Xia Guang City, late at night, an ancient and quaint guesthouse appeared particularly tranquil under the faint moonlight.
A cold wind blew by, causing the wooden signboard to sway slightly, emitting a ghostly creaking sound.
A figure, like a specter, appeared outside the guesthouse and nonchalantly pushed the door open.
Behind the counter, a plump landlord was bowing his head to his accounts. Hearing the noise and just as he was about to look up, a voice came from behind his neck.
"Have you gathered all the information about the people?"
The voice was very indifferent. Hearing it, the plump landlord hurriedly began, "Young Master Xu, I haven't..."
"Shut up, you have no connection with our Xu Family."
"Yes, yes, yes, I have never seen the young master before. It's just that I haven't found out the identities of that group of noble young masters; they haven't revealed anything."
"Useless. What room are they staying in?"
The plump landlord promptly recited the room numbers, then heard a cold snort. Following that, the feeling of a sword at his back disappeared, and he breathed a big sigh of relief.
This guesthouse wasn't run by the Xu Family, but doing business in Xia Guang City, one couldn't avoid dealing with the Xu Family. Therefore, when approached to inquire about the identities of the noble young masters with a grand entrance who checked in that afternoon, the plump landlord had no choice but to comply, despite reluctance.
Elsewhere, a young man dressed in white, with long hair tied up and a somewhat effeminate face, appeared inside the guesthouse.
Two maidservants, both with cultivation, followed him.
"I don't know who they are; I should test the waters first."
Xu Qiu moved soundlessly and headed straight to the third floor of the guesthouse. Although he still didn't know the identities of that group, Xu Qiu was still very confident, a confidence stemming from his background and strength.
As one of the most outstanding disciples of the Xu Family, he had stepped into the Fifth Level of Yunling Realm at a young age. In the world of Martial Arts, he was akin to a Great Grandmaster.
He was not only a disciple of the Xu Family, but also a disciple of Guan Chao Pavilion.
The Xu Family lineage extended for hundreds of years, with the earliest ancestors having been disciples of Guan Chao Pavilion. They left the Sect to spread their branches and form the family.
Afterwards, the Xu Family did not completely sever ties with Guan Chao Pavilion. Disciples from the family with outstanding talent would go to Guan Chao Pavilion for cultivation. Relying on past connections, the family gradually grew and prospered.
Now, the Xu Family had become the most formidable gentry clan entrenched in Xia Guang City, with over a hundred cultivating disciples and operating various secular and cultivation-related industries.
This time Xu Qiu returned from the Guan Chao Pavilion to the family with a Sect mission.
However, Xu Qiu seldom came back, so he intended to take advantage of this rare opportunity to leave the mountain, hoping to cash in and have some fun.
Conveniently, the noble young master staying in this guesthouse, who was able to hire a group of second-rate and first-rate Martial Arts experts as bodyguards, must be extremely wealthy, and perhaps possessed cultivation resources. Xu Qiu planned to find out more before deciding if he could afford to provoke him.
Approaching a door, Xu Qiu knocked.
Surrounding rooms opened, and the hired Darts Masters came out warily.
"Forgive the intrusion. Xu Qiu, the third son of the Xu Family in Xia Guang City, has come to pay a visit to the esteemed guests here."
With an innocuous smile on his face, Xu Qiu did not strike those facing him. The Darts Masters just watched him cautiously. Perhaps seeing his extraordinary identity, and not looking like a villain, they chose not to drive him away.
A voice came from inside at that moment. Xu Qiu straightened his clothes and then pushed the door open.
Inside the room, only a man and a woman were engaged in a game of chess. The man had bright features and an air of nobility, while the woman wore a veil on her face, her brows absent of any expression.
"You're called Xu Qiu. What brings you here?"
Su Jie stayed engaged in the game with Han Ruyan, not shifting his gaze from the chessboard.
Ignored, Xu Qiu was quite displeased inwardly, but it didn't show on his face.
"I heard that some distinguished guests were visiting and took the liberty to disturb you. May I ask how to address you? Our Xu Family has some influence in Xia Guang City, and if you don't mind, we could show you around our wonderful city, extending our hospitality. I know quite a few interesting places."
Xu Qiu said, while the obedient maidservants stepped forward and presented several beautifully packaged gift boxes filled with valuable antique calligraphy and painting.
Of course, Xu Qiu was not so kind-hearted. His idea of "sightseeing" involved taking Su Jie to his family's casino and brothel, to extract value from him and meanwhile, probe his identity.
If Su Jie turned out to be a big shot, they would naturally return all his possessions intact.
If not, then he better be ready to lose his fortune or even end up with a massive gambling debt.
While speaking, Xu Qiu's gaze shifted onto Han Ruyan, who was playing chess with Su Jie.
Even though Han Ruyan's face was covered with a veil, her attractive figure and fair skin revealed that underneath it must be an exceedingly beautiful woman.
Yet, for some reason, on seeing Han Ruyan, an extremely beautiful woman, Xu Qiu felt a chill, as if facing some ferocious beast.
"Tsk, tsk. Guan Chao Pavilion's business is vast, and now you're even getting into pimping—so desperate for money, are you?"
At those words, Su Jie chuckled, shifting his gaze from the chessboard to Xu Qiu.
Upon hearing this, Xu Qiu's expression instantly changed, as his identity was not something known to just anyone.
"I'm quite the old acquaintance of your Guan Chao Pavilion. You've put a bounty of five million Spirit Stones on my head, and now you don't even recognize me at all; Guan Chao Pavilion really needs to work on educating its disciples!"
Su Jie picked up a white chess piece and placed it on the board with a snap, creating an invincible move.