After returning to Qingshan Town, Gu Fei immediately concealed himself and avoided appearing before others. He looked deeply at Xiao Yixian, reassuring her not to worry, and then fell into silence.
[Xiao Yixian feels lost, emotional value increases by 100.]
Despite the plan they had agreed upon, Xiao Yixian's heart still ached when she saw Gu Fei suddenly disappear. She kept her emotions hidden, maintaining a calm demeanor. As Gu Fei had instructed, when Boss Yao inquired about him, she informed everyone that the powerful alchemist had departed.
Rumor spread that Gu Fei, after obtaining the medicinal herbs he sought, parted ways with the herb-gathering team as they descended the mountain.
"So that esteemed figure has left..." Boss Yao responded indifferently, though internally he felt regret, realizing he'd lost the opportunity to gain favor with the great alchemist.
At the Wolf Head Mercenary Group's headquarters in Qingshan Town, Mu She was seething with rage upon learning that his son, Mu Li, had died tragically, his body left unclaimed in the Monster Mountain Range. His eyes bloodshot, he crushed the cup in his hand to pieces. Glass shards fell to the floor as Mu She's expression darkened, his teeth grinding in fury.
He wasn't foolish. After careful thought, he concluded that the Little Fairy Doctor must be involved in Mu Li's death. Believing that the young doctor from Wanyaozhai was behind it, Mu She swiftly ordered a hit on her to exact his revenge.
At first, he didn't know that the powerful alchemist protecting Xiao Yixian had already left. But once his subordinates relayed the news that Gu Fei had indeed gone, Mu She smiled cruelly, his face full of murderous intent.
"Go. Send word to Boss Yao of Wanyaozhai. Tell him to hand over the Little Fairy Doctor. Otherwise, when I arrive personally, things won't be so pleasant."
His subordinates, rarely seeing Mu She so enraged, trembled as they whispered their acknowledgment before rushing off to Wanyaozhai.
Meanwhile, Boss Yao, after confirming that Gu Fei had "left," dropped his facade. Normally shrewd in his dealings, he had previously noticed Gu Fei's subtle protection of the Little Fairy Doctor. Now that Gu Fei was truly gone, Boss Yao was eager to take advantage of the situation.
Boss Yao had long known of the treasure beneath the cliff, though he'd never openly acknowledged it. Greedy for a share of the fortune, he assumed that Gu Fei and Xiao Yixian had retrieved the treasure during their trip. Now that Gu Fei was gone, Boss Yao had Xiao Yixian placed under house arrest, relentlessly questioning her about the treasure's whereabouts, stopping just short of a full search.
Upon receiving Mu She's message, Boss Yao readily agreed to his demand. A sinister smile tugged at his lips as he plotted to hand Xiao Yixian over to Mu She after extracting the treasure's location.
Under house arrest, Xiao Yixian soon realized she was caught in a conspiracy orchestrated by Boss Yao. She found it hard to believe, as Boss Yao had always appeared kind and gentle, never showing harshness. Yet she overheard Mu She's name during their conversation, confirming her suspicions that Mu She was behind it all.
Though this series of events deeply troubled Xiao Yixian, she recalled Gu Fei's parting words in the Monster Mountain Range and gradually steadied herself.
That night, after another round of fruitless interrogation, Boss Yao's men left in frustration. Xiao Yixian, exhausted, leaned against the wall, her eyes blank.
"It seems many people would indeed target you after I left," a familiar voice suddenly broke the silence. "Xiao Yixian, are you alright?"
[Xiao Yixian is surprised, emotional value increases by 100.]
Recognizing the gentle voice, Xiao Yixian opened her eyes wide in astonishment. Gu Fei had returned, appearing directly in her room.
He walked over, pulled up a chair, and sat down in front of her.
"Brother Gu Fei, you're finally here!"
[Xiao Yixian is moved, emotional value increases by 100.]
After a day of questioning and coercion, Xiao Yixian hadn't been physically harmed, but her mind was weary. Seeing Gu Fei now, her eyes reddened with emotion.
"Come on, let's go kill someone," Gu Fei said calmly, his usual gentle expression unchanged. His words, however, left Xiao Yixian momentarily stunned.
[Xiao Yixian is moved, emotional value increases by 100.]
She couldn't quite describe the feeling—it was a mix of warmth and numbness, but not unpleasant.
Gu Fei led Xiao Yixian out of the room, walking boldly past the guards who had been stationed at the door. They were now all slumped over the table as if trapped in an unshakable dream.
Their first stop was Boss Yao's residence. Boss Yao, having already gone to bed, sat up with a start at the sound of footsteps. "Who's there?" he called out.
"It's me," Gu Fei answered as he approached, with Xiao Yixian following close behind.
Seeing the two of them, Boss Yao was momentarily stunned before breaking out in a cold sweat.
[Boss Yao feels guilty, emotional value increases by 10.]
"You've brought the Little Fairy Doctor to visit me in the middle of the night. Is there something you need?" he asked, feigning ignorance while instinctively backing away, only to freeze in place under Gu Fei's icy gaze.
Gu Fei raised his hand, and a terrifying energy began to swirl in his palm.
[Boss Yao feels extreme fear, emotional value increases by 15.]
Boss Yao immediately knelt, tears streaming down his face as he begged for mercy. "Sir, please spare me! I locked up the Little Fairy Doctor to protect her! Mu She wanted to kill her, and I was only trying to help her!"
Gu Fei didn't waste words. He had watched everything unfold from the shadows and knew Boss Yao was lying. The next moment, a sharp burst of energy shot from Gu Fei's palm, piercing through Boss Yao's chest before he could react. He died instantly, just as Mu Li had.
Xiao Yixian remained silent as Gu Fei led her to the Wolf Head Mercenary Group's base, where they found Mu She. Having witnessed Mu She's cruelty, Gu Fei showed no hesitation.
[Mu She feels fear, emotional value increases by 10.]
Without giving Mu She a chance to explain, Gu Fei delivered a light palm strike, freezing the fear in Mu She's eyes forever.
Throughout this ordeal, Xiao Yixian quietly observed Gu Fei as he dealt with both Boss Yao and Mu She with ruthless efficiency.
[Xiao Yixian feels grateful, emotional value increases by 100.]
Though Gu Fei killed without mercy, Xiao Yixian wasn't afraid. She knew these people deserved their fate, and Gu Fei had done it for her sake. Gratitude filled her heart—without Gu Fei, her situation would have been much worse.