Chapter 184: Surfacing

On the highest floor of Wangjiang Tower, a young man in a brocade robe leaned against the railing, looking down at Lu Bai in the crowd below. A playful smile touched his lips as he said, "Xiaolu’s Treasure Appraisal. Interesting."

The brocade-robed youth’s gaze fell on the seemingly dazed rooster by Lu Bai’s side. He clicked his tongue and said, "As expected of an Exotic Beast. So intelligent. Disguised like that, you really can’t tell."

"Just as the Young Master says."

The middle-aged man behind him said, "The ambush that night should have been a sure thing. The only variable was that Chongming Bird."

"It doesn’t really matter."

The brocade-robed youth smiled faintly. "He won’t be able to find anything out on his own."

The brocade-robed youth continued to drink and amuse himself on the top floor of Wangjiang Tower, watching Lu Bai below with great interest.

As the sky grew dim and he saw Lu Bai preparing to pack up his stall, the surrounding crowd began to disperse. Only then did the brocade-robed youth slowly rise and say, "Let’s go. We’ll go meet him."

The middle-aged man frowned slightly and reminded him, "Young Master, the streets are crowded. It wouldn’t be a good place to make a move, would it?"

"Who said anything about making a move?"

The brocade-robed youth chuckled. "I happen to have a Black Emperor Mother Coin. I’ll let him appraise it and see what he’s capable of."

With that, the brocade-robed youth strolled downstairs.

Lu Bai had manned his stall here for the entire day, appraising an unknown number of treasures.

His gains were not small, either.

He had obtained three Five Emperors Coins.

As his fame grew, he estimated his future earnings would be even greater.

Seeing that Lu Bai was preparing to pack up and leave, the surrounding crowd finally began to disperse. Those who hadn’t gotten a turn made arrangements to come back the next day.

Lu Bai picked up his table and chair, called out to the Black Dog and Ah Ming, and was about to head toward the Evil Extermination Bureau.

"Sir, a moment."

Just then, a voice called out from not far away.

Lu Bai looked toward the sound.

He saw a youth in fine clothes leaving Wangjiang Tower and walking straight toward him, followed by a middle-aged man.

"I’m closed for the day. If you have a treasure, come back tomorrow."

Lu Bai replied.

The youth in fine clothes came closer and blocked Lu Bai’s path, holding a copper coin between his fingertips. He smiled. "This here is a Black Emperor Mother Coin. Won’t you take a look, sir?"

Lu Bai could see the man carried an air of indescribable nobility and appeared to be from an extraordinary background. He didn’t seem like the type to try and fool someone with a fake coin, so he took it and shone his Ancient Mirror on it.

A ripple spread across the mirror’s surface.

The four words ’Black Emperor Mother Coin’ appeared on it.

’It’s real, just as I thought.’

Currently, Lu Bai possessed the White Emperor, Cyan Emperor, and Desolate Emperor coins. He was still missing the Black Emperor and Red Emperor.

If he could acquire this Black Emperor Mother Coin, he would be just one coin away from completing the set of Five Emperors Mother Coins.

However, Lu Bai suspected this youth in fine clothes wouldn’t be interested in his Earth Tier Technique.

The man was around his age but had clearly already stepped into the Innate Realm.

’He probably doesn’t lack for any cultivation resources.’

"Are you selling?"

Lu Bai asked.

The youth in fine clothes asked, "What’s your price?"

Lu Bai said, "I have the Earth Tier ’Tiger Subduing Posture.’ I can allow you to view it for the time it takes an incense stick to burn."

"However, since this is my last transaction of the day, if you’re willing to sell, I can make an exception and let you choose to view the ’Dragon Elephant Skill’ instead."

"Heh."

The youth in fine clothes gave a short laugh and shook his head. "I don’t lack for cultivation techniques. I have no interest in the ’Tiger Subduing Posture’ or ’Dragon Elephant Skill’ you mentioned."

"You want to sell it for money?"

Lu Bai said, "I don’t have much money on me. It’s definitely not enough to buy this Black Emperor Mother Coin."

"In both the Martial Arts World and the Cultivation Realm, besides trading with currencies like Gold or Spirit Stones, you can also barter."

The youth in fine clothes said languidly, "If you’re willing to part with one thing, I can trade this Black Emperor Mother Coin to you."

At that moment, the Black Dog’s nose twitched. It sniffed in the direction of the youth, seeming to have discovered something, but it showed no aggression.

’It’s not a Ghost Soul or an evil spirit.’

’If it were an evil spirit, the Black Dog’s reaction would be much more intense!’

Ah Ming tilted his head, also staring at the youth in fine clothes.

Lu Bai had a faint feeling that this person came with ill intent. He asked, "What do you want to trade for?"

The youth in fine clothes said, "I’ve taken a liking to this rooster of yours. How about we trade for it?"

Lu Bai’s expression remained unchanged, but his heart skipped a beat.

’This youth has recognized Ah Ming’s origin!’

’There are two possibilities now.’

’First, this youth has a keen eye and was able to see through Ah Ming’s disguise.’

’That would be manageable.’

’Then there’s the second possibility.’

’In Jingzhou City, besides Mo Tang and He Liangzhi, the only other person who knows Ah Ming’s identity is the True Master of the Martial Dao from Mo Country who ambushed us that night—the one who witnessed Ah Ming’s disguise and abilities!’

’This youth in fine clothes is very likely intricately connected to the True Master of the Martial Dao from that night!’

"So, what’s your answer?"

the youth in fine clothes asked.

Lu Bai asked, "And how should I address you, sir?"

"You don’t need to know my identity."

The youth in fine clothes chuckled. "Or perhaps, when you reach that level, you’ll be qualified to know who I am."

’Such an arrogant tone.’

"Not for sale."

Lu Bai refused flatly.

The youth in fine clothes smiled. "I’ve heard the Five Emperors Coins have an unexpected efficacy in exterminating Ghost Souls and evil spirits. My family has more than just this one Black Emperor Mother Coin. You might as well name a price and let’s hear it. Everything in this world has a price and can be traded."

"I’m not selling for any price."

Lu Bai called to the Black Dog and Ah Ming, picked up his table and chair, and turned to leave.

The youth in fine clothes watched Lu Bai’s retreating back, a cold sneer flashing in his eyes. He said softly, "He doesn’t know what’s good for him."

Lu Bai didn’t go far before he grabbed a passerby and pointed in the youth’s direction to ask about him.

Everyone around looked blank; they didn’t recognize the man.

Lu Bai frowned to himself. After taking the Black Dog and Ah Ming back to the Evil Extermination Bureau, he put on his Mountain Demon Hat, concealed his presence once more, and headed back toward Wangjiang Tower.

Unfortunately, he waited until nightfall, but the youth in fine clothes never reappeared.

Lu Bai asked, "Ah Mo, what did you figure out just now?"

The Black Dog nodded slightly.

But, being unable to speak, it couldn’t explain anything to Lu Bai.

Lu Bai thought for a moment and asked, "Is that youth in fine clothes connected to the True Master of the Martial Dao who ambushed us that night?"

The Black Dog nodded.

"CLUCK CLUCK!"

Ah Ming came to stand behind Lu Bai.

Lu Bai’s gaze swept over, and he instantly understood. He asked, "Are you saying that the man standing behind the youth in fine clothes was the True Master of the Martial Dao from that night?"

The Black Dog and Ah Ming nodded at the same time.

On that man, both the Black Dog and Ah Ming had smelled a familiar aura.

Lu Bai narrowed his eyes.

’I’ve only been running the stall at Wangjiang Tower for two days, and I’ve already found some clues!’

’Some people are already starting to show themselves!’

’Now, as long as I can find out the identity and background of this youth, I can follow this lead and dig up the power behind him!’

Lu Bai went back and told He Liangzhi about the youth in fine clothes he had met that day.

However, based on Lu Bai’s simple description, it was difficult for He Liangzhi to make a judgment.

He Liangzhi said, "I’ll go with you tomorrow. If he shows up again, I’ll see what his background is."

Lu Bai nodded in agreement.

After nightfall, Lu Bai once again put on his Mountain Demon Hat, left the city, and loitered around the Fujiao Gang’s territory, hoping to overhear some information.