Chapter 131: Madam, please open the door; it is Shunfeng Express.

With the tavern keeper’s animated storytelling, Jan finally grasped the current situation of the Black family.

Although that jerk Cotton acted like he was the center of the universe, Old Man Black was quite respected as a gentleman in Parsus. In this era, nobility itself bestowed an supreme status upon an individual in the eyes of commoners. Even if a fallen noble was like a plucked phoenix inferior to a chicken within aristocratic circles, to the common folk, a noble was still a noble—the kind of person they had to bow their heads to and greet respectfully on the street corner whenever they stepped outside.

It was much like a movie star: those in the know could distinguish between a third-rate actor and a global superstar, but to the uninitiated, anyone who had been on television, starred in a film, or played a lead role was a star.

Anyway, enough of that.

Old Man Black had been quite fond of his son, Cotton. He had even arranged a marriage for him with the daughter of a merchant, a match that was socially appropriate and with whom Cotton was already acquainted. Unfortunately, the old man’s luck was not great; he passed away from a severe illness shortly after the engagement was finalized. Afterward, Cotton married the girl, whose name was Ligia. By all rights, they should have just continued to live their quiet lives.

However, when the news came that the temple was recruiting heroes to fight evil creatures in the Underdark, Cotton decided to answer the call. He not only took the last of the Black family’s guards with him, but he also spent a massive fortune on this adventure—and this was the crux of the matter.

Although the Black family had some wealth, it could not sustain such consumption. In the end, Cotton gritted his teeth and borrowed a sum of money, using the Black estate as collateral. According to the agreement, the loan was supposed to have a six-month term, but unexpectedly, only four months had passed before the creditor impatiently showed up to demand repayment. The Black family, naturally, could not produce the money, leaving them helpless against the debt collectors. After a few visits, the creditors grew increasingly arrogant, claiming that if the money was not produced by the end of the month, they would forcibly seize the Black family’s residence.

Hearing this, Jan pondered for a moment. Enya had already extracted the information about the loan from Cotton’s brain. He also knew that the person who lent the money was a powerful noble in the area, and an old friend of Cotton’s father at that. It was just that Cotton had died without ever knowing that his father’s old friend would choose to loot a burning house, which was why Jan had been unaware of it until now.

However… one can know a person’s face but not their heart.

Jan sneered. He said nothing more; since he had already arrived, the prey he had his eye on would certainly not escape.

A night passed.

The next morning, the torrential rain had ceased, and brilliant sunlight shone over the entire town. Under the sun, the lush green grass could be seen dancing in the wind, and the tender leaves swayed in the breeze. The air was filled with the fragrance of fresh grass, which was quite refreshing.

Unfortunately, not everyone enjoyed such good weather. Bix was deeply resentful that the dark clouds covering the sky had vanished, so she hid in her room, not daring to step outside. Jan couldn't be bothered with her. As for Iris—she had other work to do. Thus, Jan left the two of them at the inn and took Patilina in a carriage to the Black estate, which sat on the highlands of Parsus.

As a fallen noble’s home, the Black estate already appeared quite dilapidated. Perhaps due to a lack of maintenance, it was overgrown with weeds, and the walls were covered in vines, looking so wretched that it would have been more than sufficient as a set for a haunted house film.

"It’s so ruined here. Does anyone actually live here?"

Patilina followed behind Jan, curiously eyeing the house before her while wrinkling her small nose in dissatisfaction. Jan said nothing in response to Patilina’s remark. Instead, he looked up at the decaying wrought-iron gate, frowned, and reached out to pull the bell beside it.

"Ding-a-ling…"

A series of crisp bell sounds rang out, drifting through the desolate and gloomy estate. Before long, Jan saw a young girl emerge from the house. She wore a somewhat worn maid’s outfit, and her expression was one of trepidation. The girl came trembling to the iron gate, and upon seeing Jan, a look of curiosity appeared on her delicate face. She had originally expected it to be those villains coming to demand debt again, but it didn't seem to be the case at all.

"May I ask who you are…"

"My name is Jan Bashanomens."

Facing the maid’s inquiry, Jan offered an elegant smile. He nodded at her first, then began to speak.

"I am from Cardiff City. I have some news regarding Mr. Cotton Black that I need to convey to Mrs. Black…"

"Oh, please, come in, please do!"

Hearing this, a bright radiance appeared on the maid’s face. She hurriedly opened the iron gate, inviting Jan inside. At the same time, she turned her head and called out toward the back.

"Molly! Molly?"

"What is it, sister?"

Following the maid’s call, another maid who looked quite similar to her emerged from the house. Upon seeing Jan, she appeared visibly flustered.

"This gentleman is…"

"This lord is from Cardiff City. He says he has news about the Master to tell the Mistress. Go and inform her quickly."

"Right, right away!"

Hearing the news, the girl named Molly nodded hastily and turned to run into the house. Jan and Patilina, guided by the other maid, walked toward the dilapidated mansion.

During the short walk, Jan used his conversational skills to cleverly extract information from the little maid. Her name was Linglan, and she and Molly were twin sisters. They had been Ligia’s playmates since childhood and naturally became her maids upon growing up. After Ligia married Cotton, these two personal maids followed her. Since Cotton took the guards to answer the temple’s call, only the three of them remained in the already destitute Black household.

Fortunately, Parsus was a remote place with honest folk, where people didn't pocket items found on the road and didn't even lock their doors at night. Additionally, before Cotton left, he had asked the local militia to help look after the three women and children, so they hadn't encountered any real trouble.

However, the militia was no match for a noble.

Luckily, the creditors didn't dare go too far; lately, they had only sent a few private soldiers to threaten them with harsh words. But that alone was enough to keep Ligia and her two maids from sleeping soundly. They were just ordinary, law-abiding people—when had they ever seen such things? Because of this, they had been hoping for Cotton’s early return. Hearing there was news of him, they were naturally anxious.

Led by Linglan, Jan and Patilina arrived at the parlor. Soon, they met Mrs. Black.

She appeared to be about twenty years old, slightly older than Jan. This was not unusual, as people on the Klein continent generally married quite young; typically, one could finalize an engagement and prepare for marriage by the age of sixteen.

Although he had already seen a portrait of Ligia, Jan’s eyes still lit up when he saw her in the flesh. The woman before him was far more beautiful than in the portrait. She had an oval face that evoked instant pity, slender eyebrows like twin crescents, and eyes clear as spring water that shimmered with the light of life. Her high nose bridge added a touch of exotic flair, which was uniquely charming. Not to mention her full, cherry-red lips, which looked as tender and juicy as a peach, making one want to take a bite.

Ligia was not wearing a luxurious gown like an ordinary noblewoman, but a simple house robe. It wrapped around her full, alluring figure, making one even more entranced. This made Jan secretly think to himself that Cotton was truly an idiot; to have such a beauty and not enjoy her, but instead run off to the Underdark to seek his own death—he deserved his misfortune.

However, unlike the two maids, Ligia’s face was currently clouded with unease and gloom. It seemed she was not stupid; the fact that Cotton had not returned himself, but instead sent someone to deliver a message, was in itself an ominous sign.

Even so, Ligia was, after all, a noble lady trained in strict etiquette. She respectfully lifted the hem of her skirt, curtsied to Jan, and then spoke.

"Welcome to my home, honored guest. I am Ligia Black… I heard you have some news regarding my husband?"

"That is correct, Mrs. Black."

Hearing her, Jan nodded. He took a deep breath and spoke like a true aristocrat.

"I am very sorry, but this is not good news… In fact, your husband, Cotton Black, has unfortunately died in battle while fighting those evil folk in the Underdark."

"Ah!"

Hearing this, the two maids shrieked. They clearly had not expected to hear such tragic news. Ligia, on the other hand, appeared quite composed; it was evident she had been mentally prepared for this outcome. However, upon hearing Jan’s words, she lowered her thick eyelashes and let out a long sigh. Seeing this, Jan reached into his pocket, pulled out the silver pendant, and handed it to her.

"Before Mr. Cotton passed away, he entrusted me with this pendant to give to you."

Seeing the pendant in Jan’s hand, Ligia’s eyes turned red. She took it with trembling hands and slowly opened it. Upon seeing the portrait inside, she closed her eyes, and a string of crystal-clear tears rolled down her fair, delicate cheeks, falling to the floor. The two maids hurriedly came to her side, offering soft comfort. After a moment, the lady opened her eyes and looked at Jan once more.

"Please forgive my lack of decorum, honored guest," she said softly, her tone revealing a despair as if the world were coming to an end. "Thank you for bringing this news. Now, at last, we can make our final decision."

"Please accept my condolences, Mrs. Black."

Jan pushed up his glasses and spoke. "To be honest, Mr. Cotton and I fought side by side in the Underdark; we were comrades-in-arms. Before he died, he asked me to look after his family, which is why I have come here. If you are in any difficulty, please tell me. As long as it is within my power, I will certainly not refuse."

"This…"

Ligia’s face showed hesitation. But before she could say anything more, the bell outside rang again. Unlike before, the sound was chaotic and erratic. The two maids’ expressions changed slightly upon hearing it, but before they could react, a furious roar came from outside the door.

"Get out here, you debt-dodging ghosts! Haven't you prepared the money yet?"