Only then did Jiang Xin head for home.

Meanwhile, Qin Fang, who had been watching from a nearby mountain all day, also turned and left.

’It seems the Nanhe Gang hasn’t been taken over by that Mysterious Power after all.’

’Is it because they think Wanshui City is too small?’

’Or is it because...’

’Jiang Xin’s strength is too low?’

He had also made a point to check on his way over; it seemed Wanshui City didn’t have a Ganlu Hall branch.

This was undoubtedly good news.

Jiang Xin had just reached the fish market when a calm voice suddenly spoke up. "Uncle, is this the courtyard you arranged for me?"

The voice made the gang members freeze, and they subconsciously turned to look. They saw a young man holding a dog, standing not far away.

The young man was slender but very tall, with a fair, handsome face.

’...He doesn’t look anything like the Gang Leader.’

As they stared curiously, they completely failed to notice their own boss had gone rigid.

Then he turned and saw Qin Fang looking at him with a faint, unreadable smile.

"Ahem... uh, I was just about to look for you. Right, the courtyard is right inside..."

Jiang Xin cleared his throat. After speaking, he turned to the gang members behind him. "Alright, alright, get back to your own business... Uh, you, come with me."

He said to Qin Fang.

Qin Fang followed Jiang Xin, and the two of them walked back toward the small courtyard.

Their curiosity satisfied, the gang members dispersed.

It wasn’t until they reached the small courtyard that Jiang Xin let out a soft breath, coughed awkwardly, and said, "Ahem... Sir, isn’t your identity supposed to be a secret? I figured that if I just inexplicably arranged for someone to move in, it would only arouse suspicion. That’s why I took matters into my own hands... Please, forgive me."

Qin Fang, however, didn’t blame him.

In fact...

’This is perfect.’

With Jiang Xin vouching for him, he now had an identity here that wouldn’t arouse any suspicion whatsoever.

’...Of course, he also knew that Jiang Xin had a bit of resentment baked into this identity he’d arranged.’

’But to be fair, Jiang Xin was in his forties, so calling him ’uncle’ wasn’t a stretch.’

"I understand. Thank you, Gang Leader Jiang."

Qin Fang cut off Jiang Xin’s explanation.

Seeing that Qin Fang wasn’t angry, Jiang Xin breathed a sigh of relief. At the same time, he was secretly alarmed... ’This man is even more cautious than I imagined.’

’I had him test for poison this morning, but I never expected him to follow me all the way here while I arranged the house... After all, I only mentioned the ’nephew’ story this morning. If he wasn’t there at the time, how could he have suddenly come out with that line?’

’...It’s clear he’s been watching me in secret this whole time.’

’Good thing I really didn’t have any other funny ideas...’

Thinking this, he let out a soft breath and said, "In that case, please feel free to settle in and make yourself at home, Sir... If you need anything, you can come to me at any time. If it’s within my power... I will do my best to help."

Things having reached this point, Jiang Xin wisely chose to get on good terms with him.

Just as the other man had said... ’Meeting is a matter of fate.’

He hoped it would be a fortunate one.

Qin Fang looked at Jiang Xin and finally nodded. "Alright. If I need something, I won’t be a stranger."

’It would be great if you were a stranger!’

Jiang Xin gave a dry laugh. "In that case, I won’t disturb you any longer, Sir... Farewell."

After Jiang Xin left, Qin Fang looked around the courtyard.

Although it didn’t have a surrounding wall, it was enclosed on three sides by a bamboo grove. The environment was quiet and secluded—very nice indeed.

It was just a little close to the fish market, and the river out front, being near the Wanshui Market, was often frequented by fishermen...

However, he had noticed earlier that the house also had a backyard. It was spacious enough for Martial Cultivation and Standing Pile practice without any problem, and it offered privacy.

’...It really is a decent place to live.’

Qin Fang’s eyes narrowed in contentment.

’Maybe staying here long-term wouldn’t be so bad?’

Qin Fang went inside the house to take a look. Jiang Xin had been very thorough; it was fully furnished with all sorts of furniture.

Once put down, Xile began to frolic around the yard, sniffing here one moment, sniffing there the next, and occasionally leaving a puddle of pee...

But Xile was very well-behaved, staying within the yard and not running off anywhere else.

After looking around, Qin Fang was quite satisfied. The only problem was the lack of food... He hadn’t eaten all day and was starting to get really hungry.

He put his things away and then headed out to buy some groceries.

"Xile, watch the house. Don’t follow me."

Seeing Qin Fang about to leave, Xile eagerly trotted over, wanting to follow.

But as soon as Qin Fang spoke, the dog stopped in its tracks. It wagged its tail at him, but it really didn’t follow.

This behavior made a glint appear in Qin Fang’s eyes... He had never trained Xile.

But Xile was unexpectedly intelligent.

He hadn’t noticed before, but last night he had relied entirely on Xile for warnings... and after he changed direction, Xile even knew to immediately shut up.

It was clear this was no ordinary mutt.

’Could it be...’

’...because of that Bee Meat?’

A flicker of understanding crossed Qin Fang’s eyes.

’...He had used Xile to test for poison, and it had eaten a small piece of Bee Meat.’

’Come to think of it, the Wild Boar King was constantly being poisoned by Bee Venom, and even it had undergone a mutation.’

’Xile ate the Bee Meat directly...’

’It would be normal for there to be some changes, right?’

However...

’It ate too little, and it’s only been a short time. It’s impossible to see any major effects yet.’

’If I can get my hands on a large amount of Bee Meat in the future, I could try feeding more to Xile and see if there are any other changes.’

Arriving at the market, Qin Fang wandered around. Since it was already getting dark, it seemed there was no more game for sale.

Just as he was thinking this, a hearty laugh suddenly rang out in front of him. "Brother Jiang."

Qin Fang looked up instinctively, then froze for a moment...

It was a member of the Nanhe Gang, someone he had seen before.

Brother Jiang?

’...Is he talking to me?’

He quickly realized what was happening.

"And you are?"

"Hello. I work for your uncle. You can just call me Second Uncle Yuan."