Chapter 514: He Was Also Joking

Qiu Ben, the Hall Master from Extreme Fire Sect who came this time, appeared to be around fifty years old. He had a robust physique, a steady and reliable look, and an intimidating gaze. With a square face, short beard, and short hair, he clearly was someone who frequently shaved his head and beard.

Disguise was quite convenient for him; his appearance would change if his hair and beard grew out. Perhaps it was to avoid recognition. He wore a grey cloth cloak with a hood that could cover the lower half of his face when pulled up, providing a degree of concealment.

As the Hall Master of the Extreme Fire Sect's Martial Hall, his role, as the name suggests, was to specialize in martial power within this artifact-refining sect. Those who could attain the position of Martial Hall Master were typically highly skilled in combat within the sect, and Qiu Ben's cultivation had already reached the early stage of Heavenly Immortal. For a top-tier sect like Extreme Fire Sect, one could not become a Martial Hall Master without reaching the Heavenly Immortal realm. The previous Hall Master had already been promoted to an Elder of the Extreme Fire Sect. For the prestigious Extreme Fire Sect to dispatch its Martial Hall Master to deal with Shi Chun was an extraordinary measure, indicating the sect's strong emphasis on this matter and its determination to succeed.

Hearing that Hua Chong's side also had some developments, Qiu Ben, after inquiring about the situation, instructed Xi Quan: "Since Shi Chun might have seen you, you should avoid their side. You will be responsible for coordinating personnel to monitor the two who broke into Hua Chong's house."

"Yes," Xi Quan replied.

After all arrangements were made, dawn was breaking. Under the surveillance of Extreme Fire Sect, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang left their room and openly had breakfast at the inn. Meanwhile, Yin Tianlu, hiding in a corner, observed Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang. After confirming their identities, he quickly returned to Qiu Ben's room and reported: "Hall Master, it's confirmed. It's indeed Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang. I'd recognize those two even if they turned to ash." His purpose in coming here was precisely this: to identify the individuals. It wasn't a lack of trust in Xi Quan, but rather a reflection of Extreme Fire Sect's cautious approach. After all, Xi Quan had limited contact with Shi Chun and his companion, whereas Yin Tianlu was different.

With this confirmation, Qiu Ben no longer had any doubts. He immediately warned: "Good, your mission is complete. Both Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang know you, so you shouldn't stay here long. Return to the sect immediately." Yin Tianlu was stunned upon hearing this. He quickly said, "Hall Master, I have an old grudge against them that remains unavenged. Junior Brother Heihu died by their hands, and I bear some responsibility. I beg the Hall Master to grant me an opportunity to personally avenge him." Boosted by the divine fire's power and the sect's allocation of cultivation resources, his cultivation had broken through to the Human Immortal realm. His confidence was stirring, and with powerful martial protection now at hand, he indeed wanted to seize this chance to redeem himself. Qiu Ben, however, remained unmoved. "No. You've absorbed three divine fires and are a pillar of the sect's future. It's not worth expending yourself on such trivial matters." He then turned to someone beside him and said, "You personally escort him back." "Yes," the person on the side replied, accepting the order. Yin Tianlu was choked with emotion and speechless, able only to lower his head in silent assent.

Not long after Yin Tianlu left, another person came to report: "Hall Master, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang checked out after breakfast and left the inn. We don't know where they're going, but our people are already following them." "Checked out?" Qiu Ben stood up, assuming the two were leaving Yaoshan City. He immediately ordered his own group to check out and depart as well.

In fact, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang didn't go anywhere far; they headed straight to the Vermilion Jade Pavilion again. According to Wu Jinliang, Extreme Fire Sect must have come prepared this time. Moreover, Shi Chun had discerned that a Heavenly Immortal realm cultivator was among them. Neither his fifth-grade magical artifact nor the immobilization spell in his gourd would be able to withstand such an opponent, so it would be better to find a way to escape first. However, Shi Chun believed that since the opponents had come prepared, if they couldn't escape, they wouldn't be able to escape now either. It wasn't worthwhile to panic and flee before anything even started. Instead, it would be better to first determine if the Vermilion Jade Pavilion was aligned with Extreme Fire Sect. If they weren't allied, he wanted to find out why the proprietress had given them a free pass last night, which had made him suspicious all the way. He also wanted to see if the Vermilion Jade Pavilion's method of transporting people could serve as a potential escape route.

The two spent some time wandering around Yaoshan City in broad daylight before finally arriving at their destination, the Vermilion Jade Pavilion. Being accustomed to spending money, the two requested a relatively good room on a higher floor. The method of ascending was quite novel; unlike the rope ladders they had seen for high buildings in the capital of Shengshenzhou, this place utilized a water-based formation. The transport box for people was located inside a columnar body of water. Once a person entered the sealed box, buoyancy would directly carry both the box and the person upwards. The room number determined the floor where the transport box would stop, with dedicated personnel overseeing the process.

Not long after the two left the reception desk, two individuals from Extreme Fire Sect approached the counter to request rooms. One of them said, "The two who just checked in are with us. We want the room next to theirs." However, they were somewhat unaware of the Vermilion Jade Pavilion's rules. The attendant smiled and said, "Sirs, everyone who enters our establishment is a valued guest. Our establishment does not disclose any guest's room number to anyone. This is our rule, and I dare not violate it. Please don't make things difficult for me. Or perhaps, you could ask your friends yourselves before reserving a room?" The two visitors exchanged glances. One of them immediately changed his tune, saying, "It doesn't matter then, any room will do." After settling the arrangements, one went to the guest room, while the other left to report the situation.

On the top floor, under a clear sky, Proprietress Yin Xu was tending to some precious flowers and plants, occasionally enjoying the surrounding scenery. Tian Shen, the second steward of Vermilion Jade Pavilion and the one tasked with finding Hua Chong last night, suddenly arrived in a hurry. He walked among the rare flowers and plants, interrupting Yin Xu's leisurely mood: "Sister Hong, Wang Ping and Gao He from last night just checked into our pavilion." "Oh." Yin Xu, who had been smelling flowers and pruning leaves, immediately stopped what she was doing. She seemed eager as she asked, "Which room are they staying in?" She had been thinking about the scent she detected last night and wanted to confirm it again.

The entire Vermilion Jade Pavilion had only fifty-nine floors. Tian Shen said, "Room Ding-hao on the fifty-fifth floor. I didn't know they had arrived at first; it was the attendant at the front desk who noticed something was amiss. He reported that three waves of people came consecutively, inquiring about the guests in Room Ding-hao on the fifty-fifth floor. One of these waves was from the city guard, and the other two are currently unknown. As soon as I inquired about the guests and heard their descriptions, I knew it was Wang Ping and Gao He. I just personally delivered tea and confirmed it face-to-face; it is indeed those two." Yin Xu, with skin as fair as snow and lightly applied makeup, furrowed her brow slightly. "Three waves of people are inquiring about them. What exactly is the background of these two? Yesterday, they used that rogue to inquire about city guard personnel, and now the city guard is secretly inquiring about them..." After a moment of thought, she decided not to concern herself with the current situation. She simply wanted to confirm as quickly as possible whether the person truly carried the aura of the patriarch. She immediately turned around and said, "Prepare some things for me..."

Soon, the enchanting and charming proprietress appeared before the bronze-plated door of Room Ding-hao on the fifty-fifth floor, knocking while holding a fruit platter composed of various spiritual fruits. Inside the room, Shi Chun knew who had arrived without needing to open the door. He gave Wu Jinliang a signal. Wu Jinliang understood. Who wouldn't know how to pretend to be the boss? And he was quite happy to play Shi Chun's superior. He immediately sat down, crossing his legs with a relaxed air. Shi Chun went behind the corner and personally opened the door. Seeing Yin Xu, who was smiling, he paused for a moment, then turned back and called out, "Big Brother, the proprietress has come in person!" His shout froze the smile on Yin Xu's face.

Footsteps approached, and a tall figure emerged from behind the carved screen. It was indeed the tall man named Gao He from last night. As soon as Wu Jinliang revealed himself and saw her, he chuckled and said, "Proprietress, why have you come? My apologies, my apologies, please come in." Yin Xu, whose eyes darted between the two men's faces, quickly offered a polite smile. As she entered, she explained, "I heard from the attendant that two distinguished guests have come to patronize us, so naturally, I had to come and offer some small token of my appreciation." Shi Chun quickly closed the door, took the items, placed them on the table, and seeing Wu Jinliang's gesture, immediately poured tea and water for the two seated figures. He then stood beside Wu Jinliang, ready to obey orders. This series of actions made Yin Xu, who was conversing with Wu Jinliang, lose focus. Her thoughts kept drifting, and she began to doubt her judgment from last night.

After a moment of thought, her tone shifted. "Since two esteemed guests have come to favor us with their presence, it is only proper for this humble one to express my gratitude. I hope you will grant me the opportunity to host a banquet for you this evening." Wu Jinliang's face was all smiles, but his eyes darted to Shi Chun. How could he make a decision on this? He didn't know what schemes the other party had up her sleeve, so naturally, he had to take his cue from Shi Chun. Seeing Shi Chun's slight nod of approval, he immediately chuckled, "Proprietress, with such a generous invitation, I, Gao, could not ask for more."

Yin Xu, observing their expressions, immediately knew her judgment from last night was correct. Covering her mouth with a smile, she stood up, walked past Wu Jinliang, and approached Shi Chun. "Brother Wang, won't you honor us with your presence?" It was Shi Chun's first time experiencing a beautiful woman approaching with her chest prominently displayed, causing him to instinctively lean back. "I'll do whatever my Big Brother decides," he said. Yin Xu continued to close in, teasing, "Brother Wang, are you so afraid? Do you fear this humble one might eat you?" Witnessing this direct, aggressive approach, Wu Jinliang's eyes widened, full of questions. What was the meaning of this?

Shi Chun noticed something amiss from her teasing gaze, realizing she had seen through their implied master-servant relationship. Given his own intentions, he immediately stopped playing weak. Seizing the opportunity, he straightened his previously leaning posture, effortlessly wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her into a close embrace. Looking down at her charming face, where her breath was like orchids, he stared into her moist, alluring peach-blossom eyes and said, "No, I'm not afraid. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen." Wu Jinliang grimaced, almost cringing at the cheesiness of the words. He inwardly cursed Shi Chun for his shamelessness, while his eyes gradually widened. He watched as the hand wrapped around the woman's waist slid down to her backside, an action that left him speechless and feeling quite bitter. He couldn't understand. Was he not tall and imposing enough, or not handsome enough? How had he ended up as the second fiddle to his younger brother?

Yin Xu seemed to enjoy the man's embrace. After closing her eyes and leaning her face against Shi Chun's, playfully inhaling his scent for a moment, she suddenly opened her eyes and pushed him away. Taking two steps back, she smiled at Wu Jinliang and said, "Your brother really can't stand a test. It was just a joke, don't take it seriously." Wu Jinliang chuckled, "He was just joking too, Proprietress, don't take it seriously."