Faced with Elder Gu's scrutiny, He Kao lowered his head and said, "Not really disappointed, just a bit surprised."

Gu Chun was relentless and continued to ask, "You can fool others but not yourself. Deep down, do you hold a sliver of hope—hope that person is Wan Zhongle?

If Zeng Hongye hadn't confessed the mastermind today, your analysis of Xiaowu would have been the only lead for the investigation in the Ancestral Hall. It's a very serious accusation, and you clearly have no proof."

He Kao: "It's not without proof."

Gu Chun: "People do things for reasons, but that doesn't mean there's evidence. You can suspect him, doubt first and then verify, but you can't hope it was his doing!

Whether it's to prove your cleverness or to vent your resentment, it's not right! You know what I'm talking about, you should distinguish clearly."

He Kao whispered, "You saw through it?"

Gu Chun: "You realized it yourself?"

He Kao: "Indeed, I shouldn't have, seems like it's also a Heart Demon, the breeding of which is often unnoticed."

Gu Chun nodded slightly: "Still salvageable!"

He Kao lifted his cup and said, "Thank you for your guidance."

Earlier, Gu Chun mentioned, the person who directed Zeng Hongye was Yu Pingzhou, a completely unfamiliar name, which made He Kao inevitably a bit disappointed, but it did not escape this Elder's eyes.

He Kao can suspect Wan Zhongle, based on reasonable conjecture, but he cannot hope Wan Zhongle is the mastermind; there's a subtle difference between the two, and that's what Gu Chun was reminding him of.

Let's take an example.

A burglary murder case happened in the district, and the police officer immediately thought of a petty miscreant who had given him trouble and whom he loathed.

The officer can suspect that miscreant, but he cannot hope it was that miscreant who did it from the depths of his heart.

Both suspicion and hope could lead the officer to list him as the suspect, but the nature is completely different. The actual situation might be more complex, with both factors possibly present, even confusing the officer himself.

Suspecting someone can be understood, but changing from suspecting someone to hoping it's that person, then believing it's that person, the mentality becomes skewed and might even backfire on oneself.

He Kao and Wan Zhongle have past grievances, he doesn't have a good impression of Wan Zhongle, which is understandable. He Kao suspects Wan Zhongle, whether right or wrong, if his guess is correct, no need to gloat, if wrong, even less reason to be disappointed.

Today, Gu Chun found out the result through examination, what if he hadn't? Then based on He Kao's hints, it would almost clearly tell Wu Yanjun—the mastermind is Wan Zhongle.

From Wan Zhongle's perspective, this would be He Kao exacting personal revenge, falsely incriminating him without cause.

Under such a mindset, He Kao might even go further, like interrogating Zeng Hongye before Gu Chun's arrival, inducing Zeng Hongye to admit being directed by Wan Zhongle.

Or simply kill Zeng Hongye, then fabricate confessions, claiming Zeng Hongye has already confessed... Actually, He Kao hasn't done this, but it's not impossible.

He Kao couldn't help but think of his cousin He Shan.

He Shan had once come to his workplace to confront him, asking where he had moved those fireworks and firecrackers. He Shan hoped he had done this, so she believed he did it, and even wanted him to admit it.

He Kao prided himself on being clever and meticulous, yet his mindset seems no different from He Shan's at the time, just a matter of degree.

People often see rumors and slandering against someone on the internet, all out of the simplest reason—disliking the person.

This is the heart demon of ordinary people, actually quite frightening.

When the heart demon showed slight signs, Gu Chun timely enlightened He Kao. This Flying Dragon Banquet, He Kao truly benefited from it.

After finishing the drink, Gu Chun asked He Kao if he hoped the Ancestral Hall wouldn't mention his name when handling this matter? Based on the current results, it's possible not to mention what He Kao did.

Elder Gu certainly wouldn't ask this for no reason, it seems the matter involved quite a bit, he doesn't want He Kao to be dragged into it again. This seems to erase He Kao's contributions but is actually preventing him from being thrust into the limelight again, also a form of protection.

However, Elder Gu can only suggest, whether to mention or not depends on He Kao's willingness; after all, young people usually love being in the spotlight.

He Kao tentatively asked, "How can my name not be mentioned?"

Gu Chun laughed: "You have to make up your mind, then Elder Li instructs all the informed parties."

He Kao's opinion is simple.

First, caution Wu Yanjun to only say he was rescued near Xiaohe Town by Elder Li Xiuyuan; second, caution Second Uncle to only say he was commissioned by the Ancestral Hall to bring people to Acheng to control both sides of the conflict.

Finally, caution Qian Guran not to reveal what He Kao told him. Qian Guran contacted Ye Hui to probe but at the time only used the excuse of having a matter with Xiaowu, without saying anything else.

Second Uncle and Old Qian are easily handled, the focus is Xiaowu, definitely warn him not to let slip. Especially in front of Uncle Ye Hui and young apprentice sister Ye Yuxuan, if Xiaowu can keep his mouth shut, that would be considerable progress.

As for Zeng Hongye, Elder Gu would only say that he found him in the wild, interrogated and punished him.

Seeing He Kao so receptive to advice, Elder Gu was quite satisfied. After eating and drinking, he smiled and asked He Kao, "There are rumors in the Jianghu that you are my secret disciple. We can't let people say that for nothing!

Today is a fateful opportunity. Is there anything you want to ask this old man? I have other matters to attend to later, and the time I can guide you is limited, so think it over before you speak."

He Kao pondered slightly and then said, "I want to consult you on the Earth Formation Skill."

Elder Gu stood up and said, "You must have been practicing already. First, take the Earth Spirit Banner, and then follow me to perform the Earth Formation Skill."

He Kao quickly gathered his things, took the Earth Spirit Banner, only to see Elder Gu swing his staff and collapse the entrance of the cave, then turn and walk out of the valley. He hurriedly followed.

Gu Chun walked through thick snow, his speed seemingly unaffected, moving as if he were on flat ground whether going uphill or downhill, evoking a rhythm that allowed him to move as he pleased over the undulating landscape.

Initially, He Kao could barely perform the Earth Formation Skill by relying on the Earth Spirit Banner. But now, following behind Elder Gu, he was guided by an invisible force as if he had practiced this skill for many years, mastering it to perfection.

Gu Chun didn't say a word, letting him experience it for himself.

As he walked, He Kao felt as if he had become Elder Gu, his own Divine Qi and Earth Qi Spirit Core fused into one, seemingly controlling mystical objects yet not—instead using the entirety of the mountains and rivers. Elder Gu was about to take him flying!

Just as he was getting the hang of it, he suddenly lost this state, only to see Elder Gu transform into a cloud and fly into the sky, disappearing in an instant.

He Kao came to his senses, realizing that half an hour had passed. He had traversed nearly twenty miles of mountainous terrain in the snowy plains, exerting his physical strength and Divine Qi to their limits.

With the Earth Formation Skill, he had truly reached the entry level. The future effort would involve regaining that previous state, as Elder Gu had given him a firsthand experience.

Having a master's guidance is indeed different! Otherwise, even if one inherited the skill, relying solely on self-study could lead to unintended mistakes without realizing it.

Gu Chun had already left on a cloud. The old man was off to locate the secret camp Zeng Hongye had set up in the border mountains and forests, and there to contact the mastermind behind it all, saying only that Wu Yanjun had been captured, waiting for them to walk into the trap.

Zeng Hongye had already revealed Yu Pingzhou's contact method and secret signals.

But given how long things had dragged on, it's possible the news had leaked, and whether the mastermind would still walk into the trap was uncertain even for Elder Gu. It was worth a try.

Even if Yu Pingzhou didn't show up, the Ancestral Hall would take him down for questioning, though it might require more effort.

Elder Gu also reminded He Kao to return to Qi Yuan and not to continue being involved in this matter.

He Kao, upon turning around, returned to Crane Ridge, suddenly realizing that despite having requested an additional two weeks off, time was running out—he had to go back to work the day after tomorrow.

Thinking it over, He Kao drove to Acheng, planning to temporarily leave his car with Second Uncle. Then he booked a flight back to Qi Yuan. This journey of ten thousand miles could be deemed fruitful, ultimately saving Wu Yanjun's life.

Why does he always encounter such things? He Kao was somewhat puzzled for a time, correlating his experiences with many stories he had read before. Was he born of fortune or misfortune?

However, in a turn of thought, he came to terms with it, as the encounters were indeed related to his identity.

While eating roasted Flying Dragon, Elder Gu had also asked if this series of encounters made him feel aggrieved or dissatisfied, thinking that heaven was targeting him?

He Kao replied with a bitter smile, "How can one gain from the advantages and still complain?"

Becoming a Hidden Moth indeed comes with costs, but the gains are greater, and there's no need to be melodramatic.

Upon returning to Qi Yuan, He Kao gifted Qian Guran. He personally made a box from excellent wood, lined it with silk, and placed a piece of wild ginseng he had dug out of the frozen ground.

Old Qian seemed very surprised, repeatedly waving his hand, saying this was too precious to accept, worrying that if word got out, people would accuse him of accepting bribes, as he was He Kao's superior.

He Kao, however, laughed and said, "It's just a root, really. I'm gifting it to High-tier Sorcerer Qian Guran, not President Qian the company leader. Ordinary people might not fully understand its spiritual effect."

Qian Guran questioned, "Xiao Kao, do you not know its worth?"

He Kao said, "I initially thought it was quite expensive, guessing it was worth tens of thousands. But an expert told me that it could be exchanged for a house on Crane Ridge; in reality, it's only worth a few tens of thousands, not even half your monthly salary."

Qian Guran gently hinted, "Elder Lin Qingshuang runs a pharmacy; she's the true expert. Why not ask her?"

He Kao said, "I dug up three pieces in total. This one is for you, and naturally, I have to give a piece to Elder Lin as well."

Qian Guran said, "If that's the case, you should give it to Elder Lin Qingshuang first! It's the New Year, and you're just back. It is proper etiquette to give gifts to the elders first and then to me."

He Kao said, "Is it really necessary to be so particular?"

Qian Guran insisted, "It is necessary, very necessary!"

**

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