Chapter 292: Threshold Thronged With Visitors

Chapter 292: A Constant Stream of Visitors

Zhao Changhe had no idea how Ying Wu "obtaining" a space counted as possession—surely it wasn’t just a matter of stationing guards there... And even if he had "obtained" it, how could they be connected? This wasn’t like stacking building blocks.

Perhaps he had a unique method, but it was clearly not something to pry into, and the man might not be willing to share anyway.

As far as this cooperation went, there was truly no issue. Zhao Changhe said, "By cooperation, do you mean we share information about the secret realms? If I tell you something, can I freely access your intelligence?"

"As long as it’s related to secret realms, it can be shared with Young Master Zhao. Even the realms we’ve previously acquired, if you’re interested, you’re welcome to visit."

Zhao Changhe clapped his hands. "Fifth Master is straightforward."

Ying Wu chuckled. "But I don’t think Young Master Zhao has much interest in visiting. After all, any treasures or manuals worth having have long been cleared out by us. As for the space itself, you’ve always treated it like worn-out shoes... And I won’t be giving away what we’ve already obtained, of course."

"Those are your finds; I wouldn’t have the nerve to ask for them. As for the locations, I might indeed trouble you from time to time." Zhao Changhe was in a good mood and asked, "Fifth Master has explored so many places; you must know more about ancient secrets than anyone else. Can you share some of that?"

"Ah, that’s also part of our unique advantage over other factions... Whether we can share depends on how our friendship develops." Ying Wu smiled slyly. "If we become true friends, anything is negotiable—even if the specific treasures we want happen to conflict with a friend’s interests, we can talk it out. Let alone some ancient secrets."

Naturally... Despite his genial demeanor, their cooperation had just begun, and there was no real bond yet. Expecting deeper ties was impossible. Zhao Changhe found this perfectly normal and said cheerfully, "A gentleman’s word. The cooperation is sealed."

Ying Wu’s smile widened, his eyes crinkling with delight. Suddenly, he pulled out a blood-red token and handed it to Zhao Changhe. "Here, a small gift. Not much, but it’s the thought that counts."

As the token emerged, a bloody, murderous aura instantly filled the room. Zhao Changhe’s own killing intent stirred, nearly turning his eyes crimson.

He suppressed it with effort, taking a deep breath. "Is this the thing you mentioned, different from the Cui family’s medicine, selling it to me for a pittance?"

"Exactly. The Cui family are refined gentlemen; they wouldn’t touch such bloody, sinister items. But we merchants handle everything that comes our way." Ying Wu said leisurely, "Cui Wenjing can help you heal, guide you through the ninth level of the Profound Gate, and even point the way to the hidden treasury. But he can’t give you the bloodthirsty energy needed for your Blood Fiend cultivation. The vast energy and bloodlust required to advance from the eighth to the ninth level—are you prepared for that?"

Zhao Changhe looked down at the blood-red token. Its aura was strikingly similar to the bead he’d gotten from Maitreya, but of a higher grade, with a more concentrated bloodthirst.

If Maitreya’s bead was merely a decorative piece from a Blood God array, this token was likely a core component.

This thing was truly vital to him!

Only someone like Ying Wu, who treated secret realms like his own backyard, could casually produce such an item. Even Xia Longyuan probably didn’t have so many bizarre treasures, let alone Cui Wenjing.

He glanced up at Ying Wu, who was still smiling. "What do you think?"

Without hesitation, Zhao Changhe tucked the token into his robe. "This is indeed very useful to me. I won’t stand on ceremony, Fifth Master."

Ying Wu laughed heartily and rose to leave. "I’ll give orders that from now on, when Young Master Zhao visits our establishments, information will be shared directly—no riddles. For now, I look forward to the fruits of our cooperation. Farewell."

"Hey, wait." Zhao Changhe stopped him. "Fifth Master, have you ever heard of the Dragon-Elephant Blood Ginseng?"

Ying Wu found it amusing. "Heard of it, never seen it. I only know it’s an ancient thing, not from this era. If you want it, you’ll have to search some secret realms—which happens to be exactly what our cooperation is about. I wasn’t sure where to start, but now we have a direction."

Zhao Changhe found it amusing too. "I’ll be troubling you often, Fifth Master."

Ying Wu waved a hand and strolled away.

By the time he was far from the guest courtyard, Sha Qi, who should have been in Sword Lake City, appeared beside him and whispered, "Fifth Master, this cooperation seems like a loss for us. Even if he has a knack for finding secret realms, how many can he uncover? Shouldn’t we set a benchmark—like a minimum number per year?"

Ying Wu said flatly, "Do you think this is like setting profit targets for your gambling dens?"

"Hey, I just think it’s a loss..."

"Besides buying and selling, there’s a business tactic called investment. Ever heard of it?"

"Th-that’s what?"

"The most convenient person for this kind of thing is an emperor who unifies the realm. But Xia Longyuan not only doesn’t seek that, he actually wants these spaces to remain fragmented, letting the factions tear each other apart. So he’s against our path, an obstacle. But why not place your bet on the next emperor?"

Sha Qi: "?"

"What I’m eyeing isn’t his current ability, but what he can achieve in the future. If you wait until the situation is set to cooperate, you’ll be too late to even get a taste." Ying Wu glanced down the corridor, where Huangfu Yongxian was approaching. "Look, who’s coming?"

Sha Qi turned to look. "This is Huangfu Yongxian’s territory; of course he’d come to see the guests. Oh, by the way, Fifth Master, I heard you used to like Vermilion Bird. Have you considered that his daughter might be..."

Ying Wu took a deep breath, veins bulging. "Is that what I told you to think about?"

Sha Qi said, "No? But speaking of which, you’re almost a dozen years older than Vermilion Bird. Who Vermilion Bird really is doesn’t matter anymore; she wouldn’t fancy you anyway—old and fat..."

"..." Ying Wu was silent for a moment. "How’s your swordsmanship coming along?"

"Not quite right..."

"Switch to a dagger. It suits you better than a sword."

"Why? I’ve been practicing with a sword for so long."

"Because with a dagger, you can call yourself Dagger Qi." Ying Wu flicked his sleeves and walked away. "Make up some excuse for the Listening Snow Tower. Reputation isn’t something to toy with. Next time, it won’t just be dismissal—it’ll be decapitation!"

Sha Qi pondered for a while. Even if his head were cut off, he’d still be Dagger Qi. No difference.

Meanwhile, Huangfu Yongxian knocked on Zhao Changhe’s door. "Is Young Master Zhao resting? Huangfu was delayed by battle matters. How are your injuries?"

Zhao Changhe had just gotten up from his chair to lie back on the bed, pulling out the blood token to study. Helplessly, he sat up again. "General, you’re too kind. Please, come in."

What a constant stream of visitors. Did none of them treat him like a wounded man? A wounded man needed rest!

But even if he could refuse Ying Wu, he wouldn’t refuse Huangfu Yongxian. An old general who had devoted his life to the frontier, a family of martyrs—anyone would hold him in respect.

Besides, his daughter was Sister Yi Huo Snake.

Zhao Changhe wondered how to curry favor with the old general... Huangfu Qing’s position as an imperial consort might hold significance for the Four Symbols Sect in monitoring Xia Longyuan’s state and actions, and perhaps for their political maneuvers. From Huangfu Yongxian’s perspective, it might also have political meaning. But in reality, it was meaningless.

He wondered if he could discuss a plan with the old general to end this farce... Otherwise, as long as she bore the title of imperial consort, even if Xia Longyuan was just watching a monkey show, he’d never be able to get close to her.

As he was mulling this over, Huangfu Yongxian entered, holding his helmet. He knelt on one knee, bowing his head in salute. "Your Highness, I pay my respects."

Zhao Changhe: "?"

His mind went blank for a moment. He leaped up from his chair. "No, no! I really am not!"

Huangfu Yongxian kept his head bowed. "It was this old minister’s fault for letting Your Highness charge into the dragon’s den alone, facing mortal danger."

Zhao Changhe’s head was splitting. He couldn’t tell if the old man was blindly loyal or genuinely terrified that Xia Longyuan would blame him for this.

Serving a ruler was like living with a tiger. Even winning a battle might not bring good fortune.

Zhao Changhe hurriedly helped him up. "I said I’m not! Xia... I guarantee he won’t make an issue of this!"

But when he tried to lift him, it was like pulling at a rooted tree—impossible.

Huangfu Yongxian, ranked ninth on the Earthly List, now eighth after He Lei’s death.

He was no frail old man on the verge of death.

Yet, as Zhao Changhe finished his sentence, the old general’s eyes showed a hint of amusement. He stood up on his own and said in a low voice, "Since Your Highness guarantees it, this old minister trusts you."

"..." Zhao Changhe realized he’d been tricked.

If you weren’t a prince, how could you guarantee such a thing?

By daring to say you’d guarantee it, weren’t you revealing the truth?

In truth, admitting or denying this was no longer the issue. The real problem was: if the old man believed you were a prince, what about the imperial consort?