Wu Guang snapped out of thoughts only a few moments before Yuan Taotu, Kuang Jing and Wei arrived.

"You took a long time. Is everything fine?" Wu Guang asked after ascertaining that the time was indeed late, shortly before sunset.

"Yes Brother Wu, don't worry. With us there and being backed by Elder Yanshi, what could have happened? In turn, what happened here? Are you fine? Uninjured?" Kuang Jing was the one to respond but quickly started asking. And how could he not? Discarding Wu Guang's dirty and bloodied clothes, the garden before the mansion also was covered in traces of battle.

"Ah, don't worry. Everything is fine. It just seems that not only Elder Di had such an idea"

"Oh? And what happened?"

Wu Guang did not conceal anything and explained everything that occurred after the three of them left the restaurant.

Afterward, Kuang Jing explained their own deeds.

Fortunately, on their side, there was nothing unexpected and so they successfully tailed and then provoked Chun Fang. Citing some kind of disrespect he made towards respectable young masters like them they got into a fight with him and his friends. Obviously, Chun Fang being a low-level Body realm cultivator and his friends being not much stronger, there was no question as to who had won. After that, going by Elder Di's words, they openly left the area and spent an hour or so in a tavern.

And while they were doing that, Elder Yanshen took care that Chun Fang was abducted by mysterious attackers. Obviously, these were none other than the three disguised disciples from the Discipline Palace. Obviously, the guard was alarmed by Chun Fang's friends, but after they found and confirmed that Kuang Jing and company had no relation to it, the three returned here.

"I see. Then it went pretty well. Anyway, I think we should rest for a few hours before I proceed to my family's mansion"

"You? Alone?"

"I think that would be for the better. This last incident was obviously staged to flush out any protection that I had. Although seemingly it was a failure, it still stands that they went so far as to send someone to openly attack me. So..."

"You mean it will have a continuation in your family manor?"

"Most probably"

"But, why do you want to go alone then?"

"It is for the best"

"If you do consider me a friend, why do say such things? Wei, Yuan Taotu, say something as well"

"Mmm" Yuan Taotu nodded

"We will go with you"

Before Wu Guang started to dissuade them, Elder Yanshen reached every one of them via qi transmission.

"Wu Guang will go only with Lan Yanzhi. You three are being followed by an investigator of the guard and so it will be better for you to remain in the mansion all day. If you go and this person sees something that he doesn't need to, you may bring more problems to Wu Guang".

Although discouraged, neither of the three could refute this.

"Don't worry, this matter will be solved today and so tomorrow we will feast in grand. Especially as we have a visit to the Auction House, don't we?" Wu Guang encouraged them a bit and citing that he would need to make a few preparations, retired to his room after asking Lan Yanzhi to call for him in a few hours.

A bit after midday, Wu Guang and Lan Yanzhi arrived before the courtyard that served as the Wu Family Manor.

Although the Wu family was only a small clan of minor nobles even before the war, during the last years it had grown ever smaller. In fact, during Wu Guang's childhood, there were only three members with the Wu clan's bloodline. Wu Guang himself, his father, and his aunt. But even so, the family could be said to be prosperous.

His father, Wu Heng was not very accomplished on the martial path, but he had a bright mind and had done a lot of clever investments and trade deals. And so, even if the manor wasn't big, it was always filled up with servants, food, and guests. After the tragedy during where his father, aunt, mother, and a few close servants that lived in it were massacred, it was no wonder why even Zhi Kang, a second cousin of Wu Guang's mother was surprised to hear that there was no money or treasures found. Especially as he was one of the people that worked with Wu Heng and knew that the latter could actually contend in riches with a lot of respected families.

Wu Guang at the start had also questioned this a pair of times, as the memories he had inherited alongside the body indeed claimed of a pretty decent economic background. Still, now that he knew about the 'Earth Cry's Ridge', the powerful rune door set up there and a bloodline key to open it... he was pretty sure that his father may have had a few secrets, and most probably they were hidden inside.

In any case, after arriving, Wu Guang did not have a lot of emotions, but even so, acted as a bystander should expect of him. He had a sorrowful face and slowly touched the door after praying for a bit in silence.

As they stepped through the open door, he saw the courtyard in its entirety. It was indeed not big, but even so, the main house was impressive. Two storied, white lackered and white tiled, it stood up without showing any sign of misrepair. The garden or courtyard before it was made to resemble the map of the entire world, filled with water and small islands. This garden had served as the main attraction of the manor. Currently, its condition showed that it had been taken care of.

"Wait! Who are you?" Suddenly a shout was heard and a person dressed up in dirty but expensive clothing appeared from the west wing of the manor.

"Who dares to shout at the young master of this manor! Who the hell are you?" Lan Yanzhi acting like Wu Guang's servant instantly rebuked the man and rushed towards him, fully intending to beat him.

"Stop"

"Young Master?"

"Don't worry, if I am not mistaken, that is the caretaker that we were told about"

"Oh! You there, are you the caretaker of Young Master's family manor?"

"This lowly one is called Shen Yimu, and I indeed was asked to serve as the caretaker of this manor. Is Young Master from the Wu family? If so, please excuse me, I was not told about your visit. Young master here to...?"

"Young Master is called Wu Guang, and he is indeed a part of the Wu family. In fact, he is the only heir. So, what could possibly be his visit about?" Lan Yanzhi in accordance with the plan played her role as the servant and explained while glaring at Shen Yimu

*Putt*

"I am terribly sorry for the disrespect, Young Master Wu"

"Stand up, there is no need for that. I have indeed not notified anyone about my coming here today. Still, is all this maintenance your work? If so, I really need to thank the one who sent you to take care of my Family's manor"

"Thank you, Young Master. This Shen Yimu has been living here for a few months on orders from my brother's employer and so I have indeed been taking care to maintain the manor"

"Hmm, good work. Is it's possible to know this employer's name? I will make sure to pay a visit and thank him personally. I would also like to know why he had provided such help, don't you know anything?"

"I am truly sorry. The order and money came through my brother and so I don't know much. But I will ask him if Young Master wants me to do so"

"Oh, please do so. How could I not at least thank a person that showed so much respect for my Family's manor"

"..."

"Anything else?"

"Along with my instructions I have been tasked to pass the deed and keys to this manor as well a small package to the heir of the Wu Family. Still, does young master Wu has any proof of identity?"

"Impudent!" Lan Yanzhi exclaimed

"Stop, such a request is obvious. Regretfully I do not have proof of identity as a member of the Wu family. But, I have already visited the district palace and confirmed that there will be no issues with this matter"

"Young Master, I..."

"But as I am someone from the 'Three Hills Sect', does my badge serve you as confirmation?" Wu Guang continued on calmly while pointing towards the badge on his belt.

"Oh! Yes, yes. If the young master is a disciple from the great Three Hills, even if I am asked there would be no problems. The package and deed are inside the servant wing I have been occupying. Please let me go bring them" Shen Yimu quickly agreed while making a deep bow.

"Mm, go ahead"

As Shen Yimu left, Wu Guang quickly sent a qi transmission to Lan Yanzhi

"The package most probably contains the key, or they would not force me to come here and take possession. Shen Yimu is a cultivator, stronger than us. Be prepared"

It took a few moments for Shen Yimu to return with a small case and a pair of scrolls. Wu Guang received the three items from the extremely reverent caretaker and started examining them.

The first scroll was indeed the deed for the manor. It was expedited to Wu Guang's name and confirmed that he is the sole owner. Still, Wu Guang noticed that the deed was expedited only a few days ago, after all, if it was older how could the ink still smell?

In any case, he did not show any reaction and checked the second scroll. It was also a deed, and it was the one for the 'Earth Cry's Ridge' plot of land. But this one wasn't to his name, or better said, it had no name at all. The signature and seal areas were empty.

Seeing this, Wu Guang quickly guessed the reason. "It seems that this was done deliberately. After I open the door, they will most probably quickly put this to their name as to guarantee ownership".

As for the case, Wu Guang opened it last. As he had thought inside there was a small silver key covered in runes. After touching the key and deliberately letting Shen Yimu and any hidden observes see that it reacted to him, Wu Guang feigned ignorance and asked

"Shen Yimu, do you know what's this key for?"

"This lowly one does not. But when I was given the task to pass it, I was said to also explain that this key is something related to your family"

"I see. Well, I think I will take my time later to search for its use. I have received everything and so your task is fulfilled. I will be in the manor for two days and then plan to leave towards the Sect again"

"Hmm? Young Master will not move here?"

"Maybe in the future, but for now, I am a disciple of the 'Three Hills Sect'. Speaking of which, would you like to continue being the caretaker of the manor? I guarantee that you will be not mistreated, in fact, I will even add half over whatever you were paid"

"Young master is very generous, but I fear that..."

"You can't?" Wu Guang asked

"It's not that, I just think that Young Master will be not able to afford me"

"Courting Death!" After hearing such disrespect Lan Yanzhi shouted and moved towards Shen Yimu.

As for Wu Guang, he did not say anything. Still, Lan Yanzhi did not manage to reach the caretaker as at this moment the entire manor was covered in two soul realm auras. And one of these auras came from Shen Yimu!

"I fear that young master will have to accompany us" He calmly said