Hidden Joint Staff

Lin Xuan felt that this matter was likely not as simple as it seemed; if the other party was willing to expose their own mole, then their target could not possibly be an ordinary child.

"Did they not demand a ransom? Saying the child was in their hands and requiring money to buy his freedom?"

"No." Gu Lianwei shook her head.

"Then what does this child possess? Enough to make that group use a mole planted within your sect and create such a elaborate ruse to distract everyone. I refuse to believe that, aside from his identity, this child is no different from any other person."

Upon hearing this, Gu Lianwei was astonished by his analytical ability; based on only a few scattered clues, he had already realized the depth of the enemy's scheme.

She nodded slightly and replied, "His constitution is special. When using medicine, the effects are far better than those on an ordinary martial artist, and there is no need to worry about medicinal toxicity."

The words "Medicine Body" flashed through her mind, but she suppressed them; the fewer people who knew about such things, the better.

Silence followed, and the room grew quiet for a moment.

Lin Xuan suddenly smiled: "Hiding things... it seems this child's constitution is even more special than I imagined."

Gu Lianwei remained noncommittal; what those people wanted was the child himself.

Lin Xuan did not continue to press; there were some things that, if asked too deeply, the other party might not be willing to reveal.

"After we adjust our approach, how does Deacon Gu intend to arrange my movements?"

"From now on, your most important identity is not that of a Flag Commander, nor a helper invited by the Qiyun Sect. You are an outsider whom no one notices, no one recognizes, and no one will be on guard against."

Gu Lianwei took a folded piece of paper from the table, unfolded it to reveal a simplified map of Wuqu Province, and explained the internal situation of the city to Lin Xuan.

"The South Gate, West Gate, East Gate, and the Hundred Flavors Garden—you can go and look around these places."

"However, your Garrison uniform is too conspicuous. Buy a set of ordinary cross-collared robes and a square cap; I will cover the expenses."

"Very well. If I discover any clues in the future, how should I contact you?"

Gu Lianwei replied, "I should be staying here for the next two days and will not move easily."

She took a token from her drawer: "In any entertainment venue within Wuqu Province, as long as you show this, you can have a Qiyun Sect disciple come to find me."

"Deacon Gu, is there anything else the child used? I would like to confirm his scent to make it easier to find him later."

"Flag Commander Lin's sense of smell is so keen?" Gu Lianwei asked in surprise.

"I can only say it's decent. A few more clues mean a few more hopes," Lin Xuan responded.

Lin Xuan opened his Book of Fate, sacrificed the [Clear Mind] flickering in his talent pool, and repurchased [Spirit Scent], which he had acquired from collecting corpses on the battlefield.

The Book of Fate had one great advantage: once a talent was recorded, it was permanently preserved; even if sold, it could be bought back with Dao Rhyme.

The moment he equipped Spirit Scent, his nose was significantly enhanced, allowing him to smell various scents in the room that he had previously been unable to detect.

For instance, the faint scent of steamed buns, the smell of ink, and the fragrance of rouge on the woman before him.

"This jade pendant is something he often wore." Gu Lianwei took another jade pendant from the drawer.

Lin Xuan took a sniff; there was a faint, lingering medicinal fragrance. The owner of this pendant likely hadn't worn it for a long time.

"What is the child's name? So that if I find him, I won't be unable to call him by name, and he won't be willing to come with me."

Gu Lianwei answered, "Gu Wuji."

"He also shares the surname Gu... Is he a relative of Deacon Gu?" Lin Xuan glanced at her.

"He is my cousin."

No wonder she was so young and already a deacon of the Qiyun Sect; it turned out she was not only outstanding herself but also had the support of the Gu family behind her.

Most of the doubts in Lin Xuan's heart vanished.

Just as he was about to turn and leave, he suddenly looked back: "I forgot one thing. Since I'm going to be doing this kind of dangerous work, I need a weapon. I can't take my military staff or my saber."

"That's true. It was my oversight."

Gu Lianwei opened her drawer, which looked like a treasure chest, and took out a one-foot-long circular metal rod with a bronze-purple hue.

"This item is called the Hidden Joint Staff. It is crafted from rosewood inlaid with copper. It is discreet to carry, and the staff body is sturdy. When you need to use it, just give it a flick, and the segmented joints will instantly lock straight, becoming a three-foot weapon."

With that, she gave it a forceful flick, and it truly transformed into a three-foot staff that looked quite solid.

After she squeezed the tip of the staff, it clicked and retracted back into its original form, and she handed it to Lin Xuan.

"That's all there is to it. It's very simple to use."

Lin Xuan replied, "Good, I'll take it."

He took the staff and turned to walk toward the door, but just as he reached the threshold, Gu Lianwei spoke up.

"If Flag Commander Lin finds that the situation is wrong, prioritize saving your own life."

Lin Xuan stopped in his tracks, though he did not turn back.

"Deacon Gu seems to have little confidence in me."

Gu Lianwei shook her head: "Quite the opposite."

Lin Xuan smiled upon hearing this: "Rest assured, I value my life more than most."

He pushed the door open and stepped out.

Seeing him leave, Gu Lianwei immediately instructed the maid beside her: "Yun'er, mobilize our people at once. Notify the authorities to head to the North, South, West, and East gates, leaving only a small force behind."

After descending the stairs, Zhang Xiu was sitting in the main hall drinking tea. Seeing Lin Xuan come down, he immediately hurried over to meet him.

"Flag Commander Lin, why were you up there so long? Was everything settled?"

"It is settled." Lin Xuan nodded.

"Did you buy the cultivation technique?"

"You could say that."

Lin Xuan did not offer much of an explanation.

Because the current situation had already far exceeded the scope of merely buying a cultivation technique.

The two of them quickly left the Pleasure Pavilion.

"Uncle Zhang, take my clothes back to the inn first. I have some business to attend to."

With that, Lin Xuan unfastened his military jacket and the token at his waist, handing them to Zhang Xiu.

Once the military jacket was off, his attire became indistinguishable from that of an ordinary civilian.

Since it was currently winter, he had been wearing winter clothes with the military jacket layered over the top.

A look of worry appeared on Zhang Xiu's face: "You aren't familiar with this place at all. Will you be alright?"

"What is there to fear? I'll be fine." Lin Xuan replied with a smile.

Lin Xuan pinched his nose.

The scents on the street were a chaotic mix of origins—stenches, the sour smell of sweat, and even the odor of animal excrement on the ground—all swirling together, making his nose struggle to cope.

This is the reason I chose to sacrifice this talent back then, but it's actually quite useful now.

After Zhang Xiu left, he went to a nearby clothing shop and bought a brand-new civilian cross-collared robe and a scholar's cap.

Dressed this way, he looked exactly like an elegant and handsome scholar; not a trace of his previous military air remained.

Using the local dialect of Liang City, he asked a passerby: "My good sir, could you tell me the way to Hundred Flavors Garden?"

The man he asked was dressed in fine silks, yet he walked with his head hung low, looking utterly dejected.

However, since someone had politely asked him for directions, he pointed toward the distance: "Hundred Flavors Garden? That way."