Chapter 119: Most Certainly Will

Without waiting for a response, Song Heng turned on his heel and walked off toward the entrance. Bai Bao followed closely behind, carefully latching the thick wooden doors shut from the outside and securing the heavy iron bar across the frame.

The two guards marched side by side back through the stone archways of the western wing, stepping into the bright, warm sunlight of the central courtyard. Though the shock of finding two covert intruders chained inside their master’s training hall had shaken them initially, the young master’s calm explanation and unwavering confidence had completely settled their hearts.

"Double rotations from now on," Song Heng instructed quietly as they crossed the paved garden path. "You handle the inner courtyards and check on Elder Han Lin’s quarters every hour. I will maintain the main gate and keep a sharp eye on the street outside."

"Understood," Bai Bao agreed, his expression stern and focused. "Not even a shadow gets through these walls again."

Reaching the grand front entrance of the estate, Song Heng scaled the stone steps back up to his vantage post on the gate walkway, while Bai Bao resumed his systematic sweep along the high stone perimeter.

Meanwhile, Lu Feng and Ye Chenxue strolled leisurely down the shaded cobblestone path leading toward the primary pavilion. The afternoon breeze carried the light scent of blooming jasmine from the courtyard gardens, creating a peaceful contrast to the grim scene they had just left behind in the training hall.

Ye Chenxue walked with her hands lightly clasped behind her back, her sharp eyes glancing sideways at Lu Feng.

"Alright, Lu Feng," Ye Chenxue spoke up, her voice dropping into a quiet, serious tone so no passing servants could overhear. "You mentioned earlier that someone was stalking your movements in the city today. What exactly happened while you were out?"

Lu Feng folded his hands into his long sleeves, his pace remaining calm and measured. "When I left the merchant district after finalizing our latest business with Lin Laifu, I felt a familiar, covert presence tailing me from a distance. At first, my immediate thought was that the Iron Fang Gang had sent their operatives to track my routines after losing three of their scouts inside our estate."

He paused, a thoughtful, calculating glint passing through his dark eyes as he shook his head slightly. "However, after observing their behavior throughout the afternoon, I am fairly certain it isn’t the Iron Fang Gang behind today’s tail."

Ye Chenxue raised a delicate eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? Why do you say that?"

"Because the Iron Fang Gang operates through direct aggression and immediate intimidation," Lu Feng explained smoothly. "They already sent three scouts directly over our walls to search for whatever hidden object they believe is here. They have no reason to deploy a cautious, long-distance observer merely to follow me around the commercial market without taking action."

"Then who do you suspect?" Ye Chenxue asked, her brow furrowing slightly. "Do we have another party lurking in the shadows of Crimson Vale?"

"I suspect it is connected to that so-called ’drunk man’ who stumbled up to our main gates in the middle of the night a few days ago," Lu Feng replied softly. "That encounter was far too deliberate to be a mere coincidence. Whoever sent that man to test our front perimeter is likely the same force keeping tabs on my public appearances now."

Ye Chenxue nodded slowly, taking in his deduction. "A second player on the board makes things more complicated. We will need to tread carefully." She then shifted her gaze back to him, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "And what about your meeting with Lin Laifu? Did you manage to gather any useful intelligence from the old merchant?"

"I did," Lu Feng said. "While at his estate discussing our pill supply, I casually brought up the name ’Black Rat’ to see how he would react. The moment the name left my lips, Lin Laifu’s entire demeanor shifted. He gave me a very stern, genuine warning to avoid any involvement with the Iron Fang Gang altogether. It is clear that the gang’s influence runs deep within the city’s underground, and even wealthy merchants like Lin Laifu prefer to keep a wide berth from their operations."

"Lin Laifu is a cautious man," Ye Chenxue remarked coldly. "He knows where the boundaries are drawn in Crimson Vale."

"Indeed," Lu Feng continued with a faint smile. "And on my way back from his estate, I happened to run into Big Sister Su Rong. She ended up pulling me into her carriage and escorting me back to the Crimson Pavilion for tea."

Ye Chenxue gave a light, amused huff. "Mistress Su Rong certainly seems to take a keen interest in your affairs lately."

"She is a valuable ally to maintain," Lu Feng chuckled lightly. "While we were drinking tea in her private quarters, she actually extended an invitation for me to join her tomorrow afternoon. Lin Laifu is hosting an exclusive, highly restricted private sales session for top-tier figures and clan elders, and Su Rong wanted me to accompany her as her guest."

Ye Chenxue looked at him, surprised. "A private sales event hosted by Lin Laifu? That is precisely where our high-grade cultivation pills are going to be featured as the main highlight. Did you accept her invitation?"

"No," Lu Feng shook his head smoothly. "I turned her offer down. Showing up alongside the sister of the City Lord at an event where my own anonymously supplied pills are being auctioned off would draw far too much unnecessary eyes onto my person. Maintaining a low profile is far more advantageous right now." ℯℯ𝑙.

He stopped walking as they reached the shaded veranda of the main pavilion, looking out over the quiet expanse of his estate.

"Besides," Lu Feng added, his tone growing quiet and resolute, "I felt a sudden, pressing urge today. The undercurrents in Crimson Vale are beginning to shift, Chenxue. Between the Iron Fang Gang, the hidden stalkers, and the incoming wave of wealth from our pill sales, the peace we currently enjoy will not last indefinitely. I need to focus my time on raising my cultivation base immediately—for the safety of our group, our staff, and the long-term stability of this estate."

Ye Chenxue looked at his side profile, noticing the faint, sharp intensity in his eyes. She smiled faintly, a sense of quiet reassurance washing over her.

"I agree," Ye Chenxue said softly, stepping up beside him on the stone steps. "Whatever storm is brewing in this city, we will be ready for it when it arrives."

"We will," Lu Feng agreed with a subtle grin, looking up at the afternoon sky. "We most certainly will."