The sudden appearance of a system prompt, after such a long time, was a bit of a surprise to Fang Shuwen.

Then again, he supposed this did qualify as an escort mission.

So, without hesitation, he accepted it.

The mission didn’t conflict with his travel plans at all, and he’d get a reward out of it. It was a win-win.

[Quest Accepted!]

[Current Escort Mission: Escort Xu Shuxin to Yuqing Pavilion on Qingyang Mountain and deliver him to his aunt!]

[Ding! Congratulations, Host. For the duration of the mission, you will receive a 2x bonus to your Talent and comprehension. This effect will be canceled if the mission is abandoned or completed.]

’So it is double...’

’The Lu’an Escort Agency mission must have been triple because so many different factions were involved.’

’This time, the only known threats are Sang Mountain Seven Face and ’Iron-handed Cangying’ Li Xiuci.’

’That’s the old man I just saw... hardly a threat.’

Glancing at Xu Shuxin, who was still waiting eagerly for his answer, Fang Shuwen nodded.

"Alright, I’ll do it."

Chen Yan shot Fang Shuwen a surprised look.

"You’re really going to do it?"

"I’ve always been one to help those in need. The kid’s in such a pitiful state, why wouldn’t I help?"

Fang Shuwen said without batting an eye.

"I think you must have some strange quirk. Why else would you always be playing the part of a guard?"

"...None of your damn business."

Fang Shuwen rolled his eyes. They barely knew each other. Besides, even if they were close, it wasn’t like he could tell him about the system, could he?

Chen Yan didn’t seem to mind Fang Shuwen’s attitude. He just lifted his cup and quietly took a sip.

"Ever since I met you in Flying Snow City, I’ve had people look into you."

"I found out you were originally a guard for the Zhou Family. Later, you escorted Zhou Qingmei, a True Disciple of Zhuji Pavilion, to Guangning City, and then from Guangning City to Zhuji Pavilion."

"And in doing so, you resolved a crisis for Zhuji Pavilion..."

"Truthfully, as long as Lou Yuxiao is alive, Zhuji Pavilion won’t fall. The Black Death Sect’s forces couldn’t possibly kill him."

"Of course, Zuo Qingshuang and the others would have most likely died, so they still owe you a great debt."

"After that, you ran into the Lu’an Escort Agency in Guangning City and agreed to Lu Guiyan’s request to escort them to Flying Snow City."

"And now... you’ve agreed to escort Xu Shuxin to Yuqing Pavilion."

"I can’t help but wonder if you’re trying to make a living in the Jianghu by protecting people."

Fang Shuwen gave Chen Yan a surprised look.

"Who exactly are you?"

"Chen Yan of the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion. My father is Chen Xuanji, the Pavilion Master."

Chen Yan sighed.

"I didn’t mean to investigate you. I was just curious and asked around. But the name ’Heaven-Reaching Pavilion’ itself implies that our information network reaches the heavens."

"The Pavilion’s purpose is to record all matters in the Jianghu, big and small... What I just told you isn’t exactly secret. The least known part was the upheaval at Zhuji Pavilion."

"They didn’t publicize the business with the Black Death Sect, but anyone paying attention could easily notice the changes at Zhuji Pavilion."

"So you sell information?"

Fang Shuwen thought for a moment.

"Like Bai Xiaosheng?"

"Hm?"

Chen Yan considered it.

"That’s a nice title. Maybe I’ll start using it. From now on, you can call me Bai Xiaosheng Chen Yan."

"But you’re right, the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion does sell information."

"Anyone in the Jianghu can come to the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion to purchase information, but not if it involves another person’s private secrets."

"Then why were you writing all that stuff down back then?"

Back in that stone chamber in Flying Snow City, the kid had seemed overjoyed to be recording everything.

At the time, Fang Shuwen had thought he was a reporter for some Jianghu tabloid, like from the "Department of Jianghu Shockers" or something.

And now he was saying this...

The pained, resentful look on Chen Yan’s face deepened.

"That’s why I had to cross out everything that involved Wu Lingxiao’s secrets."

"You didn’t make another copy?"

Fang Shuwen asked curiously.

"..."

Chen Yan’s face darkened as he said,

"That would be breaking the Pavilion’s rules."

"You’re the Young Pavilion Master of the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion. Do the rules really apply to you?"

"They do."

Chen Yan glanced at Fang Shuwen.

"The Heaven-Reaching Pavilion exists because the Jianghu needs it. And the Jianghu needs it because we operate with a bottom line."

"Otherwise, the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion would have been destroyed long ago."

He didn’t elaborate, but Fang Shuwen understood what he meant.

The Jianghu did indeed need an organization to record events, both big and small.

As the saying goes, those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it. Recording these events could serve as a reference and a warning for future generations.

Furthermore, people who wanted to investigate certain matters could turn to the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion for help finding what they were looking for.

But if the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion had no bottom line and recorded everyone’s private affairs, those people would fly into a rage out of shame and humiliation, inevitably turning on the Pavilion.

Not only that, but such a practice would also give many people a sense of insecurity.

There were always people in the Jianghu who weren’t as righteous as they appeared on the surface. Who could say what sort of dirty secrets they were hiding?

The thought of the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion selling all those secrets was terrifying.

If that happened, the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion would surely be besieged by the entire Jianghu.

At this thought, Fang Shuwen suddenly remembered something. He took the Blood-Sinking Demon Sword from his back.

"Since your Heaven-Reaching Pavilion is so well-informed, do you know if anyone is looking for a good sword?"

"Selling a sword?"

Chen Yan shook his head.

"You’re asking the wrong person. The Heaven-Reaching Pavilion never volunteers information. And someone looking to buy a sword wouldn’t come to us, either."