"Hm? What happened?" Seeing that Zhu Yiqun wasn't joking, Song Changsheng immediately turned serious.
Zhu Yiqun's face scrunched into a bitter grimace as he sighed. "Ugh, it's my old man. He used to be wild as hell when he was younger and made way too many enemies. A few days ago, one of them finally caught up with him and they had a big fight."
"Though the old man was stronger and managed to drive him off, word got out. After that, more and more enemies started showing up at our doorstep one after another. I've been running for my life this whole time."
"A few days ago, the old guy couldn't take it anymore and said he was going to lay low for a while. The heartless bastard left me behind all by myself. I only came out to the marketplace to meet you after a few days of hiding, once I confirmed no one was coming after me."
That last part was practically squeezed through Zhu Yiqun's gritted teeth it was clear he was beyond pissed.
"Your old man is...?"
"Oh, right, forgot to tell you. The old man's my master. I've been with him since I was a kid."
"To have raised a disciple like Brother Zhu, your master must be quite the hidden expert," Song Changsheng said with a cupped-fist smile.
"At best he's just Foundation Establishment stage. He spent all day obsessing over some broken sword and barely cared about me growing up. Just thinking about it makes me angry. Anyway, forget that old geezer. You said you were looking for me what's up?"
"Two things," Song Changsheng replied quickly. "First, I wanted to ask whether that batch of demonic artifacts has been dealt with. Second, I need your help finding two items."
"The demonic artifacts are already sold fetched over two thousand spirit stones in total. We'll each get about seven hundred plus; I'll give you your share in a bit. So, what are you looking for?"
"Dragonblood Orchid and Heart-Guarding Pill."
Zhu Yiqun immediately frowned. He thought for a moment, then said, "Dragonblood Orchid is a second-tier spiritual herb, full of vigorous blood energy. Only a few sprout each year, and body cultivators snatch them up the moment they show up."
"Unless someone's hoarding it privately, I doubt you'll find any this year in Lingzhou. That said, with the Song clan's influence, it's not entirely impossible."
"As for the Heart-Guarding Pill, I actually might have a lead."
Song Changsheng had only been asking on a whim he didn't expect Zhu Yiqun to really have any info. Overjoyed, he cupped his fists and said, "Please, Brother Zhu, enlighten me. I'll reward you handsomely."
"Eh, it's just a bit of information. If you want to thank me, just treat me to a good drink," Zhu Yiqun said, waving it off. Then he added, "I know a senior rogue cultivator. About ten years ago, he refined a batch of Heart-Guarding Pills five pills in total. No idea if he still has any left."
Song Changsheng was delighted and quickly asked, "Where is this senior residing? I'd like to pay a visit in person."
"Sorry, Changsheng, that I can't tell you," Zhu Yiqun said apologetically. "That senior came to Lingzhou to hide from his enemies and rarely interacts with the outside world. If it weren't for my old man's past connections with him, I wouldn't even know he existed. I promised never to reveal his whereabouts."
Song Changsheng was a bit disappointed, but he understood. "In that case, I'll trouble you to act on my behalf. Please try to meet with this senior. I'm willing to pay a worthy price for the Heart-Guarding Pill in his possession."
"Alright, leave it to me." Zhu Yiqun patted his chest with a confident grin, then pulled out a spatial pouch. "Here's your share of the spirit stones from the artifact sales."
"Much appreciated."
"No need to be so formal. Just don't forget to buy me that drink."
....
Zhu Yiqun, to his credit, was remarkably efficient. Just three days later, he brought back solid news to Song Changsheng.
"Brother Zhu, what did that senior say?" Song Changsheng asked eagerly.
Zhu Yiqun frowned slightly and replied, "Well, it's kind of good news. That senior does still have one Heart-Guarding Pill left."
Song Changsheng was overjoyed, but Zhu Yiqun quickly poured cold water on his excitement: "Don't get too happy just yet. The senior said he didn't want spirit stones or any other kind of payment. He only wants you to do one thing for him."
"One thing? Let's hear it first." Song Changsheng's brows furrowed slightly. If the senior had simply asked for a price, Song could probably manage it so long as it wasn't too outrageous.
But asking him to do something instead now that introduced uncertainty. It likely wouldn't be something simple, and Zhu Yiqun's expression confirmed that.
"Ugh... it sounds simple, but I have a bad feeling it's not as straightforward as it looks."
"As long as it doesn't go against morality or my principles, I'm not afraid of a little danger."
Seeing the determined look in Song Changsheng's eyes, Zhu Yiqun had no choice but to nod. "Alright, the task he wants you to do is this: one month from now, at the auction in the market city, he needs you to bid on something on his behalf. He'll provide all the funds you just need to win the item for him."
"That's it?" Song Changsheng raised an eyebrow. Sometimes, the simpler something sounds, the more complicated it turns out to be.
That unknown senior was supposedly a friend of Zhu Yiqun's master, which meant he was at least a Foundation Establishment cultivator. In Lingzhou, cultivators of that level could walk sideways respected wherever they went. Attending an auction should be a trivial matter.
So why ask someone else to bid in his place?
Either his enemies were extremely powerful and he risked being exposed even if he attended in disguise.
Or the item he wanted was problematic, making it inconvenient for him to bid on it personally.
Whichever it was, this situation was full of red flags.
Song Changsheng found himself torn. Should he get involved?
If he refused, he'd be in the clear but finding another Heart-Guarding Pill would be nearly impossible.
If he accepted, he might be stepping into serious trouble something he already had enough of.
"Changsheng, I think this is shady. That senior has a... complicated background. You stepping in could be dangerous. Let me see if I can come up with another way," Zhu Yiqun advised.
"Sigh... The ingredients for the Heart-Guarding Pill are rare, and the alchemists who can make it are even rarer. If I miss this opportunity, who knows how long I'll have to wait... and time isn't on my side."
Song Changsheng didn't want to get involved either, but even more, he didn't want to miss this rare chance. After careful consideration, he ultimately decided to go through with it.
At the very least, the market city was relatively safe, and his clan elders would escort him home afterward. He could just lie low, breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment stage, and only then go out again.
As long as a Golden Core cultivator didn't get involved, he should be fine.
The senior couldn't be Golden Core if he were, he could easily find someone in Lingzhou without going to all this trouble.
"You're sure?" Zhu Yiqun asked, still trying to persuade him.
"I'm sure." Song Changsheng nodded firmly.
"Alright. The spirit stones are inside this pouch, and the item you'll be bidding on is described in this jade slip. Take a look and decide for yourself," Zhu Yiqun said, as though he had expected this outcome and had already prepared everything.
Song Changsheng took the spatial pouch and opened it only to gasp in surprise. "Ten thousand spirit stones?"
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