Chapter 512: Smell

Xi Quan did not stay long at the welcoming banquet. It was a gathering of the city guards, and he only went to show his face, say hello, become somewhat acquainted with Lou Xiu, and make an initial connection. True relationships would have to be built in private.

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

This time, when Xi Quan descended the stairs, he seemed to avert his gaze, not looking directly at Shi Chun and his group. However, they were still in his peripheral vision.

After seeing off the guests, Yin Xu stood outside, her smile gradually fading. When she went back inside and upstairs, she also didn't look directly at Shi Chun's group. However, she noticed their attention with her peripheral vision, and a slight, knowing smile appeared at the corner of her lips. Believing deeply in her own charm, she smoothed down a strand of hair.

The welcoming banquet, with its eating, drinking, and merrymaking, lasted quite a long time. It was almost deep into the night when the city guards, reeking of alcohol, gradually dispersed.

Upon discreet inquiry, Hua Chong leaned in and whispered to Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang, introducing the arriving individuals one by one.

Hua Chong didn't recognize Lou Xiu, but seeing how he was surrounded and revered, he guessed his identity.

Shi Chun had also seen Lou Xiu; he was a witness when Ah Xun was killed, so how could he forget?

The proprietress, Yin Xu, enthusiastically saw the guests to the door. Only after all the guests had disappeared did she turn to go back inside, where she found Shi Chun's group calling for a waiter to settle their bill.

She raised a hand to the waiter, who immediately understood and stopped moving.

Yin Xu walked to the table, glanced at the leftovers, and asked with a smile, "You gentlemen look quite unfamiliar. Is this your first time at my humble establishment?"

Wu Jinliang chuckled, "Proprietress, how can you call this a 'humble establishment' with such a grand scale?"

Yin Xu smiled modestly, but her gaze settled on Shi Chun. She had been observing the three of them in secret for so long, and had managed this place for so many years; if she couldn't even tell who was in charge among the three, then she had been wasting her time.

Shi Chun stood up, pointed at the items on the table, and asked, "How much is it?"

Yin Xu smiled and said, "It's destiny that we meet. Since honored guests are gracing my humble establishment for the first time, consider today my treat. I hope you will favor my business with your continued patronage in the future. My name is Yin Xu – Yin as in 'crimson,' Xu as in 'promise.' I've managed 'Vermilion Pavilion' for quite a few years now. If you need anything when you visit again, please don't hesitate to find me. By the way, may I ask your esteemed names?"

The three men exchanged glances. They hadn't expected to receive a complimentary meal on their first visit. It was also Hua Chong's first time spending money in such an expensive place.

Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang also knew the place was expensive, but they had money. They just hadn't expected to encounter a situation where they had money but couldn't spend it.

Hua Chong found it difficult to respond and observed the reactions of the other two.

When Wu Jinliang encountered something uncertain, he also looked to Shi Chun for a reaction.

This exchange made Yin Xu's smile broaden, confirming even more that Shi Chun was the leader of the group.

Shi Chun thought for a moment, then, without pretense or refusal, smiled and nodded, saying, "My name is Wang Ping."

So Wu Jinliang also added, "Gao He."

His gaze, however, was subtly and closely scrutinizing her full, shapely, and fair figure, noticing that the woman had exceptionally captivating "peach blossom" eyes.

The scrawny Hua Chong immediately puffed out his chest, declaring, "And I am Hua Chong."

Yin Xu then turned sideways and gestured them out. After Shi Chun emerged, she linked her arm through a greenish-blue gauze shawl and walked alongside him, chatting and smiling all the way. As she saw them to the door, she asked, "Brother Wang, are you staying as a guest, or do you have a place to settle? If you're new here and have nowhere to rest, my 'Vermilion Pavilion,' while not the absolute best among inns in Remote Mountain City, is quite decent. Perhaps you gentlemen might consider..."

Just then, a gust of wind blew from Shi Chun's direction. Before Yin Xu could finish her suggestion of 'perhaps you gentlemen might consider,' her nostrils subtly flared, her eyes widened slightly, and then she stared intently at Shi Chun, a look of surprise blooming on her face. The rest of her words became tangled.

Shi Chun smiled faintly and said, "We already have a place to stay. Thank you for your hospitality today, Proprietress. We will properly repay your kindness when we have the chance. Farewell!" He cupped his hands in a respectful salute.

"Oh, alright." Yin Xu, who was usually so graceful and at ease with guests, suddenly became somewhat clumsy, or rather, unnatural.

Wu Jinliang and Hua Chong also cupped their hands and bid farewell.

Watching the three turn to leave, Yin Xu remembered the furtive spying by the Extreme Fire Sect's head. She couldn't help but add a word of concern, "Be careful on your way."

The three men took it simply as a kind remark, gave it no further thought, and just smiled, turning back to wave their hands.

After they had walked a little further, Hua Chong happily remarked, "Our first time breaking fast at 'Vermilion Pavilion,' and the proprietress herself treated us! We really benefited from you two."

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

Hua Chong, however, disagreed. "Not necessarily. Those who are used to doing business develop sharp eyes; they know how to size up a person. If it were me, forget a free meal—the proprietress wouldn't even personally entertain me. Her eyes are sharp; she must have recognized you two as distinguished guests. Just the fabric of your clothes alone indicates they're extraordinary."

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

On the way down the mountain, for some reason, Hua Chong noticed Shi Chun occasionally surveying their surroundings.

Meanwhile, the proprietress, Yin Xu, was still standing motionlessly at the main entrance, her clothes fluttering in the wind, clearly lost in thought.

The manager who had conspired with her inside came out and, seeing her in a daze, asked, "Sister Hong, what's wrong?"

Yin Xu looked back at her surroundings and behind her, her expression somewhat solemn. She whispered to him, "On that Wang Ping, I seem to smell the aura of the Old Ancestor."

The manager was stunned, then surprised. He lowered his voice and said, "How is that possible? The Old Ancestor is sleeping in the divine tomb; even our own clan members don't get to see her. How could he have had contact?"

Yin Xu replied, "That's why I'm also doubtful. I don't know if I'm mistaken. If it's true, then unless he recently came into contact with the Old Ancestor, there's only one other possibility: the Old Ancestor intentionally placed the scent on him. Otherwise, it wouldn't remain on him for so long."

The manager became even more surprised. "How could that be?"

Yin Xu, deep in thought, gazed in the direction where the guests had disappeared into the night. She murmured to herself, "I forgot to call a carriage for them; I could have found out where they're staying. I'll have to smell them again to confirm if I get another chance."

Shi Chun's group parted ways in the city. They were returning to their inn, and they told Hua Chong to go back as well.

With no one else around, Wu Jinliang chuckled, "That proprietress is quite something—beautiful, but occasionally, a hint of demonic energy leaks out. I wonder what kind of demon she is."

Shi Chun casually replied, "A fox demon."

As he spoke, he glanced back.

Seeing this, Wu Jinliang was about to ask. He couldn't ask earlier with Hua Chong nearby, so now he couldn't help but whisper, "What's wrong?"

Shi Chun: "Two people have been following us since we were on the mountain at 'Vermilion Pavilion.' I don't know if they were sent by the proprietress."

Wu Jinliang considered himself vigilant, but he hadn't noticed anyone following them. However, he knew about the Boss's special eye ability; if it had been activated on the mountain, no one could escape the Boss's sight. He immediately cursed softly, "Inviting us for no reason, being overly attentive when there's no need – I knew it was too good to be true. No, why are they watching us? Did they recognize our identities?"

Shi Chun: "I don't know if they are friends or foes. As long as they don't attack us directly, it's nothing to worry about."

Wu Jinliang fully agreed with this. Their philosophy had always been the same: they only feared those who could directly harm them.

On their way, the two made no attempts to shake off anyone. They leisurely strolled through the bustling, sleepless city, eventually returning to Yuelai Inn at a relaxed pace.

In the guest room, Chu Jingting was already waiting for them inside.

No words were needed upon meeting. The two immediately asked to see the information about Bai Qiru that Young Master Nan had sent.

The Dragon and Phoenix clans considered themselves different from ordinary demon clans, viewing themselves as divine races. Each naturally had their own subordinate forces. The Bai clan, also residents of Fenglin Continent for generations, belonged to the Phoenix clan, though they were actually a group of tiger demons.

The current head of the Bai clan was known as Granny Qi. Some important officials in the Phoenix clan were raised by her, so she was quite reputable among them.

Bai Qiru was actually Granny Qi's biological granddaughter, but due to her rebellious and unruly behavior, she was expelled from the family and banished to Dazhi City, where she lived by managing the Bai Family Rice Shop. Incidentally, that Bai Family Rice Shop was an ancestral property of the Bai clan; it was said to have existed for a very long time, and it seemed the Bai clan began its rise from that single rice shop. The exact period was unknown to outsiders.

Furthermore, Bai Qiru, banished to Dazhi City, married a good-for-nothing old man, a rat demon named Huang Yingying, who belonged to a lineage of slaves, simply to spite her family. This infuriated the Bai clan immensely. It was rumored that Granny Qi was so angry she declared she had no such granddaughter.

In any case, that was all the information regarding the current situation of the Bai Family Rice Shop.

After reading it, Wu Jinliang cheerfully said, "I knew it! How could she possibly marry someone like Old Huang for no good reason? Turns out she was trying to spite her family. Spring, with this background, it all makes sense now."

Shi Chun remained silent for a moment, said nothing more, and directly crumpled the papers containing the relevant information brought by Chu Jingting into dust.

Afterwards, he instructed Chu Jingting, "The two of us are being watched. We don't know if they are friends or foes, but they've already checked into the building directly across from us. Later, we'll go out for a bit to draw them away, and then you can leave. If there's anything to convey later, try to avoid meeting in person."

Chu Jingting was speechless for a moment before responding, "Alright."

He smiled bitterly in his heart. How did they end up being watched as soon as they arrived in Remote Mountain City? Did they have to stir up trouble and dangerous situations everywhere they went? He really wanted to ask, was this how the rest of his life was going to be?

Amidst the pavilions and towers, Lou Xiu, having finished with his colleagues, returned to his room reeking of alcohol. As he closed the door, he suddenly saw a figure seated behind a screen and exclaimed in surprise, "Who's there?"

A light flickered behind the screen, and a deep voice replied, "You're back."

Upon hearing the voice, Lou Xiu immediately dropped his guard and quickly moved behind the screen. He saw a person cloaked in a hood sitting by a small round table and, surprised, bowed, "My Lord, why have you come?"

The cloaked figure said gravely, "I told you to strive to take charge of Dazhi City, and instead, you've made it impossible for yourself to gain a foothold. So tell me, why have I come?"

Lou Xiu slumped his back, his face flushing with shame. "I merely wanted to curry favor with Ah Xun, to have him speak well of me on the divine mountain. I truly didn't expect such complications."

The cloaked figure: "Fool, don't you think? Which family whose ancestors could own such a large ancestral home in the best part of a city would have simple origins? To have preserved that ancestral home until now, can you guarantee that family has truly fallen to the point where no one can speak for them? Li Xianghong is much smarter than you; she knows to maintain friendly relations with that family."

Lou Xiu bowed repeatedly, "Yes, this subordinate is foolish."

The cloaked figure: "Did someone from the Extreme Fire Sect seek you out?"

Lou Xiu paused for a moment, then replied, "Yes, someone in charge came today and greeted me."

The cloaked figure: "Right where your welcoming banquet was held, they discovered two individuals named Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang. The Extreme Fire Sect has received the news and dispatched people to target them. Our superiors are also very interested in these two. You need to use the Extreme Fire Sect's efforts to find them..."