Han Li, still shaken by his earlier encounter with the blue-clad man, sat quietly in his seat, grateful for his narrow escape. The unease from the interaction lingered, but he was quick to focus on the task at hand. His mind could no longer remain at ease; the calm that had accompanied his thoughts earlier was now a distant memory. With a sigh, he stood up, preparing to settle his bill and leave the restaurant.
Just then, the faint sound of galloping hooves reached his ears from the street outside. The sound grew louder and clearer with each passing moment, and Han Li's attention was immediately piqued. From the information he had gathered through Sun Ergou, he knew that the rider was most likely Mo Yuzhu, the daughter of Mo Manor, returning from an outing.
Mo Yuzhu, unlike most noble women, had little interest in traditional feminine pursuits. She was passionate about martial arts, and her prowess with a spear had earned her the admiration of many. Her most unusual hobby, however, was hunting, a typically male-dominated activity. She would often ride out into the woods on the outskirts of the city to hunt, much to the dismay of her suitors who frequently followed her, hoping to win her favor.
When Wu Jianming arrived in town, it was no surprise that he, too, joined the throng of admirers eager to accompany her on these hunting excursions. The news intrigued Han Li, who found himself curious about this fiercely independent young woman.
As the sounds of hooves drew nearer, Han Li's eyes caught sight of a procession of riders coming down the street. Leading the group was a young man and woman. The young man was tall, with striking features, and he radiated an air of elegance. The woman, wearing a striking red hunting outfit and a purple cloak, was more difficult to identify due to her hood, but her presence was unmistakable.
In the blink of an eye, the riders passed by the restaurant, rushing toward Mo Manor. The guards at the gate immediately took action, with one of them approaching the riders to greet them.
"Miss, Young Master Wu, you're back. How was the hunt today?" the guard asked respectfully.
"Not bad," replied the woman, her voice light but clear. She removed her cloak, revealing a stunningly beautiful face. With a graceful leap, she dismounted from her horse.
"Take the horses to the stable, and handle the game," she instructed the guard, who hurried to do as told.
Han Li, though some distance away, managed to catch a glimpse of her face. He felt a sharp intake of breath at the sight. Her complexion was flawless, her nose delicate, and her eyes gleaming like black pearls. Her full lips, red as cherries, complemented her features perfectly. It was no wonder she was known as the most beautiful woman in Jia Yuan City.
"Mo Yuzhu, so this is her," Han Li thought. "No wonder she drives the young men of Jia Yuan crazy. Truly, a woman of breathtaking beauty."
The young man who had been riding beside her dismounted and walked up to Mo Yuzhu. He whispered something in her ear, causing her face to turn a slight shade of red. She playfully punched his shoulder a few times before storming off toward the manor, casting a few shy glances over her shoulder. The young man smiled and followed her in, his movements as graceful as his words.
"So, this is Wu Jianming," Han Li mused. "He certainly knows how to flatter a woman, and he's not bad-looking either."
From what he observed, it seemed that Wu Jianming and Mo Yuzhu shared a close bond, their feelings for each other evidently deep. Han Li couldn't help but frown. This situation was more complicated than he had anticipated. The growing connection between the two only made Han Li's task more difficult.
"Regardless, I must get my hands on the Warm Sun Jade, and I must do so quickly. The poison in my body is growing more dangerous, and it might erupt sooner than I expect," Han Li thought with increasing anxiety. He was running out of time, and the urgency of his mission weighed heavily on him.
After giving Mo Manor one last lingering glance, Han Li called for the waiter, settled his bill, and left the restaurant. His mind was now set on the next course of action.
That night, Han Li decided to take a direct approach. He had considered various strategies, but none seemed more effective than simply confronting the one in charge of the Jing Jiao (Surprised Crocodile) Sect, Madam Yan, who had been running the group in the absence of Mo Dafu. He had a token from Mo Dafu, which he believed would help expose Wu Jianming's true identity and intentions. How he would acquire the jade pendant, though, remained uncertain—he would have to wait for the right opportunity.
Once his decision was made, Han Li didn't hesitate. He changed into a black outfit and quietly left the inn, prepared for the night's actions. Moving with quiet steps, he effortlessly slipped over the rooftops, avoiding the guards patrolling the area, and soon found himself standing outside Mo Manor.
Han Li circled the manor, and with a small chuckle, he transformed into a wisp of smoke, sneaking past the unaware guards and into the rear courtyard. The guards didn't seem to notice anything unusual as he slipped by.
His heart pounded, not from fear but from the exhilaration of what he was about to do. His stealthy movements seemed to come naturally, and his thoughts sharpened. Tonight, the course of events might very well change forever.