Knowing how difficult it was to find the two old men in full public view, Ah Dao also understood that it wasn’t the time to show off, and could only watch them set off.
The two of them made their way up the mountain.
To the ordinary Gu People, the Saintess was akin to a Gu Master, representing the Gu Master no matter how much they fought in secret.
So, unlike Bai Junjun’s unnoticed presence that morning, Wu Nuan was met with bows and salutations almost every three steps as she moved.
Bai Junjun kept her head down on the way until they reached a deserted place, and then she lamented, "You were clearly punished to go to Reflection Cliff, yet these people seem completely unaware of it."
Take Mr. Shan Hai, for example. He was oblivious to Wu Nuan’s punishment.
Probably only Mr. Dan He knew because of his love for gossip.
Look at these villagers; it seems they know less than what they are unaware of.
"The Gu People don’t meddle in politics. For them, having enough Insect Food is far more important than whether a Saintess has made a mistake."
"What’s the difference between their lives and those of worker ants?" Bai Junjun quirked an eyebrow.
"?" Wu Nuan looked puzzled, not immediately grasping what worker ants meant.
Bai Junjun paused mid-step, having forgotten that in ancient times ants were just ants, and they were not further categorized based on their type of labor.
Bai Junjun touched her nose and said, "Don’t you find the Gu People here a bit pitiable? Everyone’s only concerned about whether Insect Food can be exchanged for survival resources. Regardless of the fights above them, they have no thoughts or will of their own. Although Witch Ancestor Mountain has no wars and is the closest to divine decrees, don’t you think the Gu People’s life is like numb insects?
Oh, my mistake, insects would still struggle for their stores."
"..." Wu Nuan remained silent, but her eyes held inexpressible emotions.
"I’m wrong as well. There are actually many who couldn’t bear it and left. Otherwise, Witch Ancestor Mountain wouldn’t have so many Sacred Objects lost outside. They must also feel that life on Witch Ancestor Mountain is not reasonable."
Bai Junjun knew when to stop and left the rest for Wu Nuan to ponder over slowly.
Sometimes, to change someone’s thinking, you have to let them learn to think for themselves.
Wu Nuan did not reply all the way, but her expression clearly showed she had taken the words to heart.
Bai Junjun smiled with satisfaction, refocusing her attention on the surrounding path.
The road Wu Nuan took was the same as the one Mosquito-eating Plant had indicated, and Bai Junjun became even more certain that Fox had gone to the Forbidden Land.
However, at a fork in the road, Wu Nuan suddenly called for a halt.
She pointed toward an inconspicuous area: "There’s a path here."
Bai Junjun followed Wu Nuan’s direction but, despite her efforts, could not discern any path.
Wu Nuan took the lead, and as they walked deeper, the surrounding shrubbery became denser and gloomier, quickly obscuring the sun.
Witch Ancestor Mountain by day was safer than at night because insects prefer the dark; they restrained a bit during the day but ran rampant at night.
But as the two went deeper, it was hardly any different from nighttime.
Along the way, Wu Nuan’s Gu insects no longer served a deterrent effect, as wild Gu insects frequently darted out.
But every time they stirred, Bai Junjun’s leaves would automatically wrap and devour them, silencing these insects before they could even reach the two.
Wu Nuan did not realize this at all, assuming that the insects nearby had all been captured.
After all, with Gu Dueling underway, the Gu People’s hunting of Poisonous Worms was always more frenzied than usual.