Fellow Daoist! That scoundrel has written a new book again.

Chapter 376 Exchange of needs

Zhu Wuyao removed the Thousand Images, burned the blood-stained clothes, and restored his original appearance. He then rushed to Tongzhou.

Previously, he had parted ways with Taibai Sect at the border.

However, Ruan Ayao kept her promise and stayed in Tongzhou for a few more days, waiting for Zhu Wuyao.

Zhu Wuyao, disguised as a wandering martial arts cultivator, saw Ruan Ayao drinking and, after reserving a private room, immediately brought a jug of wine and went forward to pay his respects, acting as if they were old friends.

"Since we parted ways that day, I never expected to meet Fellow Daoist Ruan here. I wonder if you still remember me?"

Ruan Ayao had already noticed her presence.

Upon hearing these words, he immediately recognized the person.

After informing his fellow disciples, they went upstairs to a private room under the pretext of "catching up with old friends."

The disciples of Taibai Sect did not suspect anything.

It was assumed that it was an old friend whom Senior Sister Ruan had met while traveling the world. Three days had passed, but the matter of Master Wuyan was still being talked about with great interest.

As Zhu Wuyue went upstairs, she could still hear whispers behind her.

"The more I think about it these past few days, the more I regret it. I should have stayed and fought alongside Master Wuyan. How could I have become someone who deserted in the face of battle?"

"Alas, being in a sect, we can't always act according to our own desires."

"If possible, who wouldn't want to roam the martial world as freely as Master Wuyan? It's just a pity that if one becomes a rogue cultivator, one probably won't have the skills one has today. Even if one has these skills, one can't do as one pleases."

……

Ruan Ayao waved her hand and set up a barrier.

Inside the private room, Zhu Wuyao had already prepared wine and dishes.

She poured wine from the pot, then waved the wine cup in front of Ruan Ayao; the wine was strong and spicy.

Ruan Ayao took a sip and frowned, saying:

"It's very choking."

She placed her wine glass on the table, looked up at Zhu Wuyao who was sitting opposite her, pouring herself a drink, and asked:

"Is this what you mean by 'being law-abiding'?"

These past few days, Ruan Ayao has been calculating the time.

It turns out that if it weren't for that flute music, so much trouble wouldn't have happened. Perhaps the "Silent Taoist Priest" who caused such chaos in the far south would still be on the road with his baggage.

Zhu Wuyao said:

"It was all an accident."

That's pure sophistry.

As long as she remains on the territory of the Juque Sect, and as long as the Juque Sect persists in its inhuman behavior, even if she escapes Ge Mingsheng's mourning at her grave, she cannot avoid other things she finds objectionable.

"Knowing I'm troublesome, why did you still bring the Taibai Sect members and stay in Tongzhou to wait for me?"

"When you're out in the world, you have to uphold a sense of 'loyalty'."

Leading the Taibai Sect disciples away from the border was a choice that the leader of the group had to make, as someone within the sect.

"When should we meet with that 'Silent Taoist Priest'?"

Ruan Ayao is not a fool.

After seeing so many things, one can guess that Zhu Wuyao is the "Wuyan Daoist". If that's the case, her reason for coming to Tongzhou is probably related to another Wuyan Daoist who appeared out of nowhere.

"As soon as possible."

Upon hearing Zhu Wuyao's reply, Ruan Ayao continued:

"There are too many dangers around you, so I can't bring the Taibai Sect disciples with me to take the risk. I can only go with you personally."

"If we don't have enough manpower, I'll contribute some spirit stones and recruit some independent cultivators from Tongzhou."

Zhu Wuyao made a trip to the territory of the Juque Sect and obtained some new information.

Since the "Silent Daoist" beside Ge Mingsheng is probably unrelated to the Juque Sect, it is highly likely that he is an unknown old friend who wants to meet her.

Risk reduced.

But she really needs Ruan Ayao's help to cover her losses.

If a fight really breaks out, and she engages the imposter Taoist priest Wuyan, Ruan Ayao can at least help protect Ge Mingsheng and his daughter.

She didn't really trust the other independent cultivators either.

Since there was a need, Zhu Wuyao didn't feign reluctance and stated frankly:

"You are enough on your own. If something unexpected happens, and you have the capacity, please help me take a girl and her mother away."

"If there's anything I can do to help in the future, just let me know, and I won't refuse."

Zhu Wuyao raised his wine glass.

Having settled this matter, she took out her storage bag and began to deal with another troublesome issue—

Selling stolen goods.

Perhaps it can be mutually beneficial with Taibai Sect.

He tossed the storage bag in his hand to Ruan Ayao and said:

"See if your Taibai Sect needs anything."

The black market in Tongzhou was exposed.

Even if this business still exists in secret, Zhu Wuyao, as an outsider, is not very knowledgeable about it and may not be able to gain people's trust or get involved.

The only entity capable of swallowing the stolen goods of the Juque Sect was another large corporation of similar size.

If I weren't in the far south, handing these things over to the Star-Picking Tower would have earned me a considerable amount of contribution points.

Ruan Ayao casually accepted the storage bag.

I already guessed that this item belonged to the Juque Sect.

But when his divine sense probed in, he immediately sensed something was wrong, paused for a moment, and asked:

"Why are there so many?"

"I have eliminated the Juque Sect disciples' stronghold in the far south."

Ruan Ayao: ...

She had a headache.

After a brief silence, she asked:

"When do you plan to leave? The people the Giant Sword Sect sends next will be more than you and I can handle."

Don't say "the Taoist priest is silent".

I'm afraid that she, as the person in charge of the Taibai Sect in the far south, will also be summoned to her door and asked if she is involved in this matter.

Since no one had asked for an answer, he continued:

"If you really can't get away with this, you don't need to force yourself to cover for me. First, check if there's anything your Taibai Sect needs in your storage bag."

The identity of "Master Silent" was flawed from the start.

Even if Ruan Ayao didn't tell, the Juque Sect might still be able to find out her true identity.

Moreover, when she first appeared in Beixuan City as the Daoist Wuyan, she was involved with a Nascent Soul stage rogue cultivator named Wei Gui. Elder Qian of Qingyun Sect in Dongji City might have also been paying attention to this matter.

These are all potential risks.

Therefore, Zhu Wuyao has been acting with unusual urgency ever since he woke up.

She couldn't very well return to Beixuan City and slaughter everyone who remembered the "Silent Daoist's" appearance.

Therefore, Zhu Wuyao had absolutely no hope of concealing his identity.

I just hope to finish what I want to do before it happens.

Seeing that Zhu Wuyao did not answer her question about when she would leave, Ruan Ayao did not press the matter further. She considered the spirit stones she could offer and said:

"You must urgently need to transform these trivial matters into increased strength. On the premise of immediate payment, I can only accept a small portion of it, supplemented by some pills and talismans in addition to spirit stones."

"Don't say I'm taking the opportunity to lower the price. This kind of business, except for rare items, has never been called high-priced."

Zhu Wu had not inquired about the specific price range, found it acceptable, and nodded, saying:

"Pick whatever you like."

As he spoke, he handed over a storage bag as an extra.

Without any hesitation, Ruan Ayao began selecting goods, taking out a dozen or so talismans, several bottles of pills, and two boxes containing items, saying:

"Besides the spirit stones, half of these can be used to trade with you. You can choose some and leave me some."

As these things floated down in front of him, Zhu Wuyao opened two boxes first.

One of them was an aged elixir, and the other was a magical artifact.

The two are of comparable value.