Chapter 107: Elusive as a Ghost

The sun remained fierce, and the bright red "double happiness" banners had already been torn down from the Famous Sword Manor.

Jin Mailang cupped his hands toward Gao Qiao. "Master, thank you for your selfless help this time. I invite you to stay at the manor for a few more days so we may properly host you. If you wish to undertake quests or run dungeons in the vicinity, I can arrange for someone to accompany you."

Gao Qiao sighed. "I understand your intentions, Brother Jin, but I am afraid I must not intrude any further. I am returning to Shaolin now. However, Brother Jin, I have a few words of advice before I depart."

Gao Qiao continued, "Brother Jin, I sense that this situation is different from the usual. Your current opponent is no ordinary man. Especially that fellow 'Might Conquers All'—he may be a small player, but do you know? Much of history has been altered by such insignificant figures because we always underestimate them. If you encounter him again, it is best not to resort to violence if you can avoid it. Sometimes, taking a step back does not mean you are weak. If you look back, you might find that there are many other choices available, whereas if you blindly charge forward, you may find yourself with only one path left."

After delivering this counsel, Gao Qiao left without a backward glance, striding toward the small bridge, leaving Jin Mailang to ponder his words in solitude.

"I am here!" Third Sister walked up immediately.

It was a strange order, but Third Sister did not question it; she knew that Jin Mailang’s arrangements always held deeper implications.

Yan Jiu also approached with a grave expression. "Boss?"

"Very well, I will make the arrangements!" Yan Jiu did not ask further, though he felt a sense of unease. He knew Jin Mailang better than anyone, and he had rarely seen his leader act with such caution. Why was he being so careful?

Baili Feng could not help but ask, "Brother Jin, are we not staying to guard the manor?"

"Then where are we going?" Ximen Jian interjected.

To his disappointment, Jin Mailang replied dismissively, "We are departing—for the Hidden Sword Manor!"

It seemed Boss Jin was preparing to bow before Young Master Qi and make concessions regarding the Xie Family Post. This was expected; after suffering such a heavy blow, if he did not wake up to reality, the next offensive from the Hidden Sword Manor would likely be even more insidious. This time, they had only beheaded his bride; next time, they would claim more lives, stripping everyone of their levels and looting their gear. The manor could not afford such losses.

Although everyone was mentally prepared, hearing it from Boss Jin himself left most of them with expressions of grief and disappointment.

Jin Mailang shot her a cold look. "You have your own mission. Within these three days, I need you to find someone."

"Find that 'Might Conquers All'," Jin Mailang spat the five words out coldly. "Kill him on sight!"

In truth, Zhang He did not need Fourth Sister to go looking for him, for he would soon take the initiative to find her.

A procession appeared at the small bridge beneath the green hills—it was the Beggar Sect’s wedding party, though significantly shorter than the one seen at Happy Forest.

Chen Guangxi was, of course, part of this group.

Yan Jiu and Fourth Sister went to the manor gates to greet him. In the world of *Dynasty*, how many couples were truly in love? How many marriages were born of mutual affection? To put it bluntly, most players married for momentary pleasure or for wealth. They wouldn't marry without top-tier gear, and they wouldn't choose a partner without peerless beauty. They did not love the person; they loved the silver. They did not marry for romance; they married for martial arts.

Chen Guangxi appeared exhausted. "I know Boss Jin sent Cuihua on a mission. She sent me a pigeon message saying she was paralyzed by acupressure when she was killed. The attacker was from the Judgment of Life and Death, wearing a mask, so she doesn't know who it was. But I still have to deliver these gifts, and I intend to seek revenge for her."

His words were incredibly tactful; he made no mention of the loss of face the Famous Sword Manor had caused the Beggar Sect today, and instead actively sought to mend relations. For a steward, such conduct was truly commendable.

"You two are too kind!" Chen Guangxi waved a hand. "Let’s just get the gifts moved into Cuihua’s room first."

The gifts filled twenty-eight chests, hauled by seven horse-drawn carriages into the quiet, secluded courtyard from the previous night. The NPC servants and disciples scrambled to move the boxes.

"The Beggar Sect is truly generous. Look at all those dozens of chests of gifts."

"You could say it’s because Elder Chen is a man of loyalty. Even now, during our manor's lowest point, he not only came to help but still brought gifts."

"They’re probably all precious-tier equipment."

"What if it’s just twenty-eight chests of copper coins?"

...

Just then, a chest sitting on the second floor opened on its own, and a man crawled out. Had they seen him, Steward Yan and Fourth Sister would have been shocked enough to drop their jaws.

Chen Guangxi, however, was not the least bit surprised. He quickly hurried over, delightedly whispering, "It seems you didn't trick me after all. Manor Master Jin and his people have all left. So, what do we do now?"

As Chen Guangxi approached, he gripped Zhang He’s shoulder firmly—a gesture that looked less like a sign of friendship and more like the camaraderie of "good brothers."

Chen Guangxi nodded vigorously. He trusted Zhang He implicitly now; this fellow truly possessed the foresight of a god.