Heroine, don't turn back, I'm just a farmer.

"Who?"

Why did they appear at this time?

Lu Guo held his breath and observed quietly.

Madam Xue remained seated, but the fingertips of her right hand twitched slightly—she subtly made a gesture of gathering her sleeves, ready to strike at any moment.

"The door isn't locked," she said.

The voice was soft and even.

The door was pushed open.

A figure slipped inside and slammed the door shut behind them, the movements clean and efficient.

The newcomer was dressed in dark, close-fitting clothes. He was tall and thin, and his face was hidden in the shadow of his low-hanging straw hat. Judging from his posture and movements, he was a young man, or perhaps not. He was no more than thirty years old. A silver whip was tied around his waist, with a small silver bell hanging from the end of the whip. However, the silver bell was tightly wrapped with a strip of cloth and could not make a sound.

Infiltrating and still wearing bells?

If one isn't confident enough in their own agility, then the bell is a deliberate attempt to expose a weakness.

A soft whip with silver threads, adorned with silver bells.

What grown man would play with a whip unless he has a special hobby?

Lu Guo's gaze fell on the soft whip, and a thought struck him.

"You're late," said Madam Snow.

The newcomer removed his straw hat, revealing a young face—his features were clear and bright, his beard resembled that of Lu Xiaofeng, and the corners of his mouth were naturally upturned, carrying a hint of cynical smile. He casually cupped his hands in greeting.

"Madam, we encountered a little trouble on the way. We discovered that some spies from the Wuji Demonic Sect were looking for someone, so I had to take a detour."

The Limitless Demonic Sect.

Lu Guo's ears perked up.

"Who should I look for?"

"Guess?" the newcomer said, sitting down opposite Madam Xue and pouring himself a cup of tea. "Guess who they're looking for here."

Madam Xue's expression remained unchanged upon hearing this.

"But those good-for-nothings are all talk and no action; in reality, there aren't many who are truly capable."

Madam Xue did not respond.

After a moment of silence, she suddenly spoke: "Get to the point."

The visitor put down his teacup, and the smile on his face faded slightly.

"The Wuji Demonic Sect has sent people to conduct clandestine investigations throughout Qingzhou Prefecture, seemingly searching for your whereabouts. Last night, I managed to sneak into one of their strongholds and overheard some rumors—they seem to believe that the Tianluo Scripture is on you."

"The Heavenly Net Scripture..." Madam Xue's voice lowered, "They are certainly well-informed."

"I saw their secret mark in the south of the city. A figure of considerable renown, an elder-level figure, has arrived. I don't know exactly who it is, but someone the Boundless Demonic Sect would send an elder to pursue..."

"The people from Tianluoxiang have also arrived, but for some reason... they are holding back."

The visitor paused, his gaze towards Madam Xue becoming more serious.

"Ming Suxue, what exactly did you take from the Wuji Demonic Sect?"

It turns out that this Lady Xue's name is Ming Suxue.

Ming Suxue did not answer the question. She just glanced at the window, slowly picked up her teacup and took a sip. The tea was already cold, but she didn't care.

"Qin Sanlang," she called out the man's name, "you're asking too many questions."

Qin Sanlang?

Lu Guo seemed to have some memory of this person; the swordsman remembered him.

Qin Sanlang, a disciple of the Thief Saint, possesses unparalleled lightness skills and is a renowned lone thief in the martial arts world. Legend has it that he has stolen from thirteen prefectures of the Dasheng Dynasty without ever failing, and he always leaves behind a paper swallow as a mark after each crime.

Good heavens, I'm a master thief, and this guy is a legendary thief.

Tonight, the Crouching Dragon and the Phoenix Chick have all arrived.

But why is Madam Xue connected with this person?

Qin Sanlang was speechless after being silenced by Ming Suxue's words, but he was not angry. Instead, he smiled.

"Alright, I won't ask." He took another sip of tea. "Anyway, one more secret about you won't make a difference. I only need to confirm one thing—do you really have news about relics?"

Relics?

Lu Guo heard it clearly.

What's that thing on the swordsman's body?

Ming Suxue put down her teacup and lightly tapped her finger on the table.

"I know, but before I tell you, there are three things I need to do."

"you say."

"First, continue investigating the clues to the disappearance of the Heavenly Blade. Although I've gathered some intelligence, it's not enough. Second, deal with the spies of the Boundless Demonic Sect. Third—" She looked up at Qin Sanlang, "Find a map. Before Shen Henian died, he hid the map in Jingmiao Nunnery. I need to find it."

"Shen Henian?" Qin Sanlang raised an eyebrow. "Not Shen Wansan, your deadbeat husband?"

"He is not my husband." Ming Suxue's voice turned colder. "He was sent by the Wuji Demon Sect to monitor me. We each got what we wanted, it was all an act. He wanted to get the 'Tianluo Scripture' from me, and I wanted to get the 'Tianmo Scripture' from him. But he had some ulterior motives—so he is dead now."

"..."

There were really twists and turns in this, so Lu Guo listened quietly to see what else he could glean.

After listening, Qin Sanlang remained silent for a moment, then nodded.

"Understood. I can't help with Tian Dao's matter. Isn't Shen Henian Tian Dao's junior brother? What grudge could there be between fellow disciples that has led to a life-or-death struggle? However, the Wuji Demonic Sect can give them some more false information. As for Tianluo Incense—"

He took a paper swallow from his pocket and placed it on the table.

"This one isn't someone to be trifled with either; they'll come looking for you sooner or later."

Ming Suxue glanced at the paper swallow but didn't take it.

"The longer it drags on, the better," she said. "I need time."

"how long?"

"It can take anywhere from ten days to half a month."

Qin Sanlang thought for a moment and nodded.

"Ten days. I can only guarantee to do my best. I can't hold out any longer." He stood up, put his straw hat back on, and said, "After that, tell me about the relic."

Ming Suxue did not try to stop her.

Qin Sanlang walked to the door, then suddenly stopped and looked back at her.

"By the way, I heard a swordsman came here during the day. What are you planning to do about it?"

Ming Suxue's fingers paused slightly.

Lu Guo held his breath.

"His identity is not something you can discuss."

Qin Sanlang chuckled, his laughter carrying a hint of something unreadable.

Goodbye.

He finished speaking.

He pushed open the door, slipped away, and disappeared into the night.

Ming Suxue was the only one left in the side room.

She sat alone for a moment, then stood up and walked to another window—not the back window, but the side window. She pushed the window open, and the moonlight shone on her face, making her expression indistinct. But Lu Guo noticed that her right hand was always hanging at her side, and her sleeve was slightly tightened.

She remains ready to act at any time.

Lu Guo remained motionless.

He didn't know if Ming Suxue had noticed him. She seemed to be a master; if she were to consciously perceive, she might have been able to detect someone outside the back window. However, she didn't look in his direction or make any unnecessary movements. She simply stood by the window for a while, then closed it and returned to the table.

But just as he was about to leave, a delicate shout came from inside.

"Who?"

Lu Guo felt a chill run down his spine.

He didn't look back; his thief's instincts drove him to dash towards the rooftop—

[Lightness Skill Assessment: Normal Success]

Just as his fingertips touched the eaves, a cold wind swept in from behind him—not a hidden weapon, but a hand.

Exquisite steps, silk-wrapping hands.

The Heavenly Luo Fragrance possesses two unique skills: its hands and feet can be as soft as water or as sharp as a sword, killing without a trace.

The hand precisely gripped the back of his neck.

Lu Guo changed direction mid-air, his body twisting incredibly in mid-air to barely avoid the trap, but the opponent's counterattack was even faster—the trap was not yet finished, and with a flick of the wrist, the five fingers came together to form a palm blade, slashing diagonally at his Jianjing acupoint.

If that palm strike lands, his entire arm will be severed.

With a drop in his right shoulder and a push from his left leg, Lu Guo kicked at the opponent's face at a tricky angle—a basic leg technique inherent to game characters.

Lady Snow was forced to lean back to avoid it.

In that split second, he had already climbed onto the roof.

Instead of fleeing towards the courtyard wall, he climbed onto the roof. The master thief's advantage lies in height; in complex three-dimensional spaces and narrow areas, he might not be as fast as this unassuming woman.

[Lightness skill successfully assessed.]

His toes barely touched the roof tiles as he leaped up like a swallow, the night wind rushing into his ears. The rooftops beneath his feet rushed past, and Lu Guo leaped from the main roof ridge to the roof of the side room, then used the momentum to leap again, pouncing towards the branches of the old locust tree outside the courtyard wall—

There were no footsteps following behind.

He landed on a locust tree branch, swaying and looking back.

Madam Xue stood on the artificial hill in the courtyard. Her plain white nightgown was like a thin shadow in the moonlight. The thin gauze was almost transparent in the moonlight, making her figure appear exceptionally delicate and ethereal. However, she did not chase after them. She just stood there quietly, her gaze piercing through the night and landing on the branches of the locust tree.

They were ten feet apart, and the darkness obscured her view, so Lu Guo couldn't see her expression.

But he saw Lady Snow raise her right hand, bring her index and middle fingers together, touch her lips lightly, and then wave it outwards.

[Insight and Judgment: Success. The target's gesture resembles some kind of underworld slang. You can't decipher its specific meaning, but you can be certain—she knew you would come tonight.]

"???"

Having obtained some intelligence tonight, Lu Guo, not understanding the meaning of the gesture, did not linger any longer.

The figure blended into the night and disappeared into the depths of the layered rooftops in an instant.