"???"
Chloe observed his flustered attempt to change his words, a flicker of doubt crossing her mind.
What's going on? Wasn't he just being incredibly stubborn? How did he suddenly change his tune the moment Anderson arrived?
Chloe cast a suspicious glance at the slim, shrewd man before her.
His moment of faltering lasted only an instant. After regaining his composure, he quickly resumed his usual cunning, impenetrable demeanor.
From outward appearances, it was difficult to discern what he had been thinking moments ago, or why he had so abruptly changed his stance.
Chloe paused for half a second before turning to look at Anderson.
...Was it just her imagination?
Why did she have the feeling that the man's sudden change was due to Anderson's presence?
In that brief moment earlier, his gaze, which had passed over Chloe and Xavier to land on Anderson, couldn't be mistaken.
Though fleeting, Chloe had keenly noticed it, and seemed to have uncovered something unexpected.
Could it be that this man knew Anderson?
The more Chloe pondered, the more things felt off. However, at this point, Xavier seemed unconcerned with how events had unfolded. Upon learning they could pass through this trade route, he made no hesitation. After expressing his thanks, he prepared to lead them back.
Chloe walked a bit slowly, falling behind Xavier. As she turned her head, she happened to catch sight of the stone monument beside the sentry post.
The stone had been polished until smooth, with a bas-relief of a Möbius strip carved into its surface.
The craftsmanship was exquisite, without a single rough edge, giving it a clean appearance.
What was that?
Did this stone monument have any inherent connection to this road?
Chloe didn't understand.
After mulling it over, she finally decided to ask Xavier.
He sat atop a tall, majestic steed. Due to his height, even his horse appeared exceptionally imposing and robust.
Chloe patted the temperamental horse's head, and while it was still snorting, she swiftly swung herself up onto its back using the stirrup.
The fine horse, startled, immediately began to kick and struggle.
Chloe paid it no mind. Once seated securely, she even gave the horse two vindictive kicks, as if in retaliation.
The horse, unaccustomed to such treatment, was about to throw a fit when Xavier placed his hand on its head, giving it a couple of pats that were half-threatening, half-soothing.
The horse quickly settled down, becoming eerily quiet.
Seeing this, Chloe snorted.
Ha, as if a mere horse could outmaneuver her.
But her attention soon shifted from the horse. Chloe's gaze swept past the slim man in the sentry post and the perfectly carved stone monument, and she asked:
"Who was that guy? I've never seen anyone act so arrogantly in front of you in all my life."
Of course, she'd never seen anyone act so arrogantly in front of her either.
It was simply unimaginable.
Xavier's voice was calm, and he didn't even comment on his daughter's sudden acrobatics onto the horse:
"They're figures who operate in gray areas, not subject to the governance of any continental power. It's best not to mind them and avoid associating with them."
Hearing this, Chloe didn't nod in agreement, but instead muttered softly:
"Still, he shouldn't be that arrogant. Doesn't he fear we might burn him to ashes?"
Her tone was matter-of-fact. Xavier chuckled lightly:
"It wouldn't be worth it. There are always more of these types, never fewer. It may look like he's alone here, but in reality, these characters who band together on the fringes of legality are remarkably united."
"They're like hyenas fighting for food in the jungle. They won't rest until they've taken a bite out of their enemy."
At this point, Xavier turned his head slightly to glance at her: "In the future, when you encounter such people, or anyone associated with them, keep your distance. It's best to avoid unnecessary trouble."
"Oh." After understanding, Chloe didn't seem particularly concerned.
After all, she shouldn't have anything to do with them in this lifetime... Wait, maybe she did.
Chloe unconsciously shifted her gaze to Anderson, who was not far behind.
Anderson was always keenly aware of people's gazes, and within half a second, he was on the verge of looking up.
Chloe quickly averted her eyes and asked another question:
"So what's the meaning of that stone monument?"
Xavier's hand tightened on the reins, and after a long pause, he said:
"It's the symbol of the Mosby Trading Association. Didn't Ren Yunying tell you about it?"
Chloe thought carefully for a moment before answering honestly: "No."
Even if she had been told, she probably wouldn't remember. Chloe often didn't pay attention in class, so missing a few bits of knowledge here and there was normal for her.
Xavier: "Then you must not have been listening."
Chloe: "..."
Like father, like daughter. So that's how it was.
She pinched her nose, feeling slightly frustrated.
Xavier's voice came from the front again:
"Go ask Ren Yunying yourself when we get back."
As soon as he finished speaking, Chloe swung herself off the horse and ran away without stopping.
Damn it, Xavier still knew her too well.
Chloe headed straight for the carriage. Once she entered, Anderson no longer had a reason to stay outside and also walked towards the carriage.
However, just as he was about to lift the curtain to enter, he sensed a gaze fall upon him.
Anderson paused slightly, turning to look, and met Xavier's dark red, calm eyes.
He didn't speak. The two stared at each other for nearly half a minute before Xavier's indifferent gaze finally moved away.
Anderson lowered his eyes and stepped into the carriage.
The interior was exactly the same as when they had left. Qin Huaibei and the others were still engrossed in their childish and simple card game.
This time, however, Chloe wasn't participating. Instead, she was leaning against the window, idly watching the scenery outside.
Seeing Anderson enter, she turned her head and crooked her finger, her manner nonchalant.
Without hesitation, Anderson walked over to her: "Is there something you need?"
"Of course there is," Chloe said.
She straightened up slightly, her dark red eyes seriously fixed on him, her face bearing a hint of suspicion: "Do you know that man from earlier?"
After a moment of silence, Anderson asked, "The one in the sentry post?"
"Yes," Chloe said.
"I don't know him," Anderson answered with certainty.
Chloe clearly didn't believe him: "Really?"
"Mm." Anderson's tone was very calm, not sounding like he was lying. "That person, I truly don't know him."
Hearing this, Chloe furrowed her brow.
How could that be? If they didn't know each other, then why would that man...
Before she could finish her thought, Anderson continued:
"But he might know me."
Chloe suddenly looked up at him, confused.
Anderson maintained his calm and composure in both expression and tone, seemingly unaffected by external factors. His words, however, were utterly sincere:
"He knows me, but I don't necessarily know him."
Anderson continued: "Is there anything else the young miss would like to know?"
"I never keep secrets from you."
