Chapter 584: Handwriting

Despite this, Feng Chi couldn't help but remind him, "They always said he was useful, and we invested a lot in him. It's true; he risked his life entering the Divine Fire Domain on orders and won the 'Wildbreaker Shard' for our lineage, performing a great service. Won't treating such a meritorious figure like this discourage others?"

Master Qing retorted, "Feng Chi, others might not know how much he sold that shard for, but surely you do? He held our entire lineage hostage, knowing we desperately needed that shard, and demanded an exorbitant price. If he hadn't taken those five billion, then he'd truly be a hero. But he profited immensely; how dare he still claim credit?

If it weren't for the fact that he's still willing to serve our lineage, and the power he wields is effectively power in our hands, do you think the higher-ups would simply let the secret method of the Fifth-Grade Immobile Talisman go untaken?

Furthermore, strictly speaking, he's been involved with you two and knows too much. At the very least, you two could easily be implicated.

He's cornered in Juquzhou, with so many factions searching for him. Whether we want to rescue him or find him, we have to follow every lead. We can't afford to do nothing!

If we don't secure these leads first, they might fall into other hands.

Feng Chi, since when did you start letting your emotions get the better of you? That's very dangerous!"

Feng Chi's lips tightened. Swallowing her retort, she asked again, "What happened to those people?"

Master Qing replied, "I don't know the specifics. The higher-ups wouldn't tell me every single detail." He then glanced at the two women. "As long as you don't say anything, Shi Chun won't know who did it."

The two women fell silent.

Master Qing's stern tone softened. "Now that you know, I don't need to emphasize the urgency of the situation. We are the only ones truly willing to help them right now, so even if it's just to assist them, we must find them as quickly as possible, ideally before anyone else does.

Remember, once major powers get involved, the so-called security forces with powerful backing in your residential area will no longer be competent or reliable. When you return, you must remain highly vigilant and report any clues you discover immediately. Alright, you shouldn't stay here too long. Go back now."

Xiang Lan'er hummed in assent.

The two women then left, returning to the ready-to-wear shop outside, where they again picked out a few clothes to try on.

They also noticed something unusual: the shop, which had been almost empty when they arrived, now had several female customers.

After trying on various outfits, they each bought two sets of clothing and then departed.

On the way back by carriage, both women were silent, or rather, their mood was heavy.

After all, they had spent a long time with the people from Mingshan Sect.

Currently, those from Mingshan Sect still at home were Tong Mingshan, An Wuzhi, Zhu Xiangxin, and Shen Moming.

Those who had gone out with Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang included Hao Ji, Xiao Sheng, Fang Zicheng, Chen Wuji, Wu Hong, Lao Changtai, and Chu Jingtang.

If those who went out were all captured, they had no idea what the future held.

Xiang Lan'er also had to consider what she would do if Shi Chun didn't return.

Previously, Feng Chi would always help her consider such matters, but now she felt she couldn't rely on Feng Chi, and there was no need to even discuss it, as she knew it would be futile. Feng Chi would undoubtedly be certain that Shi Chun would return...

On a flat mountain road, obscured by quiet forests, a man carrying a package stopped in front of a standing monument by the roadside.

Four blood-red characters, "No Trespassing," were carved into the monument.

The inscription couldn't stop him, but the man was blocked by the protective barrier encompassing the area. He tried to push through several times but failed, eventually forced to halt.

He looked around; the forest was quiet, deserted, with only the sounds of birds and the fragrance of flowers. For a moment, he was at a loss.

Just then, a group of figures emerged from the forest—the patrol guards of this luxurious residential area, alerted by the disturbance at the barrier.

The group immediately surrounded the man. The leader sternly demanded, "Who are you, daring to cause trouble here?"

The man quickly waved his hands. "No, no trouble. I'm here to deliver a letter. I didn't realize I couldn't get in here."

Hearing he was a messenger, the leader softened his tone and inquired, "Who is the letter for?"

The messenger replied, "Unit B-11."

Upon hearing this, several of the guards exchanged glances.

The leader's eyes narrowed slightly as he asked again, "And to whom specifically?"

The messenger stated, "A letter from the Myriad Immortal Sect for Shen Moming."

Just then, faint hoofbeats echoed from the distant mountain road. The leader immediately extended his hand, saying, "You can't trespass here. Hand me the letter. We are the guards here, and it's our job to deliver such things. We'll make sure it reaches its destination."

The messenger looked reluctant and shook his head. "The Myriad Immortal Sect instructed me to deliver it directly to Shen Moming."

He didn't mention that the person who entrusted him with the letter had promised a substantial reward upon its personal delivery.

The leader's expression darkened, but he said no more, as a carriage pulled by a fine-scaled steed came speeding around the bend. He first motioned for everyone to move to the side to avoid obstructing the residents.

The driver, seeing a group of people ahead, quickly slowed down.

As the carriage slowed, Feng Chi, who was sitting inside, instinctively checked. She parted the curtain with two fingers and peered out, seeing a group of guards surrounding someone and moving to the side.

The driver's token emitted a stream of light, causing the protective barrier to open a temporary wave-like entrance.

The encircled person was carrying a package, clearly not wealthy, yet running towards this area and now stopped. Feng Chi's eyes narrowed slightly. Seeing the carriage about to enter the protected zone, she spoke up, "Stop for a moment."

Master Qing's earlier warnings were still fresh in her mind. Knowing the current situation, any anomaly naturally piqued her suspicion and attention.

The carriage was abruptly pulled to an emergency halt. Inside, the unprepared Xiang Lan'er swayed violently before regaining her balance, wondering what was happening.

Feng Chi, however, lifted the curtain and stepped out, standing on the carriage shaft, looking down at the group. "What's going on?"

The patrol guards were also surprised; some exchanged bewildered glances, having not expected a passing carriage to suddenly stop and inquire.

Generally, residents here preferred not to meddle in external affairs.

Seeing that it was Feng Chi who had emerged, the leader's eyes darted slightly. He quickly found a response, saying, "It's nothing, nothing. Someone trespassed, and we're just questioning them."

The messenger quickly interjected, "I didn't trespass. I'm here to deliver a letter. May I ask if you know the resident of Unit B-11?"

This sudden, full confession left the group of guards speechless.

Hearing "Unit B-11," even Xiang Lan'er inside the carriage couldn't help but part the curtain and peek out.

Shi Chun had purchased two adjacent properties here, and Unit B-11 was one of them, specifically the one for Tong Mingshan and his companions.

Feng Chi's eyes flickered slightly. "Who is it for?" she asked again.

The messenger replied, "Shen Moming. The Myriad Immortal Sect instructed me to deliver it personally to him."

Feng Chi frowned slightly. She immediately tilted her head and gestured, "I'm a neighbor of Unit B-11. Get in the carriage; I'll take you there."

The group of guards exchanged silent glances. The leader waved his hand, and they parted, allowing the messenger to pass. They watched as the man got into the carriage and entered the barrier, disappearing into the distance.

Inside the gently swaying carriage, Feng Chi asked the messenger, "Didn't those guards inform you just now?"

The messenger replied, "No, they said this place couldn't be trespassed and told me to give them the letter, saying they'd deliver it for me. But I truly promised the sender to deliver it in person."

As he spoke, he appraised Xiang Lan'er, finding her exceptionally beautiful.

Hearing that the guards had not informed him and had offered to deliver the letter themselves, Feng Chi and Xiang Lan'er instinctively sat up straighter, exchanging wary glances.

Feng Chi even reached out to part the curtain, remaining vigilant of the outside throughout the ride.

Before long, passing through picturesque mountains and clear waters, the carriage arrived in front of a courtyard.

The occupants disembarked one by one. Feng Chi pointed to the "Unit B-11" marker on the gate and then called out, "Shen Moming!"

Soon, Shen Moming emerged from the house, crossed the courtyard, and, seeing a stranger with the two women, asked in surprise, "Who is this?"

The other occupants inside didn't react; Tong Mingshan, An Wuzhi, and Zhu Xiangxin were in secluded cultivation. Shen Moming was staying behind to guard them.

Feng Chi said, "This person has a letter for you, said to be from the Myriad Immortal Sect."

"The Myriad Immortal Sect?" Shen Moming was also surprised.

"Are you Mr. Shen Moming?" the messenger confirmed again.

Shen Moming nodded. "Yes. Are you from the Myriad Immortal Sect? I haven't seen you before."

"I am not a disciple of the Myriad Immortal Sect; I am merely entrusted by someone," the messenger said, bowing with cupped hands. He first took off the package from his back and presented it, then retrieved a letter from his robe and handed it over.

Shen Moming, holding and feeling the package, used his free hand to take the letter.

Feng Chi directly took the package, intending to help but also secretly inspecting it.

While assisting, she also tried to glance at the letter's contents.

Shen Moming did not deliberately avoid her, wanting to show his innocence and that there were no shady dealings between him and the Myriad Immortal Sect.

However, after opening and reading the letter, his expression showed a slight abnormality. He then calmly closed the letter page and took out a banknote redeemable for ten thousand gold from his pouch, offering it to the messenger. "Thank you for your trouble. This is a small token of my appreciation. Please don't despise it."

The messenger naturally grinned widely, and Shen Moming then arranged for the nearby carriage to take him back to the city.

After handing the package to Shen Moming, Feng Chi gave Xiang Lan'er a look. The two then took their leave and headed towards the front residence.

On the way, Xiang Lan'er looked back and, seeing Shen Moming take the items into the house, quietly asked, "What's wrong?"

After all, they had known each other for many years, and Feng Chi's glance just now conveyed a different meaning to her.

Feng Chi whispered, "I roughly glimpsed the contents of the letter. It was indeed addressed to Shen Moming from his master, but the handwriting doesn't seem to be his master's."

Xiang Lan'er was startled. "You recognize his master's handwriting?"

Feng Chi looked around, then whispered, "I don't recognize his master's handwriting, but I've paid attention to Shi Chun's handwriting. It's very precise and careful, yet clearly that of someone who hasn't practiced much."

Xiang Lan'er was surprised. "Are you saying that was..."

Seeing Feng Chi nod, she didn't press further and instead whispered, "What did it say?"

Feng Chi scoffed, "It basically said that Shen Moming's master declared their ties broken and that he couldn't accept the gift Shen Moming sent. It was returned unopened, with instructions for Shen Moming to keep it safe himself, and to remember to give the messenger ten thousand in compensation."