Tian Hao walked ahead in silence, his pace quickening without him realizing it. His comrades struggled to keep up.
One of the monks, Fahai , frowned and asked, " Brother Soho, did you notice something strange about Brother Hao?"
Soho nodded slightly. "Yeah… I think so too. But where is he even going? I'm the one who knows where the Beggar Sect is."
The monks exchanged confused glances, and soon they began calling out,
"Senior Brother! Where are you going?"
Tian Hao stopped and turned around, blinking as if waking from a trance. "Where… was I going?" he muttered under his breath.
When he saw their confused faces, he looked at Soho and said, "Hey, why didn't you tell us which way to go?"
Soho looked utterly bewildered. "Tell you? You're the one who stormed out of the tavern without saying a word and started walking like you knew where to go! Now you're blaming me?"
Tian Hao scratched his head, his face flushing. "I… forgot. It's my fault. Sorry. Just—tell me the right way this time."
Soho sighed and pointed down the street. "This way. Try not to wander off again."
After walking for a while and crossing several narrow streets, they finally stopped in front of a half-broken hut. The walls were cracked, the roof sagged dangerously — it looked like it would collapse if someone so much as sneezed.
Tian Hao blinked and asked, "Soho… are you sure this is the right place?"
Soho crossed his arms and smirked. "Are you doubting me now?"
"No" Tian Hao said quickly, glancing around at the shabby surroundings. "But honestly… I think the only thing we'll find here is garbage, not secret information."
As they were talking, a middle-aged man stepped out from the hut. His clothes were tattered, his hair unkempt — he looked every bit a beggar.
"What do you want?" the man asked in a rough voice.
Soho turned around, clasped his fists respectfully, and said, "It's nice to meet you again, Elder Linghui."
The man squinted for a moment, then a faint smile appeared. "It's been a long time, Soho. How have you been?"
"I'm doing well, Elder," Soho replied politely.
Elder Linghui's eyes then shifted toward Tian Hao. "And this one… let me guess — you're the monk everyone's been talking about."
Tian Hao blinked. "Talking about me? What are people saying?"
Linghui chuckled. "That there's a handsome monk wandering around asking questions about the disappearances."
Tian Hao frowned slightly. How could he know that? he thought. From the first village to here, we gathered information quietly. Even rushing all the way here took us two days… so how did word spread this fast?
Linghui watched Tian Hao's expression and smirked faintly. "Now you understand, don't you? There's no better place for secret information than here."
Realizing what he meant, Tian Hao immediately clasped his fists. "Forgive me, Elder. I spoke without thinking and was disrespectful."
Linghui waved his hand with a dry laugh. "No need for that. We're beggars — we're used to such remarks. People see rags and forget how sharp the ears beneath them are."
Hearing that, Tian Hao lowered his head, ashamed.
Linghui's tone softened. "Come on, then. No point talking out here — the walls have ears."
He gestured toward the dim interior of the hut. "If you want information, step inside."
Once inside, everyone took their seats on the rough wooden floor. The air was thick with the smell of old tea and dust.
Linghui leaned back against the wall. "I'm guessing you're here to investigate the disappearance of the Baek family's young master, aren't you?"
"Yes," Soho replied. "But… does that mean others have come seeking the same information?"
Linghui nodded. "You're not the only ones. The Wudang Sect has already sent people, and even the Baek family themselves have been looking. But…" he sighed, "I have some bad news for you."
Tian Hao and the monks straightened up.
"We still don't know where he disappeared," Linghui continued. "Or what exactly happened."
Fahai frowned. "Didn't you just say this was the best place for secret information?"
Linghui's brow twitched in irritation. "I said it is, not that we always have answers instantly. However," his tone dropped lower, "in two days, someone is coming — someone who claims to know the truth about the incident."
Soho's eyes narrowed. "Who is this person?"
"We don't know," Linghui admitted. "All we received was a letter. The sender claimed to have information about the Baek family's disappearance… but he demands one thousand silver coins in exchange. He'll reveal everything in two days."
"So he might be a fraud," Fahai muttered.
Soho shook his head. "Unlikely. If he were lying, he'd be risking his life. This isn't just about money — the matter concerns both the honor of the Baek family and the Wudang Sect. A fraud wouldn't dare to play with that."
Linghui nodded slowly. "Exactly. That's why we're waiting. If you want answers, you're welcome to join us when he arrives."
Linghui grinned slyly. "But if you want information, you'll have to pay. Nothing comes free in the Jianghu."
Tian Hao frowned. "We don't have a thousand silver coins… but we do have some."
Linghui's grin widened. "No need for that. I have another offer." He leaned forward, eyes gleaming with mischief. "You just need to become a model for Jianghu's Top 50 Handsome Men book. That's all I need."
"What?!" Tian Hao's eyes widened. "I will not do that! Even if I get no information at all, I refuse! Just tell us how much money you want instead!"
Linghui sighed dramatically. "Alright, alright. For this level of classified information… at least two hundred and fifty—"
"Two hundred and fifty copper coins?" Tian Hao asked quickly.
Linghui's grin turned wicked. "Silver coins."
The entire hut erupted in shouts. "Two hundred and fifty silver coins?!"
Linghui chuckled. "Tell you what — if you join the portrait contest and get more votes than the other fifty contestants, you'll win one gold coin."
That changed everything.
The small hut exploded with noise, the monks cheering like children. "Senior Brother, please! Just do it! A gold coin!"
Even Soho couldn't hide a laugh as Tian Hao's face twitched in defeat. Finally, he sighed. "...Fine. I'll do it."
The whole hut cheered again. Linghui clapped his hands like he'd just won the lottery.
Soho eyed him suspiciously. "Why are you so happy about this, Elder Linghui?"
"Oh, nothing," Linghui said quickly, waving a hand. "Come tomorrow morning. We'll prepare the portrait."
Tian Hao nodded with a gloomy face. I can't believe I let myself be tempted by worldly pleasure… he thought bitterly as they started to leave.
But before they stepped out, he stopped and turned to Linghui. "Elder, there's something else. I saw a woman in the tavern earlier — a woman with a scar on her face. I want you to find out who she is, what clan she belongs to, and why she's here."
Linghui raised a brow, teasing, "Why? Don't tell me you've fallen for her already?"
Tian Hao flushed. "N-No! It's not like that. I just… sense something dark from her. That's what worries me."
Linghui's playful grin faded. He nodded seriously. "Understood. I'll send some men to look into it. If your intuition says something's off, it's worth checking. After all, they say even young as you are, your instincts are sharper than most."
Tian Hao bowed slightly. "Thank you, Elder."
Linghui smiled faintly. "Heh… no, thank you. You're making this investigation more interesting than I expected."