The three major guilds of Jiayuan City are the Brothers' Alliance, Jingjiao Society, and Tianba Gate. Smaller guilds include the Iron Spear Society, the United Brotherhood, the Qingyi Guild, Chunyu Pavilion, Jinjian Gate, the Celestial River Shipping Guild, the Dajing Gate, and the Sunset Sect. Sun Er-gou recited all these names in one breath, then took a moment to catch his breath before continuing. "Among the three major guilds, Tianba Gate is the strongest. Together with Jinjian Gate and Qingyi Guild, it controls the wealthiest eastern district. The slightly weaker Brothers' Alliance allies with the Iron Spear Society, the Celestial River Shipping Guild, and the United Brotherhood to hold the northern district. The weakest, Jingjiao Society, dominates the southern district in alliance with Chunyu Pavilion, Dajing Gate, and the Sunset Sect. The western district remains the most fragmented, divided among numerous smaller guilds that are constantly at odds with one another. However, whenever a larger power seeks to invade the western district, these smaller guilds immediately cease their internal conflicts and unite to face the outside threat. Thus, Jiayuan City can truly be said to be in a four-way balance Sun Er-gou spoke fluently without pausing, giving a general account of the situation of each faction. After listening to this, Han Li pondered for a moment, then asked thoughtfully, "I've heard that the Jingjiao Guild is one of the three dominant powers in Lanshou Province, and that Jiyuan City is reportedly its headquarters. Yet it has become the weakest among the three major guilds." "Your lord, the situation you describe is based on older records. Indeed, a few years ago, the Jingjiao Guild was very powerful, with its influence extending throughout the entire Lanshou Province. At that time, as one of the top-tier powers, it dominated Jiyuan City—its headquarters—and would not allow any other guilds to establish a presence. As a result, the Jingjiao Guild occupied the entire city, standing alone and unchallenged. Back then, all other guilds were forced to remain silent and invisible in the city under the pressure of the Jingjiao Guild's authority." Later, for some reason unknown, the Jingjiao Guild suddenly declined overnight, losing its territories elsewhere and significantly shrinking its stronghold in Jiyuan City. Taking advantage of this opportunity, various smaller and medium-sized guilds emerged one after another, and after several fierce battles, the current situation was eventually established. "Sun Er-gou explained with great enthusiasm. "Do you know what caused the Jingjiao Guild's sudden weakening?" Han Li furrowed his brow and slowly asked Sun Er-gou. "Well... honestly, as someone of modest status within the guild, I'm not very well informed on this matter. But I've heard that the decline seems to have stemmed from internal divisions and conflicts among the guild members, and that there may also be larger external forces exerting pressure." Sun Er-gou looked slightly hesitant, offering a vague answer. "Ah, that makes sense!" Han Li smiled slightly, as if he already had a clear understanding. "As for who currently leads the Jingjiao Guild, do you know?" Han Li asked. "I know that—it's being overseen by Lady Yan, the widow of the original Master of the Jingjiao Guild, Mo Jujin." Sun Er-gou quickly replied. "Widow?" Han Li was surprised. "Indeed! Master Mo founded the Jingjiao Guild and passed away. Isn't his wife then a widow?" Sun Er-gou blinked, hesitating slightly, unsure if he had made a mistake. "Who says Master Mo has already passed away?" Han Li felt something was off, his expression growing cold. "Everyone in Jianjia Yuan knows this. A year ago, the final disciple of the ghost-hand Master Mo, carrying Master Mo's will and credentials, went to the Mo estate to announce the news of his passing!" Sun Er-gou, seeing Han Li's increasingly somber expression, felt a shiver run through him, growing increasingly uneasy. "Final disciple? What's his name?" Han Li raised an eyebrow, asking calmly. "His name is Wu Jianming. He's a young man in his twenties, with a pale, fresh face. It's said he has fully inherited Master Mo's teachings and possesses an extraordinary martial skill." "Sun Er-gou spoke carefully, now realizing something, knowing that the person before him was certainly connected to the Jiangjiao Guild, and that he seemed particularly attentive toward the young lord Wu. 'Moreover...' Sun Er-gou looked as though he wanted to say something but was hesitant. 'Just say it plainly! Don't be hesitant! If the information is true, I'll reward you handsomely!' Han Li glanced at him coldly and said calmly. 'I've heard that the young lord Wu has pledged his hand in marriage to the daughter of Mo Mansion, Mo Yuzhu, and that they are expected to marry soon.' As soon as Sun Er-gou saw there was a reward to be earned, he immediately smiled and reported the facts. 'Marriage!' Han Li chuckled and suddenly stood up. He paced back and forth several times in the room, then looked up at the ceiling, motionless, as though pondering something. 'Listen carefully,' he said. 'Your task is simple: from today on, gather intelligence quietly on Mo Mansion, especially on the young lord Wu. The more detailed, the better.' Han Li finally spoke, giving his instructions. "Take these coins first. Should the matter be successfully handled, you'll receive a substantial reward! Go about your business now." He generously added a small pouch of silver to the man's hands. "Understood, sir. Please rest assured—I will see this matter through! I shall now retire." Sun Er-gou, holding the silver with a bright smile, bowed and stepped out, making sure to close the door gently as he went. "This young lord is truly generous, and the task at hand is merely a simple inquiry. It seems I've made the right choice to follow him! I've completely forgotten about the 'Decay-Heart Pills' matter for now." Sun Er-gou thought excitedly, momentarily setting the matter aside. Upon seeing the man depart with a joyful expression, Han Li sighed lightly. Suddenly, a pang of regret struck him—just two days since his arrival, he had already spent so much silver. This truly felt like a sign of financial recklessness. Well, whatever—those funds will eventually be charged to Doctor Mo’s account, plus interest. Han Li thought with a mixture of resignation and quiet endurance. "Though Mr. Wu Jianming, this Wu公子, truly is a remarkable man—he not only preemptively adopted the identity he intended to use to enter Mo’s estate, but it seems he also aims to secure both wealth and status, which shows quite a boldness!" Han Li rubbed his nose, offering a cold smile. "It seems now that a visit to Mo’s estate is unavoidable; otherwise, that Warm Sun Jade would surely end up as a dowry in the hands of this person." He thought with growing frustration.