Including my desire to make money. I want to earn more money to repay Li Genmiao's favor and then take my daughter away from the conflicts between the two factions. These things are ultimately not something we ordinary people can get involved in."
"Your decision is very wise," Yan Shouyi agreed.
Yang Ge smiled. "There's one more thing I kept from you. My daughter's illness has actually been cured. She's waiting for me in a village at the foot of Changbai Mountain."
"No wonder you looked more anxious than me to get to Changbai Mountain all along. It turns out you have a 'little padded jacket' waiting for you."
"Of course! Chairman Yan, you're a good person too. When we get to Changbai Mountain, I'll have my daughter pour you a glass of wine to thank you for saving my life at Sid Temple."
"Alright."
As the two chatted like friends, the dog Taoist no longer harbored any hostility towards Yang Ge.
There were too many people who were not in control of their own destinies. Strictly speaking, Yang Ge was one of the few kind and self-aware people they had met.
Everything Yang Ge did was merely to repay Li Genmiao's kindness. He had never deliberately harmed anyone, nor had he intended to use the convenience of folk sects for personal gain. Instead, he planned to repay his debts early and retire from the martial world.
Many people wished to retire from the martial world, but it was often just a thought. Most people could not let go of the power that came with being part of the folk sects.
...
The rest of the journey was smooth sailing.
They did not encounter any more checks from Tieshan, nor were they pursued by anyone from Wushen Mountain.
While rushing, Yang Ge did not forget about the six disheveled disciples from Maoshan Sect in the carriage. So, he found a deserted service area and let the unfortunate group get off to take a shower and change into clean clothes.
Old Jin also took the opportunity to replenish his medical supplies and treat Han San.
However, Yang Ge did not let the Maoshan disciples leave. He was likely worried that if these disciples left, they would attract the Maoshan Sect to Changbai Mountain.
Other sects were not a threat, but Maoshan Sect was something Li Genmiao would have to consider.
They traveled day and night, hurrying along, and finally arrived at the foot of Changbai Mountain the next morning.
At the end of the road was a small mountain village, similar to Hu Chai's stronghold.
The temperature had dropped sharply the previous night, and heavy snow had fallen on Changbai Mountain. Thick layers of snow covered the roofs of the village houses.
At the entrance to the village, a little girl, dressed in a thick down jacket, was struggling to build a snowman. The snow had turned her hands bright red, but the girl endured the pain and completed her work – three snowmen, two large and one small. One large snowman held the hand of the small snowman, while another large snowman stood beside them.
After finishing the snowmen, the little girl happily placed her woolen hat from her head onto the small snowman.
Suddenly, a large hand covered the little girl's eyes.
Immediately after, a warm hat was placed on the little girl's head.
The little girl was not frightened. Instead, she grabbed the large hand with her two red little hands and giggled, "Uncle Li! I knew it was you!"
Li Genmiao squatted behind the little girl and, reaching back, took her hand and brought it to his mouth to warm it:
"Miaomiao, are you building a snowman? Let me see... The little snowman is you, the big snowman is your daddy, and who is the other snowman?"
The little girl tilted her head and said, "Can't Uncle Li tell? This big snowman is you!"
"Oh?" Li Genmiao feigned surprise and carefully examined the large snowman.
The little girl explained, "Daddy said Uncle Li saved my life. Our family wants to thank Uncle Li forever, so I built this big snowman! Look, it has small colorful flags stuck on its back, just like when Uncle Li performs opera!"
"So that's how it is!" Li Genmiao smiled, then sighed, "It's a pity the snowman is too white; it's not very suitable for me. If it were black, or red, I would have recognized it immediately!"
"Uncle Li, all snow is white!" the little girl explained earnestly.