Chapter 392: Ghost Tower (Happy New Year's Eve)

For two months, news regarding the Song family flew everywhere.

The first was a letter from Han Yingjie, who had entered the Heaven Strategy Academy. It intimidated the opportunistic factions in Yangcheng, causing them to abandon their plans to annex the Song family's assets and withdraw their reaching hands.

After the remnants of the Song family shed businesses that required experts to operate, most of their assets were preserved.

With Han Yingjie’s letter, the Purple Sun Gate also stepped in to help.

The second piece of news was that on the day the Song family incident occurred, Liu Qingyuan, who had been close friends with Song Yushao, announced he was going into seclusion.

Those who understood Liu Qingyuan knew he was worried that intervening in the Song family’s affairs would provoke the expert who had killed Song Yushao.

It was through this event that Xu Yang learned of Liu Qingyuan’s cautious nature.

If he wanted to lure and kill Liu Qingyuan, he could not drag it out; if he waited too long, Liu Qingyuan’s cautious personality would make it difficult to trick him.

"I'll go find Senior Brother first!"

Xu Yang left the courtyard to find Gao Lin.

He had a pile of spiritual iron and semi-spiritual weapons on him, all of which were illicit goods he had no use for.

He also had three spiritual weapons; even if he kept Song Yushao’s sword for Xu Qing, he still had one he could sell.

If he had a channel to sell them, it would be best to trade the spiritual iron and such for spiritual medicine.

After knocking on Gao Lin’s door, Gao Lin warmly invited Xu Yang inside.

His face looked increasingly aged; the lifespan he had lost back then had never been replenished.

"Junior Brother, do you have business here?" After a few pleasantries, Gao Lin took the initiative to ask.

Xu Yang nodded: "I wanted to ask Senior Brother if you know of any secret channels where one can sell illicit goods..."

He did not avoid Gao Lin, as Gao Lin was already aware that he had obtained the Green Water Saber after killing Song Shixian. Using the excuse of selling the Green Water Saber to probe Gao Lin would not raise any suspicion.

"Are you looking to trade for elixirs or money?" Gao Lin asked.

Xu Yang’s eyes lit up; since Gao Lin spoke this way, he clearly knew about such things.

"I want to trade for spiritual medicine."

He didn't need money; the money he had was enough for Xu Qing to spend.

What he needed now could not be bought with money.

As for elixirs, Gao Lin likely meant elixirs for the Marrow Cleansing realm like the Dragon-Tiger Great Golden Pill, but he was already at the Heaven Origin realm, so Marrow Cleansing elixirs were of little use to him.

Even after giving a portion of the elixirs obtained from the Song family treasury to Xu Qing, he still had plenty left.

"There is such a place, but I cannot guarantee the safety aspect. You must weigh it yourself and bear the risks," Gao Lin said.

Spiritual weapons are tempting; those who collect such things are not kind-hearted. If things go wrong, they might kill you to keep the goods, or leak information.

Xu Yang nodded: "Where is it?"

"It’s right here in Yangcheng, called the Ghost Tower. They specialize in collecting illicit goods and transporting them elsewhere to sell. For transactions, you can choose barter or silver taels.

Semi-spiritual weapons, spiritual weapons, or spiritual iron can be exchanged for spiritual medicine there based on their value.

It looks like a tavern on the surface. When you go, tell the shopkeeper 'Business flourishes across the four seas,' and they will know you are there to sell goods.

If you are not satisfied with their offer, remember not to argue with them; just leave.

It is rumored that the Ghost Tower is backed by the Burning Heaven Gate, one of the Demonic Sects, or perhaps a major clan in Yunzhou. They are very troublesome. Do not start a fight there, and if you go, try to conceal your true appearance.

Regardless of whether the transaction succeeds, be careful when you leave. People who do this kind of business have no integrity."

Xu Yang cupped his hands: "Many thanks for the guidance, Senior Brother Gao."

After exchanging a few more words and learning the specific location of the Ghost Tower, Xu Yang rose to leave.

Returning to his courtyard, he selected some common spiritual iron and two semi-spiritual weapons, and also brought the Green Water Saber with him. He planned to test the Ghost Tower with these items and see if he could lure out Liu Qingyuan.

He slowly descended Li Fire Peak, left the Purple Sun Gate, and arrived in Yangcheng at a leisurely pace. Liu Qingyuan did not appear.

Finding an alley, he put on a bamboo hat and a mask. After about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, he found the Ghost Tower.

It was a dilapidated-looking tavern with a rotting sign, and there were only a few sparse customers inside.

Xu Yang walked in. The waiter did not come forward to greet him, instead napping on a stool to the side. Even the shopkeeper was yawning repeatedly and ignored his arrival entirely.

"Business flourishes across the four seas," Xu Yang said to the counter in a hoarse voice.

The shopkeeper, who had been yawning and ignoring him, immediately perked up, revealed a smile, and said: "Distinguished guest, please follow me."

As he spoke, he stepped out from behind the counter and headed toward the backyard.

Xu Yang noticed that the few customers drinking all had their gazes fixed on him.

These people carried a murderous aura and had sharp, piercing eyes; they were clearly not kind-hearted.

He followed the shopkeeper and soon entered a room in the backyard. The room was sparsely furnished, with nothing but a table and a few stools.

"What does the guest wish to sell?" The shopkeeper smiled and invited Xu Yang to sit.

"Two semi-spiritual weapons and a few pieces of spiritual iron, but I only want spiritual medicine." Xu Yang placed the items on the table.

Most of the spiritual iron he had came from the Purple Sun Gate, so he could only sell it here.

The Ghost Tower shopkeeper didn't rush to look at the items, instead smiling: "Does the guest want specific spiritual medicine, or will any kind do?"

"Any spiritual medicine will do!" Xu Yang said.

If he requested specific medicine and they didn't have it, the transaction couldn't be completed.

Besides, he didn't need to refine elixirs right now, nor did he have any particular need for specific herbs.

The Ghost Tower shopkeeper nodded and opened Xu Yang’s items to inspect them: "Two semi-spiritual weapons can be exchanged for one two-year-old spiritual herb. These spiritual irons can be exchanged for two two-year-old spiritual herbs.

If the guest is willing to trade, I will go fetch the medicine."

Xu Yang frowned. If he turned these items over to the Purple Sun Gate, he would certainly get more than three spiritual herbs.

Even the Purple Sun Gate exploited its disciples, but his items were worth at least four two-year-old spiritual herbs. The Ghost Tower’s offer was barely half of what the Purple Sun Gate would give—they were even more ruthless.

Seemingly noticing Xu Yang’s dissatisfaction, the shopkeeper smiled: "Is this the guest’s first time here? I haven't intentionally lowballed you.

This price is indeed low, but you must know that to avoid trouble, we have to spend a great deal to transport these items elsewhere to sell.

Furthermore, if the items you sell have too prominent an origin, my Ghost Tower could get into trouble, and those costs must be factored in.

Also, we have to give a cut to the Purple Sun Gate. In truth, we don't make much."

The Purple Sun Gate actually collected protection money here; this was something Xu Yang hadn't expected.

However, after a moment's thought, he understood. For such a place to remain open in Yangcheng without being rooted out, the Purple Sun Gate must have a share in it. A strong dragon cannot suppress a local snake.

Of course, Xu Yang took the claim about not making much with a grain of salt.

People who do this kind of business aim for huge profits; otherwise, who would be willing to take such risks?

"Give me one more spiritual herb. This price is a bit low," Xu Yang said.

The shopkeeper pondered slightly and said: "I cannot give any more spiritual medicine. How about this: I’ll add one thousand silver taels. If the guest is willing to trade, I will go get the medicine now. If not, then please feel free to leave."

Xu Yang knew the other party wouldn't raise the price further, so he nodded and agreed.

Although it was a loss, he had nowhere else to sell these items, so even if the price was low, he had to grit his teeth and accept it.

Rather than letting the items gather dust, it was better to trade them for something truly useful.

He didn't intend to build his own faction, so hoarding these things was useless.

"Please wait a moment, guest!" The shopkeeper smiled and rose to leave.

Before long, he returned with a middle-aged man.

This man was carrying a tray with three jade boxes and a silver note, his gaze flickering toward Xu Yang.

"Please take a look, guest. If the items are correct, the transaction is complete." The shopkeeper pushed the tray over.

Xu Yang opened the three boxes one by one; each contained a crystal lotus root, with spiritual energy similar to what he had obtained from the Su family treasury.

He now understood many spiritual herbs; crystal lotus roots were arguably the most common, easy to cultivate, and had very average effects, primarily providing spiritual energy.

"The items are fine!" Xu Yang collected the three jade boxes and the one thousand silver taels, then stood up and left directly.

"Three spiritual herbs and one thousand silver taels. Should I go retrieve them?" the middle-aged man holding the tray asked, squinting his eyes.

For the Ghost Tower, the real profit in this business wasn't the price difference between buying and selling, but rather robbing the customer after the deal was done. That was the true windfall.

Of course, they usually wouldn't act unless the target was a "fat sheep," as they needed to maintain a certain reputation to attract business.

"Go. Make it clean. He intentionally disguised his voice, but did he think I couldn't tell he was a young man?" the shopkeeper smiled.

Young meant low cultivation and easy to deal with.

The other party was using a breath-concealing technique, so he couldn't sense the exact cultivation level, but judging by the voice, he was only about twenty years old.

At that age, most people hadn't even broken into the Marrow Cleansing realm. In the Purple Sun Gate, only Li Chuyang, Jiang Fan, and Xu Yang had reached the peak of Marrow Cleansing at that age.

There weren't that many spiritual herbs in the world; these were just bait.

"Understood!"

The middle-aged man nodded, turned, and pushed the door open to leave.