Chapter 88

"Girl?"

Upon hearing this, Su Peng thought to himself that he didn't know many people in Jiangning County. If someone was looking for him, it could only be Ning Cai or Qin Xiaoyue, or perhaps...

Thinking up to this point, Su Peng nodded and said, "I'll go out right away."

As he spoke, he followed the soldier out of the tent and walked to the main gate of the Western Camp.

"Big Brother Su!"

Outside the gate, a girl in a pink dress waved at Su Peng.

"It's Xiaoyu," Su Peng thought, indeed it was her. He walked out and smiled at Ling Xiaoyu, asking, "I haven't seen you dressed up for a few days. Now that you're in Jiangning County, you're using some makeup. You look even better."

Ling Xiaoyu blushed at Su Peng's words and said, "I don't usually use these things, but my aunt insisted on dressing me up at my uncle's house, so I put on some makeup."

"Hehe, you look even better. What brings you here?" Su Peng asked with a smile.

"Big Brother Su, I heard you've been cleared of suspicion, and I'm very happy. I came to see you, and... I wonder if you're free tomorrow? I don't know many people in Jiangning County, and there are even fewer people my age. If you're free tomorrow, could you accompany me around Jiangning County?"

Ling Xiaoyu said this with a slightly red face, unsure if it was from the blush or the makeup.

Seeing Ling Xiaoyu's expectant expression, Su Peng felt a slight stir in his heart. He had experienced some romantic feelings before and felt that Ling Xiaoyu's current state seemed a bit... However, Su Peng wasn't too concerned and said, "I owe you a lot for the last time. I don't have much to do tomorrow, so I can spend the day with you, but I have some things to do in the evening."

"Is that so... then let's spend the day together." Ling Xiaoyu wasn't disappointed but very happy and said to Su Peng.

Su Peng felt that he had been very tense for the past month. Accompanying Ling Xiaoyu around the market tomorrow would be a good way to relax. Just as he was thinking this, Su Peng's heart stirred again.

"Xiaoyu, since I met you, I haven't seen you use your martial arts. In the Thousand-Eyed Swamp, you were protecting Zhang Jin, so you didn't show your full skills. How good are your real skills?"

Su Peng suddenly asked Ling Xiaoyu.

"Why do you suddenly ask this, Big Brother Su?" Ling Xiaoyu was a bit surprised but didn't think much about it and answered, "My skills are okay, at least my father says they can handle ordinary bandits. If I encounter someone like the bottom-ranked of the Ten Lesser Swordsmen, I can probably fight to a draw."

"Hmm..." Su Peng calculated in his mind. According to Fu Ziyi, his skills were about on par with the top three of the Ten Lesser Swordsmen. So Ling Xiaoyu was probably one or two levels below him, but still not a weak fighter, possibly even stronger than Sun Shijia.

"Xiaoyu, there's something I want to tell you..."

Su Peng pulled Ling Xiaoyu aside and whispered to her...

"What? A group of human traffickers will be selling kidnapped women and children the day after tomorrow?" Ling Xiaoyu was also surprised. Although the world was divided into many fiefdoms, the political situation was chaotic, but the various lords generally valued stability in their territories. Criminal activities like human trafficking were not minor matters.

"That's right. A friend in the martial arts world gave me this information. They are smuggling people and asked me to intercept and rescue these poor people. I've invited some friends, but we still need more people. If your martial arts are good enough to protect yourself, why don't you join us?"

Su Peng nodded, having carefully considered the part of the information Xie An had given him before telling Ling Xiaoyu.

Ling Xiaoyu thought for a moment and said, "I'll go with you! Human trafficking separates families and must not be tolerated. Rescuing these people is a duty we cannot shirk, whether from a moral standpoint or any other. But, shouldn't we report this to the county magistrate?"

"Probably not," Su Peng shook his head and said to Ling Xiaoyu, "Since they dare to smuggle people, they must have some backing. If we report it, we might alert them and let them get away... But if we rescue the victims first, we'll have witnesses, and then reporting it will be easier."

Hearing Su Peng's words, Ling Xiaoyu thought for a moment and nodded, "Big Brother Su is right. I'll go with you the day after tomorrow."

"Perfect." Su Peng nodded. He had brought Ling Xiaoyu into this because of her background. Su Peng didn't know if the city lord of Jiangning County, Mo Tianqing, knew about the Ancient Sword Manor. If the human trafficking was sanctioned by Mo Tianqing, they wouldn't be able to do much. But with Ling Xiaoyu, things would be different.

Not to mention that Ling Xiaoyu was Mo Tianqing's niece, but her father, the famous detective Ling Zhui, was known for his strict and upright character. No matter who sought his help, he never showed favoritism. If Ling Xiaoyu learned about the Ancient Sword Manor, she wouldn't let it go.

After making this arrangement with Ling Xiaoyu, Su Peng felt more at ease. He saw her off and looked at the sky. The sun had set, and it was probably around seven in the evening. Su Peng thought of something and wondered if the person he was looking for was still around.

After some thought, Su Peng left the Huichun Hall and headed north.

Evening in Jiangning County was lively. The streets were lined with taverns and inns, and small vendors were selling their wares. Su Peng walked quickly and soon reached near the north gate, where he stopped and looked around for something.

"Truly dedicated... still working this late." After a while, Su Peng saw a person wearing a Tengu mask standing near the north gate and couldn't help but smile as he walked over.

"Hello, you Northern Ugly are really diligent." Su Peng said to the Tengu-masked clown.

"Hehehe... diligence and rewards are always proportional... I recognize you; you're a VIP of Northern Ugly. What kind of information are you looking for?"

The Tengu-masked clown chuckled and asked Su Peng.

Su Peng tossed him a gold coin and said, "I want information about the Poison Hand Valley."

"Poison Hand Valley information? Level 1 information, just one comprehensive piece..." The Tengu-masked clown took the gold and spoke in a mechanical voice, "Poison Hand Valley is a strange assassin organization. Its members are not very skilled in martial arts but are proficient in poisons, curses, and witchcraft. Their purpose is unclear, but it's not solely for money. The organization has a strange structure, with intense competition and even mutual killings among members, but they unite against external enemies. Their headquarters seems to be in the south."

After saying this, he paused and resumed his normal voice, looking at Su Peng, "That's all the Level 1 information. Other information is more advanced and can't be heard for one gold coin."

"If I ask you for the specific location of the Poison Hand Valley, how much would it cost?" Su Peng asked the Northern Ugly.

"The specific location of the Poison Hand Valley..." The Tengu-masked clown thought for a moment and said, "The information you're asking for is Level 3 information. It costs 100 gold coins. Your VIP token is a Level 2 token, so you can only get a discount on Level 2 information."

"Never mind." Su Peng, although now quite wealthy, didn't have 100 gold coins and wouldn't spend it on this. The information he bought about the Poison Hand Valley was somewhat vague but still provided some insight into the enemy.

"Since you have a Level 2 VIP token, you get one additional Level 1 information. Do you want a random piece of information nearby or a specific piece?" The Tengu-masked clown asked Su Peng.

"Random information." Su Peng said. He had no other specific information he wanted, and learning about the nearby situation would help him control the situation.

"Doctor Lu Sanping, the famous surgeon, is on a passenger boat to Jiangning County. He might be there to treat the father of the city lord. He is expected to arrive today." The clown told Su Peng.

Su Peng frowned upon hearing this.

"Lu Sanping? The one who changed Xie An's face?" Su Peng mentally noted and said, "Thanks, I'll take my leave. I wish you good business."

"Hehe... I wish you a smooth career." The Tengu-masked clown chuckled and continued to wait for his customers.

"Doctor Lu Sanping is coming to Jiangning County... I've heard that Lu Sanping is extremely skilled in medicine and can perform surgery in this ancient setting... Perhaps the antidote to the poison palm I have is with Lu Sanping. However, I've heard he has a peculiar personality and only treats people he respects. Those who receive his treatment owe him a favor and must do something for him. I wonder if he will treat me for the poison palm..."

Su Peng thought to himself.

However, he had already accomplished most of what he needed to do today.

Su Peng looked around, found a quiet place, and logged out of the game.

...

The night passed without incident...

...

The next day, Su Peng logged into the game at 8:30 AM and went directly to the place he had agreed to meet Ling Xiaoyu.

When he arrived, he saw Ling Xiaoyu. She wasn't wearing makeup today, which made her look even more vibrant and naturally beautiful. Seeing Su Peng, she waved to him to come over.

Su Peng smiled and walked over, chatting with Ling Xiaoyu for a bit before walking with her on the street.

The two walked around the bustling commercial street of Jiangning County, looking at the various shops. Ling Xiaoyu bought some snacks, and Su Peng smiled as he accompanied her, feeling like he was walking with his girlfriend in the real world.

"Big Brother Su, come over here, there are goldfish!" Ling Xiaoyu, who was walking ahead, saw a stall where people were catching goldfish with paper nets and called out to Su Peng.

Su Peng was embarrassed, feeling like he had become a weird uncle tricking a little girl into catching goldfish.

Just as he was about to suggest a different game, he heard someone say, "Hey? Isn't that Xiaoyu? What are you doing here?"

Su Peng looked up and saw three tall, well-built men in green robes standing in front of Ling Xiaoyu... (To be continued)

PS: Thanks to Zhongguo, Huozhongwu, and Zombiewisdom for their donations, and to Zhanzhong for the monthly vote.

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