Along the way, the stall owner was quite talkative. He introduced himself as Wang and took the opportunity to tell the group about Hunyuan Hall.
Just like Fulong City, because of the history of Great Chu, many Rogue Cultivators lived in Yunjing.
Rogue Cultivators were, by nature, people who sought peace and freedom, unwilling to get involved in the complicated affairs of sects.
However, humans could never truly avoid social interaction, and Immortal Cultivators were no different. Thus, various loose organizations for Rogue Cultivators came into being.
Most of these organizations only provided a place for members to exchange cultivation insights, trade precious materials, and help each other in times of need. Hunyuan Hall was the largest of these in Yunjing.
Located in the Qingjing District deep within the East Market, the storefront wasn’t particularly grand, but its depth was impressive.
Inside, small pavilions and courtyards were scattered about, arranged elegantly yet practically.
Master Wang was clearly a familiar face there.
After greeting the guards, he led the three of them through the front courtyard to a guest hall.
“Hall Master Li, you have distinguished guests!”
Master Wang shouted with a cupped-fist salute toward a cultivator in the hall who looked like a middle-aged scholar sipping tea.
Hall Master Li looked up. His gaze swept over Hua Yan and Yun Xuechang. Feeling the restrained yet majestic Golden Core Stage spiritual power emanating from them, his eyes flashed. He immediately set down his teacup and rose to greet them.
“Haha, Old Wang, you’ve brought some truly distinguished guests to my Hunyuan Hall!”
Hall Master Li greeted them with a beaming smile and a salute. “I am Li Mo, the master of this hall. Might I ask how to address you two Daoist Friends? And who is this young friend?”
“Hall Master Li is too kind.”
Hua Yan returned the salute and gave the alias she had already prepared.
“I am Hua Yan’er. This is my wife, Bai Xuechang, and our daughter, Rongrong. We have just arrived in Yunjing and came to pay our respects to the Hall Master, thanks to Daoist Friend Wang’s recommendation.”
“Daoist Friend Hua, Daoist Friend Bai, a pleasure to meet you! Please, take a seat!”
Hall Master Li warmly invited them to sit and then looked at Hua Xiangrong with a kind expression.
“Rongrong, you sit too. Come, try our Cloud Mist Spirit Tea. It’s good for nourishing a child’s meridians.”
With a wave of his hand, a plate of exquisite pastries appeared out of thin air on the table.
Hua Xiangrong’s eyes lit up instantly, but then she remembered something and turned her head to look longingly at Hua Yan.
“Why are you looking at me? If you want to eat, then eat.”
Hua Yan had long since forgotten her words from that morning forbidding the girl from eating snacks. She only found the child’s behavior somewhat mysterious.
“Mm! Thank you, Mother! Thank you, Uncle Li!”
“Hahaha, no need for thanks!”
Hall Master Li was amused by her charmingly naive behavior, and the atmosphere in the hall grew more relaxed.
Hua Yan and Yun Xuechang took their seats, and the group began to chat.
Hall Master Li’s cultivation was at the mid-Nascent Soul stage.
He was smooth and considerate in his speech, and before long, he was hitting it off with the two of them.
Upon learning that these “Hua wives” were traveling and looking for a quiet place to stay and cultivate while learning about the local customs, his attitude became even more enthusiastic.
“The two of you have profound cultivation. Your presence at my Hunyuan Hall truly brings honor to this place! As for local news, while I wouldn’t dare say my hall knows everything, our members are in close contact. We hear a thing or two about rumors from the streets and anecdotes from the imperial court.”
Hua Yan’s heart stirred, and she took the opportunity to ask, “Then I must thank Hall Master Li for his kindness. We have lived in the mountains for a long time and know very little about the affairs of the empire, especially the current situation. I wonder, what is the situation for us cultivators under the rule of Great Chu?”
A look of mingled emotion and admiration appeared on Hall Master Li’s face. He set down his teacup and said seriously, “Since Daoist Friend Hua has asked, I will speak candidly — our current Emperor of Great Chu has really not had it easy these past few years!”
He sighed softly and continued, “As you both know, Great Chu is located on the edge where the Righteous and Demonic Paths meet. Hundreds of years ago, this location was uniquely gifted. Caravans, and cultivators traveling north and south were endless. How prosperous Yunjing was back then! But now, friction between the Righteous and Demonic Paths is increasing, and relations are growing more strained by the day. This trade route… sigh, it’s not what it used to be. Many old sources of wealth have been cut off, and the imperial revenue, and the people’s livelihoods, have been significantly affected.”
At this point, his tone changed, carrying a clear note of approval.
“But even so, life in Great Chu is much better than in the neighboring small countries that were also affected! This is all thanks to His Majesty’s wisdom.”
His eyes were full of respect.
“In his early years, His Majesty was diligent and loved the people, laying a solid foundation for Great Chu. Later, when the trade routes were blocked and the national treasury was tight, His Majesty did not resort to heavy taxation. Instead, he focused on rectifying internal affairs, cutting unnecessary expenses, encouraging the development of various crafts, and developing mountain forests and mineral resources. He even found ways to stabilize several key safe trade routes. Although Great Chu is not as prosperous as it was at its peak, the market is still active. It’s still manageable for us Rogue Cultivators to find cultivation resources, or jobs to make a living.”
Several other Hunyuan Hall cultivators sitting in the hall also nodded in agreement.
“Hall Master Li is right. In these times, being able to stabilize the situation is no small feat.”
“Yes, a few years ago, those small countries to the north fell into chaos just because their trade routes were cut. It’s not like our Great Chu, which is still quite peaceful.”
“Although His Majesty hasn’t appeared in public much these past few years, the rules he set have never changed. The order of the world still exists, and he is quite generous to us Rogue Cultivators.”
Hua Yan and Yun Xuechang stole a glance at each other, their expressions remaining calm.
‘According to what they’re saying, is this Emperor of Great Chu actually a rare wise ruler? But if he is a wise ruler, how could an Evil Cultivator be hidden by his side? Did he not notice, or… is there some other hidden reason?’
‘Yan’er, don’t be in a hurry. Someone just said the Emperor has rarely appeared in public these past few years. Could it be that something happened because of that? Let’s ask more carefully.’
‘Mm, good idea.’
Hua Yan nodded slightly in her heart, then looked up and asked once more, “I wonder…”
Meanwhile, in Yunjing’s West Market.
The red-lacquered sign of Yunjinxuan was very striking under the afternoon sun. As the most famous and most chaotic inn in Yunjing, the front of its gate was always bustling with people from all walks of life.
A green-canopied carriage stopped in front of the door. The curtain was lifted, and the first to get out was a young girl dressed as a bookkeeper maid. She wore a lotus-root-colored dress, and her hair was tied in two simple flat buns with two plain silver hairpins. Her features were delicate, and she carried a wooden box on her back. After getting off the carriage, she immediately turned around and respectfully helped another young girl down.
The other girl was small in stature, wearing a dark purple silk vest over a lake-blue Hunan skirt. Her hair was adorned with kingfisher feather pins and golden hairpins. She held a silk fan and wore a gold bracelet on her wrist. Although her appearance was only above average, her eyes were exceptionally agile and shrewd, and her whole body exuded a steady temperament bred from the ups and downs of the business world.
These were Qu Linglong and Lin Qianqian in disguise.
“Miss, be careful,” Lin Qianqian said softly.
Qu Linglong nodded slightly. Her gaze swept over the inn’s storefront and the crowd. She used her fan to lightly cover her nose and mouth, appearing slightly uncomfortable with the mixed smells. She frowned slightly, putting on the picky air of someone used to luxury.
“A-Qing, is this the place?”
“Answering Miss, this is indeed Yunjinxuan, the largest inn in Yunjing. Master’s letter instructed us to meet several managers here to discuss the market prices for silk and spices this year.”
Lin Qianqian, using the alias A-Qing, replied softly.
At that moment, a clever-looking inn waiter approached with a face full of smiles. He could tell at a glance that although these two female guests weren’t dressed in top-tier luxury, the materials and workmanship were exquisite, and their accessories were substantial. Especially the steady temperament of the young lady; it was definitely not something an ordinary merchant family could cultivate.
“Welcome inside, distinguished guests! Are you here for a meal or to stay? Our upper rooms are quiet and elegant. I guarantee you’ll be satisfied!”
Qu Linglong then stepped inside, with Lin Qianqian following closely behind, carrying the box and supporting her. The hall was noisy; a mix of storytelling, drinking games, bargaining, and the shouts of waiters filled the air.
“We want two adjacent upper rooms. Make sure they are quiet. We’ll stay for five days first.”
Qu Linglong walked straight to the counter, her tone steady and unquestionable.
“A-Qing, pay the deposit.”
“Right away! Heavenly Rooms Six and Seven. They’re adjacent and quiet. I guarantee you’ll be satisfied!”
The shopkeeper was all smiles as he personally fetched the room plates.
Just then, the drunken whispers of diners at a neighboring table drifted over.
“…If you ask me, the world isn’t peaceful, and the root of it is all in the palace!”
“Shh! Lower your voice! Do you want to die?”
“What’s there to be afraid of! Who in all of Yunjing doesn’t know? How wise His Majesty used to be, until that fox-like woman surnamed Bai entered the palace…”
“Hey! That’s the current Empress!”
“Empress? Bah! She’s clearly a Demon Empress! She’s bewitched His Majesty so much he hasn’t attended court in years. Ever since that fox demon entered the palace, something’s been wrong with the world!”
“Isn’t it! People go missing in the palace every other day. They say that Demon Empress is practicing evil arts and wants to suck out people’s essence! Otherwise, why would His Majesty show his face less and less? Our Great Chu’s national fortune has been ruined by her!”
“…”
The drinkers deliberately lowered their voices, but although Qu Linglong and Lin Qianqian were disguised as mortals, their cultivation was high.
They heard every word clearly.
Qu Linglong’s expression didn’t change as she shared a quiet glance with Lin Qianqian.
‘Daoist Friend Lin, it seems we’ve found the right place.’
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