The next morning.
At dawn, the Ten Thousand Medicine House began recruiting mercenaries in Qingshan Town to join them on a trip up the mountain.
When it comes to these kinds of benefits, the Thousand Medicine House is never stingy. They promised plenty of good things, including medical treatment for the mercenaries. As a result, many mercenaries came to sign up.
Boss Yao hesitated for a moment, then took a step back and looked at Gu Fei. "Why don't you pick the mercenaries yourself?"
Gu Fei glanced at him with a half-smile and shook his head. Boss Yao had no choice but to follow the usual rules for selecting people, all the while nervously watching Gu Fei's expression. The terrifying aura that Gu Fei displayed yesterday had left a deep impression on him. Just thinking about it made Boss Yao shudder.
"Are you... satisfied with these mercenaries?" he asked nervously.
Boss Yao felt fear, +10 emotion points
Gu Fei responded indifferently, signaling the end of the recruitment process. During the day, the Thousand Medicine House was busy with other matters, so Boss Yao didn't see them off.
Little Fairy Doctor followed closely behind Gu Fei. Among the mercenaries accompanying Gu Fei into the Magical Beast Mountain Range, just like in the original story, was the Wolf Head Mercenary Group. The Wolf Head Mercenary Group was the strongest of the three major mercenary groups in Qingshan Town, making them the main force among the mercenaries.
However, Gu Fei narrowed his eyes and casually glanced at Mu Li, who was walking at the back with his head lowered. He was the son of the leader of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group and thus leading his group. Gu Fei remembered him as someone with ulterior motives.
Little Fairy Doctor introduced Gu Fei to the group. When she mentioned that Gu Fei was an alchemist, the mercenaries' eyes filled with respect and admiration.
Mu Chuan felt respect, +0.1 emotion points
Qin Zheng felt admiration, +0.1 emotion points
These mercenaries, who lived by the sword, often fantasized about becoming legendary alchemists who could stir up trouble in the world. However, most of them had to settle for the life of a mercenary due to their lack of talent and poverty. Now, seeing a young alchemist before them, they couldn't help but feel admiration.
But Gu Fei's brows furrowed slightly.
Mu Li felt concern, +10 emotion points
In an instant, Gu Fei looked up at the tall and burly mercenary deputy leader. Gu Fei remembered his name well. Mu Li was the one who, in the original story, tried to betray Little Fairy Doctor and Xiao Yan for his own gain.
Gu Fei didn't believe that someone as malicious as Mu Li would be concerned about the safety of a "weak" alchemist like him.
Considering the timeline, in the original story, it was Xiao Yan who should have been with Little Fairy Doctor in the Magical Beast Mountain Range at this point. Realizing this, Gu Fei understood. Back then, Xiao Yan was just an average person, so Mu Li felt no qualms about his plans. But now, with Gu Fei, an alchemist, involved…
Could Mu Li be worried that Gu Fei might get in the way of his plans?
Originally, the Wolf Head Mercenary Group, being the strongest, was supposed to lead the way, with Gu Fei and Little Fairy Doctor in the safest position in the middle of the group. However, Gu Fei had taken the lead right from the start, and Mu Li didn't object to this risky behavior, even secretly ordering his group not to warn Gu Fei.
Yet, Mu Li had been entrusted by Boss Yao to protect Gu Fei and Little Fairy Doctor, so when they encountered magical beasts, he had to put on a show of doing his duty. Moreover, Mu Li was now infuriated with Gu Fei.
When the first wave of magical beasts attacked, Mu Li deliberately slowed his attacks, hoping the beasts would reach Gu Fei before he stepped in. But to his surprise, the man who had boldly taken the lead earlier now pulled Little Fairy Doctor behind him and ducked for cover the moment the beasts attacked!
The first time, Mu Li thought it was just a fluke. But when it happened several more times--
Muli felt anger, +10 emotion points
Seeing Mu Li struggling to fend off the attacks, Gu Fei smirked. If Mu Li wanted to plot against him, he could at least enjoy the "gift" Gu Fei was giving him.
Little Fairy Doctor obediently followed Gu Fei, her eyes alert as she kept a vigilant watch on their surroundings. She didn't comment on Gu Fei's playful behavior. After dealing with several waves of magical beasts, the group finally reached an area rich in medicinal herbs within the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
Little Fairy Doctor experiences excitement, +80 emotion points
Gu Fei laughed. This girl was deeply obsessed with medicinal herbs; in her eyes, even treasures worth thousands of gold couldn't compare to this herb-rich area.
Little Fairy Doctor quickly instructed the group to rest before they started gathering herbs. Gu Fei remained silent, leaning against a tree, quietly observing her. He had chosen his spot cleverly- it allowed him to see the area where herbs were being gathered while also keeping an eye on the mercenaries' movements, including Mu Li, who was clearly scheming after hearing Little Fairy Doctor's instructions.
[Mu Li felt malice, +10 emotion points]
Little Fairy Doctor hesitated for a moment before walking over to Gu Fei. "I'll go see if there are any herbs that the Thousand Medicine House needs. You can rest here and join me later."
"The herbs here are abundant, and there are even some I can't name. Hopefully, you'll find what you need," she said, glancing up at Gu Fei with a smile before waving goodbye.
Gu Fei watched as Little Fairy Doctor left the camp alone, heading into the dense forest. She didn't know that, moments later, Mu Li, who had been pretending to be idle, got up and quietly followed her.
Gu Fei frowned, calculating his options. Knowing Mu Li's ill intentions and worried that Little Fairy Doctor might not be able to fend him off, Gu Fei decided to follow them both quietly.
Gu Fei was an expert at concealing his presence, and Mu Li's strength was nowhere near his. He managed to follow Mu Li without being detected. After crossing through the dense forest, they reached a cliff that came into view.
Mu Li hid in the shadows, spying on Little Fairy Doctor. Gu Fei was behind Mu Li, and Little Fairy Doctor had just climbed up from below the cliff.
"Mu Li, why are you sneaking around behind Xiao Yi Xian?" Gu Fei called out, taking the initiative.
His voice, infused with Dou Qi, echoed loudly towards Mu Li.
"What?" Mu Li was startled, spinning around in panic. He hadn't expected anyone to be following him, let alone without his noticing.
Up ahead, Little Fairy Doctor's face turned pale as she realized that the deputy leader of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group, Mu Li, had been secretly following her.