Dugu Qingcheng looked at the thin young man and asked, "Hey, I haven't asked yet, how should I address you?"

The thin young man hesitated, pondering silently.

"If it's difficult, forget it."

Dugu Qingcheng waved his hand, not intending to press further.

"It's nothing."

The thin young man thought for a moment and smiled, "I am Song Wu. It's a rare fate to associate with four young heroes like you, and it's my honor."

His identity is somewhat sensitive.

At least in Qian Country, once revealed, it would easily bring a fatal disaster!

But as Song Wu thought about it further.

The world is vast.

Even in a lifetime, it's hard to traverse it all.

Encountering Chen Tang and the others in the vast Jianghu is a rare event.

Thinking that this farewell means there might be no chance to meet again, telling them his name wouldn't really matter.

These four are young. Even the oldest-looking one, Yuwen Heigou, is only in his twenties, possessing the kind of chivalry and sharpness unique to the young, and all are people of character.

Meeting these four made him genuinely happy.

If not for his identity and important duties, traveling the Jianghu with them would be so carefree and dashing!

"I am Dugu Qingcheng."

"I am Murong Haitang."

"I am Changsun Jingren."

"I am Yuwen Heigou."

The four introduced themselves in turn.

Song Wu, who had just been thinking about the good qualities of these four, was now taken aback hearing their names, saying with a dark face, "These names of yours, aren't they a bit misleading!"

"Haha!"

After Song Wu appeared, he consistently outshone the four, seemingly knowing everything, calm and cautious. Seeing him at a disadvantage was rare, and Chen Tang and the others couldn't help but laugh heartily.

Dugu Qingcheng teased, "Brother Song, you're still too young, lacking Jianghu experience. In our world, names aren't given out so easily."

Come to think of it, Chen Tang and the others had known Song Wu for less than a day and night.

Yet, within this day and night, the five of them experienced a lot together.

They leveled Wushan Village together.

Infiltrated the Profound Celestial Temple together.

Encircled and killed the Observatory Master together.

And now, they're escaping together.

Even Chen Tang and the others hadn't known each other for more than a month.

Sometimes, though, the fate between people is just so mysterious.

Some people, even if they spend decades together, can't stand each other, just like strangers.

Yet with some, once met, there seems to be an inexplicable magnetic attraction, pulling them together.

Even a chance meeting feels like they've been old friends for ten years, kindred spirits.

Chen Tang and the others, except for Changsun Ming, didn't even know each other's real names.

But does that matter?

It's not important.

Yuwen Heigou originally wasn't interested in anything and appeared somewhat downcast, gloomy, and disheartened.

But during the time spent with Chen Tang and the others, he had changed a lot.

"Names don't matter, they're just labels."

Song Wu smiled, "If we meet again, I'll call you Sister Qingcheng, Brother Jingren, Brother Haitang, Brother Heigou, and don't pretend you don't know me."

"Not knowing each other is fine too."

Yuwen Heigou, seemingly lost in thought, suddenly uttered this with some sadness.

"Here we go again!"

Chen Tang and the others said in unison.

Yuwen Heigou shrugged slightly and said, "All good things must come to an end. We will each leave, and with the vastness of the world, we may never meet again in this lifetime. Times change, and people change. Even if we meet again, it's fine if we don't recognize each other."

The atmosphere among them grew silent.

What Yuwen Heigou said was somewhat harsh, a bit sad, but closer to reality.

Dugu Qingcheng suddenly said, "Big Heigou, no matter how many years pass, I will remember you, remember everything we've been through, remember how we fought side by side when I first ventured into the Jianghu, and met a friend named Big Heigou."

"Friend?"

Yuwen Heigou seemed dazed.

This word felt alien to him.

He never really had friends.

He despised his lineage and those around him, always being a lone wolf.

"That's right."

Changsun Ming nodded and said, "Even if you don't recognize me, I will always recognize you."

Chen Tang said, "Mainly because your name is too striking, Yuwen Heigou, unforgettable in this lifetime."

"Hahaha!"

Everyone burst into laughter.

The previously sad atmosphere was diluted quite a bit.

Song Wu couldn't help but ask, "Brother Heigou, I'm really curious, even if it's a fake name, why would you call yourself Heigou? It's hard for any normal person to accept!"

"Mainly because of the surname."

Yuwen Heigou said, "Yuwen Heigou, Yuwen Zhugou, I can accept both."

Dugu Qingcheng snorted softly, "That's right, everything from the Yuwen family is trash!"

The others glanced at Dugu Qingcheng.

She seemed to have deep resentment toward the Yuwen family.

"Is Brother Song leaving?"

Chen Tang noticed Song Wu's intention to depart and asked.

Song Wu nodded.

Yuwen Heigou suddenly asked, "Going back to Nanxia?"

Song Wu hesitated for a moment before nodding again.

He was from Nanxia.

Everyone present had guessed this.

But since it was a sensitive matter, nobody brought it up.

Yuwen Heigou then said, "Judging from Brother Song's skills, you are probably not from Jianghu in Nanxia, but from the military?"

Song Wu's expression didn't change, only his eyes flickered momentarily.

The surrounding atmosphere began to feel slightly strange.

Song Wu didn't answer directly, but instead asked, "If I'm not mistaken, Brother Heigou should be from the Qian Country Capital, right?"

Upon this, the atmosphere turned a bit tense.

"That's right."

Yuwen Heigou nodded calmly.

Dugu Qingcheng gave him a thoughtful look.

Yuwen Heigou asked again, "Brother Song, can you tell us, why did you come to Qian Country this time?"

"Can I not say?"

Song Wu countered.

"Of course."

Yuwen Heigou waved his hand, looked at Chen Tang and the others, and said, "I just asked out of curiosity, why are you all looking at me like that?"

Song Wu thought for a moment and said, "One part concerns the Observatory Master. Another is related to the death of Emperor Qian, the ascension of the new emperor, the rebellion in Pingzhou City, and movements in the Extreme North Cold Domain, so I came to take a look."

Chen Tang was secretly taken aback.

It seems highly probable that Song Wu is a reconnoitre scout from the Nanxia military.

"Brother Heigou, are you going to capture me?"

Song Wu asked.

"Why would I capture you? I'm not one of the Court's dogs."

Yuwen Heigou shook his head, "I left the Capital to distance myself from the Imperial Court, to clear my mind. Capturing you is a job for the Vermilion Bird Bureau and White Tiger Bureau, nothing to do with me."

Song Wu exhaled lightly.

By saying this, he was actually taking quite a risk.

If Yuwen Heigou wished to act against him, it would mean a complete break between the two!

After all, capturing a reconnoitre scout from Nanxia is no small merit.

"Gentlemen, I bid you farewell. Let's meet again if fate allows."

Song Wu cupped his fists in a gesture of departure.

Suddenly!

Song Wu seemed to sense something, his expression changed, and he looked around vigilantly, shouting, "Who's there!"

"Interesting, discovered us so quickly."

Before the voice had faded, Azure Dragon Department Captain Zhai Zhan stepped out from the dense forest, followed by two Guard Captains from the Cyan Dragon Bureau.

On the other side, White Tiger Bureau Captain Jin Rongfei appeared.

Next, a Defender and a Cavalry Captain from Bingzhou City, along with three disciples of the Profound Celestial Temple, emerged.

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