Chapter 54: Whitening |
This report immediately surprised Xiang Lan'er and Feng Chi.
The term "Disheveled Old Man" was a bit shocking for both of them, and Feng Chi immediately asked what the Disheveled Old Man looked like.
The Shop Assistant gave a brief description. Upon hearing "Wine Gourd" and the bright red, rosy nose, not only Feng Chi but even Xiang Lan'er's face instantly went pale.
“That scoundrel is indeed with that old man, Young Lady. It’s not safe here; we must withdraw quickly.” Feng Chi said frantically, with the implication of once bitten, twice shy.
Xiang Lan'er was also a bit flustered, but she felt that her close-at-hand judgment at the time couldn't have been wrong, so she questioned the Shop Assistant for more detailed information.
When she heard the Shop Assistant say that Shi Chun immediately turned to leave upon seeing the Disheveled Old Man, and that the Disheveled Old Man had spotted him, chased after him, and pulled him back, not only Xiang Lan'er but even Feng Chi sighed in relief, realizing they had been irrational.
The two calmed down and thought carefully, realizing that even if the Shop Assistant hadn't added that last bit, the previous report alone would have revealed the problem.
If Shi Chun truly was with the Disheveled Old Man, how could they have been pulling and tugging in the street, much less openly drinking together? Did they think their Demonic Path members were blind?
After understanding that Shi Chun was acting out of necessity, Xiang Lan'er asked, “That Disheveled Old Man didn't trouble him, did he?”
Feng Chi waved her hand, saying, “Alright, keep watching them. Report any changes immediately.”
“Yes.” The Shop Assistant received the orders and departed.
After the door closed, Feng Chi said, “The problem shouldn't be big. According to the new information the Higher-ups have gathered about that fellow, he's truly not someone to be trifled with.
At just twenty years old, he became the Chief of a territory in the Land of Exile. He's very cunning; his tricks of manipulating people as soon as he came out are Indicative of the Whole.
He should be able to handle that Disheveled Old Man. But Just in Case, Young Lady, we still need to withdraw from here and avoid them.”
A judgment is just a judgment after all; nothing is absolute. If there's an option, there's no need to take a risk.
Xiang Lan'er nodded.
The two then withdrew from the area.
At the entrance of the restaurant, the Shop Assistant bowed and scraped, respectfully seeing the guests off.
Before leaving, the well-fed Disheveled Old Man didn't forget to turn back and curse the Shop Assistant, calling him Snobbish.
After that, he and Shi Chun bid each other farewell. He said he was full and ready to sleep, and Shi Chun naturally didn't try to stop him.
After watching the man walk away, Shi Chun rubbed his stomach. The guest was full, but he had only eaten half his fill.
He looked back at the restaurant's signboard. Should he go back in and eat again?
Seeing the Snobbish Shop Assistant smiling, God Knows what he was thinking.
Forget it, don't make himself a Laughing Stock; it would disgrace the Land of Exile's Face.
He exhaled a breath of alcohol, continuing to stroll with a Refined Demeanor.
He didn't dare go straight back, fearing the old man might be watching closely.
After wandering around for a while, just as he passed a Street Corner, a beautiful young woman strolled out.
The young woman wore a Purple Gauze Robe, her features distinct. Her eyebrows were unpainted, slightly Sword Eyebrows.
Her Bright Eyes were luminous and spirited, her nose high and sculpted like jade, her bare lips naturally the color of cinnabar. She had a slight double chin, her face clearly defined, and her complexion was fair, radiant, and flawless.
It was a Barefaced look with a touch of heroic spirit and nobility.
Her hair was simply tied into a Ponytail, clean and neat, with no accessories.
Her figure was on the taller side for a woman; where she should be plump, she was, and where she should be slender, she was. She was definitely a beautiful young woman, with nobility and heroic spirit intertwining to create a unique charm.
However, this young woman's Bright Eyes were fixed intently on Shi Chun's swaying back.
A graceful and capable Green Robe young woman followed out beside her, whispering, “Young Lady, that's him, that's Shi Chun.
He's reportedly just come out of the Land of Exile.”
Just as she finished speaking, another round-faced Green Robe young woman quickly approached, reporting in a low voice, “Young Lady, Young Master Bian was refused entry into the Sect and is now kneeling outside the Mountain Gate.”
The Purple Gauze Robed Woman's lips curved into a hint of Disdain. She turned back and said, “You don't need to follow me.
Find out who that drinking Disheveled Old Man is.”
“Yes.” Both Green Robe young women received the orders in unison.
The Purple Gauze Robed Woman then stepped forward, following Shi Chun's direction.
Passing by a Large Open Space for Mutual Trade, Shi Chun noticed that the merchants were trading a type of Shrub-like Blue Plant, clearly sun-dried and processed. The scale of trade on site seemed quite large, with heaps piled up at every turn.
He walked in, approached one of the piles, his nostrils twitching. He sniffed, detecting an indescribable, decaying smell.
Seeing that there was no particular protection for the site, he plucked a dried leaf to examine it. Just as he was about to ask someone what it was, a clear, pleasant woman's voice suddenly rang out beside him, “This item is called ‘Indigo Blue Bamboo.
’ It grows in the Icefield Canyon and emits a faint Blue Light at night. Wukang Mountain often uses it to Refine Talismans.”
Hearing the voice, Shi Chun immediately turned his head and scrutinized the speaker from head to toe. He saw it was a Purple-robed Woman whose voice was as natural and unpretentious as her appearance.
Seeing her beauty, his eyes lit up. He then maintained his Refined Demeanor, bowed slightly, and thanked her, “Thank you for your guidance, Young Lady.”
At the same time, he noticed something interesting: nearby merchants immediately stopped talking upon seeing the young woman, all showing respectful expressions.
He immediately gestured to everyone's Reaction, “May I ask, Young Lady, who are you?”
The Purple Gauze Robed Woman said, “Bian Weiying.
Bian Weikang is my Older Brother, and Linkang City is temporarily under my administration. Are you Shi Chun?”
“…” Shi Chun was Stunned for a moment.
He had heard Bian Weikang mention her on the way. He immediately Cupped his Hands in Salute again and said, “So it's the City Lord.
My apologies for not recognizing you. I am Shi Chun.”
Bian Weiying said, “It's clear this is your first time here. I happened to be Inspecting the area, so I can accompany you for a walk.
Feel free to ask anything you don't understand.”
Alright, on someone else's Territory, Do as the host thinks fit.
Besides, Shi Chun also wanted to know what the other party intended to do, which was better than being Baffled by a sudden incident later.
The two walked and chatted, attracting a lot of attention.
Bian Weiying was clearly not just extending Hospitality. She didn't hide it, directly asking Shi Chun why he wanted to help redeem the Lead Courtesan of Liyun Tower, and what their Purpose for coming here was.
What could Shi Chun say? He could only be vague, pushing everything onto Bian Weikang, claiming Bian Weikang had called him here.
Soon, the Information of their meeting reached a Pavilion in the city, the Temporary hiding place of Xiang Lan'er and Feng Chi.
“What's with this Fellow? Unfamiliar with the place, a newcomer, yet he's busier than us. Why did even Bian Weiying go looking for him?”
Feng Chi expressed great surprise.
Xiang Lan'er also frowned, Perplexed.
In fact, Shi Chun himself didn't know what Bian Weiying wanted to do.
He went along Perfunctorily, feeling uncomfortable, yet he didn't lose his Grace.
Just as both of them felt there was no need to continue chatting, Shi Chun suddenly stopped at the entrance of a Shop.
Seeing the word “Whitening” mixed in on the Signboard, he walked in to investigate.
He asked and learned that the so-called Whitening Product referred to Pearl Powder mixed with some Spirit Medicine.
“Is it really useful? City Lord Bian is here, so you can't lie to me.” Shi Chun unceremoniously used Bian Weiying to intimidate the merchant.
The Shopkeeper gave a Bitter Smile, “I wouldn't dare to lie. It definitely has some effect.”
Bian Weiying couldn't help but ask Shi Chun, “You want to use this for Whitening?”
Shi Chun waved his hand, saying, “Don't Misunderstand, a friend of mine needs to use it.”
Bian Weiying Subconsciously glanced at his dark complexion, but said nothing more.
After clarifying the price and usage, Shi Chun decided on the spot, “Shopkeeper, give me two catties.”
Bian Weiying's lips twitched.
Good heavens, this stuff is sold by the catty.
The Shopkeeper naturally acclaimed, quickly weighing out a full amount and, considering the City Lord's Face, even gave a little extra.
The transaction finally concluded with a large sum of Tanjin.
Shi Chun didn't feel bad about this amount of Money; he still had Bank Notes worth fifty thousand that could be cashed.
Leaving the shop, Bian Weiying no longer felt like continuing to stroll with him and left with an Excuse of having matters to attend to.
Shi Chun watched her go, ultimately Holding Back the words he almost spoke.
While spending lavishly just now, he had actually wanted to ask if she was willing to help her Older Brother repay his Money.
Afterward, he didn't go anywhere else, returning directly to the Inn.
He had intended to warn Xiang Lan'er that the Disheveled Old Man, a Master, had arrived and to be careful, but knocking on her door received no response. The Inn Worker said she had gone out.
“Inform me when she returns.” Shi Chun Exhorted before returning to his own room.
As soon as the door closed, he immediately opened the Pearl Powder he had bought, took some out, mixed it evenly with water, and then sat in front of the mirror, smearing the Paste onto his face, all the while Whispering things like “the whiter, the more refined.”
After applying it to create a terrifying White Face, he felt his two black ears were too Conspicuous, so he didn't spare them either.
Having finished this, and with nothing better to do, he took out the book 《Lantern of Mountains and Seas》 from his Travel Bag and began to read.
After reading for a while, perhaps seeing something exciting, he suddenly sprang to his feet, Muttering, “May I hunt with you on the horizon… So that’s how you say it to sound grand! May I hunt with you on the horizon…”
After pacing back and forth in the room a few times, he walked to the mirror again and, facing his White Face reflection, spoke, “May I hunt with you in a certain place? Do you dare?”
No sooner had he spoken than the door was opened by someone who Cast a spell.
Two Figures rushed in one after another, closing the door Conveniently in Passing.
It was no one else but Xiang Lan'er and Feng Chi, who had come looking for him.
Shi Chun, holding the book, was Stunned. He wanted to Ask them why they came in without knocking.
Didn't they say people from the Outside World had high Quality?
Upon seeing him, the two women first Subconsciously adopted a Defensive posture, then Uniformly became Dumbfounded, staring blankly at Shi Chun's White Face.
“Madam Boss, you're indeed still alive.
You need to be careful…” Shi Chun quickly stepped forward to Inform them about the Disheveled Old Man tracking them, hoping to divert their immediate Attention.
Alright, this proactive disclosure put the two women at ease.
However, what concerned the two most was his face. Feng Chi asked, “What happened to your face?”
Shi Chun: “Nothing, just applied some medicine.”
Xiang Lan'er questioned, “Did that old man hit your face?”
Shi Chun: “No, I just had a few Cracks on my face and happened to run into someone selling medicine In the City. Anyway, enough about me, how's Bian Weikang doing? His Younger Sister just found me and interrogated me quite a bit.”
(End of chapter)