As soon as the scholar spoke, the entire inn fell silent for a moment.

Chu Qing was somewhat surprised by the scholar’s audacity... This group of people, with their brutish faces and sinister expressions, claiming to be businessmen seemed more like bandits.

It’s a common thought, but it’s rare for someone to say it aloud so boldly.

Surely, he must have something to rely on, not just an ordinary scholar.

Thinking this, he heard someone in the group angrily shout:

"Poor scholar, what nonsense are you spouting? Who is a bandit?"

"Aren’t you?"

The scholar frowned and looked at them, unyielding in demeanor:

"I tell you, this is the territory of Iron Blood Hall. If you want to cause trouble here, you’ve come to the wrong place.

If the Grand Hall Master of Iron Blood Hall gets angry, you’ll find no escape!"

The thug who spoke earlier looked even more ferocious upon hearing this, but the leader waved him to stop and then laughed:

"This brother has misunderstood. We’re all honest businessmen, not bandits or road tyrants.

"Stopping here is just to rest and stay, not to cause trouble."

The scholar glanced at them suspiciously and snorted:

"You better be, or else don’t blame me for showing no mercy!"

This statement made those few people furious, but the leader stopped them, so they didn’t dare to act out.

The leader no longer paid attention to the scholar and started conversing with the shopkeeper, booking several rooms.

The group then loudly went upstairs.

The scholar kept his eyes on them, ready to report to Iron Blood Hall if they dared to act out.

Chu Qing withdrew his gaze and casually opened the money pouch in his hand.

How Gentle found this money pouch is unknown, but inside were both silver and silver notes, totaling two hundred taels.

About to close it, he noticed a piece of paper inside the pouch.

Wondering if it held clues to the owner, Chu Qing unfolded the paper, which had six words: ’Green Sun Finger’ Liu Yulai!

Chu Qing’s face changed slightly and he closed the pouch.

Gentle asked softly:

"What’s wrong?"

"I’ll tell you later."

Chu Qing put the pouch in his arms: "Is it okay if I keep this?"

"...Okay."

Gentle had thoughts of returning the pouch to its owner, but since Chu Qing wanted it, she nodded, trusting he had a purpose. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

They continued eating and drinking, then headed upstairs after finishing.

Coincidentally, the scholar was done eating, carrying his book case and following Chu Qing and Gentle upstairs.

His room was right next to Chu Qing’s.

Gentle didn’t return to her room but followed Chu Qing inside.

Sitting at the table, Chu Qing took out the pouch and placed it on the table, handing the piece of paper to Gentle.

Gentle tilted her head and took a look:

"Is this money pouch Liu Yulai’s?"

"...No, the owner of this money pouch might want to kill Liu Yulai; it could be a down payment for hiring an assassin."

Gentle was taken aback:

"Oh, I see."

Chu Qing stroked his chin.

Others might not know the significance of this pouch, but Chu Qing, who comes from the Mirror of Sin, understands the intricacies involved.

Anyone seeking Mirror of Sin for an assassination starts with scattered channels to make contact.

Once the time is right, they place a down payment with the target’s name together in a designated spot by Mirror of Sin, finalizing the contract.

Mirror of Sin would then collect the silver and the target’s information, start the investigation, and understand the situation.

Then, they offer a more reasonable price...

If the buyer finds it too expensive and cancels, the down payment isn’t refunded.

Conversely, if the buyer agrees to the price, they proceed to arrange the assassination.

Payment is usually made after the deed is done.

The initial contact process seems simple but is meticulously done; any anomaly detected by Mirror of Sin immediately stops the contact.

That’s why Celestial Evil Cult can’t find the main base of Mirror of Sin and ends up impersonating them for an attempt.

Because Celestial Evil Cult can only attract minor figures, and often not even that, rendering their efforts disproportionate to their gains... On the other hand, impersonating Mirror of Sin directly draws the core members for investigation, even if they’re not experts from the Evil Extermination List, they’re inevitably key figures, making it more efficient.

And if an ordinary person loses money, they’d surely try to find it.

Two hundred taels are no small sum.

Thanks to Gentle’s sense of smell, after picking up this pouch, she’s unable to locate the owner...

It’s likely that the owner fears someone might notice something amiss, and in the process of reclaiming it, they might take direct action, leading to exposure.

Chu Qing pondered this and suddenly said:

"I remember Green Sun Finger Liu Yulai seems to be under Iron Blood Hall’s Third Hall Master Lu Zhiwei.

"And this Third Hall Master is stationed in Dingxing City?"

Lu Zhiwei has three main aides.

Green Sun Finger Liu Yulai, Chasing Star Sword Guo Wang, Flying Feather Jiang Chunhua.

Gentle blinked, showing clear confusion.

Chu Qing laughed inwardly, realizing he’s asking a blind question.

If he were asking Wen Fusheng, Wen Kaiyuan, he’d easily get these details.

Gentle left home at an early age, has barely settled down on return, and already followed here... She knows less than he does.

With this realization, Chu Qing put the pouch away again:

"Enough thinking. Tomorrow morning, we’ll set off for Dingxing City first."

If indeed they’re seeking Mirror of Sin assassins for murder, losing the down payment will only lead them to prepare again, instead of stopping entirely.