Xi Quan did not stay long at the welcome dinner. At the City Guard gathering, he merely showed his face, exchanged greetings, and got acquainted with Lou Xiu. The real friendship was to be established privately.

He soon left again, and the proprietress Yin Xu personally saw him off.

This time, as Xi Quan descended the stairs, he was expressionless and did not directly look at Shi Chun's group, though he did catch them out of the corner of his eye.

After seeing off the guests, Yin Xu stood outside with a fading smile, then returned inside without directly looking at Shi Chun's group; her peripheral vision caught a group focusing on her, causing her lips to curve into a smile, approving of her own charm as she softly flipped her hair.

The welcome dinner lasted long into the night with eating, drinking, and merrymaking until the City Guard folks finally dispersed, carrying the scent of alcohol.

With someone intent on inquiring, Hua Chong joined Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang to whisper something, introducing the people one by one.

Hua Chong didn't know Lou Xiu, but he guessed from the way everyone was fawning over him.

As for Lou Xiu, Shi Chun had seen him before; he was a witness when A Xun was killed and could never forget.

The proprietress Yin Xu warmly sent the guests to the door again, only turning back inside when all had disappeared, then turned to see Shi Chun's group calling for the bill.

She signaled to the waiter with a raised hand, and the waiter understood and made no sound.

Yin Xu walked over to the table, glanced at the leftover food, and with a smile asked, "You all look unfamiliar, is this your first time at this establishment?"

Wu Jinliang chuckled, "With such a grand setting, how could you call this a small establishment, Proprietress?"

Yin Xu gave a modest laugh, but her eyes fell on Shi Chun. She'd been secretly observing the three for a while, and after all these years at this establishment, if she couldn't tell who among the three was their leader, she'd have wasted her time.

Shi Chun stood up, pointed at the table, and asked, "How much?"

Yin Xu smiled and said, "Meeting is fate, and as esteemed guests gracing my establishment for the first time, today's expenses are on me. In the future, I hope you visit often. I am Yin Xu, 'Yin' as in 'red', 'Xu' as in 'promise', and I have been running 'Zhu Lang Pavilion' for many years. If you need anything in the future, feel free to contact me. May I ask your distinguished names?"

The three men exchanged glances, not expecting a complimentary affair on their first visit. Hua Chong too was here for the first time and was surprised by the place's expense.

Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang were aware of the expense, but they had money; they just didn't expect to not be able to spend it.

Hua Chong was hesitant to speak, observing the other two's reactions.

Wu Jinliang, when faced with indecision, would also watch Shi Chun's response.

This interaction made Yin Xu's smile widen, further confirming that Shi Chun was the leader of the group.

Shi Chun thought it over, not being coy or refusing, he nodded with a smile, "I am Wang Ping."

Then Wu Jinliang followed up, "Gao He."

His gaze discreetly lingered on the woman's voluptuous, pale figure, noticing her extraordinarily captivating almond-shaped eyes.

Immediately, the lanky Hua Chong puffed out his chest, "I am Hua Chong."

Yin Xu turned slightly to usher them out. Once Shi Chun was outside, she walked beside him with a blue-green shawl, chatting amiably, and when they reached the door, she asked, "Brother Wang, are you residing here or have a place to stay? If you are new here and have nowhere to lodge, my 'Zhu Lang Pavilion' in Yao Mountain City may not be the best, but it's pretty decent. You might..."

Just then a gust of wind came from Shi Chun's direction, interrupting her statement, and Yin Xu's nose twitched. Her eyes momentarily faltered, then locked onto Shi Chun with a hint of surprise, causing her words to get tangled.

Shi Chun smiled lightly and said, "I already have a place, thank you for the hospitable reception today. I'll repay you another time, farewell!" He clasped his hands respectfully.

"Oh, alright." Yin Xu, usually very adept at handling guests, suddenly became somewhat awkward or rather unnatural.

Wu Jinliang and Hua Chong also followed suit, clasping hands and bidding farewell.

Watching them turn away, Yin Xu recalled the Extreme Fire Sect leader's suspicious snooping behavior, unable to help but add a word of caution, "Be careful on the road."

The three took it as friendly concern, not thinking much of it, and just smiled back, waving as they departed.

As they walked farther away, Hua Chong said joyfully, "First time at 'Zhu Lang Pavilion' and already the proprietress personally treats us, I really benefited from your presence."

Wu Jinliang also chuckled, "She certainly knows how to create repeat customers."

But Hua Chong disagreed, "I fear it's not so simple. Those accustomed to trading can discern with sharp eyes; everyone measures guests against themselves. If it were me, not just no freebies, even the proprietress wouldn't bother to personally come over. Her keen eyes must have noted you two are distinguished guests; even your clothing material is obviously special."

Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang exchanged a glance, then simultaneously looked at their clothes.

On the path down the mountain, for some reason, Hua Chong noticed Shi Chun frequently observing the surroundings.

Meanwhile, the proprietress Yin Xu stood dumbfounded at the entrance, subject to the rising wind swirling her garments, clearly lost in thought.

The steward who conspired with her inside emerged and, seeing her absent-minded, asked, "Sister Hong, what's wrong?"

Yin Xu turned around to look behind him and all around, with a somewhat solemn expression, and whispered to him, "I seem to have smelled the ancestral aura on that Wang Ping."

The officer was startled, then surprised, and lowered his voice, "How is that possible? The ancestor is sleeping in the Divine Tomb, even the clan members have no chance to see him, how could he come into contact with him?"

Yin Xu said, "That's why I'm also suspicious. I'm not even sure if I was mistaken. If it is true, unless he recently came into contact with the ancestor, there is only one possibility left, that the ancestor deliberately planted the scent on him, otherwise it couldn't exist on him for such a long time."

The officer grew more surprised, "How is that possible?"

Yin Xu, deep in thought, gazed toward the direction where the guest disappeared into the night, murmuring to himself, "Forgot to call a carriage to send them off. We know where they are staying. Have to get another chance to sniff and confirm."

Shi Chun and his group scattered in the city, planning to return to the inn, letting Hua Chong return as well.

With no outsiders, Wu Jinliang chuckled to himself and said, "That lady boss is quite something, looks good, but occasionally leaks a demon aura, wonder what kind of demon she is."

Shi Chun casually replied, "Fox demon."

Said this and turned back again.

Wu Jinliang saw this and was about to ask since earlier Hua Chong was beside, making it hard to ask. At this moment, he couldn't help but whisper, "What's the matter?"

Shi Chun: "Two people followed us on the mountain of Zhu Lang Pavilion, not sure if they were sent by that lady boss."

Wu Jinliang considered himself vigilant but hadn't noticed anyone tailing them. However, he knew about the Sect Master's superpower with his eyes, truly opened on the mountain, anyone tailing would not escape the Sect Master's sight, and immediately cursed softly, "Inviting us for no reason, constant courtesy with ill intentions, knew it wasn't anything good. Following us, did they recognize our identities?"

Shi Chun: "Not sure if they're enemies or friends. As long as they don't come directly, there's nothing much to fear."

Wu Jinliang agreed deeply, their concept had always been like this, only feared those who could act directly against them.

On the road, neither made any effort to shake off anyone, casually strolling in this bustling city that never sleeps, they leisurely returned to the Yuelai Inn.

Inside the guest room, Chu Jingtang was already waiting for them.

No need for many words upon meeting, they directly asked for information sent by Young Master Nan regarding Bai Qiru.

The Dragon and Phoenix clans consider themselves different from ordinary demon clans, viewing themselves as part of the Divine Clan, naturally commanding some forces below them. The Bai Family, also dwelling in Phoenix and Qilin Continent, belongs to the Phoenix Clan, actually just a group of Tiger Demons.

The current head of the Bai Family is known as Granny Qi. Some key figures in the Phoenix Clan were raised by her, so she is quite renowned among them.

Bai Qiru is her actual granddaughter but was expelled from the family due to her rebelliousness and was relocated to Dazhi City to live guarding Bai's Rice Shop. That shop is the ancestral property of the Bai Family and existed long, long ago, the exact period unknown to outsiders, reputedly where the Bai Family originated.

After being sent to Dazhi City, Bai Qiru, out of spite against her family, married an old man named Huang Yingying, a generational slave Mouse Demon, greatly angered the Bai Family with even Granny Qi reportedly renouncing her granddaughter.

Anyway, this is the situation with Bai's Rice Shop presently.

Wu Jinliang laughed after reading, "I said, how could she marry someone like Old Huang under normal circumstances, turns out she was defying her family. Chun Tian, with this background, it all makes sense now."

Shi Chun silently pondered, said nothing more, directly crushed the paper of information brought by Chu Jingtang into powder.

Then instructed Chu Jingtang, "The two of us are already being watched, don't know if enemies or friends, the people are already staying diagonal to us. Later, when we go out, we'll lead these people away, and then you leave. For anything that needs passing later, try not to meet again."

Chu Jingtang, with a bitter smile internally, responded, "Alright."

Internally laughed bitterly, being watched upon arriving at Yao Mountain City, would there always be risky news emerging regardless of where he goes? He wanted to ask these, is this how life will always be?

Among the pavilions, Lou Xiu, after dealing with colleagues, returned to his room reeking of alcohol, suddenly saw a shadow behind the screen, and exclaimed in surprise, "Who's there?"

Behind the screen, firelight flared, and a deep voice came, "You're back."

Upon hearing the voice, Lou Xiu quickly eased his guard and rushed behind the screen, only to see a person cloaked sitting by the small round table. He greeted in surprise, "Master, why are you here?"

The cloaked person replied indifferently, "I asked you to strive for control over Dazhi City, yet you ended up unable to establish yourself. Do you think I would come?"

Lou Xiu slumped, ashamed, "I just wanted to curry favor with A Xun, hoping for their kind words on the Divine Mountain's side. I never expected such a mess."

The cloaked person said, "Fool! You must think, which family's ancestors were simple for possessing such a large ancestral property in a city's prime area? To preserve that ancestral home through the years, can you guarantee that family's decline to the point no one speaks for them? Li Xianghong is much smarter than you, knows to keep friendly relations with that family."

Lou Xiu nodded with servility, "Yes, yes, I was foolish."

The cloaked person asked, "Did Extreme Fire Sect contact you?"

Lou Xiu hesitated, then answered, "Yes, a manager came today, just to greet me."

The cloaked one said, "At the place where they welcomed you, they found two people, one named Shi Chun, the other Wu Jinliang. The Extreme Fire Sect received information and already sent people here to target them. The higher-ups also showed interest in these two. You should follow the sect's lead to find them..."

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