Atop Sage Peak, Song Deke, a relatively senior disciple under the Saint, prevailed over the others and proactively secured the opportunity to lead the way.
Since someone was guiding them, the Greenwater Beggar no longer hesitated, picked up Song Deke, and headed towards the manor.
Hundred Flowers Fine Painting Mu Yuejuan asked, "Green Flower, where did the young man who came with you go?"
Turning back, the Greenwater Beggar glanced at Cui Tiq. "Are you referring to him? He’s my disciple who came to broaden his horizons."
Cui Tiq smiled humbly. "I am here to witness the deeds of everyone present. Please command me wherever I can be of assistance."
Mu Yuejuan shook her head. "Not the Foreigner; I’m talking about the He who came with you!"
The Greenwater Beggar was startled. Had Mu Yuejuan not mentioned it, he wouldn’t have noticed that He Jiaqing had disappeared without a trace.
Mu Yuejuan’s question also took the others aback. Half a cup of yellow soup Qiao Wuzui was also surprised. "Some skill, indeed. I remember seeing him when we arrived, and now he’s vanished in the blink of an eye. With the ability to fool our eyes, just what cultivation level does this lad have?"
Three Pot Pipe Leaf Yellow said, "Green Flower, could it be that this junior has outrun us to the prize all alone?"
"My encounter with He Jiaqing was merely coincidental on the road. I came to take the life of the old thief; what He Jiaqing intends to do is beyond my knowledge," replied the Greenwater Beggar.
He spoke the truth; he had indeed met He Jiaqing by chance on their journey.
However, Smiling Face Ghost King Gui Jianchou wasn’t convinced. "Younger Brother Green, that’s not quite right. Your connection with He Jiaqing isn’t simple. If I remember correctly, he’s also known as ’Benefactor,’ bearing some old grudge with the Saint."
The Greenwater Beggar nodded. "You’re correct. He Jiaqing has come to settle an old grudge, which really has nothing to do with me."
Shaking his head, Gui Jianchou said, "You’ve got it backwards. It’s precisely because of this old grudge that He Jiaqing joined forces with you against Sage Peak. In Greenwater City, you’ve done quite a few deeds together, and I know something about these matters."
The Greenwater Beggar chuckled. "Ghost King, you’re well-informed. Indeed, I’ve done some things with He Jiaqing, but today’s matter has nothing to do with him. If you don’t believe me, then I’ll make myself even clearer. I want nothing from this house; I just desire to watch that old reprobate die right here. If you still distrust me, go ahead and move in front of me. Is that clear enough?"
The Greenwater Beggar stepped aside, making way for them. The influential figures looked at each other, none willing to step forward.
Cui Tiq grew anxious and shook his head. Having spent quite some time in Puluo State, there were local customs that he still found incomprehensible.
All these individuals wanted to kill the Saint. However, none wished to lead the way. Even more so, none wanted to exhaust themselves needlessly and allow someone else to reap the rewards.
Not just Cui Tiq was getting anxious, but Qiao Wuzui as well. "If we keep dragging this out, the old fellow is going to make his escape."
Laughingly, Gui Jianchou reassured, "You needn’t worry; he can’t escape. My Ghost Servants are on strict guard; they’re even watching the tunnels. Whether he tries to fly to the heavens or burrow into the earth, the Saint definitely won’t make it out of this courtyard."
"Don’t forget, that old fellow has the Jade Seal in his possession," Qiao Wuzui reminded.
Shaking her head, Mu Yuejuan said, "I don’t think he’d abandon the Jade Seal to save his life. Consider this: who in the world still acknowledges him as the Emperor? If he loses the Jade Seal, what proof will he have of his past identity?"
Three Pot Pipe Leaf Yellow replied, "I think life is more important than title; the old fellow might truly attempt to flee."
Gui Jianchou asserted, "If he does flee, the Jade Seal will have to be left behind. As for whom it should belong, that will require some careful deliberation among us."
Qiao Wuzui sneered, "Younger Brother Gui, coveting the Jade Seal again? Do you wish to claim the throne?"
Cui Tiq sighed repeatedly. He felt that the Knife Labor Ghost was about to ascend the mountain, and before that happened, it seemed these influential figures were unlikely to take any action.
As everyone was disputing, a man approached from afar. He was clad in a stone-blue plain silk robe, with a sword at his waist and a Folding Fan in his hand, from which dangled a silk pouch adorned with a hundred butterfly embroideries.
His outfit was distinctive, yet one could not pinpoint what exactly made it so.
Looking closer, his features were striking: a full forehead, plump cheeks, thick eyebrows, and large eyes. His nose and mouth were well-proportioned. Though he had no beard on his lower jaw, a trace of a mustache adorned his upper lip. From his appearance alone, he seemed to be a handsome scholar in his early forties.
Yet, those who knew him were aware that he was far beyond forty years old.
The expression on Mu Yuejuan’s face turned sour. "Zhou Badou, why has he come?"
Qiao Wuzui chuckled, "Is it wrong for him to come? Does his presence upset you? Who’s to blame but your own lack of prowess for not getting into his bed!"
Mu Yuejuan glanced at Qiao Wuzui without a word.
Three Pot Pipe Leaf Yellow, standing aside, said, "His timing is perfect. At least he speaks sense, and I can understand him."
Nodding, Qiao Wuzui added, "I also listen to Big Brother Zhou."
With a smile, Gui Jianchou said, "Now that the Drachma Calligrapher has arrived, it’s indeed not our place to speak out of turn."
This handsome man was the Drachma Calligrapher, Zhou Wencheng.
Zhou Wencheng, observing the crowd, sighed and said, "I knew it. Even if that old villain threw the doors wide open, you lot wouldn’t dare take a single step further inside."
Mu Yuejuan scoffed, "Big Brother Zhou, you speak eloquently, yet you arrive so late. Could it be you were waiting for us to go in, fight the old thief until we were both severely wounded, and then you’d come to reap the easy benefits?"
Zhou Wencheng frowned. "Do you think I am that kind of person?"
Laughing, Mu Yuejuan replied, "Who someone truly is cannot be discerned by a mere sentence or two. Let’s first see how Big Brother Zhou deals with the current situation!"