Clues

The Hidden Shop's proprietor had thought that the agreed-upon time had already passed.

By the rules, he should not have waited even a day for him. But because he was Young Master Chen, an exception had been made.

In the end, the "Yin Bead" had been sold to another customer who offered a higher price and could pay in full at once.

It was not until the third day after the Yin Bead had been sold that Young Master Chen arrived and asked the proprietor for it.

The proprietor said that the agreed time had passed and the Yin Bead had long since been sold.

Young Master Chen flew into a rage upon hearing this and immediately got into a fierce argument with the proprietor.

They had nearly come to blows when the expert guarding the Hidden Shop stepped forward.

Young Master Chen saw that neither he nor the people he had brought could match the Hidden Shop's expert.

So he hurled several particularly vicious insults before leaving with his group.

That very night, the proprietor of the Hidden Shop and four shop assistants

were all found dead in the rear courtyard of the Hidden Shop. The expert stationed there had also vanished without a trace."

I asked Yun Yao uncertainly, "Um... that Young Master Chen you mentioned.

Was he that kid named Chen Hao, the one who told me to stay away from you on the street that day?"

Yun Yao said, "Yes, that's him."

Jiang Yujie clenched his fists and said furiously, "It must have been that brat. His family's cultivation techniques and methods rely on yin energy.

I've fought him before. His Nine Nether Skeleton can only display its power with yin energy.

Yun Yao could not make up her mind for a moment, and she looked at me with a hint of pleading in her eyes.

After thinking it over, I said, "There's no denying that Chen Hao is the most suspicious person right now.

Judging from the motive, it had to be for that Yin Bead.

I'm guessing that the customer who bought the Yin Bead has most likely met with misfortune as well.

There is one important matter left: we need to see whether we can find the expert who guarded the Hidden Shop.

If we can't find him, then every spearhead points at Chen Hao.

There's another point: Chen Hao definitely did not kill them himself.

Fortunately, you sealed off Yun City from the start. I think the murderer must still be inside Yun City.

People should be sent to search the entire city, especially those places that usually seem inconspicuous.

We should pay closer attention to them, as well as the underground trades—places like gambling dens."

After hearing what I said, Yun Yao and Jiang Yujie both nodded to themselves, then instructed Butler Bai to handle it.

Jiang Yujie gave me a thumbs-up. "You're really impressive. You thought everything through so thoroughly."

I froze, thinking, Isn't this just basic deduction? What's so impressive about it?

I was somewhat puzzled about how these two usually lived their lives, so I asked:

"What do you usually like to do, or what do you normally spend your time doing?"

"Practicing, fighting, and occasionally visiting houses of pleasure," Jiang Yujie said.

Then Yun Yao stammered, "Practicing. In my other time, I... I also like embroidery and... and shopping."

At that moment, I raised my tea to my mouth and sprayed it out with a PFFT!

"You children of great Lineages only do these things in your daily lives?" I asked, eyes wide with astonishment.

Jiang Yujie and Yun Yao nodded rather embarrassedly.

I asked Jiang Yujie again, "You visit places like that so often—doesn't your family care?"

Jiang Yujie said that basically all children of great Lineages went to such places; some simply did not wish to admit it.

He added that the male children of great Lineages visiting such places

was perfectly normal, as ordinary as eating and drinking.

I thought to myself, Are the private lives of these Lineage children really that messy?

Then I remembered that I was still a virgin boy, and inwardly cursed. Heaven's way is truly unfair.

At that moment, Qianqian's voice came from within the Yin gathering token. "Um, actually, I can help you."

My face reddened, and I immediately told Qianqian in my mind not to cause trouble. Nangong Yiyi and that man also chuckled.

(Of course, only the people inside the Yin gathering token—or rather, the ghosts—and I could hear our conversation.)

Jiang Yujie saw my face flush red, and his eyes darted around.

Then he whispered to me, "Don't tell me you're still a virgin boy?"

I flew into a rage, stood up, pointed at Jiang Yujie, and shouted:

"Bullshit! I've lived for more than ten years and seen countless women! How could I possibly be a virgin boy?"

Though my confidence was a little lacking, giving me the air of someone fierce on the outside but weak within.

Jiang Yujie revealed a lewd grin and said, "Oh, it's fine. I'll take you there sometime."

I stood there, caught between a tiger and a cliff, and for a moment did not know how to retort. I only said, "I'm not going. Go by yourself if you want to."

Jiang Yujie burst out laughing, while Yun Yao covered her mouth and laughed without stopping.

My face turned red. I knew the two of them were doing it on purpose.

Perhaps they were getting revenge for how I had laughed loudly at them vomiting in the carriage when we returned today.

I watched the two of them laugh at me and had no countermeasure, but when I saw Yun Yao, my eyes began to dart around too.

I thought, I may not be able to deal with Jiang Yujie, but can't I deal with you?

Then I looked at Yun Yao and said, "Um... Yun Yao, do you also often visit those houses of pleasure?"

Upon hearing me, Yun Yao's smile froze. Two rosy clouds swiftly climbed her slightly chubby cheeks, and she covered her face as she said,

"Oh my, Yutong, how can you slander a woman's innocence out of thin air? I have never been to such a place.

Even to this day, I remain pure and untouched." After saying that, she covered her face and ran out of the sitting room.

I sat on the sofa and watched Yun Yao's retreating figure, laughing heartily.

Jiang Yujie, meanwhile, stared at me in utter disbelief, and his stare made my back feel a little chilly.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked Jiang Yujie warily.

"You brat... do you think Yun Yao likes you?"

My face darkened. "Stop talking nonsense."

"Why didn't she hit you for saying something like that to her? Besides, I've never seen Yun Yao look shy in all the years I've known her," Jiang Yujie said.

I told him not to spout nonsense. She was a young lady from a great Lineage—why would she like a country bumpkin like me?

Then I asked Jiang Yujie in return, "The two of you look more like a couple to me. Childhood sweethearts, right?"

Jiang Yujie hurriedly waved his hands. "Hey... no, no, no. That's more than I can handle.

Besides, my father has already arranged a marriage for me. She just hasn't entered the household yet."

I froze and asked, "How could that be? Weren't you two childhood sweethearts?

And you're both from great Lineages, a perfect match in social standing. Why not marry each other?"

Jiang Yujie said that first, he did not like Yun Yao, and of course, Yun Yao did not like him either.

They were indeed childhood sweethearts, but after all these years, they had become more like brothers.

Second, his family had long had the custom of forming marriage alliances with another Lineage, and it had continued for many years.

I was dumbstruck and had no idea how to respond to Jiang Yujie.

"Then if you're already planning to marry, how do you still dare visit those places? Aren't you afraid your future wife will deal with you?"

Jiang Yujie said he was not afraid. First, such matters did not count as anything among great Lineages.

Second, he just had to make sure his future wife did not find out before she entered the household.

I thought that made sense. After all, only great Lineages could afford to play like that. How could ordinary people like us have the time or money to squander so recklessly?