Chapter 125 - 111: Accident (Part 2)
He hadn’t spoken explicitly, but it was enough to silence everyone around him.
Gradually, the campsite fell silent.
~~~~~~
’Interesting. I didn’t expect to see such a good show when I followed them today.’
In the darkness, Fang Yue stood atop a small hill, watching the now-quiet campsite in the distance.
He had naturally followed them this time intending to kill that Shopkeeper Qi. The man had schemed so viciously against his family; he was the primary culprit. How could Fang Yue not kill him to eliminate future trouble?
So, he had trailed behind them.
Naturally, he also noticed the attitude of the government constables toward the men from the gambling den.
This only strengthened his resolve to kill.
He just hadn’t expected that right as he was about to make his move, he would witness such a scene.
That Dog Head Military Advisor had brazenly struck and killed Shopkeeper Qi.
He had then disfigured Shopkeeper Qi’s face, and Fang Yue watched as the man disguised himself to look like Shopkeeper Qi and simply walked into the camp.
’Looks like this guy is no simple character. Hiding his Martial Arts... he must be plotting something.’
Fang Yue sighed softly. He carefully recalled what he knew of this pedantic Scholar, but realized that even he hadn’t noticed the man knew Martial Arts.
Although judging by the way he struck, his Martial Arts realm wasn’t high—only at the Skin Grinding level.
But his methods of disguise were too brilliant; it was impossible to see the slightest flaw.
’As for this person’s true identity and what he wants... that’s none of my business. But what exactly is hidden in that place the two of them mentioned at the end?’
Fang Yue had heard their entire conversation from beginning to end.
He was also very interested in the wealth Shopkeeper Qi had hidden away.
And that final address sounded somewhat familiar. The residence he had bought from the Liu Family seemed to be located in the old alleys by the Jade River.
Thinking of this, Fang Yue glanced at the distant campsite.
Then he turned and walked briskly in the direction of Xiahe County Town.
~~~~~~
Early the next morning, the walls of Xiahe County Town appeared before him.
He had come to Xiahe County Town once again.
Without delay, Fang Yue crossed the Jade River and entered the old alleys.
First, he found Scholar Liu’s residence—oh, wait, it was *his* residence now.
Although he had bought the residence, he had never once lived in it.
Only upon arriving today did he realize that in his haste, he had forgotten to even bring the key.
’That must be the courtyard. I can’t believe it’s right next to mine.’
Standing at the gate of his courtyard, Fang Yue looked toward the fourth house down the alley. That residence was right next to his.
Just then, the sound of a wooden door creaking open came from the side, and the gate to the neighboring residence opened.
A thick, almost choking scent of perfume wafted over.
"Well now, young man, what are you looking at? This family moved away a long time ago and even sold the residence. Are you looking for someone? You’ll have to go all the way to the Prefecture City to find them."
A bewitching young woman in a dress walked out from next door. She had a narrow waist and full hips, looking succulent and ripe—the very picture of a juicy peach.
"This is my house. I just forgot my key," Fang Yue said with a grin.
She giggled, and after a moment, she looked Fang Yue up and down. "You say this is your house? Heh, don’t joke with me. If this is your house, then I’m the richest person in Xiahe County."
It was then that Fang Yue realized he had specifically changed into the clothes of a common farmer to hunt down Shopkeeper Qi.
His clothes were tattered and patched; he didn’t look like a wealthy person at all.
How could someone like him possibly afford to buy a house in Xiahe County Town?
He wasn’t even a convincing liar.
’But this young man is really well-built.’
The young woman, her mind on who-knows-what, smiled sweetly at Fang Yue and said:
"Um, I have a cart of coal in my courtyard. Come help me move it into the kitchen, and I’ll pay you for your labor."
"Alright."
Fang Yue nodded and immediately followed the young woman into her courtyard.
"Mhm, it’s right over there. Move it into that room on the side for me, and while you’re at it, boil a pot of hot water. I’m going to take a bath later. When you’re done, I’ll pay you."
After speaking, the young woman swayed her hips and went into the inner room.
’I wonder where the things could be hidden. And is this young woman that shopkeeper’s mistress?’
Fang Yue pondered for a moment, then surveyed the entire courtyard.
He didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary.
However, considering the young woman was still in the house, now wasn’t the time for a thorough search. He immediately began to move the coal.
This world did in fact have coal, but only wealthy households could afford to burn it. Ordinary families mostly still burned firewood.
This young woman clearly didn’t look like she ran a business, so it was obvious she wasn’t the type who could afford coal.
Therefore, it was highly likely that all the expenses here were paid for by Shopkeeper Qi.
A cart of coal wasn’t much, only a little over two hundred jin.
Fang Yue finished the task quickly. He then walked out of the kitchen and into the courtyard to draw water and wash the coal dust from his hands and body.
SPLASH~
Rolling up his sleeves, he grabbed the bucket with one strong arm and tossed it into the well. With a single pull, the bucket shot upward, and he caught it with his other hand.
Fang Yue’s technique was skillful; the bucket was filled to the brim, but not a single drop spilled.
Soon, Fang Yue was clean.
"Ah! You there! Come in, quick! There’s a mouse in the house! Hurry up and come in here to chase it out for me!"
Just then, the young woman screamed from inside the main house.
Hearing this, Fang Yue just smiled and entered the house.
He had just been worrying about not having a chance to look inside. He had already given the courtyard, the kitchen, and the nearby storage shed a quick glance and hadn’t found anything unusual.
That meant the hiding place must be inside the house.
The hidden property would naturally be silver, and a considerable amount of it, so it was likely hidden underground.
He entered the house. The windows were closed, and two red candles were lit.
Fang Yue scanned the room but saw nothing out of the ordinary.
"Come over here, quickly! I think the mouse just scurried onto the bed! Hurry over and take a look," the young woman’s voice came from the bed.
It was soft and sweet, enough to make one’s body tingle.
Fang Yue followed the sound with his gaze and saw a delicate body lying suggestively on the bed, veiled by a light gauze. An arm as fair as a lotus root propped up her chin.
In a brothel, this woman would probably be the main attraction. She was far too skilled at seduction.
"Hurry up! What are you standing there gawking for?" the young woman urged when she saw Fang Yue hadn’t moved.
’Fine.’
Fang Yue really should have known from the start that this young woman was up to no good.
Calling him over to do work was just a pretense. After all, who would ask someone to move already-stored coal to another spot, or to come inside to catch a mouse? She was clearly after his body.
Fang Yue sighed softly and walked toward the embroidered bed.
His pace was unhurried, not at all like an impatient monkey.
"Giggle... If you take good care of your big sister in a moment, I’ll give you double your pay."
Seeing Fang Yue approach, the young woman’s face was full of smiles and eager desire.
Then, the bed curtains were pulled aside. The smile on the young woman’s face widened as she reached out to pull Fang Yue closer.
But in the next moment, she suddenly felt a sharp pain in the back of her head.
Then her vision went black, and her entire body instantly went limp.
’Now no one will disturb me.’
Fang Yue sighed softly and began to search the rooms.
「A while later, in the residence’s backyard.」
Fang Yue stood in the backyard, looking around. Still, he had found nothing.
’Did that Shopkeeper Qi lie, or is it just hidden too well?’
Fang Yue pondered. He had searched the entire residence, inside and out, but still hadn’t found anything.
’Where could it be?’
Fang Yue looked back toward the main building in the center of the courtyard.
Suddenly, his eyes lit up.
’It’s hidden here!’
Fang Yue immediately returned to the main house. After a bit of fiddling, he found the switch for a secret room.
With a CLICK, a hidden door slowly opened behind the bookshelf in front of him.