Chapter Fifty-Four: Who Exactly Is This Old Man?

Su Jian cursed inwardly, “Damn fool.”

With intelligence like that, he still tried to play at being an investigator.

Just as Su Jian was about to settle back and relax again—

[Your Dao companion He Hansu’s cultivation has slightly improved. You gain cultivation sharing.]

How comfortable…

His Dao companion truly possessed remarkable talent. In just a short while, her cultivation had advanced several times already.

Though she was rebuilding her foundation after a fall from grace, there was little difference between starting over and cultivating for the first time—except with more experience and fewer detours along the way.

As Su Jian pondered this, another message sounded in his mind—

[Your Dao companion He Hansu is attempting a dangerous venture: descending to the lower realm through a meteor speeding from the heavens.]

Su Jian’s expression flickered, slightly unnatural…

Just how eager was she to see him?

Clearly, this was no friendly visit.

But he felt no fear. With that cursed system’s settings, she couldn’t lay a finger on him.

Even so, Su Jian silently sent her his blessing—hopefully she wouldn’t meet with disaster.

All these reckless acts… far too imprudent!

If he had the chance to see her again, he would make sure to have a proper talk with her.

…

Ouyang Feng methodically investigated each marked location he’d left.

When he arrived below the city wall at the North Gate, he instantly noticed something unusual.

Soon, the letter written by Su Jian was in Ouyang Feng’s hand.

Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, Ouyang Feng finished reading the letter, his face growing gloomier by the line.

He had no doubt about the letter’s authenticity; only his Ke’er would know so many secrets.

“So it seems Ke’er’s task is just the same as mine…”

In other words, if he completed his mission, Ke’er’s task would also be fulfilled.

Then, they could go home together—back to their true home.

But for now, Ke’er’s circumstances were far from optimistic.

Yet, he didn’t even know her current whereabouts.

He understood well that Ke’er didn’t want to implicate him, which was why she hadn’t revealed herself or acknowledged him.

For a moment, Ouyang Feng couldn’t hold back his tears.

…

Su Jian, finding idleness dull, was considering seeking some refined amusement—a song in a pleasure house, perhaps.

As he passed not far from his own courtyard, he suddenly sensed someone watching him.

Without betraying any sign, Su Jian continued walking forward, but his peripheral vision remained alert to any movement around him.

At last, his gaze settled on an old beggar at the street corner.

The man seemed utterly ordinary, with no discernible spiritual aura.

But things were never so simple; this could only mean the beggar’s cultivation exceeded his own and he was adept at concealing it.

An old beggar…

Su Jian couldn’t help but associate him with the beggar who once kidnapped Ouyang Ke in Lingzhou City.

If he’d been using his real appearance, it would have made sense for the beggar to pay him extra attention.

But the problem was, he now looked utterly nondescript—someone who would blend into any crowd. There was simply no reason for the beggar to notice him.

Who was this old man, really?

He likely wasn’t from the Alliance of the Righteous, or Su Jian would already be surrounded by their forces.

Even though this was the Punishment Office’s territory, the Alliance would never hesitate to make a move against him for the sake of the Vajra Ring.

The Punishment Office’s presence was not enough to make the Alliance cower.

What’s more, even after he’d taken the Strange Shape Pill, this old beggar could still unerringly recognize him.

The man must be at the Return to Void stage…

For a moment, Su Jian felt a headache coming on.

He had many tricks up his sleeve, but none that could handle a Return to Void cultivator.

His only hope would be to use a Great Teleportation Talisman to escape in a pinch.

But that was no long-term solution.

Unless he could use bedrock to imprison the beggar…

Though, thinking in reverse, he could just as easily imprison himself, but that would be like cocooning himself in his own trap.

Su Jian showed no hesitation, slipping from the beggar’s sight in a matter of moments.

It was best not to alert the enemy for now. The beggar’s hesitation to act could only mean he was plotting something.

Su Jian mused, “Two options ahead: The best is to eliminate him. Failing that, I must uncover his exact intentions and improvise…”

Killing a Return to Void cultivator would be difficult for now.

The beggar was most likely after the Vajra Ring as well…

That troublesome thing—he still had no idea what it was truly for.

It was nothing but a hot potato, and it was too late to throw it away.

…

Night fell, and upon returning home, he found the neighboring house quiet—clearly, the Punishment Office had left.

Ruan Chidao’s identity was insignificant; the Punishment Office would not investigate a dead man in depth.

Most likely, the case would be closed perfunctorily.

Su Jian listened to Zhao Qianxue’s report for a while.

One thing was worth mentioning: today, their shop brought in more than fifty spirit stones, a considerable increase over yesterday’s sales.

Should they open a branch?

That would mean double the happiness.

That being said, Ouyang Feng had yet to make any moves—his efficiency was far behind Ouyang Ke’s.

Su Jian now considered… summoning another player. Perhaps luck would favor him and a strong one would appear.

He mainly wanted to use the players to deal with the old beggar outside.

If he couldn’t resolve this threat soon, there would be no peace for him.

Just then, Zhao Qianxue remarked with a puzzled expression, “There was someone in the shop today who spoke rather strangely.”

Su Jian’s face changed. “Tell me in detail.”

Zhao Qianxue pursed her lips, imitating the visitor’s tone: “The quality of these pills is remarkably consistent. It seems the alchemist behind your store must be most skilled. Should the opportunity arise, I’d like to meet this mysterious alchemist myself.”

Su Jian’s expression darkened. From the sound of it, this person was trying to poach his talent.

Most likely a rival merchant…

He hadn’t expected that, having only just opened, his little shop would already attract the competition’s notice.

At that moment, three options appeared before him.

It seemed Zhao Qianxue’s words had triggered a quest.

[Option One: Wanbao Pavilion has taken an interest in you. You should no longer keep a low profile—dazzle them with your brilliance.]

[Reward: Immediately unlock Ultimate Evolution Mode for your low-level techniques.]

[Option Two: Choose to ally yourself with Wanbao Pavilion. As the saying goes, it’s good to have a mighty backer.]

[Reward: Your strength will increase.]

[Option Three: Find a way to destroy Wanbao Pavilion.]

[Reward: Advanced Infinite Player Summoning Mode.]

The third option coincided perfectly with his own thoughts.

However… it seemed the system’s quest targeted the entire Wanbao Pavilion, not just the branch in Yingdu City.

Su Jian hesitated for a moment, then chose the third option.