Chapter 63

Bilu's delicate brows furrowed slightly. When she heard the middle-aged man's words, she indeed felt skeptical at that moment. But when she saw the two names side by side on the ledger, she had a strong premonition. This inexplicable premonition made her focus her gaze on these two names. Then, she looked thoughtfully at Su Xuan's name and raised her head to look at the innkeeper, saying, "Innkeeper, is the Su Xuan mentioned in this ledger... the winemaker here?"

The innkeeper seemed particularly afraid of the people from the Demon Blade Sect. In response to Bilu's words, his body trembled slightly, and he nodded repeatedly, somewhat timidly, saying, "Yes, he is indeed our winemaker."

"Then... what about this Bai Shi?" Bilu asked, steering the conversation toward the answer she wanted to know.

The innkeeper did not hide anything and replied, "This Bai Shi moved into our inn with Su Xuan... but we haven't seen him for quite some time. It seems they had a good relationship... In recent days, because he disappeared, our winemaker, Su Xuan, has been distracted and even proposed to leave..."

Upon hearing this, the innkeeper looked somewhat helpless. It was not surprising for the innkeeper to have this expression; for any inn, an excellent winemaker was undoubtedly a priceless treasure.

"Bai Shi... Shi Bai..." Bilu's brows furrowed even tighter. In her muttering, she recalled the person who had sold the Fire Gall Snake to the 'Treasure Seeking Pavilion' recently. Her eyes seemed to have a glint of realization. This glint made her recall and describe the person she called Shi Bai to the innkeeper.

After the description, the innkeeper nodded repeatedly and said, "Yes, it's him... but this person often disappears mysteriously. Before this disappearance, he had disappeared once before. He returned after more than ten days and then went out again, never to return."

Hearing this, Bilu continued to question the innkeeper about the time of Bai Shi's disappearance. When she learned from the innkeeper that Bai Shi's disappearance coincided with the appearance of the mysterious alchemist at the 'Treasure Seeking Pavilion,' her pupils suddenly widened. It seemed that she had a significant confirmation of her inner doubts and that inexplicable intuition!

"If I'm not mistaken... Shi Bai is Bai Shi, and that mysterious alchemist has a certain connection with Bai Shi... Perhaps, that alchemist is Bai Shi!" Bilu's eyes showed a barely concealed excitement as she spoke softly to the middle-aged man.

In response to Bilu's words, the middle-aged man also drew in a sharp breath, his eyes full of surprise. However, he did not continue speaking but looked at Bilu, as if waiting for her to continue.

"If that's the case... I think it's very necessary for us to talk to Su Xuan now..." Bilu continued.

Su Xuan was a wise and unassuming person with no guard. When Bilu and the middle-aged man talked about Bai Shi, it seemed to touch a chord in his heart, plunging him into a state of reminiscence. It was a feeling, a bond from Dongchen Manor, the only person who could truly understand him, the only confidant. Even in this Daochen Realm, the only person willing to be his friend.

This feeling, due to separation, was one of reluctance, of longing for the lack of companionship, and of loneliness from the memories.

Thus, Su Xuan almost told Bilu everything about Bai Shi, including the fact that Bai Shi could refine elixirs and was also a sword cultivator.

These words also deeply shook Bilu and the middle-aged man. After exchanging several glances, it was ultimately Bilu who spoke first, her tone somewhat heavy as she looked at Su Xuan and said, "However... I must tell you that a few days ago, your companion, the Bai Shi you mentioned... was pursued by Elder Qi Huang and fell into the 'Devouring Abyss.' Now, his fate is unknown... but the chances of survival are almost zero..."

Bilu's words made Su Xuan's body tremble slightly. He looked at Bilu, his eyes full of disbelief and even a hint of incredulity. This expression, filled with inner conflict, made his lips tremble, but he could not speak.

For Bilu, who had long dealt with people at the 'Treasure Seeking Pavilion,' she could see through the other person's thoughts at a glance when such a complex expression appeared in their eyes. Her expression remained heavy as she said, "Please believe me... because I have no reason to lie to you."

"Qi Huang..." Su Xuan clenched his teeth, his eyes revealing a coldness that seemed to carry a thousand years of hatred, an unresolvable grudge. This look had never appeared on Su Xuan before.

"Yes, it's Elder Qi Huang. Elder Qi Huang is the head of Beigun Manor... Even if we, the Demon Blade Sect, wanted to oppose him, it would not be an easy task... Of course, if you go to Dongchen Manor and find your Uncle Dongchen, it might be a different story. However, as far as I know, this Suxing City is no longer under the jurisdiction of Dongchen Manor. If the disciples of those manors have an accident here, they will not intervene..." Bilu said.

Su Xuan, of course, understood this, and he listened to every word Bilu said. However, he did not speak.

"Of course, if we join forces... it's not impossible to deal with Beigun Manor..." As someone who often dealt with business, the primary task of grasping the other person's thoughts was evident in Bilu's actions.

Su Xuan's eyes brightened as he looked at Bilu and said, "Join forces? I have no strength... and no assets. How can we join forces?"

Bilu smiled faintly, her smile seeming to contain a clever plan. She stood up and said, "To be honest, we came here today hoping that you, Su Xuan, would help us with winemaking at our inn. The 'Demon Blade Sect' will not treat you unfairly... If the profits are high, we can use the money to recruit a large number of cultivators. At that time, dealing with Beigun Manor will not be impossible..."

Although Su Xuan had no guard, when he heard Bilu's words again, he finally put up a small defense. Recalling what Bilu had said earlier, he suddenly felt that he had fallen into a trap set by Bilu. However, considering the recent abnormalities, he did not completely disbelieve her.

Thus, he said, "If that's the case, I will agree to help you, but... I have two conditions."

Bilu and the middle-aged man exchanged a glance and then said, "If we can do it, we will definitely do it."

Su Xuan said, "First... when I am making wine, I don't want anyone to investigate."

Bilu understood Su Xuan's meaning. This was a defensive mindset. Su Xuan was not a fool. He proposed this condition because, in this chaotic True Realm, he knew that if someone could be useful, they would be kept, and if not, they would be eliminated...

If someone else learned how to make Maotai, Su Xuan's life might end the moment they learned it. Without Bai Shi by his side, every step he took now had to be more cautious.

After a moment's thought, Bilu did not hesitate. With her status in the Demon Blade Sect, her words were enough to represent Xiao Yishen. She nodded in agreement and then gestured for Su Xuan to state his second condition.

"The second thing... is that you must send someone to escort me safely back to Dongchen Manor on the Winter Solstice this year..."

In Su Xuan's heart, if Bai Shi could walk out of the Daochen Mountains alone, there must be a reason. As for whether Bai Shi really fell into the 'Devouring Abyss' and whether he was still alive, this was just Bilu's one-sided account. The reason he chose to return to Dongchen Manor on the Winter Solstice was, first, because with Su Xuan's strength, he could not safely cross the Daochen Mountains, and second, because on the Winter Solstice, Bai Shi had a duel agreement with Cai Heng of Beichen Manor. Based on his understanding of Bai Shi, if Bai Shi was really alive, he would definitely appear in Dongchen Manor on the Winter Solstice... If he did not appear, then Bai Shi... might really have met his end.

Although Bilu did not know why Su Xuan chose to return to Dongchen Manor on the Winter Solstice, she did not ask. She simply nodded decisively and completed the transaction, just as she had with Bai Shi.

Naturally, when Su Xuan decided to leave the inn, the innkeeper, despite his great reluctance, had to give up. After all, the Demon Blade Sect was one of the powers in Suxing City!

However, in reality, Su Xuan did not truly leave the inn. The inn had previously been planning to close due to poor business, but it became the best business in Suxing City after Su Xuan's arrival. When Su Xuan decided to leave, the innkeeper offered to sell the inn to the Demon Blade Sect. Because of this, Su Xuan did not leave the inn.

Bilu thought for a moment and found this method good. Apart from their few people, no one knew that the inn belonged to the Demon Blade Sect. This way, it was not so conspicuous, providing great protection for Su Xuan's safety. Additionally, it was convenient for the regular customers.

Under such high profits, the inn expanded significantly under the control of the Demon Blade Sect, and the aroma of Maotai could be found on almost every street.

Elder Qi Huang also noticed these changes and, through his investigations, learned that these inns belonged to the Demon Blade Sect. However, he was very clear that the strength of Beigun Manor and the Demon Blade Sect was almost equal. If a real war broke out, neither side would benefit.

Fortunately, his Beigun Manor had already cut off the supply of medicinal herbs to the Demon Blade Sect, reducing their profits from medicinal herbs.

However, after a month of calm, Elder Qi Huang suddenly heard a shocking piece of news. The wine in these inns could no longer be bought with money but had to be exchanged for medicinal herbs, specifically the herbs used to refine 'Hehe Powder'!

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