The previous day, Zhang Yong had made some special preparations before proceeding with this mission.
Usually,when demonic sects move, they do so with a specific purpose and nothing more. The fewer the movements, the lower the chances of being discovered by other sects.
"So, where are we going?" Ning Xia asked with an indifferent expression.
Zhang Yong stretched out his hand and showed the provincial map. "Usually, when demonic sects move, it's far from the eyes of the righteous sects. Therefore, we're left only with cities not under the rule of any sect."
Wu Ruoxian paused for a moment, then approached Zhang Yong and pointed at the map. "There are a number of sects in this province, so there are about eleven cities not under any sect's control, but there are bronze-level families residing there."
"Does that mean we have to go around all these cities? That would be exhausting," Yi Lin couldn't help but complain.
"I don't mind as long as I'm with Sister Wu," Ning Xia immediately clung to Wu Ruoxian's side.
Zhang Yong shook his head. "No, even if we visited them all, there's no guarantee we'd find anything. We're going to Dark Cloud City."
Chu Ning couldn't help but interject. "Out of all the cities, why choose the worst one, full of mercenaries and thieves?"
Zhang Yong put the map back into storage and stepped forward. "It's simple: no one knows a house better than its residents. That was my elder brother's advice. Among all the cities, the one with the worst reputation is Dark Cloud City. We'll ask the thieves themselves about this."
Ning Xia snorted coldly. "Hmph, and I thought you had some kind of plan. You're going to put us in danger."
Zhang Yong paused for a moment, then turned to Ning Xia, feeling annoyed internally. "I wouldn't do something like that. We have half a day to reach the city. Let's set off."
Dark Cloud City could be said to be a city that gathers many outlaws, but none of them dared to act in broad daylight, so it was mostly peaceful.
The place wasn't only for outlaws; it was mostly inhabited by ordinary people. How did they survive?
They had to pay a protection tax. One could say the city was protected by the outlaws within it.
After all,there were no surveillance tools to accuse them since they operated in the dark.
Losing some ordinary people in exchange for allowing outlaws to roam and protect the city seemed very profitable.
....
After determining their destination, the group set off quickly.
They were all martial artist , so traveling on foot wasn't a problem for them.
After covering some distance,Zhang Yong noticed the relationships among those behind him.
Ning Xia was practically glued to Wu Ruoxian. One might easily call it a kind of deep admiration
Like a tigress and her cub?That expression seemed somewhat accurate here.
Meanwhile, Chu Ning seemed very calm as she walked with Yi Lin; they seemed somewhat close.
But it also seemed like Chu Ning was avoiding Wu Ruoxian somewhat,or perhaps Zhang Yong in particular.
From this view, Zhang Yong could say this group was already divided into three: Yi Lin and Chu Ning, Ning Xia and Wu Ruoxian, and then himself.
But nothing bothered Zhang Yong more than Wu Ruoxian's presence.
The Elder said to keep a distance between himself and her,so why is she here on this mission?
Zhang Yong could only think this was a test.Wouldn't this mean someone is secretly accompanying them right now? Otherwise, what would be the point?
After half a day passed, around dusk, the group reached the outskirts of Dark Cloud City as it loomed on the horizon.
"We'll enter the city soon. Don't separate and don't cause any trouble," Zhang Yong said firmly.
Ning Xia raised her eyebrow boredly and said, "As if we're the ones who'll cause trouble, and not you, hothead."
Zhang Yong snorted coldly. This girl had a terrible tongue.
Wu Ruoxian hit Ning Xia's head and began scolding her in the back, while Zhang Yong wasn't interested.
It was nearly dusk, the busiest time on the street. Various vendors were trying their best to shout for their goods, voices louder than one another.
Yi Lin's stomach couldn't take it anymore and she asked, "Leader, I want some dumplings," she said, pointing to the dumpling stall.
Zhang Yong's red eyes flashed as he stared at the dumplings, then a small smile appeared on his face.
He nodded and walked to the stall."How much for the dumplings?"
When the stall owner saw a customer, he happily opened the basket. "One hot piece for one spirit stone."
Zhang Yong raised his hand, took out the spirit stones, and placed them in the stall owner's hand. "I'll take eight."
Immediately, the stall owner smiled as if he had struck gold, took the dumplings, and wrapped them in lotus leaf paper.
Zhang Yong took the pieces and returned to the others.
"Oh yes, I'm hungry!" Immediately, Yi Lin reached out quickly to take the pieces.
But Zhang Yong pulled his hand away from her direction, preventing her from getting them. "No, let's find an inn first."
Yi Lin looked at Zhang Yong with puppy dog eyes. "Can't I just have one?"
Zhang Yong let out a small, mocking laugh. This girl is trying to butter him up like that. Tsk tsk, you still have a long way to go.
Zhang Yong placed the bag into storage. "No, wait until we're at the inn," and led the group to the inn.
As she walked, Yi Lin suddenly felt that this Zhang Yong was abnormal. She was used to acting this way with other disciples, and it always worked. Zhang Yong was the first one this trick didn't work on
This elder brother is way too serious.
On the other hand, Ning Xia stared with a bored expression. No matter how she looked at Zhang Yong, there was nothing special about him. 'Hmph, how dare he steal Big Sister, I won't forgive him.'
While the group was looking for an inn, they suddenly heard a crashing sound ahead, followed by a sharp voice.
"How dare you sell here without paying the protection tax! Are you looking for death?"
Looking towards the source of the sound, the group saw an overturned steamed bun stall on the ground, and a middle-aged man with a stubborn face was glaring angrily at a group of people in old, uniform blue cloth clothes while he himself was lying on the ground.
"You dare look at me like that? You really are asking for death. Teach him a lesson, boys!"
Immediately, the rest of the youths sprang forward and started beating him.
The surrounding vendors watched in silence; some even retreated a few steps, as if they had long been accustomed to such things. Or so it seemed.
"This is too much!" Ning Xia had already stepped forward and was about to draw her sword and charge in to cut them down.
Immediately,
Zhang Yong stretched out his hand and pulled her back before she could advance. "Stop right there."
"Hah! Don't tell me you're just a coward who can't do anything."
Zhang Yong had already frowned. Ning Xia's words weren't wrong. But the difference was, Zhang Yong chose not to intervene. Who was he? The hero of the story? He'd gladly leave that role to them.
"Yeah, I'm a coward. Does that satisfy you? Above all, I promised the Elder to keep you safe. I won't break my promise over such a thing"
Ning Xia wanted to retort angrily, but she suddenly felt an iron grip on her arm. Zhang Yong's pressure was enough to make her swallow her words reluctantly.
Zhang Yong didn't really hate Ning Xia. Her actions now only proved she was a good person following justice. But this could also lead her to ruin.
Zhang Yong continued walking. Perhaps no one else noticed, but Zhang Yong's gaze went beyond the ordinary people. When the group was beating the man, their eyes met. They were the eyes of people who knew each other. Not to mention the perfect timing of the incident's appearance. And even when they were beating him, they seemed to be hitting hard, but in reality, they barely left a mark.
Zhang Yong quietly realized that from the moment they entered this place, they had been watched.
After that, the group began wandering the city smoothly, then finally found an inn that looked cleaner than the others.
Upon entering the inn, Zhang Yong calmly walked to the reception desk. "I want three third-class rooms and one first-class room."
The innkeeper stared at Zhang Yong for a moment, then nodded. "Of course, honored guest. The third-class rooms are on the second floor, while the first-class room is on the third floor. The price for third-class rooms is ten stones per room per night, while first-class is 500 spirit stones."
Clearly, the price for first-class rooms was high, but not to this degree.
Zhang Yong stared naively at the innkeeper with a smile, took out an void bag in front of him, and placed the spirit stones before the shopkeeper. "This is the amount in advance."
The innkeeper quickly took the spirit stones, his eyes gleaming with a wide smile as if he had found his golden goose. "Thank you, sir! I'll send a worker to guide you to your rooms. I wish you a comfortable stay."
Zhang Yong nodded, turned to the group, and said, "I'll stay in the first-class room. As for you all, every two of you will take one room."
A moment of silence fell over the group before Ning Xia began to protest, "Why do you get the first-class room all to yourself? That's unfair!"
Zhang Yong smiled coldly. "Because I paid for it. If you want a first-class room, take out your spirit stones and pay yourself."
Ning Xia retorted resentfully but couldn't find anything to say.
It was simply the pressure of the rich on the poor. Currently, Zhang Yong could be considered a millionaire. What about Ning Xia? No comparison.
A worker came and led the group, taking them first to the third-class rooms.
With the creak of the door, the worker pushed the door open. A simple bed and a square table with missing corners in the room suddenly made the girls frown.
The girls looked at Zhang Yong as if to say, "Are you really making girls stay here?" Zhang Yong, with all the kindness in his heart, said, "You will stay here. No objection or change."
Zhang Yong turned around, and among them, he felt that someone had cursed him behind his back. It was obvious who it was.
After that, the worker took him to the first-class room. Out of curiosity, the other girls followed.
Upon reaching the room, the worker opened the door. A large king-sized bed, a red wooden table, and windows overlooking one of the city's main streets.
Intricate carvings on the walls, decorations, and antique porcelain.
Zhang Yong whistled in admiration. "This is really worth the price. Well done." Zhang Yong grabbed a few spirit stones and gave him a tip.
"Thank you, sir. I hope you enjoy your stay here." The worker bowed and left the place.
Zhang Yong looked at the room with a smile. "This room will be good."
Immediately, his gaze turned to the girls who were looking at him. Three were admiring the room, and the last one was staring at Zhang Yong with hatred.
Zhang Yong sighed, turned his palm, and gave out the dumplings. "Go rest and eat."
Ning Xia looked as if she was boiling with suppressed anger, her face dark and lips tightly pressed. She couldn't take it anymore. "This isn't fair at all! You get to enjoy all this while we're stuck in rooms barely fit for living!"
Zhang Yong laughed softly as his gaze turned to a certain corner. "We won't be staying here long anyway, so you'll have to endure. Or what, are you so weak that something like this would bother you?"
Ning Xia stopped talking for a moment, then clenched her fists tightly, her features tense and face red with anger. She wanted to retort, but she knew Zhang Yong wouldn't back down no matter what she said.
"Fine!" she said loudly as she turned and left with obvious anger, leaving the group behind.
Wu Ruoxian looked at Zhang Yong with a wry smile. "Don't mind Ning Xia. Despite acting this way, she's a good person."
"I didn't mind that." Zhang Yong turned and entered the room. "You can rest for the rest of the day."
"What about your share of the dumplings?" Yi Lin hinted as she pointed to the box.
"You can have it." Zhang Yong's voice came from inside from behind the door.
Zhang Yong smiled quietly inside as he looked out the window. "Well then, it's time to work."
With an excited smile, Zhang Yong changed his clothes, from tattered clothes to extremely clean, precious silk clothes, black sunglasses over his eyes, and an ancient fan in his hand.
He literally looked like someone from the wealthy class.
Zhang Yong jumped from the window and landed elegantly on the ground. "Time to attract attention."
Zhang Yong walked quietly in the street to spend money.
...
About an hour later.
Four strong men strode through the commercial market, and on their shoulders was a palanquin. But what attracted people was the person sitting on that palanquin.
With long, wild white hair flowing behind him, precious silk clothes, black sunglasses, and enchanting bloody eyes.
It was none other than Young Master Zhang Yong.
He had chosen four strong men, thrown a few hundred spirit stones at them, and had them carry his palanquin on their shoulders and parade him around the city.
"Hey, make way for this Young Master!" Zhang Yong announced as he cut through the crowd.
The crowd continued to watch in astonishment and confusion as Zhang Yong advanced through the market on his luxurious palanquin. The combination of his enchanting appearance and the money he spent lavishly was enough to attract attention in every direction.
"Who is this man?" one of the vendors whispered in wonder.
"He must be someone of great importance, look at his clothes!" another replied.
"Haven't you heard? He just bought goods worth a thousand spirit stones without blinking!"
Zhang Yong sat quietly on the palanquin, waving his silk fan and looking around as if he owned the entire place.
Then he suddenly stopped and pointed his finger at a nearby stall. "You, stall owner, what are you selling here?"
The stall owner, an old man with a nervous face, stammered as he answered, "Some weapons of low to mid Yellow rank."
"Weapons? Let me see!" Zhang Yong jumped lightly from the palanquin and headed towards the stall.
He picked up one of the weapons and looked at it closely. "Hmm, this looks well-crafted. How much for this piece?"
"Young Master, it's a hundred spirit stones..."
Zhang Yong laughed with a mocking ring as he threw a small bag of spirit stones on the table. "Here's a thousand stones and keep the rest as a gift!"
The old man's eyes were frozen in shock, while the crowd turned to look at Zhang Yong with even greater astonishment.
"Who is this rich young master?"
"He's like royalty, distributing money without counting!"
Zhang Yong advanced with a confident smile, as if he were a king on an inspection tour. He continued this approach throughout the market, buying some simple things at outrageous prices and leaving a strong impression on everyone.
How wonderful it is to be rich!
And as he wandered, hidden eyes began watching him more intently. He was fully aware of this, but showed no interest. The bait had been placed, and now we just have to wait for them to bite.
A man ran quickly through the back alleys, heading towards a dilapidated house located in a forgotten corner of the city. Upon arrival, he knocked on the door three times in succession, then paused a bit before knocking again with a different rhythm.
The door was opened by a masked person who seemed flustered. "What is it? Why the hurry?"
The man whispered in a broken voice, "I have urgent news for the Chief. We may have found our golden fish."
Immediately, the man entered, and the two removed a floorboard leading to an underground tunnel.
The two walked along the tunnel until they emerged from among the grass, then advanced towards a cave with torches.
Upon entering, the two bowed amidst a group of strong men.
Immediately, the man said, "Sir, there's a strange young man in the market... He's spending spirit stones as if they were nothing. He's causing a stir there. Everyone is talking about him."
One of the men on the side laughed. "Great... Sounds like a little aristocrat who lost his way or one of the ignorant who thought their wealth would protect them in this world. We'll see how many spirit stones we can squeeze out of him before he realizes his mistake."
"Hehe, a fat meal right at our doorstep. Nothing is better than that."
"Big Brother, this is undoubtedly an opportunity for us."
The last statement was directed forward, where a burly man sat on a simple wooden throne inside the cave, his face bearing many scars, adding to his dangerous appearance. He was staring at the man who brought the news.
"This is an obvious trap. It's clear this city has a bad reputation because of bandits, yet he shows off his wealth. Clearly, his goal is to attract our attention."
Another person in the room spoke up. "However, Brother, we can't let this opportunity slip."
The Chief shook his head. "No wonder he's targeting us. Clearly, he's coming from one of the sects. We can't take the risk."
One of the men spoke disappointedly. "Chief, he's like a sheep in front of a lion's den. And what if he is from one of the sects? Have you forgotten who stands behind us? If anything happens, we can always take revenge and hunt him down."
The Chief sighed heavily. "Then we'll kidnap him. At the slightest change, we'll kill him immediately."
"Understood!"