Martial Conquest of the Nine Desolates
Chapter 156 - 154 Qingming Commerce

Chapter 156: Chapter 154 Qingming Commerce

Red Sun City, the county city of the Red Sun County within the Ten Counties of the Black Dragon Country, is extremely prosperous.

This county has a lot of merchants, resulting in numerous commerce associations, among which Qingming Commerce is one of the most powerful.

The Mist Forest is actually already at the border of the Red Sun County, so Xiao Ye took only three days to arrive in Red Sun City.

Xiao Ye, carrying the Flame Saber and holding a package in his hand, walked through the crowd with an indifferent expression. However, his enchanting and sly appearance attracted many gazes, especially from young girls, whose eyes shone with admiration.

Xiao Ye could only smile wryly at this.

"I have a similar build to Wang Lin, plus he doesn’t have many friends, so no one should suspect anything."

As Xiao Ye walked, he recalled the contents of the booklet, deliberately letting his hair down to resemble Wang Lin’s hairstyle.

After all, he still intended to use Wang Lin’s identity to claim the fifty Primordial Stones, so he naturally didn’t want to be discovered so soon.

Red Sun City, as a county city, is naturally vast in scale, not smaller than the Dashen County city. The avenues are lined with various shops, almost making Xiao Ye’s eyes dazzled.

"I should find someone to ask how to get to Qingming Commerce." Xiao Ye wandered in the city for a while, then stepped into a tavern.

The tavern is always the best place to gather information.

After casually ordering some food and wine, Xiao Ye sat down.

It was lunchtime, and soon the tavern was packed with people.

"Alas, recently, I don’t know what’s gotten into the Sun and Moon Sect; their people are everywhere in the Ten Counties of the Black Dragon Country." At this moment, the conversation among the martial artists caught Xiao Ye’s interest.

"Sun and Moon Sect, could it be related to me?" Xiao Ye quickly continued to listen attentively.

"You all probably don’t know yet; the Sun and Moon Sect Leader’s own son was killed, and the sect is now frantically hunting for the murderer," a knowledgeable martial artist spoke up.

As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar, and more people began to discuss.

Their discussions all revolved around the great battle that took place that day, and Xiao Ye listened while drinking his wine.

Even though he had known for a long time that the Old Madman had fallen, hearing it with his own ears still left him feeling heavy-hearted.

"That day, after the Chongyang Sect Vice Sect Leader killed the Xuanwu Realm expert who saved Xiao Ye, he intended to pursue and kill Xiao Ye. Unexpectedly, another unparalleled expert intervened and stopped him," an elderly martial artist said at this point.

Xiao Ye was taken aback, utterly stunned. Besides the Old Madman, there was someone else who helped him later?

Xiao Ye thought for a long time but couldn’t remember forming a connection with any expert capable of stopping the Vice Sect Leader.

"Alas, that Xiao Ye is indeed remarkable, having two powerful protectors willing to shield him, and until now, the Sun and Moon Sect hasn’t discovered where he is hiding," someone sighed.

At this moment, the tavern suddenly fell silent.

Because from the entrance, a group of martial artists holding weapons walked in, each exuding a fierce aura, with a sun and moon emblem embroidered on their robes.

"People from the Sun and Moon Sect!" Xiao Ye’s gaze turned cold, but he remained expressionless.

The air in the tavern seemed to stop flowing, and the atmosphere was extremely oppressive.

In the presence of the Sun and Moon Sect’s forces, the martial artists in the tavern dared not make a sound.

The leading martial artist took out a portrait and scanned the tavern with sharp eyes, resting on each person for a moment before moving on.

"Move!"

After making a round in the tavern and finding nothing, the leading martial artist waved his hand and then led the group to another tavern.

"Phew, that was terrifying; the aura from those martial artists is truly astonishing."

"Now, the Sun and Moon Sect’s forces are spread all over the Black Dragon Country, conducting searches everywhere every day. If Xiao Ye dares to show himself, he’ll probably be discovered immediately."

"Serves him right for provoking someone he shouldn’t have."

The tavern’s atmosphere became lively once more.

Xiao Ye sat silently to the side with a cold smile. After putting on the Human Skin Mask, unless he exposed the Four Tripod Heavenly Technique, they likely wouldn’t be able to recognize him, even right in front of the Sun and Moon Sect.

"I can rest easy for now. Before the Black Dragon Country’s Heavenly Pride Battle arrives, I need to focus on improving my cultivation," Xiao Ye mused.

After finishing his meal, he took out silver from Wang Lin’s package to pay the bill. Then he inquired the tavern manager about the location of Qingming Commerce and turned to leave.

Xiao Ye walked along the avenue in the city, following the tavern manager’s directions.

Soon, a grand and majestic complex came into view, with two stone lion statues at the entrance. There was a bustling flow of people.

"So this is Qingming Commerce? It’s indeed lively," Xiao Ye remarked.

"Hmm? Wang Lin, you’re back!" At this moment, a rather clever-looking young man emerged from the commerce, smiling widely.

Xiao Ye’s eyes flickered; it seemed this young man knew Wang Lin. It would be convenient to use him to get inside.

With a cold nod, Xiao Ye indicated acknowledgment.

"From the looks of it, Wang Lin, you must have completed your mission. I’ll take you to see the overseer," the young man said with a smile, leading the way.

"The overseer he mentioned should be the person in the commerce responsible for task handovers," Xiao Ye speculated inwardly, then followed.

The young man didn’t lead Xiao Ye through the main entrance but instead took a side door, stopping outside a room once inside.

"Wang Lin, the overseer is here; you can enter on your own," the young man respectfully said, his eyes showing a hint of amusement.

Xiao Ye was baffled but nevertheless pushed open the door and stepped inside.

As the door opened, what met his eyes were pink curtains filled with a faint fragrance.

Xiao Ye was startled; this didn’t seem like a commerce’s office, more like a woman’s boudoir.

"Beloved, you finally came back, I missed you so much,"

While Xiao Ye was still stunned, a gust of fragrant wind hit him, and a soft female voice wafted into his ears.

Xiao Ye focused his gaze, just in time to see a pair of charming eyes looking at him with a touch of spring.

This was a woman in her early twenties, very beautiful, her fiery figure barely concealed by her dress, and her enchanting eyes were soul-stirring.

Just one look from her made Xiao Ye’s blood race and his breath quicken, causing him to retreat several steps in shock, not daring to look around recklessly.

"Beloved, how did you become a gentleman after going out once?" the woman giggled, walking over with graceful steps.

"Beloved?" Hearing this address again, Xiao Ye’s heart skipped a beat, "You are Ji Ruyue!"

On hearing Xiao Ye’s words, the woman’s eyes turned plaintive: "It seems like outside, you’ve found another sweetheart and can’t even recognize me."

Xiao Ye felt his head spinning, inwardly groaning.

From the booklet, Xiao Ye knew that Wang Lin had an old flame named Ji Ruyue. He hadn’t expected Ji Ruyue to be the commerce’s overseer and that the two might have a complex relationship.

Realizing this, Xiao Ye couldn’t help but feel a headache coming on.

"Damn, do I really have to clean up Wang Lin’s romantic mess?" Xiao Ye cursed inwardly and quickly took out a Treasure Box from the package, handing it over.

"I’ve completed the task; shouldn’t I get the Primordial Stones now?" Xiao Ye hurriedly changed the subject, fearing prolonged interaction might expose him.

If it weren’t for obtaining the Primordial Stones and acquiring the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to strengthen his Physical Body Power to the Four Cauldrons, he would’ve turned and left to avoid trouble.

Ji Ruyue opened it to check: "Hmm, indeed the herbs for the task. Beloved, these Primordial Stones are yours."

She then took out a white bag and handed it to Xiao Ye.

Xiao Ye was overjoyed. The task was completed by Wang Lin, but he got to claim the reward—a sweet deal.

Moreover, Xiao Ye suspected that a single task couldn’t possibly reward fifty Primordial Stones. It likely had something to do with Wang Lin and Ji Ruyue’s personal relationship.

Overall, Xiao Ye felt he had struck it rich this time.

"If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving now." With that, Xiao Ye turned and left, making Ji Ruyue stomp her foot in frustration.

"Hmph, that beloved, if he wants to take on another task next time, let’s see how he begs me!" Ji Ruyue pouted in anger.

Stepping out of the room, Xiao Ye saw that the young man who had led him was still waiting outside.

Seeing Xiao Ye, the young man looked surprised: "Wang Lin, you’re out so soon?"

It seemed from his words that staying inside for a couple of hours would have been normal.

At this, Xiao Ye’s forehead broke into a sweat, and he quickly said, "I’m a bit tired from the task outside and want to rest."

"Oh." The young man nodded in understanding, offering a knowing smile, "Wang Lin, I’ll carry your package and accompany you back to your residence for rest."

Xiao Ye was delighted. As a guest elder of the commerce, Wang Lin was undoubtedly residing within the commerce. He was worried about finding his quarters since it wouldn’t be appropriate to stay at an inn.

Xiao Ye passed the package over without betraying any emotions, then followed behind the young man, leaving the commerce.

After passing through several arches, the young man led Xiao Ye to a complex of buildings, each an independent unit, constructed luxuriously.

"Could these be the residences for the commerce’s guest elders?" Xiao Ye examined the standalone units.

"Wang Lin, rest well; I won’t disturb you further." The young man stopped before one of the units, smiling as he returned the package to Xiao Ye.

Xiao Ye nodded coolly, then carried the package inside.

After securing the courtyard door, Xiao Ye finally exhaled and then felt a headache creeping on.

"Ji Ruyue is the overseer of the commerce. If I want to gather Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, I’ll have to go through her." Xiao Ye contemplated whether to leave or stay.

After all, he already had the fifty Primordial Stones and could leave.

"I’ll stay a little longer and see how things develop. If I’m discovered, I can just change the Human Skin Mask and run away!" At that moment, Xiao Ye made up his mind.

Considering he was alone, gathering enough Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures would take an indefinite amount of time.

"These fifty Primordial Stones should be enough to break through to the Innate Realm Ninth Layer. Then I can use the Bodhi Leaf to cultivate the Sun and Moon Seal Technique and comprehend the Flame True Intent!" Xiao Ye’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.

He eagerly awaited the scene of his comprehension increasing tenfold, believing his strength would multiply then.

Bam!

Just at this moment, someone rudely kicked open the door to his courtyard.

"Pretty boy, I heard you’re back. Did Ji Ruyue give you a lot of Primordial Stones this time?" A cold voice echoed in.