Chapter Ninety-Two: Past Events

Do you know a man named Chen Xiaofeng?

Seeing Dao Sansheng working furiously in the distance, Du Xuetao shouted at the top of his lungs.

Chen Xiaofeng was the master of the Purple Immortal Palace, the soul now within his own sea of consciousness. Dao Sansheng stopped what he was doing and looked over at Du Xuetao, pretending to ponder the question.

The man’s gaze was steeped in deep hatred. It was no ordinary hatred; he was grinding his teeth. Dao Sansheng struggled inwardly, unsure how to answer.

Boy, I’m asking you: is that fellow dead? Hahaha...

Looking at the smile on Du Xuetao’s face, Dao Sansheng decided to take a gamble. With a solemn expression, he walked over.

Chen Xiaofeng is dead. His soul is bound by me. If he was a friend of yours, I can release him and give you this courtesy.

Dao Sansheng walked slowly toward Du Xuetao as he spoke.

Hahaha... He really died? What do you mean, his soul is still in your hands? Are you telling the truth?

Du Xuetao threw himself at Dao Sansheng’s leg, clutching his arm and shaking it, shouting in disbelief, his voice even becoming hoarse.

Senior, I have not lied. It is absolutely true. If you need him, I can hand his soul over to you.

Seeing Du Xuetao like this, Dao Sansheng felt his guess had been right. From the moment he first saw him and caught that look of naked hatred when the name was mentioned, he had known it would be this way, so he smoothly delivered the words he had already prepared.

I never thought in my whole life that I would see that fellow again. I’ve nearly forgotten how long I’ve been trapped in this place, how many choices he robbed me of. Hurry and release him.

Du Xuetao was so excited that tears streamed down his face. Even his hands trembled violently, and his words came out slurred, his feelings beyond description.

Dao Sansheng gently peeled away the hand gripping him and stepped back.

Senior, that fellow is currently in my sea of consciousness. There, I can still restrain him. But if I release him now, I’m afraid he’ll run off at once, so I may need to make some preparations first.

Hearing Dao Sansheng’s words, the somewhat unseated Du Xuetao withdrew his hand and thought to himself.

But this boy does have a point. It is necessary to prepare. If Chen Xiaofeng’s soul is sufficiently powerful, I won’t be able to hold him either, especially in a place like this.

Very well. Once you are ready, tell me. Remember to hand him over to me then. Afterward, I will thank you and fulfill an oath I once made.

After saying this, Du Xuetao had calmed somewhat. He picked up the one-horned dust mouse that had been rubbing against his legs and patted the little creature.

Dao Sansheng went on sorting his timber. Before long, the afternoon had nearly passed, and a brand-new wooden cottage stood completed. Its logs were a pale yellowish white, and it stood not far from the thatched hut. Dao Sansheng sat down on the grass beside it.

At that time, in the Purple Immortal City auction house, within the small estate in the back courtyard of the merchant guild, Lin Na was still standing at the door, waiting. Her legs had grown numb from standing so long. Ever since the last auction ended, the enforcement squad had been denouncing her in front of the vice-chairman, and there was still no result. She did not know what the guild master would say when he came out.

With a creak, the vermilion door opened. Lin Na hurriedly bowed in greeting, not daring to look directly at the doorway.

Tell me briefly what has happened in the merchant guild recently. In a little while, we’ll go together to the home of Zi Fanchen. I need to ask him for something.

A clear, cheerful laugh came from inside, and a young man stepped out. Seeing Lin Na bent over, staring at her shoes, he stretched lazily and began strolling through the garden at ease.

Recently, many people from the merchant guild have been looking for you. Those great clans have all come, hoping to see you. They’re asking whether that spatial talisman is still available. Everyone wants to buy one.

Before Lin Na could finish, the young man raised a hand to signal for her to stop.

Say the important things. There’s no need to report those matters to me. Just tell Vice-Chairman Lin Tianlei directly. Has anything major happened in Purple Immortal Prefecture recently?

The young man’s expression did not change as he continued his small, quick steps toward the merchant guild.

There hasn’t been any major event lately in Purple Immortal Prefecture. If anything strange is to be mentioned, there is one thing. I heard that Zi Fanchen’s spoiled son has been in seclusion cultivating recently, claiming that he discovered some secret. He has not come out for half a month, and he even declared that unless he breaks this secret, he will not emerge.

Lin Na spoke to the young man with a gossiping smile, but upon hearing this, his expression turned unpleasant.

Could it be that fellow has discovered the secret of that map?

Lin Zhi touched his chin, considering the result he could guess.

Guild Master, you’ve finally come out of seclusion! The merchant guild has a major problem that needs your solution. At last I’ve found you—come quickly to the front hall.

The two who had been chatting in the courtyard then saw an old man with a white beard rush out of the house. This man was Lin Tianlei, the vice-chairman of the Violet Gold Merchant Guild.

Lin Tianlei had a narrow, pointed face and slit-like eyes. When he spoke, spittle flew everywhere. Yet the pure white formal robe he wore was exceedingly tight, making him look especially awkward.

Lin Zhi could not be bothered to pay him any attention. He glanced at him, pretended not to see him, and then pulled Lin Na along toward the merchant guild.

I say, Guild Master, we have another big order, another big order!

Lin Tianlei forced open his slit-like eyes, and spittle splashed onto Lin Zhi’s clothes as he spoke with great enthusiasm.

I have no time to take big orders or do big business. I still have very important matters to handle, matters that concern my future. I hope you will not disturb the two of us. You may decide the guild affairs yourself. I have no objection.

Lin Zhi imitated Lin Tianlei’s manner and used the same tone to speak to him, not forgetting to spray a mouthful of saliva onto Lin Tianlei’s face. When he finished, he even deliberately wiped the corner of his mouth.

Seeing Lin Zhi like this, the smile on Lin Tianlei’s face immediately cooled, and he turned toward another direction as if nothing had happened.

At last that fellow is gone. We can leave too.

Seeing Lin Na covering her mouth, trying hard not to laugh, Lin Zhi shot her a glare and continued forward.

Lin Na led Lin Zhi swiftly through the streets. Lin Zhi found everything around him novel, though he only looked and did not dwell on it. The Windward Continent still differed somewhat from the plane he had once inhabited.

Before long, the two reached the residence of Zi Fanchen. The estate itself occupied a vast tract of land, so it was easy to find. They stood at the entrance, where a beast carriage bearing the Zi family’s emblem was parked: a carriage drawn by three spirit hounds, the sort often used by the young masters of the Zi family when going out. Yet by the look of it, it had not moved for a long time, and a layer of dust had settled over it.

Neither of them had ever seen anything worth marveling at, and they had no interest in the carriage. Looking up, they saw the grand gate of the Zi residence reached by many steps. Two massive stone lions flanked the entrance, the doors were tightly shut, and four guards stood outside, watching the bustling road without cease. At that moment, they had all turned to look at Lin Na and the other person.