Chapter 1997 - 1577: Returning Empty-Handed, Branded a Dog Thief!

Isn’t it just a Divine Soul injury?

Isn’t it just incurable?

Isn’t it just the aftereffects being a bit severe?

But, so what? She’s still alive, isn’t she? As long as she’s alive, everything is not a big deal, and there must be a way out; she’ll definitely get better!

"Let’s go, back to the Mercenary Alliance." Waving to Zhou Mu and Shi Wujue, Gu Changsheng said boldly.

Seeing this, Zhou Mu and Shi Wujue exchanged glances, unable to do anything but follow with worried expressions.

With lush green bamboos all around, the three of them slowly made their way through the bamboo forest, with Gu Changsheng’s complaints frequently breaking the silence...

"This trip was a complete waste, gaining nothing and feeling utterly disappointed!"

"It’s a pity about that Tibetan Mastiff, poor thing, died unjustly at my hands. Sigh, evildoer, you really shouldn’t have been so reckless. Why did you have to destroy the Tibetan Mastiff’s body?"

Zhou Mu was stunned; she actually knew?

But before Zhou Mu could speak, Gu Changsheng went on, "What a waste, truly a waste. You should’ve kept it, and then we could take it back to have some dog meat! You have no idea; I’ve never had Tibetan Mastiff meat before..."

This was true; in her past life, Tibetan Mastiffs weren’t for eating!

Even eating dog meat would be condemned as a heinous crime by dog lovers!

Upon hearing Gu Xingshui’s words, Zhou Mu and Shi Wujue’s expressions changed instantly. They’ve realized that this woman has a big heart and no matter what happens, she doesn’t see it as a problem!

Gu Changsheng was a person who always did as she said, and she really left the courtyard of the House of Jiu Yu without a trace, returning to the Mercenary Alliance. However, the next day, the entire Smelting City was searching for the dog thief. Why? Because a big dog went missing from the prestigious House of Jiu Yu. Who wouldn’t be in a state of panic now?

"What a strange occurrence. Smelting City has always had good public order. How could there be a dog thief? I need to have someone keep a close eye on the dogs of the Mercenary Alliance. If they get lost, there’ll be no dogs to guard the home and courtyard!"

Early the next morning, as Gu Changsheng and the others got up, they saw Yong Shu muttering to himself as he walked into their small courtyard.

Hearing this, Gu Changsheng’s mouth twitched instinctively, and she couldn’t help but glance at her own evildoer and Shi Wujue.

Hehe...

Well, the dog thief that Yong Shu mentioned was undoubtedly their group!

Gu Changsheng really wanted to tell Yong Shu that there was no need to worry so much. In fact, the death of Jiu Yu’s Tibetan Mastiff was just an accident, and they had no intention to repeat their actions!

But in the end, Gu Changsheng held back!

Being honest is a crime, and Gu Changsheng would never do such a stupid, self-incriminating thing!

"Oh, Brother Shui Mu, you’re all up. Let me tell you something. The household of Jiu Yu, who forged the Seven Apertures Exquisite Lamp, lost their dog!" Upon seeing Gu Changsheng and the others, Yong Shu immediately called out Zhou Mu’s alias and walked over, his face full of gossip.

Upon hearing this, Gu Changsheng’s eyes drooped slightly.

Damn, we would’ve known even if you didn’t tell us, and we knew it earlier than anyone else!

"What kind of people would actually steal a dog? Could it be that they’re craving dog meat?" Every time Yong Shu thought about the people in front of him being experts, his eyes sparkled. His straightforward nature meant his attempts to get close completely lacked technique, totally hitting Gu Changsheng’s sore spot.

Gu Changsheng’s face immediately darkened.

For heaven’s sake, this is a false accusation!

Where did they eat the dog meat? Although Gu Changsheng thought so, they never saw even a single dog hair because her evildoer destroyed everything too quickly!

This is slander!

Blatant slander!

"Ahem!" Zhou Mu covered his lips with his sleeve and coughed lightly, glancing at Gu Changsheng, "Actually, dog meat isn’t tasty."

Upon hearing this, Gu Changsheng tilted her head and shot Zhou Mu a glare.

Darn it, is this supposed to comfort her?

Is this to imply that not eating dog meat isn’t a loss at all because it’s not tasty?

Her evildoer’s way of thinking is really something!

"What’s wrong with you guys?" Yong Shu looked at Gu Changsheng and Zhou Mu, utterly confused by their silent communication.

On the side, Shi Wujue raised his hand to rub his forehead, feeling helpless.

Gu Changsheng and his group didn’t respond to Yong Shu’s words, and Yong Shu, sensing the lack of interest, could only say, "I’ve arranged for someone to bring you meals. If there’s anything else you need, feel free to tell the people below. Our Mercenary Alliance treats experts with great respect, you can be assured of that."

With that, Yong Shu awkwardly left.

Meanwhile, as Yuan Bao arranged the meals brought by Yong Shu, he exclaimed in wonder, "There really are dog thieves? There truly are dog thieves! Luckily, we don’t have a dog! What a relief! What a relief!"

"What do you mean what a relief!" Gu Changsheng interrupted Yuan Bao before he could sigh deeply, and slapped Yuan Bao’s head, clenching his teeth, "I’m the dog thief!"

"What?" Yuan Bao was stunned upon hearing this, but inwardly couldn’t help feeling a bit delighted.

Relief!

Relief that he hadn’t had the chance to curse the dog thief, otherwise he would have been in deep trouble!

"So it was you who was the dog thief, my lady..." Yuan Bao covered his head, trying to curry favor, aware that his lady and the master had visited the House of Jiu Yu last night.

"I didn’t steal! I accidentally killed their dog!" Gu Changsheng pouted, trying to clear her name.

"Killed it?" Yuan Bao’s eyes widened, "And then ate it?"

"I didn’t even eat it! Didn’t even see a single dog hair!" This was what frustrated Gu Changsheng the most; being labeled a dog thief was bad enough, that was an accident, but being falsely accused of being someone who eats dogs was something she couldn’t accept, as she hadn’t eaten any! Not at all!

"Oh, you’re really pitiful, my lady..." Yuan Bao shook his head sympathetically.

"If I can kill a dog with one slap, do you believe I can kill you with one too?" Gu Changsheng glared at Yuan Bao, looking as though she was about to tear him apart.

"I believe, I believe!" Yuan Bao quickly pleaded for mercy and backed away.

If his lady wanted to kill him, would she even need to use a slap?

She certainly wouldn’t need to, right?

She just needed to say the word, and he’d willingly charge up the mountain of knives or dive into the cauldron!

"Courting death!" Black Man Duo Shu rolled his eyes at Yuan Bao, never having seen someone so adept at courting death, yet Gu Changsheng seemed to actually enjoy such a person, leaving Black Man Duo Shu quite speechless.

"Let’s eat first, then plan the next steps." Zhou Mu walked over with a stern face and sat at the table.

Only then did everyone take their seats, though Gu Changsheng seemed a bit cautious.

"Evildoer, let’s take a mercenary mission after we eat, and head into the mountains." Gu Changsheng said cautiously, watching Zhou Mu’s expression.

"Have you forgotten Jiu Yu’s words?" Zhou Mu turned, casting a sidelong glance at her.

Jiu Yu had mentioned that deep within Divine Mount Qilian, Ta You was up to no good, and Zhou Mu couldn’t help but be wary of Ta You, despite Ta You’s death.

"But Ta You is dead, Evildoer, you know my Divine Soul Injury was incurred in the Star Innate Tower, and we don’t have a cure yet. The second Cold Iron Key is in the Divine Weapon Forging Tower, which also bears Ta You’s traces, so we have to go there no matter what!" Gu Changsheng replied promptly, "Should we just sit idly in this Smelting City? Don’t forget we have Baby Jin Bao, he’s the Spirit of Divine Mount Qilian, with his help, we won’t encounter any danger!"

Hearing this, Zhou Mu turned to glance at Baby Jin Bao, who was happily gnawing on a stone, and the little one, suddenly named, looked up to assert his usefulness, "Yes, yes, I will protect you all, you won’t encounter any trouble on my turf!"

Zhou Mu’s expression eased slightly upon hearing this; he exchanged a glance with Shi Wujue, finally agreeing to Gu Changsheng’s words.

Since they were already in Smelting City, lingering longer was out of the question.

The only worry was about Gu Changsheng’s health.

"Finish your meal and take your medicine!" Zhou Mu demanded, looking as if he would retract his agreement otherwise.

"Take my medicine obediently, then we’ll take a mercenary mission?" Gu Changsheng bargained.

They didn’t have Smelting Currency, so the only way to enter the depths of Divine Mount Qilian from Smelting City was to take on missions and have someone else pay their way.

Zhou Mu cast a side glance at Gu Changsheng and responded with silence.

Seeing this, Gu Changsheng smiled, knowing that Zhou Mu had agreed.

Gu Changsheng wasn’t unconcerned about her health, nor was she unaware of the risks associated with Divine Soul Injury. As a doctor, she understood that worrying wouldn’t help; instead, she should take care until her injury healed, avoiding rash actions!

After breakfast, the group headed to the main building of the Mercenary Alliance, where various missions were posted for them to choose from.

However, as the saying goes, enemies often meet by chance, and just as Gu Changsheng’s group arrived at the main building, they encountered Jin Luoyi and Elder Jin’s party...

Seeing Gu Changsheng again, Jin Luoyi’s eyes were filled with bloodshot fury, while Elder Jin was in a bad state, being carried by others, yet on his face, there wasn’t much animosity; instead, he seemed rather smug and slightly schadenfreude...

Seeing this, Gu Changsheng couldn’t help but furrow her brows slightly...