After leaving the forest, Feng Tianlan could finally feel relieved. She had been afraid that the old man would keep pestering her until the Yanyue Building. Fortunately, he had stopped as they neared the edge of the forest. He didn’t shout across to her, almost as if he couldn’t.
An Advanced-stage Spiritual Emperor wanting her to be his master—this man must be a lunatic!
She waited for the guard to change shift so she could leave, but the guard unexpectedly remained where he was. She frowned. Could it be that she was already found out?
Suddenly, she heard the sound of a stranger’s breathing close by. Feng Tianlan turned around and attacked immediately. But the opponent was prepared. That person forcefully suppressed her and dragged her into the foliage.
“Who?” The guard instinctively turned in the direction of the movement. He saw that person and greeted respectfully, “Fifth Senior Brother.”
That person gave out a non-committal ‘uh-huh’ and said, “Be on your guard, don’t let any demonic beasts cross the border.”
“Yes!”
After watching the guard turn back to his original position, that person pulled Feng Tianlan along with him. “They changed shifts earlier, I will bring you out.”
Feng Tianlan remained silent. There were too many people around. If she were to start a fight here, it was unlikely to end favorably. So she said faintly, “I will walk on my own.”
That person glanced at Feng Tianlan and read her thoughts. He revealed his own identity to make her lower her guard. “I am Shang Chengle. I am the Shang Chengle who gave you the small town of the Shang Family, Ruyi Trade House, and the Spiritual Crystal Mine in exchange for the Shang Family’s revenge.”
“It’s you.” Feng Tianlan was quite surprised. “I didn’t expect you to really be hiding among the Flying Frost Pavilion.”
Although his enemies were here, he was hiding amongst them as well. His self-control and the hiding ability was commendable!
“The more dangerous the place, the safer it is.” Shang Chengle looked around. After making sure they’re alone, he said, “Don’t come out during these few days. The Flying Frost Pavilion seems to have discovered that someone is poking around at midnight and so they have changed their scheduled shifts. They won’t be changing their shifts regularly for now.”
Feng Tianlan sized up the young man in front of her. He was a man in his thirties, with a very average looking face. He looked so average that if he were to be amidst a crowd, it would be difficult to identify him.
“A human skin mask?” Feng Tianlan squinted her eyes slightly at the slight difference in the skin between his neck and the part just below his ear. Her eyes hardened. Had someone found out about the deal and come to her for information?
Shang Chengle was surprised. He didn’t expect her to realize he was wearing a human face mask from just one look. His face remained passive for a moment, then he raised his hand and removed the left side of his mask slowly. A greyish brown scar slowly emerged from beneath.
“Ten years ago, I survived. However, half of my face was burnt, leaving a scar. I had to wear a human skin mask to not attract unwanted attention.” Shang Chengle then slowly put his human face mask back into place. It blended with the rest of him very well.
Feng Tianlan glanced away. Her doubts disappeared. The deal was still known to only three people, the young master of the Shang Family, Elder Chen, and her. The others knew that she inherited the Ruyi Trade House but unless Elder Chen betrayed them, it was impossible for anyone else to know about this matter.
“Since you know that it’s me, why have you only appeared today?”
Shang Chengle looked around and answered, “I have been observing you for days. I didn’t plan to appear at all and just intended to help you quietly. But there’s a sudden change in the plan. Also, you started gathering information everywhere, so I am afraid people will become suspicious quickly.”
“Tell me what you know,” Feng Tianlan asked directly, knowing that they couldn’t drag this conversation any longer.
Shang Chengle understood her intentions and went straight to the point, “I only know that he is among the Flying Frost Pavilion. I have investigated for seven years but all I have discovered is the master and the few owners of the islands. I don’t have anything more than that.”
Feng Tianlan searched his eyes. Although this lead was almost nothing at all, it narrowed the scope of her search slightly. During these seven years, he didn’t just have to investigate but practice as well, and that couldn’t have been easy for him.
