If a kill bounty has truly been issued, then Lin Fan’s situation has become extremely dangerous. Bounty hunters, assassin guilds, and mercenaries—these are all ruthless people who care about nothing but money. High rewards mean more wealth and cultivation resources.
Currently, spirit crystals are both rare and expensive, mostly controlled by powerful individuals. Obtaining beast cores is also risky and life-threatening. Most martial artists at the master level rely on absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to refine it into true power for themselves. But money—money can buy cultivation materials and resources. That alone is enough motivation for them to kill without hesitation.
“The bounty has been issued, hasn’t it?” Jiang Huaiyue asked, her expression serious.
Shen Wuxiao shook his head. “I’m not sure, but it probably has. It just hasn’t circulated widely yet. Besides, it’s not easy for foreign bounty hunters to enter the Dragon Country as they please.”
Jiang Huaiyue thought about it and agreed. Judging by the current situation, it seemed likely that the Haisha Society deliberately leaked the news to lure Lin Fan out—an ultimatum disguised as public information. Once the message spreads, local bounty hunters will be the first to act. Whether they find him or not is another matter, but even if they do, they’re no match for Lin Fan. As for those from abroad, it won’t be so easy for them to sneak in. That thought made her feel a bit more at ease.
Shen Wuxiao sighed. “Brother Lin Fan’s life hasn’t been easy. He’s only been back for a short while, and so much has happened already.”
His words brought Jiang Huaiyue back to the present. She looked at him and asked seriously, “Master Sikong, do you know who Lin Fan wants revenge against?”
She had never been told the full story—only that Lin Fan’s brother had been killed, and that he returned for revenge. But when he arrived and realized he had killed the wrong person, he disappeared again.
Shen Wuxiao answered naturally, “I do. He asked about Shen Wuxiao many times. It’s probably him. As for why he killed the wrong person… that’s my fault. I casually mentioned that I saw Shen Wuxiao at Golden Bay, and he went there.”
“Shen Wuxiao…” Jiang Huaiyue silently committed the name to memory.Shen Wuxiao sneered inwardly. Say the name as much as you want—the person is right in front of you, and you still don’t know it’s me.
Jiang Huaiyue didn’t know that Lin Fan had never actually said he was seeking revenge for his brother. He always used being cheated on as an excuse.
“Master Sikong, is the Haisha Society holding a funeral?” she asked.
Shen Wuxiao pretended to be surprised. “Yes, Miss Jiang. You’re not thinking of attending, are you?”
Jiang Huaiyue nodded. “I just want to investigate. Besides, they don’t know me. Can you take me there?”
She felt the need to act. Just sitting and waiting didn’t suit her.
“That’s fine,” Shen Wuxiao said after a pause. “Many people from all walks of life will be there to mourn. We’ll blend in easily. But to dig for information, you’ll need a proper identity and status. We might even run into people I know.”
He smiled playfully. “You’ll be my girlfriend today. I’ll bring you as my date.”
Jiang Huaiyue was stunned. After hesitating for a few seconds, she nodded. “Alright, I’ll pretend to be your girlfriend.”
Aside from gathering information about the Haisha Society, she also wanted to see if Shen Wuxiao would appear. Since Lin Fan mistakenly believed Shen Wuxiao lived there, it meant there was a connection between him and the Haisha Society. He might show up at the funeral.
“Alright, wait a moment. I’ll have someone bring us a couple of outfits. What you’re wearing right now is a bit too eye-catching.”
Jiang Huaiyue looked at her current clothes and realized he was right. Her tight-fitting suit really drew attention. How could she possibly investigate anything dressed like that?
Shen Wuxiao quickly arranged for someone to deliver the clothes. Given the urgency, he didn’t ask for any makeup or styling—just a change of wardrobe. About twenty minutes later, the clothes arrived. The two of them went to change.
Shen Wuxiao had plenty of his own clothes on hand. He chose a simple suit, nothing flashy. But when Jiang Huaiyue stepped out of the room, even Shen Wuxiao couldn’t hide his amazement.
She wore a flowing white dress with soft chiffon around the waist and ankles, swaying gently as she walked. Her high heels made soft clicking sounds, though she seemed a little unaccustomed to them. The outfit perfectly accentuated her graceful figure. Her long hair fell loosely over her shoulders, and her delicate face was free of makeup. Her brows were light like distant hills, and her eyes glowed with quiet elegance. Even without jewelry, she was radiant—dignified and refined, with a gentle charm that made it hard to look away.
“You really look like a fairy descended to earth,” Shen Wuxiao praised with a smile.
Jiang Huaiyue blushed slightly at the compliment, her gaze shifting toward Shen Wuxiao.
He was naturally proportioned, and every outfit looked good on him. With that handsome face, it was no wonder girls of all ages would fall for him. She had to admit—he was the most attractive man she had ever seen. But he was only good-looking. She didn’t fall for him at first sight. In her heart, Lin Fan still held a place.
“Let’s go,” Shen Wuxiao said with a smile.
“Okay.”
They walked out of the villa together. Shen Wuxiao had chosen a relatively low-key black Maybach for the occasion. He drove while Jiang Huaiyue sat in the passenger seat. Along the way, they chatted casually. Though the conversation was light, it helped them grow more familiar with each other.
“Yue’er, once we get there, call me darling,” Shen Wuxiao said with a serious tone. “Stay close to me the whole time. Don’t wander off. There’ll be all kinds of people there, and with your looks, if someone tries something, there’ll be trouble.”
Jiang Huaiyue’s heart skipped a beat. He had just called her “Yue’er.” Even though she knew it was just part of the act, it still made her feel a little uneasy. As for calling him “darling,” she found it difficult to say. She had never called anyone that before. The most affectionate she’d ever gotten was calling Lin Fan “Brother Fan.”
Still, she nodded silently. When the time came, she’d just stay close to him and avoid saying anything unnecessary.
They soon arrived at the destination—a grand estate that had already been decorated in somber black and white. After parking, the two of them looked at the mansion ahead.
Shen Wuxiao put on a pair of sunglasses. Then he raised his arm slightly, gesturing for Jiang Huaiyue to hold it. She hesitated for a moment, then linked her arm with his.
At the entrance, white mourning towels were being handed out. Shen Wuxiao took one and draped it casually over his shoulder.
Inside the mansion, people milled about in groups of three or five, all deep in hushed conversation. Many of them were Shen Wuxiao’s subordinates, planted throughout the crowd.
When Shen Wuxiao and Jiang Huaiyue entered, they immediately drew attention. But most of the gazes weren’t aimed at him—they were all fixed on Jiang Huaiyue.
After all, a woman this stunning was an incredibly rare sight, even in a place filled with powerful and dangerous people.