Chapter 13

C13 – Lord’s Mansion

​”Before we go any further, I need to know who put up this notice,” Lu Lixing said, gesturing to the notice on the wall. He was certain that it hadn’t been there when he visited two days prior.

“Every shop in Black City was plastered with these notices two days ago,” Caitlin replied promptly. “To my knowledge, they originated from the Lord’s Mansion. Whoever is behind them is likely a high-ranking official there, possibly even the Lord himself.”

Lu Lixing inhaled sharply at Caitlin’s response. The connection to the Lord’s Mansion of Black City was unexpected—the Lord was a formidable cultivator at the peak of Foundation Building, according to rumors.

Anxiety crept into Lu Lixing’s thoughts. If the Lord’s Mansion caught wind of his involvement with the array, the consequences could be dire. He wondered if the risk he took for two hundred thousand was truly justified.

Amidst his indecision, Caitlin’s phone rang. She glanced at the screen, then fixed Lu Lixing with an eerie look. “I’ve just been informed of a new decree from the Lord’s Mansion. They’ve updated the reward for the notices. Identifying one array now earns two hundred thousand, and for two arrays, the prize is five hundred thousand.”

The new bounty was staggering—more than double the original sum.

Lu Lixing steeled himself. Indeed, fortune favored the bold.

“Tonight, I’ll consult my grandfather. I’ll return here tomorrow evening, so have some Body Tempering and advanced Brain Domain cultivation resources ready for me—I intend to purchase them,” Lu Lixing said, his gaze intense. “And remember, my grandfather’s involvement must remain confidential. If it leaks, I might only get a beating, but you could pay with your life.”

The stakes were high with the Lord’s Mansion involved. Lu Lixing had to ensure absolute secrecy, and Caitlin, as an informed party, had to maintain it.

Caitlin nodded with grave seriousness and assured, “Rest assured, your secret is safe with me!”

Only a fool would risk angering a Runemaster, such a prominent figure.

With Caitlin’s promise secured, Lu Lixing wasted no more time. He turned on his heel and departed. Whether Caitlin was trustworthy or not, he planned to leave Black City immediately after the deal was done the following night. He had no intention of returning to Black City anytime soon.

Caitlin’s excitement hadn’t waned since learning that Lu Lixing’s grandfather was at least a level three Runemaster. A level three Runemaster was a figure of such esteem that even the Speaker of Skyhaven would address him with the honorific “Master.”

The thought of being connected to such an eminent individual thrilled Caitlin, yet it also stirred a sense of apprehension within her. If she disclosed the names of the two Runes, she would certainly draw the Lord’s Mansion’s scrutiny. And if they inquired about the origins of those names, what then? Should she reveal the truth?

Telling the truth would surely put her at odds with both Lu Lixing and the Runemaster. Keeping silent, on the other hand, would mean crossing the Lord’s Mansion. She was caught between a rock and a hard place, hoping the Lord’s Mansion would let the matter slide. If not, her future in Black City might be bleak indeed.

“I’m all in for Black City’s permanent residency and the perpetual ownership of my shop!” Caitlin resolved, her determination steeling her resolve. Fortune favors the bold, and she had to take this chance to see what she was capable of.

When Lu Lixing returned to Caitlin’s shop the next evening, he was met with a startling sight: Caitlin, disheveled and sporting dark circles under her eyes. He was taken aback. Had the Lord’s Mansion gotten wind of their deal and interrogated Caitlin through the night?

Unbeknownst to Lu Lixing, Caitlin’s appearance was the result of a sleepless night fueled by sheer excitement. She had spent the entire day in her shop, which had led to her current state.

Catching the worry on Lu Lixing’s face, Caitlin realized he had gotten the wrong idea. She hurriedly clarified, “Don’t worry, I was just too excited last night and didn’t get much sleep. That’s all. Our secret is still safe; no third party is aware.”

Upon hearing Caitlin’s explanation, Lu Lixing’s tension eased. He took a seat at the counter and leaned in to whisper, “I spoke with my grandfather yesterday. I’ve learned the names of the two arrays.”

While speaking, Lu Lixing handed a slip of paper to Caitlin, unconcerned about the possibility of her pocketing his prize money.

Caitlin’s eyes sparkled as she took the paper from Lu Lixing with a slightly shaking hand. She inhaled deeply and told him, “Just give me a moment!”

She promptly stood up, went to the shop’s entrance, and locked the door, hanging a “Closed for Business” sign. Turning back to Lu Lixing, she instructed, “Come with me to the back.”

Without a moment’s delay, Lu Lixing followed her into the shop’s backyard. He knew that any sign of hesitation or fear might raise Caitlin’s suspicions. Regardless of what dangers might lurk in the backyard, he had to maintain a brave front.

It was a risk he was willing to take.

Caitlin returned from her bedroom carrying an Holo-Brain and set it on the table. “I’m sending the names of these arrays to the Lord’s Mansion right now,” she told Lu Lixing. “Once they confirm, you’ll instantly receive your prize money of five hundred thousand yuan.”

Caitlin glanced at Lu Lixing and continued, “I’ve also prepared advanced cultivation resources worth one million yuan for you today. They’re in the cabinet outside and I’ll hand them over to you shortly.”

Lu Lixing paused, puzzled. “Why would I have one million in advanced cultivation resources?”

He only had a gift of five hundred thousand yuan; surely that wouldn’t cover the cost of resources valued at one million. Was there some hidden aspect of the deal he wasn’t aware of?

“You surely don’t think hiring a level three Runemaster would cost just five hundred thousand?” Caitlin chuckled. She elaborated, “I suspect that the five hundred thousand is merely a token of introduction. The Lord’s Mansion will likely extend an invitation to your grandfather afterwards. Regardless of whether he accepts, they’ll have a generous gift for me to pass on to him. Ultimately, that gift will end up in your hands, and I’ll receive a substantial reward from this deal as well. Consider the additional five hundred thousand in advanced cultivation resources a small token of my appreciation. Please, don’t turn it down.”