Chapter 6

Young Master Qingge gave a slight bow with cupped hands.

"I am Luo Xuan. Greetings to you all."

"This is no place for conversation. The Yan family may return at any moment. Please, let us move elsewhere."

Baili Dongjun and Sikong Changfeng exchanged a glance and raised no objection.

But they saw Jiang Mu Ming remain motionless.

Luo Xuan promptly urged, "This is far from a peaceful spot. I can see you are a man who loves books, and surely you wouldn't want to be disturbed by idle folk."

After a moment's thought, Jiang Mu Ming gave a slight nod.

To him, the affairs of the Yan and Gu families weren't necessarily something he had to meddle in.

What mattered most now was finishing all the books he'd found since leaving Beyond Heaven.

He had already read over twenty-nine thousand nine hundred volumes.

Based on the system's past patterns, when his reading count reached thirty thousand volumes, he was sure to receive an immensely generous reward.

Breaking into the Carefree Heaven Realm was a certainty!

So he absolutely couldn't be disturbed at this time.

"Very well, then I'll go with you." Jiang Mu Ming stepped over to the book stall and waved his hand. "Come, come, help me carry these."

"These books can't be left here."

Outside the city, Xi Ruo Temple.

Night fell.

The campfire crackled and popped from time to time.

Everyone gathered around the fire.

At the very back, Jiang Mu Ming lay on his side, using the firelight to read intently.

It seemed nothing could draw his attention.

Not even the fact that they were discussing the most important matter in the entire Southwest Dao at this very moment.

"You two young friends, since you've been dragged into this affair,"

"it's only right you know what's really going on."

Lei Mengsha slowly laid out the current situation.

In the entire Southwest Dao, there were two great families: the Gu family of the Gold Coin Workshop in Chai Sang City, and the Yan family of the Wood and Jade Guild in Kaiyang City.

But half a month ago, the Gu family head, Gu Luoli, suddenly died.

The entire Southwest Dao was plunged into a massive whirlpool.

Taking advantage of Second Young Master Gu Jianmen's absence, Fifth Master Gu, acting as his uncle, forcibly arranged a marriage for Gu Jianmen with Miss Yan.

"What's this about?" Baili Dongjun asked in confusion. "The Gu family just lost their patriarch, and now they're turning around to betroth the second young master?"

"That doesn't make any sense!"

Shouldn't they be hunting down the killer of Gu Luoli first?

Unless...

"Simple. The real murderer of Gu Luoli is this Fifth Master Gu."

From the side, Jiang Mu Ming, still reading sideways, said softly.

As for this answer, Jiang Mu Ming didn't even need to use his brain.

It didn't interrupt his reading at all.

Because only the killer knows best who the killer is.

"Exactly," Sikong Changfeng also deduced. "Gu Luoli was likely killed through a joint plot by Fifth Master Gu and Yan Bietian."

"The goal is to completely swallow up the entire Gu family!"

Baili Dongjun's eyes lit up as the whole picture became clear.

He praised, "Not bad, you broke loser!"

Now everything was crystal clear. Yan Bietian, wanting to annex the Gu family, had joined Fifth Master Gu to kill Gu Luoli.

And then...

This wedding feast was hardly going to be a joyous occasion!

Yan Bietian would surely make a move!

One of the Eight Princes of Northern Li, Young Master Lingyun—Gu Jianmen—was likely in danger!

And that was precisely why Lei Mengsha and Luo Xuan had shown up here.

"Someone's coming."

Jiang Mu Ming suddenly set down his book.

He looked toward the door.

Everyone followed his gaze.

Outside, in the darkness, a figure slowly stepped from shadow into light.

Her black robes gradually shifted to a crimson gown.

The newcomer was a woman, but one utterly devoid of expression.

Even so, her stunning beauty lost none of its luster.

Seeing this, Young Master Qingge, Luo Xuan, immediately rose.

Clutching his flute, he cupped his hands in greeting.

"Miss Yan."

The arrival was none other than the soon-to-be-wed Miss Yan—Yan Liuli!

Yan Liuli's face remained blank.

She simply spoke: "Young Master Qingge, Young Master Zhuo Mo."

Lei Mengsha froze.

Why would Yan Liuli come looking for them at a time like this?

And it seemed Luo Xuan was already acquainted with her.

"What's going on?" Lei Mengsha demanded at once.

Baili Dongjun and Sikong Changfeng were also bewildered. Yan Liuli was a member of the Yan family—wasn't she the enemy?

Why was she here?

"Because this young lady is also a pawn, also someone to be pitied."

The speaker

was Jiang Mu Ming, who had just put down his book.

Truth be told, this Miss Yan's life had been truly fraught with hardship.

The man she loved had died at her own brother's hands.

And now, manipulated by Yan Bietian, she was being forced to marry Gu Jianmen—a pawn for the Yan family to legitimately seize control of the Gu Family.

"And you are..." Yan Liuli turned to Jiang Mu Ming.

A flicker of curiosity stirred within her toward this blue-robed youth.

Young Master Qingge, Luo Xuan, quickly introduced him.

"This is Boss Jiang Mu Ming. Thanks to him during the day, these two young lads were rescued from White-Browed Xiao Li."

He added a pointed remark.

"Worth mentioning—"

"White-Browed Xiao Li also died at Boss Jiang's hands."

Yan Liuli's expression shifted instantly.

As the Yan Family Steward, she knew well what White-Browed Xiao Li was capable of.

To kill Xiao Li and emerge seemingly unscathed—

his strength must be extraordinary.

Perhaps... he could help her achieve her wish!

With that thought, Yan Liuli crossed her hands before her, knelt on both knees, and bowed her head gracefully.

She pleaded: "Since you, sir, take pity on Liuli's plight—"

"I beg you to aid me!"

But Jiang Mu Ming only smiled faintly.

He neither agreed nor refused.

He said, "The ones beside you will naturally assist you."

"Having them is already enough."

However, Jiang Mu Ming didn't close the door entirely. He shifted his tone, "But if the critical moment comes, it's not impossible for me to lend you a hand."

"Only... you must unconditionally agree to one request of mine."

Jiang Mu Ming revealed a hint of a mysterious smile.

Since he wanted to spread the Way across the world, relying solely on himself would inevitably take a long time.

And Yan Liuli before him was an excellent helper.

Once the wedding banquet concluded.

As the head of the Yan Family.

Yan Liuli could play a huge role!

Yet that faint smile, as it fell upon Yan Liuli's eyes, carried a deep meaning.

Could it be...

A trace of redness crept across Yan Liuli's pale face, and she couldn't help but think of the worst possibility.

But when she thought of Gu Luoli's death.

And the deeds of her own brother, Yan Bietian.

Hatred ultimately prevailed.

Gritting her teeth, she nodded, "I will follow whatever instructions you give, sir!"

She, Yan Liuli.

Was throwing caution to the wind!