"No harm done."

"I wonder what token that fortune-teller entrusted to the old beggar?"

Chu Ge took an envelope from his chest and handed it to Luo Qi.

While Luo Qi was reading the letter, Chu Ge clasped his hands behind his back and carefully took in his surroundings.

At the side, Feng Luo kept staring fixedly at Chu Ge, as if she wanted to eat him alive.

Chu Ge had been staring at the plaque hanging in the main hall; the golden plaque shone even more brilliantly under the sunlight.

"Number One Gang Under Heaven." It seemed a bit similar to their own history; in the history books of his own space-time, the Beggar Gang was also praised as the number one gang under heaven.

When Luo Qi finished reading the letter and looked up, he saw Chu Ge looking at the plaque. He said rather proudly, "This was bestowed by the Emperor himself. It’s the honor of our Beggar Gang."

Indeed, being granted favor by the Emperor was truly something for the Rong Family to be proud of.

Chu Ge nodded slightly with a smile, when suddenly a vigorous voice sounded from outside the door. Right after, he felt a weight on his shoulder. "You’re the Canglong?"

Luo Jiu entered the hall, raising his hand to smack Chu Ge on the shoulder.

"Old Nine, don’t be rude."

Luo Qi scolded.

Old Nine scratched his head with an embarrassed grin and chuckled, "I’m used to being rough. Don’t mind me, don’t mind me."

Chu Ge knew people like this were the straightforward, genuine type, so he didn’t take it to heart.

"I don’t dare claim to be the Canglong. Besides, I might not even be the Canglong." With no theoretical basis, it was better not to admit to such things.

After reading the contents of the letter, Luo Qi’s expression grew solemn. Feng Luo ran over to sneak a look, only for Luo Qi to shoo her away. "Old Nine, this is a letter from the former Gang Leader, you read it too."

Seeing the look on Luo Qi’s face, Luo Jiu understood this must be a thorny issue.

"This..." Luo Jiu’s face also turned grave after reading it.

Watching their expressions, Feng Luo grew anxious and asked, "What is it? What did it say?"

"Nothing."

"Actually, there’s one more thing I’d like to ask. Do either of you happen to know of the Vermilion Bird Star?"

Luo Qi and Luo Jiu exchanged a glance, a flash of shock crossing their faces before quickly smoothing over. "We’ve only heard of it. As for what this so-called Vermilion Bird Star really is, we don’t know. I’m afraid we won’t be much help to Mr. Chu."

To them, Chu Ge was a hot potato. Never mind his special identity—just the thought of the Canglong having to live in this shabby Old Mansion of the Beggar Gang was enough to give them a headache.

Feng Luo snatched the letter from Luo Jiu’s hand and started reading...

"What! He’s going to stay in the Beggar Gang!" Feng Luo shrieked. "I don’t agree!"

What a sin! Every time she saw this Chu Ge, Feng Luo was reminded of that Romeo! No matter how good-looking, he was still an eyesore!

Just then, a little beggar rushed into the hall in a hurry. "Gang Leader, there’s someone outside claiming to be a companion of Mr. Chu, asking to see you."

Earlier, Chu Ge had told Little Shunzi to report to the government. Ever since he arrived here, he’d learned the rules of this place—there were some things you couldn’t just handle on hot blood alone.

"Let him in, quickly."

"Hey, how many days are you planning to stay in the Beggar Gang?" Feng Luo asked sourly.

"Depends on whether I can find the Vermilion Bird Star." Chu Ge stated his purpose directly. Until he found the Vermilion Bird Star, he had no intention of leaving.

Hearing this, Little Shunzi’s eyes flashed with a shrewd glint. He lowered his head as if deep in thought, but no one noticed him.

Luo Qi waved a hand at Feng Luo, then said to Chu Ge, "The Beggar Gang’s houses are simple, and the meals are nothing but plain tea and coarse food. I’m afraid we’ll be putting Mr. Chu to some grievance."

Chu Ge glanced at the already-fuming Feng Luo, a spark of light flashing at the corner of his eye. He added, "Uncle Qi, may I address you that way?"

"You’ll be the death of this old beggar." Luo Qi was startled by how Chu Ge addressed him. To have the Canglong call him with such respect—he really couldn’t bear it.

"By the way, there’s a rumor going around Beijing about Shuo State," Chu Ge got straight to the point. "’In Beishuo there’s the Beggar Gang, in Nanshuo there’s the Grass Gang.’ Do you know why they say that?"

He was only asking to find something to talk about. Otherwise, with everyone just sitting there, it really was a bit awkward.

This saying was pure "the taller the tree, the more wind it catches." It had started as an offhand joke by Feng Luo back in the day, and somehow ended up widely spread.

Hearing his question, Feng Luo burst out laughing, clutching her belly. "I’m the one who started that rumor!"

She thumped her chest. "Want to know why?"

"..."

"Stay a few days and you’ll see."

And just like that, Chu Ge and Little Shunzi moved into the Beggar Gang.

After a few days, Chu Ge also understood why people said that. The economy of Beishuo was actually being propped up by the Beggar Gang, and even the government often came to mooch off the gang’s benefits. No wonder people called them the "Grass Gang"!

"Chu Ge!" Feng Luo never called him "Mr. Chu".

She saw Chu Ge standing in the courtyard staring blankly at a peach tree, and yelled at him.

"You must not address the gentleman by his given name!" Little Shunzi pointed at Feng Luo and barked.

"I’ll call him whatever I like!" Feng Luo planted her hands on her hips, glared at him, and snorted.

After a few days together, Chu Ge felt that Feng Luo was different from every other woman he’d met. As for how she was different, he couldn’t quite say. Ye Liang and Feng Luo were very similar, yet Ye Liang gave him a faint sense that she could not be trusted.

"Does Miss Feng Luo need something?"

"There’s a gambling stone market in Xishuo today. Want to go join the fun?"

The gambling stone market here wasn’t open every day; it came once every five days. Feng Luo would show up every time to join the lively crowd. If she happened to spot something pleasing to the eye, she might buy it and resell it for a big profit!

Feng Luo knew that this Chu Ge, who had a similar face yet was worlds apart from that Romeo who’d dragged her into time-travel, really wasn’t the same person—just a look-alike. Even though she had to accept this fact, her mouth still wouldn’t cooperate. Every time she saw him, she thought of that con-artist who’d staged a fake accident!

After learning this, Feng Luo had actually felt a little disappointed and shut herself in her room for an entire day. The next morning she charged straight into the kitchen yelling, "I’m starving, I’m starving!"

"Gambling stone?" Chu Ge raised an eyebrow. "I have to go take a look."

He hadn’t expected there to be gambling stones here as well. He wondered whether the rules were the same as in his own space-time.

"I’ve long heard there are gambling stones in Shuo State. I finally get to feast my eyes!" At the words "gambling stone," Little Shunzi jumped up in excitement.

"Change your clothes?!" Feng Luo blocked Chu Ge’s path. "What are you changing for? If we don’t go now, we’ll be too late!"

Today, Chu Ge was wearing a purple outer gauze robe, which did look a bit... compared to the white ones he’d worn the last few days.

"Hurry up, hurry up!" Feng Luo moved aside impatiently.

Watching Chu Ge’s departing back, Little Shunzi couldn’t help feeling somewhat worried. Lately he didn’t know if Chu Ge had started suspecting him, but his mouth had become especially tight-lipped.

He’d tried to pry something out of him, but it was no use.

If this went on, how was he supposed to explain things to Lady Ye!

Little Shunzi shook his head helplessly and hurried to catch up to Chu Ge.

He still didn’t know why Chu Ge had gotten so excited when he heard about gambling stones, but one thing he was sure of: as long as he stuck close, it would be fine.