Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 831 - 667: Death Sentence

They had already reached the inner courtyard, but they couldn’t simply barge into a lady’s boudoir, could they?

Ming Mo nodded and stepped forward to knock a signal of four short taps and two long ones, just as they had previously agreed.

Inside the room, Guo Moruo was jolted awake by the gentle tapping on the door.

Ever since the incident with the Guo family, she had been sleeping restlessly, easily startled awake.

She heard that her benefactor was coming to Hejian Prefecture, and these past few days, she dared not sleep soundly, just hoping for her benefactor’s arrival!

Guo Moruo hurriedly dressed and lit a candle. After checking herself to make sure she appeared appropriate, she went to open the door.

Seeing the candlelight inside, Gu Chengyu knew the person inside was already awake.

Through the faint moonlight, Guo Moruo observed that there were only two figures outside dressed in night attire.

Her expression froze, and without speaking, she turned and led them into the room first.

"Miss Guo, I hope you have been well! Visiting so late, I ask for your forbearance."

After entering the room, Gu Chengyu shut the door tightly.

Gu Chengyu took a glance at the young girl before him; only a few months had passed, and she had become much slimmer than before.

He didn’t know if it was because she was growing or due to the upheaval in her family.

However, she didn’t appear despondent, possibly because caring for her younger brothers gave her purpose in life.

Though her identity prevented her from wearing mourning clothes, her moon-white jacket and lotus-colored pleated skirt looked decidedly simple and neat.

"This humble girl greets her benefactor!"

Guo Moruo’s once round face had thinned down to an almond shape; she looked at Gu Chengyu somewhat distractedly.

Though she couldn’t see the benefactor’s features, she smelled a herbal fragrance that seemed oddly familiar.

The scent was faint and elusive, yet she was certain the thin figure before her was indeed her benefactor.

Her sense of smell was remarkably sensitive, which was why she had enjoyed playing with cosmetics since she was young.

Her mother had scolded her several times, saying it should only be a hobby.

As the legitimate daughter of an official family, she should spend more time learning arts instead of toying with things not suited for her.

The herbal aroma on the benefactor didn’t seem to be incense; it was likely related to medicinal herbs.

However, she didn’t recognize which herbs they were; her experience with cosmetics was limited.

Gu Chengyu was unaware that his frequent handling of herbs had left a scent that Guo Moruo could detect.

"Thank you, benefactor, for your constant care. This humble girl truly has nothing to repay you."

Guo Moruo’s words were heartfelt; regardless of the dealings between her family and this person, the benefactor had honored his previous promise.

After the event, the benefactor could have abandoned them, but he didn’t.

This was the main reason she decided to reciprocate; this person valued promises, and despite the precautions her grandfather had left, she felt unsatisfied.

She, being female, didn’t care much. But what of her two younger brothers? They couldn’t rely solely on the measly Silver Coin left by their grandfather.

"Miss Guo doesn’t need to be polite; this was my previous promise, and I won’t break it. This time, I’ve come to ask Miss Guo about the treasure map; how much does Miss Guo know about it?"

Gu Chengyu waved his hand, not wanting to dwell on past events.

His time was limited; before coming here, he had released some sleeping smoke in Lu Chen’s room, ensuring Lu Chen was unconscious before appearing here.

Lu Chen was astute; only by appearing personally could he avoid arousing Lu Chen’s suspicion.

However, they couldn’t stay outside too long, or by tomorrow, Lu Chen would definitely notice differences in his body.

After all, for a cautious person, falling into a deep sleep in a new environment was impossible. The first suspect would be him.

What Gu Chengyu hadn’t expected was that not long after he and Ming Mo left, a masked figure appeared in Lu Chen’s room.

Just as the figure was about to shake Lu Chen awake, Ming Yan, who was monitoring the courtyard, blocked their path, and a fight ensued.

"I will speak without reservation! The treasure map was split into two, with half landing in the hands of the Yi family, and the other half’s whereabouts unknown. And that dart master has vanished without a trace, as if disappearing overnight, leaving the treasure map’s location unclear."

The massacre was notorious back then, and later, news about the treasure map leaked out.

Cao Daniu’s cousin’s half was obtained by the Yi family, and the dart master was likely caught; however, her abilities were limited, and she couldn’t trace the half’s whereabouts.

"Miss Guo implies that half is with the Yi family?" Gu Chengyu was somewhat surprised; the other two families hadn’t acted, and the Yi family had taken the opportunity.

Previously, he had looked into the Yi family; even if they secretly amassed power, not as destitute as they appeared, they couldn’t match the other two families’ strength.

He pondered a moment, suspecting the Yi family had allied with a major power.

Otherwise, it would be impossible for the Yi family to obtain the treasure map so easily.

But now was not the time to deliberate; Gu Chengyu continued, "What about the dart master’s family?"

"Disappeared overnight, neighbors didn’t hear a sound, the home was undisturbed, the family’s belongings untouched."

Guo Moruo shook her head; it hardly needed speculation that the dart master had met with misfortune.

Perhaps the dart master’s whole family had perished; she sighed.

The dart master was foolish, meddling in such things? The treasure map in his hands was a Death Sentence.

Only his greed was to blame, for not only causing the death of the treasure map’s owner but also sacrificing his entire family’s lives.

"Any movement from the escort agency?"

Not knowing about the treasure map, he hadn’t had anyone investigate.

The treasure map’s existence was revealed to him by Guo Moruo; now she should know more than his subordinates.

"The dart master left the escort agency the day before the incident and hasn’t returned since."

Guo Moruo felt uneasy; in truth, she didn’t know much, nervously glancing at the benefactor.

Unable to see the benefactor’s expression, she didn’t know if he was satisfied.

Gu Chengyu nodded, acknowledging that Guo Moruo’s capacity to gather such information was quite remarkable.

Though half the map remained untraced, knowing the location of one half was still progress.

"Thank you, Miss Guo, for your assistance; I will remember it deeply!"

"It’s an honor to serve the benefactor!"

Guo Moruo breathed a sigh of relief; as long as the benefactor considered her favor, he wouldn’t outright refuse her request in the future.

She suspected the benefactor’s backing was substantial, or why would the benefactor personally come to Hejian Prefecture?

Even though wealth could tempt, those vying for the treasure map were no ordinary people. Without an impressive background, who would dare take this risk?