Chapter 53

As Lin Xun strolled along the street, he noticed that many gazes were cast in his direction, some of which carried a barely concealed greed.

Lin Xun was well aware that the large leather bag on his horse was indeed too conspicuous. An experienced veteran could tell what was inside just by a glance, and a mere sniff would reveal the quality and value of the goods.

Moreover, being alone with just one horse, he naturally couldn't stop some people from coveting his belongings.

Suddenly, a commotion arose in the crowd in the distance, drawing many onlookers. When Lin Xun arrived, he saw a man in leather clothes who had no time to dodge, being beheaded by a cultivator with a single slash. Blood spurted out, creating a terrifying scene.

Upon seeing this, the onlookers not only showed no shock but instead cheered loudly, as if they were enjoying the spectacle without any concern for the severity of the situation.

"Trying to steal from me, you're just asking for death! Pah!"

The cultivator sheathed his long sword, cast a fierce glance at the corpse on the ground, and then swaggered away.

This was a murder in broad daylight!

Yet no one intervened, clearly indicating that the people here were already accustomed to such occurrences.

Soon, two guards hurriedly removed the headless corpse, and in just a moment, the street returned to its previous bustling state, as if the murder had never happened.

Seeing this, Lin Xun narrowed his eyes, realizing that in the Qingyang Tribe, there were no rules to speak of. To stand firm here, one needed formidable martial strength.

After walking for a while, Lin Xun witnessed two groups of people fighting in the street, seemingly over a batch of goods. However, a passing cultivator quickly intervened, using a brutal method to stop the fight. He directly killed two people, using the bloodshed to震慑 the crowd, instantly resolving the conflict.

Beneath the prosperity, there must be hidden filth and dark currents.

Lin Xun suddenly recalled the words of a prisoner he had met in the mine prison. At that time, he was young and didn't understand the meaning of those words.

But now, walking through the Qingyang Tribe and seeing the greedy gazes hidden beneath the prosperous atmosphere, Lin Xun instantly understood the meaning of those words.

However, Lin Xun was not afraid. He had already judged that compared to ordinary people, the number of cultivators was significantly fewer, and most of them were at the True Martial realm, with few reaching the Spirit Gale realm.

If someone dared to covet his goods, Lin Xun was not averse to giving them a lesson they would never forget.

Unfortunately, it seemed Lin Xun had good luck today. Despite noticing many greedy gazes, no one came forward to cause trouble.

As the sky darkened and night fell, Lin Xun stopped in front of a building called the Crow Inn. He gave two copper coins to the innkeeper, asking him to take care of his horse, and then entered the inn, planning to go to the Stone Cauldron Shop early the next morning to exchange his goods.

The first floor of the inn was filled with many tables, and it was already quite lively. Many people were eating, drinking, and chatting loudly, creating a noisy atmosphere.

The innkeeper was a one-eyed giant with a rather fierce appearance, lazily drinking at the moment.

When Lin Xun walked in, many gazes in the inn brightened and focused on the large leather bag, which was as tall as a person, in Lin Xun's hand.

Upon seeing Lin Xun's face clearly, many people's gazes revealed unhidden greed.

However, some people were sensible enough to收回 their gazes. A teenager of thirteen or fourteen, daring to carry a leather bag weighing hundreds of pounds alone, was already quite conspicuous. As long as they weren't foolish, they would know that this teenager was likely a formidable character.

"Staying for the night?"

The one-eyed giant, sitting behind the counter, asked indifferently.

"Yes, staying for the night."

Lin Xun smiled and nodded.

"Twenty copper coins per night."

The one-eyed giant glanced at Lin Xun, and his words immediately caused a burst of laughter.

"One-eyed Dragon, are you starting to overcharge again? Don't forget how you lost your eye."

The one-eyed giant ignored the laughter, just looking at Lin Xun without offering any explanation.

"Alright."

Lin Xun took out twenty copper coins and handed them over. "Where is my room?"

"Tonight, that corner on the second floor is yours."

The one-eyed giant pointed to a corner on the second floor and then lazily continued drinking.

Lin Xun smiled. "Thank you."

He turned and carried the leather bag upstairs.

Watching Lin Xun enter his room, a drunk, fat man suddenly walked to the counter and said, "This is a rare little lamb, with plenty of goods. At least this much."

He extended four fingers in front of the one-eyed giant.

The one-eyed giant seemed oblivious, just drinking on his own. After a while, he glanced at the fat man and said, "Xiao Fat, you've been in the Qingyang Tribe for about six years, right? Do you plan to stay here for life?"

Xiao Fat's face changed. "What do you mean?"

The one-eyed giant sighed. "Listen to me, don't think about it. That teenager is not someone to mess with."

After a moment, he added, "No, he's very not someone to mess with."

Xiao Fat's expression changed, and after a long time, he said with a bitter smile, "I understand." He then turned and left.

The one-eyed giant narrowed his eyes, watching Xiao Fat leave the inn. He had said his piece, and whether the fat man understood or not was no longer his concern.

The one-eyed giant lifted his wine cup, watching the amber liquid ripple, and muttered, "It's not peaceful recently..."

...

Meanwhile, at the Wu Family Trading Company.

As one of the leading trading companies in the Qingyang Tribe, the Wu Family Trading Company was known for its wealth and deep roots. Its owner was said to be a prominent figure from the Eastern Lin City of the Empire.

In the back courtyard of the Wu Family Trading Company, the hall was brightly lit.

Wu Deyong, with a grim expression, sat in the main seat, silent.

He was sent to the Qingyang Tribe to manage the Wu Family Trading Company. Around forty years old, he was in his prime and a member of the Wu Family Clan in Eastern Lin City, possessing the cultivation of the Seventh Level of True Martial. In the Qingyang Tribe, he was a well-known figure.

Below Wu Deyong, various managers of the trading company sat, all silent and not daring to speak.

"Up to today, it has been three days past the deadline set by Grand Manager Wu Henshui, yet we have received no news. What do you all think of this?"

Wu Deyong spoke, breaking the dead silence in the hall.

"The journey to Fiyun Village is over two thousand miles. Grand Manager might have been delayed on the way."

Someone said cautiously.

"Hmph! Even if there were delays, with Grand Manager's meticulous nature, he would certainly send a subordinate to relay the news. But now, we have received nothing. Do you think this is normal?"

Wu Deyong frowned and said coldly.

"Manager, do you think Grand Manager has encountered some misfortune?"

Someone couldn't help but ask.

Wu Deyong fell silent, his face dark, clearly thinking the same.

At this moment, a servant rushed into the hall and said, "Manager, the city gate guards have reported that they saw a teenager riding Lian Rufeng's scale horse enter the Qingyang Tribe this evening."

Upon hearing this, Wu Deyong's eyes lit up. He remembered Lian Rufeng, the leader of the guards from Fiyun Village.

"Where is the teenager now?"

Wu Deyong asked.

"According to the scouts, the teenager is staying at the Crow Inn."

The servant quickly replied.

"This seems off. If the teenager was sent by Grand Manager to report, he should have come to our Wu Family Trading Company first. But now, he has gone to the Crow Inn, which is suspicious."

A man in the hall frowned and said.

Wu Deyong's eyes flickered, and after a moment, he waved his hand. "Send a few people to the Crow Inn. Use any means necessary to bring the teenager back!"

The servant immediately took the order and left.

Wu Deyong thought for a moment and then changed the subject, addressing the people in the hall. "Everyone, the Three Thousand Mountains have not been peaceful recently. Many top figures from the Empire have gathered here for a 'world-class treasure.' During this period, everyone must be cautious and avoid any trouble. Otherwise, if something happens, even I can't save you!"

Everyone nodded solemnly.

They were well aware of this matter. Recently, many unfamiliar faces and powerful nobles had come to the Qingyang Tribe. In such a situation, they, the local powers, could only act low-key.

"Alright, everyone can leave. Once the teenager is brought back and we have all the information, I will inform you."

Wu Deyong waved his hand.

With the matter having a lead, there was no need to mobilize more people.

Most importantly, in Wu Deyong's view, a teenager from Fiyun Village was nothing. Sending a few people would be enough to bring him back easily, without any unexpected issues.

...

In the Crow Inn, on the second floor in a room.

As soon as Lin Xun entered the room, he checked the surroundings and found no issues. He then put the leather bag into his storage ring.

While outside, to conceal his possession of a storage spirit artifact, Lin Xun had to expose the leather bag. But now that he was alone, there was no need for such pretense.

He only needed to take the leather bag out when leaving the inn.

"Riding Lian Rufeng's scale horse into the Qingyang Tribe, I wonder if the Wu Family Trading Company has noticed. But regardless, this issue needs to be resolved sooner or later."

Lin Xun lounged on the bed, lost in thought.

He knew that due to Wu Henshui's death, the Wu Family Trading Company would not let the matter rest. Instead of passively waiting for them to cause trouble in Fiyun Village, it was better to resolve the issue here in the Qingyang Tribe.

This was why Lin Xun had boldly ridden Lian Rufeng's scale horse into the Qingyang Tribe, to draw the attention of the Wu Family Trading Company to himself.

Although this was risky, Lin Xun had a plan and was not anxious about it.

As Lin Xun pondered this, four or five men in gray clothes had already entered the Crow Inn under the cover of night.