As dusk settled over Chu State, a ship docked at the port. Passengers disembarked in groups – a mix of old and young, with numerous servants. Among them was a veiled woman, suggesting this was a family’s private vessel.

The travelers made their way to a nearby inn. The drowsy attendant perked up at the sight of such a large group and greeted them with a broad smile.

“Do you have any upscale rooms available?” asked a middle-aged man in his thirties who seemed to lead the group.

“Yes, of course!” the attendant replied eagerly. “How many would you like? We only have two upscale rooms left, but plenty of standard ones.”

“We’ll take the two upscale rooms and five standard ones,” said An Jiu.

“Certainly! This way, please.” The attendant grabbed a lantern and, passing the stairs, kicked the wall. “Wake up! We have distinguished guests!”

He then led the group upstairs, first showing the veiled young woman to her room. In the better light, he couldn’t help but be struck by her beauty, even though only her eyes were visible.

Noticing his gaze, the young woman lowered her eyes. Her maid glared at the attendant. “What are you looking at?”

The attendant bowed apologetically. “Forgive my rudeness, miss.”

“You may go,” said the veiled woman.

Relieved to avoid trouble for offending a noble lady, the attendant quickly retreated.

The maid closed the door with a sigh and sat down carelessly. She poured herself some water, only to find the pot empty. Annoyed, she set it back on the table. “I’m exhausted, and there’s not even water to drink!”

She glanced at the veiled woman, who was still standing, and said coolly, “Lou Er, do you expect me to come over and help you sit down?”

The veiled woman was Sun Dixian. Originally part of Chu Dingjiang’s team, she had been reassigned to Gu Jingfeng’s group after Chu left on a mission. As the only woman on Chu’s team, Sun had been treated well by the others. Now, Gu had her posing as Lou Mingyue’s maid, serving tea and waiting on her in public. What irked Sun most was Lou’s entitled attitude.

Lou Mingyue ignored her and walked to the back window. Opening it, she let in a cool breeze tinged with the scent of aquatic plants, which helped ease her seasickness.

Sun Dixian rarely offended others, but Lou’s haughty demeanor grated on her nerves. Knowing the Lou family was essentially wiped out and that Lou Mingyue was consumed by vengeance, Sun realized befriending her would be futile. In private, she didn’t hide her distaste.

Outside, footsteps echoed for a while before quieting down.

The inn attendant, watching the upper floor, muttered, “They must be truly wealthy to put even their servants in guest rooms.”

Bang! Bang!

Someone knocked on a table twice.

The attendant jumped, startled. He turned to see a man standing in the hall – tall and broad, like a small mountain in the dim light. As he was about to speak, he noticed a woman standing behind and to the right of the man. She wore her hair in a married woman’s style, her figure completely obscured by the man’s shadow, giving her an eerie presence.

The newcomers were Chu Dingjiang and An Jiu, here to rendezvous with Gu Jingfeng’s group.

“Do you have any rooms available?” Chu asked.

The attendant snapped to attention. “Yes!”

“One room,” Chu said.

Though simply dressed, the pair didn’t seem ordinary to the attendant, who respectfully replied, “This way, please.”

Once in the room, Chu instructed the attendant to bring some food.

After the attendant left, Chu closed the door and turned to An Jiu. “Have they arrived?”

An Jiu extended her spiritual sense. “I’ve detected over twenty skilled fighters. It must be them.”

“Let’s rest for now,” Chu said. “We’ll meet them in the morning.”

Soon, an attendant brought their meal. After eating, they retired for the night.

At dawn, An Jiu sensed the group of fighters gathering in the main hall. She opened her eyes and got up.

Chu, who had been sleeping on a bench, rose as well.

After a quick wash, they went downstairs together.

Some of the diners in the hall glanced up at the sound of their footsteps.

Chu briefly made eye contact with a clear-eyed, well-dressed middle-aged man before finding a table to sit at.

The large group finished their meal and left the inn. A while later, Chu and An Jiu also finished and departed.

On the main road, after confirming no other martial artists were around besides this group, they approached the lead carriage.

Just as they reached it, the carriage stopped.

“Please, come in,” said a voice from inside.

Two people sat in the carriage. Though his appearance had changed, Gu Jingfeng’s memorable eyes remained the same. An Jiu recognized him instantly. Beside him sat a fox-eyed old man who took An Jiu a moment to identify.

“Sheng Zhangku,” An Jiu said, staring at her.

Sheng Zhangku lazily raised her eyes, always looking sleep-deprived, perfectly imitating a frail elder. “Greetings to you both.”

“Brother Chu,” Gu Jingfeng clasped his hands in greeting.

Chu returned the gesture without further pleasantries. “Let’s take the land route directly to Yangzhou.”

An Jiu frowned, staring at Sheng Zhangku. Besides those she already knew, Sheng was the only person from Konghe Court she had interacted with a few times. Surely this person… couldn’t be working for Gu Jingfeng?

Sheng Zhangku yawned. “Don’t look at me like that. I didn’t want to come either, but His Majesty ordered it at Lord Gu’s request. I had no choice.”

Her words hinted at dissatisfaction.

“You’ve had a tiring journey, Lord Sheng,” Chu smiled. “May I ask if you’re familiar with the Feng family’s shipping business in Yangzhou?”

It was Chu who had strongly recommended the “unambitious” Sheng Zhangku to Gu Jingfeng. Few knew of Sheng’s close relationship with Chu. With her incredible memory, she held countless details about the world in her mind.

Correctly guessing who was responsible for her exhausting trip, Sheng gave Chu a long-suffering look. “The Feng family, you say…”