Yang San Mu stepped forward to inspect the situation. As soon as he arrived, the two Gu Masters bowed and said in unison:
"This subordinate greets you."
He cast a quick glance around, then spoke in a calm yet authoritative tone:
"What is going on? What is the reason for this commotion?"
The moment Jian Long saw him, he recognized him immediately—it was the leader of the caravan that passed by the Bai clan every year.
Without hesitation, he quickly bowed and said in a pleading voice:
"Sir Yang San Mu, I beg you! As one of the figures of the righteous path, and in the name of the friendship between you and my clan, the Bai clan… please save me and take me into your caravan!"
Yang San Mu looked at him with a scrutinizing gaze, questions forming in his mind. The name "Bai clan" was not uncommon in the vast Southern Border, where many clans shared the same name.
However, when his eyes fell upon the patterns on Jian Long's clothes, he recognized that they belonged to the Bai clan he knew. He also noticed the mark of the Lightning Moon Gu on his hand—another symbol of that clan.
At that point, his expression softened, and his tone became more friendly:
"Oh? So you are from the Bai clan… I have close relations with many members of your clan. Tell me, how is old Wen Kui?"
Jian Long replied in a low voice:
"Unfortunately… old Wen Kui passed away about a year ago."
Yang San Mu feigned shock, a look of sorrow appearing on his face as he asked:
"What? Truly? And how did that happen?"
Jian Long sighed before answering:
"As you know, old Wen Kui's daughter was severely injured during a mission long ago, which left her bedridden ever since. He spent all his wealth trying to cure her… but in the end, she passed away."
He paused briefly, then continued in a heavier tone:
"Overcome with grief… old Wen Kui ended his life the day after her death… by poison."
"Oh… I see."
In truth, Yang San Mu already knew this. He was merely testing whether Jian Long was telling the truth.
He had deliberately chosen the name Wen Kui—someone who was neither an elder nor a leader of the Bai clan, making him relatively unknown to outsiders, yet still well known within the clan itself.
Furthermore, Wen Kui's death was a relatively recent event. Given the Bai clan's circumstances and preoccupation, the details of his death had not spread beyond the clan.
Based on all these factors… the only ones who could accurately know this information were Yang San Mu himself and members of the Bai clan.
Thus, even as a Rank four Gu Master, he could not have imagined—
that the youth standing before him was nothing more than a former slave of the Bai clan, who had survived the beast tide, wandered the wilderness, awakened his aperture…
and then killed a Gu Master of the clan, taking his clothes and Gu worms.
"Young man, what is your name? And how old are you?"
"My name is Jian Long… and I am fifteen years old."
With that answer, Yang San Mu's suspicions were confirmed.
The aura Jian Long emitted was that of the initial stage of Rank two… yet he was only fifteen.
This was not normal.
It meant only one thing—
A-grade aptitude.
And what did that mean?
Such talent was extremely rare—so rare that a medium-sized clan could go an entire generation without producing a single individual like this.
Those with such aptitude possessed nearly limitless potential. They could easily reach Rank five… perhaps even the legendary Rank six.
A single person like that could change the fate of their clan entirely.
Because of this… Yang San Mu could not ignore Jian Long and leave him to die in the wilderness.
Not because he feared the Bai clan—it could not compare to the strength of his own clan.
But because such a decision would greatly damage his reputation as a righteous path Gu Master.
If Jian Long were merely an ordinary talent, no one would care if he died.
But as an A-grade talent… he represented the hope of his clan.
How would Yang San Mu appear in the eyes of the righteous path Gu Masters of the Southern Border, if he destroyed the future of the Bai clan simply because he refused to take him into the caravan?
And then there were the practical interests.
The Bai clan was one of his trading partners, relying on him to transport goods.
Would he really destroy that relationship… over a decision like this?
At his request, Jian Long began telling his story—how he got separated from his clan and how he ended up here. It was a coherent account on the surface, though not without a few fabrications here and there… as for the truth about killing Bai Xiang and Bai Bing Yi, he concealed it completely.
After listening, Yang San Mu was convinced.
"Alright, Jian Long, I cannot take you directly back to your clan. However, we are heading to Yanmen City, and from there you can join another caravan to return to your clan. What do you think?"
Jian Long quickly bowed and said with clear gratitude:
"Thank you, sir. I will never forget this favor for as long as I live."
Yang San Mu nodded in satisfaction, then spoke in a practical tone:
"There is one more matter. Forgive my bluntness, but as the caravan leader, I must treat everyone fairly. So I must ask—do you have enough primeval stones to pay the joining fee? It is twenty stones."
Jian Long feigned discomfort and embarrassment before replying:
"No, sir… I only have three primeval stones."
He could not reveal his true wealth—six hundred and forty-three primeval stones.
According to his story, it would not make sense for him to possess such an amount. If he were to produce twenty stones so easily, it would raise suspicion… and open the door to greed in the hearts of others.
That could lead to unnecessary conflict.
As for Yang San Mu, he had already expected this.
He turned to the Gu Master standing on his right and said:
"Take this boy to Luo Zu and have him work under him. He has been complaining about a shortage of manpower since the last attack… this boy should suffice."
Then he turned back to Jian Long and said:
"In this caravan, a Rank two Gu Master earns four primeval stones per day. I will deduct one stone as the fare for twenty days… leaving you with three to sustain yourself."
He paused for a moment, then added:
"Is that clear?"