86: Yanjin Manor

The night was as dark as ink.

The Claus Family's convoy wound its way along the dark, dirt road through the forest.

The wheels crunched over scattered dead leaves, making a soft rustling sound.

Ahead, a massive dark silhouette gradually became clear.

Yan Jin Manor.

It was named for suppressing a highly productive Yan Jin Ore vein.

It was one of the Claus Family's most important strongholds in Oak Tree Territory.

The Manor's gate slowly opened, emitting a heavy creaking sound.

The convoy filed in, and the Manor was brightly lit.

Kapa Claus dismounted from the carriage, his expression still grim.

He adjusted his robes and walked directly towards the Manor's main castle.

Inside the main castle's hall,

The flames in the fireplace blazed, dispelling the night's chill.

An old man with white hair and beard, yet still with a straight posture, sat at the head of the table, holding a steaming cup of black tea.

He was Yode Klaus, a highly senior Elder of the Family, who had been guarding this place for many years.

"Elder Yode."

Kapa bowed, his voice tinged with frustration.

Elder Yode put down his teacup, his cloudy yet sharp gaze falling on Kapa.

"You've returned."

His voice was calm, betraying no emotion.

"I've already heard about the auction's situation."

Kapa's head hung even lower.

"It was my incompetence; I failed to secure the bloodline fruit. Please punish this Elder."

Elder Yode waved his hand.

"While the bloodline fruit is important, didn't the Grey Rock Family also return empty-handed?"

"In that case, it's not too bad a result."

There was a hint of comfort in his tone.

Upon hearing this, Kapa felt a little relieved,

But thinking of the targeted humiliation at the auction, he still felt some indignation.

"This auction, I always felt there was something strange about it."

"It seemed someone was deliberately targeting us."

Elder Yode picked up his teacup and took a small sip.

"It's perfectly normal for someone to scheme."

"When has the water in Oak Tree Territory ever been clear?"

"You go and settle the items you acquired this time first. For the rest, the Family has its own considerations."

"Yes, Elder."

Kapa replied, bowed, and withdrew.

He passed through several heavily guarded corridors and arrived at the depths of the Manor.

This was the Manor's critical storeroom, with even stricter guards than the outer areas.

On the heavy metal door, intricate arcane runes were engraved, emitting a faint blue light.

This was an Arcane Defense System; if the door was not opened in the correct way, it would instantly trigger an arcane alarm.

"Young Master Kapa."

Seeing Kapa approach, the guards operated on the door.

The door slid open silently, revealing a dark, empty space beyond.

A cold metallic aura and a hot energy fluctuation rushed out.

Inside the storeroom, neatly stacked piles of Yan Jin Ingots shimmered with a reddish glow under the arcane lamps.

Kapa's gaze swept over these priceless Ores, a complex feeling flashing through his heart.

The output of this Ore vein was indeed astonishing.

Unfortunately, the share he received was pitifully small.

He walked to a corner of the storeroom and took out several items from his Storage Ring.

The "ring of silence."

The Blade of Judgment.

And that crystalline core of the abyss worm.

Looking at the cloudy white crystal, it seemed as if countless tiny black particles were slowly floating and moving within.

A smile finally appeared on Kapa's lips.

"Actually, thinking about it carefully, this auction wasn't a loss at all."

He muttered to himself in a low voice.

"Even if I had obtained that bloodline fruit, it would most likely have been prepared for my Elder brother."

"But this crystalline core of the abyss worm is most suitable for me."

"It will most likely be allocated to my share."

"That fool Roderick, who calculated everything, still failed to obtain the bloodline fruit."

"Instead, I'm better off, at least I have a few good gains."

His gaze fell on the ancient "ring of silence."

"I'll extract this Arcane Secret Treasure first; the others can wait."

Kapa re-sealed the other two items.

He only put the silence ring on his finger and turned to leave the storeroom.

...

Deep night.

The guard barracks area of Yan Jin Manor was silent.

A tall, thin shadow moved like a ghost in the shadows outside the barracks.

The Faceless Paper Figure's face constantly shifted in the moonlight,

Sometimes it was the previous stableman, sometimes other unfamiliar faces.

It walked silently, its steps as light as falling leaves.

Beside a simple latrine in a corner.

A guard, who had gotten up to relieve himself, was just lowering his pants.

In the moonlight, a elongated shadow slowly covered him.

The guard thought it was a patrolling comrade and paid no mind, casually muttering a remark.

He turned his head carelessly.

The next instant, his pupils suddenly constricted.

Standing behind him was a tall, pale paper figure with no facial features.

He opened his mouth, about to let out a terrified scream.

The Faceless Paper Figure had already lunged forward fiercely.

A cold, deathly aura instantly engulfed him.

A moment later.

The "guard" staggered out from beside the latrine, a strange smile on his face.

He walked familiarly towards a night watch post.

At the watch post, another guard was dozing against the wall. Hearing footsteps, he alertly opened his eyes.

"It's you, kid. Why are you wandering around in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?"

The night watch guard recognized the person, relaxed his guard, and waved his hand impatiently.

"Oh, I have something I want to discuss with you."

The "guard" responded familiarly, approaching step by step.

The night watch guard didn't notice anything unusual.

Until the other party came close.

The "guard" hooked his arm over the night watch guard's shoulder.

Rustle, rustle...

The next moment, his body scattered like flying paper, completely covering the other person.

The night watch guard's impatience instantly solidified into extreme terror.

...

A moment later.

The "night watch guard" left the watch post and walked directly towards the barracks beneath an arrow tower.

That was where the guard captain on duty for the night rested.

"Knock, knock, knock."

He knocked on the guard captain's door.

"Who is it?"

The guard captain's slightly sleepy voice came from inside.

"Captain, it's me. I have an unusual situation to report."

The "night watch guard" kept his voice very low.

The door opened with a creak.

The guard captain looked at him with sleepy eyes, a hint of annoyance at being disturbed on his face.

This Yan Jin Manor was one of the Claus Family's strongholds, heavily guarded everywhere.

And with a Family Elder personally stationed there, what could be unusual?

"What is it? Don't tell me you lost money again."

The "night watch guard" hesitated, his eyes flickering, and he leaned closer to the guard captain, adopting a posture as if to whisper a secret.

The guard captain frowned, but still slightly turned his head, signaling him to come closer.

"Don't you think I'm very unusual?"

A cold, emotionless voice sounded in the guard captain's ear.

The guard captain suddenly froze, turning his head to look.

His subordinate's face had already turned blank.

A Faceless Paper Figure with no facial features was giving him a silent, chilling smile.