Chapter Seventy-Four: Return to the Bustling World of Mortals (Third Update)

“Big brother, that’s the legendary Black Shroud City!” Hou Baiyu exclaimed excitedly.

“What are you so happy about?” Wu Yue leaned on a stick, asking with little patience. “Is this place part of your Wuyun Stronghold’s territory? Highly possible. Look, Wuyun—Black Cloud—Black Shroud, they complement each other nicely, tsk tsk.”

“Boss!” Hou Baiyu looked aggrieved. After wandering in the wilderness for over a month, finally seeing signs of civilization was reason enough to be happy. More importantly, it was clearly your idea, boss, to find a prosperous place. Most importantly, how does your mind even work?

Granted, you guessed almost right, but that’s not my fault. Within a thousand miles, where else is as bustling as Black Shroud City? Even if something happens, I have an explanation: I’m still a newcomer, I know nothing—it’s foolproof.

“Why are you looking at me like that? I was just joking, and you took it seriously. Honestly, you…” Wu Yue, though still appearing extremely weak, at least had regained some of his spirit. “It’s a shame there isn’t more time. Otherwise, if I could break free from the soul’s restraints, I could gradually strengthen my body as well.”

Beside him, Hongxiu grew even more silent, her clothes now entirely black, her face veiled in ebony gauze.

Wu Yue sighed. After a pause, he tried to comfort her, “Don’t be too sad. Even if I die, it’ll be before you. As long as I’m alive, I’m confident I can help you remove the Crimson Blood Curse.” Though his words carried a cold, dark humor.

“Vengeance comes first!” Hongxiu replied icily, clutching the Thunder Scepter tightly in her hand.

“Who do you want revenge on?”

“Anyone!” Hongxiu answered indifferently. “My master cannot have died in vain.”

“How about we enter the city first? Find what you’re looking for, boss?” Hou Baiyu suggested cautiously.

“All right.”

Hou Baiyu hurried to support Wu Yue, whispering, “Big brother, once inside the city, you might as well be a bit high-handed. Here, there’s no authority—strength is all that matters.”

Wu Yue frowned. “This is still Qin territory, isn’t it?”

“Yes, technically. A few years ago, Qin still had a city lord stationed here to collect taxes. But after a few battles, the Li family of Qin, even if they had the resources, no longer had the inclination to manage this place. Now, it’s run by a few major factions. Aside from their own shops, you can do as you please anywhere else.”

Wu Yue nodded. In these chaotic, lawless gray areas, life was always the liveliest.

At the city gate, seven or eight idle toughs lounged about. Spotting the three of them, they approached with grins. “A safe and prosperous day to you, esteemed guests. Since you’ve come from afar, why not toss some lucky coins to ward off bad fortune?”

“These are peripheral members of the Tiger Gang,” Hou Baiyu explained. “Don’t be fooled by their friendly manners. Show even a hint of weakness, and they’ll latch on like dogs on a scent.” A cold smile played on his lips. “With people like this, never be polite.”

Hou Baiyu turned to the burliest of the group and asked coolly, “Are you the leader?”

The man chuckled. “Leader? We’re just a few brothers trying to earn a living.”

Crack! Hou Baiyu slapped him hard across the face, then kicked him three or four meters away. “Damn you! Let me help you get rid of your bad luck,” he shouted.

Whether it was the aftereffects of lightning damage or something else, Hou Baiyu’s scalp was still hairless, though his brows had faintly regrown. At this moment, he looked nothing like a decent person—more like someone not to be trifled with.

Despite the force he displayed, Hou Baiyu hadn’t actually used his spirit power; otherwise, the ordinary man would never have survived.

He now reached out, and with a flicker of energy, gripped the man lying on the ground, his face twisted into a snarl. “Remember me now?” Seeing this display, the rest of the loafers dared not show the slightest anger, nodding hurriedly.

“If I hear any more nonsense about bad luck, I’ll deal with you myself,” he growled, tossing the man to the ground.

“All right, now find someone quick-witted to guide us into the city,” Hou Baiyu ordered.

The group immediately put on fawning smiles; even the man who’d been kicked crawled up with a grin and a clasped fist in greeting.

Wu Yue nodded approvingly at this scene. Hou Baiyu might seem a bit dim, but there was some sense behind his actions. A classic carrot-and-stick approach—old-fashioned, but effective.

If Hou Baiyu knew what Wu Yue was thinking, he’d have laughed aloud and retorted, “Do you think my plan is that simple? I’ve already secretly notified Wuyun Stronghold. If they catch you, that’s a huge achievement! You think you can fool me? How about my performance the other day?” As for now, he was only deepening their impression so they’d remember him, and by bringing someone along, he’d reveal their lodgings—such a cunning scheme even impressed himself.

The future was full of promise, but for now, one had to make do.

The fierce Hou Baiyu quickly replaced his menace with a humble, ingratiating smile, carefully explaining, “These men may look pitiful, but they’re actually quite despicable. Though they’re members of the Tiger Gang, the gang lets them operate freely. Still, they’re well informed and can provide the latest news.” He rambled on for a while.

Wu Yue listened in silence for a minute, then patted Hou Baiyu’s shoulder. “Little Monkey, you’ve worked hard, but you don’t need to tell me everything. Listening is exhausting.”

Hou Baiyu’s eager smile froze; Hongxiu couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Black Shroud City is especially lively these days,” their guide said, his words growing smoother. The tough-looking man turned out to be a mere lackey, and the capable-seeming young woman kept herself entirely veiled—what a tangled web.

“There are two big pieces of news right now. First, our Tiger Gang’s boss has invited the Eccentric Doctor from the Plains, apparently to treat his wife’s infertility.”

Wu Yue’s expression turned odd. “Oh?”

“Perhaps you don’t know, esteemed guest—the Tiger Gang is named after the boss’s wife. She’s known as Lady Tiger, and he only has her as a wife—no, as his Dao companion.”

Wu Yue nodded, though what struck him was the medical issue—so bold, so modern, so realistic.

“Second, the Octagon Pavilion is holding an auction soon. I hear big shots from thousands of miles around are coming—not just the wealthy and powerful, but true masters—immortals!” The man’s face shone with envy.

As one who had once been a leader among immortals, Wu Yue couldn’t help but smile. Such luck—an eccentric doctor and an auction house. Was it really the rule that transmigrators never die? His old suspicions flared once more…