CHAPTER 80: CHAPTER 41: ARE YOU STUPID?

Stepping out of the bank’s entrance, a chill wind blew straight at him, bringing He Kao abruptly back to reality as if he’d traveled from twenty years ago to the present.

The area in front of the commercial bank was open, with wide roads and sidewalks bustling with people and cars. Municipal workers were hanging red lanterns and colored lights on streetlamp poles and trees using lift trucks... The golden week holiday was around the corner.

For some reason, He Kao suddenly felt uneasy, constantly sensing someone secretly watching him, even finding the workers hanging lanterns somewhat suspicious.

Not wanting to linger in such an open space, He Kao turned and walked to another cross street, while taking out his phone to open the ride-hailing app. Before he could hail a car and had just turned the street corner, a sedan stopped beside him.

"Xiao Kao, get in the car!"

What kind of spy thriller plot was this? He hadn’t told anyone to pick him up, nor had he informed anyone he would be going to the bank today to retrieve something.

But, hearing this voice, he decisively opened the car door and got into the passenger seat, placing his backpack at his feet, and fastening his seatbelt while asking, "Old Qian, why are you dressed like a thief?"

The driver was indeed Qian Guran, wearing an old jacket, a pair of white gloves used by private car drivers, a flat eight-point cap, large sunglasses, and a big black mask covering his face.

Qian Guran: "And you still recognized me?"

He Kao: "I knew just by hearing your voice. What’s the use of covering your face so thoroughly?"

Qian Guran: "It’s different, others can’t hear it."

He Kao: "How did you know I’d be going to the bank today and came specifically to pick me up?"

Qian Guran: "You asked me to help put in a word for you, how could I not know you’re coming? Besides, tomorrow starts the long holiday, you could only come today."

He Kao suddenly realized: "I took leave this afternoon, said I had an urgent matter... You also knew about that... Where did you get this car from? I haven’t seen you drive it before."

Qian Guran: "Borrowed it from a friend."

He Kao: "Why wait for me at the bank entrance, planning a robbery?"

Qian Guran laughed: "Who’s robbing like that? You obviously have no experience! The bank entrance is full of cameras; picking you up is practically confessing."

He Kao: "So, you have experience, that’s why you are dressed so discreetly?"

Qian Guran: "Honestly, I’m worried that someone might be following you, or someone pops up to snatch you..."

At this point, he made a sharp turn and braked to avoid a battery-powered scooter that suddenly darted out from the side, catching his breath before saying, "Actually, I’m pretty curious myself about what your father left twenty years ago."

The more he thought, the more curious he felt; he couldn’t sit still in the office.

He Kao: "Did you notice anyone monitoring when you were waiting outside the bank just now?"

Qian Guran: "Yes, just me!"

He Kao: "Besides you?"

Qian Guran: "Actually, I’m also a bit paranoid, feeling someone’s watching the bank entrance, but didn’t find anyone... Anyway, better safe than sorry, let’s assume someone’s following and see my driving skills!"

He Kao: "Why flaunt driving skills in the city, drive carefully! You can stall at a few red lights, easy to shake off anyone tailing."

Qian Guran: "Got the stuff?"

He Kao: "Got it, can’t explain in a few words, need a place to talk, I want your help to analyze it."

Qian Guran perked up hearing that: "Where should we go?"

He Kao: "Don’t go back to the apartment, last time you found so many things inside, I feel uneasy. Change a few turns, make sure no car’s following, then cross the river to my old home; you know the way."

The last sentence "you know the way" made Qian Guran blush a bit, though thankfully the mask covered his face, considering he’s already explored the whole three-story townhouse with front and back yards.

He Kao watched Old Qian drive, his eyes seemingly alert, prompting a laugh.

Earlier in the bank, He Kao’s mood had been low until now.

Although Old Qian was a Tier Three Sorcerer, he wasn’t really an old hand in Jianghu but showed a demeanor of seasoned wisdom in front of him as much as possible.

If it was about being knowledgeable and experienced, Old Qian definitely surpassed He Kao. He had studied up to doctorate level in school, then worked in a state-owned design institute, switching to Tengxin Branch this year, clearly not a seasoned wanderer.

Old Qian’s actions of searching his apartment and childhood home were admitted during the last barbecue gathering. Once clarified, He Kao’s mind was at ease, settling their past grudges, even finding Old Qian pretty decent.

Qian Guran was an interesting person; if likened to the settings of some Jianghu-themed tales, he’s like a lone wolf operating on his own, having independently discovered the clues related to the Hidden Moth.

Perhaps by coincidence, Qian Guran happened to have seen the art exhibit years ago, witnessing the ancient painting swap both in Pingjing and Qi Yuan.

After seeing the police report, he grew suspicious, pursued an investigation, and discovered the signs of the Hidden Moth appearing. No one tipped him off in this process.

Qian Guran was likely the earliest to arrive and act swiftly, being the first to swap the Beast Claw original.

If Qian Guran could independently uncover clues, others should also manage it, and his investigative actions would likely draw attention from others, hence more also came.

Once the word spread, especially after the Earth Master issued orders, more people knew as well. Reflecting on this, He Kao wondered if it were himself, the curiosity might have been similarly hard to resist?

The driving force of curiosity could lead to a series of discoveries, possibly getting a hold of the Hidden Moth Object as rumored; would He Kao himself take the same actions?

He didn’t dare offer an absolutely certain answer either.

But Old Qian never intended to harm him, and later even worried about his safety. He eventually visited him to confess everything and returned the Beast Claw. Although the Beast Claw was not a Hidden Moth Object, it was still precious!

Even more remarkable is that Old Qian actually introduced him to Elder Lin Qingshuang, creating a special opportunity for him to apprentice under Lin Qingshuang to study techniques.

Though for other reasons He Kao was unable to become an apprentice, he was still very grateful to Old Qian. Achieving this was no easy feat.

Why did Old Qian go through such efforts, and why did he come specifically to "escort" him today? It seemed puzzling, but He Kao somewhat understood.

As a Tier Three Zongheng Scholar, yet working daily in the department, clocking in and out, wasn’t it dull? Not to mention his earlier days in the state-owned design institute.

How could a working life compare to such Jianghu adventures? Looking at Old Qian driving now, hands on the steering wheel, eyes glowing, he clearly was in the zone!

Old Qian drove through many alleys and streets, making sharp turns and rapid maneuvers, like he was shooting a crime film.

Having seemingly confirmed no one was tailing them, he finally spoke: "Actually, I came to pick you up for another reason. This afternoon, I received items delivered by people sent by Elder Lin Qingshuang, all for you."

He Kao: "Ah? Why not just courier it, but send someone specifically?"

Lin Qingshuang kept his word, providing detailed revisions and notes on the first two pages of the "secret technique" to He Kao, which was sent to his phone three days ago.

Lin Qingshuang also informed He Kao that there was a batch of items to be sent to him, intended for cultivation use, but worried he might not use them properly, so entrusted Qian Guran to deliver and explain them.

He Kao thought it was just a courier, but it was indeed delivered by someone.

Qian Guran: "These aren’t ordinary items. What if they got lost in delivery?"

He Kao: "If I had known, I could have gone to Hengzhou myself, no need to trouble the elder so much."

Qian Guran: "You’re just a normal person. What if you lost the items on the way? Elder Lin thought carefully and ensured they were safely delivered to me."

Hearing this, He Kao couldn’t hold back his curiosity anymore, pointed ahead: "Turn left at the next intersection, get on the avenue, we’ll cross the river directly via the second bridge."

On the last working day before the long holiday, many cars headed out of town, but fortunately, they left early and weren’t stuck on the bridge, arriving in Pugang Town while the sun was still up.

After parking the car in the front courtyard and closing the gate, Qian Guran admired: "Your courtyard is great, you can grow some vegetables to eat yourself."

He Kao: "Am I supposed to come back every week to tend to the vegetable garden?"

Qian Guran: "Why not? I think it’s nice!"

He Kao: "It’s obvious you’ve never farmed. This isn’t just growing potted plants on a balcony, it’s tiring and bothersome. Going to the field for fun once in a while is nice, but real farming isn’t like that."

Qian Guran: "You’ve farmed before?"

He Kao: "When I was young, my family had a private plot, I grew vegetables and helped in the rice fields."

Qian Guran changed the topic, pointing to the sides of the small building: "This purple bamboo is beautiful!"

What is called a crossing courtyard refers to the space on either side of the main house that connects the front and back courtyards. Clearly, He Kao’s home wasn’t a large traditional crossing courtyard, but the design left space similar to one.

The small building’s sides weren’t directly next to the courtyard walls, instead leaving about two meters of space on each side, connecting the front and back courtyards. These became simplified versions of crossing courtyards where his grandfather planted purple bamboo.

In such walled spaces, only bamboo that grows fast and tall enough can reach sunlight.

The second and third floors were unfinished shell rooms, only the first floor was fully decorated. With over a hundred square meters available, it wasn’t smaller than an ordinary three-bedroom apartment, with two bedrooms aside from kitchen and bath.

Though designed twenty years ago, this house still wasn’t outdated now. The first floor had a twin bath structure, with the main bedroom with its own bathroom, probably for the elderly family members.

Since the kitchen and common bathroom took some space, the right bedroom was slightly smaller. But being located in the southeast corner, from a Feng Shui perspective, it suited children the best. Previously He Kao lived there.

After entering, He Kao was about to speak when Qian Guran raised a hand: "Wait a moment, let me first check this room."

Old Qian walked around the walls of the room, sometimes looking up, sometimes down, and even closed his eyes a couple of times before finally stating: "Hmm, it’s safe!"

He Kao: "Didn’t you already search before, more than once, right?"

Qian Guran: "Haven’t been here for a while, it’s better to be safe."

He Kao: "What items did Elder Lin send?"

Qian Guran: "First, look at what’s inside the safe box, I’ve been waiting all the way."

He Kao placed his backpack on the Silver Silk Wood table in the living room, taking out items one by one for Old Qian to see.

Given the situation, there was no need to hide anything from Old Qian; after all, everyone needs someone to share secrets with, and Old Qian was already in the know.

Qian Guran’s expression grew more serious as he looked, finally raising his head: "Xiao Kao, you generally handle things carefully, why are you being foolish today?"

He Kao in confusion: "How am I foolish?"

Qian Guran: "Apart from this house deed, you shouldn’t have brought anything else out. What if I hadn’t come to pick you up, you’d have been carrying them around the streets?"

He Kao: "I went to pick up the items, how could I not bring them out?"

Qian Guran: "You’re foolish, truly not thinking straight! Wasn’t there a bank safe deposit box business center there? You could’ve rented a new deposit box and stored them on the spot!"

**