Chapter 30: Assign First, Then Act

Damn it! I thought everyone had revealed their true identities, but it turns out they’re all liars—everything they said was fake! Not only that, I’m the only idiot still muttering here, clinging to doubt, while these guys have already figured each other out. Clearly, I’m still a green rookie.

Cursing inwardly, Zhang Kai felt he had gained quite an education from this experience, nourished by the lessons learned. Who can’t hide their cards? I refuse to believe they’ve already figured me out.

“Truly worthy of the Gu Sect, impressive, impressive,” a voice called out as a figure emerged from the mouth of the cave—it was Gu Mingyu.

Zhang Kai sighed quietly. He had underestimated the world’s heroes. After all, these people had survived the prosperous era of cultivation, with countless mysterious techniques and secret arts. He thought if he hadn’t sensed them, they weren’t here, but in fact, they had always been close at hand, waiting like lurking predators.

“Not as impressive as the Gu Sect’s secret arts,” the young man replied calmly.

At that moment, another figure rose from the water—small at first, as if practicing a bone-shrinking technique, then stretching with slow movements until he became a man: the crooked-mouthed disciple of Master Chongming. Only now, his expression was blank, eyes lifeless, like a puppet.

“Well then, since everyone has revealed themselves, shall we join forces for this trip into the forbidden zone?” the girl with twin ponytails continued.

“Joining forces isn’t out of the question, but we’ll need to settle the distribution in advance, lest we spoil the harmony,” Master Chongming said with a benign smile.

“Of course. Why don’t we each state what it is we most desire? That way, we can avoid conflicts,” Gu Mingyu said, smiling.

“I want the Blood Ganoderma of a thousand years,” Master Chongming was first to speak, his gaze intense and brooking no refusal.

“It seems your blood-refining arts are on the verge of a breakthrough—congratulations,” the twin ponytails girl said, arching her brows with a smile.

Master Chongming smiled but said nothing.

“I need the Snow Soul,” the twin ponytails girl added.

“Oh? So you practice the Ice Heart Sacred Secret of the Demon Sect. Who would have thought, in this era of declining law, the Demon Sect would still have such outstanding talents. Admirable!” Master Chongming narrowed his eyes, moved as he looked at her.

She responded coolly, “Just an attempt. Whether it succeeds or not is another matter.”

“I want the Bone of the Strange Serpent,” the youth spoke up.

With that, everyone looked at him. Master Chongming frowned, “The Strange Serpent is the mount of the Lord of Long Ridge. It's a divine serpent, cultivated for a thousand years, with profound abilities. Though it accompanied its master in avoiding calamity, it’s uncertain whether it lives or dies. Your request is a bit much.”

The youth replied impassively, “It’s what I need. If it’s there, it belongs to me. If not, that’s my fate.”

“Fine, that’s acceptable. I’ll keep it simple: I want the Heavenly Flower of Long Ridge,” Gu Mingyu said.

“The Heavenly Flower of Long Ridge? Does that legendary divine flower really exist?” Master Chongming exclaimed.

Gu Mingyu replied, “Whether it exists or not, that’s what I want. Now that I’ve stated it, if we do find it, there won’t be misunderstandings.”

Everyone fell silent.

Gu Mingyu said no more, turning to the old fortune-teller and Zhang Kai. “Master Zhou, you’re our host and leading this expedition. Naturally, you and your companion may also designate what you wish to obtain. What do you desire?”

The old fortune-teller had regained his composure. “I want the Ethereal Stone Milk.”

“So Wudang is well informed about the treasures of the Long Ridge Lord. Even the Ethereal Stone Milk is known,” Gu Mingyu praised.

The old fortune-teller smiled. “I’m not as good as the rest of you. I hadn’t revealed anything, yet you had already deduced I’d come here, arranged your plans in advance, and even catalogued the Long Ridge Lord’s millennial collection down to the last item.”

“That’s a debt we owe. If we gain anything, we’ll consider ourselves indebted to Wudang,” Gu Mingyu said sincerely.

The others offered no objection.

Only then did the old fortune-teller smile contentedly. “Good, with those words, I’m satisfied.”

“And you, Master Zhang? What do you seek?” Gu Mingyu looked at Zhang Kai.

Zhang Kai cursed inwardly, What do I seek? Hell if I know! You all know this place inside out, even decided what you want ahead of time, and I’m the only one left in the dark. I’m full of questions, clueless as hell. I don’t know a thing—what’s there to want?

But he couldn’t say that aloud. Zhang Kai replied decisively, “I’m not very familiar with the Long Ridge Lord, but since everyone’s picked, whatever you don’t want, just give it to me.”

Gu Mingyu: ...

Old fortune-teller: ...

Master Chongming: ...

Twin ponytails: ...

...

“Ahem, Master Zhang, that’s not quite what we meant. We’d like each person to specify one item they desire. The rest can be distributed fairly,” Master Chongming explained with a smile.

Zhang Kai said, “But I don’t know what’s here!”

“That depends on what you need,” twin ponytails said, her gaze intense as she looked at Zhang Kai.

They all had their own lineages. As soon as he named something, they’d immediately be able to deduce part of Zhang Kai’s background.

Zhang Kai looked around, then smiled. “I do have something I want, but it’s a tall order.”

“Oh? Let’s hear it,” Gu Mingyu prompted.

“I want the Long Ridge Lord,” Zhang Kai said.

Gu Mingyu: ???

The others: ...

“You’ve got a unique taste, kid. According to my sect’s secret records, the Long Ridge Lord is a burly man with a thick beard,” the old fortune-teller remarked, looking odd.

Zhang Kai laughed. “Isn’t that the best thing of all? To study the mysteries of divinity—surely I could discover something valuable. In this era of declining law, with gods and Buddhas fallen from grace, it’s a rare opportunity. Once the spiritual energy returns and gods rise again, it’ll be far harder to study them.”

With that, the group regarded Zhang Kai with strange expressions—the look one gives a madman or a pervert.

“Well, if you’re capable of taking away the Long Ridge Lord, why not? He’s yours,” Gu Mingyu said, settling the matter.

“Alright, everyone’s made their choices and the distribution is clear. Master Zhou, can you open this bronze door now?” Master Chongming looked to the old fortune-teller.

The old fortune-teller smiled. “Let me show you how it’s done.”

He moved energetically, manipulating the rotary mechanism with deft hands—no sign of weakness or trembling, his vigor fully restored.

The dial on the bronze door spun nimbly in his hands, back and forth. Amid the repeated clicking sounds, suddenly there was a heavy clunk. The old fortune-teller announced triumphantly, “As promised, the bronze door mechanism is open.”

“Wudang’s secret arts—truly inscrutable. Their reputation is well deserved,” Master Chongming praised.

“You flatter me. I only have a superficial grasp,” the old fortune-teller responded modestly.

The twin ponytails girl stepped up to the bronze door and pushed with both hands. Sure enough, the door swung open, a gap slowly widening just enough for one person to pass through before stopping.

“Let’s go. Inside lies the true forbidden zone—strange and unpredictable. We each have our goals, but whatever we discover, we must rely on our own abilities to claim it. Life and death are up to fate; everyone should be prepared,” the old fortune-teller said solemnly.

“We all understand, no need for further words. I’ll send some scouts ahead,” Gu Mingyu said, raising her hand to her wristwatch. “All of you, come in.”

Soon, amidst the shuffle of footsteps, a group of people appeared before them—the same followers as before. Not only were they unharmed, but now they were armed to the teeth, wielding various weapons.

Zhang Kai was speechless.

She actually has a squad of armed subordinates? Do prosperous families train these kinds of people?

Could it be that, in this operation, the Gu family is only here to claim credit?