"Since that is the case, I will select a few disciples to accompany you, nephew," Kang Chengman said, looking at the middle-aged man waiting respectfully outside the door. "Xu Lei, come in."
The middle-aged man outside the door stepped in upon hearing Kang Chengman's call and bowed respectfully. "Old Sect Master."
Kang Chengman nodded and looked at Yu Daochen beside him. "This is the newly appointed elder of the Fu Sect, Xu Lei. His strength is not weak. He will cooperate with you to go to the village this time."
Yu Daochen sized up Xu Lei, extended his hand, and smiled. "Elder Xu, hello."
Xu Lei also extended his hand, clasped Yu Daochen's, and smiled. "I've long heard of the great name of Jiangdu's Gu Ye. Hearing is not as good as seeing. Today, seeing you, you truly are a hero emerging from youth."
Yu Daochen smiled faintly, shook his head, and said humbly, "Elder Xu is joking. It's just what people in the martial world spread around."
"Don't worry, Gu Ye. I will fully cooperate with you on this mission," Xu Lei pledged, patting his chest.
Yu Daochen nodded. "Then I'll trouble Elder Xu."
This mission not only involved finding Zhou Fu and the missing disciples but also investigating the situation in that village.
Xu Lei selected eight agile disciples from the sect, packed their belongings, and boarded a bus heading to a village called Luoshui Slope in Pingtan County.
The journey from Fu Sect to Pingtan County took about a day. Yu Daochen was accustomed to sitting in the back row, resting with his eyes closed.
On the way, the disciples in front glanced at Yu Daochen, who was resting with his eyes closed in the back, and began to whisper.
"Hey, I heard we have to listen to him for the entire operation."
"I heard that Senior Brother Fenyue had a feud with him. Will he take his anger out on us?"
Xu Lei, who was also resting with his eyes closed in the front, coughed dryly. "What are you gossiping about? This operation also requires us to find our missing fellow disciples. All actions are to be directed by Gu Ye. Instead of gossiping, it's better to rest more and conserve your energy."
Seeing Xu Lei say this, the disciples obediently shut their mouths.
Xu Lei, who had been resting with his eyes closed, slowly opened his eyes and glanced at Yu Daochen, who was still resting with his eyes closed in the back.
He knew clearly that these words had likely reached Yu Daochen's ears.
However, given Yu Daochen's demeanor, he shouldn't stoop to arguing with a few juniors.
Yu Daochen, who was resting with his eyes closed in the back, felt helpless.
He had heard these words clearly. If it were in the past, he would have certainly ripped their mouths open.
However, with his current status, there was no need to quibble with them.
Engaging with them would only lower his own standing.
After a day's journey, they arrived at Pingtan County.
After getting off the bus, they found a restaurant for a meal and then began asking for directions to Luoshui Slope.
However, after asking several people, no one knew, and even taxi drivers had never heard of Luoshui Slope.
Xu Lei took out his phone and tried to use navigation, but he couldn't find the village of Luoshui Slope.
Yu Daochen's brow furrowed slightly. "Elder Xu, did we come to the wrong place?"
Xu Lei shook his head with certainty. "Impossible. Luoshui Slope is indeed within Pingtan County."
Just as everyone was at a loss, a shifty-eyed man with a lewd expression walked over. "Are you gentlemen looking for Luoshui Slope?"
Yu Daochen and Xu Lei both sized up the shifty-eyed man.
"That's right, we are indeed going to Luoshui Slope. Do you know the place?" Xu Lei asked.
The man chuckled. "I'm not bragging, but others truly don't know Luoshui Slope. Only I do."
"Oh, are you from Luoshui Slope, brother?" Yu Daochen asked, looking at the shifty-eyed man.
"I'm not from Luoshui Slope," the man shook his head proudly. "Looking at you gentlemen, you seem to be looking for someone, right?"
As soon as the man said this, Yu Daochen's hand instinctively moved towards the Kang Long Jian at his waist.
Seeing Yu Daochen's hostile expression, the man quickly waved his hands. "Don't misunderstand, gentlemen. A few days ago, two groups of people wearing the same clothes as you also went to Luoshui Slope, and I drove them."
Hearing this, Xu Lei looked at Yu Daochen beside him.
Yu Daochen understood what Xu Lei meant and nodded, looking at the man. "Since you know where Luoshui Slope is, please take us there. We'll pay whatever the cost."
Seeing that he had hooked a big fish, the man chuckled and held up three fingers. "Three thousand yuan."
"Three thousand yuan!?"
Yu Daochen subconsciously echoed.
Three thousand yuan! Why don't you go rob a bank? Even a Ferrari wouldn't cost this much.
This is clearly a scam.
The man said with a determined look, "The road to Luoshui Slope is all mountain roads and difficult to travel. It's reasonable to charge a small vehicle maintenance fee."
Just as Yu Daochen was about to haggle, Xu Lei beside him took out his phone without a second word and prepared to scan the payment. "Alright, three thousand yuan, right? I'll pay you now."
Yu Daochen looked at Xu Lei, who didn't even bat an eye, with envy.
This damned Fu Sect is so rich, it makes me furious.
After paying, they followed the man to a dilapidated Wuling Hongguang.
Yu Daochen looked at the van, whose doors were about to fall apart, and raised an eyebrow. "You're telling me this thing needs maintenance?"
The car was so dilapidated that it was beyond description. He would even believe it if someone said it was held together with glue.