Chapter 37 Water Cloud Body Host, You're Welcome
...Is that a coincidence?
Jiang Geyun put down the umbrella in her hand and said, "I forgot to bring money when I went out. I'm sorry, shopkeeper. I'll come back later."
Su Heng casually picked up the umbrella the moment she put it down and said gently, "Shopkeeper, I'll take this one."
The shopkeeper was stunned for a moment upon hearing this.
Unlike the umbrella that was just painted with some flowers and plants, the umbrella that this young master wanted was no ordinary item. The shopkeeper had saved his life several times with that umbrella, so he didn't want to sell it and tried to make do with an ordinary umbrella instead.
Unexpectedly, this young master, who seemed easy to talk to, was actually quite ruthless and wouldn't tolerate being refused.
He not only immediately recognized that the items the shopkeeper had brought out were not genuine, but also, in just a few words, recounted most of the shopkeeper's experiences, which sent a chill down the shopkeeper's spine.
That item doesn't actually belong to the shop owner; the shop owner is just keeping it safe. But after keeping it safe for so many years, it's practically his now, isn't it?
Moreover, it's hard to say whether this young master is actually the owner of the item.
If the shopkeeper hadn't been around Changxingfang for so long and was still holding out to persuade them, any of his other underlings would probably have given in long ago.
The shopkeeper had almost given up when, unexpectedly, the young man changed his mind.
The shopkeeper immediately beamed with joy, and without waiting for Jiang Geyun to decide on the umbrella with the white camellia design first, he said to Su Heng, "Alright! Please wait a moment, sir, I'll wrap it up for you!"
The shopkeeper happily carried the umbrella into the store.
Jiang Geyun shook her head slightly and took a step to leave.
As expected, Su Heng said calmly, "Please wait, young lady."
Jiang Geyun stopped helplessly, turned around and said, "...Why did you come to Changxingfang, young master?"
Su Heng gestured towards the shopkeeper and calmly said, "I'm looking for a treasure."
The villain's words didn't seem fake; he must have genuinely come looking for some treasure.
But it probably has little to do with the umbrella she casually picked up.
Jiang Geyun said, "Then I wish you all your wishes come true."
Su Heng smiled but did not respond to Jiang Geyun's polite remark. Instead, he asked, "We agreed the other day that you would be my guard, so why are you nowhere to be seen? Instead, I saw you come here alone."
Jiang Geyun sighed inwardly.
I'm increasingly longing to go back to Lianzhou, back to that life where all I had to do was do my morning prayers and patrol the mountains every day...
What a miserable existence we are living now!
Everyone's purpose and stance are unclear, and she could lose her life if she is not careful. She is exhausted every day!
So why did Su Heng come here?
Was it really just for the treasure, as he said, or did he also know that Changxingfang held the key to solving the mission case and wanted to find it, or perhaps... destroy it?
The villain was waiting for her answer, so Jiang Geyun couldn't remain silent for too long.
She quickly replied, "My family has mentioned Changxingfang to me, saying it's worth a visit. I'm just taking a break from my busy schedule. Please forgive my inconvenience, sir."
In short, let's just say she was slacking off; that's only human nature!
Su Heng, who had been pressing forward relentlessly, showed a barely perceptible surprise upon hearing Jiang Geyun's words, his gaze softening almost imperceptibly.
He repeated, "Family members?"
Just as Jiang Geyun was feeling puzzled, Su Heng's expression had returned to normal.
He said, "Since we've met by chance, I'll have to trouble you to protect me on this journey."
The shopkeeper happily carried the wrapped umbrella out of the shop and called out to Su Heng from afar, "Sir, here's what you wanted!"
Jiang Geyun observed her surroundings discreetly.
A villain as cautious as her would never travel alone. There were at least three to five guards in disguise that she could clearly see, not to mention those she couldn't spot.
Jiang Geyun said, "Of course, I will do as you say, young master."
Su Heng took the package from the shopkeeper and glanced at it for a moment.
Jiang Geyun stepped forward, intending to take it, but Su Heng casually picked it up himself.
Jiang Geyun asked in confusion, "Young Master, don't you need my help?"
Su Heng said, "This journey is quite risky. It will be useful for me to bring it. But, young lady, do you really want to come with me?"
Is he really going to give her a choice this time?
Jiang Geyun was taken aback and went through the information she already knew in her mind.
Judging from the villain's words, he's here to find clues and is even willing to take risks.
No wonder he brought so many guards.
"Well then..." Jiang Geyun looked into Su Heng's eyes and said, "My purpose is the same as yours, and I am honored to serve as your guard. You need not ask any more questions."
Given this opportunity, she wanted to resolve the matter, obtain the position of Night Watcher as soon as possible, and return to Lianzhou.
Su Heng nodded, turned around leisurely, and walked slowly forward, holding the umbrella in one hand as if it were a bouquet of flowers.
Seeing this, Jiang Geyun followed suit.
Only Su Heng's voice, tinged with a faint laugh, could be heard—
"Unfortunately, we failed to find the treasure this time, and we are likely in grave danger."
Is it too late for her to say she doesn't want to go now?
It's obviously too late.
Jiang Geyun stopped her internal monologue, quickened her pace, and caught up with Su Heng.
She said, "Young master, you are a lucky man, and Heaven will surely bless you."
Su Heng glanced at her sideways and said, "Thank you for your kind words, Miss. However... you just mentioned that someone from your 'family' had mentioned Changxingfang to you. May I ask what part of Changxingfang that person from your 'family' was referring to?"
Why is this word repeated so many times?
Jiang Geyun suppressed her confusion and recalled what Cheng Xi had said at the time. She truthfully replied, "He said the puppet show in Changxingfang was worth seeing."
Su Heng chuckled softly.
The main villain looks quite happy.
No, why?
Speaking of which, why didn't the system announce the favorability rating?
It wasn't that Jiang Geyun paid much attention to this; it was just that the system had previously shown such high interest in the main villain, yet it remained completely silent today.
Something's not right.
Su Heng kept walking, but didn't forget to reply to her, "There are many interesting things in Changxingfang. Even my parents find them wonderful. I won't let you down, Miss."
Jiang Geyun replied, "That's excellent."
Su Heng pointed around and said, "Those are the puppets used in the play."
Jiang Geyun looked in the direction he was pointing.
At first glance, it's impossible to tell that they aren't human. Only after staring at them for a while can you vaguely discern that their movements are somewhat unnatural, as if there are invisible threads connecting them.
But is this puppet just going to walk around in the street like that?
She thought that the so-called puppets must be precious things developed by some mysterious organization, which should be carefully stored away and only released when they needed to make money.
Since it's called a "puppet," it must be manipulated by someone behind the scenes.
Who has so much free time that they diligently manipulate puppets even when they're not performing? Don't they consider the wear and tear?
Just by looking at Jiang Geyun's expression, Su Heng already knew the confusion in her heart.
Even though she didn't actually have much of an expression.
Su Heng said, "Strictly speaking, these puppets were originally 'cleaners' released by the people in charge of this place. Making them act was a later development."
I see. Originally, it was an automatic law enforcement recorder with law enforcement functions, but after discovering it could make money, they started making some extra money on the side?
Jiang Geyun looked at the puppets in the crowd, some male, some female, some young, all dressed in brown clothes.
Brown clothes?
This certainly seems to be in Zheng Yi's style.
Jiang Geyun withdrew her gaze and teased, "But they're dressed in such drab clothes, will their performance be any good?"
Su Heng smiled and said, "When acting, one is naturally a different person. Besides, there is no shortage of brilliant ideas here."
Speaking of "brilliant writing," it seemed they had reached their destination, and Su Heng stopped in his tracks.
Jiang Geyun stopped with him and looked at the building in front of her.
It's really...desolate.
When Jiang Geyun first explored Changxingfang, she walked along the main road for a long time and saw a bustling scene. Although the styles were different, she could always sigh that it was colorful and wonderful.
However, before them, the vermilion lacquer above the door was mottled, and half of a tattered silk painting hung there. The name written on the painting was no longer legible, but the old plaque below could still be vaguely made out the character "阁" (pavilion).
Unlike the other shops in Changxingfang, which practically wanted to set up their stalls in the middle of the road—if it weren't for the patrolling puppets, the shopkeepers might actually have done so.
There was no one to greet guests at the gate. Even though the gate was half open, the overgrown weeds inside the courtyard were clearly visible through the open opening, making it look even less like a business that was open for business.
Without hesitation, Su Heng stepped into the unknown shop.
Jiang Geyun had no choice but to accompany him into the courtyard, risking her life.
After entering, she began to make some guesses about the business this place was involved in.
Paintings with ink still wet and brushes still damp with water were drying on wooden racks, and inkstones of various colors that had not been washed were scattered everywhere—this must have been a painting workshop.
The two entered the secluded courtyard, and Su Heng's guards followed them in.
Jiang Geyun had already spotted the plainclothes guards, but even the black-clad vendor she had spoken to not long ago was cautiously looking around at the door.
No wonder he didn't try to keep Jiang Geyun at all; it turns out he wasn't in business at all.
Jiang Geyun stopped observing the entrance and showed no surprise at the sudden appearance of people around her. She remained calm and said to Su Heng, "I wonder what Your Highness is looking for here? Perhaps I can help."
Before Su Heng could answer, a plainclothes guard suddenly stepped forward, knelt respectfully, and cupped his hands, saying, "Your Highness, would you like me to go and retrieve the Green Bone?"
Su Heng seemed not to hear, and instead asked Jiang Geyun, "Does Lord Jiang like this umbrella?"
Jiang Geyun had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "It is not as good as the treasure Your Highness is seeking."
Green bamboo can ward off misfortune, but that "green bone" is probably a powerful umbrella.
How could this umbrella, which she picked up casually because it looked nice, possibly compare?
Su Heng said, "All wonders reside in the human heart. Lord Jiang chose it because he is destined to have it. This destiny is enough to overcome many obstacles. What need is there for any treasure?"
The kneeling guard understood Su Heng's meaning. Su Heng waved his hand, and the guard immediately stood up. He didn't try to persuade him anymore and continued to observe the painting studio silently and vigilantly.
Jiang Geyun witnessed the entire process and felt a chill in her heart. Seeing so clearly how effectively the villain managed his subordinates made her even more unspeakably worried.
So this strategy mission is really not worth doing, the system is definitely trying to harm her!
The courtyard was desolate and deserted, but Su Heng appeared relaxed and at ease, his demeanor not much different from the day the results were announced. It seemed that no matter what situation he was in, he could remain calm and composed.
He pointed to the painting hanging there and asked Jiang Geyun, "What are your thoughts on this painting, Lord Jiang?"
Jiang Geyun looked as instructed.
The place was deserted and seemed desolate at first glance, so the paintings didn't attract much attention. But once you looked closely, you could see the extraordinary quality of the paintings. The brushstrokes were vigorous and the momentum was extraordinary. Although each painting was only half-finished and didn't look like a completed work, you could still see the skill behind them.
Jiang Geyun exclaimed, "This is absolutely extraordinary!"
Su Heng said, "What if I said that this painting is not the work of the painting studio owner, but only that of an apprentice?"
Jiang Geyun's face flashed with surprise. She asked, "Then what kind of works are the paintings by this painting studio owner?"
Su Heng smiled again and said, "Lord Jiang, please wait a moment."
The group followed Jiang Geyun, who in turn followed Su Heng, and they walked a winding path.
Upon arriving at a house, behind a half-closed door, an old woman was painting.
She was referred to as an old woman because of her gray hair and her calloused, withered hands.
But after following Su Heng into the room, Jiang Geyun realized that the woman in the painting looked to be around forty years old, and her face did not appear as old as the hands and hair suggested.
The two entered the room, and the person who was painting didn't even turn his head, only saying, "So you've finally realized that your painting is just a mediocre piece that didn't need to be finished? Now that you're back, go wash the inkstone."
These words didn't seem to be directed at her or Su Heng, since neither of them met the criteria of "coming back" or "not finishing the painting."
The artist must have been too focused on the painting to realize who the person coming was.
Jiang Geyun looked at Su Heng, a sense of worry rising in her heart.
The main villain is, after all, the crown prince. Even if the artist did not intend to manipulate him, he still uttered disrespectful words.
But Su Heng shouldn't do anything?
Just as she expected, Su Heng did not change his expression. He nodded slightly to the guards outside the door.
Just as the guards were about to follow them into the room, the space inside suddenly became extremely distorted!
Like motion sickness, or riding a roller coaster, or heatstroke, in short, the scene in front of Jiang Geyun overlapped and swayed, her ears were ringing, and the sounds she heard were distant and fragmented.
The artist stood up and said a few words, but Jiang Geyun couldn't hear a single word.
Jiang Geyun couldn't even judge the artist's intentions by their expression, because the artist's features were so blurred that nothing could be clearly seen for a moment.
In her panic, Jiang Geyun turned to look at Su Heng, wanting to tell him what she saw at that moment.
Su Heng's facial features were still clearly visible.
He also looked at Jiang Geyun with a slight surprise.
The chaos and dizziness disappeared, and the scenery around them had changed drastically. A thick, dark darkness had blocked out the sunlight, silently enveloping Jiang Geyun and Su Heng.
The guards had all disappeared.
Jiang Geyun calmed down and was about to ask a question when another "long-lost" voice appeared in her mind: [Finally found an opportunity! Now the host can properly cultivate a relationship with the target! Host, you're welcome!]
Jiang Geyun said: [Six.]
The system replied with a grin: [Dream on, it's still 0.]
...She wasn't referring to the number six.
Jiang Geyun looked up at Su Heng, her head trembling.
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Author's note: I managed to squeeze out some time to finish writing and arrived on time, hehe!
I hate being under pressure, and I hope everything goes smoothly today. [crying emoji]
Of course, I also hope that everything the adults do goes smoothly, hehe [sprinkling flowers]
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