After leaving the village, Gu Yuan headed straight for the county town.
As for the Iron-toothed Rat, Ah Huang, it was hidden beneath his bulky, worn-out cotton coat.
Upon entering the city, Gu Yuan went directly to Sweet Water Alley, which was Lin Zhou's residence.
Knock, knock, knock!
After knocking, the courtyard door was opened, but it wasn't Lin Zhou who answered. Instead, it was a woman with a gentle face and a rather full figure.
"Excuse me, I'm here to see Lin Zhou?"
Gu Yuan showed a hint of confusion: "You are...?"
The woman gently bowed to Gu Yuan: "I am Madam Hu, Lin Zhou's distant cousin."
Saying this, the woman's face slightly reddened, seeming a bit embarrassed: "You must be Mr. Gu, Lin Zhou has already told me about you."
Goodness, this woman is sporting a fallen horse bun, clearly a widow. Lin Zhou looks honest and sincere, yet turns out to be quite playful... Gu Yuan was surprised, but nodded outwardly: "So it's Sister Hu."
"Just call me Xiu Niang. Please, Mr. Gu, come in."
Hu Xiu Niang hurriedly invited Gu Yuan inside and led him to find Lin Zhou.
Inside the room, Lin Zhou was busy tidying up, and upon seeing Gu Yuan enter, he quickly greeted, "Brother Gu is here."
"My room is too messy, forgive me for the embarrassment. Please wait a moment, I'll be ready soon."
Soon after, Lin Zhou took out a set of pen, ink, paper, and inkstone, and some books, and began to teach Gu Yuan to read and write.
With over a decade of learning habits and cultural education in his previous life, plus the current language was somewhat similar to that of his previous life, and he even had some foundation, Gu Yuan learned quickly.
This made Lin Zhou continuously sigh and lament:
"Brother Gu, if you had started studying from a young age, you might have passed the county exam and earned the title of Scholar!"
In his eyes, Gu Yuan was very smart and talented, a natural for studying. If Gu Yuan had been able to start studying from a young age, he would surely have a promising future.
It's just a pity that Gu Yuan was already seventeen years old, having wasted more than ten precious years.
"Brother Lin, you flatter me."
Gu Yuan chuckled but said nothing more.
Given his status and family background, in the past, even having enough to eat was a problem; how could his family afford to send him to study?
Moreover, what is the significance of being a scholar? In an ordinary ancient setting, it might be good, with many privileges and a high status, but this world is inhabited by demons and even extraordinary powers like Martial Arts cultivation. In terms of status, how could it compare to a Martial Arts expert?
In contrast, Gu Yuan was more interested in Martial Arts cultivation.
At noon, after having lunch at Lin Zhou's home, Gu Yuan continued studying, and only when the sky darkened did he bid farewell and leave.
In the following half a month, Gu Yuan commuted between Gu Family Village and Beiliang County, repeating this pattern of life between two points.
Meanwhile, under his secret observation, Dong Gui and Sun Er were honestly recuperating at home, tormented by their injuries, showing no intention of troubling him for the time being.
As for the Cyan Bamboo Gang in the city, they were quite active lately.
On the streets of Beiliang County, it was common to see a few gang members with clothing embroidered with bamboo leaves on the chest, scanning around with fierce gazes, clearly looking for him.
This matter had also stirred up a lot of trouble.
However, with the enhancement of the "Iron Teeth" talent, Gu Yuan had undergone significant changes.
His height, demeanor, physique, even his appearance, had all changed compared to before.
All these changes combined made him seem like a completely different person.
Even Gu Yuan's parents often felt Gu Yuan was somewhat unfamiliar, not quite like the straightforward and somewhat naive Gu Yuan he used to be.
Furthermore, every time Gu Yuan went to the city, he would make some preparations in advance, for instance, wearing a cotton hat on his head and replacing his old cotton coat and shoes with new ones.
Moreover, since there was no photography technology in ancient times, no one could use a photo to compare and identify him.
With all these reasons, no one recognized Gu Yuan.
Gu Yuan even suspected that even if he stood directly in front of Manager Xu, the latter wouldn't immediately recognize him.
...
That afternoon, after reciting an article as usual, Gu Yuan bid farewell to Scholar Lin Zhou and left Sweet Water Well Alley.
However, he didn't go far; instead, he found an abandoned courtyard that hadn't been inhabited for a long time, leapt up using both his hands and feet, and flipped inside.
"Squeak, squeak, squeak!"
Soon after, the large-sized Ah Huang, comparable to a big cat, emerged from an inconspicuous corner.
With incredible speed, it transformed into a shadow and swiftly ran to Gu Yuan's side.
Its small bead-like eyes were bright, flickering with a shrewd sparkle.
"Let's go to the old place!"
Gu Yuan squatted down and stroked its sleek, glossy head.
"Squeak, squeak!"
Ah Huang seemed to understand Gu Yuan's intention, and with a leap, it climbed over the courtyard wall.
...
Ji'an Hall.
"Haven't found that kid yet?"
Manager Xu looked gloomily at the shop clerk.
"Manager."
The clerk shrank his neck and stammered, "Boss Wu said he's already sent people to look for half a month on the streets, but hasn't found the kid. Moreover... moreover..."
"Moreover what, speak!"
Manager Xu vaguely guessed something, speaking coldly.
The clerk lowered his head: "Moreover, Boss Wu said that although he has some friendship with you, this time the Third Gang Leader of the Cyan Bamboo Gang died because of you, so, Manager, you need to come up with three hundred taels to appease his family. Otherwise, he can't assure what the Third Gang Leader's friends and relatives might do."
Snap!
With a crisp sound, a porcelain cup was swept onto the ground by Manager Xu, shattering into pieces, and the tea splattered everywhere.
"Three hundred taels of silver?!"
Manager Xu's face turned livid with anger, completely losing his previous amiable facade, roaring, "Such a big appetite, does that Wu think my Ji'an Hall is a silver shop?!"
Even he would be severely damaged, giving up half a lifetime's savings to come up with such a large sum of money!
The clerk trembled fearfully, not daring to make a sound even though his leg was scalded by the hot water, burning painfully, seemingly afraid of getting caught in the crossfire.
After a while, Manager Xu managed to calm down a bit.
He actually understood that although he had a good relationship with the Cyan Bamboo Gang's leader, he still had to pay the money, no giving, no go!
After all, that Wu is ruthless and cunning, and like a dog, he could turn hostile at any moment.
If he really didn't pay, his trouble would only increase.
Manager Xu was silent for a moment, then said quietly: "Later, pass a message to Wu Xun for me, saying that I can prepare the three hundred taels of silver, but he must also catch that kid. This isn't a request, it's a condition!"
In his opinion, paying money was one thing, but Gu Yuan absolutely couldn't be let go.
No matter how the Cyan Bamboo Gang's Third Gang Leader was killed by this kid, regardless of who was right or wrong in this incident, these things didn't matter!
What mattered was that this kid had already become his archenemy.
After all, this matter started because of him.
If Gu Yuan isn't dead, he won't be at peace!