Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1137 - 592: Wang Chunshi’s High-Handed Attitude (2)

Wang Chushi stood at the threshold, his eyes trailing Gu Sheng with visible irritation, though he ultimately chose not to拦 (intercept) him.

Ignoring the man entirely, Gu Sheng urged his companions onward, quickening their pace until they had departed the Sect grounds.

Once beyond the gates, a collective sigh of relief washed over the group.

"Gu Sheng, your handling of that situation was perfect. That sort of person deserves no indulgence! We took on such a colossal burden for his sake, and this is the attitude he gives us? It is utterly repulsive!"

As Lan Yao finished, Bai Yu nodded in agreement: "Truly. He likely clings to his sense of self-importance, assuming his status alone is enough to coerce us. What a delusion! As practitioners of the Dao, who among us fears whom?"

Gu Sheng offered a weary sigh in response.

"He is a difficult man to manage, certainly. One day remains. Let us observe how things transpire before drawing conclusions."

"And if he refuses to come to us, Gu Sheng?"

"Then we simply take the remains of the Demon Beast and depart. We understood from the start that the Xuan Iron might remain out of reach. Having exerted all our strength, the outcome is trivial. This is not our first time slaying Death Soldiers; if we managed it before, we remain capable of doing it again."

Bolstered by his words, the others nodded with newfound resolve.

"Exactly! Since we have done our utmost, whether we attain that high-grade Xuan Iron is left to the mandate of fate!"

With that resolve solidified, the group returned to their encampment within the cave to find rest.

Mindful that other Demon Beasts might be drawn to the carcass at night, Gu Sheng volunteered to stand guard at the entrance alongside Bai Yu.

As the night deepened, the distant, mournful howls of beasts echoed through the peaks. Neither dared to lower their guard, their eyes scanning the darkness with relentless vigilance.

Some two hours passed before Gu Sheng abruptly rose to his feet.

Bai Yu mirrored the movement instantly.

"Gu Sheng, what is it?"

"Nothing. I simply need to relieve myself."

Bai Yu was left speechless by the sudden tension.

"Did you need to act so dramatic just for that? I thought a threat had appeared."

"I simply stood up. Would you care to join me?"

"I certainly would not."

Gu Sheng chuckled, turning away to head into the shadows.

While attending to his business, he felt the distinct sensation of a gaze fixing upon him.

Alert to the danger, Gu Sheng steadied his breathing, peering coldly into the nearby brush.

Sure enough, a beast lurked there, its eyes locked onto his form.

With a frigid laugh, Gu Sheng drew his Fire Spirit Dagger and strode directly forward.

The beast, seeing Gu Sheng advance, licked its chops with foolish audacity; it saw only a meal, roaring with greater arrogance.

Gu Sheng fixated on his target, manifesting his Spiritual Power. The Fire Spirit Dagger whirled, striking out with deadly precision.

Seeing the weapon projectile lunging toward it, the beast displayed no fear, charging headlong into the fray!

Witnessing the creature’s idiocy, Gu Sheng didn't bother to move; he simply guided the Fire Spirit Dagger via his Spiritual Power to reap the beast's life.

With the creature finally collapsing, he stepped forward to inspect the kill, weighing the carcass in his grip.

"Dense enough. It will serve as a fine meal for us."

With a sharp snap, he twisted the neck, slung the burden over his shoulder, and returned to the cave entrance.

Startled by the movement, Bai Yu glanced over, his eyes stretching wide at the sight of the heavy corpse.

"What occurred? You claimed you were going to relieve yourself—how did you return with a trophy?"

"I did as I said. However, this foolish creature tried to ambush me, so I had to put it down. Let us save it for breakfast."

"Unbelievable. You managed to hunt while relieving yourself?"

"I had no choice; it delivered itself to my doorstep."

Seeing his nonchalant air, Bai Yu rubbed his temples in resignation.

"We are on watch duty; alert me next time something like this happens. Do not assume all the heavy lifting yourself. If you get hurt, Hong Mei will surely have my head!"

"Rest easy. Hong Mei doesn't care for fatty meat; you are not her preference."

Bai Yu could only offer him a look of utter defeat.

As dawn light filtered into the cave, Shi Lou emerged from his slumber.

He blinked, rubbing his eyes at the sight of the roasted remains.

"Brother Sheng, what happened here?"

"This beast wandered in last night. It is your watch now; Bai Yu and I are going to sleep."

Shi Lou nodded, clearing a space for his companions.

As Gu Sheng and Bai Yu retreated into slumber, the rest of the group lowered their voices, careful not to disturb them.

Once the meat was adequately charred, Hong Mei crawled inside.

"Gu Sheng, wake up. It is time to sustain ourselves."

Gu Sheng stirred slowly.

"The time?"

"Near noon."

"Has Wang Chunshi sent word?"

"He has not."

Upon hearing this, Gu Sheng’s brow furrowed, though he kept his counsel. He shook Bai Yu awake, and the two stepped outside.

Emerging from the cave, Gu Sheng scanned the area. As Hong Mei had warned, there was no sign of anyone from the Kunming Sect.

Noticing his grim demeanor, Hong Mei asked quietly, "Should we pay him another visit?"

Gu Sheng pondered this, then shook his head.

The bridges had been scorched the night before. Since matters had escalated this far, there was no longer any utility in pursuing him.

"No. Once we have eaten, we depart."

Hong Mei’s eyes widened in surprise.

"Leaving so soon? We promised him a full day. What if he arrives after we have gone? Why not wait until nightfall?"

"Waiting is futile. If we stay until evening, we will have to scramble for shelter; we gain more ground departing now. I gave him my ultimatum clearly. If he truly desires the Demon Beast’s corpse, he has had ample time. Whether he arrives after our departure is no longer our concern. We are leaving. Settled."

"Gu Sheng, do not let spite dictate our path."

"I am fully aware. This is not driven by spite."

Seeing his resolve, Hong Mei could only offer a resigned nod.

The team regrouped, falling upon the roasted meat with ravenous hunger.

When the meal concluded, Shi Lou leaned back and let out a full sigh.

"Brother Sheng, I am quite stuffed—may I have a moment to digest?"

Er Gou followed suit, reclining beside him.

"Brother Sheng, I have also overindulged. Let us rest a while before pushing on; the delay will be negligible."

Understanding their hesitation, Gu Sheng relented with a nod.

After a significant interval of rest, Gu Sheng rose to his feet.

"The time is upon us. We move."

Hearing the command, the group exchanged hesitant glances but slowly began to pack their gear.

Gu Sheng, losing his patience, offered a sharp, urgent reminder.

Hearing the subtle edge of ice in his tone, they dared not stall again, accelerating their preparations before trailing him onto the trail.

Gu Sheng carved a path along the mountain base, his strides purposeful and deep.

The others followed, exchanging uneasy, helpless looks.

Observing their trepidation, Lan Yao murmured, "I believe Gu Sheng is correct. Wang Chunshi intends to exploit us without any investment. Why continue to yield? We captured the beast he craved; his own greed for that high-level Xuan Iron is what ruined this arrangement. The blame sits squarely on him. There is no fault in us choosing to leave."

Hearing this, the group found comfort in the reasoning, and even if they remained silent, their pace regained its urgency.

An hour later, they reached the foot of the mountain.

Surveying the horizon, Gu Sheng allowed a faint smirk to touch his lips.

"Once we return, we head directly to the White Cloud Sect. It will be a fine chance for Bai Yu to visit his home, and for us to be received as guests."

Bai Yu patted his chest with pride.

"Consider it done. I will ensure every one of you is provided for; I promise you will be satisfied with the hospitality."

"Very well then. To the White Cloud Sect we go."