Chapter 206 - 154: A Temporary Conclusion

Chapter 206: Chapter 154: A Temporary Conclusion

"Welcome, patrons, right this way," an attendant in a long gray robe said enthusiastically.

Upon entering the Lanxiang Pavilion, the first thing they saw was an opulent lintel inlaid with magnificent floral patterns and intertwined dragons and phoenixes. The light was reddish, casting a somewhat suggestive glow.

Before them was a wide, bright corridor. Its walls were adorned with exquisite embroidered screens and various paintings and calligraphy. Silks hung from the ceiling—pale yellow drapes, colorful tassels, and gold and silver ornaments that shimmered with a soft glow.

On either side were areas for drinking and merrymaking. There were wealthy young masters in lavish clothes, simply dressed Mountain Patrols, and rugged, powerfully built Martial Artists, all carousing while being served by glamorous women.

Across from them, several heavily made-up women danced with extraordinary grace on a stage a few meters wide, their movements exceptionally enchanting and seductive. Behind them, musicians played soothing melodies on various instruments.

"Will you two be having a drink in the main hall, or would you prefer a room upstairs?" the gray-robed attendant by their side asked, his tone respectful and fawning.

Shen Yunjiao took a money pouch from her waist, tossed it over, and said nonchalantly.

"Book a room on the third floor for us and bring up some of your best dishes. My brother and I need to discuss some business first. We’ll call for the girls later. Put the rest of the money on our tab."

"Right away, sirs. This way, please."

The gray-robed attendant caught the pouch and weighed it lightly in his hand. The smile on his face became much more sincere. He led the two of them to a private room on the third floor.

The room’s decor was quite private. The door opened to a screen painted with beautiful women, and beyond that was a soft couch and a lavish double bed. The air was filled with the scent of sandalwood incense, meant to invigorate the spirit.

"You may leave for now. Remember to send up some good food and wine," Shen Yunjiao said.

"Right away."

Once the attendant was gone, Shen Yunjiao said, "The target is in the room next door. In a bit, I’ll find a way to slip in disguised as a Maid. You stay out here, ready to back me up."

"Alright. Be careful," Zhao Zuo nodded.

The two sat on the soft couch and began to prepare themselves.

After a while, the attendant brought in seven or eight delicacies, an exquisite-looking spread of meat and vegetable dishes.

"If you two gentlemen require some female company for drinks, just call for me..."

"Leave us," Shen Yunjiao dismissed him with a casual wave of her hand.

The two of them first checked the food for poison, then began to eat and drink their fill. They had paid for the delicacies, after all; it would be a waste not to.

Forty minutes later, Shen Yunjiao stood up. Zhao Zuo also got to his feet.

The operation had officially begun.

"KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK..."

"Who is it? Don’t bother me!"

An extremely displeased roar came from within the bedroom, and the faint sound of a woman’s moans could be heard.

"Sir, it’s the famous Lanxiang Jade Nectar. Would you like to try some? It’s on the house," Shen Yunjiao replied, her voice a mix of ingratiating and nervous tones.

"Then bring it in." Hearing that there was free, high-quality wine, the man inside let his guard down. Shen Yunjiao acknowledged the command and gently pushed open the door.

Zhao Zuo quickly moved closer.

It was followed by the nearly inaudible ring of a sword and the faint, spreading scent of blood.

The moment he stepped inside, he saw the target lying in a pool of blood. Shen Yunjiao finished stowing the corpse and a Storage Bag, then whispered,

"Let’s go."

Back in their room, they threw open the wooden window and leaped out. A few bounds took them clear of the Lanxiang Pavilion. They didn’t run into any night patrols on their way. The two of them found an unoccupied, single-story house on Black Stone Street to serve as a temporary hideout.

The house was filled with cobwebs, having been uninhabited for a long time. Shen Yunjiao took out a Cleaning Talisman to tidy up the place, then pulled a clean, yellow, soft cloth from her Storage Bag and spread it on the floor.

"How did it go? Are you hurt?" Zhao Zuo asked with concern.

"No. His recent indulgence had left his body in a weakened state. That, combined with my surprise attack, allowed me to eliminate him in a single move," Shen Yunjiao explained.

"That’s good." Zhao Zuo nodded. So far, everything was going according to plan.

"You took the biggest risk on this hunt, so you should take the lion’s share. I’ll take a smaller cut."

"Alright," Shen Yunjiao agreed without protest. The two quickly divided the spoils. Zhao Zuo’s share came out to materials worth about fifteen hundred Spirit Stones, plus two thousand Spirit Stones.

Both were very satisfied with the night’s haul. Shen Yunjiao had obtained the Spirit she needed for her upcoming Cultivation, and Zhao Zuo had completed a small step in his own plan.

"I can sense chaotic and rampant Qi Blood, which is how I can locate those Blood Demon Dao Cultivators. But I can’t identify Demon Cultivators from the Soul Path or the Bone Path. This means that even if we do our best to hunt down Demon Cultivators, we can only kill a small fraction of them," Shen Yunjiao reminded him.

"I know. We’ll just deal with as many as we can."

Zhao Zuo, of course, knew that his current plan would have little impact on the grand scheme of things. But he couldn’t just do nothing simply because the impact was small.

"Perhaps that Chief Venerate Chen of yours doesn’t care about you repaying her. Or maybe she doesn’t need it at all."

Shen Yunjiao took out that strange, blood-colored giant egg and began to absorb the Energy within. Wisps of crimson Energy flowed into her body, one after another.

"I know she doesn’t care. She even told me not to do anything just to show my gratitude. But some things you do for yourself, not for others to see," Zhao Zuo said.

"Oh? So you two met again later?" A slight smile touched the corner of Shen Yunjiao’s lips. She asked the question as if it were casual, but her eyes were fixed intently on Zhao Zuo.