Chapter 169: Chapter 122: Splendor of the Nine Regions, Hundred Flowers Bloom (Double-Length, Vote Requested) (3)
The two entered calmly.
The architectural style within the array was not much different from the outside,
with houses lining the streets in an orderly fashion, all with gray tiles and white walls.
The only difference was the people; almost no mortals were within this array.
The street vendors were all cultivators, selling various talismans, materials, spirit medicines, and so on.
They followed the main road inward, finding the Yunlai Inn standing at the center of this area.
After Liou Yuan discreetly showed the Disciplinary Hall waist token given to him by Lao Xiuyuan, the shopkeeper at the Yunlai Inn immediately became solemn and led the two into a secret room in the backyard of the inn.
"I wonder what business the two of you have in Lingjun County. If there’s anything a humble person like me can do, please feel free to ask."
In the secret room, a single candle was burning.
The shopkeeper of the Yunlai Inn stood respectfully to the side. His surname was Li, though he did not reveal his full name.
Liou Yuan secretly observed the man.
He was around forty, slightly overweight, dressed in a coarse cloth robe that was washed out but cleanly kept, with a deep brown cloth belt around his waist, on which a heavy set of keys hung.
At first glance, he was indistinguishable from the shopkeeper at the Mortal Dust Inn.
There was a Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer fluctuation within his body.
At forty, in the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer, he could practically be said to have no potential left.
Liou Yuan had heard from Pan Yang before coming that those sent to these remote areas were usually menial disciples of Five Extremes Mountain.
Clearly, this shopkeeper had ordinary aptitude even when he was at Five Extremes Mountain.
"We are here to capture Ji Jie," Pan Yang quietly stated their purpose.
This was something discussed in advance with Liou Yuan.
Since they were looking for the opportunity in the Foundation Establishment abode, there was no need to hide the matter of Ji Jie.
Using the pretext of capturing him would provide a cover for their subsequent actions, so it was better to be high profile.
"No wonder." Mr. Li said, glancing at the Disciplinary Hall token in Liou Yuan’s hand.
The Disciplinary Hall deploys only to claim lives.
Having lurked in Lingjun County for so many years, Mr. Li naturally had his own network of connections.
After some contemplation following the statement, he slowly divulged all the information he knew about Ji Jie.
"After being severely wounded by the Disciplinary Hall’s master last time, Ji Jie has been in hiding for several months without showing his face."
"You should know, he possesses a magical artifact that allows him to disguise himself and conceal his aura, making his whereabouts extremely difficult to trace."
Pan Yang listened with furrowed brows, clearly dissatisfied with Mr. Li’s words.
They had come with the Disciplinary Hall token, yet were gaining no assistance.
Liou Yuan shrewdly picked up some useful information, questioning: "Ji Jie is truly injured?"
"Yes, the master was at Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer; Ji Jie narrowly escaped but was heavily injured." Mr. Li replied respectfully.
The Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer disciples of the Disciplinary Hall had once attempted to chase down Ji Jie, a fact that Liou Yuan had heard from Lao Xiuyuan, matching Mr. Li’s intelligence.
The only thing not mentioned was Ji Jie’s injuries, which stirred Liou Yuan’s thoughts, prompting him to ask: "An injury requires healing medicine, so why not pursue this lead?"
"It’s possible." Mr. Li nodded truthfully, then offered a wry smile.
"Apart from Lingjun County, there are two major county towns around here. Ji Jie could get healing medicine from any place, not necessarily Lingjun County."
"A humble person like me does not have such a wide intelligence network."
"Well, isn’t there anyone in the other county towns?" Liou Yuan chuckled.
"There are, but my status is low, and I cannot mobilize the hidden agents in those county towns." Mr. Li smiled wryly.
"No problem!" Liou Yuan, having already made calculations, responded with two words before picking up the Disciplinary Hall waist token and handing it to Mr. Li, asking: "Is this token still useful?"
Mr. Li paused for a moment, understanding Liou Yuan’s intention, then replied almost without hesitation, "Useful. As long as this token is in hand, personnel from the three county towns can be mobilized."
This answer made Liou Yuan very satisfied, giving him a new appreciation for the standing of the Disciplinary Hall.
"When traveling outside, the identity of the Disciplinary Hall is much more useful than that of an Outer Sect disciple."
"When I reach the late-stage of Qi Cultivation, I wonder if I can enter the Disciplinary Hall."
With this on his mind, Liou Yuan continued to move, placing the Disciplinary Hall token in Mr. Li’s hand.
"Then I must trouble Mr. Li to coordinate the dispatch."
As he spoke, Liou Yuan began covering for his and Pan Yang’s upcoming actions.
"My senior brother Pan Yang and I will also be moving around the nearby county towns during this period, investigating Ji Jie’s whereabouts."
"We will come to the Yunlai Inn every now and then, hoping Mr. Li won’t disappoint us."
"I will do my utmost." Mr. Li solemnly took the Disciplinary Hall token.
Liou Yuan’s next words made Mr. Li’s eyes gleam.
"If this matter succeeds, I will report Mr. Li’s achievements, and you won’t miss out on the benefits."
Though the Disciplinary Hall token is intimidating, nothing moves people like wealth.
Mr. Li took the token and departed, displaying an eagerness to immediately contact the hidden agents in the nearby county towns.
Before leaving, he didn’t forget to ask Liou Yuan and Pan Yang.
He mentioned their fatigue from travel, asking if they wanted to rest a night at the Yunlai Inn.
Liou Yuan and Pan Yang immediately refused in unison.
What a joke, any action under the eyes of Yunlai Inn would be exposed.
They were not here solely for Ji Jie.
Liou Yuan warded off with the excuse of searching outside for Ji Jie’s whereabouts.
The two then left the secret room under Mr. Li’s respectful send-off.
He did not escort them out of the Yunlai Inn, presumably to avoid being seen by someone with ulterior motives.
"This Mr. Li handles matters diligently." Exiting the Yunlai Inn, Liou Yuan spoke with words of praise for Mr. Li.
Poor aptitude does not mean a person is without merits.
Being chosen as a hidden agent proves Mr. Li’s capabilities are definitely unquestionable.
Hence, Liou Yuan had confidence in his ability to find intelligence regarding Ji Jie.
"Once the matter is done, we should have news of Ji Jie’s whereabouts when we return."
"Two gains at once, excellent." Pan Yang beamed with joy.
His mention of two gains referred to completing both the Foundation Establishment abode opportunity and the Ji Jie bounty simultaneously.
Liou Yuan smiled wryly; he had another purpose for this venture.
That was the Fixed Star Compass.
Once the opportunities from the abode and Ji Jie’s matter are settled.
Liou Yuan considered finding a reason to use the Fixed Star Compass at an opportune moment.
"I aim for three gains at once," Liou Yuan muttered to himself.
