Han Lu, who had been squinting his eyes and enjoying the tenderness of his beauty, slowly opened his eyes and glanced at the woman in the red dress with a sly smile.
"Madam Du, why are you so interested in news about the Silver Fox?"
The woman in the red dress was none other than Madam Du Jiangbo, Li Yanâs elder sister, Li Yu.
Li Yu froze for a moment, then forced a smile and said:
"Iâve always heard that the Silver Foxâs fur is exceptionally smooth and soft, even finer than the finest silk. I was simply curious~~"
She clung to Han Luâs thick arm, acting coy.
Han Lu sneered and roughly threw her off. Li Yuâs delicate arm struck the side of the carriage wall, her face twisted in pain, and an expression of sorrow and fear emerged.
"Lord Han, you..."
Han Lu turned around, gripping Li Yuâs chin with his massive hand and pinching forcefully, ignoring her look of suffering. He sneered coldly:
"You arenât curious about the Silver Foxâs fur. You want to find out about the killer who murdered your dead brother, donât you?"
"Li Yu, youâve got some nerve! Using me like this? So, thatâs why you schemed your way into my bed! How amusing! Whatâs next? If it turns out my Black Sand Gang killed your brother, you think youâd come for me, Lord Han?"
Han Luâs grip on her chin tightened, causing Li Yuâs face to turn pale as she struggled to breathe, a suffocating pressure enveloping her.
She knew her little ploy had deeply displeased Han Lu.
Li Yu hurriedly begged, her voice choked with tears:
"Lord Han... IâIâd never have such thoughts. I only seek the truthânot to trouble you over such minor matters."
"If... if Lord Han doesnât believe me, then feel free to crush me to death."
Li Yu closed her eyes, tears streaming down her cheeks uncontrollably, her charming face tinged with an air of pity.
"You truly believe I couldnât kill you?" Han Lu asked coldly.
Li Yu kept her eyes shut, letting tears fall, her head tilted as if prepared to meet her death.
Suddenly.
Han Luâs anger vanished, replaced by laughter.
"My dear Yuâer, how could I bear to do such a thing to you? Youâre my precious darlingâfar better than those vulgar women at Spring Wind Building. Come, let me see if I hurt you just now."
Li Yu couldnât help but shudder at the sudden change in demeanor, a chill creeping into her heart.
She forced a smile and coyly replied:
"Lord Han, I knew youâd treat me best. Yuâer truly didnât mean to deceive you..."
Han Lu waved his hand dismissively:
"Donât bring up the past anymore. In the future, handle things with me directly. I hate going in circles. If anyone else had pulled a stunt like you did just now, theyâd already be dead from a single slap!"
Li Yu nodded repeatedly, obediently leaning against Han Lu and softly saying:
"Yuâer understands... Then..."
Han Lu patted Li Yuâs back and slowly continued:
"I looked into it. Last year, some brothers from the gang went into the mountains to hunt the Silver Fox but were unsuccessful. As for your brother, they said they never crossed paths with him."
Li Yuâs spirits lifted.
"This... so was my brother killed by someone else then?"
Han Lu replied nonchalantly:
"Either way, I trust my men wouldnât dare lie to me. As for your brother, he mightâve been eaten by wild beasts or killed by someone else going into the mountains. Who knows?"
Li Yu clung carefully to Han Luâs arm and pleaded:
"Lord Han, heâs my only brother. When I was gravely ill as a child, he risked his life to search for herbs in the mountains for me. If not for him, I wouldnât be here today to meet you..."
"He mustâve been murdered! I canât let him die without justice. Please, Lord Han, help me. Iâll do anything you ask!"
Han Lu didnât immediately agree but leaned back onto the comfortable cushions with his eyes half-closed.
Li Yu, seeing this, immediately lowered her stance with tact.
"Lord Han~~"
She called out softly, the earlier conflict leaving her shaken, not daring to be impudent anymore.
Han Lu slowly said:
"Itâs already been over half a year since it happened in the mountains; itâll be tough to uncover. Letâs take our timeâLord Han will keep an eye out for you. But in the meantime..."
Han Lu decided to investigate slowly.
First, the long passage of time and the mountain location made it difficult to trace.
Second, this was an excellent way to make Li Yu willingly subservient. Han Lu knew from experience that an eager woman was the best kind of woman. After a while, heâd throw her a little reward to whet her appetite. If she pleased him enough, finding a few lowlifes with grudges against Li Yan to take the blame would suffice.
Li Yuâs eyes lit up, her voice sweet:
"During this time, I promise to make Lord Han as comfortable as possible. If you wish, I could stay by your side all the time..."
Han Lu raised his large hand and let out a licentious laugh:
"No need for that. Just be a good Madam Du. When I visit Liâs Manor, simply ensure you serve me well."
"As for Du Jiangbo, the coward, he wonât trouble youâyou can relax."
Li Yu felt bitter inside but obediently nodded on the surface, leaning against Han Lu and saying:
"Iâll do whatever Lord Han says~~"
Han Lu nodded, satisfied.
A commotion stirred.
The caravan from Liâs Manor entered the city, and Han Lu left with his Black Sand Gang companions, appearing content. Li Yuâs formerly gentle and obedient expression gradually turned cold. She clenched her fists tightly, feeling the pain of her fingernails digging into her palms.
The faint scornful gazes around herâshe ignored them entirely.
As for whatever implications these rumors might have for Du Jiangbo, she cared even less. Ever since Du Jiangbo began to avoid her, her affection for him had cooled.
Han Lu exploited her as a toy while Du Jiangbo didnât even have the courage to say a word.
"Xiao Yan, your revengeâsister will personally avenge you!"
A strange ferocity gleamed in Li Yuâs eyes.
She closed her eyes, seemingly recalling the little boy who had cautiously brewed medicine for her as she lay bedridden. Tears rolled down her face unwittingly.
...
The Guâs Manor caravan moved steadily along.
The group remained vigilant; while Han Luâs remarks seemed like jest, if they came true, it would mean bloodshed.
Fortunately, this trip had been smooth and uneventful.
Before nightfall.
The procurement caravan arrived safely at Guâs Manor. From a distance, they spotted the familiar estate, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a wave of safety.
Gu Sheng felt the same.
He watched Gu Jingang and others head toward the manorâs main house, while he returned home himself.
This smooth and uneventful trip pleased Gu Sheng. After two consecutive trips, he had nearly memorized the route.
Still, for safetyâs sake, he planned to make a few more trips with the manorâs team as his strength increased slightly before considering traveling alone.
This way, his actions would remain more discreet.
"Itâs best to master the Shapeshifting Technique to the point I can alter my face slightly before attempting thisâthatâs the safest approach."
Gu Sheng delivered the money earned from selling Gu Erniuâs pelts. Gu Erniu insisted on giving Gu Sheng a portion as commission, but Gu Sheng declined.
It was just a convenient favor, and a commission wasnât necessary.
Gu Erniu glanced at Gu Wan playing with the rattle drum Gu Sheng had brought as a gift. He then looked at Gu Shengâs departing figure, quietly storing away his gratitude.
Over the next few days.
Gu Sheng returned to his previous training routine, adding a new practiceâShapeshifting Technique!
Four days later.
Gu Sheng excitedly opened his martial progress panel.
[Name]: Gu Sheng
[Age]: 15
[Realm]: Refining Skin Realm (Stone Skin)
[Martial Arts]: Chopping Wood (First-level Tear), Archery (First-level Penetration), Iron Stone Fist (Great Success 21%), Shapeshifting Technique (Entry-level 0%)
...