The more terrifying thing is the formidable level of Demon Essence these guests possess.

His gaze fell upon the two men in the shadowy corner, their brims pressed low— their aura of Demon Essence is even more astonishing, not inferior to that Mo Shiliu he had seen before.

This setup truly made Shi Chun secretly alarmed.

Some guests also looked toward the door, while others with their backs turned didn't even bother to glance back at the commotion.

Even though not every guest exuded Demon Essence, Shi Chun couldn't help but suspect they were all in cahoots.

From what he understood about the Demon Path, not all demon paths possess Demon Essence, yet there were several here, by far the largest gathering he had seen.

The Demon Path gathered here, at the foot of the Refining Heaven Sect, coinciding with the absence of some of its high-level members.

This made him think more, suspecting they are targeting the Refining Heaven Sect.

If true, it would be too audacious; the Refining Heaven Sect's strength is no joke, just the various Magical Treasures alone could overwhelm anyone, including the Demon Path.

Moreover, supported by abundant resources, the fighting ability of the Refining Heaven Sect won't be weak; this is the foundation of the Cultivation World's premier Artifact Refining Sect, not something just anyone can offend.

After observing the situation, the boatman turned to Shi Chun and his companion with a bitter face, "Dear guests, my apologies, let's find another place."

Wu Jinliang was about to make a loud remark but was interrupted by the calm Shi Chun, "Since it's full, we'll look for another."

After speaking, he turned away, giving Wu Jinliang a look.

Wu Jinliang fell silent and followed.

The boatman bid farewell to the innkeeper.

The innkeeper waved his hand in farewell, still apologizing, "I'm sorry, so sorry, Old Hei, I'll treat you to drinks another day."

The boatman waved back indicating he understood.

At the small dock, after the guests boarded, the boatman unfastened the rope, threw it back onto the bow, jumped to the bow himself, walked to the stern, spun like a millstone, lowered himself like a sweeping leg, his legs turning into a serpent tail slipping into the water, climbed the stern and steered the boat.

Shi Chun saw guests inside Qingbo Inn standing at the door or window, watching them.

Then as the ripples spread, the grass on the banks blocked the two sides' views.

After going a little farther, Wu Jinliang finally turned back to ask, "Old Hei, is this place always this busy?"

The boatman said helplessly, "Not normally, given the remote location, such business is exceedingly rare. Dear guests, actually the inns within these waterways are quite serene, I'll take you to another; see if it suits you."

Shi Chun said, "I haven't spent a night on a boat yet, Old Gao, what do you say we try stargazing on the boat tonight?"

Wu Jinliang, not entirely sure, but knowing how to respond, answered without comprehension, "Sounds good to me."

Shi Chun asked the boatman, "Old Hei, can we treat your boat as an inn for the night?"

He tossed over a pouch of coins.

The boatman caught it in one hand, weighed the amount inside, enough to buy two new boats, and broke into a grin, "Spending the night on a boat isn't too comfortable, but if you two want to experience it, it's all up to you; I'm happy if I make money."

The hobbies of the wealthy, though he couldn't understand, were respected.

Shi Chun: "Then we won't keep you overnight; you can find your boat here tomorrow."

"Alright, suit yourselves." The boatman cheerfully pushed off the boat, dove into the water, transformed into a large black snake, surfaced beside the boat, showing his fearsome fangs while greeting the two, then submerged again, thrashing his long body, and swam away into the depths.

Shi Chun observed the surroundings and cast a spell to navigate the boat.

Only then did Wu Jinliang quietly ask, "What's going on?"

Shi Chun replied in a low voice, "Those guests in the inn earlier, they might all belong to the Demon Path."

Wu Jinliang was startled, then realized something, "Could they be targeting the Refining Heaven Sect?"

Shi Chun retorted, "Could they all be here as tourists?"

Wu Jinliang turned his head towards the Refining Heaven Sect, muttering to himself, "Does the Demon Path have the strength to confront the Refining Heaven Sect? At most, they might do something covert. Could it be so coincidental that as soon as we arrived, we'd stumble upon the Demon Path targeting the Refining Heaven Sect?"

Coincidental or not, staying to observe was certain, which is why Shi Chun wanted the boat.

With a boat, even if discovered, there is a valid reason.

Thus, the boat didn't venture too far; unfamiliar with the terrain, Shi Chun maneuvered within the water network, stopped by some reeds without exceeding the observation range of his right eye, and observed the direction of the inn.

Again it was a task that consumed energy and blood, periodically sending messages to Situ Gu, yet never receiving a response…

Young Master Nan was captured, secretly detained.

He was at a gathering with friends at a venue, amidst their drink and chatter, when someone whispered in his ear that so-and-so was looking for him.

He temporarily left his seat, only to be intercepted when he turned into a deserted area, and once his identity was revealed, they clandestinely took him away.

After being taken to a carriage, they immobilized him with restraints and imposed a restriction on his body, making him realize his precarious situation.

The one who called him away then returned to report to his friends, saying Young Master Nan had an urgent matter and had to leave first, or something similar.

Young Master Nan was directly brought to a dungeon, tossed into a dimly lit interrogation room, and looking at the surrounding instruments of torture, even Young Master Nan, well-versed in the world, couldn't help gulping dryly.

After a while, finally someone came; it was none other than the elder who had previously taken Shi Chun's letter from him, the Right Minister of East Victory Royal City, Jiahuan.

This time, it was, of course, about the male corpse case of the Royal Court. After comparing with the Demon Eye, no suspicious individuals were noted leaving. It can't be said that visitors like the departing queen were suspects, right?

In other words, the suspect might still be hiding among the onsite personnel, hence all relevant individuals were detained, involving many.

Although the potential of Shi Chun being involved was already ruled out based on the Demon Eye's comparison and investigation, the queen was infuriated, and after hearing the report, she couldn't care about any probabilities or judgments. She still deemed the situation suspicious, believing anything was possible, and before the perpetrator was found, those with suspicions couldn't be let go.

Anyone involved, just one word: Catch!

If you, Right Saint, can carry it out, do so; if not, she'll find someone else. Can Right Saint say he can't execute?

At this moment, Young Master Nan was utterly shocked to see the elder appear. He'd mixed around until now, and this was the one who cared most for him. Yet, coming to this situation today was no small matter.

He immediately clasped his hands and asked, "Right Saint, what is the reason for this?"

Jiahuan explained nothing, directly asking, "Where is Shi Chun?"

Young Master Nan froze, retorting, "What did he do that shocked you into addressing it personally?"

What did he do? Jiahuan didn't know what Shi Chun did. Anyway, there's no reasoning now, just need to catch him. Who told Shi Chun's Soul Capturing Bag to have linked reactions amid the royal court changes? He said solemnly, "Answer my question."

Young Master Nan hesitantly said, "If I'm not mistaken, he should still be trapped in Juku State."

Jiahuan: "You have the mother-child talisman connected to him, right?"

Young Master Nan nodded, "Yes."

Jiahuan waved his hand, removing the restriction on him from a distance, ordering, "He might be in the royal capital now, contact him immediately."

"He's in the royal capital?" Young Master Nan was surprised, slowly taking out the mother-child talisman.

Jiahuan reminded beside him, "If you can't capture him this time, I can't protect you either."

Actually, it was a warning for Young Master Nan not to play tricks, not to treat his life as a joke.

Young Master Nan was dumbfounded; he hadn't done anything, always adhering to the rules, at most doing some borderline tasks. Suddenly, protection was not possible, suddenly close to being cornered, what's happening here?

He couldn't help but ask again, "Right Saint, what exactly did Shi Chun do?"

However, Jiahuan couldn't tell him about the matters in the queen's room, which were tightly sealed from spreading, said deeply, "If you dawdle, it'll be less polite when someone else comes."

Okay then, Young Master Nan looked down at the mother-child talisman in his hand, realizing why they wanted to secretly capture him—it was to avoid alerting the snake.

He was conflicted in both heart and expression. Contacting Shi Chun now would mean selling him out again.

But did he have a choice?

Being brought to the interrogation place was clearly indicative.

He knew his weak points, knew he couldn't withstand torture, knew he'd eventually comply under severe punishment.

This time was really different from the previous rounds of dealings, leaving him no wiggle room.

Therefore, he finally sent the message to Shi Chun reluctantly.

After a long period of quiet waiting, the mother-child talisman showed no reaction. Young Master Nan looked up and said, "Where's the news saying he's in the royal capital? Could there be a misunderstanding?"

Jiahuan spoke again, "Contact him again."

Okay, Young Master Nan could only comply, sending the message and waiting, then sending after waiting.

After several fruitless attempts, Jiahuan gave up, turning his head to call, "Wei Mo."

Footsteps sounded from the shadowy corner at the entrance. A man in saffron silk attire, wearing a proper silk hat, with three strands of long beard on a square face walked out from the shadow—none other than the former Shengzhou Domain Master Wei Mo.

"Right Saint." Wei Mo appeared to pay respects, then slightly nodded to Young Master Nan, "Young Master Nan, it's been a while."

Jiahuan: "I leave him to you, take him to Juku State. Whatever support you need will be provided, make sure to find Shi Chun."

With his status, he couldn't always handle such trivial matters personally.

Wei Mo inwardly smiled bitterly, wondering what bad luck brought him this task; the reason was supposedly his familiarity with Shi Chun, saying he understood Shi Chun better.

The problem was, how was he familiar? He understood nothing, merely met twice.

But the matter soured because of his limited dealings with Shi Chun. Not familiar? Then why write an inscription for him at Wukang Mountain?

Making him unable to explain, indisputable.

Explaining more might seem like declining, just asked if he'd do it?

The question was, how to proceed? He didn't even know what Shi Chun got involved in; he just had to escort Young Master Nan to Western Ox Continent to catch Shi Chun.

It was entirely a matter of undertaking first, figuring out later.

Despite many frustrations at the moment, he could only accept the command with clasped hands, "Yes."

Jiahuan then solemnly addressed Young Master Nan, "This isn't to scare you; the consequence of not capturing Shi Chun this time will certainly mean rather killing wrongly than missing him, and a lot of blood will flow before this matter calms down. By then, I won't be able to protect you!"

Not just Young Master Nan, even Wei Mo inwardly murmured, wondering what catastrophe Shi Chun caused to have Right Saint expressing such helplessness; did he stir real trouble?

Jiahuan dropped his words and left, leaving the two in the interrogation room staring at each other.

After the footsteps faded, Young Master Nan politely clasped hands, "Lord Wei, long time no see."

Wei Mo waved, "Ah, I'm no longer any domain master."

As he anticipated, the Shengzhou Domain Master position was replaced, reassigned elsewhere, now inexplicably called upon, even his superior didn't understand what's happening.

Young Master Nan didn't want to dwell, in a low voice asked, "What did Shi Chun do?"

Wei Mo shrugged, "You're asking me? I want to ask you. I was summoned to the royal capital, less than half an hour from beginning to end. Let's find a place to chat, understand the general situation before proceeding."

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