Without further trouble, the caravan arrived at the Sect-owned manor.
Like all the buildings around, it was a majestic building designed in a unique manner called Pearl Mansion.
These Pearl Mansions were not courtyards like most of the island manors. They were built as three-storied palaces surrounded by an open garden. No walls or gates were present and so the garden was the only barrier to cross before arriving at the front door. Still, as this was the most prominent and expensive location in the entire Coastal Hill City's three districts, it was very secure. One could even leave the door opened. After all, patrols of guards were present on almost every corner, while at least once per hour a Soul realm expert would check on the security.
Seemingly waiting for them to arrive an inner elder from the Sect was standing near the door. After a quick round of greetings during which their fake status was maintained, everyone was assigned and accompanied to their rooms. This for the sake of the present servants.
The first floor had all the communal spaces and a big hall to receive guests. As for the rooms, the normal ones were on the second floor, while the family ones were on the third floor.
The sect made some changes and so on the third floor, was where the elite disciples or elders at inner or above status stayed.
But as their cover would be maintained all the time in the city, everyone was assigned rooms on the second floor which the sect used for normal elders and disciples.
Wu Guang's room was located right between Elder Di's and Elder Yanshi's ones. For the sake of security, all the rooms were also equipped with a concealing rune set.
After settling down, which for Wu Guang meant simply taking a look at the room, he left it. He then knocked on the door next to him, which was the one leading towards Elder Di's room.
As the door opened, Elder Di walked out of it and asked right away
"Going out?"
"Yes, I want to take a walk around the district"
"I see, take care"
This small conversation took place in the corridor and so the servants that led them here could hear it. And in truth, this was their intention. The elders concluded that if the Underhill group infiltrated the sect itself, then it would be logical to assume that they would be present in their properties as well. Wu Guang also thought that this should be the case, after all, no clues about the servant that disappeared during the incident in Boundary Hill City were found.
Another reason for Wu Guang's leave was that he was supposed to meet up with Lan Yanzhi, who on his instructions had separated from their group before entering the Port district. She would assume her servant role shortly, but before that she could gather some information without revealing their connection.
As for what she was gathering, it was anything related to the new owner of the Wu Family manor. And any information or rumors about how and when this new owner appeared.
Before Wu Guang left the mansion, he also took care to inform his team members, and as discussed before entering the city, they made it clear that they would not accompany him.
The only person that would accompany him was Elder Yanshi, who was disguised as an outer disciple. But even so, Wu Guang was supposed to show his total lack of awareness to such.
In truth, Elder Di would hide in the shadows and follow Wu Guang all the time, while Elder Yanshi will do so half-openly, mainly to attract any followers to himself. After all, anyone following Wu Guang would try to silence or question an outer disciple that was following the latter as well. Especially if this someone had intended to act.
At least this was the overall plan for today's outing.
So proceeding as such, Wu Guang left the mansion and walked towards the open market near the port. This was not only the agreed place to meet with Lan Yanzhi but also a perfect place to let any stalkers hide in the crowd.
The port's open market wasn't big, but as it was a place where anyone was allowed to sell without paying any fees, it was always crowded. From Wu Guang's childhood memories, he could remember that he visited it often with his parents. After all, the family manor was only a few streets away.
It was a simple square plaza filled up with simple stalls and even people displaying things on the ground.
Locating Lan Yanzhi was not an issue, as they had agreed to meet in a noodle stand that was famous in the zone for being the oldest stall in the market.
"Master"
"Lan Yanzhi"
After a quick but formal greeting, Wu Guang proceeded to sit down and order two portions, indicating to Lan Yanzhi to sit as well.
Openly they discussed things like if she found a few things he was searching for. But using qi transmission, she was in fact reporting about the manor.
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From this report, Wu Guang found out several things.
First, the matter of it being owned by someone else was not open information. As the new owner had been declared a caretaker until the inheritance matter was solved.
Secondly, this supposed caretaker was someone without any background or standing. But Lan Yanzhi had enough experience with hidden matters and so managed to find a small trail.
And the third thing from the report was that the caretaker himself was indeed someone without any background. But his older brother was a servant of the Wei family. And so there was the possibility that the Wei family were the ones behind the scenes.
"Hmm, are you sure about the matter?"
"Yes. I asked in the nearest manor and they mentioned that the caretaker was lucky to have such a brother. Not only this brother worked for the Wei family but even managed to get him such a good job. After all, taking care of an empty manor is like living in there for free"
"Good... Did you leave any trails?"
"Like instructed I did not do so openly, but slipped a few hints to the fact that my employer is interested in the manor"
"Then I think we have to give enough time for any possible information to reach the people behind the scenes" Conveying this by qi transmission, Wu Guang continued aloud
"I want to visit a few shops. Although the Autumn Riches week starts tomorrow, they should already have started displaying the best merchandise. Follow me"
"Understood"
Small and big shops occupied at least half of the streets in the district and so no matter the direction they took, they would encounter a few to visit. Even though his main objective was to allow himself to be tailed, Wu Guang still hoped to find some useful things. He also had the intention to find a jeweler to sell off the gems he had gotten from the Potions and Martial Arts School treasury.
With the former, he regretfully did not fin anything that caught his eye. But for the latter, he was successful. A big jewelry shop that also had their artisans were interested in Wu Guang's hoard and offered him a fair price of 260 gold coins right away. The money was also available, so the deal was made on the spot. As for Yuan Taotu's part, Wu Guang had asked him beforehand and was answered that he should not worry, as the former had his ideas.
Considering that enough time had passed, Wu Guang began moving towards the 'Three Waves' mansion. He also noticed that he had at least two different followers now, but as planned, did not react in any way.
Surprisingly nothing happened and he returned without incident. After explaining that Lan Yanzhi was his servant and was outside on his orders, she was assigned one of the servant rooms on the first floor. He did not reveal the fact that she was a cultivator and so she was considered a simple mortal by the rest of the servants. The only one who could see through the ruse would be the inner elder in charge of the mansion, but Elder Di should have taken care of that beforehand.
There was sometime before dinner and so Wu Guang asked for the bath to be prepared. While taking it, he thought about the matter and concluded that if the bounty was still active, then without a doubt, something had to occur today. After all, tomorrow he would visit Lady Shenlan. Considering the open information that Lan Yanzhi found out and the Sect's influenced City Lord, Lady Shenlan would have to announce him as the inheritor.
As for how to take care of him before it occurred, there were only three options.
The first one would be to poison him during dinner or breakfast, but that would require having a person inside the mansion. Plus, if the elders did not, he could sense any poison by himself now.
The second would be to kill him tonight, but again, that was a bit unrealistic considering that even openly there was a Soul realm Inner Elder.
And so, the third option appeared to be the most likely, albeit it would only give the assassins a single chance. To attack him on his way towards Lady Shenlan's palace.
Wu Guang and everyone else ate dinner alongside the Inner Elder that took care of the mansion. Surprisingly or not, no attempts at his life happened.
Afterward, Elder Di and Elder Yanshi told him that the extra tail he had noticed was unrelated to the matter. It was a member of a small gang that had overheard the amount of gold Wu Guang got from the jewelry store. Still, Elder Yanshi had taken care of him to prevent any trouble.
Wu Guang shared his thoughts about the matter and both elders agreed that there could be an attack on his way towards the District Palace. As for the Wei family involvement, if proof was found, the Sect would take care of the matter as well.
Though unlikely for something to occur, both of them would also remain vigilant across the night.