Yan Shouyi harbored some resentment towards his mother for leaving him and his father.
After all, she was his everything, but he and their child were only secondary to her.
Now, Yan Chou had shed all burdens, revealed the truth to Yan Shouyi, and sent him to Changbai Mountain to find his mother. Besides reuniting the family, he also bestowed new meaning upon this journey – to solve four riddles and retrieve the complete second volume of the Lu Ban Scripture.
Once the second volume of the Lu Ban Scripture was brought back, the Folk Sect might very well undergo a complete transformation and ascend to the status of a major sect!
This would resolve the fundamental cause of the conflict between the two sects.
This was the only way to break the deadlock!
"Changbai Mountain… Mother…"
Yan Shouyi muttered to himself, his thoughts already soaring far beyond.
The dog-like Taoist grunted, "Don't worry about things here. With us old guards holding down the fort, those major sect fellows wouldn't dare to act rashly."
Monk Miaoji put his palms together. "Amitabha, go, Chen Xiang."
Nani?
Chen Xiang?
Uncle Miaoji, is it really appropriate for a man of God to make a pop culture reference?
Yan Shouyi snapped back to attention. He hadn't even agreed yet when Wei Changqing said,
"All factions are watching us now. As soon as Shouyi leaves Rongcheng, he'll be ambushed by various parties. Why don't I accompany him and protect him along the way?"
In reality, Yan Shouyi also had Shadow Xue Kai and Glacier Dharma Body as trump cards. However, as his strength grew and his enemies became increasingly monstrous, there were fewer and fewer matters Xue Kai could intervene in.
For instance, when they went to Mount Emei, there were too many powerful individuals present, and Xue Kai couldn't even keep up with Yan Shouyi's pace, parting ways with him at the foot of the mountain.
Currently, Yan Shouyi was the foremost representative of the Folk Sect. Besides his own fame, the biggest reason was the massacre three months prior.
That day, Yan Shouyi killed over sixty disciples from the major sects, meaning at least sixty sects had forged a blood feud with him.
As long as he left Rongcheng, the major sects would definitely not miss such an opportunity.
"You're going with him?" the dog-like Taoist said leisurely to Wei Changqing. "One Shouyi might not be very conspicuous, but Shouyi plus you, Wei Changqing, wouldn't that be broadcasting your presence for all to see!"
Wei Changqing snorted, "Then what do you suggest we do?"
"If you ask me, the Northeast is the territory of Wushen Mountain. Ji Bing of Wushen Mountain is the most ruthless towards the major sects, so once Shouyi reaches the Northeast, he'll be relatively safe," the dog-like Taoist said. "I believe that to cover our tracks, Shouyi should leave alone and secretly. We others should create a commotion here in West Lake to avoid raising suspicion from those bastards in the major sects."
Monk Miaoji frowned. "What if Shouyi encounters danger on the way? He's going on a mission. If he fails, everyone should prepare for a direct confrontation with the major sects."
"It's simple. Select a few skilled individuals. They should split off from Shouyi when they leave, then rendezvous slowly along the way. By the time they reach Changbai Mountain, everyone will be gathered, and ordinary sects won't be able to do anything to them, let alone the forces of Wushen Mountain," the dog-like Taoist said. "We can also inform Wushen Mountain in advance, and have Ji Bing send people to meet them."
Yan Chou interrupted, "We haven't interacted with Ji Bing, and we don't know his disposition. For such a significant matter, we should be cautious and not notify Ji Bing. It's best if no one, not even Wushen Mountain, notices their movements from departure to return."
Yan Chou's considerations were quite thorough and received unanimous approval.
After a brief discussion among the elders, a general plan was devised.
Firstly, accompanying Yan Shouyi to Changbai Mountain would be the dog-like Taoist, Wei Changqing, Old Jin, and Long Feicheng.
The dog-like Taoist and Wei Changqing, being powerful, would rendezvous with Yan Shouyi halfway, ensuring his safety.
Old Jin, as the inheritor of ancient medicine from the Qihuang Sect, would ensure they wouldn't have to worry about injuries.
The only thing Yan Shouyi didn't quite understand was why Long Feicheng had to go on such an important mission.
Although Yan Shouyi usually brought Long Feicheng everywhere, this time it seemed inappropriate. However, it was Yan Chou's decision, and Yan Shouyi didn't question it.
Secondly, the dog-like Taoist would take Long Feicheng, and Wei Changqing would take Old Jin. They would rendezvous in Jinling and Yanjing respectively, and finally proceed together to Changbai Mountain.
Finally, Yan Shouyi would depart on a truck delivering goods to the Folk Research Association and head north.
If all went as planned, this round trip would take at least half a month, which would be in time for Lin Zitong's childbirth.
But Yan Shouyi's biggest concern was something going wrong.
While the elders discussed heatedly, Yan Shouyi was uninterested. Finally, he couldn't help but say,
"Can't we wait until Zitong has her child before handling this?"
The elders fell silent.
Yan Chou sighed, "I understand how you feel, but for every day you delay your departure, several lives might be lost in the conflict between the two sects. Are you willing to wait?"
Yan Shouyi gritted his teeth. "What their lives have to do with me is none of my business!"
The elders looked at him in surprise.
A few seconds later, Yan Shouyi regained his composure and uttered two words: "Inner demon."
He was being influenced by his inner demon again.
Yan Shouyi, having calmed down, carefully considered the pros and cons and ultimately decided to head north.
He disregarded the second volume of the Lu Ban Scripture and the hope of the Folk Sect entirely.
The only reason that prompted him to go was to see his mother.
If possible, he wanted to bring his mother back and let her witness the birth of her grandchildren.
"I'll go back and prepare. We'll set off tomorrow morning, and leave early to return early," Yan Shouyi said.
…
One day later.
A truck carrying fresh produce slowly drove out of the Folk Research Association.
The truck bore license plates from the Northeast and frequently traveled the north-south freight routes. It had just unloaded a batch of goods from the north to Rongcheng the previous night and had received a last-minute order to transport goods from the seafood market to the Folk Research Association.
This last-minute job was not only simple but also paid well. What surprised the truck owner the most was that the temporary benefactor offered him a strange deal.
That was to return to the north with an empty truck for double the price, provided he also gave a ride to one person.
Initially, the truck driver worried if this person was a wanted criminal or a spy. After confirming multiple times, finding nothing unusual, he agreed.
But the main reason was the exorbitant amount of money the benefactor offered. The fuel costs for a full truck versus an empty one were vastly different, and the difference in cost allowed him to earn a considerable profit.
The driver happily drove the truck onto the Rongcheng highway, occasionally glancing sideways at the young man sitting in the passenger seat, his eyes closed in repose.
What was this kid's background, that he'd choose to travel by truck instead of by plane or high-speed train?