This city of North River was strictly divided.
The city was split into four regions, Heaven, Star, Tranquil, and Jade.
The place where Gongyang Ce resided was the Tranquil Region.
North of Tranquil was the land of lions and tigers; a night sky full of stars fills the courtyard. This childrenâs rhyme described the scenery of Tranquil.
Its northern lands were rugged like lions and tigers, while its southern half extended into the sea.
The result was a landscape of scattered, starry brilliance.
Xu Zimo walked along the streets of Tranquil, where wide roads stretched in all directions.
Before his eyes was a scene of flourishing prosperity.
âFresh buns! Just out of the steamer, piping hot buns!â
âTranquil noodles, authentic Tranquil noodles, donât miss your chance!â
âŠâŠ
Xu Zimo had never seen such a lively city.
âBoss, I want a skewer of candied hawthorn,â just then, a sweet voice drifted into Xu Zimoâs ears.
The voice felt strangely familiar.
Xu Zimo turned his head and saw a young woman with her hair in braids, dressed in a patterned long dress.
She held a skewer of candied hawthorn and was smiling brightly at him.
âMiss Jing?â Xu Zimo said in surprise.
âLong time no see, Young Master Xu,â Miss Jing replied with a smile.
She slowly lifted the candied hawthorn to her lips, bent slightly at the waist, and asked with a laugh, âWant some?â
âHow are you here?â Xu Zimo asked.
âWaiting for you,â Miss Jing smiled.
âWaiting for me?â
âMy master said someone would come to see him today, so he sent me out to receive them,â Miss Jing explained with a smile.
âYour master is⊠Gongyang Ce?â Xu Zimo instantly realized.
âYouâve only just figured it out?â Miss Jing teased with a grin.
âWhere is your master?â Xu Zimo asked, frowning.
âHe told me to tell you that he doesnât wish to see you,â Miss Jing said. âAnd that he cannot answer your questions.â
âHe knows what I want to ask?â Xu Zimo smiled faintly.
He didnât believe there was anyone in this world who truly knew everything.
Even one who had traveled the River of Fate would not.
Perhaps Yu Huang and the others had notified Gongyang Ce in advance, but the odds of that were very slim.
âYou want to ask about the Grand-Pivot God-Sword, donât you?â Miss Jing laughed.
âIf your master refuses to speak, do you know anything?â Xu Zimo asked.
âMy cultivation is shallow. For matters that great, it has to be my master,â Miss Jing shook her head.
âSo you came just to tell me this?â Xu Zimo asked.
âOf course not. I want to help you,â Miss Jing replied.
âHow will you help?â
âWell, I should get something in return, shouldnât I?â
âWhat do you want?â Xu Zimo asked.
âRumor has it that in the Jade Pool Holy Lands, there is a hundred-thousand-year old snow lotus. I want you to bring it to me,â Miss Jing said.
Seeing Xu Zimo remain silent, she smiled again and added, âIf you donât want to, thatâs fine. But aside from my master, itâll be nearly impossible for you to find the Xuanyuan Clan.â
âYouâre threatening me?â Xu Zimo asked, looking up slightly.
âI know youâre not one to bow to threats,â Miss Jing smiled.
âHow about this: I can first help you find the Grand-Pivot God-Sword. Later, you can decide whether to go to Jade Pool Holy Lands.â
Xu Zimo thought for a moment, then nodded slightly.
âFollow me,â Miss Jing said softly with a graceful smile, leading the way.
They passed through the bustling markets of Tranquil. The streets teemed with people, a true scene of prosperity.
Though the city had no ruler, it was unusually peaceful. Few dared cause trouble here.
For this was an ancient city.
At any moment, that old man selling vegetables by the street might turn out to be a hidden master.
This was what it meant for tigers and dragons to lie concealed.
âŠâŠ
âSince coming to the Outer Heavens, have you been here the whole time?â Xu Zimo asked.
âOf course. This is my home,â Miss Jing replied.
âThen why did you go to the Primordial Heartlands before?â
âThatâs a secret,â Miss Jing said with a playful smile as her steps came to a halt before a tall tavern.
The tavern towered a hundred stories high, piercing the clouds, its end invisible to the eye.
Its decorations were so resplendent that they rivaled any imperial palace.
âSee that?â Miss Jing pointed to the tavern and said, âInside is a type of Immortal Brew, my masterâs favorite drink. If you can get some, Iâm sure my master will agree to meet you.â
âImmortal BrewâŠâ Xu Zimo murmured to himself.
âYouâre not coming in?â he asked.
âI have to return and report, or my master will be angry,â Miss Jing waved her hand. âGood luck.â
Watching her leave, Xu Zimoâs frown deepened.
He had always harbored doubts about Miss Jingâs identity.
Now some truths had surfaced, but he still wasnât convinced. His gut told him things werenât that simple.
But for now, the priority was finding the Grand-Pivot God-Sword and breaking the seal on the Infernal Heart. Other matters could wait.
And as for the affairs of the witches and demons, since he was here in this lifetime, he had to see them through.
âŠâŠ
He stepped into the tavern.
Above its majestic doors hung a plaque that read âPrimeval Towerâ, the characters shining brilliantly in the sunlight.
This tavern was unlike any he had imagined, it was divided into countless private rooms.
Guests ate and rested inside these rooms.
When Xu Zimo entered, no one paid him any attention. Only one attendant sat at the counter, calculating accounts.
âI want a pot of Immortal Brew,â Xu Zimo said as he approached.
âFirst time here, friend?â the attendant asked with a smile.
âWhat, are there rules?â Xu Zimo asked.
âThe Primeval Tower may look like a tavern, but in truth it only provides a place for trade. We donât sell anything directly,â the attendant explained with a smile. âIf you want Immortal Brew, you can try the âImmortal Brew Chamberâ private room and see if theyâre selling any.â
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He added with a reminder: âBut Immortal Brew is very rare, always in short supply. It depends on your luck.â
Xu Zimo nodded slightly.
He headed deeper inside the tavern, down a quiet corridor. The soundproofing of the rooms was excellent.
Following the attendantâs directions, he came to a room with the character âImmortalâ carved on its door.
He knocked lightly.
A small window on the side opened.
âWhen?â A maid looked out and asked.
âI want to buy Immortal Brew,â Xu Zimo replied.
âThis monthâs Immortal Brew is already gone. Come back next month,â the maid answered.
She was about to close the window, but Xu Zimo stopped her.
âI canât wait until next month.â
The maid glanced at him and said, âThen thereâs nothing we can do. Immortal Brew is limited in supply.â
âYou do have a way,â Xu Zimo said. âConsider it me owing you a favor. Give me one jar of Immortal Brew.â
âYouâre unreasonable,â the maid frowned at him.
She tried to close the window, but Xu Zimoâs hand held it firmly open, no matter how hard she tried.
âWhatâs wrong with you?â the maid complained.
âI must have the Immortal Brew,â Xu Zimo repeated firmly.