Chapter 604 - 603: Tavern Interlude, Carefree Taoist

The street corner tavern Li Jing was interested in was worn and decrepit on the outside, and naturally no better on the inside.

But this kind of place.

Indeed, it was the place most frequented by all sorts of people.

The run-down condition both inside and out meant that the price was naturally not high.

With low prices, it naturally catered to the low-income population of Nightly City who lacked money and power.

If they really set the lowest price starting with top grade Immortal Crystals, such a place would not attract the corresponding clientele.

But you wouldn’t believe it.

Upon entering and finding a seat in the tavern, Li Jing found that the tavern did indeed offer some quite valuable good wines.

Even though he didn’t understand what they were just from the names, if a single cup cost five top grade Immortal Crystals, they couldn’t be bad.

As it stands.

Li Jing, who once abstained from alcohol, was now a bit choosy.

Most of this was due to Li Lingyin’s influence.

If it wasn’t for this woman clutching her wine gourd all day and wanting to share with him every now and then, he would never drink.

But since he had tasted it.

And he had tasted the top-quality wine brewed by Li Lingyin.

To say that he didn’t develop a taste for it would be a lie.

Good wine and good food.

Who wouldn’t like it?

Sitting down in a relatively secluded corner of the tavern with Xiang Yunxian, Li Jing called over the waiter and ordered a jar of the best wine in the tavern, "Drunken Beauty," along with some snacks.

The "Drunken Beauty", which cost five top-grade Immortal Crystals per cup, was ordered by Li Jing in a large jar.

In a minute, he had already spent hundreds of top grade Immortal Crystals.

How dare the waiter be negligent?

Indeed, their tavern catered to the lower classes of Nightly City, and the fine wines were mainly stored for unexpected needs.

It’s true that the tavern was for the lower class of Nightly City, but no one can be sure if a big shot would come with some purpose.

Like Li Jing, who came searching for various oddities.

Nevertheless, this was Nightly City.

It was common for cultivators to suddenly become rich overnight due to some exceptionally high-quality rare items they stumbled upon, and after becoming rich, wouldn’t people want to enjoy themselves?

This waiter was sharp-minded.

Seeing Li Jing’s generous behavior and having a stunning beauty like Xiang Yunxian as a companion, he instantly realized that they were not ordinary customers, rather the former possibility out of the two kinds of customers that ordered "Drunken Beauty".

In other words, a big shot with a specific purpose.

Knowing he was a big shot, he couldn’t afford to neglect him.

The Immortal Realm was not like Blue Star.

People were capricious, killing people at the drop of a hat, and even taking lives lightly. They were everywhere.

And people in the Immortal Realm were quite strange.

The higher the status, the stronger the power, the more likely they were to be extreme.

Especially in a place like Nightly City.

You never know if someone you inadvertently offend might be someone who views human life as insignificant or is small-minded...

Not long after Li Jing placed his order, the waiter had quickly brought everything.

"This is what you ordered, sir. If there’s anything else you need, feel free to call me at any time."

Li Jing is a smart man.

Seeing the waiter’s service attitude, he easily realizes that he had seen through his unordinary customer status in this chaotic place.

In such a place, full of jeering, cursing and laughing, a waiter won’t easily show sincerity to any customer.

Considering all sorts of people he might stumble upon while working here, he wouldn’t expect a reward for showing kindness to anyone.

Taking up the wine jar and pouring two glasses, Li Jing spoke up.

"I won’t have any instructions for you for the time being, but there is one thing you might be able to help me with."

While he was talking, he handed a glass of wine to Xiang Yunxian and casually took out ten top grade Immortal Crystals and placed them on the table.

"There should be quite a few well-informed customers in your tavern. Could you help me find a reliable one?"

Seeing the ten top grade Immortal Crystals taken out by Li Jing, the waiter’s eyes lit up.

This was truly generous of him.

Ten Top Grade Immortal Crystals might not be much in Nightly City, where people often suddenly become rich, but for him, a bottom-class worker in the tavern, it was a considerable amount of money.

The key was.

He lacked the ability to leave the city to search for spiritual treasures and could only support himself with this job.

After quickly checking left and right to make sure no one was watching, the waiter accepted the Immortal Crystals with care and said.

"Sir, there are indeed many well-informed customers in the tavern, but very few reliable ones, most are just talking nonsense. Of course, it doesn’t necessarily mean that what they say is nonsense, there are times when they are reliable. If you don’t mind, I can help you to find a couple now."

Continuing, he lowered his voice slightly.

"Among the customers of our tavern, the ones who have a lot of information and are genuinely reliable are only two people, unfortunately, they both are not here today. One of them I believe is not in the city right now, the other, I heard, recently made some money and is probably spending time at the Cloud Rain Building or Xianglan Courtyard."

Hearing the waiter’s words, Li Jing slightly frowned, shook the wine cup in his hand, and looked up.

"Do you have a way to find the one who might be in the city and bring him here?"

As he spoke, he took out a heavenly treasure-level spiritual fruit that was not too valuable and handed it over.

Immortal Crystals.

Li Jing did not lack them.

But revealing too many in a place like the tavern was not appropriate.

Replacing them with a spiritual fruit was most fitting.

The waiter quickly took the fruit with both hands, but instead of hiding it, he held it in his sleeve and said.

"I can try to locate him, and I’ll be back in a quarter of an hour at the latest. However, I can’t promise you that I will definitely find that person."

"Alright, I’ll wait for you."

Li Jing nodded and said.

"Don’t worry, even if you can’t find the person, I won’t ask for the reward back. Whether you find the person or not, just send me a message."

"Alright."

The waiter agreed promptly.

Even if he couldn’t handle the task, the reward would still be his.

Who wouldn’t enjoy hearing that?

Having said that, the waiter didn’t delay.

"Sir, I’ll just notify the tavern owner, then I’ll go find the person."

He put away the Spirit Fruit, reassured by those words, and then strode away.

Xiang Yunxian watched him walk away, then turned her head back with an incredulous expression.

"Master, did you just blindly trust a Ascending Immortal Realm waiter from this tavern?"

"So what if he’s an Ascending Immortal? Didn’t you start from there as well?"

Li Jing chuckled and said.

"Don’t disrespect someone just because their cultivation level is low. You just got lucky and were born into a good family with excellent natural talent. If you were born in the same era and under the same family circumstances, you might not even be as successful as him."

As he spoke, he picked up his wine cup and took a sip.

"This guy was able to make a living in Nightly City and settle down with just his Eighth Realm cultivation level. Can you imagine being able to do the same?"

Faced with these remarks, Xiang Yunxian began to feel somewhat unwilling to admit it.

Her success today.

It hadn’t solely been due to her family background, natural talent, and early birth.

Though she hadn’t exactly gone through hardship per se.

But the tiredness, the struggle and even humiliation, she had experienced all of them in the past.

But, hearing Li Jing’s final words, her pride slowly faded.

Given the same position.

And the same background and cultivation practice, she feared she indeed might not be able to establish a foothold in Nightly City like the waiter had.

She bit her red lips, and then asked.

"So, Master, we are just waiting for the waiter’s message now?"

"Now that we have a lead, there’s no need to rush towards another direction."

Li Jing responded and continued.

"If the guy dared to claim that he knows the person we are looking for, then he must have reliable information and familiarity with the person. Randomly picking someone else from this tavern might not be as reliable."

With that, he gave a light smile.

"Let’s be patient, enjoy some wine and food."

Xiang Yunxian nodded, picked up her wine cup mimicking Li Jing, swirled it a bit and then took a sip.

Immediately after.

She sprayed out the wine in a "puff".

Leaving the table covered in wine.

Seeing this, Li Jing stiffened, and then the corners of his mouth twitched.

The people at the surrounding tables were burst into laughter.

A person, from not too far away, boldly called out.

"Miss! Can you not handle your liquor? If you can’t drink, then don’t! Enjoy the wine and the company, there’s no need to waste good wine!"

Xiang Yunxian was immediately embarrassed and went red in the face.

Seeing someone openly making fun of her, her face darkened further.

This person, dared to laugh at her!

And even had the audacity to openly mock her!?

He’s looking for trouble!

But considering Li Jing was present, she dared not act rashly and could only take out a handkerchief to wipe her red lips and looked over with a wronged expression.

Seeing this, Li Jing shook his head in silence, saying.

"If you can’t handle your liquor, you should’ve said so. Isn’t it embarrassing to make a scene?"

Compared to the wine brewed by Li Lingyin, this Mei Ren Zui was indeed a bit inferior.

But its taste justifies its price.

The reason Xiang Yunxian spat it out definitely wasn’t because the Mei Ren Zui tasted bad.

Upon hearing Li Jing’s words, Xiang Yunxian hung her head in a pose of admission of guilt.

Seeing Xiang Yunxian’s expression, Li Jing didn’t lose his temper. He turned to another waiter nearby and said indifferently.

"Clear the table and bring the dessert and food."

Saying this, he took out a Top Grade Immortal Crystal as a tip.

This waiter had just taken over the charge because the previous waiter was on a break. Who would have thought that Li Jing would tip so extravagantly?

With the tip received, the waiter promptly cleaned the table.

"Sir, just wait a moment, the refreshments will be ready soon."

While speaking, he swiftly cleaned the spoilt table surface and promptly walked away.

Li Jing took out a teacup and filled it with tea and handed it to Xiang Yunxian.

Then, he turned and flashed a toothy smile at the man who had previously mocked Xiang Yunxian.

This guy was not only a gossiper, but also a troublemaker.

He was waiting for an opportunity to say a few more words.

Seeing Li Jing look at him and smile, he shivered, turned back and no longer paid any attention to this side.

He didn’t know what was happening.

Even though Li Jing was only smiling, it gave him a feeling like a ferocious beast was nearing.

A strong survival instinct told him.

This one.

Can’t be offended.

Xiang Yunxian took note of someone’s protective behaviors, outwardly appearing unperturbed, but inwardly delighted.

She doesn’t know.

Li Jing’s protective tendencies are one thing,

And also to prevent her from losing control and lashing out at this insensitive person...

...

After a small interlude, the tavern resumed normal operations.

Xiang Yunxian only attracted attention because she had sprayed out her drink, but soon everyone in the tavern returned to their drinking and leisure.

The more beautiful a woman is, the more terrifying she can be.

This is a common understanding in the Immortal Realm.

Except for the woman sitting there, no one here can perceive her cultivation level.

Don’t be fooled by the small size of this tavern.

In Nightly City, where Venerables are everywhere, there are quite a few Venerables in this tavern too.

A woman whose level even Venerables can’t grasp...

This is not something to be joked about.

Not to mention the man beside her, whose depth is also unperceivable.

The person who spoke out earlier understood these factors too.

It’s just that his nature is curious, and he couldn’t restrain himself momentarily.

Leaving that aside.

The tavern-keeper who left to find the person didn’t make Li Jing and Xiang Yunxian wait too long.

He said he’ll be back in a quarter of an hour, and he was punctual.

And he didn’t return alone.

Behind him was a cultivator who looked quite shabby, as if he had just gone through a nasty fight with a swollen nose and face.

Arriving at the table, the tavern-keeper bowed and spoke.

"Sir, I’ve brought the person you wanted."

"Hmm."

Li Jing nodded, then looked carefully at the man behind him.

While he was sizing up the person, the person was also sizing him up.

Xiang Yunxian saw the two men staring at each other, her brows furrowing.

Just as she was about to speak, Li Jing made a "please" gesture with his hand.

"Sit and talk"

"Okay"

The man readily agreed, sat down without hesitation, and poured himself a drink.

Seeing this, Xiang Yunxian’s brows immediately twisted up.

This person...

How can he just run his mouth like this?

Once again, she wanted to speak.

At this moment, Li Jing’s voice transmission sounded in her ear.

"Yunxian, don’t be impolite."

What???

Xiang Yunxian.

Don’t be impolite?

This...

What does that mean?

The tavern-keeper on the side was also somewhat stunned.

He did bring this person, but this behavior is not like the past.

This person is usually very well-proportioned, and lively.

Why is he acting so rash now in front of a clearly higher status person?

The most outrageous thing is.

Li Jing didn’t mind his impolite behavior.

Just as he was puzzled, Li Jing looked at him.

"No need for you here anymore, go down."

The tavern-keeper subconsciously respond, surprised and confused. He glanced at the man who had already started drinking, and reluctantly walked away with frequent backward glances.

Seeing the tavern-keeper left, Li Jing smiled and looked at the man.

"You don’t intend to tidy up yourself?"

The man grinned at the question.

"I was beaten by a woman, it’s a battle scar, why should I clean up?"

Li Jing was speechless.

And then, puzzled Xiang Yunxian finally couldn’t help but speak.

"Master..."

Upon hearing her, Li Jing calmly transmitted his voice.

"This one, is an Emperor."

What???

Xiang Yunxian.

This man who was beaten black and blue, is an Emperor?

Seriously?

But by his perceptivity, he was just in the Eleven Realms.

Xiang Yunxian could hardly believe it.

But if Li Jing said so, it must be so.

Clearly, the man in front of her had concealed his real cultivation level for some reason and was mingling among those at the bottom of Nightly City.

Being a Venerable Realm like Li Jing, he had reached his judgement based on the strength of the independent world that he felt in the man.

Settling into a proper posture, Xiang Yunxian could not help but scrutinize this man with curiosity.

Li Jing, however, asked him cordially.

"My friend, how do I address you?"

"A name is meaningless. You can simply think of me as a common man in the market."

The man smiled and said.

"If you must call me something, you can call me the Carefree Taoist."

A Taoist?

Li Jing stopped for a moment, then asked in surprise.

"Is Carefree Taoist from a Taoist background?"

"That’s all an old story. I am free now."

The Carefree Taoist said one sentence, then glanced in the direction where the innkeeper had just left, turned his head and smiled.

"Zhao Mazizi told me that a fat sheep was willing to pay heavily for information, so I came over under the principle of not missing out on earning money. I didn’t expect to encounter someone like you."

Hearing these words, Xiang Yunxian frowned.

Zhao Mazizi, was he referring to the innkeeper just now?

How dare he call Li Jing a fat sheep?

Li Jing responded to the words of the Carefree Taoist without taking them too seriously.

Being the one who paid for information, wasn’t he just a fat sheep?

Compared to that.

He was more curious about why the Carefree Taoist, a Venerable Realm, was mingling at the bottom of Nightly City.

However, this was not related to his purpose.

The man obviously would not be willing to reveal the reason easily.

Without thinking too much, Li Jing raised his glass.

"Our meeting is destiny; my friend, I toast to you."

Seeing this, the Carefree Taoist raised his glass in response, drank all the wine in the glass with a look of nonchalance, then looked up.

"As long as it happened in Nightly City, I know something about it, but my information is expensive. You don’t seem short of money, so I assume you wouldn’t mind paying a good price. However, it also depends on what you want to know."

Upon hearing this, Li Jing shrugged his shoulders and smoothly moved on to the main point.

"I want to know why the people of the Nalan family were ’invited’ by the Night City Lord three days ago."

Upon hearing this, the Carefree Taoist paused, poured a glass of wine and drank it all, then looked straight at him.

"This matter, I would advise you not to meddle in it. Whether you know the Nalan family from before, or owe the Night City Lord something, just pretend this never happened. They are never coming back, at least not alive."

Hearing such words, Li Jing raised his eyebrows.

Meanwhile, Xiang Yunxian on the side frowned deeply and could not help asking.

"Senior, are you saying that both the Night City Lord and the people of the Nalan family will die?"

The Carefree Taoist nodded.

Seeing this, Xiang Yunxian asked again, her expression strange.

"As far as I know, the Night City Lord is at the Emperor Level. If worst comes to worst, he can hide in the independent world."

"The independent world is only a temporary respite."

The Carefree Taoist calmly replied.

"If they can’t get out of there, those destined to die still will."

Before he had finished speaking, a piece of tree branch was gently placed on the table.

?

The Carefree Taoist.

He was at the Emperor Level.

Of course, he recognized such a top-notch item as a piece of Heaven and Earth Tree branch.

This thing, he couldn’t use it.

But with this thing out...

A Venerable Realm would want it at any cost.

It’s incredibly valuable!

"This, should be enough to buy my friend’s information, right?"

Li Jing smiled and spoke.

Upon hearing this, the Carefree Taoist was dumbfounded, then coughed, took over the Heaven and Earth Tree branch and put it away.

"The Nalan family went where the Night City Lord went, which is the source of the perpetual night around Nightly City for a long time. There is a great evil hidden in that place. That existence, even an Emperor Level would have no chance of winning against it."

Upon hearing this, Li Jing’s brows slightly furrowed.

Even a Emperor Level had no chance of winning against it? Was that a Return to Origin?

And a very powerful one at that.

Like the previous Half-Demon Kong Zhi.

An outright Emperor could still arm wrestle with him.

At least not being easily killed by him.

As long as he wasn’t too careless, survival shouldn’t be a problem.

As he pondered in his heart, Li Jing took out a jar of wine brewed by Li Lingyin from the Little Universe and slightly uncovered the seal.

"Can my friend elaborate a bit more on this matter?"