"Is it here?"

Yang Chenghua looked at the distant temple, his expression somewhat peculiar.

Li Yan quickly inquired, "Senior, is something wrong?"

Qingyang Palace is the foremost Taoist temple in the Southwest, with a long history. In terms of its standing within the Mystical Sect, it is not inferior to Qingcheng Mountain.

Last time, Li Yan tried to use the Escape Technique, yet the Incense Fire God within the temple vaguely sensed it. To infiltrate secretly, he could only seek Yang Chenghua's help.

Upon hearing Li Yan's inquiry, Yang Chenghua slightly shook his head, a trace of nostalgia flashing in his eyes. "Last time I was here, I stayed for three years. I'm not sure if those people are still around..."

Li Yan was somewhat surprised, "Senior also studied here?"

Yang Chenghua's identity was sensitive; he dared not expose it, nor did he have anyone to guide him. After leaving Guankou, he relied entirely on his incredible talent to self-study or stealthily learn.

He once said he infiltrated many Magic Veins to secretly study.

Unexpectedly, he didn't miss out on Qingyang Palace as well.

"Yes."

Yang Chenghua smiled and said, "Qingyang Palace is too much trouble. Studying for three years, examining for three years, and you have to be familiar with the Daoist Scripture and rites before being taught the Secret Technique."

"I didn't have that much time, so I disguised myself as a fire-stoking child and slipped in, secretly studying for two years before leaving."

"I see."

Li Yan nodded and smiled, "Qingyang Palace is now heavily guarded. Senior, with your familiarity and Secret Technique, I indeed found the right person."

Yang Chenghua slightly shook his head, "Entering Qingyang Palace isn't that troublesome; just follow me."

With that, he turned and left, taking Li Yan with him.

"Senior, where are we going?"

"You'll know when we get there."

Yang Chenghua was in high spirits, keeping them in suspense.

Li Yan could only smile wryly and follow closely behind.

As if recalling something amusing, Yang Chenghua's face, for once, revealed a smile.

The area near Qingyang Palace wasn't desolate.

This place was outside the city, and the city gates would close by evening. The rooms inside Qingyang Palace were limited, so for the convenience of guests seeking lodging, some inns and teahouses were built nearby, gradually forming a small street.

Upon seeing that street from afar, Yang Chenghua smiled and said, "Back then, I pretended to be a Daoist and befriended a little chubby kid in Qingyang Palace. He was both gluttonous and foolish, trailing behind me all day long."

"Unfortunately, he really had no talent. As I left, I left some silver for him to make a home there, where I discovered a hidden passage."

As they spoke, the two had arrived at the outskirts of the small street.

Because the gates of Chengdu Prefecture had closed, there wasn't much business, so the street was cold and deserted, with most places not open.

Yang Chenghua took Li Yan to a teahouse named "Scattered Flowers Teahouse," looked up, and was visibly surprised, muttering, "Not bad at all. Could it be that the dummy's business was taken over?"

With those words, he stepped forward and knocked on the door.

The door was tightly shut, but there were people inside.

With a creak, an elderly shopkeeper opened a crack in the door, looking at the two with full vigilance, "The shop is closed, I'm afraid."

Bang!

Just as the old shopkeeper was about to close the door, Yang Chenghua held it open with one hand, coolly demanding, "Who are you? Where's Wu Fatso?"

The old shopkeeper was stunned upon hearing that, staring at Yang Chenghua for a long time, eyes filled with both shock and joy, "Are you Mr. Yang? Yang Ergou."

Yang Ergou?

What kind of name is that?

Li Yan almost burst into laughter.

Seeing Yang Chenghua nod, the old shopkeeper happily opened the door, "Sir, I've waited for you many years. Finally, you're here, I was worried I wouldn't last..."

This old shopkeeper rambled on and on, inviting the two inside, and Li Yan finally understood how the man recognized Yang Chenghua.

On the left wall of the hall, a painting hung, depicting a young boy with a blade of grass in his mouth, lounging lazily on a hillside.

Though young, his brows and features were almost identical to Yang Chenghua's, even his demeanor was strikingly similar.

"Where's Wu Fatso?"

Yang Chenghua's brows furrowed, his face showing displeasure.

He took utmost care in concealing his identity, blending into the crowd like a bystander for years, only revealing himself in his youth.

With people constantly coming and going near a teahouse like this, so close to Qingyang Palace, wouldn't it spell trouble for him?

The old shopkeeper sighed, "The boss left three years ago..."

Yang Chenghua's body slightly tensed, "What happened?"

The old shopkeeper lamented, "In those years, the boss's business grew bigger, but his health wasn't great. Plus, the Wu family's business was moving to Jinmen, so he left this place to his son and stayed here alone."

Yang Chenghua frowned, "Why do that?"

The old shopkeeper shook his head, "The boss said you're sure to come back and asked me to convey something to you."

"Want to buy osmanthus and carry wine, but it's never like, a youth's wandering. Throughout his life of ups and downs, his happiest times were those days spent following you, stealing wine to drink while behind you..."

Upon hearing this, Yang Chenghua fell silent.

The old shopkeeper, however, seemingly afraid he would leave, hastily continued, "The boss left a room for you, forbidding anyone else from entering. He also left good wine and tea, saying his greatest wish was to invite you for a drink in return."

With that, he led the two to a corner room on the first floor, unlocked the bronze lock, and invited them inside.

Li Yan looked around and found it was a room with no windows, furnished simply with a soft bed, a square table, and two chairs.

On the table were tea cups and a jar of wine.

And on the opposite wall hung a painting of a little chubby boy in a Daoist robe, holding a wine jar with a joyful grin, seemingly looking at them...

The old shopkeeper hurriedly said, "I'll go make some food for you two..."

"No need."

Without turning his head, Yang Chenghua waved his hand, "Let us be alone for a while, and afterward, we will leave, no more questions."

"Understood, sir."

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