297: Chapter 111 Money Talks_3 297: Chapter 111 Money Talks_3 Dong’an City is the largest market town within a thousand miles, and it has also become an important ‘stronghold’ for Wohuan Valley; a Heavenly Immortal’s presence here is hardly surprising.
Li Ping’an was waiting when Qing Su suddenly said, “A Heavenly Immortal is coming.”
As his master’s voice fell, the sound of light and lively bell chimes was heard outside the door, and two barefoot women dressed in black tight-fitting short skirts came striding in, their ankle bells particularly eye-catching.
Li Ping’an suddenly thought of the dozen or so ‘sisters’ invited by Xuntian Xu during the encirclement and suppression of Dulong Sha in the East Sea.
These two were naturally elite agents of Wohuan Valley.
The two barefoot women knelt behind the door and bowed their heads in salute to Wei Yanzi, whom Li Ping’an was impersonating.
Two figures came from outside, a female Elemental Immortal helping a silver-haired, frail old woman, who stepped inside.
Purplish immortal power barriers enveloped the area instantly.
The Heavenly Immortal of Wohuan Valley, Granny Yin Lin?
Li Ping’an stood up, cupped his hands, and smiled, “What brings Your Excellency here?”
“Yan Daoist friend is looking to do business, and it is only natural that I come personally,” Granny Yin Lin raised her hand and said, “Yingying, you may leave now, let’s not allow others to disturb this place.”
The female Elemental Immortal bowed and excused herself.
Granny Yin Lin sighed and slowly took her seat next to the low table.
The two barefoot women closed their eyes, appearing like two statues.
“Daoist friend, please sit.”
“Ah,” Li Ping’an sat cross-legged, smiling, “Have you heard all that I have requested?”
“I’ve heard,” Granny Yin Lin sighed, “The unfortunate incidents that befell Elder Xiao have left us quite uneasy.
While the news originated from Wohuan Valley, we were not aware what the sold information would be used for.
As you know in our line of business, we must base our reputation on trust; news comes and goes, we are merely making a hard living, supporting tens of thousands of mouths.”
Li Ping’an smiled and said, “You take it too seriously; I am familiar with the rules, and it was Elder Xiao himself who sent me here.”
With that, Li Ping’an took out a storage ring and pushed it along with those Spirit Stones to the old woman.
“Please evaluate the worth of these and tell me how much information you can provide for them.”
The old woman glanced at the ring and suddenly broke into a narrowing-eyed smile.
She abruptly asked, “Who are you, really?”
Li Ping’an looked at the old woman with an unchanged expression but with a hint of confusion.
“However, that is not for me to ask,” the old woman said slowly, “The real Wei Yanzi certainly would not be so generous.
The items in this ring are abundant; that does not fit his character.
The storage magical artifacts he provides always have a few corners missing.”
Li Ping’an laughed nervously, touched his face, and calmly pulled off a thin mask to reveal…
The visage of Elder Yansheng.
The old woman smiled and said, “It turns out to be Elder Yansheng.”
“Oh?” mimicking Yansheng’s voice, Li Ping’an began to emit a trace of the Dao Charm distinct to the Heavenly Immortal Dao Realm, “Do you know me?”
“Elder Yansheng’s visit today was unexpected, arriving at my humble place,” the old woman said, cupping her hands in greeting and speaking warmly:
“Since Elder Yansheng has come personally, Wohuan Valley can provide you with three pieces of information, and an additional one as a bonus.”
Li Ping’an cupped his hands and said, “Thank you, I would like to hear them.”
The old woman spoke slowly:
“First, recently several groups of demon cultivators have come to Dong’an City and are about to cause trouble, specifically targeting the Wanyun Sect.
The mastermind behind this is coming from the north,”
“Second, the Blood Fiend Hall still has sixteen Blood Fiends, of which six have secretly appeared.
Although the Eastern Alliance is investigating them, they continue to contact their followers and are at odds with the Wanyun Sect.”
“Third, a trusted messenger of a Blood Fiend has arrived in Dong’an City.
Tonight, my Turbid Clan has a daughter coming of age—unparalleled in both beauty and talent.
We’ve already sent out the invitations, and the trusted messenger of the Blood Fiend may well attend the unveiling banquet tonight.”
Li Ping’an leaned back, “And the additional information you provided is?”
The old woman’s eyes shone brighter as she collected all the Spirit Stones and Treasured Materials.
“The fourth piece of news is, look at these three,”
At the end of her words, the old woman slowly rose to her feet, bowed to Li Ping’an, and with a hearty laugh, she took her leave.
Li Ping’an calmly applied the mask to his face, touching it a few times, and restored the appearance of Weiyánzǐ.
This trip was not in vain.
The trusted messenger of the Blood Fiend, they must also be a part of the Blood Fiend Hall’s middle ranks?
He absolutely must attend tonight’s coming-of-age banquet, styled as an ‘Immortal Maiden’s Unveiling’.
Hmm, have Elder Yansheng summon several more Heavenly Immortal elders, if necessary, capture them all for questioning!
Li Ping’an mulled over continuously in his heart.
He stood up to leave, and no one stopped him, but several beautiful women with deep and thoughtful gazes cast a slight resentfulness towards his retreating figure.
Within the Wanyun Sect.
Li Dazhi, watching the wisps of green smoke rising from the table, felt a lot more at ease.
He raised his hand and patted his bald head, grinning from ear to ear.
Fortune, once again, lent to his own Ping’an.
From outside the door came a tentative greeting, “Ancestor, did you call for me?”
Xinhuai Wang, a high-ranking steward, stepped into the room, his mouth curving into a smile.
Li Dazhi asked, “Have you broken through?”
“Ninth Grade True Immortal,” Xinhuai Wang said with a laugh, “Li Ping’an’s teaching has been profoundly beneficial; I could never repay this debt in my lifetime.”
“We’re all family here, no need for such distant formalities,” Li Dazhi said with a smile, “There’s something I want to entrust to you, Xinhuai… Don’t worry, it’s nothing difficult, just requires strict confidentiality.”
“You can count on me, just give the word,”
“Yes,” Li Dazhi said, “My son Ping’an is close with the disciple from Caiyun Peak, Ningning Mu.
You are probably aware that three generations of Ningning’s family have been outer sect Disciples.
I’ve been considering whether you could take a discreet look to see if their family background is reputable.”
Xinhuai Wang was taken aback for a moment, then smiled, “Is that all?”
“Exactly,” Li Dazhi sighed, “These young people only care about their affections, but it’s up to me to vet them properly.”
“Rest assured, Ancestor, I’ll head to the Mundane Affairs Hall right away to pull Ningning Mu’s family records, and should be able to return in about two days,” Xinhuai Wang said with a smile.
“I appreciate it, just see if Ningning’s family is truly upright,”
Xinhuai Wang bowed and swiftly left.
Li Dazhi patted his bald head, pondered for a moment, and began to consider the matter of the betrothal gift.