Shen Yuan returned to the famous shop of the Blacksmith Huang Fu only to find Ma Li sleeping behind the counter. Not wanting to wake her up, he silently walked to the back of the shop and peeked inside the back room.

The room was spacious, filled with the raw scent of iron and sweat. The heat from the furnace had evaporated the moisture in the whole room.

He found the broody blacksmith sitting in the corner, enjoying his lunch.

For a second, the man paused and raised his head. Shen Yuan met his eyes and gestured that he was here for the axe.

Huang Fu looked at him with a deadpan look on his face before waving his hand dismissively.

Shen Yuan gave the man a thumbs up and walked out with a shiny axe hanging from his waist.

’Should I try practicing the new technique I bought?’ Shen Yuan thought to himself as he left the marketplace, walking back to his home. He had changed back to his servant uniform at some point and stuffed his new robes in his paper bag.

"Yo. We meet again." But unfortunately, the people he had been trying to avoid eventually found him. Or at least one of them did. "Where have you been? I haven’t seen you for a few days; it feels like a long time."

Shen Yuan stared at the man before him. Shi Jin was leaning against a tree on the side of the road with his arms crossed, looking at him with the sly grin on his face.

’Why is he here?’ Shen Yuan felt like the man was waiting for him on purpose here. ’Did he come here on Peng Ho’s orders?’

"Don’t worry, I am not here on anyone’s instructions. In fact I came here with a proposal." Shi Jin saw the frown on his face and stepped into the light.

It was his way of showing sincerity. Since the road they were on led directly to the market from the Deathly square, there were many eyes on this place.

Making a move against Shen Yuan in front of so many eyes would be suicide.

Shen Yuan also understood this. "Why should I even listen to you?"

"Of course, you have no reason to hear me out." Shi Jin nodded as if he were expecting such a response. "But what if I can give you one?"

Shen Yuan remained silent, so he continued to explain. "As you know, Zhi Wei was killed by someone. We still don’t know who yet."

Shen Yuan’s expression remained neutral, but inwardly he thought, ’Did they have some suspicions? No, I made sure to remove all the evidence of even being there and made sure no one saw us together.’

"But what I am more concerned about is something he had on himself. He told me a few days ago he was going to get some treasure from some boy. I am sure he had the treasure on his body when he died because the boy who had it is dead."

While speaking, he kept an eye on Shen Yuan’s body, trying to catch a reaction from him, but found none.

"I want to find that treasure, which is why I need your help in finding clues about his death."

Shen Yuan’s frown only deepened. "Why are you coming to me with this? You can ask one of your goons to do this."

Shi Jin’s lips pursed. "Because you are desperate for a way to grow stronger, and It will be a great motivator for you. If you can get me the name of someone who has suddenly gained unexpected wealth, tell me and I will give it to you."

He stared Shen Yuan in the eyes and promised. "I will give you the secret that Peng Ho learned from a senior. A way to achieve the Qi Condensation realm without straining your dantian or body."

Shen Yuan’s eyes widened. He was ’shocked’ at the sudden revelation. While in his head he thought, ’What a load of bullshit. Do you think I don’t know what you are really after? You want the treasure for yourself and you don’t want others to know about it, especially Peng Ho. So you are coming to me who is desperate and in need.’

Seeing his expression, Shi Jin thought he had Shen Yuan almost convinced. So he threw in the final straw. "If you do It for me. I will make sure none of Peng Ho’s goons come after you until you become a senior servant."

Shen Yuan lowered his head while slowly twirling the axe in his hands. It appeared like he was thinking deeply about the offer.

Then after a moment he raised his head and said, "Fine..."

Shi Jin’s face instantly lit up with a smirk. But before he could say something Shen Yuan continued,

"But I have a condition. I want you to find out something else too."

It was now Shi Jin’s turn to look confused.

"And you will tell me this even before I complete your task." Shen Yuan decided to be bold with his gamble. "I want to know why Peng Ho is targeting me. I don’t recall ever crossing him or even meeting him. So, why is he going through all this trouble to make my life miserable."

Shi Jin finally let out a breath of relief. ’I thought he would demand something more outrageous information than the one I am already giving him.’

Shaking his head, he said, "To be honest, even I don’t know why he is out to get you, but it seems like the moment he laid his eyes on you, he made you his enemy."

Shen Yuan did not feel relieved to hear that. It only made him more wary of Shi Jin. ’Why would someone just target him when he was not even worthy of their attention or jealousy.’

"Then find it out from Peng Ho." Shen Yuan stepped forward to leave. "I will do what you want. Make sure you keep your end of the bargain."

Shi Jin stepped to the side, letting him pass, but when Shen Yuan had only taken a step, he spoke. "I will do it, but remember... if you dare to cross me, Shen Yuan, Peng Ho would be the least of your worries."

Shen Yuan passed before he continued to walk as if nothing had happened.