Chapter 18: Sneaking into Qingyun City? I'll Deliver the Goods to Your Door!

Qingyun City, West Market entrance.

Lin Xuan, disguised as a middle-aged loose cultivator named "Mu Er," paid the entry fee and, with his head lowered, blended into the flow of people entering this familiar city.

The atmosphere inside the city was even more subtle than he had imagined. In the street gossip, "Black Wind Shanzhai," "Consultant Lin," and "black dog blood" remained high-frequency terms, but in the expressions of those discussing them, beyond mere curiosity, there was a hint of imperceptible tension. The patrols of the City Guard were noticeably more frequent, their sharp eyes scanning the passing pedestrians.

Lin Xuan could feel several obscure spiritual senses sweeping quietly through the crowd like a spiderweb. This was definitely not a method the City Guard possessed; it was more like... sect cultivators!

Was it the Nether Sect? Or some other force?

He was vigilant in his heart, pushing his "Turtle Breath Art" and "Breath Concealment Technique" to the limit. Combined with "Thousand-Face Phantom," he now perfectly matched a struggling low-level Qi Refining loose cultivator in appearance, aura, and spiritual power fluctuations, appearing completely unremarkable.

He did not go directly to the Four Seas Trading Firm, but instead made a round of several familiar teahouses and restaurants, pricking up his ears to gather information.

"Have you heard? A few days ago, the Zhao family hired an alchemist guest at a high price, supposedly from the Imperial Capital!"

"More than that! The Zhao family is also secretly recruiting experts, requiring a cultivation base of at least mid-stage Foundation Establishment, and the rewards are extremely generous. Who knows what they are planning."

"What else could they be doing? It must have something to do with Black Wind Shanzhai! City Lord Zhao suffered a setback at the hands of Lin Xuan last time; could he just let it go?"

"I don't think so. Perhaps they are guarding against retaliation from the Nether Sect? After all, the Zhao family was close to the Nether Sect before, and now that the Nether Sect has fallen at Black Wind Shanzhai, who knows if they will vent their anger on the Zhao family?"

Piecing together the fragmented information, Lin Xuan had a clearer judgment of the Zhao family's movements: they were accumulating strength for an unknown purpose, but it was certainly related to the recent turmoil.

He specifically detoured to the vicinity of the City Lord's Mansion to take a look. Sure enough, the defenses of the City Lord's Mansion were several times stricter than before, and there were faint fluctuations of an array emanating from it.

"Guilty conscience?" Lin Xuan sneered. That old fox Zhao Wuji must be plotting something.

Feeling that he had gathered enough information, Lin Xuan headed toward the Four Seas Trading Firm.

The Four Seas Trading Firm was still bustling with people and thriving. Lin Xuan did not go to find Qian Wanguan, as that would be too conspicuous. He went straight to the counter where the firm purchased medicinal herbs and materials, and lined up at the back of the queue.

When it was his turn, he lowered his voice and said to the clerk behind the counter in a hoarse tone: "I have a batch of high-quality 'Blue Condensation Flowers' and would like to see Master Sun to discuss long-term cooperation."

As he spoke, he carefully took out a mutated Condensation Dew Flower, stored in a jade box, which emitted a faint blue halo.

The clerk had been indifferent, but upon seeing the Blue Condensation Flower brimming with spiritual energy, his eyes lit up! He knew his goods; this quality was far beyond ordinary stock!

"Please wait a moment! I will report to Master Sun immediately!" The clerk dared not be negligent and hurriedly ran into the inner hall with the jade box.

Before long, the clerk respectfully invited Lin Xuan into a quiet room in the inner hall. Master Sun, with his white hair and beard, was holding the Blue Condensation Flower, examining it with great affection.

"Wonderful! The spiritual energy is pure and full of vitality! The quality is even better than the last batch!" Seeing Lin Xuan, a trace of doubt flashed in Master Sun's eyes; he did not recognize this "Mu Er." "Fellow Daoist, this Blue Condensation Flower..."

Lin Xuan smiled slightly, removed part of the "Thousand-Face Phantom" disguise to reveal some of his original contours, and transmitted his voice: "Master Sun, have you been well?"

Master Sun was stunned at first, then his pupils shrank as he recognized Lin Xuan! He was horrified in his heart, never expecting that this "Consultant Lin," who had stirred up such trouble, would dare to sneak into Qingyun City in person and come to find him so boldly!

After all, he was an old hand in the world; he instantly regained his composure, waved his hand to set up a sound-proof barrier, and smiled bitterly: "Lin... Fellow Daoist Mu, you are truly... possessed of extraordinary courage!"

"Master is too kind." Lin Xuan restored his disguise and said sternly, "Let's skip the small talk. I risked coming here for two reasons: first, for the subsequent supply of spiritual herbs, and second, I have important matters to consult with you and Deacon Qian."

"Please speak."

"First, I need news of 'Condensation Jade Liquid,' or any clues to treasures that can assist in forming a Golden Core. Second, I want to know if there are any other suspicious forces or individuals active in Qingyun City recently, besides the Nether Sect and the Zhao family? Especially those... who might be related to destiny, divination, or the like."

Hearing this, Master Sun's expression became grave. He pondered for a moment and said: "Condensation Jade Liquid is extremely rare. As far as I know, in three months, the 'Heavenly Treasure Pavilion' in the Imperial Capital will hold a large auction, and this item might appear then. But the competition will inevitably be fierce, and the price will likely be astronomical."

Heavenly Treasure Pavilion auction? Lin Xuan noted this information. Although it was distant and difficult, he finally had a goal.

"As for the second question..." Master Sun lowered his voice, "Deacon Qian also instructed us to keep an eye out. Recently, there have indeed been some new faces in the city. Besides the secret agents of the Nether Sect, there seems to be another group of people whose movements are mysterious; they don't look like local sects, nor are they demonic cultivators. They seem to be... searching for something, or someone. Deacon Qian suspects it might be related to you."

As expected! Lin Xuan's heart tightened. An accomplice of that "destiny peeper"? Or another force entirely?

"Where is Deacon Qian now? I want to see him in person."

Master Sun shook his head: "Unfortunately, Deacon Qian was ordered three days ago to go to the Imperial Capital headquarters to report for duty and will not return in the short term. Before he left, he left a message: if... if Fellow Daoist Mu came, I should pass on four words to you."

"Which four words?"

"Beware the Zhao family."

Beware the Zhao family! Qian Wanguan had also noticed the abnormality of the Zhao family!

Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed. It seemed the Zhao family's problem was more serious than he had imagined. They were not just accumulating strength; they were likely already acting in the shadows!

Just then, a burst of hurried footsteps came from outside the quiet room, accompanied by the clerk's panicked voice: "Master Sun! It's bad! Outside... some people from the Zhao family have arrived, led by Steward Zhao! They say they want to search our trading firm for a wanted criminal from the Nether Sect!"

They were here! The Zhao family moved so fast!

The expressions of Lin Xuan and Master Sun changed simultaneously.

"How did they know I came here?" Lin Xuan's mind raced. He had been very careful the whole way; had he been spotted when he first entered the trading firm? Or had the Zhao family been monitoring the Four Seas Trading Firm all along?

"Fellow Daoist Mu, you must leave through the back door!" Master Sun said hurriedly, "The Zhao family is here with ill intent this time!"

Lin Xuan shook his head, a trace of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes: "Leaving now would only confirm their suspicions, and the back door may not be safe."

His gaze swept across the quiet room, and seeing several sets of the Four Seas Trading Firm's uniform clerk attire in the corner, he immediately had an idea.

"Master, my apologies!"

He quickly stripped off a set of clerk's clothes to wear over his own, and used "Thousand-Face Phantom" to slightly adjust his facial muscles, making himself look more like an ordinary trading firm clerk. Then, he picked up an empty tea tray from the table nearby, lowered his head, and assumed the appearance of someone preparing to go out to work.

"You..." Master Sun instantly understood his intention; this was too bold!

"The most dangerous place is the safest place." Lin Xuan winked at Master Sun and whispered, "They can do their searching, I'll do my delivering."

After saying this, he carried the tea tray, opened the door of the quiet room, lowered his head, and blended in with the other clerks who were somewhat panicked by the intrusion of the Zhao family.

Outside the quiet room, Steward Zhao, accompanied by several fierce-looking guards, was confronting the manager of the trading firm with a cold face.

"Steward Zhao, what is the meaning of this? Is my Four Seas Trading Firm a place you can search just because you say so?" The manager's expression was ugly.

"Hmph! I am acting on orders! To capture a wanted criminal of the Nether Sect! Someone saw him enter your trading firm! Anyone who obstructs us will be treated as an accomplice!" Steward Zhao's tone was firm, his eyes scanning everyone in the hall like a hawk.

Lin Xuan carried the tea tray, walking steadily toward the side door in the opposite direction of Steward Zhao, though his heartbeat accelerated involuntarily. He could feel Steward Zhao's sharp gaze sweep over his back several times.

Don't panic! The more you panic, the easier it is to reveal flaws!

He imitated the other clerks, slightly hunching his back to appear humble and busy.

Just as he was about to step out of the side door, thinking he had safely passed—

"Stop!" Steward Zhao's cold voice suddenly rang out behind him!

Lin Xuan's body stiffened, and his footsteps halted.

Was he discovered?!

He turned around slowly, squeezing a look of panic and confusion onto his face: "Steward, my lord, are you calling me? I... I am just going to deliver tea to a guest..."

Steward Zhao narrowed his eyes, looking the "clerk" up and down, feeling that something was wrong but unable to put his finger on it. The aura was correct, the appearance was ordinary, it was just that he felt... too calm? The other clerks were all too scared to move, so why did he dare to walk around?

"Which department are you from? Who are you delivering tea to?" Steward Zhao asked sternly.

Lin Xuan's mind raced, trying to think of a reasonable excuse—

"Bang!"

The front door of the Four Seas Trading Firm was suddenly kicked open from the outside! An arrogant and domineering voice came in:

"Old Dog Zhao! Are you tired of living? How dare you come to my Four Seas Trading Firm to run wild?! Do you really think my Qian family has no one left?!"

A young master dressed in luxurious brocade robes, holding a folding fan, with an arrogant expression, walked in swaggeringly with a group of even stronger guards. He ignored Steward Zhao directly and his gaze fell on the pretty female clerk next to... Lin Xuan, his eyes lighting up.

"Oh? This little lady is not bad! This young master happens to be thirsty; bring this tea to my room!"

After the young master finished speaking, he ignored everyone present, stepped forward, grabbed the terrified female clerk, and dragged her toward the backyard.

This sudden turn of events left everyone stunned.

Steward Zhao's face turned livid; he clearly recognized this playboy as the grandson of a powerful elder from the Four Seas Trading Firm's headquarters, who was working at the Qingyun City branch to gain experience. He was usually overbearing, and even he dared not easily offend him.

Taking advantage of the moment when everyone's attention was drawn by the playboy, Lin Xuan thought "Heaven helps me," immediately lowered his head, carried the tea tray, and quickly slipped out of the side door, disappearing into the complex corridors of the trading firm's backyard.

When Steward Zhao reacted and wanted to find that "suspicious" clerk again, he was already nowhere to be seen.

"Bastard!" Steward Zhao was so angry he punched the counter next to him, knowing that he had been inadvertently disrupted by the playboy.

And Lin Xuan, who had successfully escaped, leaned against the wall in a deserted corner and let out a long sigh of relief.

That was close! He almost capsized in the gutter!

That playboy... had unintentionally done him a huge favor.

However, the Zhao family's search and the appearance of that playboy both indicated that the current situation in Qingyun City was like a pot of oil about to boil; a single spark could cause a total explosion!

"Condensation Jade Liquid... Heavenly Treasure Pavilion auction..."

"Beware the Zhao family..."

"Mysterious force peeping..."

Lin Xuan sorted through the information he had obtained, his eyes gradually becoming sharp.

"It seems I cannot stay in this Qingyun City any longer."

"I must leave as soon as possible, and before I leave, I must... leave a 'souvenir' for the Zhao family!"

An idea to divert the disaster and pick up some benefits along the way gradually took shape in his mind.

(Chapter 18 End)