Youngsters Travel Together, Lanterns Surveil

Chu Ge turned and saw Wang Xiuyun's figure.

Her features were exquisite, her eyes like clear springs, her appearance beautiful, and her skin like jade. Undeniably, wealthy families were more likely to raise beauties.

However, her sudden arrival was unexpected for Chu Ge.

He felt rather indifferent towards this former childhood friend of his predecessor. The reason he ignored her was that his habits had changed completely after transmigrating.

As a form of self-protection, he adopted an attitude of keeping his distance from anyone his predecessor was familiar with.

Therefore, when Wang Xiuyun mentioned writing to him in the past, he naturally didn't reply.

However, being in the host's home at the moment, he maintained the politeness due, smiling and stating that he had been too engrossed in his Martial Arts research and hadn't intended to distance himself, and so on.

"You've really changed a lot... like a completely different person."

Wang Xiuyun looked at Chu Ge's smile, which seemed amiable yet distant, her pretty face showing a hint of daze before returning to calm. "You say you're engrossed in Martial Arts, have you made any progress? It's been a few years, you should be close to entering Bone Tempering by now."

"This... almost, it's coming soon."

Chu Ge smiled faintly and shook his head.

His strength and cultivation level were unknown even to Hu Xuezhi, so why would he casually publicize it?

It wasn't unwillingness to be high-profile, but rather whether it was necessary.

Having lived two lives, his mindset was mature. He knew well that there was always someone stronger, and one shouldn't boast in front of others, lest they travel the world smoothly only to find themselves unable to move an inch through recklessness.

However, to Wang Xiuyun, this sounded like the stubbornness of a young man trying to save face.

Chu Ge was about to change the subject and inquire about Spiritual Aptitude.

Just then, Wang Youcai approached them with a hearty laugh, heartily pulling Chu Ge into conversation, calling him "nephew" repeatedly.

Chu Ge could only play along. When asked if he needed help with any transportation business, his heart stirred, and he smiled.

"Uncle Wang, actually, I've already decided to sell off my assets in Linyuan City. If you're interested, your nephew is willing to sell them to you!"

"Oh?"

Wang Youcai was immediately astonished. He feigned surprise and regret, trying to persuade Chu Ge, but his mind was already racing with calculations.

In business, there were no emotions, only money.

Wang Youcai, outwardly jovial, felt this was a great business opportunity.

"You're selling your family property? Will your elder sister agree?"

Wang Xiuyun asked in surprise, feeling she understood this person even less.

Chu Ge shook his head. "Since my sister went to the Hidden Water Sect, I've inherited the family assets and can dispose of them as I see fit."

Wang Xiuyun was puzzled. "What do you need so much money for?"

Chu Ge didn't hide it. "I plan to leave Linyuan City and go to the Prefectural City like you to pursue Martial Arts. Cultivating Martial Arts requires a lot of funds."

Wang Xiuyun was taken aback. She hadn't wanted to discourage her childhood friend, fearing misunderstandings.

But seeing his spirited demeanor now, she worried he was being too impulsive and couldn't help but remind him, "Chu Ge, you need to understand that many people overestimate their Martial Arts talent and end up wasting a lot of resources and energy. Linyuan City is too small. In fact, there are too many Martial Arts geniuses in the Prefectural City, but even they rarely go all-in like this. You might need to consider it carefully."

"Hey?" Wang Youcai quickly intervened. "Xiuyun, what are you saying? Everyone has the right to pursue their dreams..."

He didn't want this business deal to be ruined.

At the same time, he was accustomed to maintaining outward harmony.

Chu Ge could feel that Wang Xiuyun's advice was genuinely well-intentioned and not malicious.

However, his affairs were his own, and he would handle them. Naturally, he wouldn't take her advice to heart.

Soon, after receiving Wang Youcai's reply that he would consider it carefully, Chu Ge politely took his leave with satisfaction.

His main purpose for coming was to sell his assets in Linyuan City.

If Wang Youcai was interested, then that was all for the best.

As for the martial arts gathering that Wang Xiuyun proposed at the end, he politely declined.

"Brother Chu... Ever since he started practicing martial arts, he's changed so much, and he's become too insular. Maybe it's good for him to go out and see the world. When he comes to his senses then, I can try to persuade him again."

Wang Xiuyun watched Chu Ge's retreating back, sighing inwardly. She felt that Martial Arts might have harmed Chu Ge.

Some people misjudged their talent and went in the wrong direction, like walking into a dead end and wasting their lives.

She vaguely remembered how spirited Chu Ge had been when they were close. Later, she left Linyuan City, saw more of the world, and broadened her horizons. Upon returning, seeing the greatly changed and increasingly distant young man, she could only sigh with regret.

"Wishing to buy osmanthus to share wine, but it's not like the days of youth."

Speaking of which.

Not long after leaving the Wang Family compound.

Chu Ge faintly sensed he was being watched.

The Exotic Power within the Shadow Lanterns hanging outside the carriage activated on its own, and the yellow paper in his waist pouch began to scorch black.

"Interesting..."

Chu Ge's finger traced across the yellow paper. The Exotic Power within was immediately consumed, and through its connection with the Shadow Lanterns, the yellow paper quickly displayed the scene observed by the Shadow Lanterns.

A scorched black figure appeared on the yellow paper.

It was to the southwest.

"Uncle Liu, drive into the alley."

Chu Ge instructed the coachman driving the carriage outside. Just as he was about to slip out of the carriage window within the alley to counter-track the person observing him from the shadows.

Unexpectedly, at the same moment, he made a new discovery. The instant they turned into the alley, he saw Constable Xiao Qin hiding in the corner of the nearby wall through the carriage curtain that had been blown open by the wind.

"Huh? The yamen is already onto me?"

Chu Ge's heart stirred. He suppressed the urge to get out of the carriage and counter-track, letting the carriage pass through the alley and turn onto another street.

At the same time, the feeling of being watched from the shadows gradually faded. Clearly, the eavesdropper had already left.

"It seems to be someone from the Heaven and Earth Incense Cult. That Iron Token Envoy of the Heaven and Earth Incense Cult has likely realized the Thirteen Golden Spear Bandits are missing."

Chu Ge made a guess in his heart.

Fu Wei, the leader of the Thirteen Golden Spear Bandits, had given instructions beforehand. Before coming to rob him, he had reported the operation.

Now that the Thirteen Golden Spear Bandits were missing, the Iron Token Envoy would naturally think of him first, or other wealthy individuals on the list.

Even if they weren't sure if he alone had eliminated all his subordinates, they would send someone to observe him covertly.

However, the appearance of Constable Xiao Qin proved that the County Yamen had begun to pay close attention to the safety of these wealthy merchants. Anyone suspicious would be watched.

"The strength of this County Yamen is quite formidable; they're not just for show. It looks like the City Guard Captain will make a move soon too."

Chu Ge pondered for a moment, then instructed the coachman, Uncle Liu, to change their route and head to his own Fulailai Inn.

He intended to personally hang two Shadow Lanterns at the Fulailai Inn.

The Fulailai Inn was located in the east of the city, diagonally opposite the County Yamen.

It was a four-story building, towering over the surrounding structures. Standing high allowed one to see far.

He only needed to hang Shadow Lanterns on the top floor of the Fulailai Inn to constantly monitor the movements of the County Yamen.

This way, he would know the moment City Guard Captain Tian Youji led his men to raid the Heaven and Earth Incense Cult's stronghold.

Before long, the carriage arrived at the Fulailai Inn.

Seeing it was the owner's carriage, a sharp inn employee immediately came forward to act as a footstool.

Chu Ge casually tipped him ten copper coins and waved Uncle Liu back.

He planned to stay at the Fulailai Inn for the next few days.

Even when his own inn was at full capacity, the rooms on the top floor were not open to the public. The manager usually stayed there, but now that the owner had arrived, the manager naturally had to move out and sleep with the other employees.

The observation and feedback from the Shadow Lanterns also required Chu Ge, the operator holding the yellow paper medium, to be within close range.

Otherwise, the connection between the Exotic Powers would not be able to ignore distance limitations and would easily break contact.