“Uncle Qin, what’s going on here?” Lu Anchen asked hurriedly as he ran over.

Qin Lu pursed his lips, signaling for him to see for himself.

“Uh…” Lu Anchen took a closer look, a look of surprise appearing on his face. “It’s Little Whip Spear—Gu Can!”

In Wuji Market, Gu Can, with his cultivation at the ninth level of Qi Refining, was somewhat of a notable figure. Even with his face covered in blood and grime, Lu Anchen recognized him at a glance.

“So it really is him! Then those people outside must have been killed by him!”

“This Little Whip Spear is truly formidable, taking on so many people alone! This long spear must be his magic weapon!”

“I heard Little Whip Spear had some previous conflict with Sunset Valley, but I never imagined their grudge would run this deep!”

The members of the Ruyi Gang stood where they were, discussing excitedly with speculative expressions.

Gu Can was severely injured and had fallen unconscious. If not for the faint, almost imperceptible breath from his nose, he looked every bit like a dead man.

Everyone gathered around Gu Can, their eyes constantly appraising him. Many had a peculiar gleam in their eyes.

Gu Can was now seriously wounded and unconscious. A simple move could end his life.

In other words, the entire wealth of a ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator was right before them, defenseless.

Just the exquisitely crafted silver long spear beside him was undoubtedly a top-grade First-Tier magic weapon, worth at least several hundred Spirit Stones. It was enough to stir anyone’s greed.

“Uncle Qin, what should we do about this person?” Lu Anchen asked in a low voice.

As soon as he spoke, all eyes fell on Qin Lu’s back, waiting for his response.

Qin Lu possessed the highest cultivation in the group. Out of respect for his strength, they sought his opinion on such matters.

Qin Lu naturally understood what they were thinking—nothing more than killing and looting.

However, based on their few interactions, Qin Lu held no ill will toward Gu Can. Especially when entering the forest, Gu Can’s friendly words made it impossible for Qin Lu to kick him while he was down.

“This person is my friend. Go search the other corpses,” Qin Lu said slowly.

“Alright!”

Hearing this, Lu Anchen readily agreed and immediately led the Ruyi Gang members to collect the magic weapons.

Cao Yunxi and his wife also went along.

After everyone left, Qin Lu squatted down. With a thought, he retrieved a pill from his [Storage Bag].

The pill was milky white, about the size of a little finger, and emitted a faint spiritual aura.

It was precisely a Blood Restoration Pill.

Qin Lu placed the pill into Gu Can’s mouth. It dissolved upon contact, its medicinal power surging into his body.

“This pill costs fifty Spirit Stones each. You better remember to pay me back when you wake up…” Qin Lu muttered to himself.

After swallowing the pill, color gradually returned to Gu Can’s face, replacing his previous pallor.

Qin Lu casually picked up the silver long spear that had fallen nearby and began waiting for the others to finish gathering the spoils.

Before long, everything of value had been scavenged.

A large pile of magic weapons and talismans lay on the ground. There were twenty to thirty magic weapons alone, countless talismans, over ten precious pills, and even three [Storage Bags].

This hoard excited everyone present.

Even as second-hand goods, these items were worth thousands of Spirit Stones!

It was a huge sum.

After about the time it takes an incense stick to burn and discussions from all sides, they decided to divide the magic weapons equally. Qin Lu, being the strongest fighter, inevitably received the largest share.

Qin Lu obtained one of the [Storage Bags], which had a capacity of six cubic meters. He placed all his share of the spoils into this new bag.

After distributing the items, the group set off again. Qin Lu brought along the severely injured and unconscious Gu Can.

The location of Gu Can’s fight with the Sunset Valley group wasn’t far from the edge of East Head Ridge—only about twenty-some li away.

It didn’t take long for them to exit the forest.

After briefly bidding farewell to Lu Anchen, Qin Lu summoned his [Flying Cloud Paper]. He soared into the sky with Gu Can and the Cao couple aboard.

They flew straight toward Wuji Market.

Onboard the flying vessel, the three briefly discussed their next steps.

Since Spirit Rice might return at any moment and monster beast meat prices could drop back to normal anytime soon, to maximize profits, they decided to set up stalls and start selling immediately upon returning to the market district.

And they wouldn’t pack up until everything was sold out.

Once their plan was settled, they took turns operating the flying vessel. After two hours, they finally returned to Wuji Market.

“You two go back and change clothes first. I’ll take Gu Can back. Let’s meet at the market later!” Qin Lu stated simply.

“Alright!”

The three went their separate ways. Qin Lu carried Gu Can on his back toward home.

To avoid drawing attention, Qin Lu also covered Gu Can’s face with a black cloth so people couldn’t recognize him easily.

Gu Can had a fiery temper and likely many enemies in the market district. Carrying him openly through the streets might provoke trouble without cause.

They returned smoothly to Qin Lu’s residence without incident.

Qin Lu walked next door to Gu Manor and began knocking loudly on the gate.

Before long, the gate opened.

The person who answered was a mortal servant. He bowed respectfully. “Esteemed Immortal Master, what important matter brings you here today?”

Qin Lu said directly, “Your master is injured. Inform your mistress. Take him back for treatment.”

As he spoke, Qin Lu handed Gu Can over to the servant and took out the silver long spear from his [Storage Bag].

“Young Master! Young Master!”

Seeing Gu Can in this state, the servant immediately panicked and shouted loudly. “Someone come quickly! The Young Master is injured!”

At the servant’s loud cries, many other servants emerged from various places, all wearing panicked expressions.

Soon, several maidservants escorted a woman wearing a moon-white floral-patterned robe out from the inner courtyard.

The woman appeared to be around twenty-four or twenty-five years old. Apart from her black hair, her entire attire was snow-white.

Her face was exquisitely beautiful, almost ethereal. Her figure was somewhat slender and petite.

With an anxious expression, she walked up to Gu Can, squatted down, and examined him carefully.

After a moment, she let out a sigh of relief, stood up, and came before Qin Lu.

She performed a curtsy and said softly, “This humble woman thanks Fellow Daoist Qin for saving my younger brother.”

Qin Lu had guessed correctly; the woman was indeed Gu Yue.

However, as Qin Lu looked at this woman’s face before him, his heart gave an involuntary leap.

A strange feeling inexplicably arose within him.

“No need for thanks. Fellow Daoist should treat Gu Can first,” Qin Lu said.

“I will surely visit Fellow Daoist Qin later to express my gratitude properly.”

Gu Yue spoke softly and gently, yet her words carried strength, giving one a sense of spiritual beauty.

That Gu Yue knew who he was didn’t surprise Qin Lu. After all, they lived next door; a simple inquiry would reveal each other’s identities.

Qin Lu didn’t pay it much mind. He cupped his hands slightly in salute and turned to leave.

Then he returned home, took a quick shower to wash off all the bloodstains and dust, efficiently changed into fresh clothes, and headed straight for the market district with over two thousand jin of monster beast meat in his [Storage Bag]!