Chapter 1245: Jianghu Swindler

Zuan's scalp tingled. These women were truly too clever; they could infer clues from just a few words.

Facing the three women's scrutinizing gazes, Zuan was a hair's breadth away from exposure. Fortunately, Xingnu arrived with reinforcements at that moment.

With this brief reprieve, he finally thought of an explanation.

He coughed lightly and replied, "A note was hidden inside today's breakfast pastries. It stated that she had coincidentally obtained this information, which is why she warned me."

Yan Xuehen uttered a sound of surprise. "Logically, only the higher-ups in the Royal Court should know about this. How could she have gotten the news?"

Yu Yanluo explained, "Fox clan members are always adept at cultivating relationships and are good at dealing with all sorts of people. They maintain excellent relations with various factions, and their intelligence-gathering abilities are also well-known."

Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue secretly nodded. Yu Yanluo was more familiar with the demon race, and her judgment seemed reasonable.

"But I'm more curious why she would notify you, and in such a way," Yun Jianyue said, looking at Zuan with suspicion. Having grown up in an environment like the Demonic Sect, she was sensitive to everything. She always felt that something was very wrong with this matter, but she couldn't pinpoint what it was.

Zuan had already sorted out his thoughts and explained, "I suppose it's because I saved them yesterday, and she's repaying my kindness. The reason she used this method to notify me was probably for her own protection, to prevent others from knowing it was her who informed me. Her not coming out to see us off today is also likely to avoid suspicion, making other factions believe her relationship with us isn't that close."

After speaking, he couldn't help but admire himself. He was practically a genius; he could make such a story sound plausible.

"So that's how it is," the women sighed in succession. "Before, we thought Tushan Yu was being a bit negligent, but now we realize we misunderstood her. Next time we have the chance, we must thank her."

After this incident, everyone gradually quieted down, and a strange silence fell over the lizard carriage.

Yu Yanluo found an opportunity to discreetly tug Zuan's sleeve, then transmitted her voice with vital energy, "A'Zu, have I inadvertently offended them somehow? You must tell me, lest I make a mistake without realizing it."

Zuan was a bit awkward. "No, you're overthinking it."

What wrong had she done? Ultimately, she was the scapegoat.

"No, something is definitely going on," Yu Yanluo said, her delicate eyebrows furrowing slightly as she subconsciously looked at the two women. Ever since greeting them this morning, she felt their attitude wasn't quite right. She hadn't thought much of it at first, but later, more and more clues proved there was a problem.

Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue, who had originally been paying attention to the two, subconsciously turned their heads away. Each snorted inwardly: "Again, they're whispering secretly. They're probably flirting again."

"Does this woman enjoy the thrill of sneaking around so much?"

"And Zuan, this fellow, has no self-respect at all, insisting on flaunting their affection in front of us."

Rage points from Yan Xuehen: 111111111...

Rage points from Yun Jianyue: 111111111...

Seeing the string of rage points in the system backend, Zuan was utterly bewildered, but he didn't dare ask at that moment.

The atmosphere in the carriage for the rest of the journey was extremely strange and tense. When they reached the next town, Zuan hastily called for a stop to rest for a bit.

Xingnu outside was a bit puzzled. "We haven't even been out of Qingqiu City for half a day. Are we stopping so soon?"

Yu Yanluo coughed lightly. "Just rest if he tells you to."

Yun Jianyue and Yan Xuehen also couldn't stand the strangeness in the carriage and both agreed to go out for some fresh air.

The group walked along the town road, each lost in their own thoughts. To break the awkward silence, Zuan quickly found a topic and said, "Huh, it seems like we've seen many masters from various races along the way."

"Indeed, I noticed it in Qingqiu City earlier too," Yun Jianyue responded. She originally didn't want to engage with him, but since it concerned a serious matter, she continued, "At the time, I thought it was because Qingqiu City was exceptionally open, so masters from various races came, drawn by the fox women."

Yan Xuehen also sighed, "It's been a long time since I've seen so many demons, not since the great war between humans and demons years ago."

Yu Yanluo originally wanted to ask if the two of them had also experienced that fierce decisive battle back then, but when the words reached her lips, she remembered the two women's various odd behaviors today, so she swallowed them back.

"Hmph, if you're going to be cold to me, why should I bother trying to warm up to you?"

"Just now, I vaguely heard those demons muttering about treasure maps and rare treasures," Yun Jianyue said, ever alert to her surroundings.

"I noticed it too," Yan Xuehen said. "But it seems many people have something resembling a map in their hands. It would be strange if it were truly a treasure map." Yan Xuehen naturally didn't believe it. If there were truly a rare treasure, the map would be extremely valuable; how could everyone have a copy?

Yu Yanluo also ignored the two women and looked directly at Zuan. "Tushan Yu seemed to have mentioned that some things had recently happened in Qingqiu Kingdom that required her to stay here and handle. Did she tell you anything about it?"

Zuan's smile immediately froze. "No..."

The two of them had been too busy "exchanging pleasantries." Even when they discussed topics, they were related to the Royal Court or super-tier aptitudes.

If he had known this, he would have asked her then. Given their current relationship, she definitely wouldn't have hidden anything from him.

"Come one, come all, ladies and gentlemen! This is a treasure map I stumbled upon by chance. It contains a tremendous opportunity, and perhaps you'll be the next lucky one!"

"Only ten silver taels per copy! And you could become the chosen one, gaining an unparalleled fortuitous encounter!"

"Ten silver taels won't buy you a loss or a scam! Can't even afford ten taels? You pauper!"

Hearing a grumbling voice, the group exchanged glances. The voice was familiar; it belonged to Wu Liang, the chubby fortune-telling Daoist from before.

The group followed the sound and soon saw Wu Liang vigorously selling maps to passersby, spitting as he spoke.

Today, he wasn't carrying his "Wu the Half-Immortal" banner or even wearing his Daoist robes. Instead, he wore a dog-skin hat, looking exactly like a street merchant.

After he made a round selling, many people walked away grumbling, but quite a few decided to spend ten silver taels to try their luck. As a result, he had successfully sold quite a few along the way.

The group was dumbfounded. "This guy truly is a charlatan!"

Just as Wu Liang was delightedly counting his silver, someone suddenly patted his shoulder. He instinctively turned his head. "Ah, looking to buy a treasure map... Oh, it's you all!"

Zuan said with a half-smile, "Daoist, how did you change professions?"

Wu Liang said without batting an eyelid, "The people here are too enthusiastic. As soon as they saw my Daoist attire, they wanted to give me incense money, and I couldn't refuse them. Not wanting to get too entangled in worldly karma, I specifically changed my clothes."

The group was speechless. This guy was spouting nonsense with a straight face.

"So you're selling these 'treasure maps' now; aren't you afraid of getting entangled in worldly karma?" Yun Jianyue sneered from the side.

Wu Liang sighed. "Even reclusive masters need to eat. What's wrong with me earning money based on my abilities?"

Everyone was speechless.

At this moment, Wu Liang's eyes suddenly lit up, and he winked at Zuan. "You're glowing, and your eyes show signs of romance. How did that romantic luck I told you about last time taste?"

Hearing his words, the three women, who had originally been in a huff with each other, simultaneously turned to look at Zuan.