“This humble one does have some methods, but I wonder if you two brave warriors would trust me?” Zhu Pianpian lowered her gaze, hiding her calculating look.

Chu Dingjiang noticed her expression. “Tell us. I’ll decide whether to trust you or not.”

“This humble one has a secret residence where we could take shelter,” Zhu Pianpian said, glancing at Chu Dingjiang.

The place wasn’t just a residence; it was her final lifeline. By grasping this lifeline, she might be able to lure these two into a trap, improving her current passive situation.

“Lead the way,” Chu Dingjiang said.

Zhu Pianpian felt a moment of joy and instructed the driver. As the carriage moved, she gradually calmed down, realizing that Misty Mountain Manor wouldn’t take just any job. Once they accepted a contract, they wouldn’t stop until they had the target’s head. She couldn’t escape their pursuit with her abilities.

However, Zhu Pianpian also understood Misty Mountain Manor’s rules. Unless the client had special requirements, they would set a deadline based on the difficulty of the job. If they couldn’t complete the task within the deadline, they would compensate the client tenfold. Misty Mountain Manor had failed before, but they valued their reputation and always paid compensation if they couldn’t kill the target.

If she could survive past the deadline…

Zhu Pianpian began calculating a business deal in her mind. To make this deal, she first needed to know how long Misty Mountain Manor’s pursuit would last.

The carriage circled Yangzhou a few times before slowly entering a large mansion.

An Jiu peered through the window crack. The mansion had a black wooden gate, with high walls stretching east and west, obscured by lush trees. Its true size was unclear. The entrance bore a plaque reading: Jade Mansion.

“So this is your residence,” Chu Dingjiang observed.

The Jade Mansion was a merchant family’s home, established in Yangzhou for a century with deep roots.

“You didn’t know?” Zhu Pianpian was slightly surprised. She had assumed Chu Dingjiang’s willingness to follow meant he had thoroughly investigated her background.

Zhu Pianpian studied the pair closely. Her heart skipped a beat. Both had pitch-black eyes, but the men were like a deep abyss or the night sky – mysterious and unfathomable, with no discernible depth or limits. The woman’s gaze was sharp as a blade, exuding only coldness and danger.

She suddenly realized they only needed to know she wasn’t connected to Misty Mountain Manor; they didn’t care about anything else.

The carriage stopped.

“Mistress,” someone called from outside.

An Jiu disembarked first, seeing a man in tight-fitting clothes, about thirty years old. He was only two inches taller than her but very robust, with broad shoulders and muscular arms that seemed ready to burst through his sleeves. His face was ordinary, but his eyes flashed with a fierce light. An Jiu sensed his strong spiritual power but couldn’t detect any internal energy, suggesting he was likely an external cultivator like herself.

The man’s gaze lingered briefly on An Jiu before turning to Zhu Pianpian. He immediately lowered his eyes respectfully.

“Cao Rui, these two are guests staying at the mansion. Make arrangements for them,” Zhu Pianpian said.

“Yes!” Cao Rui turned, but not before stealing another glance at An Jiu.

Zhu Pianpian led them to the main hall. After they were seated, tea and snacks were served.

Zhu Pianpian held her teacup, using the lid to gently brush aside floating tea leaves. She repeated this several times before suddenly covering the cup as if she had made a decision. Looking up at Chu Dingjiang, she said, “Let’s be frank. If you brave warriors can state your purpose, this humble one might be able to cooperate. My condition is an 80-20 split of Misty Mountain Manor’s compensation, with me taking the larger share.”

Though her life was in their hands, if she chose to fight to the bitter end, no one would gain any advantage from her.

“60-40,” Chu Dingjiang said calmly. “I take 60, you take 40.”

Zhu Pianpian frowned, setting her cup down gently. “That’s not very interesting, brave warrior. I’m risking my life here.”

Chu Dingjiang smiled faintly. “Then think it over. We’ll discuss this tomorrow.”

Zhu Pianpian gritted her teeth, her expression darkening.

An Jiu understood the situation clearly. This woman was unwilling to give up her life. Her offer to cooperate was partly to seek profit and partly to find a way to survive. This desire to live would keep her at a disadvantage. Zhu Pianpian was less experienced than Chu Dingjiang, who had already anticipated this.

Cao Rui had been waiting at the door, hearing everything. Seeing Zhu Pianpian’s displeased expression, he stepped forward to block Chu Dingjiang and An Jiu’s path.

An Jiu perked up, having wanted to fight him since their first encounter.

Killing intent erupted suddenly, like an arrow released from a bow, instantly pressing close.

Cao Rui proved his mettle. Though momentarily stunned, he reacted as An Jiu’s palm force approached, abruptly moving back several steps before unleashing his powerful counterattack.

“Stop!” Zhu Pianpian shouted.

Cao Rui’s movement halted abruptly, taking An Jiu’s swift palm strike to his left ribs.

He stepped back, his expression unchanged, but inwardly he was terrified — the Meridian-Breaking Palm!

Fortunately, her technique wasn’t fully mastered, or his martial arts would have been ruined. Realizing this, Cao Rui’s gaze grew colder as he glared at An Jiu.

An Jiu met his gaze unflinchingly.

The two passed each other.

Seeing them leave, Zhu Pianpian called Cao Rui inside and asked quietly, “Are you badly hurt?”

“It’s nothing. I’ll recover in a couple of days,” Cao Rui said gravely. “Mistress, what happened?”

Zhu Pianpian briefly explained the situation, then said through gritted teeth, “Hmph! I, Zhu Pianpian, have never suffered such a great loss! If I get the chance, I’ll make those two pay a thousandfold!”

Cao Rui’s expression was complex. The old master had said she had a talent for business and drive but lacked ruthlessness. He sighed and advised, “If Mistress could apply even a fraction of her business ruthlessness to killing, the Jade family would endure forever.”

Wealth without the ability to protect oneself was like being a pig waiting for slaughter, destined for the chopping block sooner or later.

Zhu Pianpian’s eyes widened at his words. “Isn’t that what Yu Pianfei is for? We agreed I’d only make money, and the Jade family would protect me if anything happened!”

“Mistress is also part of the Jade family,” Cao Rui said helplessly. The other mistress could indeed be ruthless when needed but lacked business acumen. Everyone in the Jade family wanted to bring Zhu Pianpian back to assist Yu Pianfei in managing the family business.

“I married into the Zhu family. I live as a Zhu, and I’ll die as a Zhu!” Zhu Pianpian stormed out, fuming, “I want to see if Yu Pianfei will take care of me or not!”

As Cao Rui was about to follow, a maid rushed in. “Manager, I was leading the two guests to their rooms. When we reached the garden, I turned around and they had vanished.”