"Sir, the black grouper from Qingyang is so delicious! It's fresh and tender. Not to mention the fish from Changning is more expensive, but it tastes a little fishy."
"The black grouper is a specialty of Qingyang. It is caught from the Wei River. It is not comparable to those artificially raised elsewhere."
"Sir, let's buy some more later and put them in the bag to eat later... Here we are!"
Shen Wuli and her maid Qingluan walked into Yangquan Restaurant, the iconic restaurant in Yangquanfang City.
It's dinner time now, and the first floor is full of people.
The two were led to the second floor by the waiter. After a quick glance, Qingluan pulled Shen Wuli's arm and looked towards the window, "Master..."
Shen Wuli also saw that in addition to Zhong Yan and others, there were two monks wearing the costumes of Fire Cloud Sect disciples.
After sitting down diagonally and ordering wine and food, Qingluan gathered a soundproof mask and said, "Miss, what a coincidence! Yangquanfang City is not a small one, and we bumped into each other twice a day. Do you think it's fate?"
Shen Wuli was a little speechless and said with an angry smile: "I think you are just fascinated by his appearance. At such a young age, you only want to have a lot of things!"
Qingluan: "No, it just looks pleasing to the eye, not annoying."
Shen Wuli: "This is the most famous restaurant in Fang City, dedicated to monks. Foreign monks like us will come here to taste special delicacies, and Zhong Yan is Qingyang's retinue master, and is richer than ordinary monks. Together, The ones eating are the inner disciples of the Fire Cloud Sect, so it is normal to choose this place, and it is not a rare event."
"oh oh."
Qingluan nodded and said, "I'm not young anymore. Xiaofeng married the fourth lady when she was fourteen. I'm two years older than her."
After a pause, she said with a serious look on her face: "Miss, there are only four Jindan seniors in the entire Yan Kingdom. They only have two hundred years of life. Sooner or later, they will get married. Which one is Zhong Yan or Ye Yang of the Ye family?" more suitable?
Zhong Yan is a casual cultivator, and his cultivation is not as good as yours. Getting married to him is equivalent to marrying him. He has to listen to you. That Ye Yang looks disgusting. After the marriage, for the sake of the Shen family, you must not look at his face all the time. "
"It's not as simple as you think."
Shen Wuli shook his head and smiled, but he couldn't help but think of the communication with his grandfather yesterday——
The Ye family came to propose marriage. They were one of the top five foundation-building families in the Yan Kingdom. They had a foundation-building Dzogchen ancestor and several late-stage foundation-building families.
…
the other side.
The four of them had a drink.
Han Jiuping said: "The Huoyun Sect is in chaos now. As soon as we leave the mountain gate, there are conflicts and fights at every turn."
"Many people can't leave even if they want to. In the past, although the internal disciples who left the sect were strictly scrutinized, if they were not key disciples with outstanding qualifications, they would usually be released."
"I know a senior brother who only entered the seventh level of Qi Refining and entered the inner sect when he was over 60 years old. At the end of last year, he submitted an application to go down the mountain to retire, but it has not been approved yet. Even the outer sect disciples are not allowed to leave the sect at will."
Zhang Dongzhuo followed: "Not only the sect, but also the entire Yan country's cultivation world is less stable than before. There were fighting incidents in the city a few days ago, and people died."
"oh?"
Zhong Yan glanced at the two people's faces, showing a questioning look.
Han Jiuping nodded and said: "Three disciples of the Five Elements Sect fell in love with an herbal medicine at a stall on West Street. They bought it at a low price and got into a conflict. They killed two casual cultivators on the street. The market only gave them a warning but no severe punishment. "
Zhong Yan nodded. The people in charge of security in Yangquanfang City are from the Five Elements Sect. He asked, "Duan An is covering it up? The elder of the guard didn't show up?"
Han Jiuping shook his head: "Turn a blind eye."
Zhang Dongzhuo reminded: "The security outside Fang City is even lower. Recently, many bandits are waiting for help, picking and slaughtering fat sheep, and openly robbing resources. Junior Brother Zhong needs to be careful when returning to the city, and try not to travel at night to avoid being ambushed. "
Zhong Yan frowned slightly. He heard similar news in Qingyang City, but he didn't expect the chaos to be this level.
Han Jiuping took a sip of wine and sighed: "Hey, I almost want to leave the sect and become a casual cultivator. I used to think that I could be safe and secure by joining the largest sect in the Yan Kingdom. Who would have thought that today, if the two factions are completely at odds with each other, there will be a civil war. , it’s us, the lower-level disciples, who will suffer.”
"..."
The next day.
Zhong Yan joined Pang Baodu and bought two monster beasts at the 'Ten Thousand Beasts Hall', a 'Rock Wolf' at the fifth level of Qi refining, and a 'Meat-crowned Red Python' at the peak of the seventh level of Qi refining. They spent nearly four Thousands of spiritual stones.
Whether the monster is alive or dead, the price is not at the same level. The price of a living monster is higher than that of a dead monster. The price of different monsters varies several times.
But when the fighting beast dies, the materials can still be sold to make some money back.
As usual, the guard on duty, 'Five Elements Sect Qingyin Man Duan An', was given a spiritual stone, and the three of them set off on their way back.
Less than a hundred miles away from Fangshi.
Then he noticed a figure flashing in the forest on the roadside, obviously a bandit cultivator squatting guard.
However, the two late-stage monks on Zhong Yan's side were walking with swords, and those with good eyesight naturally did not dare to provoke them easily.
Before sunset.
The three of them rushed to Qingyuan Village and prepared to settle down in the village.
However, I saw several people queuing under the archway at the entrance of the village, seemingly undergoing questioning.
Yan Sandao asked in a low voice: "What happened?"
Zhong Yan and Pang Bao were also suspicious and took a closer look.
Little did I know that I was actually paying the 'lodging fee'!
Ordinary mortals don't care. If a monk wants to enter the village, he must pay a protection fee of two low-grade spiritual stones.
Pang Baodu laughed angrily: "It's really blatant! There are seven or eight casual cultivators stationed in this village. Could it be them?"
Yan Sandao frowned and said, "Forget it for two taels of silver. Two spiritual stones are so expensive, yet there are still people willing to hand them over."
For today's Zhongfu, two spiritual stones are just a small amount of money, but for ordinary casual cultivators, it takes some effort to earn two spiritual stones.
Just think about Yu Qingyao in the past.
"This business is good!"
Zhong Yan chuckled and said: "No, this is just a village. If you spend the night outside, people may have been arranged to kill you. How do you choose? Do you have to think about it?"
At this time, a long rainbow flew in the distance and came towards this side.
Zhong Yan's eyes flashed, and he saw the two young monks disguised as men he met in Fangshi again.
This is already the third time!
This couldn't help but make him suspicious. What a coincidence, once on the street, once in a restaurant, and now here.
Shen Wuli nodded slightly towards Zhong Yan as a greeting after three encounters, and then looked towards the entrance of the village.
The maid Qingluan blinked and asked: "Brother Taoist, are you not allowed in from the front?"
Zhong Yan looked at the faces of the two people and briefly explained the situation.
Qingluan's eyes widened and he muttered: "Can it still be like this? There is no charge for entering and exiting the market."
Zhong Yan and Pang Bao both exchanged glances and stepped forward.
After your turn in line.
Zhong Yan cupped his hands, took out the token and said, "I'm Zhong Yan, I'm going to be the retinue mage of Qingyang City. I hope you can do this for your convenience."
The leader was a middle-aged monk at the eighth level of Qi Refining. He glanced at Zhong Yan and others, then looked at the magician's token, cupped his hand and said with a smile:
"It turns out to be Master Zhong, whom I have admired for a long time! Master has a high level of cultivation, so naturally he does not need our protection. Please come in!"
"Thank you."
Qingluan, who was following behind, said crisply: "We are together!"
The leading man had no doubts. He had seen several people talking before, and since he could not see through Shen Wuli's realm, he thought they were companions, but they arrived one after another.
Entered the village.
Go some distance.
Shen Wuli cupped her hands towards Zhong Yan and said, "Thank you, brother Zhong Dao, and leave me. This is my junior sister Qingluan."
"Nice to meet you!"
Zhong Yan returned the gift with a smile, walked towards a small inn without talking much.
Pang Baodu sent a message: "At such an age and with the ninth level of Qi refining, his identity is not simple."
Zhong Yan nodded, thinking about the possible origins of the other party in his mind, and ordered Yan Sandao to check in a room, while he and Pang Bao went around the village to inquire about news.
Just ask a little and you'll find out.
It turns out to be the Liu family in Wangxi City!
Just started two days ago.
The Liu family arranged for two family members and three guest ministers to team up with five casual cultivators who originally lived in the village and bring thirty warriors with them to start a 'toll station' business in the name of providing protection.
Pang Baodu: "The Liu family is so brave. How dare they do this? There should be others behind them."
Zhong Yan asked: "Who is the Liu family's backer?"
Pang Baodu: "I heard it's the Five Elements Sect, but I don't know which elder it relies on."
After a pause, he held his chin and said, "Qingyuan Village is in a suitable location. With two spiritual stones per person, you can earn a lot in a month!"
Zhong Yan pondered and said: "It depends on what the Liu family is planning. If this village is repaired, the cost is reduced, and it is provided as a post station for passing cultivators, there should be no objections. It is indeed a good business path, but If it’s a short-term windfall, that’s a different matter.”
Pang Baodou nodded: "I haven't heard of any interception or killing of monks nearby, but if the Liu family does it, no one will know..."
A night of silence.
There were no other surprises.
Early the next morning, the three set off again.
…
