Tomb Raider: The man is in the Nine Gates, but the system insists it's the Primordial Era.

High walls made of gray bricks, and a black-painted gate.

Brass nails were nailed to the door, and faded brass rings hung on it.

The words "Wu Mansion" are engraved on the lintel, the characters are vigorous and bear the marks of time.

Looking at the Wu family mansion gate in front of her, Huo Xian'er realized that the leader of the force that had threatened her and Su Mu was none other than Fifth Master Wu Laogou, who was also one of the Nine Gates and ranked fifth.

Huo Xian'er was about to speak.

Su Mu reached out and covered the other person's mouth, signaling them not to reveal their Huo family identity.

Huo Xian'er nodded and whispered, "That guy, is it Fifth Master Dog? Auntie said that Fifth Master is just as ruthless as Third Master, and he has all sorts of tricks up his sleeve. What do you want to do?"

In Huo Xian'er's mind, Su Mu's act of provoking Wu Laogou was far too much of a troublemaker.

Of all people to mess with, why did he have to provoke the leader of the Nine Gates?

Su Mu smiled and said, "I know he's Wu Naigou. There are plenty of wealthy people in the city who keep pets, but the only one who can be found in that place full of itinerant performers, most of whom are poor people, is probably that guy."

Su Mu then shared his previous speculation.

Su Mu added, "Don't worry, I have my own plans. It's a nice, secluded mansion, similar in style to my old family home."

Upon entering the front yard, one is greeted by bluestone slabs paved on the ground, with two old osmanthus trees planted on each side. Directly opposite the main gate is a blue brick screen wall, its surface engraved with landscape patterns.

In the corner of the courtyard stands a ceramic water vat, from which blue lotuses rise, and beneath the lotuses several koi carp swim freely.

Similar to Su Mu's childhood memories of the Su family mansion, the main hall of the Wu family mansion also had a three-bay layout, with tall beams and broad pillars. The blackened and shiny fir beams and pillars reflected the traces of a long period of time.

In the center is a black wooden altar table, on which are placed the ancestral tablets of the Wu family. On the side hang strange wooden dog tags in the shape of dog heads.

The dog tag was only slightly smaller than the ancestral tablets of the Wu family and was placed in front of the mourning hall.

A strange light flashed in Su Mu's eyes.

Rumor has it that the pale-faced Wu puppy in front of me has lost the Wu family's ancestral ability of "smelling" because of the Blood Corpse Tomb incident.

That's why they raise large numbers of spirit dogs, letting them use their sense of smell to find dragons and treasures.

Therefore, it is easy to imagine how important dogs were to the Wu family at this time.

Lost in thought.

Su Mu glanced at both sides of the main hall.

On either side stand black display shelves, filled with all sorts of antiques, bronze trinkets, porcelain, and jade.

"sit."

"Someone, bring tea."

Holding a puppy, Old Dog Wu sat in the main seat and ordered someone to prepare tea and snacks.

"How did you know about the Wu family's affairs? I've never told anyone these things. Don't tell me you figured it out yourself; I, Old Dog Wu, have never believed in such things."

Wu Laogou spoke first, directly interrupting Su Mu's prepared remarks.

"If you can't give a coherent explanation, then neither of you will leave today. Don't worry, I, Wu Laogou, won't be so ruthless. After you die, I will arrange for you to be buried together."

Old Wu's lips curled up, his smile still warm and bright, showing no sign that he was talking about something heinous and immoral.

Su Mu paused for a moment and said, "Actually, my Su family has long coveted that Blood Corpse Tomb. Before you dug your tunnel, didn't you also unearth blood-stained mud? It's just that the location of our tunnel is different from yours."

My family was at the scene when the Wu family had their accident, but we were so frightened by the blood-soaked corpse emerging from the cave that we fled in panic.

Afterwards, my father felt guilty for not informing the Wu family of the dangers of the Blood Corpse Tomb beforehand; however, an unexpected event occurred, and he passed away.

Old Wu frowned, constantly scrutinizing the changes in Su Mu's facial expression as he spoke.

The Blood Corpse Tomb contains priceless treasures; anyone with a deep understanding of the field knows this.

The Blood Corpse Tomb couldn't possibly have been discovered only by the Wu family; anyone with the ability could find it as well.

Su Mu's words were perfectly coherent, without a single loophole.

Feeling the gentle touch of Su Mu's feet, Huo Xian'er said blankly, "Su Mu's father was killed on the spot by bandits who came to seek revenge while trying to save my aunt."

Old Wu's gaze shifted and landed on Huo Xian'er: "And who is your aunt?"

Su Mu nodded.

Huo Xian'er composed herself, her air of wealth and nobility now radiating without any attempt at concealment: "Huo Jinxi of the Nine Gates Huo Family."

boom!

The servant who brought in tea from the Wu residence accidentally tripped at the threshold of the main hall and looked up at Old Dog Wu with a slightly flustered expression.

Old Wu raised his eyes and suddenly laughed, "So it's Huo Sanniang. I've heard a little about this. Su Bozhong was indeed a renowned hero in the past. I see. I apologize for any inconvenience I may have caused you two earlier."

Su Mu smiled and asked, "Then, can the transaction still proceed?"

Old Wu raised his teacup: "You're Old Master Su's descendant, right? If it's just bad luck, the Huo family wouldn't abandon you. Why resort to swindling people by selling talismans and elixirs?"

trick?

Su Mu nodded: "Alright, you'll find out soon enough whether I'm one of those swindlers who roam the world. You'd better be prepared with plenty of money and face, and come find me at my shop."

Seeing Su Mu stand up, Huo Xian'er quickly followed suit.

Su Mu cupped his hands in apology: "I apologize for what I said earlier about your family's murder. Those were unbearable memories. I live next to Qi Tiezui Old Tea Street. Farewell."

Old Wu reached out his hand, but the words of entreaty he was about to say were swallowed back down.

It's impossible to expect a stranger you meet out of nowhere to bow down to a dignified master like the Fifth Master of the Nine Gates after a few casual words.

But this kid had this arrogant attitude of "believe it or not" and "don't come begging to me when you run into trouble," which really displeased him.

Wu Laogou was rumored by the people of Changsha to be a person with extraordinary connections, but who in the entire Nine Gates wasn't just a mortal?

"A strange man," Wu Laogou finally concluded, sighing inwardly.

The near annihilation of the Wu family in the Blood Corpse Tomb was indeed something he could never let go of.

I fear that he will still feel ashamed before his ancestors until the day he dies.

His grandfather, father, and brothers all died in the Blood Corpse Tomb. Only he, who was still young at the time, was unable to enter the tomb, leaving behind a mutilated body.

"Hey, where are you going!"

Suddenly, the puppy in Wu Laogou's arms was freed again, and after landing on all fours, it ran wildly in the direction Su Mu had left.

At the gate of the Wu residence.

Su Mu stopped, squatted down, and petted the snow-white puppy that was sticking out its tongue at him in a fawning manner.

After consuming the Nine-Turn Rejuvenation Pill, his aura and the sweat secreted by his limbs became rare and precious medicinal substances.

This puppy, named San Cun Ding, is spiritually gifted and instinctively wants to stay in that spiritually rich place for a long time.

That's why it ran away from its owner's arms once again.

In the front yard, Wu Laogou, who was searching for his dog again, slowed down and looked incredulously at Su Mu petting the dog.

The name of Fifth Master Dog is known to all.

If Wu Laogou's dog-training skills were inferior to those of an ordinary passerby, how could he have earned the title of "Dog Master Wu"?

San Cun Ding was a rare and intelligent dog. Once raised to adulthood, he was far more capable than any other breed in his yard.

Meanwhile, to prevent the spirit dog from running away on its own, Old Dog Wu took the dog with him before the dog even opened its eyes, thus completing the recognition of the dog as its master.

"Why are these osmanthus trees suddenly blooming? It's only been a short while since Qingming Festival!"

"The osmanthus tree that Fifth Master's ancestors planted only blooms once a year, and its flowers are incredibly fragrant."

"..."

Old Wu glanced sideways at the flower buds on the century-old osmanthus tree in the front yard, which was blooming rapidly.

He has no sense of smell and cannot smell the flowers blooming.