167: Then the music and the dance

Porcelain bowls, silver spoons, an octagonal sandalwood table.

The finest Black Barbarian Bear Paw was sliced and served before each person, with milky white, shimmering soup steaming, emitting an extremely delicious aroma.

Eight men dressed in luxurious brocade robes sat leaning on soft couches inlaid with gold threads, discussing something.

“The effect of this immortal water is half a success better than the Rejuvenation Powder, and the price is less than half.

This old man feels this is a big business, what do you all think?”

“Didn't our two Families come here for this very matter?

It's just that the enemy is hidden while we are exposed. Besides those few ants in City Name, how many people are truly behind it? This needs to be clarified.”

“Yunzhou, tell the Uncles.”

“Yes!”

Hearing the call, a handsome young man in a light blue brocade robe with a gold and silver thread belt at his waist, who was sitting near the door, stood up and bowed respectfully.

“Junior Zhong Yunzhou will present a humble display to the Uncles.”

As he finished speaking, a painting flew out from Zhong Yunzhou's hand. The scroll slowly unfurled in the air, measuring four feet wide and ten feet long, with a blank space in the middle.

“Before the Third Prince’s rebellion began, this place was called Dazhai Village, a small village with a population of less than thirty thousand. At that time, the only aristocratic Family was the Zhuang Family on the mountain.”

As Zhong Yunzhou described, the painting displayed an aerial view, like a drone shot, showing an overhead view of the Zhuang Family.

“At that time, the highest Realm the Zhuang Family openly possessed was the Qi Induction Realm.

Later, the position of Family Head was passed to Zhuang Kongming. He publicly claimed to be in Qi Induction, but in reality, he should have been only one step away from Condensing Spring.

Later, a large number of refugees came in, and the Huang, Bai, Li Families, and Black Wind Martial Hall entered. The scale here was...”

The painting displayed Faces, relationship networks, strength levels, etc., clearly marking all Qi Induction Realm cultivators and powers that had existed for more than ten years in City Name City.

Mid-explanation, Zhong Yunzhou was called out.

“Wait a moment, this Cangwu Bookstore came with the Huang Family and the others.

Why was it only expanded a few years later? Do you know its background?”

From the shadows, a Face with a sharpScar emerged from the first position on the left, revealing a pair of keen eyes.

“Uncle Wang, we inquired about this Cangwu Bookstore. I even went to the shop for tea.

It's run by a person named Jiang Liu. The shop owner had been recuperating for many years and only dared to show himself after recovering from his injuries.

Currently, he mainly sells tea, trades Body Tempering Cultivation Techniques, and offers guidance on Mortal Shedding Realm Cultivation. He is of Qi Induction Realm strength.

He is quite amiable and has no airs.

It is said that he has good relationships with Lei He of the Zhuang Family, Bai Changkong of the Bai Family, and Li Minzhong, who left the Li Family, but he never takes sides.

He is indifferent to fame and fortune, so he should not be the person behind the immortal water.”

“Alright, next, you continue.”

“Okay.

Next is a pharmacy. The first time...”

After pointing out the four Families suspected of being the masterminds behind the immortal water, Zhong Yunzhou nodded and returned to the door.

“Old Xiao, this is your old business. Tell us, what is your Zhong Family planning to do?” Wang Cheng asked.

Called by name again, the middle-aged man in the first position on the right stretched his back lazily and shook his light purple brocade robe.

The light shimmered on the fabric, and the exquisite patterns embroidered with luxurious silver threads glowed brightly.

“You always say my Zhong Family is unethical. Now, you’re not playing the Saint anymore?” Zhong Xiaoran smiled slightly, a hint of sarcasm on his lips.

“You always have to choose between substance and Face.” Wang Cheng answered bluntly, without a trace of embarrassment on his Face.

The four great Families of Black Rock City had always looked down on the Zhong Family, who always engaged in petty, underhanded dealings.

However, some matters truly had to be entrusted to the Zhong Family to be handled smoothly.

Zhong Xiaoran extended three fingers:

“Our Zhong Family never makes exorbitant demands, three-tenths.

After we obtain the prescription, three-tenths of the profit goes to us. As for the remaining seven-tenths, whether your Wang Family wants to discuss it with the City Lord, you can decide for yourselves, how about that?”

After a moment of contemplation, Wang Cheng did not answer but instead asked:

“Our Wang Family has its own way of handling things. If we cooperate, what will you do?”

“Heh, people say our Zhong Family devours others.

I think your Wang Family is the one that doesn't let go of the hawk until the rabbit is caught.

Based on our intelligence, this immortal water was likely created by a Loose Cultivator.

He can use disguise, and dealing with ordinary Loose Cultivators, he isn't afraid of being double-crossed. But so far, he hasn't approached any of our four Families.

This indicates that his Realm should be Qi Induction, or he has just Broken Through to Condensing Spring.

Our Wang Family will dispatch all ourworship and Guest Elders to wait in places where he might appear, preparing a killing formation.

The Juniors will cast a wide net, opening several pharmacies as bait, waiting for him to take the hook.

I wonder, Wang Brother, are you satisfied with my explanation?”

Wang Cheng secretly nodded. This Loose Cultivator was merely selling things by exploiting the fact that the enemy was hidden and they were exposed.

Once his hidden disguise was gone, in a real fight, a small alchemist would certainly not be a match for someone carrying a killing formation.

“He never sells much at a time, which proves he's always short on Spiritual Plants.

Our Wang Family will monitor the trade of Spiritual Plants at pharmacies as much as possible and provide you with information at all times.

I will make a trip to the City Lord's residence later today. From today onwards, all immortal water on the market will be confiscated. We won't let him sell a single bottle, forcing him to make a move.”

“Tsk tsk tsk, Wang Brother, are you confident you can persuade that blockhead surnamed Guo?

That guy's favorite thing to do is occupy the latrine without defecating.” Zhong Xiaoran's eyes were full of playfulness, openly displaying his disdain for the City Lord.

The few people in the room suppressed their smiles. Only a few could call the City Lord by name.

This venomous snake in front of them had cursed all the way from Black Rock to City Name.

“This, I have my own methods.” Wang Cheng said with conviction, looking seriously at Zhong Xiaoran and saying:

“Our Wang Family will spend real gold and silver, and we hope the Zhong Family will too!”

Zhong Xiaoran remained calm, resting his left hand on his knee and his chin on his palm, revealing clean white teeth.

His porcelain-white teeth were like a wolf's, each one tightly interlocked, like sharp daggers, fitting together perfectly.

“Six killing formations. If he can escape, then the sky of City Name should belong to him alone.

After dealing with this little scoundrel, our Zhong Family still has important matters to attend to, you understand.”

Wang Cheng's breathing hitched, and he blurted out:

“You're going to make a move on Cangwu Bookstore?”

Zhong Xiaoran kept him in suspense, blinking his eyes:

“Whichever Family in City Name City has the most books, that's the Family we'll make a move on, Wang Brother. You mustn't let any rumors leak.”

Wang Cheng was indifferent. He knew that blood would be shed again, he just didn't know how many people would die this time.

“Your Zhong Family's matters are none of our concern, as long as you find the person behind the immortal water.”

“Hahahahaha, so people can change too!” Zhong Xiaoran burst into laughter, looking towards the door, and loudly called out:

“Yunzhou, let them come up! Continue the music, continue the dance!”

“Yes!”

Zhong Yunzhou walked out the door and waved.

Under the shade of the trees, twelve graceful women, dressed in ethereal gauze robes, with ankle chains and bells jingling as they walked, attracting attention.

Their tender, snow-white feet stepped onto thick red carpets, gracefully entering the room... Half an hour later, Wang Cheng left with his Wang Family members.

Zhong Yunzhou and Zhong Xiaoran stood by the door, smiling as they saw them off.

“Second Uncle, it's just a prescription. All the Guest Elders are going. Is it really necessary for us to go to such great lengths?

Isn't that other matter more important?” Zhong Yunzhou asked, puzzled.