Chapter 87

Boom! Bang! Boom!

The city gate was bustling with people, a sea of figures, and even more people were running over to watch the spectacle, their cheers overwhelming like a tidal wave.

Compared to outside the city, the main streets of Wanggu City were much more spacious, with most people having run outside to join in the excitement.

Zhao Yun walked slowly, and though it had only been a few days, his mindset was different upon returning. Having walked through the gates of death several times, his sharpness had become more restrained.

He did not reveal his true appearance, still wearing a black robe, leaving only his eyes exposed. However, a discerning person could tell at a glance that he was a one-armed man.

No one paid attention.

There were plenty of people on the streets with missing limbs.

Zhao Yun walked and observed as he went.

The streets were filled with armed guards, almost every main street had them, patrolling. He saw the old man Wanggu, hands in his sleeves, strolling down the street, looking here and there, seemingly very relaxed, occasionally shouting: "No fighting or brawling!"

Zhao Yun was not surprised by this; it must have been ordered by the city lord Yang Xiong. This was just the surface; there were surely more in secret.

In recent days, it was the auction period in Wanggu City, and many people from all directions had come, including many noble descendants with high status and significant influence. Mistakes could not be made in Wanggu City. Over the years, this had been the norm. There were many feuds between noble families, and a single word could lead to a fight, so private duels were forbidden during the auction to prevent casualties.

If they really wanted to fight, they could go outside the city. Whether it was a fight to the death or a fight that left them with missing limbs, it was none of Wanggu City's concern.

Now, outside Wanggu City was very lively, and everyone knew the rules, so no one dared to cause trouble in the city.

Not to mention them, even the peak of the Earth Store realm would not dare to act recklessly. As the city lord, Yang Xiong had the authority to mobilize the army, a vast force of thousands of soldiers.

Today, the weapon shop was deserted, with those who usually bought weapons also running to join the excitement. Yang Da and Wu Er, among others, had probably gone as well, leaving only Old Sun to guard the shop.

"Master, your hand..."

Seeing Zhao Yun, Old Sun hurried out from behind the counter. Zhao Yun had a right hand, but his left sleeve was empty, clearly visible at a glance.

"It's fine."

Zhao Yun smiled reassuringly. Losing an arm was only temporary; the Moon Goddess had said that at the fifth level of the True Spirit realm, he would have a more powerful left arm. He believed this unconditionally.

Old Sun was silent, his face pale. He treated Zhao Yun like his own grandson; how could he not be heartbroken! "It's fine" was a simple phrase, but it likely hid many stories. Zhao Yun must have faced life and death during his few days away.

"It's fine."

Zhao Yun smiled again and entered the back hall.

Upon entering, he saw a person hanging from an old tree in the garden, bound and tied to the tree.

Who was it? It was none other than the old man in the hemp robe, his body covered in footprints, his nose and face bruised, clearly beaten up and beaten up badly.

To be honest, this was the first time Zhao Yun had seen the old man in such a sorry state since they met.

Looking under the old tree, there was another person sitting there. A quick glance revealed it was the fat old man.

Clearly, the one who beat up the old man in the hemp robe was this fat old man, who had found a tough opponent.

"You really have a knack for this," Zhao Yun thought. It had only been a few days since they met in the mountains, then in the black market of Canglang City, and at the city gate. Now, in his own weapon shop, he had run into them again.

"You must be crazy!" the old man in the hemp robe shouted, his face black with anger, spitting out saliva as he cursed. He had been sleeping soundly in the early morning when he was dragged out and beaten up.

After that, he was hung on the tree, a humiliation he had never experienced since he became famous.

This was his own fault; his cultivation realm had dropped significantly, no longer at the Earth Store level, so how could he match a peak Earth Store cultivator?

"Zhuge Xuandao, you have come to this," the fat old man below said, smiling smugly. His expression was one of extreme schadenfreude. If he had known earlier that Zhuge Xuandao's cultivation had dropped so much, he would have come to beat him up long ago. He had wanted to do so for a long time.

Zhao Yun was the most awkward, standing there, unsure whether to go over or turn and leave. The fat old man clearly had no sense of shame; what if he also hung him on the tree?

"You, come here."

The fat old man raised his hand and beckoned Zhao Yun. He had heard of Zhao Yun before, known as a broken lineage and a wasted body. Now, seeing him, it was clear that this was not the case.

"Junior Zhao Yun, I greet you, Senior," Zhao Yun said, stepping forward with a smile.

"Indeed, you have exceptional talent," the fat old man said, getting up and circling Zhao Yun, occasionally reaching out to pinch his arms and legs. "Hmm... excellent bones and muscles, a good candidate for cultivation."

However, the more he looked, the more familiar Zhao Yun seemed.

How to put it! It was as if he had seen him somewhere before.

"Where is your left hand?"

The old man in the hemp robe, still hanging on the tree, frowned at Zhao Yun. When he left, his hand was fine, but now it was missing.

"I was attacked by the killers of the Roshomon when I was looking for my master," Zhao Yun said with a smile, having already prepared his story.

"Roshomon?"

The fat old man and Zhuge Xuandao both frowned. They had heard of this organization too many times, a truly formidable existence with an ancient lineage. As long as the price was right, they would even assassinate the emperor of Daxia and the leader of the Heavenly Sect. Over the centuries, they had gained a notorious reputation, and even the two of them felt a chill at the mention of them.

"Fortunately, my master arrived in time, or I would have lost my life," Zhao Yun said, sitting down and resuming his storytelling mode, mentioning his master in every sentence.

"Your master is here too?"

Zhuge Xuandao struggled, swaying back and forth, waiting for Zhao Yun's master to arrive.

"He went to settle accounts with the Roshomon," Zhao Yun said.

"Settle accounts with the Roshomon?" The fat old man looked Zhao Yun up and down. "What kind of master do you have?"

"From the royal family," Zhuge Xuandao replied.

"From the royal family," the fat old man repeated, raising an eyebrow, not quite believing it. He felt that Zhuge Xuandao and Zhao Yun were conspiring to deceive him.

"This time, it was really dangerous," Zhao Yun said slowly. "On the way back, I passed through the mountains and was pursued by a peak Earth Store cultivator. I almost didn't make it back alive."

"Keep talking, keep talking," the fat old man said, clearly not believing him. "A True Spirit realm cultivator escaping a peak Earth Store pursuer? You must be joking!"

"Stop joking, it's true," Zhao Yun said seriously. "If my master hadn't scared him off, I wouldn't have made it back."

"Scared... off?"

The fat old man was taken aback, his eyes darting around. This scenario sounded familiar. Had he experienced it himself?

Thinking of this, he looked at Zhao Yun speculatively. "Which mountain range?"

"Northeastern."

"About three hundred miles from here."

"A cave."

Zhao Yun answered casually, emphasizing the word "cave." Those who understood would know what he meant, and those who didn't could pretend to understand.

Indeed, his mention of the cave and his words had a significant impact. The fat old man was left breathless.

"No wonder," the old man said, his expression changing dramatically.

Hearing this, it was not just familiar but also very recognizable. He was the peak Earth Store cultivator, Zhao Yun was the True Spirit realm youth, and his master was the Heaven Martial realm cultivator in the cave. What a coincidence! How incredible.

"My master is kind and doesn't hold grudges," Zhao Yun said, playing the role of a devoted disciple. "If he had done anything to me, my master would have killed him. My master is very fond of me."

Zhao Yun was in full acting mode, emphasizing his master in every sentence, trying to intimidate the fat old man, who often scared him for no reason.

He was really getting into the act!

The Moon Goddess glanced at Zhao Yun, thinking that this kid, though well-mannered on the surface, was not a good boy at heart. "My master is very fond of me," he said, but "I am very fond of you" sounded more like a threat.

"You say, doesn't that guy deserve a beating?"

Zhao Yun finally finished his act and poked the fat old man with his hand.

"Deserves a beating," the fat old man said, taking a deep breath. "I feel a chill down my spine. I'm glad I didn't fight that night, or I would have been in big trouble."

Indeed, he was intimidated.

Zhao Yun chuckled, finally feeling relieved. His act had worked, and the fat old man's reaction showed that it was effective. Most importantly, what he said was true, leaving the fat old man no choice but to believe him.

"A Heaven Martial realm cultivator from the royal family," Zhuge Xuandao murmured, having listened to every word of their conversation and matching it to the facts.

"A Heaven Martial realm cultivator from the royal family," the fat old man repeated, his hands in his sleeves, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

"Is it Hongyuan of Daxia?"

After a few moments, the two looked at each other and said in unison. There were only two Heaven Martial realm cultivators in the royal family, one male and one female. Zhao Yun's master was clearly male, so it must be Hongyuan. As for Daxia, all members of the royal family had this surname.

"When did he come out of seclusion?"

"That's an ancestor-level figure in the royal family. We would both have to call him Grandmaster," the fat old man said, his back still feeling a chill. That night, he had almost faced death. Even with his injuries, a Heaven Martial realm cultivator could easily kill him.

Is he exaggerating?

Zhao Yun coughed, thinking that if it really was Hongyuan, it would be very awkward. Seeing the Moon Goddess, who was lying on the moon, looking relaxed, he felt a bit more at ease.

In his mind, she was a deity, and even if Hongyuan came, he would not be afraid. He could continue to bluff. With the Moon Goddess by his side, he had the confidence to do so.

As he thought, the fat old man and Zhuge Xuandao both looked at him, their eyes clearly saying: "You must have accumulated a lot of good fortune in your past life to have a master from the royal family, and an ancestor-level Heaven Martial realm cultivator at that. We would have to call you Little Master Uncle, despite your young age!"

Zhao Yun felt uncomfortable under their gaze.

The Moon Goddess, seeing the two old men's gazes, tilted her head. "My disciple, do you really think it's appropriate for you to call them Master Uncle?"

They should call him: "Master Master Master Master Master Master Master Master Master Master Master Master Master Master... Grandmaster."