Chapter 57: Closing the Door
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Chen Fei’s expression changed, but he didn’t panic. Instead, he allowed the boy to enter the courtyard and shut the door. “Do you know where Uncle Chi is now?” Chen Fei sat opposite the little boy and asked. “I don’t know either. Uncle Chi didn’t come to look for me today,” the little boy replied, licking the remaining candied fruit off his finger. “Uncle Chi said that if he didn’t come to find me one day, I should come to you and tell you to run.”
“Good boy, this is for you!” Chen Fei took out a tael of silver. The little boy’s eyes widened, and he quickly hid the silver in his pocket. After bowing and thanking Chen Fei, he skipped away. In the courtyard, Chen Fei frowned. This child was supposed to be Chi Defends backup plan to warn him. He hadn’t expected it to be put into action. The key now was to find out who had captured Chi Defeng.
In the past month, Chen Fei had been quietly cultivating in his room. He rarely encountered any conflicts with others, only venturing our occasionally. Chi Defeng, too, lived a reclusive life, seldom leaving his residence except to assist Chen Fei in purchasing herbs.
“Could it be the Shallow Water Gang again?” Chen Fei pondered, reflecting on an incident that occurred a month ago when he had become the target of the gang due to his pill-selling activities. If suspicions were to be raised, it was likely directed at the Shallow Water Gang. However, considering that they had already taken the initiative to conceal themselves, why would they continue to pursue Chen Fei?
Returning to the pill room, Chen Fei proceeded to tidy up all his belongings before storing them in the spatial grid for safekeeping. Due to safety concerns, this courtyard could no longer be occupied. After fifteen minutes, Chen Fei eliminated any traces within the courtyard and departed.
“What kind of information are you seeking?”
“I’m looking for someone.” Chen Fei replied from beneath the cover of a bamboo hat, inside a house tucked away in an alley. This was one of the locations in Apricot Fen City renowned for its expertise in gathering information. As long as the price was right, they could uncover most non-secretive information. Apricot Fen City had a few similar establishments, and Chen Fei wasn’t certain if this particular place could assist him, but he had no choice but to give it a try.
…..
“Could you provide a description of the person you’re looking for?” the shopkeeper asked. Chen Fei briefly explained the altered appearance of Chi Defeng, nor having any portrait or tangible reference to offer. His lack of trust in such establishments prevented him from providing too much information, as he was aware that if they were willing to sell information to you, they could just as easily sell your own information to others.
“Please wait a moment. 1’11 have someone check,” the shopkeeper responded, passing the note in his possession to someone in the back. After fifteen minutes had passed, another note arrived from behind.
“How did it go?” Chen Fei leaned forward, his anticipation evident. “We found him,” the shopkeeper replied, glancing at the note and then meeting Chen Fei’s gaze. “It’ll cost you 50 taels, and you’ll learn rhe whereabouts of this person.”
“Absolutely,” Chen Fei agreed, nodding as he retrieved fifty taels of silver from his pocket and placed them on the counter. The shopkeeper accepted the money with a smile and handed the note to Chen Fei. Eagerly, Chen Fei unfolded the note to read its contents. To his surprise, there were only three words written: Shallow Water Gang!
Chen Fei’s eyes narrowed, his mind racing with questions. He hadn’t expected the Shallow Water Gang to be involved. Was it connected to the incident with the medicinal pills, or were there other reasons behind their actions?
“Someone witnessed your friend being taken away by the Shallow Water Gang,” the shopkeeper disclosed calmly, taking a sip from his teacup. If you wish to rescue your friend, we can establish a connection between us. However, 1 must emphasize that success is not guaranteed.”
“Do you have information about the Shallow W ater Gang for sale?” Chen Fei responded without directly acknowledging the shopkeeper s proposal.
Indeed, any information can be bought and sold for the right price,” the shopkeeper confirmed. “For the specific information about the Shallow Water Gang, including the location where your friend is currently held captive, the price is three hundred taels?
“Very well,” Chen Fei agreed, taking out a banknote and placing it on the counter. The shopkeeper carefully examined the banknote and, finding no issues, knocked on the table. A piece of paper was handed over to Chen Fei from behind the counter. As he read through it, a slight frown appeared on his face.
“Is there anything else you require?” the shopkeeper inquired.
“No, that will be all,” Chen Fei shook his head, rising from his seat. Just as he was about to leave, he turned back to the shopkeeper and asked, “I came here seeking information. I trust that the shopkeeper won’t sell it to others?”
“Hahaha, you jest, my friend. This establishment does not engage in such practices,” the shopkeeper chuckled heartily, assuring Chen Fei. “Rest assured.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Chen Fei smiled, nodding slightly before exiting the shop, his mind focused on the newfound information.
As Chen Fei walked away, the shopkeeper tapped the counter three times. Immediately, someone emerged from behind him. “The pill refiner that the Shallow Water Gang is searching for is here. Sell this information to them, but make sure to demand a higher price/ the shopkeeper instructed, recalling Chen Fei’s earlier conversation and a smirk creeping across his face. “That person we just dealt with is likely a naive target. Send someone more vigilant to tail him. We can sell his location for an even higher price.”
“I will do it immediately,” the individual nodded and issued instructions to the people in the back hall. Soon, a person emerged—a nondescript figure capable of blending into a crowd, perfect for surveillance. “Go,” the shopkeeper ordered, observing the person with satisfaction. The man responded with a flattering smile, bowed to the shopkeeper, and left the shop.
“Another sum of money deposited into my account,” the shopkeeper chuckled, a satisfied grin on his face. He reclined comfortably in his chair, picked up his teacup, and downed the remaining tea in a single gulp. Honesty? What was that? Money had its own enticing fragrance. The shopkeeper felt exhilarated, humming a few tunes as he stood up and prepared to relieve himself.
Suddenly, a loud shout erupted from the back hall, only to abruptly cease after a brief moment.
The shopkeeper’s expression shifted as his nostrils detected a faint scent of blood. His face contorted in shock. In the back hall, where several experts in the Bone Tempering realm resided, there was now absolute silence. The shopkeeper, being only in the Body Tempering realm, didn’t dare to linger any longer. Just as he prepared to flee, he witnessed a figure emerge from the back hall.
“It’s you,” the shopkeeper uttered, his gaze fixated on Chen Fei with a mix of astonishment and fear. Chen Fei glanced back at the sliopkeeper and, with a cold expression, shut the door of the shop. The entire establishment plunged into darkness, with only a sliver of light seeping through the door’s crack, casting an eerie glow on the shopkeeper’s face, revealing its uneven and disfigured appearance,
“What are you doing!” The shopkeeper’s voice trembled as he swallowed nervously, pointing a shaky finger at Chen Fei.
“You said you wouldn’t sell my information.” Chen Fei glanced at the frightened shopkeeper and shook his head, “Do you know who is behind this establishment? If there are any issues, we can discuss them properly.”
The shopkeeper’s eyes widened in fear, realizing that his attempt to use his backing to intimidate Chen Fei had failed. The shopkeeper had not been lying about the influential forces supporting the shop’s operations in Apricot Fen City. However, in the face of Chen Fei’s actions, even the shopkeeper’s confidence wavered.
Chen Fei nodded, seemingly considering the shopkeeper’s words. The shopkeeper’s face brightened, thinking he might have found a way to escape this situation. But his relief was short-lived, as a sudden glint of cold light illuminated the room. The shopkeeper’s body froze, his heart pierced through. His eyes remained fixed on Chen Fei, who stood expressionless before him.
With his body weakened, the shopkeeper’s hand hung limply at his side. He realized that if Chen Fei took another step forward, he could activate a mechanism hidden under the counter. However, Chen Fei remained at a distance, unmoving..