Chapter 43: I've Lost Something

His gaze swept over the nearby dirt road and then circled around the surrounding people. Each one appeared ragged, emaciated, and clad in tattered clothing, carrying large bundles on their backs.

The moment the noble young man stepped out of his carriage, everyone lowered their heads. No one dared to move, all gazing with reverence at the esteemed figure before them, unsure what he was searching for.

Chen Luo stood among the crowd. As soon as the other individual jumped down from the carriage, Chen Luo distinctly felt a change within the jade booklet nestled in his chest - it emitted a sudden warmth.

Quickly reacting, he sealed the aura emanating from it. After days of cultivation, his efforts finally bore some fruit. Although unable to use it against an opponent, he could effectively conceal its presence.

“Strange.”

Nineteenth Young Master clutched his jade pendant, filled with suspicion.

The jade pendant in his possession alternated between feeling warm and cold, as if there were inconsistencies in its detection.

“You few, open your bags for me to inspect.”

Growing increasingly frustrated without finding the source, Nineteenth Young Master couldn’t believe he might miss this opportunity delivered right to his doorstep.

Could it be up in the sky? He instinctively looked upwards, noticing eagles soaring high above, but they were too far beyond his reach.

“Bring all the belongings of these civilians here,” he commanded.

Retracting his gaze, the Nineteenth Young Master gave instructions to his subordinates.

“Yes, sir!” The guards beside the carriage promptly began carrying out the orders, causing immediate distress among the civilians. Inside the carriage, the middle-aged scholar frowned deeply, utterly perplexed by what absurdity his young master was undertaking.

Unconcerned with the stares around him, the Nineteenth Young Master discreetly squeezed his jade pendant again, only to find that its warmth had vanished, returning it to its icy state.

‘Could it truly be up there?’

He glanced once more at the distant eagle, feeling somewhat disappointed.

He had encountered similar instances before; birds consuming spiritual materials could gain powers akin to those of Immortal scripts. According to these so-called “Immortal Elders,” such birds were considered spirit beasts, akin to cultivators like ‘Immortals.’

The guards conducted their search swiftly.

Not a single person on the donkey carts was overlooked, including Chen Luo. However, with strength nearing that of a Zongshi, dealing with a few soldiers was effortless for him.

Once confirming that the jade pendant showed no further reaction, the Nineteenth Young Master lost his patience.

After a short while, the guards brought over the confiscated junk they had gathered. With a brief glance, the Nineteenth Young Master dismissed them, instructing the items to be discarded.

With no reaction at such close proximity, it confirmed that they were ordinary items.

Following this incident, the carriage wasted no more time and proceeded directly along the official road into the city.

Once the extravagant Gongzi left, the crowd swiftly rushed forward to reclaim their belongings amidst loud commotion.

As Chen Luo sat on the donkey cart, watching the direction where the horse-drawn carriage had disappeared, a sudden thought crossed his mind.

He had been searching for clues about immortal cultivators, but none of the people he encountered knew anything. He was even considering settling for less by seeking martial arts techniques from his master, Cripple Ma. Unexpectedly, just as things seemed bleak, a promising lead presented itself right before him.

Although he didn’t know the true identity of this opulent Gongzi, it didn’t hinder his plan to use him to gather information.

With a lead in hand, everything else would be easier to manage.

After nearly an hour, the donkey cart finally entered the city.

Being recognized as a grave digger, his entry went smoothly without any issues.

Upon arrival, Chen Luo changed his plans; instead of visiting his master Cripple Ma, he headed straight for the County Office.

Before reaching it, he spotted the luxurious carriage he had seen earlier on the road.

The carriage now stood empty, indicating its occupants had likely gone inside to rest.

‘Opportunities favor those who are prepared.’

Entering through the main gate, Chen Luo greeted his acquaintances and casually picked up a bamboo scroll before heading towards the inner courtyard. To confirm the location of the young master, he purposefully paused at the entrance to the rear hall, focusing intently on any sounds for quite some time.

“The unexpected presence of Your Highness truly delights this humble official. This cup of wine is my toast to you.” The speaker was Qingya County’s newly appointed Magistrate, evidently entertaining the esteemed young noble.

“My visit here also serves to assist my father with certain matters, Magistrate Zhou, your hospitality is too gracious.”

The Nineteenth Young Master was not merely an incompetent wastrel; during conversations, he displayed no arrogance typical of privileged nobles. Instead, he conveyed a sense of approachability.

As royalty, receiving education from a young age ensured that he could never be considered foolish or brainless. At worst, he might lack slightly in temperament compared to his more exceptional siblings. However, even then, when measured against ordinary citizens, his knowledge and understanding were remarkably superior.

“That should do it.”

After listening for a while outside, Chen Luo deliberately continued towards the inner courtyard with the bamboo scroll in hand.

Along the way, he subtly placed his hand on his chest, allowing a faint trace of the jade booklet’s aura to escape.

Hm?

The Nineteenth Young Master, mid-sip, suddenly trembled and instantly noticed Chen Luo entering.

“Halt!”

Just as expected.

As soon as the aura around the jade booklet flickered open, the Nineteenth Young Master sensed it immediately and instinctively rebuked Chen Luo.

Initially, he didn’t pay much attention, but upon recognizing Chen Luo’s face, he suddenly realized who it was.

This servant wasn’t the same person they had encountered on the road outside Qingya County earlier that day? With his exceptional memory, the Nineteenth Young Master could not mistake someone he had seen just hours ago.

Magistrate Zhou also froze momentarily. Upon seeing Chen Luo at the door, his expression darkened, assuming Chen Luo had somehow offended the Nineteenth Young Master. He prepared to reprimand him instantly.

“Brother, haven’t we met before at the city gate?” The Nineteenth Young Master suppressed his excitement, striving to maintain a warm smile.

Hearing this, Magistrate Zhou’s impending scolding turned into a tone of genuine concern instead. “What is your name? When Gongzi asks you a question, answer carefully.”

“Yes, sir.” Chen Luo promptly approached them.

It must be on him! As Chen Luo drew nearer, the Nineteenth Young Master distinctly felt the jade pendant in his pocket growing warmer. This realization sent waves of excitement through him, causing his heart rate to quicken significantly.

“Responding to Gongzi, my name is Chen Ergou, and I serve as a laborer at the County Office. Indeed, we met once before outside the city.”

“Chen Ergou? Excellent! Did you happen to see something I lost on the road earlier?”

While asking casually, the Nineteenth Young Master discreetly used his jade pendant to sense for any reaction. Soon, he detected the source of the warm energy emanating from Chen Luo’s chest.

Upon confirmation, his gaze immediately locked onto that area.

Magistrate Zhou, being astute himself, swiftly signaled the nearby bailiff to retrieve the object.

“What are you doing?” Chen Luo feigned surprise and anger, attempting to step back, but the bailiff grabbed his arm securely, managing to extract the jade booklet from his clothing.

The moment the Nineteenth Young Master saw the jade booklet, his eyes widened with astonishment.

However, he quickly composed himself and, gazing at the jade booklet held by the bailiff, spoke in a calm tone:

“I had almost given up hope of finding it, never expecting such a swift recovery.” With those words, he reached out to take the jade slip, simultaneously removing a ring from his finger and handing it to Chen Luo.

“As someone reasonable, this ring, crafted by Splendor Pavilion, is valued at three thousand taels of fine silver. Consider it a token of gratitude.”