Chapter 160: Chapter 160: Preparing to Set Out

160. Chapter 160: Preparing to Set Out

"Little brother, just call me Old Lou from now on; we're now shipmates, no need to be formal. By the way, little brother, I still don't know your name," Lou Gao said cheerfully to Li Xuan.

Lou Gao, being an old fellow with thick skin, had already become someone's Guest Elder, yet still didn't know the person's name; it was indeed awkward, but no hint of embarrassment showed on Lou Gao's face.

"I am Li Xuan, Old Lou; you can call me Xuan Ge'er," Li Xuan said with a smile, nodding.

"Fine, then I'll call you Xuan Ge'er. By the way, we should look into the location of your estate. How about this: in the name of the Blacksmith Guild, I'll purchase a manor for you near Gengxin City. What do you think?" Lou Gao took a damp towel and wiped his face.

Such furnace incidents probably happen often, so his face‑wiping was unusually practiced.

"Old Lou, that's unnecessary, but I'd like the Blacksmith Guild to scout for a suitable estate for sale," Li Xuan said with a smile, declining Lou Gao's suggestion.

I'm not short of money, so there's no need to owe the Blacksmith Guild a favor over this.

Besides, I have Dragon Tooth Rice, a treasure that makes soil fertile, so any location will do.

"Alright, no problem," Lou Gao nodded and replied.

"By the way, Old Lou, I still need to return to a manor in the Tian Dou Empire, but I can't reveal my identity, since I've offended the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect," Li Xuan thought for a moment, then said seriously to Lou Gao.

Li Xuan thought of his Small Club and his Six-Stage Yellow Turban Warrior Talisman.

"I see... By the way, Si Long, isn't your junior brother Si Yu about to go to Tian Dou City? Have Si Yu take Xuan Ge'er to the Tian Dou Empire and on the way visit Xuan Ge'er's manor, and you spend the next two days helping Xuan Ge'er find a suitable place," Lou Gao said to Si Long.

"Yes, teacher, Xuan Ge'er, what requirements do you have for the manor?" Si Long replied to Lou Gao, then turned to Li Xuan and asked him.

"The more remote, the better; the terrain should be rugged, and if a secluded noble estate is for sale, that's ideal," Li Xuan said after thinking, addressing Si Long.

"Alright, I'll dispatch people shortly to search for you. If something suitable turns up, I'll give you the information when you return," Si Long nodded.

"That's it, Si Long, first take Xuan Ge'er to find Si Yu; he should be departing today or tomorrow," Lou Gao suddenly reminded.

"Yes, teacher," Si Long bowed and saluted Lou Gao.

"Xuan Ge'er, come with me; first let you get to know that kid Si Yu," Si Long said with a smile to Li Xuan, then led Li Xuan away from the fifth floor of the Blacksmith Guild.

Li Xuan followed Si Long out of the Blacksmith Guild and arrived at a large courtyard behind the guild.

The courtyard was bustling with people, many of whom were moving all sorts of weapons and gear.

Si Yu's trip is to purchase a batch of Tian Dou Empire‑specific ores; these metals are produced only in the Tian Dou Empire. Thus he must procure them regularly and also sell a batch of equipment in exchange for Gold Soul Coins.

Although the Star Luo Empire doesn't want the Blacksmith Guild to sell these weapons, there's no choice; they can't pressure the guild too much, or else the Blacksmith Guild would simply relocate to the Tian Dou Empire.

Moreover, the Star Luo Empire can't consume all the goods produced by the Blacksmith Guild, so it permits the guild to sell weapons and equipment abroad, albeit with certain restrictions on what can be sold.

"Si Yu, come here a moment," Si Long called to Si Yu, who was moving equipment.

Si Yu was tall and broad‑shouldered, muscular all over, looking as if he were carved from the same mold as Si Long; Li Xuan wouldn't believe they weren't brothers. "Second brother, what's up?" Si Yu set down the goods, stepped before Si Long, scratched his head innocently, and asked.

"Si Yu, this young man is the teacher's friend and needs to return to a location in the Tian Dou Empire incognito; you must escort him there safely and bring him back safely," Si Long said solemnly to Si Yu.

"Huh?" Si Yu blinked, looking at Li Xuan, who was as thin as a bean sprout; he couldn't imagine this was his teacher's friend, and the age didn't match either.

Could it be his teacher's illegitimate son... or illegitimate grandson? That doesn't add up; the teacher has no reason to hide.

For a moment, Si Yu's mind filled with countless possibilities.

"Alright, Second brother, don't worry," Si Yu, though curious, patted his chest and accepted the task.

"When do we set out?" Si Long asked Si Yu again.

"We'll depart tomorrow morning; in about ten days we can reach Tian Dou City. Rest assured, it's an old route, no issues," Si Yu pointed to the convoy packed behind him.

"Alright, you go often, so I'm at ease, but the journey is long; stay safe and return early," Si Long patted Si Yu's shoulder and advised seriously.

"Don't worry, Second brother, we run this road several times each year; no problem," Si Yu chuckled.

"Alright, I'll head back now and take good care of this little brother," Si Long nodded and turned away.

"Second brother, take care," Si Yu said with a smile, waving.

After Si Long left completely, Si Yu turned his gaze back to Li Xuan.

"Hello, big brother Si Yu, to be frank, I've offended the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect and need to hide my identity, so I won't reveal my whereabouts to you this time; when I return, I'll host a banquet to atone," Li Xuan said with a smile to Si Yu.

The Seven Treasures Glazed Sect has eyes spread across the entire Douluo Continent, so Li Xuan must be doubly cautious to evade their tracking.

In the Star Luo Empire it's fine, since the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect's main base is in the Tian Dou Empire, and their surveillance within Tian Dou is extremely tight; therefore Li Xuan dares not let his guard down there, though he can relax a bit in the Star Luo Empire.

"Kid, don't worry. Even though Second brother sounds serious, it's fine; even if you don't tell me, I won't mind. Tell me where you want to go, and I'll arrange it," Si Yu said with a simple smile, noting he knew Li Xuan's identity wasn't ordinary.

"A manor near the Blue Tyrant Academy; you just need to reach a nearby village, which has a secret passage," Li Xuan told Si Yu.

"Got it, no problem. I'll plot a route so you reach that village without noticing. Depart tomorrow morning; if you have business, handle it first and come back tomorrow morning. If not, there's a vacant room here where you can rest for the night," Si Yu nodded and said to Li Xuan.

Li Xuan thought for a moment; he still had five slaves under his command.

"Brother Si Yu, how about this: I'll come over again tomorrow morning," Li Xuan said, nodding.

"Alright, see you tomorrow morning," Si Yu said, smiling and patting Li Xuan's shoulder.

Li Xuan clasped his fists in a salute to Si Yu, then turned and left. (End of Chapter)