After a long time had passed, Zhu Lan still had not come out.
A bad premonition grew in the brawny man’s heart, and he shouted loudly, “Hey! Stinking beggar! Did you fall into the latrine pit?”
There was no response from inside the latrine.
The man’s sense of unease intensified.
Steeling his heart, he prepared to barge in and drag the person out.
Just as he was about to enter, a beggar walked out.
He was filthy, reeking, and kept his head low.
The man didn’t think much of it and cursed loudly, “Are you deaf! Can’t you hear me calling you?”
The beggar with the lowered head nodded hurriedly, then covered his nose and ran quickly back toward the wine restaurant.
The man noticed nothing unusual and followed at a slow pace.
He didn’t think a mere stinking beggar could escape the eyes of a cultivator like himself.
After about the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, another person poked their head out from the latrine and stepped out.
Although Zhu Lan was still wearing beggar’s clothes, these patched-up garments were much better than the set she had been wearing before.
She wiped the black soot from her face, revealing a stunning appearance that would leave anyone breathless.
No one would ever associate her with the beggar from before.
Zhu Lan smugly toyed with the money bag and the stone in her hand, slowly walking down the street to buy clothes and book a guest room.
The male lead had so many fortuitous encounters and so much money; he probably wouldn’t mind her pocketing two bags of silver and the stone engraved with the Seven Kill Arts, right?
As for coming to the Wine Fragrance Restaurant, it was because she had seen several beggars heading in that direction earlier.
In truth, she had spotted the latrine long ago.
The effort she spent circling around so many times was just to find a beggar to facilitate her “golden cicada shedding its skin” escape.
As for how Ye Feng would handle that little beggar later, she didn’t know.
After all, she had given the beggar a bag of silver.
It was a fair trade—one willing to give and the other willing to take, each getting what they needed.
Moreover, according to her memories from reading novels all night, the male lead Ye Feng was an upright, kind, and hot-blooded person who felt compassion for the weak.
The beggar wouldn’t be punished too harshly.
…
“Master, why has leaving the city suddenly become so strict lately! I have women and children at home waiting for the medicine I’m supposed to buy!”
A farmer stood before the city gate guards, looking like an ant on a hot griddle.
“Extraordinary times. Entering or leaving the city requires identity verification and the presentation of a travel permit.”
The soldier’s voice was devoid of emotion, leaving no room for negotiation.
“Oh, goodness, what am I to do! My elderly mother is still waiting for her medicine!”
The farmer looked at the tightly closed gates with longing, filled with anxiety.
A wealthy merchant stepped forward from the side, a sycophantic smile plastered on his face.
“Sir, please have mercy. This small person’s cargo must be sold within two days, otherwise, my vitality will be greatly damaged!”
As he spoke, he slid a silver pouch into the soldier’s hand.
Only then was the guard moved.
He accepted the money bag expressionlessly and shared a few words of kindness.
“An important item was stolen from a Great Lord in the city by a little thief. The anger from above means those of us below can only follow orders. The city is sealed specifically to find that little thief.”
The merchant was astonished upon hearing this.
“To think such an extraordinary person exists in this world, having the ability to steal something from the Lord’s hand and then go into hiding.”
The soldier nodded.
“The little thief only had half a day to escape. The Lords in the city believe the thief couldn’t have made it out.”
The merchant looked at his carriage full of goods with a bitter expression.
“But, Master, the city has been sealed for three days already. Just which Lord was it, and what kind of peerless treasure was stolen to cause such a commotion? If it stays sealed any longer, the common people won’t be able to take it.”
The soldier immediately became stern.
“Don’t pry into things you shouldn’t! If you want to keep your life, don’t be too curious!”
Realizing he had misspoke, the merchant nodded quickly.
“Yes, Master is right to lecture me.”
He then pulled another money bag from his pocket, intending to slide it into the soldier’s hand.
“There is no need to seal the city anymore. From today on, the lockdown is lifted.”
A clear, bright voice came from behind the merchant.
“I have waited here for three days and haven’t seen that beggar. They have likely already left the city. There is no need to keep it sealed.”
Ye Feng gave the order and returned to his family’s residence.
There had been a voice in his divine sense chatterring incessantly.
“Kid, that was the Seven Kill Arts! An ancient secret technique! And you just missed it like that!”
The old man in the ring was filled with a sense of “failing to turn iron into steel” frustration.
Ye Feng also felt a bit of regret.
He rubbed his nose.
“Why didn’t you realize it then? It’s too late to talk about it now.”
Over the past few days, he had grown quite familiar with the old man in the ring.
The old man sighed repeatedly, but Ye Feng felt it wasn’t that big of a deal.
“It’s just one opportunity. I was born in Dragon Sovereign Manor and hold the status of Young Master. What could I possibly want that I don’t already have?”
Ye Feng was open-minded, possessing a temperament far beyond ordinary people.
“Besides, I am about to reach Foundation Establishment. At my age, there are likely very few in the entire Liangzhou who have reached Foundation Establishment.”
It had to be said that he was truly the protagonist of a power-fantasy novel; his mindset was excellent, generous, and confident.
The old man in the ring sneered.
“Building a foundation and already you’re so cocky. When I was your age, I was already forming my Golden Core…”
Ye Feng smiled slightly.
The old man was starting to brag about the glorious deeds of his youth again.
He bragged every day until Ye Feng’s ears were practically growing calluses.
However, he did not interrupt the old man.
Upon returning to his family, he went directly into seclusion, announcing to the world that he was beginning his Foundation Establishment.
…
“A hero emerges from youth! The Young Master of Dragon Sovereign Manor has announced his seclusion for Foundation Establishment at sixteen years old! From ancient times to the present, a truly elegant and heroic youth!”
In an inn, a storyteller dressed in a cloth robe took a sip of tea and began passionately promoting Ye Feng’s deeds.
At six years old, he shocked the world with Qi Condensation; at twelve, he reached the ninth level of Qi Condensation, spending four full years building his foundation to ensure a perfect breakthrough.
With four years spent on his foundation, the path to Foundation Establishment was practically set in stone.
The people drinking in the inn sighed deeply upon hearing of Ye Feng’s glorious achievements.
They were filled with envy, jealousy, and bitterness.
“You and I only lack a wealthy family background like Young Master Ye’s. If I were given such an environment to cultivate for a year or a year and a half, I wouldn’t be stuck at the third level of Qi Condensation for two years.”
A drunken brawny man poured out his heart, sighing repeatedly.
“In a rich and powerful family? Heh, who could have such good luck besides that Young Master Ye?”
A thin man was also drunk, his head swaying.
He glanced at the person sitting next to him and sneered, “In broad daylight, Your Excellency is not a young lady in a secluded chamber, so why hide and cover up, afraid to show your true face?”
The thin man’s shout caused everyone in the inn to turn their heads and look at the person wearing a bamboo hat.
Zhu Lan: …
She had hidden in her inn room for several days and only wanted to come downstairs today for some tea.
How did she manage to attract trouble?
Drunks were such a hassle.
“Hey! I’m talking to you!”
The thin man was intoxicated, swaying as he stepped forward, reaching out to pull off Zhu Lan’s bamboo hat.
“Clang!”
A flash of bright silver sword-light flickered, and a sharp blade pressed against the thin man’s chest.
“Watch your mouth.”
Feeling the thin man’s body go completely rigid, Zhu Lan withdrew her longsword with satisfaction and continued drinking her tea as if nothing had happened.
The inn fell into a dead silence.
The thin man was half-sobered by the shock and slunk back to his seat.
Zhu Lan’s show of force had indeed intimidated any petty, curious hearts.
“Little brother, my friend is immature. Please don’t take it to heart.”