CHAPTER 782: CHAPTER 781: CAN ONLY SUFFER IN SILENCE

Ah Jiu and Wufu were quietly discussing Nanyang Prefecture on their side, when at the next table, people were also talking about a major event that had taken place on Gobi Beach a few days earlier.

"Did you hear? Sky Ghost Fort on Gobi Beach was challenged!"

"Of course I heard, they say Sky Ghost Fort doesn’t abide by the codes of Jianghu, they took silver and then betrayed their word, so that’s why they were challenged."

"Hmph! Sky Ghost Fort has been involved in such dealings not just once or twice. I’ve always said their lion’s appetite was getting bigger and bigger and would choke them sooner or later. See, it’s just as I predicted, isn’t it?"

"Isn’t that the truth. It’s said that Sky Ghost Fort suffered heavy losses this time, with even the second and third in command dead, and more than half of their people gone. Look, these past couple of days, the passersby have had it much easier!"

"Right right, I also heard at the docks this morning that the waters at Gobi Beach are still red. Tell me, how many do you think were killed?"

Wufu and Ah Jiu exchanged glances, stopped their conversation, and pricked up their ears to listen to the people at the next table.

"Who knows how many were killed, but in the end, Sky Ghost Fort brought this upon themselves; it’s retribution. Sky Ghost Fort has dominated for years, and even the Government Office couldn’t do anything about them, but this time they really took a big loss. I’m just curious, I wonder which hero did the challenging?"

"I heard it had something to do with Auspicious Pavilion."

"Auspicious Pavilion? The one on East Sea Street? What does it have to do with them? Isn’t Auspicious Pavilion just a bunch of merchants, how could they be a match for Sky Ghost Fort?"

"I heard that the Eldest Young Master of Auspicious Pavilion, along with Miss Jin, were passing by, so..."

"You are all mistaken." Another man joined the conversation, saying, "The Host of Auspicious Pavilion has stated that it was unrelated to them, that it was a case of mistaken identity, and the misunderstanding was cleared up on the spot and moved on from. I saw it myself, it was the Young Owner of Auspicious Pavilion who said it personally."

"Really a case of mistaken identity? That doesn’t sound right, the fact that Sky Ghost Fort was challenged is real."

"It’s unknown who the hero that caused the trouble was, but isn’t this a good thing? Shouldn’t we rejoice and applaud?"

On hearing this, Wufu made a face at Ah Jiu, saying, "Hero, want to show your face out there?"

"Naughty!" Ah Jiu glared at her.

"But really, did Young Master Jin say it was mistaken identity?" Wufu asked again.

Ah Jiu replied indifferently, "Family scandals should not be aired in public; surely they couldn’t tell the public that the stepmother conspired with water bandits to harm her stepson and stepdaughter, right? If the word spread wrongly, Miss Jin’s reputation could be destroyed! Things passed by word of mouth, when through ten people, will no longer convey the original meaning! Jin Yu’s explanation could also account for their passing through the area. As for the truth, common folks wouldn’t care too much." What mattered was the higher-ups.

Wufu fell silent at this; the more the story was passed around, who knew, perhaps it might end up that Jin Lan was violated by water bandits!

"Ah, reputation!" Wufu sighed deeply; this thing could both benefit and harm.

Seeing her dejected expression, Ah Jiu said, "That matter isn’t too big, nor too small, some wind of it is bound to blow."

"Will they find out it was us?"

"And if they do find out, so what? What can he do to me?" Ah Jiu said proudly.

"Sky Ghost Fort might not be able to do anything, but those behind them, with this move of ours, it’s like we cut off a lucrative arm of their business!" Wufu said.

Ah Jiu sneered, "If they’re capable, let the Government Office people come out and defend Sky Ghost Fort!"

Uh, only fools would do that, wouldn’t it be like slapping their own faces if people knew the Government Office was colluding with water bandits?

Not only can’t they defend themselves, but they have to commend the ’hero’ for eliminating a menace to the people!

Ah Jiu had calculated that they could only swallow this bitter pill in silence.

"Ah Jiu? Is that you?" From the left side of the two, a hesitant voice suddenly called out.