Since the Fang Family's treasured daughter was a Top Grade vessel for cultivating the Black Death Demon Technique, the Black Death Sect would never let her go so easily.
As such, Fang Mingxuan was now a player in this game.
So, after exchanging a look with Zhou Qingmei, Fang Shuwen took out the silver notes from Da Xuan Bank.
"Among the people pursuing Miss Zhou earlier, one of them was carrying silver notes."
"This bank isn't well-known, and it's located right here in Guangning City."
"So, we suspect it might have some connection to the Black Death Sect."
Fang Shuwen looked at Fang Mingxuan.
"If Patriarch Fang knows anything, please tell us."
"Mm."
Fang Mingxuan's expression grew serious.
"This Da Xuan Bank established itself in Guangning City about a year ago."
"Its background is a mystery; no one can get to the bottom of it."
"The Shopkeeper is an extremely smooth and well-connected man, a portly fellow with the surname Qi. His name is Qi Zhifei."
"I've dealt with him a few times, but I couldn't figure him out."
"Is the bank still in business?"
"I haven't heard anything about it closing. It should still be open."
Fang Mingxuan said,
"Shall I have someone make some inquiries?"
"Don't."
Zhou Qingmei said,
"Inquiring rashly might alert them."
Fang Mingxuan cupped his fist slightly.
"Then what should we do? Please instruct us, milady."
Hearing this, Zhou Qingmei turned her gaze to Fang Shuwen.
Fang Shuwen's eyes darted about before finally landing on Zhang Fang.
"Brother Zhang, your Martial Arts are superb and you're a cautious man. Why don't you take a look yourself? You don't need to go inside the bank. Just stake it out from the outside, see where the people behind it go, and find out if we can use them to locate the Black Death Sect!"
Zhang Fang was taken aback.
"Just me?"
Fang Shuwen nodded.
"If they spot Miss Zhou, it'll definitely cause complications."
"And I need to stay close to protect Miss Zhou... As things stand, you're the only one they won't recognize, Brother Zhang."
"So, we'll have to trouble you."
Zhang Fang nodded.
"But even if I find the Black Death Sect, there's no way the three of us can wipe them out, right?"
At this, Fang Mingxuan smiled.
"If you need manpower, I can certainly help with that."
"Oh?"
Zhang Fang shot him a surprised glance.
Fang Mingxuan chuckled.
"With a generous enough reward, there will always be brave men. Manpower is hardly an issue."
"Well... I suppose it's better than nothing."
Zhang Fang didn't have much faith in the "experts" Fang Mingxuan could find.
After all, the Black Death Sect was no ordinary foe. Back in the day, it took Zhuji Pavilion uniting with numerous other Sects to wipe out that band of heretics.
Experts hired with just a bit of silver were bound to be a mixed bag; he feared they would crumble at the first sign of a real fight.
Zhou Qingmei glanced at Zhang Fang.
"Senior Brother, we should write a letter back to the Sect and inform them of the situation here."
"If there's time, having our fellow disciples join the fight would be for the best."
"Alright."
Zhang Fang nodded in agreement.
"Leave both matters to me. I guarantee I'll handle them perfectly."
With that, he stood up, turned, and took his leave.
Fang Shuwen watched his retreating back with some surprise and said to Zhou Qingmei,
"Is your Senior Brother always this impatient?"
"..."
Zhou Qingmei was momentarily speechless.
Fang Mingxuan then said,
"It's getting late. Why don't you two stay here at the manor for the night?"
"I'll have someone prepare a couple of guest rooms for you."
Just as Zhou Qingmei was about to refuse, Fang Shuwen spoke up.
"Very well. We'll be troubling you then, Patriarch Fang."
Since Fang Shuwen had spoken, Zhou Qingmei agreed as well.
Fang Mingxuan was overjoyed. He quickly had someone prepare the rooms, subtly hinting that he hoped they would stay for the entire duration of their time in Guangning City.
Fang Shuwen didn't seem to mind either way. After a moment's consideration, Zhou Qingmei also agreed.
Her main concern was that Miss Fang might be captured by the Black Death Sect again.
Once the rooms were more or less ready, a steward led them to their quarters to rest.
The Fang Family was the wealthiest in the region, and their residence was enormous. The deeper they went, the more secluded and sprawling it felt.
Finally, they stopped before a small courtyard. The head steward smiled and said,
"You two can rest here. The Young Miss's chambers are right next door."
"Also, our honored guests should not enter the courtyard on the far left."
"Oh? Does the Fang Family have forbidden grounds?"
Fang Shuwen was amused.
The steward shook his head.
"That is the residence of our family's Eldest Young Master."
"Oh? The Fang Family has an Eldest Young Master?"
Zhou Qingmei asked curiously.
The steward sighed.
"The Eldest Young Master was separated from the family as a child. There has been no word from him in nearly twenty years."
"The Patriarch keeps the room as it was, simply as a way to remember him."
"I ask that you two not mention this in front of the Patriarch, lest you cause him sorrow."
"I see."
Zhou Qingmei cupped her fist and said,
"Forgive my forwardness."
"Not at all. Please, get some rest."
With that, the steward turned and left. Zhou Qingmei stepped into the courtyard and glanced back at Fang Shuwen. Seeing him staring at the Eldest Young Master's courtyard, she smiled and said,
"What are you looking at? Come on in."
"Finally, we can get a comfortable night's sleep."
Fang Shuwen nodded, entered the courtyard, and shut the gate. When he turned back to Zhou Qingmei, there was a different look in his eyes.
"You..."
Zhou Qingmei froze.
Then she heard Fang Shuwen say in a low voice,
"I have something to tell you."
...
...
「The night was as cool as water, and the wind carried a hint of dampness.」
A masked man in black stood on a rooftop, his gaze drifting faintly toward the Zhou Family's grand residence.
Suddenly, a dark figure appeared behind him and knelt on one knee.
"The Young Sect Leader commands that you use any means necessary to deliver Fang Lingxin to him."
"Understood."
The masked man's voice was tinged with laziness. He rubbed his fingertips together and said nonchalantly,
"Have they found the Cyan-faced Ghost's body?"
"We've found them. They were killed by a powerful blow. It looks like one of them was also tortured for information."
'She only has that young man with her. So, it was him.'
'A hired guard?'
"No matter how skilled his Martial Arts are, if we were to all attack at once..."
"A major event is imminent, and most of our manpower has been redeployed. With the few who remain, I doubt we could kill him. It would more likely backfire."
"After all, even Granny Hei died at his hands. The man's Martial Arts are truly terrifying."
"Then what should we do?"
Hearing this, the subordinate behind him felt troubled.
"Don't worry. There's no such thing as an unsolvable problem in this world."
"Sometimes, killing isn't the best strategy."
"Knowing your opponent is formidable and still choosing a direct confrontation... wouldn't that be the height of stupidity?"
"Give the order: whatever they want, give it to them..."
"Once they are satisfied, that will be our time to get what we want."
The masked man spoke softly. A faint black aura coiled around his fingertips, then vanished without a trace the instant he clenched his fist.