Chapter 12

In the city of Yuecheng, there are seven of the best taverns, scattered throughout the city. Four of them are located in the eastern part of the city, but the most renowned tavern is in the north of Yuecheng, known as Linghuan Pavilion. It stands by the water, right by the Song River, renowned for its exquisite cuisine and elegant, beautiful surroundings. At night, when the moon reflects on the Song River, the view from the upper floors of Linghuan Pavilion is breathtaking. Therefore, even though it is located in the north of the city, the nobles and wealthy people from the eastern part of the city often choose to entertain their guests here.

At this moment, Zhuang Wudao was sitting in a private room on the third floor of Linghuan Pavilion, overlooking the river, and was greedily devouring a chicken leg, completely losing his composure as he ate voraciously.

Across from him, a young man in his thirties sat upright, with a proper appearance and dressed in the uniform of a city guard officer. His face was a mix of amusement and exasperation as he said, "Wudao, this is Linghuan Pavilion! Can't you at least eat a little more gracefully?"

"Because it's Linghuan Pavilion, I have to eat my fill!"

With his mouth full, Zhuang Wudao mumbled, "This meal alone costs ten taels of silver. If I don't eat all of this, how could I be satisfied? When I was a child, begging on the streets, my greatest dream was to have a good meal here at Linghuan Pavilion. Even if I died afterward, I would be content."

The young man laughed, "So your dream has come true, hasn't it?"

"It has, but how can a person ever be content? Once you get something, you want more. Now, I want to be above others, to have wealth and honor, and not miss out on anything!"

Zhuang Wudao finally stopped eating, his expression wistful and self-mocking. "Do you remember when I used to hate those thugs who extorted and bullied on the streets? Ten years later, I became one of them. Who could have predicted that?"

"What are you lamenting? The world works this way. If you don't eat others, they will eat you. If you, Wudao, hadn't taken this path, you would now be a mere slave in the mines, with no control over your life or death. How could you have the right to come to Linghuan Pavilion?"

The young man sneered coldly, then his expression turned serious. "You can speak now. What is it? Given your miserly nature, you wouldn't invite someone to Linghuan Pavilion without a reason!"

"Of course!"

Zhuang Wudao lifted his head with a calm expression. "Brother, you don't know yet, but Shi Hu died at my hands last night. 'Blue Hook' Liu He, 'Axe Butcher' Hu Tao, and 'Wind Blade' Jiang Jiu, none of them survived."

The young man was clearly stunned, momentarily lost in thought. After a moment, he said half-disbelievingly, "Shi Hu is dead? Is that true? How could you and your group deal with his Golden Armor Black Gang?"

Zhuang Wudao said nothing, only silently took out a pair of spirit weapons called 'Armor-Piercing Cones' and clenched his left hand into a fist, which resembled a snake. Immediately, a faint dragon's roar echoed in the room.

"Dragon's roar from a spirit weapon? Your boxing skills have clearly improved a lot in just a few months!"

The young man's eyes showed both surprise and relief. Mastering the basics of subduing dragons and tigers, and having a spirit weapon, indeed made it possible to kill Shi Hu.

If he had a few more capable helpers, killing Liu He and Hu Tao would be as easy as turning over one's hand. However, the young man's tone became peculiar.

"Thus, there are only two Bone Marrow Refinement Realm experts left in the Green Robe Hall. With Shi Hu dead, the hall will surely fall apart. What do you and Qin Feng plan to do? Drive out the Green Robe Hall and take over the entire Yuhuan Street?"

Zhuang Wudao shook his head. "Brother, don't joke. Qin Feng and I know our limits. Today, I only want to ask you to deliver a message to Mr. Huang. Shi Hu's death was unavoidable. If I didn't kill him, he would have killed me. If Mr. Huang can be magnanimous and let Qin Feng and me take over Yuhuan Street, we will not reduce a single coin of the monthly tribute that Shi Hu used to pay—"

At this point, the young man's expression had visibly softened. Zhuang Wudao had anticipated this and took out a package given by Qin Feng earlier, placing it in front of him. "This is your reward for mediating. If you can help us, Wudao will offer a generous reward!"

The young man, named Yan Jun, had studied martial arts with Zhuang Wudao in the Lichen Academy in the past. Back then, Zhuang Wudao saw that Yan Jun was diligent and talented, so he deliberately befriended him and helped him several times when he was still in the Blood Refinement Realm.

Later, Yan Jun rose to prominence, reaching the Qi Cultivation Realm at the age of nineteen. Although he did not join the Lichen Sect, he secured a military position in Yuecheng.

Now, at less than twenty-four years old, he was a city patrol commander, overseeing two thousand soldiers. His cultivation had reached the fourth level of Qi Cultivation, surpassing even the academy's headmaster. He was a significant figure in Yuecheng and the backing for Zhuang Wudao and Qin Feng in the north of the city.

Zhuang Tong viewed Zhuang Wudao as a thorn in his side but could do nothing about him due to Yan Jun's influence.

However, Mr. Huang, who supported Shi Hu, was even more formidable, being one of the retainers in the Southern General's residence. Not only was he a fifth-level Qi Cultivation cultivator, but he was also highly intelligent and trusted by the Southern General, who followed his advice.

Yan Jun had a bright future and was an outer disciple of the Lichen Sect, with the potential to advance further. However, his future was still in the hands of the Southern General, and he dared not offend Mr. Huang.

"You two have a good plan!"

Yan Jun chuckled, neither confirming nor denying Zhuang Wudao's words. Instead, he asked, "If Mr. Huang doesn't agree, what will you do?"

"Run, of course, and the farther, the better."

Zhuang Wudao said this, but his lips curled up. "However, I heard that Mr. Huang is about to break through to the sixth level of Qi Cultivation. This is a critical time, and he is short of elixirs, right?"

Mr. Huang certainly had the power to avenge Shi Hu, but doing so would mean losing control of the entire Yuhuan Street, which would be a loss. It would be better for him and Qin Feng to take over before the news of Shi Hu's death spreads.

This was their only bargaining chip, and they could only gamble on how much Mr. Huang valued Shi Hu.

"You two are lucky. You've come at the right time. Fine, I'll help you. Who am I to refuse my junior brother? This time should be fine, but don't do it again—"

Yan Jun sighed, not even opening the package, and put it away. Zhuang Wudao felt relieved, knowing that the matter with Shi Hu would likely be settled. Then he heard Yan Jun ask curiously, "From your tone, it seems you really want to participate in the grand competition and join the inner sect? Those people are all wealthy and powerful. Even I, your senior brother, have suffered greatly. I can't protect you then. I advise you not to follow in my footsteps!"

About six years ago, Yan Jun had also considered joining the inner sect of the Lichen Sect and was the top disciple. However, he later abandoned the idea and left the Lichen Academy.

"How dare I? Those officials and noble families could crush us with a single finger. How could Zhuang Wudao dare to compete with them?"

Zhuang Wudao felt dejected but remained calm. "If the main path is blocked, I don't dare to think about those few spots. Fortunately, the Lichen Sect has three Heavenly Paths—"

Actually, the Lichen Sect's selection process was relatively fair. They did not overly favor noble families and instead preferred to select disciples from the common people.

However, Yuecheng was the most chaotic and dark place in the entire Dongwu Kingdom. The Lichen Academy here was no different. If he truly competed with the noble disciples for spots, his body would likely end up in the Song River the next day.

His only hope was to go to the Lichen Sect and attempt the three legendary paths to immortality, which could also lead directly to the inner sect.

He had been preparing for this for the past few years.

"Three Heavenly Paths?"

Yan Jun was again lost in thought, then said with a hint of melancholy, "They are said to be extremely dangerous, with only three to five out of a hundred surviving. Those who can safely cross the Heavenly Path are one in ten thousand. I considered it back then but lacked the courage of my junior brother."

After saying this, he seemed to have no more interest in staying and stood up. "With your current cultivation, you are still far from being able to attempt the Qi Cultivation Realm. However, it might not be as dangerous. I've heard that the Lichen Sect is dissatisfied with the academies in the cities of Dongwu. The disciples' talents are getting weaker each year, controlled by noble families. Before the grand competition, they might send someone to inspect Yuecheng. At that time, you might have a chance. I can't help you now, but I wish you the best of luck."

Yan Jun left, and Zhuang Wudao sat in the chair, lost in thought again.

The Lichen Sect's main mountain would send someone to inspect? He had not heard this news before.

However, Yan Jun was a formal outer disciple of the Lichen Sect, with a higher status than the academy's headmaster, so the news was likely reliable.

If it were true, he might have a chance. As long as it was a fair competition, he, Zhuang Wudao, was confident he could match anyone.

He just didn't know what kind of person the Lichen Sect inspector would be.

If they were easily bribed by the noble families, he, Zhuang Wudao, would still have no chance.

The table was still filled with a variety of delicious dishes, many of which he had not touched. Zhuang Wudao was now preoccupied with thoughts and could no longer eat. After pondering for a while, he decided to leave Linghuan Pavilion.

As he descended the stairs, Zhuang Wudao suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. He sensed two or three faint gazes lingering on him. He instinctively looked around but saw nothing. Only a flash of red appeared at the door of one of the private rooms.

"Could it be Shi Hu's remaining followers?"

This thought flashed through Zhuang Wudao's mind, but he could not be sure. The gazes were indeed somewhat hostile but did not carry any killing intent.

After a moment of suspicion, Zhuang Wudao stopped thinking about it, became more cautious, and quickened his pace.

Knowing that the Lichen Sect inspector would visit Dongwu, he felt the urgency of time. The remaining three months were precious.

As he left, he felt a chill run down his spine again. He sensed two or three faint gazes lingering on him. He instinctively looked around but saw nothing. Only a flash of red appeared at the door of one of the private rooms.

"Could it be Shi Hu's remaining followers?"

This thought flashed through Zhuang Wudao's mind, but he could not be sure. The gazes were indeed somewhat hostile but did not carry any killing intent.

After a moment of suspicion, Zhuang Wudao stopped thinking about it, became more cautious, and quickened his pace.

Knowing that the Lichen Sect inspector would visit Dongwu, he felt the urgency of time. The remaining three months were precious.