"What troubles you, young hero, what is it that occupies your thoughts?" The angler did not look up, his attention still fixed on the lake's surface. He seemed entirely aware that Ye Xiu was watching him, yet displayed no tension or discomfort whatsoever.

Ye Xiu instantly understood that this man's composure stemmed not from his personality, but from some inherent status. The Four Great Arts of the Ghost Valley he had once learned were not entirely useless. He gave a cold smile and stated plainly, "Stop calling me young hero. I claim no such title. My name is Ye Xiu. I apologize for interrupting your serene afternoon of fishing, sir."

"Young Master Ye speaks straightforwardly. I also observed the lightness skill you displayed just now. I suspect that within the Three Swords Realm, no one else possesses such profound attainment." The angler remained motionless, as if nothing could rival the importance of his angling.

Ye Xiu followed the line of the fishing rod and was astonished to see that the man wasn't actually fishing at all; his hook was perfectly straight.

"Young Master Ye, why have you fallen silent? Are you still scrutinizing my origins?" The angler remained unfazed, his mind subtle and his composure unshaken.

"Sir is truly a man of refined taste," Ye Xiu slowly approached the man and added, "I fear this is a case of Jiang Taigong fishing, waiting for the willing to bite. May I ask what name you go by, sir?"

Hearing Ye Xiu's words, the angler actually lifted his straw hat. A handsome and steady face, illuminated by the lake water, radiated an air of aloofness: "To know this much proves you hail from the Central Plains. To possess the lightness skill you displayed proves you are undoubtedly a master."

"By this alone, you can determine I am from the Central Plains?" To be honest, Ye Xiu felt a degree of relief; at least now someone had mentioned the Central Plains, which made him feel a sense of familiarity.

"Within the Three Swords Realm, not everyone is familiar with the name Jiang Taigong. Furthermore, your attire has already betrayed you."

Ye Xiu nodded in admiration but refused to concede: "If we are judging by attire, then I believe I can also roughly guess your identity, sir. That azure Qilin embroidered on your cuff is likely no simple insignia."

The angler smiled, nodded to Ye Xiu, and spoke softly, "Young Master Ye is indeed remarkable. Wan Jian Qing Lin pays his respects."

"Wan Jian Qing Lin?" Ye Xiu found the name vaguely familiar, recalling A Jiao mentioning it, especially the two characters 'Wan Jian' feeling intensely familiar. "The City Lord of Wan Jian City is Wan Jian Cang Long, and you are..."

Qing Lin smiled slightly, showing no hesitation: "The Great City Lord is my elder brother. Qing Lin is merely the Third City Lord."

"Ah, the Third City Lord!" Ye Xiu was instantly unsure how to react upon hearing this. He didn't know if he was expected to offer the deference due to a sovereign here, nor did he know how to address him. "Wan Jian Qing Lin—no! Your Excellency, the Third City Lord."

"Heh heh, Young Master Ye need not worry. Although Qing Lin is the Third City Lord, he never concerns himself with the affairs of the Realm; I am merely a fisherman of the Wilderness." Qing Lin slowly sat upon the stone slab, gazing toward the lake. "My two elder brothers manage Wan Jian City; the climate is harmonious, and the people live and work in peace. There is no need for me to contribute further."

Ye Xiu heard this and rejoiced inwardly. It turned out this Third City Lord was a man without actual power. However, considering Qing Lin’s age, comparable to his own, achieving such a detached level of cultivation at this age was extraordinary: "I suspect, Third City Lord, that your heart holds sentiments far different from what you express."

"Oh? How do you explain that?" Qing Lin had become genuinely interested and prompted Ye Xiu to elaborate.

Ye Xiu decided to take a gamble, thinking that perhaps pleasing Qing Lin might facilitate his search within the Three Swords Realm: "For the Third City Lord to adopt the bearing of Taigong suggests he also possesses Taigong's ambition. I imagine you are secretly gathering worthy talents, awaiting the right moment."

"Young Master Ye, do not forget that this is not the Central Plains. Some words cannot be spoken carelessly." Qing Lin’s tone hardened slightly. "I do not care how you arrived here from the Central Plains, or what your purpose is for being here. I only wish to tell you that the Three Swords Realm is far more complex than you imagine."

Ye Xiu nodded, daring not to utter anything that might oppose Qing Lin again: "I take back my previous words. I only wish to inquire how much the Third City Lord knows about us people from the Central Plains."

"A little, only what I have heard through the grapevine," Qing Lin once more picked up his rod, casting the straight hook back into the lake. "If Young Master Ye finds Qing Lin agreeable, we can certainly become friends. If you still intend to pry into matters that do not concern you, then please, proceed as you wish."

"The Third City Lord handles people and matters with great maturity and extraordinary discourse, and treats the worthy with deference. It is my honor to become friends with the Third City Lord," Ye Xiu bowed with his sword in salute. "Ye Xiu is new to Wan Jian City. If I am fortunate enough to help the Third City Lord realize his ambitions, please command me."

"Qing Lin has noted you. Go now." Qing Lin opened his hand and motioned for Ye Xiu to rise, tossing him a golden token. "With this token, you may enter Wan Jian City freely. Remember to change your clothes; do not let anyone know you are from the Central Plains, especially the royal lineage of Wan Jian City."

"Thank you, Third City Lord." Ye Xiu took the golden token and slipped it into his trouser pocket, then vanished before Qing Lin’s sight once more using the Ghost Step.

"Ye Xiu, I will remember you. I believe you can help me achieve my great endeavor, but..." Wan Jian Qing Lin muttered to himself. He lightly raised his hand, and a figure clad in black instantly materialized beside him. "Find someone to follow Ye Xiu. Remember to choose common folk who know nothing of martial arts, because none of you are his match."

The man in black bowed low and swiftly slipped into the undergrowth. The Hidden Water of this mountain gorge was again left only with Wan Jian Qing Lin. What was his grand ambition? Why was he doing this?

The path down the mountain was indeed long. The reason Ye Xiu employed the Ghost Step upon leaving was not to flaunt his ability or usefulness to Wan Jian Qing Lin. He had already sensed the surrounding auras at that time. He used the Ghost Step to escape the woods merely to evade those following him. However, by the time he knocked out a hunter on the mountain, changed into his clothes, and reappeared swiftly at the moat guarding Wan Jian City, A Jiao was already stamping her foot in frustration.

"Ye Xiu, where did you run off to? You made me wait so long! Where did you get these ugly clothes?" A Jiao stood there angrily, looking ready to bite Ye Xiu again. "Look, the sun is about to set; the city gates will close soon."

Ye Xiu pointed at his clothes with both fingers: "I found some clothes to change into. Did you think I could get in wearing my old outfit? You really don't think things through."

A Jiao looked distinctly unconvinced by Ye Xiu’s explanation: "So what if you changed clothes? Do you expect to enter through the main gate? I already asked—no one gets in without an entry token."

Ye Xiu had anticipated this scene. He pulled out the golden token given by Wan Jian Qing Lin and shook it in front of A Jiao: "I called you silly because you are silly. See? Your man was prepared long ago."