CHAPTER 55: CHAPTER 55: STEWARD WU’S SHOCK!

In the evening, after finishing his training, Gu Yuan was drenched in sweat.

He took a bath, changed his clothes, and then left the courtyard, ready to return to Gu Family Village.

Once out of Changgong Lane, not long after, Gu Yuan sensed something, catching a glimpse with his peripheral vision, a slight smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"Interesting, someone’s actually tailing me. Who is it? Someone from the Qian Mansion... or the Cyan Bamboo Gang?"

Knowing he was being followed, Gu Yuan didn’t care and continued walking as if he hadn’t noticed anything.

It wasn’t until he left the Beiliang City Gate, walking for a distance, that the surroundings gradually became sparse, and Gu Yuan stopped.

Because ahead on the road, someone was standing.

This person was dressed in a brocade robe, with a chubby appearance. Although not tall, he had a round face, exuding a natural sense of joy, with eyes narrowed in a smile.

It was none other than the steward Wu from the Qian Mansion!

"Oh, it’s Steward Wu!"

Gu Yuan pretended to be surprised: "How come you’re here?"

"Young Gu, you’ve made this old man search extensively for you..."

Steward Wu looked Gu Yuan up and down, seemingly cheerful, but to Gu Yuan, it felt like a forced smile, with a hint of malice.

In fact, that was exactly the case.

Since the last time he met Gu Yuan, Steward Wu had resolved to cut the weeds and eliminate the roots!

Afterwards, he arranged for people to watch Gu Yuan, intending to strike at the right moment, and had already made plans for possible subsequent situations.

However, who would have thought that Gu Yuan would take on a mission from the Jade Cauldron Tower, leave with a caravan and directly depart from Beiliang County, rendering all his preparations useless, leaving him almost spitting blood in frustration.

Until yesterday, the lookout outside the Jade Cauldron Tower spotted Gu Yuan’s trace.

Upon learning that Gu Yuan had completed his mission and returned, Steward Wu decisively decided to continue with his plan!

Not only that, he even planned to take action himself!

"It seems you’ve been waiting for me here for a while, but why? Have you come to me for something?"

Gu Yuan casually cleaned his ear with his little finger, flicked his nail, displaying an air of nonchalance.

Seeing this, Steward Wu squinted slightly, sensing something amiss.

This youngster seemed to have a confident demeanor, and his attitude was quite different from their last meeting.

He didn’t rush to act, instead, his mind was racing, becoming somewhat doubtful, yet he said, "Correct, I am indeed here specifically waiting for you."

"Waiting for me for what? You’re not planning to cut the weeds and eliminate the roots, and kill me to silence me, are you?"

Gu Yuan smiled playfully.

"Oh? Young Gu, what makes you say that? I have never had such thoughts."

Caught by Gu Yuan’s words, Steward Wu’s expression didn’t change, but his heart tightened, with a sense of unease.

"Enough, no need for nonsense."

Gu Yuan didn’t feel the need to explain, instead, he waved his hand: "Steward Wu, we’re both smart people, so let’s speak directly."

He curiously asked, "I’m very curious, does your young master Qian know you’re here to kill me?"

Steward Wu’s face finally lost its smile, his usually cheerful face now exuded a bit of coldness, with a sullen glare.

In the end, being an old fox, he knew very well that Gu Yuan understood his intentions. Looking at Gu Yuan’s unflustered demeanor, it spoke volumes.

Though he was still puzzled, knowing that someone was here to kill him, he remained calm. Where did this kid’s confidence come from?

Furthermore, to deal with Gu Yuan this time, he was extremely cautious, deciding not only to take action himself but also hiring a Martial Master at a high cost.

But up until now, the person he arranged hadn’t made a move.

"Is Steward Wu puzzled why your man hasn’t taken action?"

As if reading Steward Wu’s mind, Gu Yuan grinned, showing his white teeth:

"It’s simple, while you were talking to me, he had already been dealt with by my underling!"

Steward Wu didn’t say anything because he had already seen a scene that would be unforgettable for his entire life—a large, sinister iron-blue centipede dragging a person out from the roadside bushes.

This person was burly, ferocious-looking, with an air that could frighten children into silence.

But at this moment, this man was bleeding from all orifices, his body rigid and lifeless.

"What? A demon insect! You can actually control demons! This... this can’t be!"

Seeing the massive centipede, Steward Wu’s pupils narrowed, appearing extremely shocked.

After a long silence, he finally said with a dry voice, "Alright, I underestimated you! Today, I have indeed suffered, but..."

As he was speaking, seeing Gu Yuan listening intently, his gaze turned fierce, and he flicked his hand, releasing a dozen flying needles, each swift and zipping, targeting various parts of Gu Yuan’s body.

These flying needles had tips glinting with a dark glow, clearly poisoned!

After releasing the poison needles, Steward Wu didn’t even look at the outcome; he turned and ran.

A mere ruffian, a country bumpkin, possessing the ability to control demons, had greatly exceeded his expectations!

His current thought was no longer about how to cut the weeds and eliminate the roots by killing Gu Yuan but rather to leave this place first!

As for how to address this later, it was beyond what he could decide.

Leaving here and reporting the matter to the master was now Steward Wu’s only thought!

"Trying to escape?"

Gu Yuan sneered softly, his long sword "clanged" out of its sheath. With strikes, slices, chops, and thrusts, he deflected all the incoming flying needles, then, using the Wandering Snake Step, he pursued leisurely.

Steward Wu barely ran two steps when he felt a heaviness in his legs, accompanied by waves of intense pain.

The pain made him flinch and involuntarily stop.

It was then that Steward Wu realized a large black rat, as big as a cat, was clutching his leg and biting ferociously!

This rat had claws as sharp as knives, hooking tightly onto his leg like curved hooks, creating deep wounds visible to the bone.

Especially its two dark blue buck teeth, incredibly sharp, biting off chunks of flesh savagely!

"Ah!!!"

Even with his deep scheming mind, Steward Wu was shocked and horrified, striking out with his palm and sending the monstrous rat flying.

However, the rat’s fur was exceptionally tough, feeling like he struck a block of iron wrapped in thick leather at the moment of contact!

The rat landed, unharmed, just shaking its head, squeaking a few times.

But with this interruption, plus having chunks of flesh torn from his leg, Steward Wu’s steps were shaky and unstable, making it too late to run.

Gu Yuan moved smoothly like a snake, catching up in a few steps.

Swish!

Sword light flashed, and Steward Wu only felt a chill in his legs. Looking down, he saw that his legs were severed from his body, with torrents of blood gushing out.

He let out a scream, collapsing onto the ground.