"Boy, bring a pot of wine and some of your best dishes."
Chu Xingchen sat casually in a plainly decorated inn, and as he spoke, he pulled a large silver ingot from his robe.
The waiter who had been attending to other guests immediately dropped his work and rushed toward Chu Xingchen.
"This lord, what else can I do for you?"
Two or three waiters crowded over, faces full of ingratiating smiles, their hands all reaching for that silver ingot.
Chu Xingchen didn't care which of the three actually pocketed the silver. He just smiled carefree:
"Prepare three top-quality rooms for me as well."
With that, Chu Xingchen casually tossed out another silver ingot, which was quickly snatched away just as fast.
The waiters' expressions softened even more, warmer than if they had seen their own father.
The Western Niu Continent was poor—silver was already a rare commodity.
Let alone a big spender like this who scattered money like water. Such a lord would be welcomed not just in the Western Niu Continent, but in any other province too.
The waiter who had pocketed the second ingot spoke up eagerly:
"Lord, I'll handle it right away! I guarantee the finest! I guarantee the most luxurious!"
Chu Xingchen held a fan in his hand and lightly tapped the table.
That waiter had sharp eyes and stopped immediately, his expression fawning:
"Lord, what else do you need?"
Only then did Chu Xingchen show a satisfied smile. He covered his face with the fan, leaned forward, and spoke quietly:
"I've heard that women in the Western Niu Continent have fiery tempers but graceful figures. I've also heard they have waists you can grip in one hand, and they're quite uninhibited."
"I just arrived here, and the recommendations from ordinary people are nothing special. Only someone as well-informed as you would know where the truly wonderful places are."
Hearing this, the waiter's expression shifted to one that said: Lord, you really understand!
He was about to launch into a detailed explanation for this lord who clearly liked to play, but Chu Xingchen cut him off:
"There are too many people here. Think it over carefully and tell me tonight."
The waiter nodded quickly, bowed deeply, and turned to leave.
Naturally, at this table, besides Chu Xingchen, Wukong, the Radiant Buddha, and Donggua were all present.
They had all watched silently as Chu Xingchen executed this entire routine with practiced ease.
It seemed…
highly practiced, and extremely experienced.
Since they had met, Chu Xingchen had been brimming with confidence, projecting an attitude of just follow me and I'll easily get you out of here.
The Radiant Buddha's group had naturally followed along.
But as they followed, things started to feel wrong.
Normally when hiding, you would avoid populated areas. But Chu Xingchen had walked straight into the most bustling part of town.
Before anyone could ask, Chu Xingchen wore an expression that said just trust me and led the group into what looked like the finest restaurant in the area.
He had also rejected Wukong's suggestion to disguise themselves.
And now this whole routine was playing out.
While Wukong was still searching for the right words, several bottles of wine were brought out along with a few appetizers.
After thinking it over, Wukong finally asked quietly:
"This place is full of people and eyes everywhere. If we're discovered, who knows how many will die. Besides… isn't this too conspicuous?"
"And if you're trying to play the 'hide in the most dangerous place' game… I'm afraid that won't work on the Buddhist sect."
Donggua sneered at just the right moment:
"This is our last meal before execution. This man is going to sell us all out, you fools."
The Radiant Buddha said nothing. Instead, he studied the wine bottles carefully, and after a moment, poured himself a glass.
Wukong glanced over, about to ask something, but watched as the Radiant Buddha downed the drink in one gulp.
From the very beginning, this Buddha had been as relaxed as Chu Xingchen—asking few questions and saying little along the way.
Chu Xingchen poured himself a drink as well, clinked glasses with the Radiant Buddha, and only then spoke slowly:
"Your disguise methods would stand out to the Buddhist sect as well. The Radiant Buddha must have noticed this, yes?"
The Radiant Buddha nodded slightly. "A powerful illusion technique. It not only conceals spiritual energy but also subconsciously warps how mortals perceive us."
Chu Xingchen nodded lightly, his gaze turning to Donggua:
"As for you, I don't know whether you've seen too little of the world, or if your mind truly isn't working properly."
"After several escapes, if the Buddhist sect still couldn't pin down your general location, they wouldn't be one of the eighteen immortal sects."
"Those escapes were more likely the Buddhist sect gathering and adjusting their forces, aiming for a single decisive strike—herding you exactly where they want you, leaving you nowhere to run even if you tried."
"Right now we are caught in an inescapable net. Breaking out on our own is impossible."
"I have already made arrangements. All we need to do now is wait for the right moment."
Wukong found this explanation convincing, given what he knew of the Buddhist sect's methods. Still, his expression turned strange:
"So… are you really planning to go to that kind of place?"
"I could before, but not anymore." Chu Xingchen took a small sip from his cup. "Though if you want to go, I can send you there."
Wukong's expression hardened. "No need."
Chu Xingchen shrugged. "Then I suppose you lack the fortune for it."
Wukong pressed further: "Our appearance can fool mortals, but what about our aura?"
Chu Xingchen raised an eyebrow:
"Are you the 'Ten Thousand Whys'? Do you have to question everything to the bottom?"
Wukong held his breath at this but stopped pressing.
The Radiant Buddha reached over and poured wine for Wukong as well.
Wukong looked at the cup before him, then up at the Buddha.
The Radiant Buddha smiled gently:
"I've already had some—it's grain-brewed, and it can't intoxicate us anyway. It doesn't count as breaking the precepts."
Wukong sighed softly. The world had suddenly shifted into a stage he barely recognized anymore.
Donggua said nothing, simply grabbed a bottle from the table, and started drinking straight from it.
The Radiant Buddha looked at Chu Xingchen and asked:
"Daoist Cui booked three rooms. Are you suggesting Donggua and I share one?"
"No. She'll be with me tonight."
Wukong turned to Chu Xingchen again—had this man already forgotten what he just said?
Donggua spat out her wine, staring at Chu Xingchen with uncertain alarm.
Cui Hao's cultivation was only at the Golden Core stage. Was he relying on some sect treasure?
Chu Xingchen met her gaze with leisurely calm:
"What's the matter? Looking forward to some time alone with me?"
"Naturally." Donggua's reply was crisp, her eyes full of challenge.
Wukong stayed silent, thinking only that Donggua had been manipulated again.
The one facing her was not some mere Cui Hao, but the ruthless and far more powerful Chu Xingchen…
With her level of cultivation going in there, if any bones made it out, that would only be because Chu Xingchen showed mercy.
The Radiant Buddha remained silent as well, simply continuing to drink.
Chu Xingchen raised his glass lightly at her response:
"Then I'll satisfy you."
Chu Xingchen smiled and drained his cup in one gulp.
According to the intelligence from Donggua's last arrest, she had been using divine sense to try to contact someone while restrained.
If she were just any ordinary person, she probably wouldn't bother calling for backup while captured by Xuanqing Heavenly Sect.
So Donggua's target for calling aid was most likely still Xu Linglong.
Since their last encounter, they only knew that Xu Linglong was probably somewhere in the Eastern Divine Continent.
If they could make good use of this rather foolish Donggua…
there might be other surprises waiting.
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