Chapter 403: Chapter 381, Pink Fox Tavern_1
Browning’s room was a bit messy.
There were items scattered all over the floor, and heaps of unwashed clothes in the corners. However, the walls were adorned with various framed oil paintings, primarily of female figures.
“Mr Fang Hao, you must have something important to talk about this time, don’t you?”
Browning moved two chairs in front of Fang Hao and Anjia.
“Yes, I wanted to ask Mr. Browning to paint a few pieces for me. I need them to be of high quality. Of course, price is negotiable.” Fang Hao was direct about his intentions.
“Oh? That’s absolutely no problem at all. Are they portraits of you?” Browning replied enthusiastically.
His daily expenses were quite substantial, so he certainly wouldn’t turn down business that came knocking at his door.
He brought out his treasured fruit wine, planning to entertain his potential client.
“It’s not me, it’s Mrs. Rebecca…”
Clatter!
The earthenware cup in Browning’s hand fell and broke in two on the wooden pad.
Ignoring the broken shards, Browning exclaimed in surprise, “City Lord’s wife Rebecca?”
“Yes, so the quality of the work must meet the requirements. Otherwise, it would be hard to win her approval.” Fang Hao spoke earnestly.
Browning’s expression quickly shifted before he semed to have reached an acceptance state and he then said excitedly, “No problem, of course there is no problem, I will definitely satisfy her.”
Rebecca belonged to the highest-ranking nobility in Lyss City.
To paint for her was a symbol of honour.
If he were to gain Rebecca’s approval,
It would surely raise his stature among fellow painters.
“Hmm.” Fang Hao nodded in agreement.
Subsequently, he started discussing the size of the canvas and the shop’s requirements with Browning.
Browning, looking at the photos in the Book of Lords, was somewhat disbelieving.
Even though Fang Hao stated that it was a treasure, he was still astonished for quite a while.
Eventually, at the reminder from Fang Hao, he began to prepare an adequately sized canvas and started to paint using the photo as a reference.
Two hours later.
The canvas had been colored and the rough outline was already shaped.
Browning would continue to refine it.
Fang Hao would need to return the next day to further modify the painting while referencing the photo.
…
By the time they left Browning’s house, it was already late.
Fang Hao and Anjia went straight back to their place.
From a maid, they found out that Rolana had gone to the bar again.
Fang Hao went straight to his room, planning to rest.
Just as he was closing the room door, a shadowy figure slowly emerged from a corner.
Fang Hao’s heart jolted.
In one swift motion, his right hand skimmed over the Book of Lords, and the Magic Wand was now in his hand.
Almost instinctively, he prepared to counter-attack and leave the room.
But then he saw Little You standing in the shadowy corner.
“Little You, you’ve managed to scare me again.” Fang Hao said irritatedly, putting away his weapon.
Barely managing a smile, Little You apologized, “I’m sorry, my lord, I have some important intelligence to share with you.”
Little You had constantly been playing the role of Lai Gou.
She was gathering information about the hidden secrets of the Faceless for Fang Hao.
“Oh? What kind of intelligence?” Fang Hao sat down nearby.
Without hesitating, Little You stated, “My lord, the Faceless have started suspecting you. They intend to leak some false information to the City Lord’s mansion to confirm whether you are the one assisting Rebecca.”
Fang Hao’s brows furrowed immediately upon hearing this news.
In an era devoid of surveillance and security equipment, he had thought he would remain unnoticed by his enemies due to his careful actions and Rebecca’s protection.
Why was he the one they were suspecting?
“How did they come to suspect me?” Fang Hao asked.
Little You replied, “There’s a high-ranking official of the City Lord’s Mansion among the Faceless. He discovered that you’ve concealed your mercenary registration in the task hall. Coupled with your frequent visits to the City Lord’s Mansion, he was led to suspect you.”
After a pause, she added, “There are some Faceless who do not think you’re involved. However, they still plan to circulate some fake intelligence to confirm whether or not it’s related to your mercenary group.”
Hearing this, Fang Hao finally understood where he had made a mistake with his identity.
Rebecca must have hidden his mercenary registration information to ensure his anonymity, but it had inadvertently become a clue for their suspicion.
“So this operation, as long as I don’t go, will be alright, right?” said Fang Hao.
“That’s indeed the simplest way, but it won’t dispel their suspicions completely. I would recommend using this opportunity to get rid of any remaining doubts they might have about you,” Little You suggested.
Fang Hao looked at Little You. His mind was racing. The easiest way would be to cancel the operation altogether, knowing about their conspiracy. However, this in turn might increase their suspicions.
Likewise, they may prepare other plots to test Fang Hao or directly assassinate him.
Little You’s idea was to use the Faceless’s investigation to dispel their doubts and make future operations more convenient.
“You do make a valid point. Do you have any specific ideas on how to accomplish this?”
Little You stated, “My lord, I feel the best way is to let the Faceless’s operation succeed while you happen to appear in front of them. This way, you have a solid alibi in place. That said, these are just my thoughts. You need to carefully plan how to proceed without raising their suspicion.”
“Hmm, that does sound like a good plan,” agreed Fang Hao, nodding his head.
The threat of the Faceless lies in the unknown from the shadows.