Chapter 69 – The Merchant Caravan Arrives I

When Gu Yue Mo Yan reached her house, her grandfather was waiting for her as she had expected. After getting thoroughly lectured by him she reported what happened between her and Fang Yuan. Gu Yue Mo Chen was badly startled when he heard what his granddaughter said. He asked her all sorts of questions and fell into deep thoughts after that.

"Grandfather, do you think that Fang Yuan had something to do with this?" Mo Yan asked cautiously.

"No, I don't think he had anything to do with this. Remember he is just a rank one Gu Master who just recently opened his aperture. If he used his Gu Worm you would have immediately sensed it. Moreover from where can he get such Gu?" Mo Chen answered.

Upon hearing this Mo Yan was a little relieved as it was highly possible that she would have to marry Fang Yuan and spending the rest of her life with him. As such if she had to spend every waking second doubting him then that would be exhausting.

"Is it possible that someone recruited Fang Yuan to their faction and is now using him?" Even though Mo Yan was relieved she still kept pressing on Fang Yuan as only through this could she prove that she was still loyal to the Mo family.

"While possible it's highly unlikely, our family has investigated Fang Yuan quite closely before but we didn't find anything. But it may be as you said, someone may be using Fang Yuan to harm us. And Fang Yuan himself may be unaware of it. It is quite possible that this third party wants us to attack Fang Yuan who is at the peak of popularity right now and thereby damage our reputation. But the question is who is it? Who set up such an easily seen-through plan? Is it the Chi faction? But that highly unlikely, maybe some newly emerged faction is testing the waters?" Mo Chen fell into deep thoughts after answering Mo Yan.

It's only natural that Mo Chen wrongly assumed that there was a third party who was trying to use Fang Yuan to harm them, as there are many types of Gu out there with delayed effects Mo Chen thought that one of the Gu Master in the tavern used it on Mo Yan while she was unaware.

"Grandfather then what shall we do about Fang Yuan?" Mo Yan probingly asked. This was what she was worried about the most.

"We will do nothing. We will just observe, for now, keep an eye on him. I heard from the academy elder that he is quite good at martial arts. As such let's hire him to train our Gu Masters, you and Mo Bei will join this training session too. This will be your chance, try getting closer to him while keeping an eye on him. If everything is all right then once he graduates from the academy we will have the two of you married." Mo Chen said while stroking his beard.

When Mo Yan heard this she became happy, as this would be the best-case scenario for everyone involved.

"Also I was informed that when you went looking for him last night you announced that I was preparing a reward for him for his achievement as the village hero. As such go and prepare four hundred and fifty primeval stones and then give it to him." Gu Yue Mo Chen said as he gestured for Mo Yan to leave.

Mo Yan became even happier when she heard this. As she would get to see Fang Yuan again soon.

...…

Two days later.

On Qing Mao Mountain, the bamboo forest was straight like spears as always, pointing towards the blue sky. Halfway up the mountain was a huge number of terraced fields. On the terraced fields were numerous farmers busily working away. These people were naturally all mortal outsiders as the Gu Yue clansmen would never do these lowly jobs.

Ring, ring…

The sound of camel bells could be faintly heard in the spring breeze.

The farmers straightened their bodies as they headed down the mountain, only to see a caravan moving like a colorful worm from the side, slowly showing its head.

"It's the merchant caravan!"

"Yes, it is about time for the caravan to come."

The Southern Borders had a hundred mountains – Qing Mao Mountain was just one of them. On every mountain, there were villages after villages, which were maintained by everyone through their blood relationships and kinships.

In between the mountains, the forests were deep and ominous, the cliffs step and full of dangerous falling rocks. Additionally, in the complex surroundings of the forest dwelled a large number of ferocious beasts and peculiar Gu worms.

Mortals could not pass through at all. It was difficult to get past these obstacles alone, one had to at least be a Rank three Gu Master.

Because of the poor economy, trading was difficult. Thus, the most important form of trading was through the caravan merchants.

The caravan merchants entered the Gu Yue mountain village one by one, lead by a Treasure Brass Toad, on its back thick ropes was tied around plenty of goods. At a glance, it seemed like the toad was carrying a giant backpack.

A middle-aged man with a circular face sat cross-legged atop the toad. He was slim and had a bald head. This man's name was Gui of the Jia clan. His cultivation was at Rank four and he was the leader of the merchant caravan this time.

After the treasure toad was a huge fat worm and a fat beetle. After the fat beetle, there were ostriches with brightly colored feathers, hairy mountain spiders, winged snakes with two pairs of feathered wings, and so on. However, these were in small numbers, most of the creatures were toads. All of the creatures were carrying merchandise and people.

The clan head Gu Yue Bo came out himself to greet the leader of this year's merchant caravan. As Jia Gui had the status of a Rank four Gu Master, if a Rank three elder were to be in charge of receiving him, it would be undoubtedly be seen as a kind of negligence and scorn.

As they greeted each other their tones were very polite.

The Gu Yue village needed the merchant caravans every year to come and trade and the merchant caravan also needed business to make money.

"The clan has prepared food and wine, let me host a welcoming dinner for you." Gu Yue Bo stretched out his hand and said invitingly.

"Clan head is too polite." Jia Gui was flattered. The merchant Jia Gui and clan leader Gu Yue Bo entered the hall where the Gu Yue clansmen had prepared a feast to welcome the caravan.