Young hero, stay put and don't be reckless.

Chapter 115 Staying Home

Jiang Xun left the city lord's mansion and walked back along the main street.

There were more people on the street than in the morning, and a queue had formed in front of the stall selling baked buns, with steaming baskets stacked high.

Several children were squatting by the roadside, flicking pebbles. Their dirty faces were covered in snot, and they were laughing loudly.

A merchant from the Central Asian region was leading a camel through the street, the camel bells jingling and attracting the attention of passersby.

Jiang Xun stopped in front of the steamed bun shop, bought two meat buns, and ate them as he walked.

The meat filling was quite fragrant, and the dough was soft. When he took a bite, hot broth overflowed, making him gasp for breath.

He finished one in a few bites, then took a bite of the second one, muttering to himself, "These buns from the North are definitely more substantial than those from the Central Plains."

Back at the house in the west of the city, it was quiet inside.

But Jiang Xun knew there were people inside.

"Shadow Seven?"

No one answered.

He frowned, walked to the door of the main room, and was about to push the door open when a voice suddenly came from behind him.

"Young Master."

Jiang Xun turned around.

Ying Qi was already standing in the courtyard at some point, dressed in gray clothes, with a black cloth covering her face, revealing only her eyes.

Jiang Xun was already used to this person's elusive manner and wasn't surprised. He simply nodded, pushed open the door to the main room, and went inside.

Shadow Seven followed behind, and closed the door after entering.

Jiang Xun sat down at the table, poured himself a cup of tea, and took a big gulp.

The tea had gone cold and was so bitter that he frowned.

"I've been to the City Lord's Mansion." He put down his teacup and recounted what he had seen that day—the layout of the training ground, the structure of the central courtyard, the guard posts, the layout of the corridors, and everything in detail.

Yingqi listened intently, her eyes unblinking.

"...That's roughly it." Jiang Xun finished speaking, then took another sip of cold tea. "It's pretty much the same as the drawing you made."

Ying Qi nodded without saying a word.

"There is one thing." Jiang Xun put down his teacup and tapped his fingers lightly on the table twice. "I didn't sense that powerful aura you mentioned."

Yingqi's eyes twitched slightly.

"No?"

"No." Jiang Xun shook his head. "I went near that bamboo grove in the backyard, but I didn't feel anything. It was quiet, like no one lived there."

Shadow Seven remained silent for a while.

"Maybe he's not here," he said in a low voice. "Or maybe... he doesn't want you to know."

Jiang Xun frowned: "A Grandmaster can control their aura?"

"Yes," Shadow Seven said. "When you reach that level, you can control it at will. If he doesn't want you to notice, even if you walk up to him, you'll look no different from an ordinary person."

Jiang Xun lowered his head and thought for a moment, then asked, "Why would he hide? Did he deliberately let me in?"

Shadow Seven did not answer.

He couldn't figure out this problem either.

The two remained silent for a moment.

"There's something else," Jiang Xun looked up. "I saw Ma Zhong at the City Lord's Mansion."

"Ma Zhong?" Ying Qi's eyes narrowed. "That Ma Zhong from the Black Flag Gang?"

"Yes." Jiang Xun nodded. "Helian Jun personally led him in."

Shadow Seven remained silent for a while.

"Ma Zhong has been in Shuofeng City for over a decade, with hundreds of men under his command, and he's involved in all sorts of businesses." He paused, "but his relationship with the City Lord's Mansion has always been lukewarm."

"Go and investigate him," Jiang Xun said. "Find out what he's been doing lately and who he's been in contact with."

Ying Qi hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Yes."

After saying that, he turned around, pushed open the door, and disappeared outside the courtyard wall in the blink of an eye.

Jiang Xun sat alone in the room, drank another cup of cold tea, and spaced out for a while.

Although they entered the city lord's mansion, they didn't find any useful clues—treasure map, repeating crossbow, they still had no leads.

He sighed, feeling that he had sighed more during this period than in all his previous years combined.

Forget it, let's take a step by step.

As evening approached, Jiang Xun changed into clean clothes and headed towards the city lord's mansion.

When he arrived, Chen Lei and Ye Qingying were already waiting at the door.

"Brother Jiang," Chen Lei said, bowing slightly.

"Brother Chen, Miss Ye," Jiang Xun returned the greeting with a smile, "You've arrived early."

"Just arrived." Ye Qingying smiled, seemingly in a good mood. "Let's go."

The three followed the servant who was leading the way inside.

The city lord's mansion is much quieter at night than during the day.

The lanterns under the eaves have been lit, one by one, their dim yellow light spreading in the twilight, making the bluestone ground appear hazy.

Several servants hurried past, heads bowed, not daring to glance at them.

After passing through the front yard and around the screen wall, we arrived at the main hall.

The main hall is very large and can seat dozens of people.

The room was brightly lit, with several long tables arranged in a horseshoe shape, covered with white tablecloths and set with exquisite bowls and chopsticks.

Several calligraphy and paintings hang on the wall, looking quite old, with vigorous brushstrokes; it's unclear whose handiwork they are.

An incense burner was lit in the corner, wisps of smoke rising, and a faint sandalwood scent filled the air.

Huang Hu had already arrived and was sitting next to the head of the table. The head of the table was still empty—Helian Quan hadn't come.

Xiao Rui sat at the head of the guest seat, twirling a wine glass in his hand, a familiar smile on his lips.

Tuoba Feng sat one seat away from him, expressionless, his wine glass untouched.

"You've arrived?" Huang Hu stood up, beaming. "Sit down, sit down."

Chen Lei sat down in the first seat on the right, with Ye Qingying next to him.

Jiang Xun sat next to Ye Qingying—this spot was closest to the door, making it easy to run around.

After exchanging a few casual words, Helian Quan came out from the back room.

Helian Jun followed along this time, his gaze sweeping over Jiang Xun, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting." Helian Quan cupped his hands in greeting to the crowd.

Everyone stood up and returned the greeting.

Helian Quan sat down in the main seat, clapped his hands, and servants filed in to serve the dishes.

The dishes were quite exquisite, including both Central Plains and Northern China dishes—roasted lamb leg, hand-pulled rice, steamed perch, braised pork knuckle… a table full of delicious aromas.

Jiang Xun had only eaten two steamed buns for lunch, and now, looking at the table full of dishes, his stomach growled.

He quickly picked up his wine glass and took a sip to cover up his embarrassment.

Huang Hu raised his glass and glanced at everyone.

"I have witnessed your performance today." The voice was not loud, but clear. "To have reached this point shows that you are all outstanding among the younger generation."

He paused, then his tone became serious: "Tomorrow, I will lead you all to the Sword Ruins, the place where the Sword God's legacy is passed down. To prevent any unforeseen complications, please stay at the City Lord's Mansion tonight."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

"Living in the city lord's mansion?" Chen Lei frowned.

It's not that they're afraid someone will harm them, they just feel there's no need to.

"This matter is of great importance. Please forgive me, Young Master Chen, to prevent any trouble caused by petty thieves," Huang Hu explained with a smile.

Jiang Xun couldn't help but mutter to himself: Huang Hu really cares about this matter. Is he protecting them because he's afraid someone will harm them, or because he's afraid they'll run away?

Upon hearing this, Chen Lei exchanged a glance with Ye Qingying and nodded.

"I will follow Senior Huang's arrangements."

Xiao Rui and Tuoba Feng did not object.

Jiang Xun naturally wouldn't object, but his eyes darted around a few times, as if he was thinking about something.