Gu Qingfeng was broke! He was now genuinely penniless, having spent all his money on a horse, just waiting for next month's salary.
Before long, the group had set up their campfire, and as if performing magic, they pulled out some dried meat, game, and various seasonings from their packages, and began grilling.
"Young miss, while traveling, conditions are limited. We can only make do with what we have," the elder took a piece of golden-brown grilled meat from beside the fire, sprinkled something like cumin on it, instantly releasing a fragrant aroma, and handed it to the young lady.
Gu Qingfeng watched from the side, swallowing his saliva. Damn these rich people! They call this "making do"? I'd love to "make do" like that too.
Looking at the dry flatbread in his own hands, he completely lost his appetite.
The young lady seemed to notice Gu Qingfeng's gaze, and after taking the grilled meat, she unexpectedly said to him, "Young sir, meeting here is fate. If you don't mind, please join us for the meal."
These words instantly made Gu Qingfeng's impression of her improve greatly. It was clear she was a gentle and kind young lady from a good family, well-educated and well-mannered.
However, her guards weren't nearly as pleasant.
"Young miss, we don't have much food left," the head guard glared at Gu Qingfeng, as if saying, "Just try taking a bite."
Gu Qingfeng's short temper immediately flared up. He originally didn't want to eat, but you dare glare at me? Well, now I'm definitely going to eat.
So he plopped himself down next to their fire, brazenly took the meat skewer from the young lady's hand, accidentally brushing against her silky-smooth hand in the process.
Then he began eating large bites. As for poison?
Gu Qingfeng didn't even consider it, because they had a True Qi Realm warrior - if they really wanted to harm him, why bother with poison?
"Mmm! Delicious!"
"Miss, you're not only beautiful but kind-hearted. I, Gu, will remember this meal. By the way, may I know your name?"
Gu Qingfeng completely ignored the head guard's increasingly fiery glare as he ate and chatted.
"I'm Si Wei, and you are?" Si Wei blinked her curious big eyes at Gu Qingfeng. Clearly, she had lived a sheltered life and was curious about people and things from the outside world.
Her good upbringing meant she hadn't interacted with many men from outside, so she genuinely wanted to chat with someone like Gu Qingfeng whom she met on her journey.
"'Be vigilant in peace' - what a good name! I'm Gu Qingfeng," he said, his words slightly muffled by the meat in his mouth.
"Gu Qingfeng? Like 'clear wind and bright moon, fine moments in the world' - that's also a good name," Si Wei smiled.
"By the way, where are you all headed?" Gu Qingfeng asked casually.
"My father was recently appointed to Wutong Prefecture, and now that things have settled, he sent for me to join him."
Appointed?
Hearing this word, Gu Qingfeng understood. It seemed Si Wei was from an official's family. Only someone of significant rank could raise such a refined young lady, and being appointed to Wutong Prefecture - what a coincidence?
"Ahem."
At this moment, the elder suddenly coughed twice. Si Wei startled slightly, then seemed to understand something, nodding apologetically to the elder.
"Wutong Prefecture? What a coincidence, I'm from there myself."
Si Wei's beautiful eyes lit up: "Really? That is quite a coincidence. Could you tell me about some interesting local customs of Wutong Prefecture?"
"Well, you've asked the right person. In Wutong Prefecture..."
"Silence!"
Just as Gu Qingfeng was about to explain, the elder suddenly interrupted.
Gu Qingfeng frowned and looked at the elder.
He saw the elder's expression was grave, as if facing a great enemy, staring intently outside the door, seeming to see something through it.
Seeing the elder's reaction, the other guards immediately jumped to their feet, drawing their swords and pointing them at the door.
At that moment, a chaotic sound of footsteps came from outside.
It sounded like hundreds of people running, the noise growing louder as it approached!
The elder's face changed, and he urgently said, "Protect the young miss. I'll go check."
Without waiting for a response from the guards, the elder vanished from sight.
Gu Qingfeng was startled - such incredible speed, completely imperceptible to the naked eye?
The aura the elder briefly revealed was that of the Hardened Qi Realm!
Internal Qi Realm, True Qi Realm, Hardened Qi Realm, Innate Realm - the Five Realms of Martial Arts. This elder was just one step away from becoming an Innate Realm Master!
A Hardened Qi Realm warrior! That was equivalent to an Earth-rank Demon Eliminator!
This gave Gu Qingfeng a rough idea of Si Wei's background - her father must be one of the highest-ranking officials in Wutong Prefecture!
At the same time, Gu Qingfeng began to worry slightly. He had inadvertently gotten caught up in something big - for a Hardened Qi Realm expert to be so tense, it meant the newcomers must be at least at the Hardened Qi Realm too!
Gu Qingfeng now truly regretted taking shelter in the mountain temple - why didn't he just keep walking?
"Hehehe... Elder Xing, you've led me on quite a chase! I never expected you'd risk taking these small paths instead of the main road?"
A hoarse, deep, eerie laugh echoed from outside the mountain temple, sending chills down one's spine.
"You're... the White Bone Master from the Blood Demon Cult?" the elder's voice held a hint of fear.
"Hehehe... You're quite knowledgeable. Today I'm in a good mood - if you hand over Si Qingyun's daughter, I'll spare your life!"
"Hmph, I'd rather die than let you touch a single hair on the young miss!"
...
Blood Demon Cult? White Bone Master?
Gu Qingfeng was slightly dazed - he didn't understand!
His previous life was just a lowly jailer; he had no knowledge of matters at the Hardened Qi Realm level.
Fortunately, Si Wei, the refined young lady, didn't understand either.
"Uncle Li... what is the Blood Demon Cult? Who is the White Bone Master? Why does Elder Xing seem to fear him so much?" Si Wei asked nervously.
The head guard's face was grave: "Young miss, the Blood Demon Cult is a sect of martial artists who worship demons. They're all madmen who practice demonic arts in pursuit of greater power and longevity, trying to transform themselves into demons. Most Blood Demon Cult members are neither human nor demon, committing all manner of evil and eating people like demons do. The White Bone Master is one of their high-ranking members, a Hardened Qi Realm expert, and heir to the Corpse Refining Lineage!"
"Eat... eat people?!"
Si Wei cried out in shock, her pretty face instantly turning pale. Being a sheltered young lady, she had never heard of such horrifying things. Her mind went blank, and her body grew weak.
Fortunately, Gu Qingfeng was quick to catch her delicate form - if he'd been any slower, she would have steadied herself.
The contact with a strange man made Si Wei's face flush, though thankfully her veil concealed it. She quickly struggled out of Gu Qingfeng's embrace.
She knew Gu Qingfeng meant well, so she didn't say anything.
The guards were all focused on watching outside, so no one noticed this small interaction between the two.
"Uncle Li, why... why does the Blood Demon Cult want to capture me? Is it because of father?"
"Yes, the reason Lord Si was able to become the prefect of Wutong Prefecture was because he recently solved a major case involving the Blood Demon Cult. They want to capture you, young miss, probably to seek revenge against Lord Si."