Chapter 2800: The Stand‑in Was Forcibly Taken by the Mountain Bandit

Chen Xiaoshan, however, remained utterly unmoved.

He differs from those later gathered; most are ordinary bandits who took to the mountains out of desperation, he is truly someone who has seen blood on the border battlefield, having rolled out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

Knowing that one cannot judge by appearance, the jianghu is vast, with talents and eccentrics emerging endlessly—how could one tell that this person before them isn't using some covert method?

True or false, a single test will reveal it!

Chen Xiaoshan's eyes flashed with a fierce gleam; he drew the long saber at his waist and slashed straight at Jin Chen.

This saber strike was extremely fast, with a tricky angle, cutting off Jin Chen's left and right escape routes, forcing him either to block it head‑on or expose an opening.

"Young master!!" A Yan, gripped tightly by two bandits, his eyes nearly bursting, let out a hoarse scream.

Jin Chen neither blocked it outright nor employed any shocking movement technique.

He seemed frightened, staggering backward with disordered steps, yet his body remained agile, narrowly avoiding the blade by the slimmest margin.

Afterward, Jin Chen saw two people walking side‑by‑side not far away.

Gu Fanghe and Liu Mianfeng heard the commotion and rushed over, stopping about ten paces away.

Seeing Jin Chen unharmed, Gu Fanghe felt his heart ease a little.

Liu Mianfeng at his side, however, lightly waved his fan in a feeble block, his voice carrying his usual smile: "Elder brother, there's no rush—this is also a good chance to see just what background this young master… actually has."

Gu Fanghe's steps halted, and he did not move forward again.

Jin Chen, however, ran to Gu Fanghe's side, hid behind him, and pointed at the sheath‑holding Chen Xiaoshan.

"Can't you control the minds of your subordinates?"

Gu Fanghe lowered his gaze, looking at the hand clutching his sleeve, then at Jin Chen's cheek and lips, which were a shade more vivid than usual, and suddenly found it amusing.

This young master dared to kick his door yesterday, yet today he's learned to file a complaint.

"What is this…?" Gu Fanghe said, probing with amusement, "Are you complaining to me?"

Jin Chen lifted his eyes and glared at him, speaking with righteous confidence: "Otherwise, today you dare to falsely accuse me of knocking over the pavilion's pillar; tomorrow, if your stronghold loses a chicken or a dog, could you also just blame it on me?"

Seeing him actually turn the tables and hide behind the chief, Chen Xiaoshan's anger flared, the veins on the back of his knife‑gripping hand bulging.

"If it wasn't you, then what were you sneaking off to the school building for last evening?!"

Jin Chen poked half his head out from behind Gu Fanghe and retorted, "I thought that building looked ugly, so I was curious to see what was wrong—does your stronghold's rule forbid even a glance?"

"You!"

Chen Xiaoshan was left speechless with rage.

The plans and carpentry for that school building were personally recommended by Master Ruan back then, involving considerable effort, yet in this brat's mouth it's become "ugly"!

He no longer looked at Jin Chen, turning instead to Gu Fanghe with a cold, deep voice: "Chief, this is certainly no coincidence! This person's conduct is suspicious; he must be thoroughly investigated!"

Gu Fanghe raised his hand, signaling Chen Xiaoshan to calm down and not be rash.

"Elder Brother Chen, the cause of the pavilion's collapse remains unclear and may not be man‑made; first take your men to examine the scene carefully, and be sure to get to the bottom of it."

Chen Xiaoshan furrowed his brows, looking at Gu Fanghe and then at Jin Chen, half‑protected behind him, and flicked his sleeve sharply.

"Fine, fine! Since the chief has spoken, I will certainly go investigate!"

"But the chief should also remember that some people, having only a face, are useless."

Having said that, Chen Xiaoshan said no more, led his men, and strode away.

Liu Mianfeng leisurely swayed his jade‑bone fan, taking a few steps to approach Jin Chen and Gu Fanghe.

"Young Master Jin, don't be angry, don't be angry," he said with a laugh, his gaze sweeping over Jin Chen's face, still tinged with slight anger.

"My second brother has always been this hot‑tempered—ignites at a spark, cannot tolerate any grit in his eye; if there's been any offense, I'll apologize on his behalf."

Liu Mianfeng took something from his sleeve, held it aloft with his fan, and presented it to Jin Chen—a jade hairpin.

The jade was not of the highest quality, but the carving was exquisite, giving off a faint, soft bluish‑green hue.

"I happened to obtain this little trinket today; it looks rather novel," Liu Mianfeng smiled. "Thinking Young Master Jin might like it, I give it to you… as a… token to calm the shock."

Jin Chen's gaze fell on the jade hairpin, but he did not immediately reach for it.

【Host, this item also appears in the original plot!】

【This hairpin has been soaked by Liu Mianfeng in a special medicinal solution; it carries a mild toxin. If worn by someone using a skin mask, the toxin will slowly seep in, causing the false skin to rot and peel off within days.】

【However, for those not wearing a skin mask, it poses no serious harm—just a bit of dizziness and fatigue that will pass in a few days.】

Jin Chen picked up the jade hairpin; it felt slightly cool in his hand. He held it before his eyes for a moment, then lifted his gaze to Liu Mianfeng, the corner of his mouth curving into a faint arc.

"The Third Chief's taste is not bad."

Liu Mianfeng's fan‑swaying motion paused slightly, he studied Jin Chen closely, then laughed again: "If Young Master Jin likes it, that's fine—you two chat; I'll go find some drink. This early morning is nothing but dreary affairs."

Having said that, he gave Gu Fanghe a slight nod, then swayed his fan and strode away leisurely.

Gu Fanghe stared at the jade hairpin in Jin Chen's hand, his brows slightly furrowed.

Jin Chen twirled the jade hairpin twice on his fingertip, then slipped it into his sleeve and turned his gaze to Gu Fanghe.

Jin Chen stepped a little closer, tilted his head, and asked, "Why don't you give me a gift?"

Gu Fanghe's brow twitched slightly; he answered nonchalantly, also teasing him, "Why should I give you one?"

"Hmm?" Jin Chen drew out the syllable, then suddenly curled his lips into a smile with an indescribably alluring charm.

He was naturally good‑looking, and this smile made his eyes shine even more.

"That Second Chief just now kept saying… are you taken with this young master's face?"

Jin Chen said, raising his hand to lightly touch Gu Fanghe's cheek, tracing the red scar—he sensed it was an old wound, the skin there thinner than elsewhere.

"The chief is peerlessly handsome, a pity he's a blockhead."

Gu Fanghe: "……"

It was too overstepping, too brazen; no one in the stronghold dared touch him like that.

He raised his hand to pull away Jin Chen's hand that was waving before his eyes, but thinking that force might leave a mark, his grip involuntarily loosened, merely tightening a little—not to stop him, but as if holding him.

Jin Chen lowered his gaze to their overlapping hands, not knowing what subtle force he used to break free, then poked Gu Fanghe in the chest.

Chief, you'd better hurry and check what's going on with that ruined building, by the way, remember to bring me a gift tonight.

It can't be worse than that broken hairpin Chief Liu San gave.

Gu Fanghe stood where he was, motionless for a long moment.

The morning breeze brushed past, but it couldn't disperse the wisp of scent lingering at the tip of his nose.

Gu Fanghe raised the hand that had just held Jin Chen's wrist, rubbed his fingertips together, then lifted it to his nose to sniff lightly.

He lowered his hand, and unexpectedly felt a slight intoxication; his eyelashes trembled, and a very low laugh escaped him.

This young master truly has great courage, and his temper is truly fierce.

Forget it, it's just a gift.

I only hope the young master can handle that gift.

A meaningful smile flickered in Gu Fanghe's eyes; he turned and walked toward the collapsed pavilion on the west side of the stronghold.

【Detected villain triggered Heartbeat Value, Heartbeat Value +10, total 10!】

Jin Chen leaned by the window, watching the dark figure recede, and lightly tapped his fingertips on the window lattice.