I'm determined to become an immortal!

Xiajiangfang.

On the ruins of Shanghe Street, a new blue stone pavilion has risen from the ground, even more magnificent than the old one.

Two brand-new red lanterns hung high on either side of the lintel, and the four characters "Tianhai Trading Company" on the signboard gleamed with a dark golden luster in the twilight.

The bluestone pavement in front of the door is paved neatly, with even the cracks between the bricks embedded with fine spiritual sand. It shines slightly when you step on it, and you can tell at a glance that a lot of money has been spent on it.

In the rebuilt Wanzhi Residence in the backyard, Lin Wanrou leaned against a rosewood couch, her fingertips holding a white jade chess piece, pondering the unfinished game on the chessboard.

As dusk deepened outside the window, the lamps under the eaves lit up one by one, casting interplay of light and shadow on her stunningly beautiful profile.

Footsteps approached from afar outside the main hall.

"Manager Lin."

Chen Keshan appeared at the door.

Lin Wanrou immediately put down the chess piece, gestured for him to sit down, and asked:

"Deacon Chen, you've been traveling to many places these past few days. Have you gained anything?"

Chen Keshan didn't beat around the bush and immediately recounted all the information he had gathered over the past few days.

The movements of the major Foundation Establishment families in Yinsha River, the business conditions of various shops in Xiajiangfang, and the rumors among independent cultivators were analyzed in great detail.

Lin Wanrou listened quietly, occasionally nodding slightly, her face showing no emotion.

It wasn't until Chen Keshan mentioned Lianyue Lake that her eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly.

"There are many rumors circulating about the Liu family of Lianyue Lake." Chen Keshan paused, as if considering his words. "There are rumors that the Foundation Establishment cultivator who subdued the Liu family that day was sent by the Star-Backed Black Tortoise."

Lin Wanrou frowned slightly upon hearing this and said:

"What does Deacon Chen think?"

"I do not agree with this statement."

Two days ago, Chen Keshan personally went to Lianyue Lake. Although many days had passed, the traces of corrosion caused by the poisonous water on Liu Family Island were still shocking. Large areas of spiritual fields were still barren, and even the bluestone on the lake shore had been eroded into scorched ravines.

"I have carefully examined the traces at the scene and also privately questioned several members of the Liu family who were present at the time."

The Foundation Establishment cultivator's methods that day were quite ruthless. He manipulated the lake water to form a water dragon, and then infused the water dragon with poison, transforming it into a completely poisonous dragon.

Then the poisonous dragon breathed in the air, shattering the second-tier island protection formation with a single blow.

Such methods are beyond the capabilities of even ordinary supernatural techniques.

Lin Wanrou was startled by these words and said:

"Does Deacon Chen mean that a Foundation Establishment cultivator who possesses such powerful abilities is simply not someone the Star-Backed Black Tortoise can command?"

Chen Keshan nodded affirmatively.

"So, Deacon Chen, who do you think made the move?"

Chen Keshan hesitated for a moment, then said:

"The person who made the move must have some connection with the He family."

After saying that, he recounted the previous internal strife within the He family and how the Liu family had used Liu Yunxi to seize the He family's assets.

He then recounted how, after the Lianyue Lake incident, everyone continued to follow the He family's lead, and the existing power structure remained unchanged.

After listening, Lin Wanrou fell silent, a vague sense of unease creeping into her heart. She couldn't help but ask:

"Deacon Chen, please speak frankly."

Chen Keshan, however, still did not make it explicit, only saying in a roundabout way:

There is another rumor circulating, which many people believe.

It is said that He Sheng, the former patriarch of the He family, did not die at all.

He personally subdued the Liu family that very day!

He Sheng is not dead.

Lin Wanrou froze. Those four words were like a cold needle, piercing her unexpectedly and making the hairs on her body stand on end.

Whoosh!

In an instant, it felt as if a bolt of lightning had flashed through Lin Wanrou's mind.

Yes!

Only if He Sheng is alive can the events at the Xiajiang branch be explained.

Why would Wu Feng suddenly betray them and conspire with Kou Xiang'er to commit such a major crime?

It must have been He Sheng who narrowly escaped, secretly uncovered clues, ambushed and killed Wu Feng, then took his place and infiltrated the Xiajiang branch, implicating Kou Xiang'er in his scheme!

It has to be said that a woman's intuition can sometimes be frighteningly accurate.

Although Lin Wanrou had no direct evidence, she was almost certain that He Sheng was the one who did it!

Then... she got scared.

Lin Wanrou's breathing suddenly quickened, and she subconsciously looked around.

She felt as if she were standing in a dark wilderness, surrounded by silence, yet a pair of unseen eyes were staring at her intently and coldly from some corner.

That gaze seemed to be pressed against the back of her neck, icy cold, sending shivers down her spine.

In a daze, she seemed to feel the air around her become thick, and every shadow cast by the candlelight that shone into the corridor was distorted like a terrifying figure lurking in the darkness, ready to pounce and take her life at any moment.

"Deacon Chen!"

Lin Wanrou suddenly spoke, saying repeatedly:

"From today onwards, you no longer need to go out to investigate; you only need to protect me."

Chen Keshan was slightly taken aback, and his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

"Didn't Steward Lin order me to investigate Changyang Mountain before? We've already gotten some clues about the He family's movements, and I was just about to say..."

"Then tell me." Lin Wanrou realized her reaction was too unusual, so she took a deep breath, forced herself to remain calm, and waved her hand as if her previous words were just a casual remark. "What's the situation at Changyang Mountain now?"

Chen Keshan then gave a brief report on the situation he had gathered around Changyang Mountain over the past few days, mainly focusing on the changes that had taken place in the He family over the past year.

"The He family is quite different now. It is said that after the elder took office, he implemented reforms and also strictly disciplined the family members."

At this point, Chen Keshan paused, as if remembering something, and then said:

"Furthermore, my subordinates have also learned that there seems to be some good news in Changyang Mountain in the past few days."

It is said that the He family has recently produced a talented disciple with exceptionally high spiritual root aptitude, and the He family intends to hold a grand celebration for him.

Lin Wanrou had no interest whatsoever in any genius disciples, and only said:

"Can Deacon Chen detect whether there are any Foundation Establishment cultivators stationed within Changyang Mountain?"

"I have thoroughly searched the surrounding area, but I have not sensed the aura of a Foundation Establishment cultivator."

However... that's hard to say.

If the other party intentionally conceals their aura, or possesses secret techniques or magical artifacts that prevent divine sense from detecting them, I might not be able to detect it.

Chen Keshan was also a smart man. He noticed Lin Wanrou's unusual behavior and, combined with her questions, he vaguely guessed that this woman was inquiring about He Sheng's life or death, and was clearly afraid!

As for Chen Keshan, he was also somewhat interested in He Sheng's life or death, after all, he had suspected He Sheng when he came to Xiajiangfang to investigate.

Lin Wanrou remained silent for a long time.

The light from the lamps under the eaves reflected in her eyes, flickering and erratic, much like the turbulent emotions churning within her.

Finally, she made a decision.

"Deacon Chen," her tone was much more serious than before, "if you were to encounter that Foundation Establishment cultivator who subdued the Liu family at Lianyue Lake, are you confident you could defeat him?"

Upon hearing this, a hint of pride flashed in Chen Keshan's eyes, and he said:

"Between fifty and fifty."

He paused, straightened his posture slightly, and continued:

"Although I am not entirely confident of defeating them, I should have no problem protecting Master Lin and getting him out of here safely."

This statement was made with absolute certainty and without any ambiguity, revealing an almost arrogant confidence in one's own strength.

Lin Wanrou had no choice but to believe it. She knew that if He Sheng was really not dead, she would have to rely on Chen Keshan.

All she wanted to know now was whether He Sheng was dead or alive. She couldn't eat or sleep if she didn't find out the answer.

After all, how can one guard against thieves for a thousand days?

"it is good."

Lin Wanrou's voice calmed down. She stood up, looking down at the unresolved chess game on the board, and thought to herself:

Instead of worrying here day and night, we should go and investigate directly.

Once she made up her mind, she immediately said to Chen Keshan:

"Deacon Chen, when the He family makes a grand gesture for that so-called genius disciple, let's go together to Changyang Mountain to pay them a visit."