### Chapter 22: News from the Adventurers' Guild
"Sniff, sniff—"
In the morning, Gu Sanqiu glanced at Hu Tao, who was sniffing lightly beside him.
"What are you doing?"
"Ugh, Sanqiu, confess honestly, what mischief were you up to yesterday?" Hu Tao wore an expression of a detective on the case. "I smell a woman's fragrance."
"Do you really think I had the time or the mood to do anything like that, given the chaos at home yesterday?" Gu Sanqiu's expression remained unchanged. He thought to himself that if Mona, with her financial situation, could afford perfume, he'd write his name backward!
As for body scent, it was basically just the smell of sweat.
Straightforward man remarks.
"Who knows? With everything that happened yesterday, who knows if you went off to relax with something strange."
"Please, Master Hu, delete those novel-like scenarios from your mind. Do you see every man as a reincarnation of Teddy?" Gu Sanqiu tapped Hu Tao's forehead. "By the way, did you feel any different after going back yesterday? Like maybe your body felt lighter?"
"Hmph, no way. I had a toothache yesterday, thanks to that weird stuff you made me eat."
"Patients like you must be a nightmare for doctors, considering no one wants to treat a dishonest patient," Gu Sanqiu quipped. "Isn't being honest a good thing?"
"No."
The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor master used the skill [Continuous Pouting].
"Mr. Gu, here you are."
A man dressed mainly in dark green ran over, panting and holding his knees once he stopped in front of Gu Sanqiu.
"Oh, from the Adventurers' Guild? What can I do for you?" Gu Sanqiu raised an eyebrow. "Could it be about that long-ago commission I asked you guys about?"
"Yes, it is." The young man pulled out a scroll and handed it to Gu Sanqiu. "Your commission has been completed. Please transfer the final payment to our guild's account."
"Take this note to Liyue Bank. It bears my private seal; they'll know what to do," Gu Sanqiu said with a smile. "Also, don't even think about forgery. The seal is time-sensitive."
"Understood, I'll go now."
Hu Tao shaded her eyes with her hand, watching the adventurer hurry towards Liyue Bank before curiously turning to her companion.
"Sanqiu, when did you commission the Adventurers' Guild? Why didn't I know?"
"Of course you didn't. I almost forgot about it myself." Technically, this commission was arranged by the previous Gu Sanqiu, making it an old one, practically a guaranteed catch if reported.
"If you nearly forgot, why are they rushing to find you now?"
"Guess how many people I dealt with yesterday?" Gu Sanqiu chuckled. "Do you know why this commission took so long?"
"If I remember correctly, I posted it as the highest-level commission, requiring the guild's best to handle it quickly."
"But by then, someone probably had their eye on me. To put it bluntly, someone made a dirty deal with the guild, deliberately dragging out my time."
"Do you have something they're so interested in?" Hu Tao asked, puzzled.
"Think about it. If an incense-bearer posts the highest-level commission, how tempting must the content be? Wouldn't they want to know what's inside?"
"Secrets, or things they can meddle in, are the most attractive to them."
"So, my commission might have been completed long ago, but the guild's higher-ups and some people in Liyue conspired, first exploring the information I provided."
"And since I didn't respond last time, they got bolder in testing my limits. If it weren't for the unusual way those guys died, this wouldn't have reached me."
"Aren't you afraid they'll deceive you with fake items?"
"The initial information came from me. Those were just minor underhanded tactics. If they try to deceive me with the final product, the guild's higher-ups won't keep their positions."
After grabbing a quick breakfast at Wanmin Restaurant, Gu Sanqiu brought Hu Tao seriously into the Gu family compound.
"Wow, the smell of blood and missing souls. You do have many secrets, don't you?"
"You talk as if you're entirely open with me."
"I need to go out for a bit. Could you keep an eye on the house for me? Don't worry about tonight. Just have a few people keep watch; I'm worried some people might risk it for money."
"No problem, leave it to me."
"One more thing," Gu Sanqiu said, patting the bluish-black brick by his side. "I recently acquired something interesting. Initially, I wanted to keep it for myself."
"You mentioned your guest consultant, Zhongli, is knowledgeable about ancient items. Could you have him appraise this for me?"
"Zhongli has been busy lately and might not have time for such small matters," Hu Tao said smugly. "Unless you beg me, I might show mercy and put in a good word for you."
"I'll pay, three hundred thousand Mora." Gu Sanqiu used the skill [Financial Persuasion].
"Deal!" Hu Tao hugged Gu Sanqiu's shoulder and took the silver note from his hand. "With our relationship, why be so mundane? Just ask, and I'd gladly help, hehe."
"Are you asking for more money?"
Gu Sanqiu smiled. "Then I'll leave it to you. I trust your work."
"Uh-huh, don't worry, your house is safe with me. Trust in the value of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor master, my friend."
"You're making it hard for anyone to trust you..."
"He's gone out?"
In Yujing Terrace, a young girl reviewing documents took a sip of strong tea after hearing the report from her subordinates. The bitter tea invigorated her.
"Given what happened yesterday, our incense-bearer is no fool. So, why did he go out alone?"
"Those people seem to have returned the items, but what are they really after? You should know."
"Getting merchants to give up impending profits, especially those far exceeding their expectations—is that really possible?"
"Going out now gives those people a direct chance to act."
The girl's eyes gleamed with purple electricity. "Liyue Harbor is a place of rules. If some people don't understand them anymore, we'll take this opportunity to teach them!"
"Yes, Lady Keqing."