Chapter 95: No Choice
Qingyang City.
In the small courtyard of Huiquan Alley.
Two figures were in the bedroom late at night.
The wife and concubine tactfully left the night to Luo Qing. There was a white glow on the embroidered brocade dress, and its curves were exquisite. A pleasant sound played in the spring.
It was like a stream converging on the cobblestones of a mountain stream. It was not like an unrestrained river or an ocean that could accommodate hundreds of rivers, but it had a very soothing and relaxed feeling.
Everything ended when the sunset shone on half the sky. A few days later, Shen Ping, who was immersed in his joy, received a message from Shopkeeper Ding. His heart skipped a beat as he thought to himself that it might be about the previous auction. He washed up simply.
Shen Ping arrived at the private room on the second floor of the True Treasure Pavilion. He had just reached the door when Shopkeeper Ding welcomed him with a flushed face. They exchanged a few pleasantries. They sat on both sides.
Shopkeeper Ding smiled and said, "Talisman Master Shen, thank you for your generosity last time. I managed to bid for a rare treasure without any mishaps."
Shen Ping hurriedly praised, "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Ding. I believe you're not far from Foundation Establishment."
The Foundation Establishment Pill was very easy for Shopkeeper Ding to obtain. Now that he had obtained a rare treasure that could assist in Foundation Establishment, the success rate of Foundation Establishment had probably increased greatly. Although he was a little old, it was not difficult to reach Foundation Establishment with many preparations.
Once one reached Foundation Establishment, they would leave the mortal body and increase their lifespan by 200 years.
Shopkeeper Ding waved his hand repeatedly. "Whether or not I can build my foundation depends on my luck. I invited Talisman Master Shen here for another joyous matter."
"Oh, what's the matter?" Shen Ping's expression changed slightly.
Shopkeeper Ding leaned forward. "The Golden Sun Sect's Supreme Elder has yet to complete his mission. Last night, under the pursuit of the Western Faction's Buddhist Sect, he escaped from the Wei Kingdom overnight. His whereabouts are unknown."
Hearing this, Shen Ping said in disbelief, "This, this news… How is this possible? The Golden Sun Sect's Supreme Elder is a Nascent Soul cultivator!"
Shopkeeper Ding shook his head. "I don't know the exact situation. It's said that Ancestor Jinyang doesn't have long to live. Coincidentally, he's at a critical moment and doesn't dare to tangle with the Western Faction's Buddhist Sect at all. Now that he has escaped from the Wei Kingdom, the Golden Sun Sect only has two Nascent Soul elders left.
Tsk tsk, it's very difficult to withstand the pressure of the Immortal Dao sects of the various countries."
Shen Ping quickly reacted.
The reason why the Golden Sun Sect could monopolize the cultivation resources of the Wei Kingdom and strictly prohibit other sects from stepping into the Wei Kingdom was mainly because of the Golden Sun Sect's Supreme Elder. Now that he had escaped from the Wei Kingdom, how could the other sects not take advantage of the situation? In fact, if he died, the entire Wei Kingdom would become a deer.
After all, compared to the other countries, the Wei Kingdom's spirit stone mine was too abundant.
"Cloud Mountain Parlour…" Shopkeeper Ding smiled and said, "I've already received accurate news that Cloud Mountain Parlour's True Treasure Pavilion will resume operations in a month. No matter what, there's a rare mineral vein there."
Shen Ping was enlightened. No wonder Shopkeeper Ding could not hide the joy in his eyes. It turned out that he could return to the Cloud Mountain Parlour and return to his position as shopkeeper.
He had been a guest elder of the True Treasure Pavilion for a period of time, so he naturally knew the treatment of this shopkeeper.
"Shopkeeper Ding, congratulations!" He congratulated him again.
Shopkeeper Ding glanced at Shen Ping and said with a smile, "Talisman Master Shen is now living in Huiquan Alley. We're envious. I don't think you'll return to Cloud Mountain Parlour. However, the True Treasure Pavilion has been reopened. This external member has to be recruited again. Although I'm not a guest elder, I still have some say in recruiting members.
I'll leave a spot for Fellow Daoist Mu on account of Talisman Master Shen. You can give me an answer in a few days."
He left the True Treasure Pavilion.
Shen Ping walked on the bustling main street, his thoughts flying. He did not expect such an accident to happen in the Cloud Mountain Swamp. The Golden Sun Sect's Supreme Elder had used the houses in the market as the foundation to set up the array early. He must have put in a lot of effort, but in the end, he escaped from the Wei Kingdom. It could only be said that the world was unpredictable.
He was in a good mood and even secretly prayed that Ancestor Jin Yang would never return. He looked up. From the corner of his eye, he saw a shop.
Hidden Spirit House.
Some information about this shop could not help but appear in his mind. Thinking of what Shopkeeper Ding had said before, he was tempted and walked in. After paying the spirit stones, he arrived at a hidden private room on the third floor.
This private room was enveloped by a special array formation. No matter how hard he tried, no spiritual energy would be emitted.
It was said that even Golden Core experts would occasionally come to this shop.
…
At Peng Yun Shop.
Mu Jin was wearing a silk flower embroidered with gold thread. Her sweet smile with a little makeup was like a spring breeze. After respectfully sending off an alchemist, she had just returned to the counter when she heard a voice.
"Fellow Daoist Mu, when will the Talisman Master you mentioned last time visit? Our small shop is not famous. If we can work with a guest elder of the True Treasure Pavilion, we will be much richer in talismans in the future. The boss said that we don't care about the cost in the early stages.
As long as we can stabilize our channels and connections, we can quickly open up the situation in this city." The shopkeeper urged.
Mu Jin hurriedly said, "That Talisman Master has been in seclusion recently. He's…"
The shopkeeper shook his head and interrupted, "Fellow Daoist Mu, you've said this many times. If you continue to delay, I'll have to consider your ability. There are many beautiful female cultivators with voluptuous figures in Qingyang City. The reason why I cooperated with Fellow Daoist Mu back then was entirely because of your ability.
Now, several months have passed, but you haven't contributed anything. How do you want me to answer to the boss?"
Mu Jin's sweet smile gradually disappeared.
The shopkeeper continued, "In my opinion, Fellow Daoist Mu has a good figure and looks. If you're willing to take the initiative, you might reveal your ability. I won't say anything else. Fellow Daoist Mu, you can consider it yourself." He shook his head and looked away from Mu Jin.
There were many shops in Qingyang City, and Peng Yun was only an inconspicuous one. Even so, if he wanted to establish himself here, he had to show his ability.
Mu Jin lowered her head and looked at the pink embroidered shoes. Instead of thinking about what the shopkeeper had just said, she recalled the scene in the private room of the True Treasure Pavilion last time. The heat that greeted her seemed to be right in front of her, and the broad and powerful palm made her shiver every late night.
It was just that… he had not sent a message for several months.
Buzz~
At this moment, the communication talisman vibrated slightly. Mu Jin's eyes lit up. She hurriedly took it out and activated it outside the shop. The voice was so familiar: Hidden Spirit House, come here.
She heaved a sigh of relief and a sweet smile appeared on her face again. She told the shopkeeper, walked out of the shop, but stopped to look back. Then, she quickly walked away.
As she got closer to the Hidden Spirit House, Mu Jin, on the other hand, slowed down. She thought about everything that had happened these days. There was the discomfort in the shop, the inconvenience of living there, and some unavoidable calculative matters.
Life was hard. It was not easy to be a rogue cultivator. There were several times when she wanted to escape from this city and find a small market to live in peace. However, since she had already come this far, how could she feel at ease if she turned back?
She had arrived at the Hidden Spirit House.
Looking at the plaque, Mu Jin stepped in.
In the private room, Shen Ping drank the spirit tea and waited. He had enough patience now.
Dong.
There was a light knock on the door. His brows twitched and said with a faint smile, "Come in." Soon, a beautiful figure in an embroidered dress walked in. The moment the door closed, that fragrance lingered in the entire private room. "Fellow Daoist Mu, Cloud Mountain Parlour's True Treasure Pavilion is about to be reopened. Do you want to go back to the True Treasure Pavilion?"
The first thing Shen Ping said stunned Mu Jin. She looked up.
Shen Ping said again, "This is true."
Instantly, a thousand thoughts mixed together. When her eyes landed on Shen Ping's face, they finally converged into silence. Mu Jin walked over step by step, her body becoming thinner with every step. The familiar hot air hit her face.
Just like the first time she saw Shen Ping, she smiled sweetly. "Fellow Daoist Shen, please observe the layout of my house carefully!"
A trace of surprise flashed in the corner of Shen Ping's eyes. He had been testing Mu Jin when she entered the door just now, but he didn't expect her to do such a thing. However, he quickly calmed down, picked up the spiritual tea, took a sip, and said with a faint smile, "Fellow Daoist Mu, have you thought it through?"
Mu Jin said nothing. She only made one movement. She turned around, and squatted.