Chapter 92: An Upright Person

Following Zhang Lai into the giant stone, Yan Buji's view suddenly changed!

Is this the cultivation market?

He saw cultivators walking one after another on the road, while the surrounding shops and street vendors smiled to attract customers. Lanterns were hung along the roadside; looking up, he saw the sky had unexpectedly darkened, and Yan Buji also saw some ordinary people among them. At that moment he was extremely shocked!

The Huo Xiong Zong Fang Shi market has three main streets: on this street they sell first- and second-turn spiritual materials; past that archway ahead, inside they sell miscellaneous law studies; the innermost street requires a net worth of over a hundred spiritual stones, and after verification one may enter—it is a place dedicated to selling various finished spiritual pills and accumulation devices!

Zhang Lai pointed ahead and spoke to Yan Buji continuously.

Spiritual materials.... Yan Buji knew a bit about them, but for him miscellaneous law studies were the most important!

Yan Buji widened his eyes, pointing ahead: "Zhang brother, I... I can go in and have a look?"

"Hahaha, Yan brother, what are you saying? We're not demonic cultivators who got into trouble—why wouldn't we be allowed in? The Huo Xiong Zong Fang Shi market isn't run like other sects; its management is relatively lax, so even if you'd committed some minor offenses, as long as you don't make a big fuss, their enforcement squad generally won't bother you." Zhang Lai laughed.

Yan Buji's eyes shifted, and he laughed: "That really suits us loose cultivators."

"Yes, loose cultivators are a mixed bag of dragons and snakes; for all you know, the loose cultivator passing by beside you might be a ruthless demonic cultivator. But I, Zhang Lai, have never misjudged a person—Yan brother, although you have some secrets, you're not a great villain. I also feel at ease letting you wander on your own. However, just looking is fine; if you want to buy something, you must have spiritual stones." Zhang Lai laughed.

Perhaps Zhang Lai was also moved by the Righteous Qi Song Yan Buji had produced earlier, and thus thought he wasn't a bad person.

After all, anyone who can grasp the law from the Righteous Qi Song and step into the cultivation world couldn't possibly be a bad person!

Although Zhang Lai was completely unaware, he had in fact never investigated Yan Buji's background.

Yan Buji took a deep breath, feeling somewhat moved, and cupped his hands: "Thank you, Brother Zhang, for your advice."

"Alright, go on—I happen to need to buy some things too."

"Yes, Brother Zhang, I hope we can meet again."

"Hahaha."

Zhang Lai waved his hand and sauntered into the market; Yan Buji lifted his head and glanced at him.

He really is a good person?

All along, Yan Buji never sensed any trace of Zhang Lai probing him; perhaps the other's methods were superb, but Yan Buji possessed a complete accumulation device, which is of extraordinary significance to a loose cultivator.

If he knew Yan Buji had an accumulation device yet chose not to act, it would show he truly had no interest in that thing;

But if he truly had no intention of prying into Yan Buji's background, merely a passing acquaintance willing to lend a hand, then Yan Buji could hardly imagine that such an upright cultivator exists in the cultivation world.

"If we ever meet again someday, then even if our positions oppose each other, I will let you go." Yan Buji said lightly.

This is already the greatest concession Yan Buji can make.

Within his ability, to repay today's kindness of advice, he wouldn't mind this small matter.

Although Yan Buji is deep‑schemed, Zhang Lai's uprightness truly deserves the title of 'gentleman'.

Simply because Yan Buji is a thoroughgoing villain, a true gentleman—naturally opposed to him—commands not only enmity but also considerable respect.

For example, if one day Zhang Lai might try every means to kill him, then if Yan Buji killed Zhang Lai, he would certainly not implicate his family.

In short, let's hope such a day never comes.

Yan Buji entered the market, his expression neutral, glanced around at the stalls, and suddenly his eyes lit up.

But then, recalling Zhang Lai's words, he shook his head and turned his gaze to the neighboring shop.

"I hope what I made can actually be sold."

Yan Buji entered the shop called Hundred Treasures Shop and saw a portly, big‑eared middle‑aged cultivator lounging in a chair, fanning himself leisurely; he cupped his hands and asked:

"Boss, this...."

"No spiritual stones, don't ask."

"I wanted to ask, Boss, do you buy items here?" Yan Buji asked cautiously.

"Yes, we do—what good stuff do you have? Make it clear beforehand: don't bring out any first‑ or second‑tier spiritual materials, for this is Hundred Treasures Shop, not a mountain‑goods stall." The middle‑aged cultivator said boredly.

Quite the character!

Yan Buji chuckled, took out the perfume he had prepared—or better said, the Insect‑Attracting Water.

"What thing is this fragrant.... Wait, what is this?"

The middle‑aged cultivator frowned, fanned himself, then suddenly realized something, hurriedly rose to look at the perfume on the table, and gave it a few puzzled glances.

"A no‑grade potion? What's it used for?"

"It can attract gu worms."

"Gu worms?! Oh right, I was saying that's why it smells so fragrant!" The middle‑aged cultivator pinched his nose; white vapor sprayed from one side, while a slightly sinister‑looking red centipede crawled out of his nostril onto the table, instantly climbing to the bottle's mouth, looking very eager.

Yan Buji's scalp went numb and his face drastically changed.

The middle‑aged cultivator's brows furrowed: "How? Haven't you seen a cultivator who raises gu worms?"

"I've never seen anyone raise gu worms in their nose either.... Sorry, my knowledge is limited." Yan Buji gave an embarrassed smile and cupped his hands.

"Hmph, what do you know? This first‑turn fragrance worm helps me discern the medicinal properties of most spiritual materials, separating the pure from the impure.... Forget it, explaining this to you would be wasted—you're just a mountain‑loose cultivator!"

Yan Buji chuckled: "Indeed, today is my first time coming here with Brother Zhang."

The middle‑aged cultivator's face changed: "Zhang Lai? You were brought in by him?"

Yan Buji raised his eyebrows: "Any problem?"

"No, no.... Since Zhang Lai brought you in, I won't cheat you—two spiritual stones. If you're willing to tell me how to make this, I can offer twenty spiritual stones."

"Deal!"

Yan Buji never thought about haggling over price—he didn't even know how valuable his perfume and its formula were, and rashly discussing price could cause the deal to collapse!

Moreover, the perfume is presumably useful only to those who raise gu worms, and he has no chance to encounter such a cultivation method.

As for the earlier agreement with that mysterious old woman Gu Li, it naturally doesn't count.

However, this Zhang Lai seems to have some reputation among the cultivation markets.

On the other hand, it wouldn't hurt to inquire further.

After receiving the spiritual stones, Yan Buji cupped his hands and asked: "Boss, is Brother Zhang Lai quite famous around here?"

"You don't know "Blood‑Handed Benevolent Gentleman" Zhang Lai?" The middle‑aged cultivator's face looked strange.

I really didn't know Brother Zhang Lai had such a title.

The middle-aged cultivator chuckled: "This Zhang Lai is a loose cultivator at the Peak of Qi Refining Layer; one step further and he'd be a top expert of the Foundation Establishment Stage! He usually likes to make friends, but he doesn't like others bullying with power, so he's also quite upright. However, when it comes to dealing with demonic and heretical paths, he's ruthless—so far he's killed at least over fifty demonic cultivators!"

That powerful?!

Yan Buji's pupils constricted.

It seems that by pretending to be a clueless rookie earlier, I actually avoided the notice of this killer deity.