Chapter 296: Reuniting with an Old Friend

Regarding the salt ship mission assigned by the Murong family, Kai Xin had no idea how to approach it. In her past life, the amount of tasks had been enormous—every sect had countless tasks of various sizes, intricate and covering all fields. But since it was a task personally entrusted to her by Miss Murong, Kai Xin didn’t refuse it. She took on the so-called salt ship mission, learned more about it, and then left the room.

When she arrived by the rabbit hutch in the backyard, the little girl Yu Luo was still struggling with the rabbits, ignoring Kai Xin as she passed by. Kai Xin, lost in thought, also paid her no attention.

Suddenly!
Urgent footsteps came from outside. Several people rushed over, their eyes lighting up the moment they saw Kai Xin:
“Elder Brother Kai Xin!”
“Haha, it really is you!”

Familiar voices pulled Kai Xin out of her thoughts. Looking up, she saw Xuanfeng Xiao Li, He Shi Yi, Xu Lang, Lan Yan, and Xiao Fu—familiar faces rushing toward her.
“Hey, Elder Brother, you’re really unfair! You didn’t even let us know you were coming back!”
Xuanfeng Xiao Li punched Kai Xin playfully before laughing and slinging an arm around her shoulders.
“Come on! To Yumen Tower! Let’s celebrate!”
“Right!” “It’s been so long since we last drank together. Now that you’re famous, we might not get the chance again.” Xu Lang agreed with a smile. He Shi Yi stood by with a smile, still quiet but looking in good spirits.

“How did you all come here together?”
Kai Xin was both surprised and delighted by their arrival.

Lan Yan quickly interjected, excitedly chattering and helping to explain. Though she spoke fast, Kai Xin managed to understand roughly what had happened. After throwing darts, Lan Yan and the others realized the danger of the jade box and decided to abandon their mission. They returned to Gusu City. Since they often saw each other in the Murong family, they quickly became close friends with Xuanfeng Xiao Li, drinking together and working on missions. Xuanfeng Xiao Li’s personality suited them well, so they became friends!

“We were practicing together just now. When we heard you were back, we were afraid you’d leave right away, so we rushed back immediately!” Xiao Fu said softly, staring at Kai Xin’s face.
“Yes, Sister Xiao Fu kept urging us along the way… Haha…”
“Lan Yan, you big talker! Stop talking nonsense.”
Xiao Fu blushed and tried to pinch Lan Yan’s ear, but she dodged.

Everyone exchanged smiles.
“It’s been so long. I’ve missed you all too. Come on! Let’s find a place to sit and talk properly,” said Kai Xin.

A group of people, the earliest disciples of the Murong family, left the Murong family in a grand procession under the envious gazes of the disciples who had come to the front hall, heading toward the Jade Gate Tower.
On the way,
Xuanfeng Xiao Li naturally didn’t forget to tell Kai Xin about the current situation in Gusu City.
It turned out that since he left, Tianba Gate had expanded rapidly, trying to completely destroy Longhu Gate and become the top sect in Gusu City. But…
First, due to a failed attempt to seize a convoy and being severely weakened by Longhu Gate’s counterattack, people like He Shiyi from the Murong family returned and joined forces with Longhu Gate to defeat Tianba Gate utterly. Just then, news came that Kai Xin had ranked third on the list of famous figures, putting even more pressure on Tianba Gate. From then on, they lived in constant fear that he might return one day. Under this dual strain, the sect gradually declined.
A month ago, only a few members remained, and it had completely become a minor sect.
Hearing this, Kai Xin vaguely remembered that he had indeed been attacked by Tianba Gate’s disciples while on a convoy protection mission. Back then, he had resolved to return and deal with Tianba Gate, but now it seemed unnecessary—Tianba Gate was completely destroyed.
“Elder Brother, lately, Longhu Gate has grown even stronger and seems on its way to becoming the top sect in Gusu City!”
When they sat upstairs at the Jade Gate Tower, Xuanfeng Xiao Li said, “However, Jiuwen Long is quite good at managing his disciples. He keeps them in check, prevents them from causing trouble everywhere, and treats our Murong family with respect.”
“Oh?”
Kai Xin raised an eyebrow. The former leader of Longhu Gate did indeed have systems to discipline his disciples, and it was no small feat that these systems had persisted to this day.
“That’s true,” Lan Yan said excitedly. “Every time we go to a place to train, the people from Longhu Gate call Xuanfeng Xiao Li ‘Brother Feng’ and give us the space. Xiao Li is extremely proud of that.”
“Yan Yan, what are you talking about? It’s embarrassing enough to mention such things in front of others, let alone in front of Elder Brother. They’re just saving Elder Brother’s face,” Xuanfeng Xiao Li said, glancing at Lan Yan with a sheepish expression.
Kai Xin chuckled.
“What about Xi Men and the others?”
“Oh, they’re on missions. Xi Men is quite skilled now. Not to mention being in the Mysterious Realm, he’s also obtained four top-tier skills from his sect, which is much better than us. Now he’s the leader of the Six Heroes of Gusu.”
“The Six Heroes of Gusu?” Kai Xin was surprised.
Xuanfeng Xiao Li showed another embarrassed look.

“That’s how it is. We think that since the eldest brother has become so famous now, if we include you in our group, others will surely say we’re trying to boost our own reputations. So, I, Ximen, Canglang, Xuan Kun, Xuan Zhong, and Qiankunzi formed a group of six, aiming to venture out into the martial world and chase after you, the eldest brother. Well, hehe, we’ve already achieved something—here in Gusu City, we’re known as the Six Heroes of Gusu.”
“Great.”
Happy raised his wine cup with a smile: “To the Six Heroes of Gusu! Let’s drink together.”
Everyone cheered in response.
With the wine in their stomachs, the atmosphere grew lively.
Xuanfeng Xiao Li mustered up his courage and declared boldly, “…Eldest brother, you know what? One day, I, Xiao Li, will definitely make it onto the list of famous warriors too, just like you, and achieve great things!”
Amidst the laughter, more toasts followed.
“Eldest brother, I’ve always had an idea.” After several rounds of drinking, Xuanfeng Xiao Li suddenly stared at Happy and sighed, “Look at you… You’re already so famous now, but sometimes I find you really strange. Lately, you’re not joining any gangs or forming your own, not even joining a big gang like Xiyi Men that values both fame and strength… You’re just focusing on improving your skills. It seems you have a goal, but it’s hard to figure out what it is.”
“I think it’s fine this way.”
Happy remained calm, smiling as he poured himself some wine.
“I think it’s not good, really! For a long time now, Ximen and I have been waiting, hoping that you’d form a gang! Before, you could still decline, but now, you have fame, strength, wealth, and intelligence—all we need is for you to give the order. Not just in Gusu City, but across the entire Jiangnan region, you could carve out your own domain!”
At the table, He Shiyi and the others also showed hopeful expressions, staring at Happy earnestly…