Jiu Yue strolled off with the money given by Third Senior Uncle, feeling utterly carefree.
This small town nestled at the foot of the Golden Jade Ridge, not far from the capital of Yan, was modest in size yet bustling with life.
Though dressed in tattered clothes, Jiu Yue’s spirits remained undampened as she wandered the streets, soaking in the sights.
It had been far too long!
Her system seized the chance to chime in, making idle conversation.
"When you used your inner energy earlier, I thought you’d just slash Third Senior Uncle outright," the system admitted, still somewhat stunned.
Jiu Yue found this amusing. "Why on earth would I do that for no reason?"
"But you didn’t trust him."
"It was just instinct… Besides, he ended up telling us so much about Jin Ge and the Rakshasa Gang. How could I not believe him after that?" Jiu Yue felt a weight lift off her shoulders. "With Third Senior Uncle as our inside man, what chance does Jin Ge have against us?"
Undercover operatives were truly a marvel!
Absolutely brilliant… as long as she wasn’t the one doing the undercover work, of course.
Recalling a particularly exhausting experience, Jiu Yue’s lips twitched.
Shaking her head, she resumed her cheerful exploration of the town.
The winter snow melted swiftly, revealing patches of muddy earth along the mountain path. Jiu Yue ambled toward the villa with the glee of a schoolchild dismissed for the day, though her steps gradually slowed.
A familiar red thread shot toward her. Frowning, she pivoted and caught Yu Linglong midair as the girl was sent flying.
Yu Linglong coughed up a mouthful of blood, her gaze landing on Jiu Yue’s beggar-like attire. For a moment, she just stared, dumbfounded.
"G-Gang Leader…" She had intended to ask for reimbursement for the red thread, but the words died in her throat.
Jiu Yue, however, was already eyeing the path ahead. "Who did you bring with you?"
Yu Linglong’s eyes lit up. "I don’t know! But the moment he heard our gang leader was Dao Yu, he chased me all the way here!"
"Ah… sounds like a bitter enemy, then." Satisfied, Jiu Yue steadied her and handed over the snacks she’d just bought. "Good job. Wait over there for me."
Yu Linglong obediently retreated to the side, clutching the treats.
The pursuing figure materialized moments later.
His gaze swept past the ragged beggar blocking the path, settling instead on Yu Linglong. "Still not telling me where Dao Yu is?"
Murderous intent radiated from him as he brandished his golden-scaled whip.
With a sharp crack, he lunged toward Yu Linglong without another word.
Jiu Yue, thoroughly ignored: "…"
She clicked her tongue and stepped forward. "You brought this on yourself."
Fifteen minutes later.
The man lay half-dead on the ground. Jiu Yue picked up his whip and casually fastened it to her waist before politely asking, "Any last words?"
The man: "…"
Regret flooded his voice. "My apologies… I got the wrong person."
"No worries." Jiu Yue smiled sweetly. "Though I suppose I forgot to mention—the Dao Yu you wanted to kill? That’s my master."
"Since my master showed mercy with her blade, I’ll return the favor for her."
A wet thud followed as her dagger pierced his throat, pinning him to the dirt.
His eyes widened in death.
"Gang Leader! The pit’s ready!" Yu Linglong called out excitedly between bloody coughs.
"Coming!"
The two made quick work of disposing of the evidence before continuing up the mountain as if nothing had happened.
"Great work, Linglong. Ten points for you! You’re in the lead now—keep it up!" Jiu Yue praised, slinging an arm around her shoulders.
Yu Linglong brimmed with renewed determination. "Then I’ll head back down right away and lure more of Dao Yu’s enemies!"
Jiu Yue blinked. "Not staying for dinner?"
Yu Linglong was already dashing off. "No time!"
"…Alright." Jiu Yue didn’t press the matter. Doctor Tang wasn’t at the villa anyway, and Yu Linglong might run into him down the mountain to get her wounds treated.
After watching Yu Linglong disappear downhill, Jiu Yue turned back and resumed her stroll, snacks in hand.
Then a tall figure came into view.
Jiu Yue paused, glanced behind her at the empty path, then approached him. "Were you waiting for me?"
Sima Qing: "…"
Sima Qing: "No, I just had nothing better to do, so I came here specifically to watch you kill someone."
"…" Jiu Yue closed her eyes briefly. "Forget I asked."
Infuriating man.
Sima Qing gave her an exasperated look before pulling her closer and dusting off her robes.
"How much did you beg today?"
"…Don’t ask. Someone kicked my bowl away."
"That rough?" Sima Qing chuckled. "Seems the Great Yan market isn’t as good as Tianqi’s. If I recall correctly, you used to make a hundred taels of gold a month begging there."
Jiu Yue, who’d once offhandedly claimed she begged in Tianqi: "…"
So annoying!!!
"And whose fault is that?" She shot him a deadpan look before holding out her hand. "Think you’re so great with money? Let’s see what you’ve got."
To her surprise, Sima Qing actually placed a gold bar in her palm.
Jiu Yue’s eyes sparkled.
"You’re really giving this to me?" She turned the bar over in her hands, utterly enchanted.
She wasn’t strapped for cash anymore, but who would ever refuse more money?
Sima Qing watched her unbridled delight with amusement before gently nudging her forward.
"Let’s go. Time to eat."
